Are you doing enough for the people who sacrificed over a quarter of their life to raise you in an uncertain world? Are you always in touch with the people who exposed you to the ups and downs in life? How do you feel for the people who taught you the difference between existence and life, between life and death? How do you go along, in this troubled times, with the people who know you better than anybody else around? Before you go to answer the questions above, just finish reading this article and reflect for yourself.

When we were still in our nappies, we used to disturb our parents with our tantrums. We also used to badger them for sweets. When we learn the meaning of money, we pestered them for our allowances. Now, if the time comes our parents cannot support themselves physically, what are we going to do? They were around for us when we used to annoy them for something. Now, are we around for them?

In the Scriptures, Proverbs 1:8 instructs us to hear the instructions of our fathers and not to forsake the law of our mothers. Somewhere too in the Proverbs tells us not to mock our parents for their old age. The Ten Commandments and Christ remind us to honor our parents. We are still expected to do the same even if we have our own careers now. These adages hold if it is time to be parents again. This time, it’s our parents we’ll be parenting.

Many parents are abandoned by their children at nursing homes and homes-for-the-aged. The young ones only pay visit during the holidays. In some other parts of the world, a number of them turned to become beggars, destitutes, and homeless. They are turning out to be the most neglected sector in our society.

Yet, many parents around the world are not abandoned and neglected. Their young ones still loved and cared for them. Many experienced the joy of looking after their grandchildren. They are a sort of inspiration to their grandkids who were left orphaned. NBA hall of famer Larry Bird and US President Barack Obama were raised by their grand parents when their parents ceased to live.

For those who are about to parent their parents, don’t see this as a grim prospect for a dull life, but a new experience to learn. Many career-oriented people are unfortunate for not spending time with their disabled parents. Others feel miserable for not being around when they are needed.

For those who are about to take care of their own parents, it is a brave decision they have made. Having them at our own homes is a wise choice than leaving them alone at nursing homes. Nursing homes don’t promote health or family bonding. It is better we take care of our own parents than have nurses or care-givers to take care of them.

Not only it will be a new learning experience, but a moment to revive old bonding, to strengthen family ties, and to bring family members closer to the new generation. Parenting our parents will be one beautiful, emotional challenge. Here are some tips to ponder:

Distinguish needs from wants and separate them. Taking care of our parents has more “needs” than “wants”. These “needs” include clothing, food, love, emotional and moral support, and time for each other. Some “wants” may include visiting them to their favorite places, new set of wheels, DVD players, etc. Taking care of our parents does not lie in giving them what they want but what they need.

Face your fears courageously. Your parents are your rock, your fortress during the hard times. So how can you handle yourself if the dreaded moment of death comes? Everybody fears death, even the death of their beloved parents. Before that moment arrives, rekindle old but happy memories you and your parents had together. Together, both of you will realize there is power in living over death. Don’t let your fears be the reason to go down in life. Rather, do have the courage to tell your parents that you are sorry for every wrong and that you truly loved them.

Say “no” gently. You cannot always please your parents at times. If they want something done and you can’t do, say “no” in a gentle manner. You are not free to bellow at them too.

Don’t recall old grudges. You cannot exact revenge just over some simple admonishments you had received from them before. You cannot avenge against them just because they did not cave in to your demands before. Instead, use this moment to say you are sorry for the ill-feelings you have harbored against them. Also, ready your heart to accept their apologies.

Don’t let others pre-judge your motives. We are surrounded by people who deemed to doubt our motives in life. If people are raising their eyebrows because you are bringing your parents to live with you, tell them how much you love your parents and that you cannot afford to be without them. Answering skeptics like that will make them to think otherwise.

Never cuddle your parents like babies. Your parents are beings with their own thoughts and feelings. They only lack the physique in their old age. So, this is not the reason to treat them as babies. Also, never treat them as if something is wrong.

Share in their work. Some of our aging parents continue to love working. Join them to make them feel better while working. Make them feel active. Show them it is better to work than to stay idle.

Get together. Activities that involve moral, spiritual, social, and emotional leanings help bond the family. Going to church; setting up a booth at a farm fair; participating in a walk-for-a-cause; or going out for a hike help bond the family.

Put caring over money. Remember, money has nothing to do with love. You need your parents. Your parents need you. They are always ready to accept you even if your business falls. Don’t grumble if you think you are spending too much taking care of your parents. Remember, they had spent much taking care of you before. Disregard money matters. Tell your parents you love them

Instill in them the dignity to go on living and enjoying life. There are moments that we may feel sorry for our parents. They might pity themselves too. Dispel that sorry feeling. As someone who still embodies strength, it is your duty to inculcate in them the dignity to live and to enjoy life. Help regain their confidence.



There can be one Father’s Day or Mother’s Day in a year, but everyday is parents’ day. Parenting them is our second chance to tell them we love and care for them. Parenting our parents will develop us to become well-round persons in an uplifting moment. The time we parent them will be the most beautiful family reunion in our lifetime.