Caring for Parents : An Obligation or An Act of Gratitude

Yr. This is a Hard Question. But Think simply. I am a Boy Scout and it's my responsibility to help others at all time. But think wat the word "others" means. It's that anyone in this world. But at once can I help them all? The answer is NO. Then Who do I help. The most needy. and the most possible ones. I believe that family members are the most needy as far as to myself. So do wat ever possible and dont regret it.

What about your other siblings? They are not around to help? Anyway, if no one is there to help, I think its more human if you help him. I personally think that we have to help our parents even though they didnt do much to us when we were small. Actually its not an obligation but a kind and heart warming thing. Sometimes, we might feel upset, but still whats there to do? They are our parents after all!

I believe that caring for parents is our responsiblilty when our parents are getting old I would do anything for my parents as they looked after me and I believe even if they did not fully do the right thing by us that we should do the right thing by them as what are we going to do when we get old and if nobody cares about us.

You know in your heart what the best thing to do is, for yourself. Your feelings are understandable. However, remember that your father's time here is getting shorter. Just live your life and don't have regrets once he is gone, because you won't be able to get him back.

my parents said when we are talking each other that it is not (children) compulsary to take good care of them but since filipinos are known to be as closed knit family you cannot afford to see your parents living in a home for the aged.since our parents take good care of us no matter what happen it is our (children) obligation to take care of our parents as an act of gratitude.

I do that now I take care of my mother and 86 year old grandmother , love them both ,plus with my family responsibility I keep on going because its the right thing to do , they raised me took care of me and love me and they help me in return to , I feel great but get really tried sometimes but thats life as I look at it.

How could you say that this man fell short because he didn't have the money to send you to college? With 8 children, you better be glad that you had food in your mouths every night and clean clothes to put on your backs. That is what he's responsible for and he did it. You sound like a spoiled child thinking that he owes you an advanced degree. I worked on my own (just as millions have before me) to get my college education. And although I admit that it would have been nice to have someone pay my education, it's MY responsibility in the end. You could have done well enough in school to get scholarships like I did in order to lighten your load. As far as supporting him, you have siblings so your burden shouldnt' be all that bad. I can't see leaving my parents (who gave me life) destitute.

It is actually both.It is our obligation to take care of them for raising us. But also a gratitude for the care and love they give.

My dear, you have a big heart and sense of obligation. I feel you are torn with obligation and gratitude. Just pray and follow your heart. You are bright, and are making good choices. Slow down a little, as you have a life to live too.

We have to take care of our parents, no matter whatever happens in the world it is our responsibility to take care of our parents very well. They are the one who have taken care of us from the infant stage and given us knowledge, power + all. As our parents grow elder they are like childred. One question I want to ask, do u take care of your child very well ? , if yes then u have to take care of your parents / grand parents well. I will not compromise on this issue, it is our responsbility to take care of parents during thier old age. We will also become old and if we expect our children has to take care of us, the surely we have to tare care of our parents.

I understand what you mean, ocean...Our parents do their best to raise us and have a fairly happy and stable home throughout our childhood. They do their best. And yet, they are just human, with many faults. It's very nice of you as a daughter to help your dad, even though he's married again. Only you will know, in your heart, what you can do and what you shouldn't have to do for your dad. You will always love him and be there for him. Bless you.

I understand fully your struggle, I went through a similar experience tending to my own husband and young children, while having to work and keep my parents house and health together. There were many nights I cried and felt sorry for myself, but in my heart I knew what I was doing was best for everyone. Now that they are gone, I treasure each and every moment that I gave back to them. Be Strong for one day your father will be gone, and you will have pride in the fact that you gave him back some of the care he gave you in your raising.

its UR DUTY SISTER...........

i know its not an obligation and i would like to say that it should be an act of gratitude alone. But even if I will be obligated to take care of my parents, i will gladly do that. first of all, my parents are so kind and raised me so well. They've spoiled me and my siblings as much as they can but they also taught us good values that's why I am rich with friends and also material things. Whether it is an obligation or gratitude, i would definitely take them 1st even if my other sisters wants them to live with them too.

caring for our parents is not an obligation but for me its an act of love towards them...no matter what happens they are still our parents we cant deny that some parent are not really ideal one but...its what they are we have to accept it..its our blood relations...

For me, caring for parents ia both an obligation and gratitude. After all, they raised us all these years. now, it's our turn to look after them. Financially, we just have to give whatever we can afford.

As the saying goes THE WAY YOU SOW SO YOU REAP. Well its necessary that you should take care of your father at this age if he really needs. But i can be limited to father alone. Remember you should set example to your kids so that at older age of your's they should have tendency to help you

its not an obligation to take care of them, we dont have any obligation to them, monetary or what so ever. i believe parents never demand or expect anything in return for all the things they done for us. they understand the fact that having and raising children is a responsibility and a choice they embraced. No parents would ever make you pay for all the money they spend for you. However, its our nature to feel responsible for our parents when they grow old, its not something that they asked from us, its not merely a form of gratitude. But it is the love that they shared from us that makes our will to take good care of them when they need us. Likewise, we as parents-to-be should also understand that our children is not an investment, we should not allow ourselves to expect anything in return from our children.

well your parents raised you and took care of you so I guess Its not right to think of caring for them as an obligation....its gratitude or the best way to describe this, is LOVE for your parents like they have loved you :) Good Luck

I believe I understand how you feel tending to your father and at the same time your own family. I know how hard it is to keep the budget on tract especially if you only have a meager income. It is good that even though you already have your own family you still tend to your father and did not leave him alone in misery. I think, as children, we do have the responsibility to take care of our parents in their old age. A sign of gratitude, and of love. We cannot deny the fact that when we were young they took care of us and loved us unconditionally. I think taking care of them during their old age is our way of thanking them and giving them back the same unconditional love they had so selflessly given us when we were young. So, I salute you with what you are doing for your father. Just keep it up and God knows how good a daughter you are, even if it is so hard on your part to take care of everything on your part. Who knows, when you get old, your children will take care of you, too, like you have taken care of your father. There is always be a reward for every good thing done, isn't there?