what does a child "owe" their parent?

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bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
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the last thing i gave my parents was a restraining order for a couple years....

so i would say it depends on the relationship you have w/ your parents
 

MovingTarget

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2003
9,002
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First of all, they owe the parents the gift of seeing them put to good use everything they've been given, i.e. an attempt to succeed in life to the best of their ability. Second would be increasing health-related help for things they cannot do as they age: like some occasional manual labor on the weekend for things around the house that they cannot do themselves. Third would be a call or visit every now and then. This does wonders for a parent that cares....but then again some don't.
 

IEC

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
14,600
6,084
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I don't believe children "owe" anything. They should be willing to help their parents out of the goodness of their hearts rather than a sense of obligation. Though acting out of a sense of obligation is better than nothing.
 

wischeez

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2004
1,721
0
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Back when my Dad died, I was still in the Air Force. I made out an allotment to my Mother in the amount of her monthly mortgage payment. Basically, she had a free place to live. She was working at the time, so her money paid her bills and went to spending for her.
 

JMapleton

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2008
4,179
2
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A child owes their parent the most trouble free upbringing as possible. Stay out of trouble, get good greades, prepare a future, don't humiliate your parents, and help them when they need it.
 

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
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Originally posted by: MovingTarget
First of all, they owe the parents the gift of seeing them put to good use everything they've been given, i.e. an attempt to succeed in life to the best of their ability. Second would be increasing health-related help for things they cannot do as they age: like some occasional manual labor on the weekend for things around the house that they cannot do themselves. Third would be a call or visit every now and then. This does wonders for a parent that cares....but then again some don't.

:thumbsup:

Although my parents are both working and take care of almost everything themselves, I still help out where I can - computer related questions, etc. When I still lived at home, I helped out with yard work, dishes, vacuuming etc, although much of the time my parents insisted they would do it themselves. I sometimes wish they were more accommodating of my offers to help.

To address your third point, I think calls and visits are important. I talk with my folks a couple times a week and I usually visit a couple times a month. I continue to try to spend time with them - in recent years we still took family trips to the cabin, and later this year I'm going to Vegas with my Dad, cousin and uncle.

Seriously, unless your parents are abusive screw-ups, you should nurture and invest in your relationship with them. It will enrich your life so much and you won't have regrets when they die years from now.
 

Liberator21

Golden Member
Feb 12, 2007
1,003
0
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Originally posted by: Spartan Niner
I don't believe children "owe" anything. They should be willing to help their parents out of the goodness of their hearts rather than a sense of obligation. Though acting out of a sense of obligation is better than nothing.

There really are some quote-worthy responses in this thread, and not the typical douche-bag crap.

Those with kids just think about how much your actually sacrificing (well, maybe SHOULD be) - I know the demands from a 3 year old are pretty intense, but I wouldn't trade it - You hope all that you do can provide a decent life for your child and they don't royally screw it up.

If your parents have done these things for you, you better believe you owe them something. In a way I think this is what is wrong with our country. Somewhere along the lines we, our parents, or our parents parents became self-absorbed and decided raising a decent child was too much effort.

Lets not make those mistakes! That way when you need your depends changed you can do it in the comfort of your own (children's) home, instead of the nursing home!
 

nixium

Senior member
Aug 25, 2008
919
3
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Originally posted by: Lothar
My mom paid for some of my education, and also didn't give me the boot when I turned 18 or start charging me for rent...Unlike other parents in the other thread.

I owe it to her that she gets whatever she wants. No exceptions.
I am where I am today because of her generousity.

Anytime I do something(bought new electric range, rented a hall for $500 for an event for her, changed her car battery last week) she always wants to pay me back for them but I refuse.
I just can't accept money from her anymore especially when I make more than she does.

Oh, and I can assure you that if I was kicked out of the house by 18 and she didn't help in any way to fund my college education like most American parents seem to do, she wouldn't get shit from me.

If she tells me she needs $20,000, I'll transfer it to her account instantly.

You reap what you sow.

:thumbsup: