Raising your children
I don’t believe that parenting is something that you learn by going to a school that teaches you how to do it. After all, who would be our teachers? I am not sure anyone can say they are the ultimate expert in parenting to qualify as a teacher of the subject. Its not like its Math or English where no matter how much the earth moves 1 + 1 will always be 2 and nouns will always be different from pronouns. In life, one’s parenting method may not necessarily work for one or even all.
I think you acquire your parenting skills from mostly your upbringing, your environment, maybe genes (?). Looking at my 5-year old son, I try to recall if I ever did anything special with regards to molding him as a person. Nothing comes to mind. I can truly say I really wasn’t overly conscious about thinking whether any of my words or actions would impact his growth. If I would be like that, everything I do would be on slow-motion. Imagine if every time I would hug him I would be thinking whether I was being too smothering; if I let him play outside versus playing computer games inside the house I would be thinking whether I will be delaying his computer literacy; if I bought him books vs. toy trains would I be stirring up feelings of resentment; if I enroll him in an all-boys school instead of a co-ed one, would I be putting a stamp on his faith?
Often, I would hope and pray that my kids at least turn out better and wiser than I am. I am not an angel. I have made more mistakes than I wish I did but those made me into who I am now. But I would wish a better, easier life for my kids than I have had myself (don’t we all?).
So how do we ensure that our kids grow up to be good persons? How do you?
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you are right–there is no one book on parenting, and we do not learn parenting from any of the books available in the market. each individual child is unique, so, is parenting style. don’t worry, you are the best person who will know how to raise your own children.
Its not like its Math or English where no matter how much the earth moves 1 + 1 will always be 2 and nouns will always be different from pronouns.
Reminds me of my undergrad philo class a few years back. What makes us certain enough to conclude that 1+1 is really equal to 2? Sort of a shallow question to me for a while, but it came to a point that, well, I began to really ask myself that question and think it over.
Anyways, just dropping by
Who knows? You are right that there is no formula on how to raise a child to become a good individual. I just tell my daughter daily that I love her and do the best I can with all else. As long as she’s happy and well-adjusted, I’m sure I will be content.
Dine - Thanks for the words of encouragement. Coming from one who has seen it and lived it, that gives me reassurance that it is ok to be in a learning process.
splice - Good question!
Thanks for dropping by!
GloriaMC - That is what I do too. Although most of the time I do worry but inside, I don’t think there is such a thing as loving your children too much.
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