How to Become a Good Daughter

Parents are the most important people in our lives, which makes becoming a good daughter a meaningful goal. Perhaps your relationship with your parents is already great, but you want to strengthen your bond even further, or maybe you feel that there’s room for improvement, and you want to show your parents that you’ve changed. Whatever the reason, you can become a good daughter by living responsibly, being kind, and being open with them.

Help your parents with housework. Take the initiative to do your own chores without waiting for reminders from them. Additionally, consider helping with other household tasks, like tidying up shared family spaces such as the living room and kitchen. Your parents will be happy when you assist with these extra chores.

• Don’t rush through chores; take your time and do them carefully and well.
• Pay attention to small tasks that you can help with, like cleaning the dinner table after a meal.

Help take care of younger siblings. If you have younger siblings, assist your parents in looking after them. Once you're old enough, you can ask your parents if you can take care of them, giving your parents some free time to go out.

Listen to your parents. Pay close attention when your parents offer advice or engage in conversation with you. They possess a wealth of experience you may not have yet, so it’s important to respect their knowledge and take their advice into consideration to avoid mistakes they may have made in the past.

Respect your parents' decisions. If your parents set a curfew of 11 p.m., make sure you come home by 10:45 p.m. While living with your parents, always follow the rules they establish to show that you respect them and will never disregard their authority.

Complete your homework. If you're still attending school, try to finish your assignments as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your parents to remind you. If you need help, feel free to ask them! Parents always appreciate feeling needed, even as their children grow older.

Be honest with your parents. If you're facing difficulties or have made a mistake, be open with your parents. Don’t hide things from them—be truthful. If it’s a serious issue, sit down and have a sincere conversation with them.

Help your parents when you can. Take initiative when you see your parents in need. For example, if you notice your mom struggling to carry groceries, offer to take the items and let her rest. If your parents are going through financial difficulties, consider finding a job to support yourself instead of asking them for pocket money.

Introduce your parents to your friends and their parents. Let your parents get to know your life better by introducing them to your friends and their parents. It's important for them to know the people you spend most of your time with, so make sure to do this.

• If you're going out with friends, tell your parents who you'll be with.
• You should also introduce your boyfriend to your parents.

Remember birthdays and special anniversaries. Remembering important dates like birthdays or anniversaries is meaningful to your parents. Set reminders on your phone or planner to ensure you call them or do something special for them on these occasions.

• You could take your parents out for dinner, create a card, or give them a gift.

Send sweet messages and heartfelt cards. Every now and then, send your parents messages like “I love you, Mom and Dad” or “Wishing you a wonderful day.” It only takes a few seconds to send such messages, but they mean a lot to them. Whether you’re living with them or far away, you can always send them a message.

Buy or make small gifts for your parents. If possible, buy a gift for your parents. This could be something big like a new TV or something small and thoughtful, like a book your father enjoys. Or you could choose gifts that show your love and care.

• If buying gifts isn’t possible, consider making something special for them! There are many things you can create that are just as meaningful as store-bought items.
• Ask your parents if there’s anything you can do to help them.

Show gratitude. More than gifts or actions, your parents may just want to know that you appreciate them. Let them know that you’re grateful for everything they’ve done and continue to do for you.

• Say to your parents: “Thank you for always being the best to me. You’re amazing role models, and I’m so proud to be your child.”

Spend quality time with your parents. Plan to spend time with your parents each week. As they age, they will cherish the time you dedicate to them. You can go on a picnic in the park, enjoy bowling, or simply take a walk after dinner.

• Also, spend one-on-one time with either your mom or dad. Occasionally, treat your mom to dinner alone or go to a movie with your dad.

Look back on cherished memories. Sometimes, bring out the old photo album and reminisce about the joyful moments you’ve shared with your parents. You could sit with them in the hallway or flip through the album during dinner. Use this time to show them how much those moments mean to you.

• For example, you might say: “Oh, I remember this day at the beach! We had so much fun. I’ll never forget when Dad got pinched by a crab, and we all laughed so hard.”

Call your parents every week. Once you’ve grown up and moved away, don’t forget to check in with your parents regularly. Give them a call to see how they’re doing, if they’re busy, or if they have any plans, and keep them updated about important events in your life.

• If you’re too busy to talk for long, send a brief message to let them know you love them and are thinking of them. You can also schedule a time to call via phone, Skype, or FaceTime.

Keep your parents informed about important decisions. Before making a tough choice, call your parents. They will appreciate you asking for advice, and it can help you make the best decision.

• For instance, you might ask them for advice when selecting a university or buying a house.
• Besides major decisions, keep them in the loop about your life, such as work, school, who you’re dating, or your favorite shows and movies.

Visit your parents regularly. If you no longer live with your parents, make sure to visit them as often as you can. Aim to visit at least once a month to have dinner together or go to the movies. If your parents are older, consider helping them with shopping for necessities or cleaning their home.

• If you’re married with kids, try to bring your family over a few times a year. You can also plan family vacations to spend quality time with both your parents and your spouse and children.

Be there to support your parents. Just as you once needed them when you were younger, understand that sometimes your parents will need your presence. If they’re about to undergo surgery, be there with them. If they receive an award at work, attend to show your support. A good daughter is one who is always there when her parents need her.

Plan a trip with your parents. Don’t just reserve holidays for friends or a partner—make sure to spend quality time with your parents too! You could plan a fun day at the beach with them or even go for a longer vacation if possible. Take the opportunity to bond with them and be an amazing daughter!

Spend time doing things your parents enjoy. Your parents may have watched numerous cartoons with you or visited amusement parks they weren’t fond of, just to make you happy. Now, it’s your turn to return the favor. Even if you’re not a fan of art museums, go with your mom if it makes her happy. Or, even if birdwatching bores you, join your dad if it’s something he loves.