 |
| Image Source : https://blog.smartthings.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Father-Son-Holding-Hands.jpg
"SUSU MURNI.. NASIONAL!" went the radio of the milk seller passing my house. For those of you who don't know, Susu Murni Nasional is a very popular milk brand among the kids -also one of my all time favorites.
Bored from the 3 hours straight of doing algebra homework, I just had this sudden craving so I got myself 2 cups of chocolate milk. And then, this conversation happened.
Me : Whoa.. I feel so grown up now that I can buy myself 2 cups, what a life! I'm totally gonna buy my children more of these should they ask me for more than 1 cup
Dad : You know better how your kids would end up like if you do that
And I was like : Damn..you're right
One thing I am very sure of, I am grateful for how my parents raised me.
First of all, they both love me very much in their own way, supporting my ideas, helping me through each and every problem I face -and I can always, always turn to them when I need someone to listen to me even if we were just talking about how my day went.
That being said, I'm most proud of how they taught me to value money.
We were never lacking nor were we filthy rich, but my parents made sure I know how both worlds are like. They'd take me to the fanciest restaurant sometimes, and then tell me to eat home cooked food the following days. My mom, especially, has this little phrase she repeated to me again and again when I was younger, "I will buy you what you want as soon as I get my pay."
As a kid, it was programmed into my head, such that whenever I see something I want, I wouldn't even bother asking my mother anymore, I'd just point to the thing and say, "Mom, buy me this when you get your pay." I gotta admit, it's kind of funny now thinking how I must've looked back then. (That phrase is just what my mom used to get away from me crying for something I want)
Although I am not a parent yet, I can understand how parents want to give only the best to their children -how they want to buy anything and everything their children wanted even when it means they have to give up everything.
It came across my mind, how good would it feel like if my children never have to suffer (for the lack of a better word) like I did, never have to ask for second cups, or more toys, or anything -because I am rich enough to provide them all of that?
But then what my father said hit me; there was a meaning as to why he raised me this way. Why he wanted his daughters to live modestly, why he wanted us to appreciate what we have.
It's because in real life, money does not come to you as easy as asking your mother for pocket money. You work for it, you'll have to earn it. That's what he's been trying to say through his actions. I admire my parents more for this. (I never knew they were this cool, you know, actions speak louder than words?)
I know people who have been raised a lot more lavishly than me and most of them (I am not trying to generalize, but if I must) are almost mentally weaker. They're so used to having everything served on a silver platter, so they tend to give up easily when they're not in their comfort zone or when they're expected to put in more work.
My parents taught me many, many more things, and I wish I could just keep all their words recorded for me to listen to in 10, 20 years from now for when I become a parent myself.
I will not spoil my children to show them I love them.
I love them, thus I show them the right ways to live.
|
0 comments