Here’s the list of sacrifices that parents make for their kids without complaining!
It is heart-touching how parents make endless sacrifices for their kids. From the time, they plan us to their last breath – parents don’t shy away from making sacrifices. Without holding any regret, how parents make sacrifices for their kids shows how they are their kid’s biggest supporters!
Now, as I myself embark on the journey of parenting, I feel I owe an apology to my parents for not recognizing their endless sacrifices for me and my sibling. Though the sacrifices made by any parents are countless, here are some of those sacrifices that our parents made for their kids.
Sacrifice #1: Personal Life
The biggest sacrifice that any parent does for a kid is sacrificing “Me Time”. As kids demand parent’s undivided attention, parents are left with no choice but to sacrifice their personal time. Because of the shortage of time, the parents have to give up on things that they love the most.
For some, it could be reading books or watching sports of their choice. Some parents tend to be so busy, that they hardly get time to focus on their own health. And, hence, land-up sacrificing their health too!
Though, post-retirement, parents do find some time for themselves. But by then, the golden period of youth is over. They sacrifice their golden time so that they can help kids in building a better life for themselves.
Sacrifice #2: Marriage
Though the birth of a child changes many relationships, the first relationship that gets affected is the marriage. The wife starts being a mother first whereas the husband dad! Suddenly, the baby comes above marriage on the priority list.
Because of lack of time, many parents even lose the touch with their spouse at an intimate level. They suffer relationship issues because either they are working or helping their kids out. This leads to an emotional disconnect between the couples.
Sacrifice #3: Freedom
In the quest to give their kids a better life, many parents give up their freedom of choice. Freedom to take a job that their heart desires or to living in the country they like or to pursue their hobbies. They give up all their choices for their kids!
They chose a job that pays well, they chose a country that is more suitable for their kids; Rather than spending money on their own hobbies, they tend to save it for their kids! Many times, they sacrifice their own happiness so that their kids can be happy!
Sacrifice #4: Time
Time is one thing that every parent struggle with. Once the parents start planning for their kids, they start dedicating their time to their kids. Through-out our lives, our parents spend time their time with us. From teaching us how to speak to how to ride to how to write, the parents spend a lot of their time on their kids.
Even after working hard at the office, when parents come back home, they spend time with kids on their projects or on their learning!
Sacrifice #5: Career
While many mothers either put their dreams on hold or sacrifice their aspirations for the sake of giving kids their best. It is sad how a mother, and in some case, a father, sacrifice their career dreams for their kids. Some parents often take up jobs that allow them to spend more time with their kids.
Sacrifice #6: Emotions
While every sacrifice has its own significance, but, I feel Emotional Health is the biggest sacrifice that parents make for their kids. Emotional health is important for any individual. As parenting is stressful, it does hurt the emotional health of many parents. For emotional health, every individual tends to like to do certain things or spend time with some people.
But due to parental responsibilities, many parents can’t do either of those things. All these sacrifices deteriorate their emotional health.
Sacrifice #7: Relationships
As discussed above, not only marriage but also many relationships undergo a change once a baby arrives. The baby tops the list of all relationships. Relationships like friendships or relationships with their parents, siblings, or even relatives take a back seat.
Sometimes, parents even lose a treasured friendship or relation of a lifetime because of a lack of time to stay in touch.
Sacrifice #8: Money
It is expensive to raise a kid. And to give their kids the best, many parents tend to spend a lot of money on them and sometimes, even before they are born. From providing the best education to arranging extraordinary experiences for their kids, many parents spend a lot of their money to give their kids the best they could.
And how could one forget the great Indian wedding!
If it’s a girl, then sometimes parents even go to the point of taking loans in old age to marry their girl.
Sacrifice #9: Social life
Ask any parent about their social life, and they would tell how their social life revolves around their kids. From attending school functions to kids’ friends’ birthday parties to attending our extra-curricular parties, parents have to sacrifice their social life too!
Sacrifice #10: Food
Many times, parents also give up on their favorite foods to ensure their kids pick up healthy eating. Parents in not so well to do families, also give up a one-time meal to feed their kids.
Sacrifice #11: Dreams & Desires
Once you become parents, many things change. You are not the one in charge of your life and desires. You go on vacation as per your kids’ holidays or exams. From car to furniture to wardrobe, everything is decided based on your kids’ comfort.
It is heart-touching how parents make so many sacrifices for their kids out of their unconditional love. And, as parents tend to age, they need the same level of love and care from us. Many parents, who after making so many sacrifices, don’t get the love and respect they deserve, suffer trauma.
As I embark on the journey of being a mother myself, I tend to better understand the sacrifices that my parents made. I want to salute every parent, who tends to make endless sacrifices for their kids without even a cinch of resistance! You are our REAL HEROES!