What Parenting Creates”
Children are like mirrors—they reflect what they see and absorb what they feel. Before the school or society, it is the parents who lay the foundation for children. However, the way parents take care of their children plays a massive role in shaping the child’s nature.
Parents’ toxic behaviour can really affect the child’s nature. The child tends to be more arrogant and rude to others, just how their parents act towards them. They lack trust and respect. Suppose, a child comes home from school and his father immediately tells him to start working or else he will take away his phone or something that is close to him. This type of harsh attitude can have a toll on the child’s mental and physical well-being, making them feel like they are not good enough. They learn to stay silent, to hide their emotions, and to fear judgement. Over time, this fear becomes a part of who they are.
Now, imagine the same scenario, but instead of shouting orders, the father first greets his child, hugs him and then politely asks him to do work after he has rejuvenated for a bit. Instantly, the child feels more comfortable and relaxed as he is treated with love, patience and understanding. They face the world with courage because their foundation is strong. They understand that mistakes are a part of growth, not something to be punished harshly. They grow into individuals who are not afraid to express themselves. The truth is, children don’t always remember specific moments—but they remember how those moments made them feel. And those feelings shape their identity.
In this way, the parenting style of the child’s parents can either shape him into a considerate, courageous and respectful individual or scar his childhood for life. Parenting, therefore, is not just about discipline or success—it is about teaching a child what love feels like. Because in the end, a child will either grow up seeking love or running from fear.
“Behind every young child who believes is a parent who believed first.”
KABIR SINGH, GRADE 8, DAV SCHOOL, AMRITSAR