The twelve golden rules that Rev.Father Joe Andrew,Director of Donbosco Animation center,spoke on the Parents day meeting in a school,about how to bring up the children,had to be emphasised to the modern parents who run a life of stress and tension.

Parenthood is a memorable experience in our life.Before we realise,what we do to our children,our children have already passed the age of childhood,so let us realise the potential inside our children and understand them and make their life a meaningful one.Before it is too late,let us bring-up our children,in a way,to have a healthy and happy living.

The first and foremost thing to remember is to spend time with our children.In the modern world,where one finds time is money,it is impossible for many parents to spend useful time with their children.There is a story of a richman who was busy by nature and had no time to spare for his son.For every birthday,he used to give an expensive gift to his son,but his son was always seen sad.He took the child to a psychiatrist.On examination,the doctor found that the boy wanted nothing,other than his father to spare few moments with him,so accordingly for the next birthday,he planned to spend a whole day with the boy.The boy was very happy.None of the expensive gift had an impact to the boy,other than the presence of the father.Let us recall Shakespeare's words here "absence from those we love is self from self-a deadly banishment".The presence and the good time we spend is more important to lead a happy life.

The second important factor is to communicate regularly.It is necessary to communicate regularly to become more closer and to understand them much better.We learn throughout our life.A child starts to learn the lesson from us,so even if the child asks any silly question, let us give an reasonable answer to their understanding.There was a three-year child who asked her mother about where does the cloud go,the mother patiently said it goes to Delhi.The question sounded unreasonable to others,but the patience of the mother without putting down her child was remarkable.

The third important point is to listen to what they say and what they don't.There was a boy who used to study well and would always be first in the class,but he failed in three subjects in one mid-term test.The parents on consulting reasoned out the cause to be the first love of the boy.It had afffected him so much that it had its impact on his studies.It is easy to listen to what they say rather than what they dont say.When we understand the matters that they dont say they really come more closer to us."It is a wise father that knows his own chid" by Shakespeare is apt if we listen to what they say and what they don't.

The next step is to affirm them with a word of praise.No one is more flattered than a word of praise.All humanbeings liked to be praised.Our beautiful children deserves the best of it,so let us credit them when they do something right.The little affirmation of credit acts like a dosage to shapen their career or character in future.When we praise them or compliment the children,we not only make them happy but we also make ourself happy.

The next rule is to love them and make them realise that we love them.There was a boy who used to come always late to his house.Inspite of his parents warning,he was always late.He will have his food outside or sometimes would come home late to eat.The parents decided not to eat unless their son was back at home.The boy came home and saw the food closed and kept.He found out that no one had eaten the food.He asked his father what had happened,the father said that from now on they have decided to eat the food only after their son is back.So from the following day,the son came home early and joined the supper with his parents.It is very important to make them realise our sacrifice and our love for them.Childrens attimes take things for granted,but we should express the love for them verbally.

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Picture courtesy: webshots