What Responsibility Means to a Daughter

I remember looking up to my parents more than anyone else in the world when I was young. They taught me a lot- I learned early on that I needed to work hard to succeed, since they both worked from when I was young. But the most important lesson they taught me was to enjoy life and not take things too seriously. I recall my mom's delicate hands painting my room's walls, each stroke so intense that she captured every detail of a cartoon flawlessly. I would stand there silently watching her and hoping that one day I'd be as good as her. I would watch my father with a group of their friends, making them tear up at his jokes, and I would aspire to be as funny as him one day. They taught me to appreciate the beauty of life, and I will always be grateful to them for that. 

As I got older, I realised that my parents were just people, like the rest of us, who sometimes made mistakes. They did not always listen to the advice they gave out, and they were still figuring things out day by day. That's when it hit me: I had some responsibilities towards them as well. Because they had been great parents whenever I needed them, I had to be a great daughter whenever I could. As a daughter, my first responsibility is to love and respect my parents. This is the most effective way for me to express how much they mean to me. I may not always agree with their viewpoints on certain issues and may even dispute them, but it is essential that I approach them in a respectful manner. Parents can be stubborn in their views and ways, which can be frustrating at times. However, it is during times like these that you reflect on the patience with which your parents raised you. To me, it’s important to me to be patient and express my point of view while remaining respectful. 

One of my responsibilities as a daughter is to make sure that I spend time with my parents. As an only child, they were always there to keep me company as I grew up. We used to spend time together doing puzzles and playing card games in the evenings. Even now, when my mother comes home exhausted from a long day at work, she makes it a point to spend time with me and learn about my day. It is only right that I in turn dedicate some of my time to her. Time is valuable, and time spent with them is the most valuable of all. It's important for me to spend quality time with them, whether it's over a cup of tea or going out to dinner.

Discussing significant decisions is also something I try to do with them. Especially if it’s a difficult decision. I know that they appreciate me asking for their input, and it provides them some comfort to know that I still need them. Not to mention that they will be of great help. They made the crucial decisions for me when I was younger, and I trust them to continue to help me do so now. I like them to know what's going on in my life as a general rule. Not simply the difficult choices and decisions. It could be something as insignificant as an exam, a project, an internship, or a friendship. As a daughter, it is my job to include them in my life, and convey to them that they are still an important part of it.

Although this is not much of an immediate responsibility (since I am but a college student), for me, one of my most important responsibilities as a daughter is to be able to care for my parents as they grow older. Especially my mother, who has worked day in and day out to make every one of my dreams come true. I am hoping that I will be able to take her on all her dream vacations, buy her the house she wants, and take care of her so she doesn't have to worry about anything. I want to be capable enough to provide them with the life they deserve, one in which all they have to do is enjoy life. After all, this is what every child wants for their parents. 

Finally, and most importantly, it is important for me to express my gratitude and love for them. I am guilty of not doing it often enough. Above all, every parent desires to be loved and valued by their children. It is not necessarily about vacations and presents; it may be as simple as saying "Thank you for doing this for me." or “Thank you for helping me grow into the woman I am today." I am grateful to have learned about everything from them, and I hope this serves as a reminder to you to thank your parents.