Mum 4 Real Celebrating Parenthood
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Not eveyone especially mothers (in previous generations and now) will agree with me when I say parents should be their children’s friends anytime, anyday, anywhere. Of course I can say this a million and one times because I have seen and know that this works irrespective of how you try to convince me.
Being a new age parent, I will say that just being a parent is no longer helpful for our children. In fact, parenting is not just a title or an award for having a child. It is however the trust you earn, the love you build, and the relationship that lasts between yourself and your little one (including the man/woman that they later become.)
To achieve the true definition of parenthood, we need to go down to our children’s level, approach situations from their point of view and see the world through their eyes.
I am of the opinion that it is significant to befriend our children, and not be an intimidating and unapproachable force. For instance, my friends always envied me for the bond I shared with my mother. Unfortunately most of my friends’ parents and guardians were strict disciplinarians.
I am not supporting that we should spoil our children because we want to be seen as their friend. Nieither do I object us from being a disciplinary. The fact is, we should find a way to communicate love and discipline to our children in the language they understand and this must start as early as they can remember things…it is a seed that germinates with time.
It is important to discipline our children but one must remember that punishment is not the only way to raise a child. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, “Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by act of love. Power based on love is more effective and permanent than the one derived from fear of punishment.” I would proudly say that as a my mother I am a firm believer in the quote above.
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