Parents' Day

Parents' Day History

Parents’ Day celebrates and recognizes the important role of responsible parenting in everyday family life. Families are a fundamental human institution; they are bonded by unconditional love and commitment.

Parents' Day was established in 1994. In a time where society had become increasingly self-centered, President Bill Clinton signed a congressional resolution to commemorate Parents’ Day to promote family commitment and parental responsibilities. Supported by the Unification Church, Senator Trent Lott introduced the bill into the senate and the National Parents’ Day Coalition was developed to support Parents’ Day by annually selecting ‘Parents’ of the Year’ at local, national, and state levels. The Coalition also provides educational programs for parents and aims to promote the stability of the family by encouraging fidelity between husbands and wives, as well as abstinence in young people before marriage. In addition to The National Parents’ Day Coalition, other organizations use Parents’ Day to promote the traditional two-parent nuclear family model. Parents' Day is held annually on the fourth Sunday in July.

Parents' Day facts & quotes

• In 2015, 3.3 million unmarried or cohabiting couples in America had children under the age of 18. This is in comparison to 1.2 million cohabiting couples with children in 1996.
• In 1960, 73% of U.S. children lived in a traditional home with two married heterosexual parents in their first marriage. By 1980, this figure had dropped to 61%. By 2013, 46% of children lived in a traditional home.
• All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother - President Abraham Lincoln
• By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong - Charles Wadsworth, Classical Pianist

In the News and Trending for Parents' Day

Top things to do for Parents' Day

• Create a personalized gift for your parents to signify and appreciate their role in your life. Some ideas include an album of family photographs, a poem or an art project to which you and siblings can contribute.
• Host a barbeque or family get-together. Cook dishes that your parents love and enjoy, or traditional family meals.
• Join Linkedin's initiative to Bring In Your Parents to your workplace. This will allow them to understand your work and meet your colleagues.
• Read books about parenting and families. Some recommendations from Amazon’s Best Sellers list include:
  1) The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel
  2) How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
  3) Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gordon Neufeld
  4) Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Kerry Patterson
  5) implicitly Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
• Watch inspirational award-winning movies about the struggle and challenges of parenting. Our favorite suggestions include:
  1) Philomena 2013
  2) Juno 2007
  3) The Year My Parents Went on Vacation 2006
  4) Evelyn 2002
  5) I am Sam 2001
  6) The Pursuit of Happiness 2006