Be the Friend, philosopher and guide to your child ***Be the very best to your child by being a friend, philosopher and guide. Let your child have the courage and confidence to confide in you the happenings around him, be it good or bad.***

***Be a good listener***- some children like to share all that he sees and hears. But he will be ready to do so only when he is sure that you are listening to him. If you aren't a good listener, you can't give any wise opinion, especially when something goes wrong in your child. More often give him the opportunity to speak out, while you listen. Be a patient listener. Do not pounce on him, when you hear something ill about him. Its habitual that while some people are cool some react very badly, irrespective of the surroundings. When you see your child lonely and troubled, **hold his hand, put your hands around his shoulder, a friendly pat, sit beside him for a while..**..all these are a great source of comfort and confidence for your child. He will be more than willing to open up. Very few parents are good listeners. Now-a-days, as both the parents are working they find it difficult to manage both home and work place. Make sure the office space to be a place just for work and while leaving for home, leave all your exertions with in the office premises. ***Be a good communicator*** **-** Communicating with your child constantly, makes him / her aware of the happenings in the society. The information given by the parent is the first hand information for the child. Never give advice, instead give the after effects of any problems that are going around. Now-a-days children are restless. They feel we are nagging, by giving them advices. In particular, they don't give any heed to your advices. It is like they know everything while we do not. So **when dealing with any serious matter, its better to take them out, enjoy a good fooding of their choice, exchange talks of their favorite subjects. etc.** Meanwhile, you can slowly convey the message you need to. ***Be a good motivator -*** some children are shy or naive. By constant motivation you are bringing the best in your child, to a certain extent. In other words, the hidden talent. For example, some of us still have the stage fear. Let this be my own example even today I cannot speak publicly. Because I never ever got the motivation from my parents. Though we were questioned for our mistakes, we were not given an opportunity to rectify it. The result being we were held back or remained silent for even small issues. **Speak the truth -** let him see the world through you. You should be the picture before him when he need to speak something seriously. If we try to hide or ignore an answer, he will never consider any of your opinions. Once he know the strength of truth, he will try to defend himself. There must be a family time. It can be even in your dining table. No phones or TV should be allowed. The older and younger generation should exchange topics of their interest. Only in such an environment the child gets the courage to speak. ***Last but not the least.*** *****Let your child be himself or herself. Never place or compare him with peoples above his reach.***** ***Encourage him to be himself and not someone else.*** Thanks for reading. Your valuable comments are always welcome. Images from my own private collection.