“Reality! More than just Love.”

The family should be much more than just love. It should be supporting, inspiring, reflecting, and independent. Good family relationships are enjoyable for their own sake – it just feels good to be a part of a warm and loving family. However, families should help each other grow and develop. They should help each other face difficulties and with that be independent of each other. Different people will have different opinions, and what is good other than being respected for what we think!! Respecting each other will lead to the evolution of good practices within families. The family lays the foundations of thinking and behavior. It influences every decision of your life. Each member works together to create an ideal society.“The family that eats together, stays together.” It is equally important to stay healthy together and live happily. Fun up your family meals, eat together, and boost your bonds. A healthy family gives rise to strong communities. Support and nourish each other to be the best version of themselves.

It is hardest to raise a family from being a parent, but the important goal becomes raising each other independently. Expectations in a family are two-sided: young children expect their families to look after them and at a later stage, every parent expects their own children to take care of them. Growing together is one aspect of a family; however, it is always good to be self-reliant and happy by yourself. If every member of the family is independent of each other, they feel competent and capable of taking care of themselves. Independent children shall feel intrinsically motivated because they will find their own reasons to achieve. Such ones should learn through their own experiences and mistakes. Similarly, independent parents will feel the need to not retire soon and try pursuing different things. Such self-reliance will increase self-value and self-esteem. Studies tell us that to raise a self-reliant child with high self-esteem, it is more effective to be authoritative than authoritarian. Let your child listen and respect you rather than fear you. Be a supportive parent but not a hovering one!

 It is a myth that after the age of 60 one should retire from a job; I ask why? You reach 60 and all you have to think is give up? Why cannot you try pursuing new skills and be active. It is nowhere written that Age is an obstacle to learning. Life provides you with ample opportunities and chances, utilize them with your potential.

Look at Big B, Amitabh Bacchan – even at the age of 77, he is determined to work all day. The reason for this is maintaining the physicality of his life. He is motivated and determined to prove himself every day. Challenges are a part of his life and failures are his learnings.

Oldest Martial Art Granny – Meenakshi Gurukkal is over 70 and can still swirl a mean sword. She is a tigress in a sari, with an affectionate smile and the oldest woman teaching martial arts to young women.

Ratan Tata; the oldest millennial – An Indian industrialist and philanthropist who has always displayed motivation towards his company. He is far-sighted and exhibits creativeness in all his aspects. He believes working until the last second as it shall improve your creative skills.

Being a modern parent poses many challenges! Parents should develop open-mindedness and be friends with their kids. Creating friendships shall develop life skills and wisdom among kids. It is easy to be strict with them, but it is more beneficial to be friends with them. Accepting and listening to them as if like a friend will boost their confidence and will power. It is always easy to go according to the prevailing norms of society, but once let us defy them and try to redefine what a family is.

“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”