The Illusion of Parental Power

Parents have too much power when their children are young. And not enough when their children are grown.

Of all the people in society, it is the parent that must have wisdom. And it is the parent that seldom does. Because he is still finding his own way, his children become subject to the whims of his mind. And a mind invested with the power to control, takes full advantage.

Is it possible that childhood could flourish without parents?

If basic human necessities were provided, would a child become something more without the parent? Perhaps a new breed of man? Free of social conditioning? Free of the need for approval?

If a parent realized the power of a child, perhaps he would be more eager to learn from him rather than teach him.

And if a child understood his own power, perhaps he would refuse the parent.

In seeing the child through the mind, one sees control. In seeing the child through the heart, one witnesses awe.

In the end it is the child that has something to teach. Not through lessons or words, but through the way in which he walks. The manner in which he smiles. And the sincerity with which he cries.

If the parent understood this, perhaps he would begin to walk with the child, rather than ahead of him.