“A Parent’s Guide to Nurturing Harmonious Relationships with their Children”
The dove said to the crow: “Changing yourself is pointless if you don’t go anywhere.”
And so, the crow began to contemplate.
This is the “Law of the Crow” – when life is painful, it’s not about changing others, but yourself.
As parents age, many wish to live harmoniously with their children. Thus, according to the “Law of the Crow,” for a child to understand love and the significance of family bonds, parents must also learn to get along and befriend their offspring.
Whether reflecting on themselves or their children, parents need to harness strengths and avoid weaknesses to foster better relationships.
Harmonious Communication: The Key to Bonding with Your Child
An ancient proverb states: “Right and wrong depend on how much you speak.”
This is a reminder about balance in communication and listening. Because sometimes, our excessive words can obscure the truth and lead to unfortunate misunderstandings.
This is especially true in the relationship between parents and children. While parents genuinely want the best for their children and aim to share their experiences, if they don’t know how to listen and share reasonably, their words can become meaningless nagging, even leading to conflict and disagreement.
Harmonious communication is key to bonding with your child.
Times are changing rapidly, and the experiences of the previous generation may not align with the current one. Thus, parents must learn to listen, observe, and understand their children instead of merely imposing their views. This is the art of communicating with and educating children.
When parents know when to remain silent, observe their children’s development and the changing times, and share only what is truly necessary, the relationship will become more harmonious, and children will listen more willingly.
Focus on Strengths Instead of Criticizing Weaknesses
The crow’s mirror in Aesop’s fable offers a profound lesson about the importance of one’s true nature rather than superficial appearances.
The story tells of a crow that wanted to become the king of birds, so it glued beautiful feathers from other birds to itself. When Zeus saw the crow looking so attractive, he decided to crown it king.
However, when the other birds discovered the crow’s deception, they plucked out all the fake feathers. The story ends with the lesson that “with the help of others, one can create an illusion of beauty, but ultimately, it will be exposed.”
Focus on your child’s strengths.
The story’s message is valuable as it reminds us not to judge people by their appearances but to look at their intrinsic nature and abilities. Many parents focus solely on external achievements, failing to appreciate other positive qualities like diligence, responsibility, or courage. This prevents them from truly understanding their children’s unique worth.
On the other hand, if parents learn to look into the “eyes and wisdom” of each individual, instead of fixating on appearances, they will uncover surprising and valuable aspects of their children.
The crow’s tale also proves this point, showing that with creativity and effort, an ordinary creature can overcome challenges and find solutions.
Teach Your Children Gratitude
Gratitude is a two-way street, not a one-way expectation from the elderly to the young.
When parents are healthy, they can help care for their grandchildren and do some housework. When they are no longer mobile, their children can reciprocate by taking care of them.
Teaching children gratitude is essential. Gratitude is not just an emotion but a habit that should be cultivated from a young age. When children are taught to be grateful for the little things in life, they grow up with a positive mindset, appreciating what they have.
Parents should model gratitude for their children.
Encourage your children to say “thank you” whenever someone helps them, whether it’s their parents or a stranger. Also, create opportunities for them to express their gratitude, such as writing thank-you notes or making gifts for those who have helped them.
Moreover, parents are role models for their children. When parents naturally express gratitude, children will easily emulate this behavior and develop a gracious, appreciative attitude. This is the best way to raise children with good character, who will be loving and respectful toward their parents.
Unlock Your Child’s Potential: The Ultimate Guide to Nurturing a Brilliant Mind Before Age 6
Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s cognitive development and memory retention. There are three essential practices that parents can incorporate into their daily routines to foster their children’s brain development and enhance their memory retention capabilities. These simple yet effective strategies can have a profound impact on a child’s overall cognitive growth and academic performance.