In 1994, President Bill Clinton officially established the fourth Sunday in July to be “Parents’ Day”. The Congressional Resolution was signed into law and reads in part, “for recognizing, uplifting and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children”. This year, Parents’ Day will occur on July 23rd.
While Parents’ Day may be a little known day of observance (unknown even to most parents!), you can surprise your mother or father with an unexpected day of honor and tribute. Spending time together as a family doing an activity together is always a special treat, whether you spend the night playing board games or head out for a family hike. The most important thing is to be together and to impart your appreciation and love for everything your parents have done for you and other siblings over the years.
If your parents are older and have less mobility, take the celebration to them! If appropriate for their diet, a surprise of homemade cookies or other baked goods is sure to bring a smile. Bring your parents a photo album from your childhood (or even theirs!) and take a trip down memory lane. If scrapbooking is one of your hobbies, add to your collection by commemorating this year’s Parents’ Day by snapping new photographs to remember the day. Even a simple card to say thank you to your mother or father would be a gesture sure to bring appreciation and joy to your parents. And if you have a neighbor or friend whose children live far away, take a moment to make their day, too, with a quick hello or sign of appreciation for their role as a parent within your community.
