You'll Want A Hug After You Read These Stories Of Kids Worried About Their Parents Aging

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We like browsing on our Facebook group Smart Parenting Village (SPV) because we get to read gems that parents share about their family lives.

One post that made us pause was this conversation a mom had with her 6-year-old daughter. Here was what she wrote in full:

Isang gabing nagwa-wash time na kami, nagre-ready para sa bedtime bonding.

Daughter: Mommy, malapit ka na bang maging lola?
Me (napaisip.): Mukha na ba akong matanda, 'Nak?
Daughter: Hindi pa po. Pero ayaw po kitang tumanda.
Me (getting confused): Bakit naman? Eh, tumatanda naman lahat ng tao.
Daughter: Eh, kasi po pag matanda ka na, lola ka na, malapit ka ng mamatay.

Bigla niya akong niyakap — at umiyak. Nabigla din ako. Ang nasabi ko na lang, “Di pa white ang hair ko, matagal pa yun.”

The mom ended her post with this: “This conversation with her left me a lesson to cherish every moment we have with them…even more.”

How do kids worry about their parents growing old?

More than a thousand SPV members loved the post, which had them reacting with “hearts” and “likes.” It resonated so much that a couple of parents shared similar stories about their kids pondering their mom and dad growing old.

“Naiiyak talaga mga anak ko ‘pag nagiging topic namin ito. ‘Yung life ba paglaki nila. Like they will have their own home and family. Excited sila to have their dream house. Then it hits them na hindi kami kasama ‘don, biglang iiyak. Kambal pa naman, sabay sila ngumawa na para bang mangyayari na agad.

"Kinabukasan ata ‘yun, yumakap sa bewang ko anak ko habang naghuhugas ako ng plato at sabi, ‘Mommy, let’s grow old together, and let’s die together.’ Napaka-sweet pa ng voice.” — Karen Anne B.

“This was my son’s Mother’s Day post last year: Happy Mother’s Day, mommy! I love you. Thank you for taking care of me. You are the best mom and I hope you will not die because I will be lonely and sad. I love you, mommy!!! He was 10. I guess it’s every little child’s greatest fear.” — PolyAnne T.

“This is the same convo my son and I had. Mapapayakap ka na lang at console na ‘Matagal pa ‘yun’ tapos sermon na, ‘Kaya dapat marami kang practice time sa paggawa ng household chores, para one day, ‘pag college ka na, and you decide to stay near your school, you don’t have to rely on anyone to do things for you. You can do everything on your own.’

“To which my son replied, ‘Yeah. So I could also take good care of my wife and my kids and spend a lot of time together with them. Not just my wife, but with my kids, too. I should be there for them.’ Lord, my kiddo was 6 years old when he told me this!” — Pistol P.

“My 11-year-old daughter naman will always say, ‘Mommy, I don’t want to become an adult because I don’t want to leave you and Daddy.’ Ako naman ang grabe ang iyak. If only we could keep them forever as babies. Hay. Yakap to all parents!” — Jam B.

“Since 5 years old, ang question nila lagi, ‘Bakit hindi na lang tayo pwede gawing immortals?’ ‘Yan ang greatest fear nila na nagiging nightmare na rin. Just last night, napanaginipan ako ng 8-year-old ko. He said that in his dream, I was 93 years old and their dad had to replace me na. ‘Yung youngest ko naman doesn’t want to grow up kasi ‘pag lumaki na sila, ako matanda na. So, gusto niya kung ano kami ngayon, ‘yan na lang forever.” — Chris T.

“‘Yung anak ko naman, ayaw niyang tumanda. Gusto niya maliit lang siya para lagi namin siya mabubuhat.” — Melrose S.

“Same with my 5-year-old boy. He started thinking about it when my lola passed away last April 30. Sabi niya, ayaw niya raw kami maging lola at lolo ng daddy niya, kasi mamamatay rin daw kami at walang maiiwan sa kanya. Lagi may small talk every bath time. ‘Dun ko nalalaman that my son really trusts me kasi lagi niya kinukwento kung ano ang nararamdaman niya.” — Neslyn V.

“I heard this also from my daughter. When she grows up, she wants to be a scientist. Gagawa raw siya ng potion that will make me forever young.” — Aida M.

The idea of you not being available to your child may make them anxious. The following may help:

When Anxiety Can Be Good For Your Child, According To An Expert

Kids With Anxiety Complain of Stomach Pain and Headaches Frequently

This Anti-Anxiety Technique Can Help Calm Your Child if He Has a Meltdown

Talking to kids about a loved one aging and dying can be challenging. You may find the following useful. 

Don’t Stop At ‘Nasa Heaven Na’ When Explaining Death To Your Child

Mom Creates Children’s Book to Help Her Kids Cope with their Father’s Passing

11 Children’s Books That Answer Your Child’s Toughest Questions

Parents' answers compiled by Fatima Castillo and edited for length and clarity. 

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