7 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Parents

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With National Parents’ Day fast approaching, we should take a moment to appreciate the people who worked so hard to prepare us for this world. Our parents gave us countless hours of their time, teaching us, guiding us, and correcting us when we made mistakes. Seldom do consider how much they’ve truly done to care for us.

But we should! Giving back to our parents can be as simple as a few spoken words—something that makes them feel appreciated and loved by their children. It can be easy to forget, especially once we move away from our parents, and once we delve into the schoolwork, employment, and relationships of our busy lives. Take this time, though, to remember your parents, and check out these 7 ways to show them you appreciate what they’ve done in your life.

Give Time

This is the simplest, and often, one of the best, ways to show appreciation to your parents. Time is valuable to us all, and is an increasingly scarce and precious resource—it’s something that, once given, we can never get back. It’s an easy thing to let day after day slip by without speaking to or seeing our parents, but don’t allow yourself to fall into that rut. Parents’ Day exists to remind us that our parents deserve our time and, by extension, our love.

If nothing else, you can simply use that time to stop by and visit—something every parent appreciates. Giving someone time makes them feel important, loved, and valued, and what better way to show appreciation than to instill these feelings? So pick up the phone, drive over, or invite your parents over for dinner. They’ll appreciate the time you took out of your day for them.

Thank Them

Parents’ Day is about appreciation, so be sure to thank your parents for everything they do for you. After all, even though you no longer live at home, these are still the same people who graciously changed your diapers and chased after you when you ran, screaming, from isle to isle in the grocery store.

Words are incredibly powerful. They have the ability to totally change someone’s day—a simple phone expressing your thanks and appreciation can make most parents’ day. Before you talk to them, make a small list of everything you’re thankful they did for you. It’s likely to be much longer than you think.

Be emotionally open—especially you, men. Express your love and appreciation not only in words, but in your voice and tone, as well. Ensure your parents feel as important as they are, and don’t hold back a single word. You’ll absolutely make their day.

Do Something For Them

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Some parents respond best to acts of service, and the best way to show appreciation to them is to get out and do something for them. If you have children, get them to help out, as well! Mow their lawn, clean their house, or take care of their pets for a day. Allow them time to relax while you do the tasks that they did for you for so long. They deserve it.

Even better, surprise them! Let them come home to find your handiwork already done—especially if they’re the types to complain or resist when others offer help. For some parents, actions speak more loudly than words, so get to know what your parents like best, and give it to them to show your appreciate.

Do this out of love, rather than in a state of impatience. Make your parents feel important—let them know that what you’re doing for them is a gift freely given out of love. It’s what they did for you.

Plan an Activity

Including your parents in an activity makes them feel special, loved, and appreciated. You could do something as simple as take them out to dinner or a movie, or plan a picnic so that they can spend time with you and, perhaps, their grandchildren. Make sure it’s something that they’d love—show how much you know your parents by setting up an outing that they’ll enjoy and remember. Experiences can be incredibly valuable gifts.

Inviting someone makes them feel remembered, something many parents struggle with after their children have grown and moved out of the house. Many parents feel loved by their children, but our busy lives allow us so little time to spend with one another that they can feel as if we’ve forgotten they exist.

Don’t let this happen! This Parents’ Appreciation Day, take your parents out somewhere where they’ll have a great time, and show them how special they are.

Make Them a Gift

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Are you into crafts? Are you a great writer? Do you sing, or play musical instruments? Creating a gift for your parents—something that only you could make—can be an extra special way of making them feel appreciated this Parents’ Day.

A handmade gift has the potential to show that you know a person, and whatever your talent is, your parents will appreciate it. You may feel embarrassed to handmake a gift as an adult, but don’t be! Even if you don’t feel you have any sort of creative talent, head on over to a paint-it-yourself pottery studio or a paint night at your local club, and create something there.

Creating a gift makes us especially vulnerable, because it’s not someone else’s handiwork we’re putting up for display—it’s our own. If that gift isn’t liked, it’s hard not to take it personally. But keep in mind that these are the people who likely still have that crayon drawing of a broccoli that you did when you were five. The value in a handmade gift isn’t in its perfection, but in the fact that it reflects the person who created it.

Live Their Lessons

Parents love to see their children succeed, and they put a lot of time and effort into teaching them life lessons. Another way to show your parents appreciation is to simply live out these lessons—show them that you listened, and that you appreciate what they taught you.

Ask questions. Seek your parents’ wisdom—they have it, and are likely quite willing to give it. Their rich trove of life experience can be incredibly valuable, and asking their advice makes them feel incredibly valued. Not only being asked, but seeing their children actually translate this advice into action, is wonderfully affirming.

Many children make the mistake of ignoring the life lessons of their parents because they feel their knowledge is “out of date” or somehow flawed, but the simple act of showing that you listened can go a long way. The wisdom of your parents is more applicable than you might think, so live it out as best you can, and show them that their words were not wasted.

Remember Holidays

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Showing your parents appreciation isn’t limited to Parents’ Day. Be sure to remember the holidays all year—don’t forget birthdays, especially! Even if you live on the other side of the country, send a card or give them a call. Recognize them on the major holidays—especially the family-oriented ones.

For holidays, keep in mind the rest of these 7 suggestions—take your parents out for dinner on their birthdays, make them Christmas gifts, and invite them over for Thanksgiving. Send them a card on their anniversary. They’ll appreciate it!

You need no reason to be loving to your parents, but take advantage of the holidays to treat them extra special. Begin with Parents’ Day, but don’t let it end there. Take advantage of every opportunity to give back to the people who loved you, raised you, and kept you safe for the first eighteen years or so of your life.