A message to parents & future parents

During a session where one was allowed to share what experience scarred them for life, a friend of mine said that this was what she heard from her dad. The fact that she was top three in the entire school and she still received criticisms disturbed us. How can her father still have something to say when his daughter clearly tried to do her best? Not only that, she also confessed that her dad threw all her medals and told her she was a ‘failure’.

Parents often believe their children can do no wrong. I have seen parents who defend their child’s actions, wrong or not, as if their life was on the line and until their dying breath. There are also parents who are so protective they even fight with little girls when they hear that their child was excluded from plays. Parents are the people who should always believe in you even when others don’t, who would love you despite what you did and will do, and even die for you cheerfully. These are just a few examples of the positive and negative aspects when one have parents or are already one. But what happens when parents don’t act like one? Parents who, instead of being your number one fan, would become your number one critic and 'discourager'. Children who have this kind of parents tend to be depressed and insecure in life. There are even others who committed suicide when they were scolded by their parents and told that they were ‘good for nothing’.

To the parents or future parents reading this, I hope you know that what you say and do has a big impact to the decisions and choices your child would make. There are parents who are strict, while there are some who are not, and that is okay. You should just never forget to tell your child that you love them and you are only doing what you do or did for their own good. Tell them that what they have learned is more important than their grades. Tell them that they should reach for their goals and that you will always be there to support them in any way you can. For those who have parents, if you know your mom and dad are very supportive and patient with you, do not hesitate to tell them you love them and that you appreciate them.

My friend told me that she would be different than her dad. Experience is a good teacher, but learning from the mistakes of others is the best.