Let Us Embrace Our Children As They Are, And Learn From Some Remarkable Parenting

We need to see our children for what they are and nurture the best in them. Let us learn from some remarkable parenting around us.

“Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the hardest thing in the world to do” – Matt Walsh. Yet, I find my opinionated self typing frantically.

Children are born with predetermined dispositions, attributes, inclinations and temperaments that a parent can foster, perhaps modify or hone but rarely change. Parenting is certainly a learning process and while there can be guidelines, that is all they can do – guide. There is no manual that is universally applicable. In order to parent well, we must understand our child’s personality and choose the path of parenting accordingly. Every child is unique and it is up to the parent to assist the child to be the best version that the child can be.

If anyone saw the show, you would marvel at this beautiful happy girl, supported by her family. She was thrilled with her new life, her story, her career – even though she was not sure if she would ever find a partner. What emerged was that she was a confident person despite her struggles and loved herself.

Not too long ago, I came across the headlines in the paper – Leo Varadkar, the gay son of Indian immigrant, to be next Irish PM. He is also a doctor and qualified as a general practitioner in 2010. I felt multiple emotions as I read this. I thought – a doctor, a gay PM, and son of an Indian immigrant in Ireland, and he is only 38. I am not sure what kind of a PM he would make but I do pray that he’s successful in his journey. His parents I believe are tired of people mentioning the fact that he is gay, but they appreciate that the world is simply marveling at the fact that his sexual orientation does not really matter in his choice of career.

I came across another piece on the internet about a mother who is photographing her 5 year old son in dresses to shatter stereotypes. She apparently offers her son the choice to wear boys and girls clothing, and he mostly chooses the dress for his love of the twirl. I salute this mother for celebrating her son’s choice.

All of the above examples are based on and around the subject of sexual orientation. But these examples made me think of the parents of these children, and the choice and methodology of parenting they may have adopted. They probably fought against social norms and raised children that felt worthy of themselves – always. Perhaps, they never lost sight of their children’s happiness and fought against all odds if that’s what it took. And that is what I wish to highlight.

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Being a parent is full of challenges and we must be willing to learn every day. Sometimes, we as parents tend to focus on the immediate issues of teaching morals, control, time management and minimising household turmoil, and in the process of addressing all of these needs; we may forget that our primary job should be to raise children with a healthy self-image and self-esteem. Children who love themselves and who we as parents ought to love, regardless of  the way they are born — gay or straight, highly intelligent or less so, lean or chubby, shy and quiet or outgoing and social, gentle or tough or good eaters or picky ones.

It has been attested by many experienced and veteran parents and psychologists that forcing children almost always backfires. Of course parents must provide opportunities and expose their child to activities that perhaps he/she may not be naturally inclined towards. We must try and broaden our child’s horizons but we must not enforce our choices and our likes and dislikes. Parenting ought to be not just about telling and teaching but about involving.

Let’s learn from the parents of the children that have incredible stories. Let’s try and give our children the roots so they belong and wings so they can fly.

Published here earlier.

Image source: By Pete Souza – http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/12152011-family-portrait-high-res.jpg, Public Domain, Link, for representational purposes only.

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