In India, parenting education significance is recognized by few. Parenting methods are mere ‘hand me downs’ – an inherited package we get from our parents and in turn, they got from their own! Loosely held, vaguely inferred, hardly challenged ‘bringing up our children’ strategies; with which many plan to provide parental care for their wards.
To help as a supplement to their well-laid plans and preparation to foster their kids, I wish to add a few parenting tips every week.
- The child’s feelings are more important than our rigid rules, principles, and priorities.
- More than love that we proclaim we have in abundance, what children require daily is small doses of helpful attitude – getting down to their level of perception with which they see experiences related to them.
- Communication with the children should include plain, simple language and no adult language. No accusations or harsh words when the child found in a dull mood. In such situations, empathy is the vitamin needed for a child.
- Avoid name-calling if the child is found lax in parental expectations. Parents’ motto: Anger yes; Abuse no. Express anger without insult not to damage the child’s fragile self-image.
- The child becomes what he is repeatedly told he is. Never predict and project unpleasant scenarios for your children. It may create a poor image of them, and they might strive to live likewise now and in future.
- Children need guidance, not criticism, they need listening not loud advice, and they need closeness, not coldness: in word and deed.
- Learning traditions and values by watching and listening to discussions on media shows, and social media is impractical and little is absorbed by the family as a whole. TV’s and social media can never replace a responsible parent. They can’t educate our children. Imparting values is the exclusive domain of two responsible parents.
