People share 15 most unforgettable things their parents did to make their lives better

Nothing quite compares to the sacrifices parents make for their children’s happiness and comfort. From a child’s first breath, parents commit to prioritizing their child’s needs, often giving up their own desires to create a loving, supportive environment. They ensure their kids grow up with strong values, nurture a cheerful home, and encourage every step of their children’s journey. Whether it’s preparing healthy meals, sharing heartfelt bedtime stories, or teaching essential life lessons, parents give selflessly to build a foundation for their children’s better lives.

In the day-to-day rush, parents' quiet, selfless acts often go unnoticed. It’s often only in adulthood that people grasp the magnitude of their upbringing, realizing how much parental love and support have shaped their futures. This bittersweet understanding brings newfound gratitude and binds generations together. So when u/flirtyxfairy asked the Reddit community, "What is something good that your parent(s) did for you that you will never forget?" hundreds of heartwarming responses came in. Here are the 15 best instances of how the love and support of parents have helped people so much in their lives as adults.

1. A much-needed boost

I hated school. Few friends. I didn't want to be there. And I didn't enjoy reading which made school that much harder. Mom came home from hitting garage sales one Saturday with a grocery bag of sci-fi books which I devoured! I was reading one or two books a day over the summer. This helped me in school. While I didn't thrive, life was much easier. Without that boost, I can't guess how my life would have evolved. How did she know? -u/krichard-21.

2. Comforting after-school routine

My mom waiting at home with a cup of tea and cookies everyday coming home from school. That’s how I’d describe 'home.' -u/nataschamerczak

3. An apology goes a long way

My dad always apologized when he was wrong. I used to take it for granted until I grew up and realized a lot of people had never gotten an apology from their parents before. This really helped me because I find it easy to own up to my mistakes and make amends where necessary. -u/iusedtobepretty

4.  A sense of responsibility

They never forget to always remind us that we are not restricted in anything we do that makes us happy but we should take things into consideration and be responsible for it, more importantly, with what should be our priorities. -u/CozyAlly

5. Easing the burden of debt

They paid my way through college which meant that I started my adult life with zero debt. I've thanked them for it. -u/UltraRunner42

6. A jumpstart to life

Telling me to stay at home, save money, not rent an apartment and save for a house. I bought my house in 2019. Definitely lucked out. -u/iamthedarkmermaid

7. The importance of education

Strict with my education. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted (hobbies, extracurricular etc.) but school always had to come first. Instilled a good work ethic in me from a young age. -u/thatsimsgirl

8. Unconditional love

I'm adopted and I have never once felt like I was weird or unwanted or anything like that. I was raised knowing I was adopted. I was taught it was normal and not some embarrassing dark secret and I've known my whole life that my family loves me. That's priceless. -u/Badloss

9. Appreciation for nature

They took me hiking in the Slovakian mountains regularly. I've learned to climb, endure suffering and appreciate the beauty of nature. That was an awesome gift and I'm forever thankful for it. -u/Limp_Job_501

10. Relentless support

My mom stayed with me at the hospital every night for 6 months during chemo. -u/Sad-Cantaloupe7591

11. Exemplifying hard work

My dad gave me my work ethic. He didn't just tell me to work hard, he worked hard and set an example. Yet he'd always be there for every sports game or school event. -u/sparky750

12. A new life across the globe

They moved across the entire globe, literally as far as possible from their home, their family and their friends. All to give me and my brother a better chance to succeed in life. It was only when I became older, I truly grasped what kind of sacrifice and struggle that was, all for us. -u/SamiraSimp

13. Shielding from bad social structures

Things they didn't do - like they didn't push stupid religions, bigotry, racism, sexism or anything that made it sound like the group we belong to has anything to do with us as individual people and that we all have the same needs, wants, and desires because we are all humans first. -u/EarthDwellant

14. Just being there, always

They're always there in my life, the ups and downs, whether it's mundane or exciting, I can always count on them being close by and I can share all the stories I have with them. -u/imaginelizard

15. Patience towards a curious mind

I vividly remember when I was a kid, my mom always has an answer to any question I have. Imagine being young and curious. And imagine having a mom who has answers to basically everything. She also answers me with enthusiasm and genuine concern. As if her life depended on it. Never raises her voice at me. Always calm and never mad. -u/New_Cantaloupe_4237