Do you remember learning how to ride a bike? Maybe one parent was holding onto the seat and helping you find your balance before sending you off down the street while your other parent was excitedly holding a camera trying to capture the moment perfectly on video. Learning how to drive was probably a much more stressful experience, but it might have been similar in the way that at least one parent was there, sitting in the passenger seat clinging to the door handle and praying you would make it to your destination safely while holding more tension in their body than you even thought possible.
Our parents are responsible for teaching us countless things, from how to read to how to be a good friend. To celebrate all of the best things wonderful parents have taught us, we found a post on Reddit asking, “Adults, what’s something your parents did right raising you?” and combed through the comments to find the most heartwarming replies. Below, you can read all about the best life lessons and pieces of advice parents have bestowed upon their kids, as well as an interview with mother and blogger Priya Doshi, and hopefully they’ll help you reminisce on some positive memories from your own childhood. Be sure to upvote the responses you find most meaningful, and then let us know in the comments what the best thing your parents ever taught you was. Then if you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda list celebrating wholesome parenting moments, we’ve got the perfect piece right here.
#1
I’m a female with a single father. He has never expected anything of me. Did everything to give me what i needed and wanted. But most importantly he taught me how to do basic things that “a man should do” such as change my cars oil, or the tire, and overall mechanics. My father has also excepted anything and everything I could have gone through phase wise. Dye my blonde hair red? Great! Thick makeup. Cool. Wanting to drink. Tell me where when with who and keep your phone on if you need a ride (of course this is after I was at least 15/16). Most important I was able to talk to my dad about absolutely anything without fear of anger judgment or anything of the sort. I can proudly say I hardly drink never smoke moved out when I was ready and am living a great life. I still have a close relationship with my father and he is still my hero.
Image source: Deja_kitten, Andrea Piacquadio
#2
My parents always taught me to be affectionate. Kinda weird. But my dad always told me that even though you’re a guy, don’t be like the regular guy that acts all tough and contain everything in.
You will be okay if you cry, if you hug, and if you express your love for your buds. Don’t be afraid to express your emotion & affection especially to those who care for you.
Image source: anon, Rada Aslanova
#3
Good manners.
Just basic stuff like “please”, “thank you”, “you’re welcome”, etc.
As an adult, I’m honestly shocked by how frequently I see other adults that have terrible manners. “Give me this”, “I’ll take that”, “I want that”. Or after a waiter drops off a check and tells them to have a nice day they reply with “yeah” or “sure”.
The f**k?
I straight up judge other adults on this stuff. Get your f*****g life together and stop interacting with people like a knuckle dragging neanderthal.
Image source: JohnyUtah_
#4
they made drugs and alcohol seem like they weren’t a big deal, they offered wine with dinner, and they held their promises when they said they’d pick me up from a party no questions asked. they made it seem like it wasn’t a forbidden fruit so i never had the urge to abuse it or sneak around. i’ve never had a problem with it thanks to them, i have healthy boundaries
Image source: PM_ME_UR_FROST_TROLL, Tembela Bohle
#5
I remember being told it was very important to admit when you’re wrong, and I think that was solid advice. But I could be wrong.
Image source: ixnayupidstay, Christina Morillo
#6
They sat us down with them when they paid the bills every month. We started out thinking we had a ton of money (“let’s buy X!”), then watching as the paycheck money dwindled as bills were paid. We’d inevitably finish paying bills and think we still had a lot, then Dad would say “you want to eat this month, don’t you?” and put aside money for groceries.
It was so useful because we learned how much things actually cost, how to put money away for items you couldn’t yet buy (like groceries), and how to save for specific things like retirement and a new roof for the house. It also got us to stop asking for money since we saw that there wasn’t much left over.
Image source: the-magnificunt
#7
Something that has stayed with me forever was when my dad gave me an article from Time magazine that explained in layman’s terms how our brains don’t stop growing until we’re in our early twenties, and one of the last parts of the brain to form is our ability to fully comprehend the consequences of our actions. We think we can, but we can’t fully understand the magnitude of our decisions until later in life. I was about 15 when he gave me that article.
