Why We Should Talk to Our Parents Before It’s Too Late
By Krishna Kodey
We scroll through our phones, respond to work emails, chase deadlines, and lose ourselves in the hum of a fast-paced life. In all that noise, we forget one simple truth: time is moving forward — quietly, unbothered — and our parents are aging.
They’re the ones who raised us, held us when we cried, stayed up through our sickness, celebrated our smallest victories. But somehow, in the middle of everything, we’ve forgotten to talk to them. Not out of neglect or lack of love — but simply because life, in all its chaos, got in the way.
But here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: someday, they won’t be there to pick up the call.
And that’s why we need to talk to our parents — not later, not tomorrow, but now.
1. They’re Not Just “There” Forever
We often assume our parents will always be around. Their presence feels like the furniture in our lives — stable, dependable, unchanging. But the harsh reality is: people fade. Voices grow quieter. Memories grow softer. Illness arrives without an invitation.
One day, you’ll wish you had just one more conversation. One more “How are you, really?” One more laugh about your childhood. One more long talk where you just listen.
Time won’t wait. And regret is the heaviest feeling in the world.
2. They Still Think About You Every Day
You might be juggling five things a day, but they’re still thinking about that call you missed. They remember your favorite food, even if they don’t make it anymore. They still look at old photos and wonder where the years went.
For them, you never stopped being their child. But for us, in the rush to grow up and move ahead, we forget that they, too, are living a life full of emotions, longing, and quiet waiting.
3. They Have Stories You’ve Never Heard
Every parent has a past that rarely makes it into the dinner conversation. They were once dreamers, rebels, poets, and pranksters. They had heartbreaks, friendships, fears, and failures you know nothing about.
When you start asking — really asking — about who they were before they became your parent, a world opens up. You connect on a human level, not just as “child” and “guardian,” but as two souls traveling through time together.
They hold memories of your grandparents, your roots, your culture, your family’s love stories and struggles. And unless you ask — unless you talk — those stories go with them.
4. Silence Can Become a Habit
If you wait too long to have real conversations, silence becomes the default. And then, the distance grows. Small misunderstandings stay unresolved. Love remains unspoken. And we begin to live with assumptions — “They know I love them,” “They’re probably busy too,” “It’s too late to change now.”
But it’s never too late to pick up the phone and say, “I’ve missed talking to you.” One honest sentence can break years of silence. One apology can open the door to healing.
5. Emotional Health Matters Too
Parents rarely ask for emotional support. Especially in cultures where they were taught to suppress vulnerability and be the “strong ones.” But aging is not just physical — it’s emotional. Loneliness, anxiety, and feelings of being “left behind” are real, and they hurt deeply.
A 10-minute call, a few kind words, or a genuine check-in can mean more than money or gifts. The human voice — your voice — can heal wounds you don’t even know exist.
6. They Need to Know You’ll Be Okay
As parents grow older, a quiet fear creeps in: “Will my child be okay when I’m gone?” You might not realize it, but every call where you sound happy, every visit where you’re laughing, every message that says “Don’t worry, I’m doing fine” — it gives them peace.
They don’t need big success. They need to know you’re emotionally safe. That you have someone to talk to. That you won’t be alone. When you talk to them, you remind them they raised someone who’s still standing strong — and that reassurance means everything.
7. Tomorrow Is Never Promised
We say “I’ll call them this weekend.” We say “Maybe next month I’ll visit.” We say “I’ll ask them that story next time.” But sometimes, there’s no next time.
Death doesn’t come with a warning. Illness doesn’t make an appointment. And the “right time” might never arrive.
The only time that’s real is now.
8. Talking Builds a Legacy
When you talk to your parents, you’re not just bonding — you’re building something that lasts. You’re learning how to forgive, how to love unconditionally, how to navigate complex relationships. You’re learning what family means.
And someday, you’ll pass those lessons on. To your friends, your children, or even strangers who cross your path. Those stories, those phone calls, those words — they become a legacy.
9. Your Voice Is a Lifeline
There are parents who sit in quiet rooms, staring at the clock, just waiting for their child’s voice. Some are battling dementia. Some have lost their spouses. Some don’t say it, but they feel forgotten.
In those moments, your voice can be their light. A reminder that they’re not invisible. A reason to smile again. A memory to cling to.
Even if it’s just a 3-minute call saying, “Hi, I love you.”
10. It Heals You Too
We often carry childhood wounds. Maybe your relationship with your parents isn’t perfect. Maybe it’s distant, strained, or confusing. But talking — even in small, safe steps — can be deeply healing.
You’ll learn they made mistakes. You’ll realize they had their own wounds. And sometimes, you’ll find forgiveness. Not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace.
What If It Feels Awkward?
Start small. Share a memory. Ask about their day. Tell them something funny. You don’t need to fix everything in one conversation. Just begin.
If you’re far away, send a voice note. A photo. A question. A song that reminds you of them. There are a hundred ways to say: “I’m thinking of you.”
They don’t need perfection. They just need you.
How Technology Can Help Bridge the Gap
In today’s world, where families are often scattered across cities or countries, technology is our bridge. And sometimes, that bridge becomes a lifeline — especially for aging parents who crave connection but struggle with loneliness, dementia, or health issues.
Devices like iAVATARS are trying to fill that emotional gap — by using AI to speak to elders in the voices of their loved ones. It’s not about replacing human love. It’s about extending it when we can’t physically be there.
But no technology, however advanced, can replace a real conversation. So while tech helps — don’t let it replace your voice. Use it to strengthen the connection, not substitute it.
Before It’s Too Late
This isn’t a guilt trip. It’s a gentle reminder from one human to another: no one is here forever.
So pick up the phone. Visit home. Ask them questions. Tell them about your life. Say “thank you” even if you’ve said it a hundred times. Say “I love you” even if it feels awkward.
Because one day, you’ll want to remember their laugh. Their voice. The way they said your name. And the only way to keep those memories alive — is to make them now.
So talk to your parents. Before it’s too late. Not because you have to. But because you still can.