(Minghui.org) I began to practice Falun Dafa in April 1996. I wish to share with fellow practitioners how I brought up my child.
I am 34 years old and a mother of two. My oldest daughter's name is Hui. I did not like the public education that teaches atheism and struggle, so I decided to teach my child by employing the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
I knew that Hui was good at imitating me, so I served as her role model. To teach her to be well prepared, I studied the Fa diligently and followed the Falun Gong principles when teaching her, as well as in how I behaved in my daily life. I wanted to be a role model for Hui and teach her how to be a good person. For example, when I brought food home, I would serve my parents first, before Hui, before giving her food. I wanted her to learn to respect the elderly and love the young.
When Hui was four years old, I brought home a bag of spicy radish. I tasted them and said that they tasted great. Hui picked up a bowl, saying that she wanted some, too. I told her that a young child should not eat things that salty. She replied, "It's for Grandma. I want to give Grandma yummy things." I was surprised and happy. Hui thought immediately about her grandmother and it was all because of the principles of Falun Dafa I had taught her. Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance had taken root in her mind. Hui was very friendly from the time she was little. She loved to share her snacks with her friends. Given her selflessness, our neighbors and relatives adored her.
Hui was not smarter than other children of her age. When she was in first grade, her teachers said that her grades were ordinary but admired her for being able to follow directions, get along with others, respect her teachers, and for her good personal qualities. When she finished the first grade, she got a 50 in every subject, so she had to repeat the grade. I was disappointed and thought that she was not that intelligent.
I knew that Falun Dafa could open up one's wisdom. I taught her to read a paragraph in Zhuan Falun daily. I taught her word by word. I used to play Teacher's lecture tape for her. In the beginning, she was interested and willing to go along with me. Then, she became reluctant to read. To help her read, I patiently guided her with the wisdom Teacher gave me. I taught her what I learned from the book, tried to inspire her, and did not force her. Whenever she was reluctant to read the book, I looked within and tried to find out what I did wrong. When I solved my xinxing problem, more often than not, she became willing to read. My attachments of being inpatient, wanting to force my way on others, and the attachment to my daughter were gradually eliminated.
We finished reading Zhuan Falun like this in about a year. The teachings changed her. Her grades improved quickly, and she was among the top students by the end of the semester. Not only did Hui learn many characters by reading the book, she gained the right attitude about studying and could study effectively without feeling pressured. The teachers praised her in front of the other students. After that, she enjoyed studying Zhuan Falun. When she was in second grade, she decided to read Zhuan Falun daily. I no longer had to push her or remind her. She has studied the Fa on her own daily for the past many years.
I pay attention to how I communicate with her. We talk about everything. I respect her and do not treat her as if she was just a child. We study Zhuan Falun together and often memorize Hong Yin and Hong Yin II together. She can remember Teacher's articles better than I.
Hui has been very healthy since she has practiced Falun Dafa. She is 12 years old now. Besides getting immunization shots as a requirement for staying in school, I've never had to spend a dime on medical expenses for her. One year, many of her classmates had pink eye so severely that they needed IVs. Her teacher looked at everyone's eyes. Hui got nervous and cried and her teacher mistook her red eyes from crying as pink eye and sent her home. She came home and, without saying anything, studied Zhuan Falun for two hours. She went back to school in the afternoon. Her classmates were surprised to see her. She told them about the beauty of Falun Dafa. Her classmates listened to her carefully, and some even read Zhuan Falun with her.
Falun Dafa taught Hui how to look within during times of conflict. She used to tell me about the problems she had at school. I always listened quietly without interrupting her. After she finished, I guided her to find her own problems, to realize if she did something wrong, or if she had an attachment. Once we realized that it was her mistake, I never chastised her. I knew Teacher exposed her shortcomings through the conflicts and wanted her to correct them and let go of attachments. If it was the other party's mistake, I also taught her to tolerate others, because everyone makes mistakes. She gradually learned to look within and improve her xinxing among conflicts.
Hui also learned to help others. She did well in school and knew how to study. When her classmates had problems with school work, she was willing to help. One of her classmates, Wen, failed a test and was worried that her mother would punish her. Wen did not want to go home for lunch. Hui took Wen to our house for lunch. She told Wen how I treated her when she earned bad grades. "One time I did terrible in a test. I felt bad and I apologized to my mother when I returned home. My mother did not blame me and told me it was all right. She asked me to find why I did poorly and to do better next time. My mother said that she valued my character and moral standards more than my grades. I found my problems and fixed them, and I did well on my next test."
Wen had always liked Hui, and she finally understood why Hui had such good qualities. Wen felt sad that her mother punished her every time she did not do well on a test. She cried and said to Hui, “If only my mother were like you mother." I told Wen that it was because I practiced Falun Gong and followed its principles. Wen's eyes lit up and she said, "It would be wonderful if my mother practiced Falun Gong, too." I told Wen, "Your mother wants the best for you, and you need to understand that she has good intentions. Perhaps the way she educates you is not the best, but she still loves you. Your mother may not change, but you can change yourself." Wide-eyed, Wen wanted me to tell her how. "You can learn Falun Dafa with Hui and change yourself. Do you want to improve yourself and forgive your mother?" Wen nodded solemnly. She learned Falun Dafa with Hui, became a practitioner, and stopped complaining about her mother. Her grades quickly improved and she had a smile on her face all the time.
I truly feel that parents in China only pay attention to grades and don't nurture their children. They neglect to improve their character and virtue. My experience taught me that teaching children with the principles of Falun Dafa is a path full of hope and joy. I turned my child into a smart, capable, and healthy person.
I sincerely recommend Zhuan Falun to the parents who want the best for their children. Please take the time to read Zhuan Falun carefully. After reading it several times, you will be surprised. You will find the secret of how to teach your children well.
From the Call for Submissions to Commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of Falun Dafa's Introduction
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Category: Improving Oneself
