Educator, author, philanthropist, and a mother of two, Sudha Murthy shares her tips and tricks for new-age parenting.
A common mistake that parents make is projecting their own aspirations onto their children. “Every child is born with his or her own aspirations and the best you can do is support them in the quest of finding their niche.”
“Teach children that money doesn’t make a person extraordinary,” she says, adding, “When a child asks for something, don’t give it immediately. Find out if it’s really needed or not.”
Sudha Murthy emphasises “they [children] must understand the value of what they are asking for, and what they are going to get out of it.”
“Understand their daily struggles and joys, interests and aspirations, and views of the world by engaging them in conversation, and listening,” she says.
She further suggests inculcating the habit of reading in children from a very young age by reading to them and buying them books as gifts instead of gadgets.
In a conversation with the YouTube channel Momspresso, Sudha Murthy emphasises teaching children to respect every person, no matter their position.
She advises parents never to compare their children’s achievements to others as “comparing, without considering their own individuality, can hamper their self-confidence,”
Kids, especially young ones, are keen observers and imitators, so she advises parents to be on their best behaviour around them. “What parents do, influences children,” she remarks.