Words about raising children from Daisaku Ikeda, President of the SGI World Wide Organization. World Renown author and poet.
From his book A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays. pg 32and 33.
Sadly, some parents try to use their children as a means to give expression to their own vanity and pride, trying to force them into some preconceived mold they consider desirable. This is not a pretty sight, and they run a great risk of destroying the individuality of their child entirely. If a parent thinks not of the child’s dreams but of his or her own, the result will be something as artificial as the dwarfed trees in a floral arrangement.
It is crucial that parents understand the way the children’s minds work. When he asks the all-important question, “Why?” and is scolded or a nonsensical answer is made up to quiet him, a child’s purity of spirit can be sullied. One of the most critical aspects of child-raising is how to answer this frequent question.
In the beginning, children expect their parents to teach them about everything. However, rather than responding immediately, maybe the mother or father can take the time to work out together with the child what the answer might be. This can help cultivate the child’s power of reasoning.
2012 Cynthia Klein has been a Certified Parent Educator since 1994. She works with dads, moms and organizations who want more cooperation, mutual respect and understanding between adults and children of all ages. Cynthia presents her expertise through speaking, webinars, and private parent coaching sessions. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and writes the Middle School Mom column for the magazine Parenting on the Peninsula. Contact Cynthia at bridges 2 understanding, bridges2understa.wpstagecoach.com or call 650. 341.0779.
