What is Great Parenting? Become A Better Parent | Dr. Shefali Tsabary with Vishen Lakhiani

Mindvalley Talks・2 minutes read

The speaker advocates for conscious parenting by addressing childhood wounds, focusing on inner essence over external achievements, and promoting empathy and autonomy in raising children. They challenge traditional parenting practices, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, mindfulness, and valuing human connection over screens and technology.

Insights

  • Emphasizing conscious parenting involves addressing one's childhood wounds, nurturing the inner essence of each child, and resisting societal expectations.
  • Advocating for a shift towards personal connection over screen time, teaching values through embodiment rather than imposition, and viewing discipline as a teaching tool rather than punishment.

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Recent questions

  • How does the speaker view traditional parenting practices?

    The speaker critiques traditional parenting practices and advocates for conscious parenting. They emphasize the importance of addressing one's own childhood wounds in raising children, rejecting the idea of fixing or controlling them. The focus is on nurturing a child's individuality and inner essence rather than molding them to societal expectations. The speaker challenges the notion of wanting happiness for one's child, promoting detachment and allowing children to discover their own paths.

  • What does the speaker emphasize in education?

    The speaker criticizes the emphasis on grades in education, highlighting the negative effects of quantifying a child's worth based on external achievements. They stress the need to prioritize the formless essence within each individual over material success and societal expectations. Focusing solely on effort rather than performance as a parent is encouraged for a more fulfilling journey of growth and evolution for both the child and the parent.

  • How does the speaker view cultural differences in parenting styles?

    The speaker discusses cultural differences in parenting styles, cautioning against extreme control and domination in Asian parenting practices. They emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding in parenting, suggesting that rigid parenting styles stem from a disconnection from innate intelligence. The speaker encourages parents to resist the urge to mold their children into societal expectations and instead focus on nurturing their individuality and inner essence.

  • What is the speaker's approach to screen time for children?

    The speaker acknowledges the challenges of limiting screen time for children and proposes a campaign of "no screen till teens." They emphasize the importance of human personal connection as an antidote to excessive screen time, advocating for setting boundaries despite societal pressures. Encouraging parents to focus on personal connection rather than fighting against screens and technology is highlighted as a crucial aspect of conscious parenting.

  • How does the speaker suggest handling a child failing exams?

    The speaker advises parents not to fall into fear and resistance when dealing with a child failing exams, but to see it as an opportunity for growth and transformation. They propose a shift in the education system towards incorporating spiritual and formless teachings alongside traditional academics. Discipline is viewed as a means of teaching rather than punishing, based on the child's current understanding, emphasizing the importance of embodying values rather than enforcing them.

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Summary

00:00

"Conscious Parenting: Nurturing Individuality with Empathy"

  • The speaker shares their journey from India to New York, where they became a clinical psychologist and a mother, leading them to question traditional parenting practices.
  • They advocate for conscious parenting, emphasizing the importance of addressing one's own childhood wounds in raising children.
  • The speaker criticizes the focus on grades in education, highlighting the detrimental effects of quantifying a child's worth based on external achievements.
  • They stress the need to prioritize the formless essence within each individual over material success and societal expectations.
  • The speaker challenges the idea of wanting happiness for one's child, arguing that true parenting involves detachment and allowing children to discover their own paths.
  • They reject the notion of fixing or controlling children, advocating for a hands-off approach that respects their autonomy and uniqueness.
  • The speaker discusses the cultural differences in parenting styles, cautioning against extreme control and domination in Asian parenting practices.
  • They emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding in parenting, suggesting that rigid parenting styles stem from a disconnection from innate intelligence.
  • The speaker encourages parents to resist the urge to mold their children into societal expectations and instead focus on nurturing their individuality and inner essence.
  • They conclude by highlighting the tragedy of parents being disconnected from their own intuition and intelligence, leading to a cycle of rigid and controlling parenting practices.

15:34

Parenting: Evolving for Growth and Healing

  • Understanding the perspective of overachieving parents is crucial for true healing and progress.
  • Focusing solely on effort rather than performance as a parent can lead to a more fulfilling journey.
  • Recognizing that parenting is a journey of evolution for both the child and the parent is essential.
  • Balancing personal desires with a child's preferences can be challenging but necessary for growth.
  • Embracing mindfulness and learning from children's actions can lead to personal growth.
  • Allowing a child to skip breakfast if they refuse can be a way to respect their autonomy.
  • Challenging traditional beliefs about national identity and religion can lead to a broader perspective.
  • Teaching children to look inward for salvation rather than seeking external validation is crucial.
  • Understanding the reasons behind cultural rituals and restrictions is essential for authentic parenting.
  • Setting boundaries for children's screen time and content exposure is important despite societal pressures.

31:40

"Parenting antidote: human connection over screens"

  • The need to create an antidote for mainstream parenting to combat the seductive nature of screens and technology.
  • Emphasizing the importance of human personal connection as the antidote to excessive screen time.
  • Acknowledging the challenges of limiting screen time for children and proposing a campaign of "no screen till teens."
  • Encouraging parents to focus on personal connection rather than fighting against screens and technology.
  • Addressing the issue of children not taking care of their belongings and suggesting a shift in perspective towards mess and chaos.
  • Advising parents not to fall into fear and resistance when dealing with a child failing exams, but to see it as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
  • Proposing a shift in the education system towards incorporating spiritual and formless teachings alongside traditional academics.
  • Challenging the traditional concept of disciplining children and highlighting the negative impact it can have on the parent-child relationship.
  • Exploring the idea of teaching children a value system rather than imposing values, emphasizing the importance of embodying values rather than enforcing them.

47:06

Parenting with values, understanding, and growth.

  • Teaching children values involves embodying those values and understanding their level of consciousness.
  • Discipline should be about teaching, not punishing, based on the child's current understanding.
  • Children today have access to vast amounts of information, requiring parents to filter and guide them appropriately.
  • Parents sometimes need to creatively handle situations, like explaining inappropriate content in a child-friendly manner.
  • Honesty and transparency should be balanced with the child's readiness to understand certain realities.
  • Conscious parenting involves accepting the present moment and letting go of expectations and fantasies.
  • Projection onto children can hinder true understanding and connection, emphasizing the importance of seeing them as they are.
  • The child-parent relationship is a profound teacher, constantly challenging parents to adapt and grow.
  • Parents should acknowledge their own growth and mistakes, allowing children to find their own path to liberation.
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