I concede it, I used to hate my dad to such an extent that a mere sight of him just seem like chewing with toothache. Growing up was so hell with a dysfunctional father who really don’t bother what happens to the family. As a result, high school days were really depressive and repressing because of the excruciating and discomfiting experiences.

It seems a lot persons have issues with their parents which is exactly the reason why you must read this. Frankly speaking, parents don’t always do what is best for their children. They do emotionally and physically hurt them. Despite the agonizing experience we might have gone through, forgiving our parents is really still very important.

Admittedly, as from experience I’ve seen more than my share of parental horror

Stories, now I’m not approaching this issue from a sentimental perception. Really, I know how irritating, mean and outright hurtful some parents can be or are but what I’m about to say is centered on my experience and also my findings with children from exasperating homes. The more vexing your home experiences, the more you need to forgive your parents. Well, you might want to reason it the other way round like if my parents were at least typical to some extent. You mean slightly typical, you could put your feeling of resentment towards them to rest.

You don’t know what my parents have made me gone through and even if you know. You just can’t fathom it, you might want to say. I understand, your parents may not be worthy of your forgiveness, but you deserve the benefits of the act of forgiving.  Perhaps you have good parents that do jumble and hurt your emotions every now and then.

Come to think of it, I’ve come to realize that most of our parents don’t need forgiveness as much as they need parental etiquettes and understanding. We all do have our shortcomings as humans so we lack perfection. Parents are humans. We don’t have to hate them really because they are so human. I’m not disputing the fact that they have or might have hurt you deeply but forgiveness is still divine. What makes a person think holding on to pain from their childhood is in some way reckoning for a parent’s mistake?

Forgiveness is optional. You may not be in contact with your parents and still forgive them; you can remain in contact and never forgive them. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting nor does it mean denying your wounds. It doesn’t mean you won’t feel the hurt of what has happen to you remembering the extent of their maltreatment toward you.

Confront and approach your parents precociously and let them know you’re not their little boy or girl anymore that you want to initiate a fresh relationship with them, one of a reciprocated respect and if they’re willing to treat and address you as adult, you’d like to get know them all over again. Forgive you parents for all the wrongs. You also forgive those who shaped your parents. There is no such thing like forgiveness which one best weapon for emotional self-defense like someone said.

Even though your parents may have hurt you, it’s possible their intent was to protect you, as an act of love. It may be helpful to you to distinguish between the content of what parents said or did and the intent behind their actions. As a child, you may have been prevented from making choices that were in your best interests. But above all, significance of attempting forgiveness cannot be disputed.