Does one or both your parents nag all the time and always find fault with what you do? Are they drunk most of the time? Do they rarely speak to you, show you little respect and never listen to you? Do your parent hit you, punish you often or abuse you (e.g. breaking you down or sexually molesting you)? Do you often wonder if your parents care about you?
If your parents are not like this you have a lot to be thankful for and they definitely deserve a thank you. A short note that says what you are grateful for is one ways to show your appreciation. Another idea is a kiss or a hug and telling them what you appreciate about them. Or you can make them a cup of tea and put a rose or flower in the saucer. There are so many ways to thank them that you can allow your imagination to go wild. You can also speak to someone you trust, like a grandparent or aunt, and see what ideas they have. (Write to us and tell us how you thanked your parent.)
If your parents are somewhat like what was described in the first paragraph my heart goes out to you. It is not easy to have such parents and it is not easy to find something to thank them for. Yet, if they give you shelter, food and in general takes care of you this is a start. You will be amazed how a parent can change if you give them a compliment or thank them for something. In some cases they will feel embarrassed if they realize how little they do and hopefully they will begin to do more. In other cases it may make them feel good; knowing that despite all their troubles you were able to find at least one thing to thank them for. I mean, do you not feel good when someone gives you a compliment or thank you for something. Does it not lift your spirit and motivates you to do more? And if your parent realises that you are looking at them and how they parent you, they may just decide to do a better job of it.
“But I do not feel like doing it.” Well, you do not have to do something if you do not like it. Yet, if everybody in the world waits until things feel good very little may ever get done. Doing the right thing or a good thing cannot always wait for us to feel ready for it.
How will your parents react? They can react in many different ways and some may not even react at all. Do not let this get you down. The important thing is for them to know that you thanked them.