5th March 2023
Many of us have this misconception that, parenting is about taking care of the kids. It is about providing for them at every step, sheltering them and protecting them.
Have you ever pondered, that by taking this approach, we dismiss their creativity and rob them of their joy?
Strange perspective huh? In today's blog, let me share a story…
One fine day, a young couple, Mark and Cindy, were discussing their financial priorities and cash flows for the month. The children were playing around the house and having a good time. Unknown to the parents, the younger child overheard the conversation and shared it with his sister.
At the dinner table, the child spoke, “Daddy, are we out of money?”
Mark, was initially taken aback. With a warm smile he asked, “Josh, why would you say that?”
Josh replied, “I heard you talking to mommy and it didn’t sound too good.”
Mark decided to play along. He said, “Well Josh, it’s not as bad as you have imagined but we can definitely do with some help. Would you like to help?”
Josh smiled, “Of course Daddy…I would love to. In fact, we would love to.” He looked at his sister eyes twinkling.
Mark looked at Cindy and she said, “Well, thank you guys...that would be wonderful!”
Both parents forgot about the conversation very soon. But Josh, and was on a mission…he was unstoppable. Within the next week, he and his sister, Sarah, had spoken to the elder boys and girls of the neighborhood, their school friends and they had great plans going.
Over Friday night special dinner, Josh and Sarah presented their plan to help mom and dad. As Mark and Cindy heard patiently, the more and more surprised they were. They could not believe that their children were even capable of thinking so much.
The kids had thought about loaning their comic books, doing a lemonade stall and they would also go around in the neighborhood doing handy jobs for a payment.
As a result of the parents' choice to empower their children - the kids not only experienced joy, enthusiasm and happiness, they spread it all around them.
In the next few weeks, they went about with their plans and had so much fun. Every time they would hit a roadblock, to the parent’s amazement, they would always find a way out!
Not only did they handover Mark and Cindy a nice wad of cash, they were ready to create more and explore more of what they were capable of.
If you truly want your kids to be happy, empower them to make their choices, do not choose for them. Kids are incredible! They are more powerful that you will ever imagine.
True happiness is in creation – allow kids to create their magic and experience the happiness.
What if you could stop pretending that you need to take care of your kids?
What if you could empower them to make their choices?
With Happiness,
Tina Chakrabarti