My parents

[Morutea]

Hello all,

It is my first post

I want your thoughts on this:
Do you feel that because your parents may have supported you when you were younger, that you "owe" it to them to support them now?


(Pay the bills they run up etc, just because they did it for you when you were younger and unable to work)


Thanks.

[Blooming]

Wow this is a tough one. I guess it would depend on whats going on with you're parents, are they ill? Can they no longer work? Do you have tons of money and want to do this for them? I know I could not support my parents emotionally or finacially right now.
Are they telling you, you should? I think There's a lot to take into consideration.
as a mother I do not expect my children to care for me when I get older. Sure it would be nice, expecially if they're in a position too. But I don't think a parent should just expect it.

[Godaime]

In my native culture, children are suppose to "repay" their parents when they're working. Even though I grew up here for most of my life, I still feel like I have to repay them somehow, even though everyone around me is still taking money from their parents. My parents never really had lots of money but they were very frugal. I always felt guilty if I ever need to ask them for money...even when I was a teenager.

Personally if they are living in luxury I wouldn't feel the need to give them money, however if they are struggling, or if they don't buy much stuff for themselves, I would try to help them out financially as much as I can.

[lasciate]

My dad always told me that I repay my parents for taking care of me by taking care of my own children.

[mamawanabe]

Yes, but not because I "owe" them. My dad and aunt didn't spend 6 weeks caring for my dying grandfather at home (the grueling work of body care -changing dipers and helping bath him) because he had changed their diapers and helped bath them 50 years earlier.

[teachma]

Originally Posted by lasciate

My dad always told me that I repay my parents for taking care of me by taking care of my own children.

I really like this idea. I'll remember to say this when my children are grown. That said...MY parents take care of MY children for me! While I am at work. They are in the position to continue to provide support for my siblings (all grown) and me. Even now, they don't readily accept any kind of gift from me because they know that they have more than we do and probably will for some time. So I guess it depends. If they are in need, and you are able to give, then absolutely. But not because you owe them...just because you can. Each situation is so different.