Given a choice between being a parent or a child, I think most will opt for being the latter. It is easy life. You get your food on time. You can ask for things and they appear in front of you. You get things done for you. It is almost like you are the CEO of the household. Well, there is nothing wrong in that.
Parenting, I feel is a very daunting and difficult role to play. Becoming one biologically, is just the start. The real deal starts thereafter and is something that will usually outlive your professional career. It is under-rated and very high-pressured. You cannot take leave or a holiday. It doesn’t get tougher than this. So, signing up to be a parent sure is one tough assignment (and the most rewarding).
In this sensitive parent-child relationship, we may tend to overlook a few things that are critical for a child-parent relationship. Here are my top 5 things to do:
Tip #1: Take A Walk
Whatever you do, spend time with your child / children. There is no substitute to that. And while at it, make sure you do not talk school, homework or how bad your boss is. Hold hands and go out for a walk. Soak in the air. If lucky, enjoy the chirping of birds and maybe watch the sunset. You will be surprised how much your offspring would share with you! This one-on-one time helps immensely in building a stronger bond between the two. And there is nothing better than being friends, right?
Tip #2: Put Down Your Phone
I am smiling as I write this because I had to try hard to do this myself. It is that habit cycle that I am trying to break. Remember the Cue, Habit and Reward cycle? Dividing your attention or living your life on your mobile screen will set precedence in the family. If your child does the same, encourage them to spend more time in the real world and not virtual. Additional screen time leads to ailments like spondylitis; and wrist, thumb and spine deformities, in some cases.
Tip #3: Please Don’t Stop The Music
We conveniently forget the virtues of music and the effect it can have on our psyche. It shapes our thinking, fuels creativity and most times, gives an emotional ‘back-rest’ when we need it. While I could extol the virtues, why don’t you see it for yourself. Remind yourself of an old tune and it will immediately put a smile on your face! So, if you are the Western Classical sorts and sweat by Mozart, or if you are rooted into Indian Classical and cannot think beyond Raag Yaman or if you love the old melodies of SD Burman or Madan Mohan, put that music on! Begin your weekly off days with music. Make it a habit. Encourage your child to dedicate sometime to listen to music (unless your child is already in music classes). Teach an instrument. Why not even take Friday piano classes with your child? Advise playlist control, for best results. You can thank me later.
Tip #4: Good To Be Bored
We always thought boredom is bad. A bane. An empty mind is a devil’s workshop – there are many ways to put it. Off late, boredom has been considered to be mind-trigger. When anyone is bored, we tend to blank out our mind or think of something better. I am discounting the fact that many switch on the TV then, and watch mindless, inane stuff. Allow your child to get bored. It is ok to get bored. Boredom leads to creativity, if recent researches are anything to go by. Let them think. Let them be.
Tip #5: Un-Google
Life existed outside of Google. Remind yourself that. Show your child that. Encourage children to look for their own answers. Instil the virtues of research; not lazy research via the Internet, but goad them to find out their own answers. Imagine the sense of amazement when you take them out stargazing with the local stargazing group. Both parties need to understand that Google is not the answer to all things. There will exist a life outside of Google. You just need to hit the “I’m Feeling Lucky” tab – in your head!
A student of parenthood
Dev
Fatherhood 
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