Nurturing the Seeds of Curiosity: A Lesson from Krishna Janmashtami

Yesterday, we celebrated Krishna Janmashtami at a nearby temple, which had organized a beautiful Utsav. My daughters eagerly participated, and with our help, they were transformed into a little Krishna, full of excitement!

When we arrived at the temple, we were greeted by a heartwarming sight—children everywhere, dressed as Krishna and Radha, their eyes sparkling with wonder.

The temple was alive with the sounds of giggles, clinking bangles, and sweet devotional songs. It was more than just a celebration; it was a living expression of our culture and heritage.

But here’s where it got really interesting.

As the festivities unfolded, the children began to ask questions.

• Why do we celebrate Janmashtami?
• Who was Krishna?
• Why did he love makhan (butter) so much?
• Why do we break the matki?

These simple, yet profound questions, reminded me of something important.

Have you ever noticed how children naturally gravitate towards things that capture their interest?

As a father, I realized that our role as parents isn’t to push them towards a certain path.

Instead, our job is to create an environment where their natural curiosity can thrive.

Think about it—what happens when you plant a seed?

You don’t force it to grow.

You provide sunlight, water, and care, and the seed grows on its own.

The same applies to our children.

When we create the right environment, they’ll naturally ask questions, explore, and grow.

Creating the Right Environment

Here’s the key question: As parents, what is our role in this journey of curiosity?

It’s not about pushing our children towards a specific path. Instead, our job is to create an environment where their natural curiosity can thrive.

Think of it like planting a seed. You don’t force it to grow.

You provide sunlight, water, and care, and the seed grows on its own.

So, how can we create this nurturing environment?

• Expose them to new experiences: Festivals like Krishna Janmashtami offer a rich tapestry of cultural stories and traditions that captivate young minds.
• Encourage their questions: Whether simple or complex, each question is an opportunity to learn and connect with our heritage.
• Give them space to explore: Not every experience will resonate with them, and that’s okay. It’s about letting them find what truly interests them.

A Father's Realization

Watching my daughters dressed as Krishna, I felt a deep sense of contentment. By simply creating the right environment, we had done our part. The rest was up to her—to ask, to learn, and to grow.

"Parenting isn’t about control; it’s about creating the right conditions for our children to thrive."

As a parent constantly searching for answers, this Janmashtami, the lesson was clear:

Parenting isn’t about control. It’s about creating the right conditions for our children to thrive. When we do that, they’ll blossom in ways we could never have imagined.

So, ask yourself—

What environment can you create today that will allow your child to flourish?