Parenting can be a challenging journey where we often forget to prioritize our own needs. As I raised my children, I sometimes questioned whether my actions were driven by my desire for fulfillment or if it was truly what my children needed from me as their mother.
I firmly believe that children require an abundance of love, care, and the opportunity to be heard. Especially when they are young and unable to express themselves fully, they rely on us as parents to guide them through life. We must set positive examples for them, not just through words but also through our actions.
I was a hands-on mom who dedicated myself to my children's well-being. I would wake them up every morning, prepare nutritious breakfasts, pack their lunches, drop them off at school, pick them up, and take them to various activities. I would often organize fun weekend activities and take time off work during their holidays. Additionally, I would frequently invite their friends over for sleepovers and playdates.
I took great pleasure in dressing my children and planning their days and even choreographed their dances for Indian New Year celebrations. However, as they grew older and I became more involved in teaching yoga, I made sure to remind them that I am not just their mom, but also an individual named Purvi with my interests and desires.
Today, I am incredibly close to my children and have no regrets about the time I spent with them. I have raised them to be independent and compassionate individuals. I never resorted to physical punishment or harsh scolding, although I would occasionally pinch their thighs if they misbehaved. Instead, I enjoyed taking care of them, going shopping together, cooking for them, and traveling with them.
I consider myself fortunate to have been able to dedicate so much time to my children until they graduated from school and went off to college. I firmly believe that no time spent with kids is ever wasted.
By providing children with a sense of safety, acknowledgment, comfort, and support, we help them develop secure attachments and build resilience, confidence, and healthy relationships in the future. The principles of Care, Consistency, Choices, and Consequences are essential in meeting children's psychological, physical, social, and intellectual needs, laying a strong foundation for their mental well-being.
Love your children that is all that is required.