Do Something Nice on Parent’s Day: Schedule Them a Colonoscopy

When I was about six or seven, I asked my mom, “There’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; how come there’s not a ‘Kid’s Day’?” My mom’s response was simple and true: Every day is “Kid’s Day.”

I think my younger-self would be even more disconcerted to find out that there is another day dedicated to adults: Parent’s Day. In 1994, President Bill Clinton established that the fourth Sunday of every July would be a day to recognize, uplift and support the role of parents and their task of raising children.

I guess as a child, I never understood how difficult that task can be. I didn’t understand the years of sleepless nights, the constant giving, supporting and meeting of needs without any reciprocation, I honestly don’t know how they did it. Now that I’m starting to understand, I find myself wondering what I would have done without my parents. And because I don’t want to find out, this Parent’s Day (July 28, in case you’re wondering) I’ll be encouraging my parents to get screened for cancer.

There are several different types of screening methods that can check for cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Having regular screenings can decrease your risk for cancer as well as increase the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be curable (Source: American Cancer Society).

While my family and I have never actually celebrated Parent’s Day (I doubt my parents even know this day exists), I definitely encourage you all to take this day to thank your parents for all that they do. Spend the day with your parents, pick up the phone and give them a call, even drop a card in the mail. However you choose to celebrate this day, make sure they know that you care. That you appreciate all that they did, have done and will continue to do for you. That you want them to be around for many more years to come. Return the favor. Make sure that they are taking care of and ensuring their health just like they did for you growing up. It’s the least you could do.

Related Posts:

Men’s Health Week

Women’s Health Month

In Honor of My Mother