Today, with the development of modern society, many parents have shifted their attention from providing a better material life to caring for their children’s spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
As a teacher and a mum, I believe that all happy children feel the following way: my heart is calm and peaceful, and I am loved and surrounded by loving people. I am fearless because I know those who care about me (and vice versa) are by my side.
I still remember the time when I took on the new role of ‘mother’. I read numerous famous parenting books, but also could not help feeling anxious about whether my words or severe looks might hurt my children. Over the course of my elder son’s development, I also felt his helplessness whenever I expressed my anxieties. When my second son arrived, I continued to read various parenting books, but I learned to follow my heart most of the time. As both my sons gradually grow up, I rest assured that I did the right thing. That is to say, as parents are the ones closest to their children, their hearts will lead them to where they should go.
Among all the relationships that humans can experience, only the parent-child relationship will undergo the kind of gradual detachment that ultimately leads to a child becoming an independent adult.This strong triangular structure, comprised of parents and children , secures the source of happiness and safety of children. They are natural observers, blessed with such insight and wisdom.
They feel safe and calm when their parents talk, laugh and care about each other. Contrarily, they become puzzled and afraid when noticing father’s stern facial expressions or mother’s tense utterances. Parents can be likened to their children’s sky and land. Children, as tiny seeds, will thrive healthily by absorbing nourishments that are offered by a tranquil sky and vast, fertile land.
In my opinion, children’s happiness is not necessarily created by exaggerating rituals. Rather, happiness can be a bedtime story told by mum, the certainty showed in father’s eyes or caring words from their grandparents. Happiness can be found by tackling a new challenge in their studies, scoring during a match or starting again even when they are defeated. It can also be found in the relaxed laughter of companions, an encouraging hug from friends when they are sad, or in finding the courage to tell others: “You should not do this”.
Happiness is contagious. A father may pass on his happiness to a mother, who will bring happiness to her children. Happy children are more likely to enjoy a happy, fulfilling and successful life.
To finish, I want to share some words quoted from My Child, Just Take Your Time by Taiwanese essayist Long Yingtai:
“I, sitting on the stone steps shone by the setting sun, watched my bright-eyed child focusing on doing one thing attentively. Surely, I was willing to wait for him with my whole life to let him tie the bowknot unhurriedly, with his little fingers and at the age of five. My child, just take your time.”