He went on to explain that his job, as a parent, was to sort of fill in that gap by making decisions for me that will decrease my chances of making a “bad decision.” Basic stuff like curfews, picking me up from things instead of letting friends who might have been drinking drive me home.
The most important takeaway was that he wanted me to know he 100% trusted me, but there was a limit to that trust because even if I thought I was making good decisions, I didn’t have all the tools yet to make the best ones.
I appreciate that, looking back on some of the dumb stuff I still managed to get away with at that age. Stuff I would NEVER do now. It was nice having a parent explain why he wanted to control some aspects of my life besides just saying “Because I said so.”
Image source: menomenaa
#8
Read me bedtime stories every night as I was growing up. It instilled in me a love of reading and I am certain it contributed to helping my brain work more betterer than people what doesn’t read good.
Image source: Smyrfinator
#9
My mom always made me try a bite of any food in front of her before she’d allow the “I don’t like it” line. Now, thanks to her, I’m willing to try any food/drink once, even if I think I won’t like it. I’m glad she did that.
Image source: dontaskmethatmoron, Rachel Claire
#10
They taught me tolerance and acceptance. They told me they would love me no matter my religion, sexual orientation, political alliance, or profession. They taught me to accept people and love them for their character and to find people who will love me for my character.
Image source: Steeps87, Sharon McCutcheon
#11
Family dinner every night when Dad got home. No TV and obviously no phones because it was 40 years ago. We talked about our day and laughed about stuff. Good times and very important part of my childhood.
Image source: spautrievas
#12
I have autism which caused a lot of issues. A psychiatrist had me diagnosed and my parents made sure I had the support I needed.
It’s easy to say someone is a difficult child, but figuring out why and helping that child find a path in life that works for them, is the best thing they could ever have done for me.
Image source: Guilty_Coconut, Caleb Oquendo
#13
You can do whatever you want but you are responsible for your choices.
Image source: Arriabella, cottonbro
#14
My mom instilled a deep sense of empathy in me and compassion for those less fortunate than myself
Image source: poornose, Engin Akyurt
#15
They made sure I understood money, money management, saving for retirement, etc. Made my life so much easier have never had to worry about money or debt a day in my life.
Image source: FlameFrenzy, Kuncheek
#16
They respected our privacy. Always knocked on our doors, never went through our computer history or looked at our phones, etc. They would ask us who we were talking to, but if they REALLY wanted to see the messages, they would ask us to show them. They showed that they cared, but they also trusted us to make the right decisions. Now, I can go and talk to my parents about anything! Our relationship is great! I’m so thankful!
Image source: hlturner, Kulbir
#17
Always letting me know that I was loved no matter what.
Image source: Col_Walter_Tits, Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas
#18
My dad always made my brother and I take the lead. He would obviously always know what was going on and would be a few steps ahead of us. If we were in a new city, we would be in charge of working out which bus to take, or if we were cooking, we’d be reading the recipe and telling my dad what to do, etc. It’s pretty simple but it meant we were pretty good at doing things ourselves and were already really independent before leaving home.
We were visiting London once and I managed to get on the tube before the doors closed, but my dad did not. I knew we where we had to change so just got off at the stop and waited for the next train with him on. I think most 8 year olds might have freaked out a bit
Image source: ThisArsehole
#19
Supported my (then) unusual interests. I was into astronomy as a younger kid and they bought books and telescopes and drove me to/from the local astronomy club at late hours. Later (this was the 80s) they bought me a series of computers which were pretty expensive for the time and for their income. I’m grateful they supported what I was into.
Image source: Dapper_Presentation, Lucas Pezeta
#20
I know this will be buried deep in various comments, but well…
I grew up in a not so good financially family. Never starved but didn’t had any luxuries too.
I remember deep in my childhood that my folks always took the change from anything they bought and put inside a piggy bank, all year long. They made sure that I saw’em putting the coins there and kept making me hype about Christmas, because the one who will choose the present was me.
