The malignant and burlesque nature of society and the way it works around raising children comes from a duel between preserving norms and adopting modernity. Volumes have been written on raising children and how parents need to balance it out. I am not going to give ten tips to follow to raise a child in a perfect and healthy environment.
I am going to highlight only two layman terms here.
One aspect which needs to be realised by parents is that a healthy environment is possible when you have a healthy mind. Parents are adults who are being challenged by their immediate environment and society at every step. You are expected to steer clear and reach the next step, so on and so forth while you are parenting.
All at the same time. Erratic decisions and thoughts are formed in the mind when one has too much on the plate. Children tend to become soft targets during these weak moments. They have absolutely no idea what’s happening with you so they go about their usual tantrum throwing and silly acts which might trigger you to act rashly. Even before you realise the damage would have been done.
A harmonious mind in a chaotic environment is what needs to be practiced. You will be able to achieve this mastery with awareness of what you are about to say to your child and how it is going to implicate him/her.
The second way of practicing mindful parenting is to eliminate competition and comparison from your child’s life. Instead inspire them with real time experiences and people. Give them a platform where they become inspired and challenged rather than feeling compared to someone. Comparison is only going to make them resent themselves and nervousness kicks in which will totally take them off-track.
You as parents are the greatest source of inspiration that they can look up to. Everyone else comes next. Parents need to break free from the rigidity and austerity of their immediate surroundings, get into the child’s bubble, wear different hats to gain their trust and last but not the least show them who their real hero is!!!