Harmony Within the Family : หน้า 113/216

Part Four: Harmony Within the Family having parents. They might even despise them. They cannot appreciate all the hardships and sacrifices that parents have endured for them. They think that it is the parent's duty to raise them and give them everything they desire since we brought them into the world. In the end, it is us, the parents, who feel the heartaches and disappointments. If we are not wealthy enough to satisfy our children's every whim, then children who were raised without learning gratitude will openly disparage us. They will complain about being embarrassed by our thriftiness. Sometimes they will bully us or throw tantrums to get their way. They are, in fact, accumulating bad kamma without even realizing it! These problems do not occur only in middle class or poor families, but in wealthy families as well. Remember, then, that we need only to do the best that we can in the manner that we feel will help to make them good, respectful and responsible adults. We love our children unconditionally; just as it should be. But we also need to have rules that we can all live by. Listen to them. Learn from them. Be open to new themes as they grow and mature. Say "NO!" when the situation requires it. Say "YES!" and rejoice with them. Love them unconditionally. This is mostly due to the belief that parents and grandparents do not hold enough spiritual authority to properly give a "blessing." However, when we talk about giving a blessing, we mean to say the act of giving the very best. A blessing is called vara in Pali Sanskrit, meaning progress and happiness. Therefore, when the elderly give a blessing to their loved ones and descendants, it is equivalent to wishing them the very best. Family Day By Day 111 The Unconditional Love of Parents