4 Essential Life Lessons Every Parent Must Teach Their Children

Making sure that our kids grow with discipline and an integrated character is a lifeskill that all the parents must posses. But, in our society, many become parents without any preparation or understanding about the psychology of children. Each child requires to be taught and treated differently as their temperament, sensitivity and basic nature might differ. However, there are some common lessons that must be internalised by each and every child during their development period. These positive lessons learnt at home will become their lifelong companions, thereby ensuring that their character is moving towards wholeness and discipline.

As adults, we all know that the world is filled with a lot of cruelty and ignorance. Not everyone has a kind heart out there. On the other hand, when we look around, we can see masses of humanity struggling without enough food, basic amenities or clothing, literally begging for a ray of kindness. The world doesn’t require more negativity or greed. But the world truly needs kindhearted individuals. A person with a compassionate soul is a ray of light in this world and this ray of light must start emanating from home.

Everyday before sleep, tell them stories that contain precious lessons on kindness. Read out abridged chapters of great novels like Victors Hugo’s Les Miserables or Leo Tolstoy’s short stories. Tell them to articulate what they understood from reading the story. If they understood a great benevolent value, your mission is successful. Otherwise, lovingly tell them what they should learn from it.

Deep safety and warmth of love is the greatest gift that all the parents should give their kids. Nonetheless, in this techno-industrial society filled with social media, video games and other random distractions, it becomes even more important that we spend quality time with our children. These moments will separate a lot of negative influences from their lives.

Ensure that you spend some quality time together everyday. Let them open up their minds. Ask them what happened in school. This will create a safe space at home and they will grow up into authentic individuals.

It has been proven by science that increased screen time affects our mental and emotional well-being. For kids, childhood is the time period in which their brain is developing. Therefore, the impact of gadgets and social media on their brain will be much heavier compared to how it affects older adults.

In fact, some of the tech giants including Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg don’t give smart phones to their children. So, the best thing that we can do would be, not to give them digital gadgets till they become teenagers at least. This will naturally orient their inclination towards real world connections. You can also encourage them to read books. Reading is one of the best replacement for the mindless distractions that we receive from smart phones. Furthermore, set an example in front of them by limiting your own smart phone and social media use. Almost all the kids will try to reflect the behaviour of their parents.

These are two key values that keep an individual standout. When most people say lies to achieve their aims, being a direct and truthful individual is an achievement. Nevertheless, it is easy when these values are inculcated into our character from childhood.

When your son or daughter wakes up every morning, tell them to make their bed. Make it a rule that each person should wash the plates that they have used. Make them disciplined by you exhibiting discipline in your behaviour. Go to sleep early and wake up early. By 10 pm, lights out. Don’t tell them lies or request them to lie to someone.

These are 4 important life lessons that has the power to ensure that your kids grow up into well rounded and disciplined individuals. It should be noted that kids usually consider their parents as their role models. Be the best one. Things will work out well.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the responsibilities of parents?
   Parents should be the providers, educators, role models, and advocates for their children's holistic development.
2. What does Gita say about parents?
   The Bhagavad Gita emphasises parents' crucial role as spiritual guides and providers. They should set an example by exhibiting duty or dharma and selfless service or seva.
3. What do Vedas say about parents?
   Vedas consider parents as a child's first guru. They are responsible for inculcating benevolent values into the character of a child.