It’s not the grand, dramatic events that reshape the relationship with parents in adulthood; rather, it’s the quiet conversations over dinner, the unexpected apologies, and the simple, wordless acts of care that transform everything.

I recently watched When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix, and the way it explores the relationship between parents and children left a lasting impression. This K-drama captures the subtle shifts portraying the small misunderstandings, lingering guilt, and moments of silent support that mirror the complexities many of us experience with our own parents as we grow older.

When you watch this drama, you will notice that your parents aren’t invincible, you might forgive them for something you once thought was unforgivable, or you will sit across from them, realizing you are now equals in so many ways.

Having a good relationship with your parents doesn’t mean you have to fix everything, the relationship evolves with time, forgiveness, and a deeper understanding of each other as flawed humans.

And while every relationship with parents is unique, those who grow closer to their parents as adults share a special understanding of what it means to build a truly good relationship.

Read More Here: 10 Inherited Traits From Your Parents That Make You Unique

Here are some things people who became close with parents in adulthood understand…

Things You Will Understand When You Have Good Relationship With Parents In Adulthood

1. Your parents are just people, too.

One of the biggest shifts in the relationship with parents in adulthood is realizing that they have fears, regrets, dreams, and flaws, just like you. When you stop seeing them only as “parents” and start seeing them as individuals, the bond can deepen in unexpected ways.

2. Conversations become more honest.

In adulthood, the relationship with parents often moves from surface-level talks to deeper, more vulnerable conversations. You start asking about their pasts, their struggles, their happiest moments, and in turn, you share more of yourself, too.

3. Time together feels more precious.

When you grow closer to your parents as an adult, you realize that time isn’t infinite. Every coffee date, every holiday, every random check-in feels more meaningful. You savor the moments, big and small.

4. Boundaries are a form of love, too.

Having a close relationship with parents doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means setting healthy boundaries, and respecting theirs, so the relationship can thrive without resentment or burnout.

5. You may find yourself protecting them now.

The roles begin to blur: you offer advice, you worry about their health, you make sure they’re okay. Becoming close with your parents often means stepping into a more nurturing role, offering them the same care they once gave you.

6. You appreciate the little things more.

A text just to say hi. A story you’ve heard a dozen times. A favorite family recipe. When you’re close with your parents in adulthood, these tiny, everyday moments become treasures you carry with you.

7. You want to create new memories with them.

Maybe it’s traveling together, starting a hobby, or simply binge-watching a show. Adults who develop a closer relationship with parents understand that creating new memories is just as important as cherishing old ones.

8. You learn to forgive them.

People who became close with parents later in life often let go of old hurts. They understand that building a good relationship with your parents isn’t about pretending nothing ever went wrong, it’s about choosing to forgive and move forward.

9. Your differences don’t have to divide you.

You might vote differently, live differently, or think differently, but when a child becomes closer to their parents in adulthood, they accept (and even appreciate) those differences instead of letting them drive a wedge.

10. You replace expectation with gratitude.

Instead of focusing on what your relationship with parents should have been, you learn to be grateful for what it is. A messy, beautiful, ever-evolving, and, in many ways, stronger than ever.

Read More Here: 17 ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ Quotes That’ll Leave You Reflecting

Becoming close with parents later in life teaches you that relationships are never static, they can grow, heal, and surprise you even after years of distance or misunderstanding.

So, if you’re lucky enough to share a good relationship with your parents now, it’s a profound gift of adulthood. Don’t forget to cherish it!

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