Children are a blessing from God, a ray of hope and happiness in times of distress, an asset at later stages of life, a root for family growth and the most precious possession.
In the present age where depression, frustration and financial issues have crowded our life, we have somehow forgotten to give time to our children. A common practice nowadays is to slap children at any ill-mannered act by them, but do these little angels deserve this?
Of courser, not. Later in life, if these children are harsh with other children at school, start smoking or become disrespectful, we blame the society for all this, forgetting our own mistakes.
Children need to be loved, they need to be given liberty of their actions with a proper check by parents. Encourage them to be good. Do not use your physical strength to show how powerful you are. Punish them where it is indeed inevitable, but make sure to give them a reason for your actions.
Reward them when they deserve it. Adopt an authoritarian parenting style. Young parents should take an hour or so from their other activities for proper parenting. Your actions can make your children or destroy them psychologically and physically.
SIDRA KHAWAR
Karachi
