The United Nations General Assembly dedicated 1st June as the Global Day of Parents. There is no doubt about the fact that children are like flowers and for them to bloom we need rain and sunshine and this is what parents stand for. They create environment for children to grow and bloom into wonderful, confident and successful human beings. We have examples all around us of children whose lives get affected by absence of parents. At least one parent is essential for happy childhood.

However, parents are important in every age group. They are the ones who keep children rooted no matter where they are flying. They are essential in their own way whether a person is 5 or 50 years of age. Those who have had happy childhoods particularly value the love of their parents as they grow old and when they become parents themselves.

Theme of Global Day of Parents 2021

This year’s theme is “Appreciate all parents throughout the world.” The theme has been decided in the backdrop of coronavirus when parents have been worrying about and protecting their children the most. The UN has set this theme to express gratitude to parents for beautifully managing their own work responsibilities and stress without compromising on the safety of children. The aim is to applaud the efforts of those parents who have had great burdens of child upbringing in these tough times but have still prioritized their children more than anything else. 

Recognizing their sacrifices, the UN has urged employers globally to adopt family-friendly workplace practices and policies so that the employees who are parents get systematic support. The UN urges this to employers so that negative consequences can be minimized on children. This is indeed a thoughtful approach as children do not just require food and education but a good deal of amicable environment at home which is only possible when parents are in the right frame of mind.

What parents can pledge

Times are difficult especially amidst the second and third corona waves globally. There have been loss of lives and livelihood. If parents get devastated with so much stress going around, children are bound to get influenced. It's upon parents to use this situation as an example of how one can deal gracefully with situations. If they are going to set good examples then later on in life, no matter how tough the going is, children would remember how graceful their parents had conducted themselves and would adopt the same behavior. 

Since parents are the biggest influence in a child’s life, they can prove to be the best version of themselves. If they are able to instill strength in the characters, outlook and conduct of their children now, their children would grow up to be strong and balanced personalities. Just imagine how beautiful the future society would be with such wonderful personalities! So parents should pledge to show up their best sides now to their children because children learn best by examples and examples set by parents are the most powerful ones!