A couple of days back, my co-passenger in the bus was reading an article titled ‘Neglect by children makes couple end lives.’ Though I couldn’t go through the details as it was somebody else’s paper, it was very perturbing. I began to think about the task of child rearing and concluded that it is not only the greatest task but also a service that we are rendering to the society at large, to the child her(him)self and above all to God. Parents these days believe that it would suffice just to take care of the material needs of children – providing quality education that can guarantee a promising career and all the material comforts to keep the child satisfied in all respects. Yesterday’s luxuries have become today’s necessities and since parents are so prompt in making things readily available to children, the present day child believes that she/he deserves everything on a platter. With increasing exposure to media, every home having at least a computer with an Internet connection; the young impressionable mind is subject to all kinds of influences mostly negative.

Gone are the days when parents disciplined children. Although it’s important you shower your love and affection upon your child, of equal importance is the need to discipline your child to ensure he’s led into the right path. Disciplining does not necessarily mean whacking up the child but correcting her/him in a way that he or she will never want to repeat the error. Proverbs 22 sums up a parent’s responsibility in the 6^th verse, “Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it.” I’ve noticed so many parents who like to see their child(ren) exalted and other children being put down. Some parents keep mum when children disrespect elder people. When there is no instruction as to the proper manner of behaviour or disposition,HOW CAN PARENTS EXPECT CHILDREN TO TREAT THEM WELL IN THEIR OLD AGE?????????

Ask Sylvester Stallone, no one knows better than this actor on the subject of raising a family. In his interview to Catholic Digest he said; “I’ve taken my kids on some of my recent trips to third world countries so they can see how other people live and struggle. This is where you start to see what really matters in life — not the “things” and not the fame. It comes down to loving and giving, and the best place to start to learn that is within the family unit”

Let’s hope parents come to realize how vital their role is in moulding a child.

Merry Christmas to readers of my posts!