Amazing Parenting Tips By Sudha Murthy.

 Sudha Murthy is a renowned author and philanthropist known for her insightful perspectives on life and society. While she hasn't specifically written a comprehensive guide on parenting, many of her principles and values can be applied to parenting. Here are some parenting tips inspired by Sudha Murthy's philosophy: 

What is parenting? - by Sudha Murthy:

It is not easy to be a parent, it is quite a responsible job. Yet, it is also a joyous job. You can see the creativity of a child from a toddler to an LKG, to the first standard, questioning habits, then passing the examination then turning out to be a fine lady or gentleman, it is such a beautiful joyous job, it's like seeing a small plant growing up to a big tree, and you can witness that , and what you can do is affectionately look after without expecting anything from them.

Set  Examples:

Never force your child to follow things or do not push your habits onto the child. Instead, set an example before them so that the child would love to pick it up as a habit,says Sudha Murthy. Make it exemplary because children are like sponges, they pick up the habits from observing their parents. So do not do anything in front of your child that you do not want your child to pick up as a habit.

If you want your child to study in the evening or have a habit of reading then you also have to pick up a book and read that time, she says. Children often learn more from observing your actions than from your words.

Remember, Children do not need heroes outside the home; they absorb much from their parents. They do not do what their parents ask them to do, they do what they see their parents doing, she said.

Allow them to make small decisions:

Allow your children to take on age-appropriate responsibilities. She has asked parents to help their children in making small decisions. Giving a child a chance to take small decisions will not help them to understand the situation better but it will also expose them to the pros and cons of that particular situation. This will help them develop a sense of independence, accountability, and self-reliance.

Simplicity and Humility:

Simple living is the easiest way to live through life and one can put it together perfectly than Sudha Murthy. She always advises parents to follow simplicity and high thinking, be it food or attire. Encourage humility and simplicity in your children's lives. Teach them to appreciate the little things and be content with what they have.

Do not focus on your child only:

Though parenting needs a great deal of attention, putting the prime focus on the child will suppress the ability of the child to notice his or her own talents. she asks parents not to focus on their children all the time. "Don’t pester your child to excel at everything aka swimming, piano, elocution, cricket, art etc. Let them ponder, let them think, give them free time, and let them blossom at their own pace. Lead by example, if you want them to read, switch off your TV or phone and sit down to read yourself. Kids learn much more by example than by sermon,” she told a journal.

​Introduce children to the idea of sharing:

Sharing is a very essential mannerism that kids need to be taught. Children have a sense of ownership. They usually don't like to share things with others. Be it toys or chocolates, whatever a child has in its grip is hard for it to part with. On sharing, Murthy shares a very interesting story which is one of the most widely shared by parenting. On several occasions, she has narrated this specific story of how she taught her son the importance of sharing. When her son pestered her to throw a birthday party for him, she estimated the expense would be around Rs 50,000. Instead of immediately agreeing to her son's demand, she suggested he have a small party and give the rest of the amount to their driver, for his children's education." Initially he did not agree," says Murthy. "But later he agreed to a small party," she said. On this she adds, "Many years later, he gave his scholarship money to me and asked me to use it to help the families of soldiers who had lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament attack in India."

Reduce Gadgets Addiction:

Gadget addiction is a major headache for parents these days. Children get introduced to mobile phones, majorly, from a very young age. Toys, lullabies, and stories of elders that used to keep a child busy earlier have become outdated.

On the overuse of gadgets, Murthy has a unique explanation. She says the overindulgence of gadgets in kids goes hand in hand with the gadget habits of the parents. Parents should themselves first restrict using gadgets, she had said in an interview.

If you want to stop your child from using gadgets, stop yourself first. Unless and until it's a priority do not engage yourself for hours over gadgets, she says.

Delay- In meeting the demands of a child:

Delay is her mantra on meeting the demands and pesters of the kids. While parenting is all about giving comfort to the kids, it is also about embedding values into the young mind.

When your child is asking for something, do not give in to the demands, instead delay it for a while and try to figure out if it is really required, says Murthy.

She also strongly advises not to belittle the child for the demands and instead make them understand the value of the thing they are demanding and why it can be put on hold for some time.

Don't  Compare:

Do not compare your children with doing this you will introduce unnecessary tension to your child. Comparing your child is not good for you and is worst for your child. Each child is unique, with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Celebrate their individuality and help them develop their talents. Encourage your children to focus on their own progress and development, rather than comparing themselves to others.

Love for Reading:

 Foster a love for reading and learning in your children. Provide them with a wide range of books ,stories and encourage discussions to stimulate their curiosity and critical thinking. Encourage your children to develop a love for reading, as it can expand their imagination, improve cognitive skills, and increase their knowledge. Limit the amount of time they spend on gadgets and encourage them to explore the world through books instead.

Don't set boundaries to dream:

Do not try to live your life through your children's life. Every individual has a life, has likes, and has their own way of leading life, everyone should run their own marathon, You cannot ask your child to run your marathon. Instead, as a parent, help them find their niche and support them in achieving their goals. 

Don’t impose your own unfulfilled dreams and aspirations on your children. Each child has their own unique aspirations and interests, and it’s important for parents to support their children in finding and pursuing their own passions. As a parent, your job is to affectionately look after your child without expecting anything from them. Please remember we bring up children for our joy. You are not a money lender, you spend so much money on them, and in old age, they should return, don't expect that.

Allow Questioning:

Provide age-appropriate, honest answers to your child's questions. If you don't know the answer, it's okay to say so. Don't react. Use it as an opportunity to learn together. Even if a child's question seems simple or naïve, respect their perspective and treat their inquiry seriously. This helps build their confidence and analytical skills. Also, share your own questions and thoughts. This models the questioning habit and shows that learning is a lifelong process. Teach your child that it's okay to make mistakes. Encourage them to ask questions even if they fear being wrong. Mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth.

Communication :

Maintain open and honest communication with your children. Create an environment where they feel comfortable discussing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Engage in meaningful conversations with your children to understand their struggles, interests, and aspirations. Communication is key to building strong relationships and fostering trust. Communication is key to understanding your children’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Engage them in meaningful conversations about their interests, worries, and experiences. This helps build trust and fosters healthy emotional development.

Discipline and love for the country:

Discipline is the most important thing in life, Introduce discipline to teach the child at a very young age, says Sudha Murthy in her speech. Love for the country you should teach. Teach them the importance of 15th Aug (Independence Day), Republic Day. If there is a national anthem tell them to stand if they don't stand no dinner that day. But later they will become disciplined, As a child they will not understand the importance of that but later they will appreciate that.

Introducing Cultural Roots to them:

Sudha Murthy values the importance of staying connected to one's cultural roots. She believes that parents should introduce their children to their cultural heritage, traditions, and values. Celebrate festivals with your kids and explain to them the reason and importance of celebrating the festivals, Like Ganesh Festival.

Respect for Elders:

 Instill respect for elders and authority figures. Teach your children to value the wisdom and experiences of those who came before them. Instill the value of respect for all individuals, regardless of their profession or status in society. Lead by example and show your children that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Teach your children to treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their position in life. This can help them develop empathy, humility, and a sense of social responsibility.

Remember that every child is unique, and parenting is a journey filled with challenges and rewards. Sudha Murthy's principles can provide valuable insights, but it's important to adapt them to your own parenting style and your child's individual needs.