BRINGING UP CHILDREN Part 1 - Three Stage Parenting Paradigm

Now-a-days there seems to be a lot of role ambiguity about the roles of the mother and father in parenting and bringing up their children. Here is a parenting style which clearly defines the duties of each parent, the father and mother, and removes all role ambiguity.

Read on and tell us your views...

TIME TESTED OLD FASHIONED THREE STAGE PARENTING THEORY

By

VIKRAM KARVE

My late father-in-law was a wonderful man, a cherished mentor to me, and I pray that may his soul rest in peace.

He once told me, I think just after my wedding, a time tested age-old three-stage parenting theory for bringing up children.

STAGE 1 - MOTHER

From birth till a child is five years old, the mother should pay maximum attention to nurturing the child, in fact, the baby should be under the full care of its mother, and the father should be generally around as a source of amusement and joy, playing with the baby, entertaining him or her, fostering, as a father figure in a supporting role, since as designed by mother nature, at these young ages, the baby biologically needs its mother’s physical affection (nurturing, breastfeeding, ablutions) and mother’s emotional love the most.

STAGE 2 – MOTHER AND FATHER

Between 5 to 12 years of age the father should play a vital enriching role in the child’s life, supporting, buttressing, reinforcing and inspiring a sense of security and confidence, though the mother still plays the major role as the more loving and principal parent.

STAGE 3 – FATHER

It is only after the child becomes 12 years old that the father begins to play an increasing major role in the child’s development. Now the father must take charge as the principal parent while the mother recedes into the background (playing the supporting role as the father did in Stage 1). As children become teenagers they require firm handling (especially boys) and inculcation of discipline and a sense of responsibility. 

Meanwhile, in case there are younger children, the mother will be busy performing the cardinal role as principal parent looking after the younger children who are in Stages 1 and 2 of their lives.

In case you are a single parent then you will have to perform both the roles in all the parenting stages. However this may prove difficult. That is why it is not advisable to divorce or separate if you have children as divorce of parents may adversely affect the all-round development of children.

A parent is like a trustee. 

So once your children become adults and start earning their living and fly off from your "nest", you have to just let go and observe your "birds" fly high in the sky, and give advice only when it is asked for.

Dear Reader, do you agree with this conservative three stage parenting paradigm?

I'll end on a lighter note. 

Now-a-days, in contrast to the parenting theory enunciated above, modern couples talk of shared parenting. 

Well here is a Mulla Nasrudin Story on the art of shared parenting:

Late one night, Nasrudin’s baby started crying. 

Nasrudin’s wife turned to him and said, “Husband, go take care of the baby. After all, he is not only mine — he is also half yours.”

Nasrudin sleepily remarked, “You can go stop your half from crying if you want, but I choose to let my half continue to cry.”

Here is wishing all Parents and would-be Parents a very Happy Parenting.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
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Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.