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"My parents apologized when they needed to." 10+1 timeless lessons my parents taught me

Szőke Angéla4 min read
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"My parents apologized when they needed to." 10+1 timeless lessons my parents taught me — Family
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Owning Up to Mistakes

Owning Up to Mistakes
My parents never felt ashamed to admit when they were wrong. They openly apologized to us kids without hesitation. It wasn’t until later that I realized how rare this honesty really is.

Eating

Eating
My parents never forced me to eat. They didn’t pile my plate with foods I hated and guilt-trip me with “Kids are starving in Africa,” like some of my classmates’ parents did. My brother and I served ourselves, choosing what and how much we wanted. If we left food on the plate or didn’t like something, it was totally okay. This helped me develop a healthy, balanced relationship with food that I still cherish today.

Respecting Privacy

Respecting Privacy
It might be rare, but my parents always respected my privacy. They knocked before entering my room, never opened my letters, and never snooped through my computer or phone. Because of this trust, I never hid anything from them and always felt safe turning to them with any problem.

Family Meals

Family Meals
Our family dinners and big Sunday lunches gave me so much growing up. Before smartphones, we turned off the TV and talked while eating. Even now, long after grandparents and parents have passed, the Sunday lunch tradition holds strong. Phones are off, and we play word games or share stories. This quality time is what truly bonds a family—not the empty daily texting I see with my colleagues.

Money

Money
From a young age, my parents involved me in family finances. We weren’t wealthy, so if my siblings and I wanted a big toy, Dad sat us down and explained how much they earned, what bills had to be paid, and how much needed to be saved. When we couldn’t count well, he used buttons or beans to illustrate expenses. We learned patience, budgeting, and the value of money early on, which made us responsible spenders as adults.

Being Treated Like an Adult

Being Treated Like an Adult
My parents treated me as an equal partner, never brushing me off just because I was a kid. They didn’t forbid late-night TV even if I had a test the next day, but I had to own my grades. This freedom helped me develop mature thinking early on.

DIY Skills

DIY Skills
My mom passed away young, so Dad raised me alone. Instead of just cooking (which I learned mostly from my grandma), he taught me practical “manly” skills I still use daily. Simple home repairs aren’t rocket science once someone shows you how. A friend was amazed when I installed a ceiling lamp in five minutes, and my aunt was relieved when I quickly mounted a shelf her husband had delayed for a week. I’m forever grateful for these handy lessons.

Showing Love

Showing Love
As a man, my dad taught me to express love openly. He encouraged me to be strong and confident but never to hide my feelings. His own father died by suicide at 38, so he made sure our family had no taboos and always talked openly. I never had to hide my tears or pretend to be tough around my girlfriends.

Politeness

Politeness
I thought politeness was universal, but sadly it’s not. Coming from a well-off family, my parents taught me and my siblings to treat everyone equally and with respect. I was sometimes teased at school for thanking the janitor, kitchen staff, and even the security guard. As an adult, I explain to friends not to judge homeless people because not everyone has had a lucky start, and we can’t know their story.

Car Basics

Car Basics
My dad taught me and my two sisters basic car maintenance. He didn’t bore us with technical details but wanted us to avoid being helpless if the car broke down. (Once Mom was badly scammed by a mechanic and vowed it wouldn’t happen to his daughters.) We don’t pay a fortune for oil changes or tire repairs because we do it ourselves. One friend’s driving instructor told her that if she got a flat, she’d just lift her skirt and five men would stop to help—so she never learned the basics. I’m grateful my dad showed me.

Open Talks About Substances

Open Talks About Substances
Alcohol and drugs were never taboo topics. My parents said I could try them but use common sense. They never forbade anything but told me I could call them anytime if I wanted to leave a party. Dad wasn’t mad when I called at 3 a.m. saying, “I drank too much, please pick me up.” He was just glad to help and that I trusted him. Because of this openness, I never developed an interest in drinking or drugs—they weren’t “forbidden fruit.” They handled it perfectly.
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