They Don’t Just Raise Us — They Carry the World on Their Shoulders

Why the Global Day of Parents Is More Than Just a Nice Thought

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June 1st arrives quietly every year. There are no big sales, store displays, themed balloons, or trending hashtags. Yet, this day — the Global Day of Parents — might be one of the most important on our calendar.

Why This Day Matters

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Parents hold the very structure of society together. They do this not with grand speeches or bold headlines. Instead, they pack lunchboxes at 6 a.m., offer whispered words of reassurance at bedtime, and make countless tiny decisions each day out of love and responsibility.

As someone who works closely with families, I’ve learned that parenting is often quiet, often thankless — but it is always powerful. Parents shape our world in unseen ways, and this day offers a chance to recognize that influence.

Not All Parents Look the Same — And That’s a Beautiful Thing

When we say "parents," let’s not confine our imagination to just a mother and a father at a dinner table. Let’s think wider and deeper.

Consider the single dad learning to braid hair before school. Or the grandmother who is raising another generation, despite her tired feet. Then there’s the foster parent who keeps showing up, even when the process is heartbreaking. We can’t forget the aunt who stepped in to raise her niece after tragedy struck.

Parenting isn’t solely about biology — it’s about devotion. On this Global Day of Parents, let's honor every version of love that shows up to parent, regardless of whether the world gives them an official title.

The Emotional Load is Real — and Heavy

Parents carry a heavy, often invisible emotional load. This load encompasses the mental calendar running nonstop and the worries that keep them up at 3 a.m. — about school, health, or something a child didn’t say.

It includes noticing when a teen is quieter than usual and holding that space with care. Parents manage everyone else’s emotions, often at the cost of ignoring their own needs. This is often referred to as the invisible load.

It’s time we start acknowledging this weight. Here’s something simple you can do: Ask a parent in your life, “What’s been heavy for you lately?” Then truly listen. Don’t rush in with advice; just listen.

Parenting Deserves More Than Praise — It Deserves Policy

Love can accomplish a lot, but it can’t pay the childcare bills. Love can’t provide maternity leave after childbirth, nor can it make therapy affordable when burnout creeps in.

If we genuinely want to value parenting, we must advocate for systems that support it. This includes:

• Paid parental leave

• Flexible workplaces

• Access to mental health resources

• Affordable healthcare and childcare

  
  

One parent once expressed, “I’m not tired of parenting. I’m tired of parenting in a world that makes it so hard.” We can change this by recognizing that parenting is not just a personal journey — it’s a societal investment.

Let’s Celebrate — Without Glossing Over the Grief

Not everyone approaches this day with joy. Many are grieving a parent who is no longer here. Others may be estranged from their families, carrying pain that doesn’t fit into Hallmark cards. Some parents have lost children, while others hoped to parent but were unable to.

If this resonates with you, know that you are not alone. Your experience matters, and it belongs in this conversation, too. Perhaps today, your way of honoring is quiet — a solitary walk, a moment of reflection, or lighting a candle. Whatever form it takes, whether joy, grief, exhaustion, or gratitude, it is valid and acknowledged.

5 Real Ways to Honor Parents Today (and Every Day)

1. Say something real — Express, “You matter so much to this family.”

2. Don’t wait to be asked — Offer help with meals, errands, or simply be present.

3. Make space, not pressure — Allow parents the opportunity to rest, recharge, or be imperfect.

4. Challenge what’s unfair — Speak out against policies or patterns that disregard parental needs.

5. Celebrate with meaning — A card is nice, but a heartfelt message expresses deeper appreciation. So too does time, empathy, and shared laughter.

   
   

The Global Day of Parents isn’t flashy. However, maybe that’s the point. Parenting isn’t about flash; it’s about quiet dedication and enduring love.

It’s about building the future — one bedtime story, one hard conversation, one “I’m proud of you” at a time. Today, let’s set aside our devices and speak the words we often leave unspoken. Let’s recognize parents for who they truly are: not just caregivers, but world-shapers.

Finally, let’s begin to build a world that supports parents as they hold us all.

To learn more, visit the Global Day of Parents website.