Parenting 7-10 Year Olds

I know I write about the markets so often that I neglect to write about Parenting as much as I would like to.

Like anything else, good parenting comes from the Self.

When I am in touch with my true Self, I do a great job parenting. It comes with ease.

When I am in my ego, or little self, I struggle, as many of us do.

When your children are young they want, and need, you most of the time. You put yourself second, and fill their needs first because that is the duty of a parent, and because, well... you just can't help it. They need you, and deserve to be the most important precious priority in your life, because...well... they are.

As they enter school, they become more independent. This was the goal, wasn't it? They no longer obey without question. They are thinking for themselves. This means you did a good job. Actually, a great job. A great job of raising free thinking, independent beings who can think clearly for themselves.

You love them even more, if that is possible. But as your love grows, they need you less and less. This is when is is crucial to set the self aside and let the Self emerge.

I will be here for my children. I will not cling to them, but set them free. They are not Mine, even though they are mine.

I will be here to make sandwiches, buy clothes at the last minute, find the perfect fitting pair of tennis shoes, buy the right kind of Kleenex, make sure the favorite shorts are clean, print out the spelling words in triplicate, scrub goo off the carpet because, "Mom, it's gross!" I will try not to say, "It's gross because you made it gross." Instead I will say, "It's clean now, can we keep it that way?" And then, when they get their own apartment, perhaps they will want it clean too.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD - Ghandi (I happen to agree with him.)

When you wish your children were not hyperactive, be at peace.

When you wish they didn't make messes, clean them up.

When you wish they would show you more respect, be respectful.

When you wish they would work harder, work harder.

When you feel you need their attention, give them some.

And as you children grow, give them space, but always be on call.