The art of the uncelebrated parent: 8 habits of mothers and fathers who gave everything to their children and learned to live with the quiet that came after - Silicon Canals

"Kids don't owe you gratitude for doing your job as a parent. You signed up for this. You chose to have them. Taking care of them isn't some favor you're doing-it's what you're supposed to do. The parents who get this stop keeping score. They stop waiting for recognition."

"I spent decades pouring everything I had into being a dad. Working overtime to pay for college, sitting through endless Little League games, teaching them to drive even though it nearly gave me a heart attack. Then one day they're grown, and you're left wondering who you are when nobody needs you to be dad anymore."

A parent reflects on the empty nest phase after their son moved out thirty years ago, transforming the bedroom into an office while grappling with loss of identity and purpose. The narrative explores how parents navigate the transition from active parenting to a new life phase. Key insights emerge about releasing expectations: parents must stop waiting for gratitude from their children, recognizing that parenting is a responsibility chosen by adults, not a favor deserving recognition. Additionally, successful parents make peace with their mistakes rather than defending them, understanding that perfectionism in parenting is unrealistic. These realizations help parents move beyond resentment and find new meaning beyond their role as caregivers.

Read at Silicon Canals