Lighten up your child's mind this Diwali

The meaning of Diwali has changed so much, since we grew up!

Now, you can buy clothes online, than visit various shops to decide for the whole family.

No crackers this year! - one of the major changes!

Everyone is more conscious about their health and diet. So the kind of stuff thats gifted is really around it..dry fruits, chocolates and innovative eatables!

And ofcourse, everyone wants to decorate their home with the best of things available.

BUT... Here it comes.. in between all of this hustle bustle.. what are we teaching our children!?

Here's how you can turn, one of the biggest festivals a way of teaching your child

Teach them:
(a) The importance of family
I narrate the story of Diwali, so she knows why exactly we celebrate it! Don't worry about their age, they understand so much more than we assume.
Do things "together" as a family! These little ones are great helpers.. and they would love to be "involved". If we show them how its done, they are so happy to do it! It makes them feel important and a part of whats going on!
Confidence booster I call it!!!

(b) The values of sharing and caring
Don't we know how difficult is this one! But a praise takes you so much more farther than criticism.. I've seen the change in leaps and bounds by this technique.. and since we have family and friends coming over and socializing, this seems to be a good time to apply your teachings through play!

(c) Cleanliness (one of the biggest things to teach)
One of the best things our festivals has taught us is that, cleanliness would bring good vibes, good thoughts, good everything, even money! And children follow what we teach them at home, the basic #Sanskaar.

(d) Giving away old and new stuff (charity work)
Diwali is for everyone.. Big or small. A person is a person, big or small like Dr. Suess said!
And giving away what is no longer useful, parting from it.. isnt easy! Especially for children..but now is the time when you can teach them to! Make them feel good about it.. how another one is gaining happiness from something you did!
Teach them the meaning of "real happiness" from giving!!
 
(e) And well.. having so much fun that you would want to wait for next year to come back again!

Isn't that missing now too! How we used to wait for Diwali and things we used to do with our siblings and cousins together!!

I wouldn't say that buying "new toys" is a good thing, its not bad either.. but wastage is something I try to avoid! I do try what we have.. is more than enough.. something "extra" wouldn't add happiness in our life as much as "giving away" something that will benefit a person who truly needs it!

This Diwali is very "special for us".. We did a Charity Initiative and succeeded (to an extent) in accumulating for the underprivileged.. I don't like that word but anyways.. 

Here's to a new beginning and a HOPE that God provides me with endless opportunities to do much much more..