10 Sweet Stories of People Who Deserve a «Parent of the Year» Award

It’s heartwarming to hear about people who have amazing parents who support them with love and laughter, even as they grow older. Their stories can really touch your heart and make you appreciate your own loved ones even more.

  • Mom noticed Dad had red lipstick on his collar, but she didn’t confront him about it. A few days later, I discovered the foundation on his hand, which infuriated me. I confronted my dad, causing a big scene. He confessed that he was taking makeup classes, which only made my mom angrier.
    However, my dad proved he wasn’t cheating; he had been practicing makeup on himself. He demonstrated his skills, showing how well he could do it. He explained that with two daughters, one grown and one young, and another on the way, he wanted to be a good dad who could do anything for them.
  • At the age of 17, I suddenly realized that I didn’t fit the conventional standards of beauty among my peers. I faced ridicule for being red-haired, petite, and freckled. To hide my insecurities, I started covering my freckles with foundation, dyed my hair dark, and wore ill-fitting clothes. My dad noticed this change and gently probed to understand the reason behind it.
    Eventually, I broke down, cried, and poured out my heart to him. In response, he simply said, «So what if you’re petite, with short legs, and red-haired? These are just features! Look at how cute you are! Embrace who you are.» His words struck a chord within me, and I finally began to accept and love myself for who I am.
  • I stumbled upon a mysterious note tucked inside Dad’s wallet one day. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further. Days later, while rummaging through Dad’s briefcase, I discovered a hidden compartment containing another note and a small trinket. Confused and curious, I confronted Dad, demanding an explanation for these clandestine discoveries.
    To my surprise, Dad confessed that he had been leaving secret love notes and tokens of affection around the house for Mom as a romantic gesture. Initially taken aback, I couldn’t help but feel touched by Dad’s thoughtfulness and creativity. Witnessing this sweet gesture between my parents sparked a newfound appreciation for the depth of their love, showing me the power of small surprises in keeping the spark alive in a relationship.
  • Father returned from work, his expression serious as he approached my mom and me. He began, «Do you know who I just saw?!» We waited in anticipation as he continued, «I was walking in the dark, with only one lantern shining, when suddenly, a huge hare jumped out!» Mom and I exchanged surprised glances, only for Dad to pull out a large chocolate bar, saying, «So this bunny asked me to give you a chocolate bar!» Despite being 24 years old, I still fall for this joke about the bunny, as if I were still 6!
  • After finishing school, I accompanied my mother to enroll in university. I passed the exams and was accepted, with my mother’s help in securing a dorm room. Late in the evening, my mom left, leaving me with all the money except for enough for her ticket back home. Excited to start this new chapter of independence, I eagerly joined new friends for a night of celebration.
    What I didn’t know was that my mother missed the last bus and spent the entire night at the station, with only enough money for a ticket and a simple meal of tea and cookies. It wasn’t until 7 years later that I learned about her sacrifice, and I cried uncontrollably upon realizing her selflessness.
  • During a family camping trip, I mentioned how much I’d love to try fishing. Despite not being huge fans of fishing themselves, my parents set up all the gear and patiently showed me how to cast a line. Throughout the day, I struggled to catch anything, but they kept cheering me on with big smiles.
    Finally, I caught my first fish—a tiny trout—and their excitement was contagious. It wasn’t until much later that I realized they had given up their fun to make sure I had a chance to try fishing. Their selfless gesture showed me just how much they cared, leaving a lasting impression on my heart.
  • A week before my wedding, I discovered that my fiancé was cheating on me. Heartbroken, I turned to my mother for advice. While she sympathized with me, she urged me not to cancel the wedding. She reasoned that since everything was paid for, and I’d feel ashamed in front of relatives, it was best to go through with it for now, and later I could seek revenge and find peace. Reluctantly, I agreed.
    However, my wedding day turned out to be the worst day of my life. Just before the ceremony, my dad noticed my distress and pulled me aside for a chat. I broke down and confessed everything to him. Instead of scolding me, he hugged me tightly and said, «Your happiness is what matters most. We’ll handle this together.» With his support, I confronted my cheating fiancé, expressed my true feelings, and walked away with my dignity intact. As we left, my dad proudly said, «That’s my girl!» and added a few words of affection.
  • I remember my dad always getting really excited about very cheap, mundane foods like plain puffed rice cereal, bologna sandwiches, and unflavored steel-cut oats. He would get us all amped up about it, and we would want to eat it instead of the more expensive stuff we really wanted because of how much he talked it up. Now that I am older (and as a father myself), I don’t think he actually loved all these things that much. Instead, my parents just didn’t have the money to buy all that expensive food to feed three growing boys. © Rebelsoul3480 / Reddit
  • A friend’s 14-year-old daughter boldly requested money for a tattoo—right on her face. While her mom resorted to calming herbal drinks, the father and daughter engaged in a serious discussion about the matter. Eventually, they agreed to visit a tattoo artist over the weekend. «I’ll pay double,» declared the father, «but first, you’ll feel the needle without any ink.»
    During the appointment, the father discreetly instructed the artist to make the process as painful as possible. As the heart design began to take shape on her cheek, the daughter howled in agony—it hurt a lot. Despite the pain, they returned home that evening, all satisfied. It seems the father’s approach maintained a positive relationship with his daughter; after all, a stubborn refusal might have only led to more defiance.
  • I went to visit my parents, feeling tired and overwhelmed with problems from all sides—work, friends, and personal issues. My mom and dad immediately sensed my mood and set out to cheer me up. They made my favorite comfort foods: cutlets with mashed potatoes and cake with tea.
    Then, my father surprised me by borrowing a sled from a neighbor and taking me for a ride. For a couple of hours, all my worries melted away, and I felt like a child again—carefree and joyful. In those precious moments, I realized that no matter how old I am, I will always be my dad’s little daughter in his eyes.

