Dr Saamdu Chetri, the founder of Gross National Happiness Center Bhutan is a big advocate of teaching your child the importance of right intention and right efforts. "These two principles can take your child a long way. Modern parenting is tough since there are so many competitions, but teach your child to compete with himself and not with anyone else. They should be taught from an early age to do one extra thing today so you are better than yesterday."
Reflecting on the teaching of Vedas, Dr Chetri says, "We have been taught to treat the child according to his/her age."
From birth to 8 years
A child should be reared like a prince/princess from the age they are born, up to 8 years. Pamper them, teach them important life skills, and make them feel loved and important.
Read: Things your child's teacher wishes you knew about school homework
From 9 years to 12 years
This is the age when parents should try to avoid all the possible mistakes that can happen in their child's life. Avoid the pitfalls, bad and dangerous things. This is also the age when parents should involve the child in common problems. If you are arguing in front of the child, also apologise to each other in their presence so they know that people can disagree but they choose to let go. This is a very impressionable stage and they are learning a lot from how you behave. So set the right example.
From 12 year to 16 years
This is the age when you should be very tough with your child. Set boundaries. If required, have a win-win agreement with the child. Put conditions that if the child doesn't do as promised, they will not go on a holiday. Allow them to work on their goals and put an extra effort, keeping in mind the outcome. Also, involve them in decision making. Create theoretical issues for them and ask them to come up with a possible solution. Guide them if you feel there is a better way to do it.
After 16 years
This is the stage and age when the child will not listen to you if you try to be strict so become friends. This is the only way to ensure that they listen to you. After 16 years, they work naturally, based on their life experience so far.
