What the children owes us.

What the children owes us.

Every parent expect his or her offspring to grow up to be a healthy, prosperous, skilled person, who is socially responsible and widely respected. They are provided healthy living condition, good education, emotional support and encouragement. We take care of them during their illness and while they have the usual growing up problems. We watch out for their behaviour and habits and give necessary course corrections as required. Their wellbeing take precedence over, even our careers and happiness.
Well, why do we do all this, perhaps even sacrificing our own welfare, and happiness? Parenting is a responsibility that we have always considered a blessing from God. Whatever we give physically, emotionally, materially and in terms of time spent are investments we make, without expectation of returns. Or it should be. This is an investment we are required to make when we bring new lives to earth. It is our duty to the world and humanity.
However once the growing up is over, and the children fends for themselves, most many parents feel that they are owed something. Within their mind the children are supposed to give the parents, a fair bit of importance. And in a great many cases it does happen. However there are also many cases where the children do not feel the need for this. The parents in this case feels hard done by, especially when they see peers receiving care and attention, their wellbeing and happiness attended to. And then there are the grumpy parents of children who do a great deal, but gets dissatisfied complaints in response.
In a very fast moving world, the familial bonds have started loosening. With technology at their fingertips, aged people now do not need hands on assistance. Entertainment is easily accessible and so is transportation. Medical care is a phone call away. All you need are the resources to avail of them. So clearly the need of the parents to keep something back for their old age. To hope that the high flying executive or the busy doctor that your child has become, will have the time and willingness to do so, will hardly serve the purpose. And cursing them or the times will only make you grumpier.
Don’t forget, you heed your own hands to shield your eyes from the sun