I remember going to bank to change the mountain of coins into paper (looking back for me it was A LOT, but seriously it wasn’t much) and go to the local toy store to buy something for me. My mother even made sure that we packed it to put on the tree and said that would be more fun to open it with the other children.
The family christmas party always happened on a house of one of our rich relatives (not direct relative, my mother was raised by another family) and the other children always got some insane presents… but none of them had the same impact mine had, at least for me.
The things is, my folks thought me, even if they didn’t had the intention at that time that if I saved regularly I will get the things I want and that the value of something is not bounded for what is priced.
This concept alone make me treat money with care, make me do savings regularly, make me plan ahead for almost anything and make me put value in things that doesn’t even have a price. My god looking back I kept a bottle cap in my wallet for years because it had friendship value.
Love you mom and dad.
This kept deep imprinted in me. Thanks.
Image source: JPDreeamnz
#21
My parents accept everyone as they are. Didn’t matter what color your skin is. Gay, straight or something in between. Didn’t matter. My parents loved and accepted all of my sister and my friends. Let some of them live with us when things got bad at home. Now we are all grown up and having children… All those kids are calling my mom and dad Grandma and Grandpa. See. Love does win.
Image source: firefairyqueen
#22
Made sure I understood the value of empathy and just listening. Dad was a recruiter for the Army and recruits would reach back out to him because he would help them get their school life in order, help get home life in order if they needed it and refused to lie to them about the entire process. He’d drive out of his way to take them to the gym to help them get into shape and would say if they needed anything to call. He complained about it but I could see he was just happy to help people around him.
My mom was literally everyone’s mom. I had a lot of friends who parents worked a lot of hours, didn’t listen to their teens or just didn’t care what was going on in their lives. My house more or less had an open door policy and I would come home so often to see me or my sister’s friends just chilling with my mom. They just wanted a mom to listen to them and give them advice and that’s what she did, always honest and always truthful. I have a few non-blood related sisters who my mom took in for a time and they always say Happy Mother’s Day to her.
My sister and I took their lessons to heart, my sis is a school psych, I’m trying to become a teacher. We try and be sympathetic and listen to the people around us
Image source: Sunnyhunnibun
#23
Annoy people with questions, not incompetence.
Image source: 45MinutesOfRoadHead
#24
Let me debate with them on why I wanted something/should be allowed to do something and would change their minds if I made a compelling argument.
Image source: anon
#25
Talked to / treated me like an adult.
No curfew, no restriction of when I can use my phone or play video games or use the internet, no dedicated time for studying or revision, nothing like that. But if you don’t get good results on your exams, that’s your fault, and you have to deal with the consequences.
Image source: eggshitter
#26
We didn’t have TV growing up. We also went to the library once a week. Because of it I developed an insatiable love of books and reading. For this I will be forever grateful.
Image source: eternalrefuge86
#27
They instilled a good work ethic. “If you do something half-assed, you’ll have to put 2 asses in to fix your f*** ups. If your name is going on it, make it your best.” They also always encouraged my creativity- never told me I wasn’t capable of something. They always told me I can accomplish anything I want as long as I put effort into it. My parental units are awesome.
Image source: HanginWithLucretia, Andrea Piacquadio
#28
Independence.. no helicopter parenting here, just had certain expectations of me and allowed me the freedom to meet them without coddling.
Follow up: integrity. We do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Dont pay attention to what so-and-so is doing, focus on yourself and your own conscience
Image source: ZonieShark
#29
Taught me the importance of quality duct tape.
Image source: Imbalancedone
#30
They treated me like an adult – never belittled what I was feeling or what was meaningful to me, and explained practicalities of life when need be. “Because I said so” was NOT a common phrase. Also, they were the most supportive parents anyone could ask for, and they had the time to get involved with the things I did – my dad taught me scientific wonder and mentored my robotics team, my mom volunteered for all my theatre and music stuff while simultaneously serving on school boards, PTOs, Friends of Music, curriculum committees, and about a hundred other things. They are just incredible people.
Image source: nernthestrudel
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