We recommend reading a story of a woman who tried to warn her sister about her new boyfriend, but unfortunately, her sister didn’t take her advice. Now, she’s going through a tough divorce.

Preview photo credit jcomp / Freepik

A Week Ago, My House Was Robbed — Today, My Son (Who Doesn’t Have a Job) Bought Himself a Sports Car

A week after Karen’s life savings are stolen, she’s shocked to see her son driving a new sports car. He claims it’s from a new job, but Karen isn’t convinced. As her suspicions grow, a heated confrontation unfolds, leaving Karen desperate to uncover the truth about her son’s sudden fortune.

It had been twenty years since my husband left. Twenty years of scraped-together meals, late-night shifts, and those weeks when I’d count down to payday like it was some sort of lifeline.

A thoughtful woman | Source: Midjourney

A thoughtful woman | Source: Midjourney

I should’ve been used to the constant balancing act of being a single mother, but it still felt like I was one misstep from everything crashing down.

Jake was my life, though. No matter how hard things got, my bright-eyed, creative son was the reason I kept going. But there was a problem, a big one.

At twenty-five, Jake still hadn’t found his footing.

A young man checking his phone | Source: Midjourney

A young man checking his phone | Source: Midjourney

He had no job and no income. His art was everything to him, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills. And trust me, there were so many bills. The financial pressure got worse when someone broke in and stole all my savings from my lockbox.

“Mom, you just have to trust me. I’ll figure out who stole your money. It’s all gonna work out,” Jake had said last week after my house was broken into.

But his voice had been too calm. Maybe I was too used to things going wrong. Still, the pit in my stomach only grew as I thought about that night. All the cash I’d saved for years, gone in an instant.

An old lockbox | Source: Midjourney

An old lockbox | Source: Midjourney

Then came the day when everything changed. Jake had gone out, probably off working on some new project that wouldn’t pay a dime.

I was at the corner store when I saw the shiny, red sports car gleaming in the sun. It screamed money. Flashy, expensive, and out of place in our neighborhood. I was about to climb into my beaten-up sedan when a familiar figure caught my eye: Jake.

He walked over to the sports car and climbed into the driver’s seat. My jaw dropped.

A sports car | Source: Pexels

A sports car | Source: Pexels

My mind raced with possibilities as I headed home, each more impossible than the last. When I got inside, Jake was leaning against the kitchen counter, twirling the keys to the sports car parked in my driveway like they were nothing.

“Where did you get that car?” I demanded, barely able to keep my voice steady.

He glanced up, shrugging. “Oh, that? It’s nothing, Mom. I’ve got a new job.”

A man and woman speaking in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A man and woman speaking in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“A job?” I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Doing what? You’ve never held down a job in your life, Jake.”

Jake rolled his eyes, pushing past me to grab a soda from the fridge. “I’m not doing some minimum-wage labor if that’s what you’re asking. It’s legit.”

“Legit?” I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up.

His jaw tightened. “I’m not stealing, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

An angry young man | Source: Midjourney

An angry young man | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, really? So where did you get the money for the car then? Or do you expect me to believe you just… stumbled into it?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” he snapped. “You wouldn’t get it anyway.”

My chest constricted. There was no way around it now. The horrible suspicion that had been gnawing at me since the robbery suddenly had teeth.

“You didn’t… take my money, did you?”

An angry young man | Source: Midjourney

An angry young man | Source: Midjourney

He turned on me so fast. “How could you even ask me that? I can’t believe you’d think that of me. I’ve done nothing but try to make things better, and this is what I get?”

Without another word, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

I didn’t want to believe my son was a thief but I needed answers. I grabbed my keys and followed him. If he was up to something, I had to know.

A woman starting her car | Source: Midjourney

A woman starting her car | Source: Midjourney

His new car was easy to tail. I followed him across town to some high-end beauty salon. My eyes narrowed as I watched him step out and wait by the curb. And then, she appeared.

A woman, older than Jake, maybe in her mid-forties, stepped out of the salon. I watched, frozen, as she wrapped her arms around Jake and kissed him. It wasn’t just a quick peck either. This was… intimate.

