"Institutions build professionals, but Parents are the Primary Architects in the development of character in Children".
Many a times, I tell myself that there is a pair of tiny eyes watching you always (not my conscience; but my daughter) and I need to be very careful as to what I am doing. This realisation did not hit me hard till a year ago. While I was driving her to the Music class, as always there was a most (in)disciplined motorist who drove past us and in all my frustration I yelled at him. Now this was completely absorbed by my daughter and later she yelled at another motorist in the similar fashion. Now, the reality that hit me really hard was - "Am I a role model for her worth emulating?" From then on I do everything possible to refine myself so that she carries forward good character and habits.
Now, coming to the topic - We (Parents) are the primary architects in the development of character in children. The only scripture that most children read is the life of their parents because they get to watch it from the closest proximity. The life of parents is the only Holy Book they will imbibe and the only Dharma they will follow. Sitting back and thinking, any new custom / practice that we come across our mind immediately races to the past and thinks how this custom or practice was done by our mother / grand mother. (This is because the camera in our mind has captured the complete episode in the past for future use)
It is indeed a huge responsibility, but then what you sow today you will reap tomorrow. It is a fine line as we need to refine ourself and not portray a pseudo model of one's self . A pseudo personality can be easily broken down and seen apart and these young minds are experts in it. The extraordinary citizens / people were developed in the cocoon of homes by responsible parents. We do hear many a times great people quote their parents' or grand parents' as their character seed. One good example is Mahatma Gandhi and his character. The primary architect of Gandhiji's character was his mother.Should we look at any other example to add to the topic?
I believe that a child need not be a topper for the child to be successful in life. Today we are witnessing the most biggest entrepreneurial revolution with opportunities in the most unexpected field- when people are faced with life's choices splitting into two roads - one, the easy and crowded and the other the tougher and less crowded, people take the less crowded and that makes all the difference.In every field people who lead are the people who have horizontal exposure with vertical expertise.People who usually make it to the top are those who develop themselves in Multiple Intelligence. Parental responsibility is to create more avenues of horizontal exposure to children which will help them to find their vertical expertise.
What I have inferred - Parenting is very much an art and we have to customise it according to the child's need. Children basically God's creation, have been entrusted in responsible hands (Parents)in the only trust that we will play our role diligently. This role / position of an architect is worth everything when we realise that we have an opportunity to parent a world - class citizen.
