National Parents’ Day
Where would we be without our parents, the people who loved us even before we were born? They do so much for us every day of our young lives and the love doesn’t stop once we’re adults. That’s why it’s good to honor them on their special day, National Parents’ Day July 24, celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July.
While Mother’s and Father’s days were first officially celebrated in the early 1900s, (and National Grandpa Day is already approaching its 40 year anniversary); National Parents’ Day wasn’t established until 1994. That’s when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in bringing up their children.” Well said!
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PARENTS’ DAY
Parents are the greatest gift of nature we have. There is nothing that comes close to taking their place in our lives. The role of parents is integral in the development of a child’s life. The aim of National Parents’ Day is to promote responsible parenting and encourage positive reinforcement by parents for children. It goes the other way as well, as the day also celebrates the sacrifices of parents and the unparalleled bond of love between parents and their children.
President Bill Clinton established the holiday in 1994 by signing the Congressional Resolution that approved National Parents’ Day by law. Republican Senator Trent Lott introduced the law, with the aim of “…uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”
It makes sense that National Parents’ Day is celebrated in July, seeing as how Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day celebrations fall in the months of May and June. National Parents’ Day is observed on the fourth Sunday of July every year, with participation from citizens, educational institutions, federal- and local governments, legislative bodies, and organizations. Activities and events take place to recognize, uplift, and support the role of parents in raising their children.
The Parents’ Day Council essentially promotes the holiday through ceremonies. An example is the Parents of the Year award, which honors those who set an outstanding standard for positive parenthood at local, state, and national levels.
NATIONAL PARENTS’ DAY ACTIVITIES
1.Call or visit them
Parents love visits from the kids and grandkids. And let’s face it — they aren’t going to be around forever, as much as we wish they could be. We should tell our parents how much they mean to us.
2.Tell them they were right
Parents are always dispensing wisdom and advice as we grow up, most of it unsolicited. As kids, we often dismiss these truths or ignore them outright. Then, we grow up and have kids of our own — and we realize how right our parents were about pretty much everything all along.
3.Give them a holiday for the holiday
Find out where your parents have always wanted to go and send them on vacation. Take care of every detail so that all your folks have to do is show up at the airport — or the cruise ship terminal!
5 FACTS ABOUT PARENTING THAT YOU AREN’T PREPARED FOR
1.You will wonder if you’re cut out for this
No matter how much you prepare for it, there is no guaranteed way to accomplish parenting successfully — there will be days when you will wonder whether parenthood was the right choice.
2.Your kids are a reflection of you
Your quirks and mannerisms will be mirrored by your children — you’ll start to see more and more of yourself in them as time goes on, and it will really make you think and want to be a better person.
3.You will become your parents
It’s a hard pill to swallow, and it is a slow progression, but you’ll find yourself saying the same things your parents did when you were younger.
4.Kids shows will become your favorite
Your Netflix will be full of kids’ shows and cartoon movies, and you won’t really mind.
5.Parenting can be downright heartbreaking
Whether it is a milestone your child reached or a setback, everything that your child feels, you will feel tenfold.
References:
“National Parents’ Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-parents-day/