The real wealth is our kids. 

Everybody wants to become successful in life. But what is success? 

The definition of success is subjective. For a child holding a catch in a cricket match  is a success, as a teenager having i-phone is a success, for a homemaker finding leisure is a success, in a business making profit more than expectation is a success. So success varies from person to person. It is our  perception.  

In our old age people will ask you only two questions.  One is about your health and the  other is about your kids. As the time moves we understand that our real investments are our health and kids. I don’t want to say anything about our health as I am not a physician.  

As a teacher, I have observed drastic changes in students’ behavior, especially inthe  last 10 years. The major problems are, concentration, lack of respect, lack of sensitivity, memorizing issues, patience, anger ,and the most important is I have not seen them happy for a long time. 

I think right from their childhood we need to invest more on our kids. This investment is not in a form of money but we need to invest our time and emotions to impart good values in them. 

We only keep on complaining about their behavior but somehow we are also responsible for it. Few simple changes can bring drastic positive results. Here are some good parenting tips. Try to spend more time with them. 

Involve them in our day to day activity. Give them some   simple responsibilities like watering the plants, organizing the cup-boards ,  arranging beds etc. 

Send them to market to purchase small things but give them cash instead of e-wallet. Let them learn the basics of spending, calculations, balance. Let them learn how to manage the money. It will help them in future. It will also increase their calculation speed.  

On weekends instead of spending time on television,mobiles, malls and restaurants explore them to nearby Temples , forts , dams , gardens, exhibitions , sanctuaries   , zoos . It will help them to understand History, Geography easily. It will also increase their general knowledge.  

Celebrate festivals at home. Prepare food at home involve them in it. For example if you are making ‘puranpoli’ let them grind the ‘puran’ .  If you are making Diwali feasts involve them in making our traditional ‘faral’. Let them enjoy the experience of self- creativity. Apart from food items involve them in making Rangoli, making garlands , painting panati , making your own paper lantern. These simple tasks will develop their skills. Their faces will lit up with joy of self- creation.   

Our kids are our true followers so give respect to elderly people in our home and in the society. They will imitate you. Never use abusing words. 

Give them the budget and tell them to organize a small family trip. Here they will learn various management skills. The small task of today will help them to plan big events for tomorrow. 

Send them to campaigns, excursions, trekking . Here they will learn social skills and also self- discipline. 

Let the children cook a simple meal for the family. As a parent we can help them and guide them but let them do it. Appreciate their efforts. It will boost their confidence and they are indirectly prepared for their future challenges. They don’t need to rely on anyone to fulfill their basic needs. 

There are thousands of things that we can do to develop our children mentally, physically, morally, economically, socially, intellectually.  

Every child is unique. Cultivate it, Water it with your love and care and let them blossom. 

Your child is your pride.