Being a mother or father is a blessing. Do we really need a day set aside for recognition? I personally don't think so.

Mothers and fathers choose to be parents. All of the things that are done for children are because it is the responsibility of being a parent. When a person decides to have a child, it should be with the understanding that the care of that child is part of being a parent.

Parenting is by choice, therefore, the children should not be made to feel grateful for what a parent does for them. Children are given to parents as a blessing. A child is given to parents for a length of time to be cared for and taught to be a good person.

One hears a lot of parents say they have sacrificed and given up so many things to raise their children. What have you given up or sacrificed? A child doesn't ask to be born. If that were so, I'm sure there a lot of children who would have picked other people to be their parents. If you are going to feel like you are sacrificing or giving up something, then maybe you should have thought twice about being a parent.

Parenting should be done with love and understanding. There should not be any thoughts about what you gave up to have a child. The job of being a parent should be done without feeling that you should be appreciated.

Certainly a child should honor their parents. Remember the commandment, thou shalt honor thy mother and thy father. This honor is earned by being a good parent. The behavior of your children will show you if you have been a good parent. One should never become a parent if they do so thinking that someone is going to pat them on the back and say, "good job." When we choose to be a parent it should not be for recognition or appreciation.

Children are given to parents to guide and nurture. It is the duty of a parent to teach them how to be good people. By showing them love and understanding, they will learn to be a loving and understanding person. As they grow, the love for their parents will grow. With this, love respect and understanding will follow. Their growing up to be a good person, loving and understanding, are a parent's appreciation. Knowing that you have achieved this is your greatest honor. You don't need a special day to feel that honor.

We are given children for a short period in their lifetime for the sole purpose of caring for them and to teach them. When a child becomes an adult, they are no longer your children, but a person equal to you. In your heart they will always be your children, but you cannot hold them bound to you. Because you have taught them to love, they in turn will show you love. They don't need a day set apart to show this love, they will show it often.

It is nice to receive a phone call or a visit from them often, but one must remember most of them have children of their own and are now busy with their own lives. This is what we have taught them to do. We cannot be upset with them when their lives have become too busy to include us. It is not so much that we are forgotten but just a part of life. We all must remember our own lives. I'm sure there are a lot of people who have not spent as much time with their parents as they would have liked to. That doesn't mean you don't love them, you just haven't the time to get around to a call or visit. Still you remember them in your hearts.

A parent knows when their children love them. When there is a good relationship with your children, you are aware of the hardships that they are struggling with. You can be understanding when they haven't called without feeling unloved.

Fathers' day and Mother's day is not necessary. When a strong bond has been forged with your children, you will always feel loved.

Learn more about this author, Marion Garcia.
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