One of the most crucial aspects of raising a child is to not just train them to lead a Krishna Conscious life but also be there for them during their learning process within the matrixed, complex social environment they – and ourselves too – operate in.  Many of us find it difficult to understand how to maneuver around these intersections of life and fail to adopt and teach the underlying spiritual view of the same.

Dear parents, teaching your children to chant, eat prasadam, read Krishna books etc. are THE MOST IMPORTANT and very integral part of upbringing but please, also help them adapt to new situations at each stage of their life and apply the spiritual principles practically.  This will instill an unshakeable confidence in the child and help smooth switch from childhood to adulthood.

• Show positive attitude yourself about any difficult changes happening in your life. If you show confidence and enthusiasm and reinstate & reaffirm your faith in Krishna, then you child will reflect your moods and practices.
• For small children who need to be prepared for a school going routine, first ensure you yourself are prepared.  You may visit the school several times yourself and introduce /interact with other children and teachers yourself.  The child will emulate you.
• It is not possible that you let your child linger all through the year and the day before the school expect him/her to sleep early and prepare for a rigor the next morning.  Begin the training routine many months in advance
• Involve your child in little chores like keeping away books, clothes, toys and other little things which can help slowly in being disciplined…with love.  Lead by example.
• Never make fun of children when they cry.  When we make condescending remarks about how show their emotions or what others would think, it’s like trying to make the rose bloom by forcefully opening up the petals with your fingers.  It’s cruel.
• You may be a busy professional holding a top position.  But your primary job is to focus on being a parent.  This job is yours until you die.  So, nothing is more important than fulfilling this critical role you are playing.  Nothing can bring more satisfaction than a spiritually successful child.
• Sometimes devotees do not take seriously the school events of their children.  It may not be important to your personal Krishna Consciousness journey, but it is a very important part of your child’s growth.  Your participation in the school events and building relationships with the teachers and other little friends of your child, will strengthen your own bonding.  The stronger the bond, the stronger the child’s attraction to your way of life – Krishna Conscious way.
• Help optimize the need for academic performance.  Do not put undue pressure.  Let the child use the God-given ability and intelligence.  Identify the child’s strengths, help develop them and train how to dovetail them in service of Krishna.  Demonstrate.

It is the duty of every parent to create a conducive environment for all-round development of the child – the spiritual angle being the most crucial.  The child needs the social and practical skills to survive in this Age of Kali.  They need to understand the dynamics of this complicated and confusing world and they definitely need your expert guidance in all areas.

Seek guidance yourself, of other devotees experienced in this area.  Write to realfreedomwomen@outlook.com