Let the children be ..

Being interested in children and holistic ways of nurturing and educating kids invites me to explore very many authors, for self -education purposes.

Lately, have been reading a very gripping book by Gopika Kapoor on Spiritual Parenting. In the process of reading and understanding I have realized how parents can scar their children for life, and be oblivious to it. This book is a MUST for to-be parents in this and coming generations. I would like to share a modified excerpt of a beautiful chapter - LET THEM BE.

"What are you doing? yelled Sonya at her 3 year old daughter Ria. Ria looked up startled, her crayon frozen in her hand.

Can't you see you have to color within the lines? Silly girl! I 'll do it for you."

Ria watched her as her mother carefully filled in the outline of the picture with neat, deliberate strokes unlike the bold vibrant lines she had colored. 

Later at lunch Ria concentrated hard as she tried to bring a rice-laden spoon to her mouth without dropping any. But a few grains fell onto her frock and unfortunately for her, Sonya saw this. 

Can't you eat properly? You're always dropping things. Give it to me, I will feed you."

 Sonya filled the spoon and began shoving the rice into Ria's mouth. "There, now you won't get messy," she said. "I can't wait for her to start eating herself," she turned and said to her friend who had come over for lunch. 

But that was what I was trying to do, Mummy, thought Ria. Only you don't let me.

As parents all we do is wait. Waiting for the baby to pop out, to walk, to smile... and the waiting continues. And with waiting comes impatience. 

Children with their developing motor skills and growing minds, take their own time. And they should. Their brains are like sponge, absorbing everything they see and hear and are taught. 

And yet because we also want our children to be perfect we do things for them instead of letting them explore the world for themselves. 

Why can't we just let our children be children and enjoy their childhood? 

Childhood is one of those magical times with no responsibilities, no fears, no limitations, where creativity and imagination run riot and you can be anything you want to be. As adults we try so hard to relive this magical time. There are workshops being conducted to get in touch with your inner child, yet we are denying our children the feeling of being children. 

Let us learn to let our children - with all their spills, mistakes, and messes- BE.