All of us want our children to be successful, but not many make the effort to turn them into good human beings.
If you feel your child should be cut-throat in order to succeed and you prefer turning him into a heartless soul, one day he will be just as heartless where you are concerned! Instead, instill the right values in your child so he not just a good achiever, but a good human being. Here's how you can do it.
Donate
One easy way to do good for others is to donate money. But not all money given to charity is utilized for the benefit of the needy. Often, corrupt officials come into play, and a large part of charity funds is misused. While this does not mean you should stop giving to charity, do however make sure you donate to a reputable organization.
Clothes
It is common practice to donate old clothes. Although you may be doing this yourself, this time, let your child donate his clothes. Let him decide what he wants to keep and what he wants to give - with a little help from you of course - after all, you don't want him keeping the rags and giving off the designer duds! Let him also decide who he wants to give them to, and let him do the honours with his own hands. This way, your child too will learn to give - something you will be thankful for in your own old age. Remember, if you raise a generous child, he will someday be generous with you too!
Teach
Does your maid have a child around the same age as yours? Encourage your child to spend an hour or so every week showing your maid's child her lessons. This way not only will your child feel proud that she is helping someone and her self confidence will improve, but she will also be revising her lessons! There is no better way to get a recalcitrant child to study, than to get her to teach someone.
Seat
One of the simplest good deeds sometimes seem to be the most difficult to enact. Not many people give up their seat to an elder person in a train or a bus. If you are commuting today, give up your seat to someone else - perhaps a woman with a child, someone holding heavy bags, a pregnant woman or an elderly person.
Queue
Every now and again you will come across an uncouth person who will ignore the long line waiting, and will try and push his way up ahead. Make sure this person is never you or your child. Always wait in line, and correct someone who tries to come up ahead of you.
Litter
India is poised to achieve greatness, so respect your country, city and its streets. Don't roll down your car window and throw empty wrappers, paper cups or other remnants of your meal on the road. Keep it in your car, and throw it in a garbage bin when you come across one. Always check your child immediately if he litters. Inculcate a sense of civic responsibility in him.
