The behavior of an individual depends majorly on what they
are made to believe when they are young and their
influencers. A child or teenager is easily affected by the
world around them, and often several doubts in their head
get overlooked, leading to a future self that could be
disastrous. In this tricky scenario, it becomes all the more
important for parents to talk to their kids and give them a
heads up of sorts on where things stand in life. On that note,
take a look at 9 important conversations all parents need to
have with their kids.
1. You're beautiful, just the way you are.
When kids hit puberty, self confidence hits a huge low.
Although it's hard to explain to them that external beauty is
only skin deep, it is necessary to always assure them that
change is temporary, and like the ugly duckling, growing up
is something that's unfathomable. Looks are not everything
in life, fair skin does not mean superiority, a symmetrical
face and body image does not mean someone is a good
person. True beauty lies on the inside and there are so
many ways to show it to the world.
2. No matter what your dreams are, you'll be supported.
Being a dreamer (as long as it's not in class) is not a bad
thing. When I was growing up kids were often moulded to
believe what they wanted to be. Some wanted to be like
their parents (much to their parents' glee), while others were
told that being a doctor, banker, teacher and engineer were
worth looking up to. Parents have no right in telling their
kids what they have to be, but they must counsel their kids
in following their dreams. If they don't know what they want
to do, that's okay, they have up to college and graduate
school to decide.
3. The company you keep, influences you in ways you
won't imagine.
Social relationships are complicated right from childhood
and having just one 'best friend' isn't always healthy. Kids
should learn to mingle with all their peers rather than being
selective about who's cool and who's lame. As they grow
older, friendships become even more complicated, but the
sign of a good friend is when they respect you, enjoy your
company and are unconditionally loyal.
4. Count all your blessings.
As humans, all we want is more. Our needs and desires
never end. But we never stop to appreciate what we already
have. The food we eat, the home we live in and things we
have, animate or inanimate. This is something kids need to
learn before they start their unending rants of what their
friends have and what they don't.
5. Bullying is not okay.
In school, some kids get bullied while others are the bullies.
Disrespect and looking down on others is something that
parents should nip in the bud. Turning a blind eye on your
child's cruel behaviour with his peers only reflects on you as
a failed parent and guardian.
Bullying is not a part of growing up and it is not harmless
fun. It is victimising someone else for something that they
haven't done. We do not live in a Spartan age, where
everything has to be perfect. We live in an age of diversity
where school is meant to be a safe place for nurturing.
6. Learn to respect everyone.
Rabindranath Tagore believed that God resides in human
souls and helping and respecting one another is true
worship. In that vein, respecting everyone for who they are
is something every child must learn. Nobody is inferior.
Women are not sexual objects and all men are not sexual
predators, and servants are not slaves.
7. Focus on making the world a better place with your
actions.
Whether it's helping an elderly neighbour or just being a
passionate volunteer for a cause, helping make the world a
better place is is a great way to heal the mind and soul. It is
also one of the simplest ways of being happy - trying to
make others happy.
8. Pursue your passions.
Whether its sports, fine arts or miscellaneous hobbies, no
child should be stopped from doing something productive
that makes them happy. Remember, all work and no play
makes Jack a dull boy, so just because exams are around
the corner, doesn't mean all non-academic activity must
stop.
9. What goes around, comes around.
If one has to play the Justin Timberlake song to get across to
their kid, by all means do so. I'm not trying to get all
spiritual here, but let's get real. Karma is a b****. Noble and
good deeds to the world come back to us while cruel
intentions come back to haunt us after we have inflicted
them on the world. In a nutshell, teach them to be nice as
harming others will only bring harm upon themselves.
