COLUMN: Parents are important whether we like it or not

When I scroll through my feeds from social media sites and see people complaining about how much they hate their parents or are annoyed by their families, I take a second and am reminded how grateful I am for having a close relationship with my family, especially my parents.

My parents divorced before I was two years old. This is not uncommon in our generation. I think a lot of students feel frustrated or stressed from having divorced parents and can push a lot of their anger and emotions and blame them on their parents.

This has never been the case for me. Although it’s not always sunshine and rainbows in my family, I know there is nothing comparable to the love my parents have for me.

It can weird people out when they see me constantly texting my mom throughout the day. I can’t think of the last time I went a day without talking to her. Just like any normal relationship, we fight from time to time, but it doesn’t take more than five minutes before we apologize, usually.

My relationship with my dad has had its trials, but I’m definitely a daddy’s girl. He can frustrate me and push my buttons, but I know so many people who despise their fathers or have nearly no relationship with them, and I cannot imagine having those thoughts or problems.

It shocks me that some people can be so unappreciative of their parents and families, because I was raised to always value my family to the fullest. People tend to treat those who are closest to them badly, because they feel like they will be around no matter what.

It frustrates me to see this kind of behavior, because I think people underestimate what their parents have done for them. I know that some situations don’t fall in this category, but, a lot of times, students will snap over something small.

The unconditional love my parents have provided me can sometimes go unnoticed, and that makes me feel bad. I have an amazing support system and guidance through my parents, and, even if I get stressed out, I would never say I hate them.

I challenge everyone to think before they send a tweet or post a status saying their parents are on their last nerves. Some people would kill for their mother to nag them about their grades, and not everyone has a father to be protective over them.

Not every moment is going to be perfect with our parents, but try and remember that there is only one mother and one father that we are blessed with and we should be thankful for them — even in the moments of heat and irritation.