The article analyzes the Chinese group of left behind children in the aspect of parental labor. Comparison of differences in motivation in two groups of parents - those who have experience of being left behind children and those who do not. According to a survey of parents and in-depth interviews conducted in China in 2021, the results of the study showed that in the group of respondents-parents who were previously left behind children, the need for love is not as pronounced as in the group of respondents-parents who have not experienced in the childhood experiences of left behind children; however, among respondents-parents who were previously left behind children, the needs for spiritual support, for the fulfillment of public duty and for the fulfillment of personal responsibility are more pronounced than for the group of respondents-parents who do not have such experience. These needs can lead to increased motivation in connection. For respondents-parents who were previously left behind children, in the process of raising their own children.