My Parents and Other Ideas

We often think of parents only in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and long lectures. But they are made for much more than that... they are capable of friendship, fun, and yes… even coolness.

I once read that people start appreciating their parents only in their late twenties... and for some smart, emotionally intelligent beings, it begins in their early twenties. I don’t think I’ve met many teenagers who have fully appreciated their parents.

Generally, whatever has been with us the longest... without dramatic change... we tend to take for granted. Like the sun rising in the east, the fact that we can breathe, or that our parents are always there. We assume we don’t need to spend every waking hour with them.

Only when our world shatters... when the sun doesn’t rise, when illness takes our breath away, or when someone we saw last night isn’t there the next morning... do we realise the value of what we had… and the price we pay for not valuing it.

Appreciate While You Still Can

One day, I had a major craving for Chinese food. I messaged a close friend who loved it as much as I did and would never say no. She didn’t reply... which was strange in our 20 years of friendship.

The next day, I got a call. Her mother had fractured her leg weeks earlier, developed a clot, and parts of it had travelled to her lungs. She needed surgery.

I rushed to the hospital... only to learn that a few hours later, her mother was declared brain dead… and soon after, she passed away.

I ran back home to my parents.

I have always loved spending time with friends, but after that incident, if my parents’ plans overlapped with my friends’, I chose my parents.

Friends may be forever... but parents are not. Yet the pain of losing them… is forever.

The Irony of Appreciation

The irony is this: by the time we realise how wonderful our parents are, some of us have already lost one... or both.

Those of us who still have them should consider ourselves extremely fortunate. In this big, wide world, we eventually realise they have been on our side all along.

Strengthening bonds with parents doesn’t happen over one breakfast on a fine Saturday morning. It takes time and effort... mostly from our side.

If you’re reading this, chances are you need to make that effort.

Here are some simple, meaningful ways to do that.

Exercise Together

Exercise is a fantastic way to spend time with parents.

No... I don’t mean signing them up for Zumba and landing in hospital with huge bills! Start simple: take a walk in the park or on your street. Even if you walk at different paces, stay within sight.

Pilates is another great option... especially with your mother (and if you can convince your dad, well done you!). It needs no equipment (except YouTube), suits all fitness levels, and shows results quickly.

Research shows people who exercise together stay healthier longer. Exercise releases endorphins... the “happy hormones.” By the end, you’ll have three happy people at home. What more could you ask for?

Go-Karting with Dad

This one’s for dads.

I’ve never met a man who went go-karting and came back frowning. They love it! 

If your dad is super competitive and it’s already 8:30 pm… please lose the race so everyone can go home.

(If you’re unfamiliar... go-karting involves racing small cars around a track.)

Movies & TV Time

This can be tricky. Much of today’s entertainment targets younger audiences, which parents may not enjoy.

Choose wholesome, family-friendly shows and movies. Sitcoms like The Cosby Show, Home Improvement, or Modern Family work well. Always check trailers beforehand.

Nothing bonds like shared laughter.

You could also watch the news together and ask their opinions. People love being asked what they think. Go ahead... make your parents the 9th and 10th panelists on your living-room debate!

Bonding Over Food

Nothing transcends boundaries like food.

Even if you’re just the “official taster” in the kitchen, the experience is special. You learn cooking processes... and some of the best conversations happen over the stove.

Take your parents out to try new cuisines:

• If they prefer Indian flavours → Start with Mexican (nachos → fajitas)

• Like spicy, coconut flavours → Try Thai or Vietnamese

• Comfortable with cheese → Introduce Italian

• Feeling adventurous → Japanese

You may be the only one at a gastro-pub with parents... but who cares? You’re giving them delicious experiences.

Flowers & Gardening

There’s a mysterious connection between a certain age and a love for flowers!

Take your parents to a nursery. Buy plants, pretty pots, and watering cans. Even helping hold a pot while they paint it becomes bonding time.

Fair warning: future travel plans may revolve around...
“Who will take care of the plants?”

Music Across Generations

Music transcends time and age.

Ask your parents what they listened to when they were young. Look it up. Buy or stream it.

You’ll discover incredible music... deep lyrics, real emotions. (Personally, my mother introduced me to Pink Floyd and Eagles when I was 15.)

Once you build their playlist, teach them how to search and download songs.

Warning: This requires patience... especially when you get calls like:
“Where did the song go? I can’t find it!”

Teach Them Technology

Introduce them to fun apps (beyond Candy Crush and Cooking Dash). They’ll be fascinated... sometimes more than kids!

Of course, you’ll occasionally get panic calls:
“My phone crashed! I don’t know what to do!”

But that’s part of the bonding.

The Memories That Last

Think back to school days. What do you remember?

Not physics or geography lessons... but the fun, the mischief, the shared lunches.

Work today is like those subjects... you do it for survival. But the memories that stay are:

• Cooking chicken curry with Dad

• Holding the grocery basket for Mom’s “one last item”

• Choosing plants at the nursery

• Helping them navigate apps

Make the Time Count

We will have these cheerleaders in our lives only for a limited time.

So why not fill that time with beautiful memories?

However cool social media feels... nothing is as real as real time with your parents… the only people who will stand by you till their last breath.