Author: Rekha Mittal Gupta
“Home is every child’s first school and parents first, teachers.” Like you all, I too believe so.
A child learns from what he observes around him.
You cannot expect the contrary from him. If you ask your child to tell the person on the phone that parents are not at home, then you can’t expect your child to be honest.
You need to practise what you teach your kids.
Right moral values can be inculcated only by showing them ones.
Continual usage of magical words like Thank You, Sorry, Please, Excuse me enlightens the kids on their proper use.
Don’t be available at their beck and call. Let them get up and fetch a glass of water for themselves and for yourself too.
Why do you need to cut fruit and offer it to them? Do you remember your parents doing the same for you? Ask them to get a fruit, wash it properly and cut and chew it.
Don’t run to get them up if they fall. Let them get up on their own. Become their strength, not their weakness.
Let them polish their school shoes and set their timetable. Do you remember your parents doing this for you? I don’t even remember my mom stuffing the lunch box in my bag. It was my duty to put the ready lunch box in the bag and fill my water bottle. After returning from school, I used to keep my finished lunch box for washing. My mother never took it out from my bag, never checked if I have finished my lunch or not.
It was my duty to put the shoes, socks and uniform at their allotted place. My mother never reminded me again and again to finish my homework. I am sure you all would resonate with it.
Then why are you pampering your kids so much? Why are you making your kids so dependent on you?
I have seen parents often complaining about the eating habits of their kids. Don’t you think it’s in your hands? Teach them that if you can cook dishes of their choice, then they too need to respect and eat dishes of others’ choice. If parents, without complaining, can eat what the kids had demanded to be cooked, then why can’t they eat what you have cooked.
I have a straight policy, “Eat what is cooked or sleep hungry”. After throwing a bit of tantrum, the kids learn to eat all kinds of veggies.
Teach them the value of money. Inculcate the habit of savings in them. Arrange a piggy bank for them to save money.
Don’t stoop their shoulders from the burden of your expectations on them. Stop expecting from little beings, rather show them that you are always there with them and for them. Neither compare your kids with others’ kids nor allow them to compare themselves with others. There will always be greater or lesser kids so teach them to surpass their own accomplishments.
Don’t say NO to everything they say. Have their say also. Listen to them also.
Ask their opinions in matters concerning them, it boosts their morale and confidence. A very small example here is when you go shopping for kids, give your suggestion but buy what they finally point their finger at. It encourages them to follow their judgement rather than that of the crowd.
Teach them to take advice but pursue what they feel is the best for themselves.
Give them roots and wings- the two greatest gifts that you can give and you should give your kids.
