When I was growing up my dad would always make a big deal about Mother’s Day. He’d bring us to the store to have us buy little presents or flowers for my mom and he’d remind us to write cards that showed our thanks to our mom for being there for us.
We’d have a nice breakfast or dinner together when we’d give my mom her gifts and cards. My mom had us do the same for our dad for Father’s Day. And birthdays and Christmas
When my husband and I started having children, we would do the same for our kids, teaching them the value of thanking their mom and dad.
Some may say, it’s just a Hallmark Holiday and others may say, it’s not my responsibility to remember these days, and while that may all be true, it’s important for parents to help kids honor their mom and dad. It’s a yearly opportunity to do something good.
With yesterday being Father’s Day, I encouraged each of my children to make cards for their dad and to think about a gift they could make him or purchase for him. I made sure they helped with our Father’s Day brunch and that we made it a big deal. 
Later we invited my dad (and mom) and my husband’s dad (and mom) over to honor them as well for a Father’s Day ribeye and T-bone steak dinner.
And, last month, all my children gathered in our home for an amazing fresh strawberry crepe and whipping cream brunch that my husband made for me and my mom.
Parents do so much for their kids. They sacrifice for their children, they teach their kids skills, they give their children experiences, they provide for their kids, they love their kids, they nurture their children, and they give of themselves to their children.
And so much of what parents do for their children cannot be listed in a short blog post.
Sure, kids should be reminded to thank their parents all year long, every day, throughout the day; yet on special days — like yesterday’s Father’s Day — they should be taught to do something more to honor their parents. Make them breakfast, write them a thank you card, buy them a gift.
And, when (if) you become a parent yourself one day, you will realize how wonderful it feels to be honored by your children.
“Honor your father and mother.”- Exodus 20:12
(Previous in the seriesDay 14: We take care of our own)
We learn so much from our parents and we also learn from the ways other people parent. Children are watching. Thanks Megan for your thoughts here and for reading.
We learn so much from our parents and we also learn from the ways other people parent. Children are watching. Thanks Megan for your thoughts here and for reading.
Children learn from their parents, and when you honor mother’s and father’s on their special day, the children will absorb that. So important. Keep up the good work Cornelia, and thanks for sharing.
Children learn from their parents, and when you honor mother’s and father’s on their special day, the children will absorb that. So important. Keep up the good work Cornelia, and thanks for sharing.