My throat tightened as I sank lower in my seat. Who was this woman? And what the hell was Jake doing with her?

A concerned woman in her car | Source: Midjourney

A concerned woman in her car | Source: Midjourney

When they pulled away and got into the car together, I decided to keep following. They drove to the outskirts of town, where the houses turned into mansions. My stomach churned as Jake’s car pulled into the driveway of a sprawling estate.

My heart raced. This wasn’t just strange — it was wrong. Everything in me screamed that I had to stop this.

I didn’t wait for a second thought. I was out of the car and at the front door, pounding on it so hard I thought it might crack.

A grand front door | Source: Pexels

A grand front door | Source: Pexels

The door swung open, and there she was: the woman from the salon. Jake appeared behind her, his face immediately paling when he saw me.

“Mom?”

“Oh, you bet it’s your mom,” I spat. “What the hell is going on, Jake?”

The woman’s smile never faltered. “You must be Karen. Jake’s told me so much about you.”

“And you are?” I snapped, not bothering to hide the venom in my voice.

An angry woman | Source: Midjourney

An angry woman | Source: Midjourney

She extended her hand as though this was all perfectly normal. “Lydia. Jake’s girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” I nearly choked on the word. “What is going on here, Jake? How long has this been happening?”

“Three months,” Jake muttered, not meeting my eyes. “Mom, please, just calm down.”

Calm down? Was he kidding me?

A stunned and furious woman | Source: Midjourney

A stunned and furious woman | Source: Midjourney

“Calm down?” I repeated. “My house gets broken into, you show up in a sports car, and now I find out you’ve been shacked up with some rich woman for months?”

Lydia’s smile faltered a bit. “Karen, I think you’re misunderstanding—”

“No, I understand perfectly,” I said, eyes narrowing at Jake. “You’re using her. For her money, for this lifestyle. And that car — was that part of the deal too? Is this what you’ve been doing, Jake?”

Jake’s face darkened.

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?” I shot back. “Because I can’t see anything else.”

Jake’s eyes flashed with anger, but behind it, I saw something else: hurt.

“I love Lydia, Mom,” he said. “Even if you find that hard to believe. I’m not going to argue with you about my relationship. We’ll speak later.”

And with that, he shut the door in my face.

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

When Jake came home later, I was sitting in the dark, waiting. I didn’t turn the light on when he walked in.

“Mom, we need to talk,” he said quietly. He wasn’t angry anymore. Instead, he just sounded tired.

I took a deep breath. “You’re right. We do.”

He sat across from me, rubbing his hands together like he was trying to find the words. I didn’t make it easier for him.

A nervous man sitting on an armchair | Source: Midjourney

A nervous man sitting on an armchair | Source: Midjourney

“Lydia isn’t just some rich woman I’m using,” he said softly. “She’s been helping me. You know how hard I’ve worked on my art, but no one ever took me seriously. Except her. She pushed me to show my work and introduced me to people in the industry who saw what I could do.”

I blinked at him, the weight of his words slowly sinking in. “Jake…”

“I know I should’ve told you about her earlier, but I was scared,” he admitted, his voice cracking a little.

An emotional man | Source: Midjourney

An emotional man | Source: Midjourney

“You’ve been through so much, and I didn’t want you to think I was doing something shady. Lydia’s helped me get my first real exhibition. I’ve already sold enough to pay off your debts, Mom. All of it.”

I stared at him, unable to speak for a moment. “You… what?

“The money and the car didn’t come from anything illegal. It was from my art. Lydia helped me organize everything, and the exhibition is in two days. I’ve worked so hard for this, and I wanted to surprise you.”

An earnest man sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

An earnest man sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” I whispered.

Jake looked at me, and for the first time in a long while, I saw my little boy who always had big dreams, even when they seemed impossible.

Two days later, I walked into a gallery filled with people admiring Jake’s work. My son, who’d spent so many years lost in his art, was finally being seen for the talent he was.

During the event, Jake stood up to give a speech.

A person holding a microphone | Source: Pexels

A person holding a microphone | Source: Pexels

“Thank you all for coming. This night means everything to me. But I have to say, none of this would’ve happened without my mom. She’s the reason I kept going, even when things got tough. So, Mom, this is all for you.”

Jake smiled at me from the stage, and then, to my absolute shock, he held up the keys to the car. “I wanted to give you something to make life a little easier. You’ve earned it. Thank you, Mom.”

A happy woman at an art exhibition | Source: Midjourney

A happy woman at an art exhibition | Source: Midjourney

The room erupted into applause, but all I could do was cry. After years of struggle, we were finally going to be okay.

Here’s another story: When our daughter Sarah demanded a down payment for a house as her 18th birthday gift, we were stunned. Determined to teach her a valuable lesson, we gave her a fixer-upper instead. As Sarah dove into renovations, she faced unexpected challenges that transformed both the house and herself. 

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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