Acharya Prashant addresses a question from a single mother about her four-year-old son who refuses to do his homework, leading to complaints from his teacher. He begins by emphasizing the importance of being able to distinguish between right and wrong. He states that not listening to the right person is not as detrimental as listening to the wrong one. If one listens to the wrong person, the loss is twofold: firstly, wrong teachings are absorbed, and secondly, the mind becomes occupied, preventing right teachings from entering. At worst, not listening to the right person leaves one with a clean slate, open to future learning. The speaker then questions the credibility of school teachers, asking what they truly know about a child's mind and development, and whether they operate from compassion. He asserts that one must have a "healthy contempt for rubbish," even if it comes from an officially designated teacher. He points out that in India, the teaching profession, especially at the junior level, often does not attract the best talent. The teachers' mandate is limited to completing the syllabus and ensuring students pass with respectable percentages, rather than fostering genuine human development. Their performance is judged by academic results, not by whether a child grows in depth or love. Consequently, a child who is like a "little Buddha" but doesn't perform well academically is considered useless by the teacher. Acharya Prashant connects this to the responsibility of parenting, stating that to raise a child, one must first raise oneself. He describes parenting as a "god-like work" that requires the parents to be god-like. He notes the irony that people who are themselves immature become parents and are then shocked by the responsibility. A child is born empty, with only biological instincts, and learns everything, including mischief, from their environment, primarily their parents. The child is simply a reflection of the influences around them. He further explains that we are so accustomed to violence, both overt and subtle, that we find non-violence odd. Even silence can be a form of violence. Because we don't know how to be close in love, our only way of intimacy often becomes through conflict and hatred. He advises the questioner to "run away," clarifying that this means setting a strict boundary and refusing to tolerate certain behaviors. This unexpected action can take the other person by surprise and may lead to a change. The birth of a child is an opportunity for the parent to take a "second birth" and grow alongside them. This is a tremendous responsibility that requires self-awareness and a conscious effort not to project one's own expectations onto the child.
