Parenting automatically makes you a better person. You start watching your manners and try becoming a better person because you know that a little person is watching and learning from you. As parents, we need to understand that we are not just raising our children, but also future world citizens. Every time I rant about something that troubles me about the state of the world, or mindset of the people, I know the only way to change anything is by raising the future generation better. Just like we spend hours and hours trying to teach them letters, words, number and colours, we should also work on our children's social and life skills that will help them be better adults in the future. Here are a few ways I try to raise my toddler to be a more responsible and compassionate person.
Let them do their chores: We cannot deny that we are living in a mysoginistic and patriarchal society, and it thrives because we do not raise our sons and daughters equally. Right from the beginning, we give our sons the benefit of male privilege and they are not taught to thrive independently. Our job as parents is to equip our children, sons and daughters, with life skills that will help them sustain themselves. Cooking, cleaning, washing and maintaining the house should be taught to BOTH the genders. You can start with letting them dress themselves, help you put the dishes away or sort the laundry. There are many household chores that kids can help with and even enjoy doing!
Teach them compassion: How does your child react when another child falls of his bike? Or how sensitive is your child towards differently-abled people? For a better, more tolerant world, we need to raise sensitive children who will step up and offer help. Who will stand against abuse and wrong doings. If your child won't even help a child on the playground, how can you expect her to grow up to be a compassionate person? And how to you raise a sensitive, compassionate child? By setting example yourself.
Teach them manners: Manners taught during childhood go a long way, and trust me, your child will thank you for instilling in good conduct and manners. Good manners is what defines a person who is well-brought up. We all like to be appreciated with a thanks or when someone asks for assistance with a please. Imagine a world where everybody is courteous and speaks politely.
Instill confidence: Most of the times, we do stupid things because we are not confident about ourself. Lack of confidence can make a person bitter, who loves putting others down. Make sure you raise a confident child who believes in uplifting others. You want to raise a child who will shine, and also help others shine. Compliment and applaud your child for her achievements. Let her know that you trust her and completely support her.
Teach them to respect nature: A better world needs people who respect nature and want to protect it. There are many ways you can teach your child be more ecologically sensitive. Teach her to plant and experience the joy of seeing it grow. Explain to your child why recycling and upcycling is important and in what ways you can incorporate it in your day to day life. Help her enjoy a minimal lifestyle and also show her how to minimise trash and waste products. Raise a child who is conscious about not wasting water or abusing any natural resource.
The most powerful quote that I have ever read is by Marriam Williamson -- 'There is no single effort more radical in its potential for saving the world than a transformation of the way we raise our children'. It's time we all start believing and working towards that.
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