In adolescence we think about our identity in social circles and also start to take measurable decisions towards our professional path. We wisely choose specific courses to grab opportunities.  But how many of us think to go under parenting workshop or course when we are pregnant? Or when we plan for a baby. It’s good question to reflect on!  We certainly do not give that much importance. 

1.How much time we spent with our kids? 

Which means that we do activities what they like the most or enjoy (we as parent might not enjoy) and not what we want them to learn/know/ explore. 

2.How many times have we listened to their stories or concerns with undivided attention? 

We might find their concerns trivial or we might listen to them while doing some of our daily tasks 

3.Do we perceive children's temper tantrums as learning opportunities the way we see challenging projects at our office? 

4.Do we seek professional help if our traditional methods to discipline a kid doesn't work? 

5.Do we restrain our self successfully each time the urge to compare our kids with others surfaces when they fail at something or do not fulfill expectations.

If the answer is No!  It is high time that we must start thinking on above lines. 

        Most of the times we perceive that parenting means we are doing certain things for our beloved kids or doing certain sacrifices for them. This may be true but we might be forgetting that the whole journey of parenting is transformational for parents as human beings. After being on this journey for ten to twenty years we become more patient, calm, accepting, and less egoistic. 

Isn't it a wonderful transformation! 

        In today's time we might be failing to make this journey as wonderful for them because first we need to accept that our traditional methods will not work; as the challenges we faced and now being faced by them are different. As a parent our intentions are undoubtedly best but that's not enough, those intentions must reflect in our daily actions. 

       There are many psychological aspects to it our own personality plays a big role in making of our child. Also, parenting style must differ as our child grows. Each phase of development demands different skill set.

Parenting is an art and artist need to keep coming up with different ways to keep it alive. Updating our parenting skills is need of an hour and is a continuous process - once a parent always a parent.

Reflect. Accept. Change.