Yoga, Sun Tzu and Parenting!

Raising a toddler is like making a smoothie in a blender, without the top on. If you have kids, you know exactly what I mean – other than the heart-warming moments when your child seems like an angel (by which I mean when you tip-toe into the room and soundlessly stare at that adorable face at nap-time); it’s almost always WAR!

Personally, I (and my husband) have noticed that my patience levels are drastically high since I have started practicing yoga and especially on days that I have early morning classes to conduct. On those days I return home so fresh and joyful and it takes a whole lot more than normal for my two kids (and husband) to push me off balance. I am like oh-so-zen, Yoda level supermom then. Other times I am just a regular supermom trying not to pull her hair out!

So I suggest regular yoga and/or meditation, even if it is a short routine, to help keep your sanity and to physically keep up with the never-ending energy of children. After which, follow these five easy hacks adapted from the great general and philosopher Sun Tzu’s Art of War and never again feel like you have to put on your battledress to handle your toddler.

Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.

- Every child is unique, and unfortunately they do not come with a guidebook (nor a return policy!)

- Take time to understand your bubs personality and think about how your own qualities balance and complement his/hers

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

- Something to apply from Patanjali yoga sutras – Ahimsa: non-violence. Little one is screaming and throwing a fit? Just pretend like you are the most zen person in the world and go about your chores.

- Always have something ‘glittery’ at hand. Mastering the fine art of distraction will be most advantageous to achieve an amicable outcome that is to your liking.

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.

- You don’t want to tread on the path of aggravation, start a nuclear war, create a rebellious future teenager (as if they don’t turn out like that anyway) and annihilate your little world!

- My child’s pediatrician told me once that never get into a fight with a toddler (especially over food). You will always lose the battle of wits.

If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.

- Take some responsibility, dear parent! You will notice your guests secretly exchange glances, if you blame a skipped nap for a toddlers misbehavior a little too often

- Keep your house rules simple and consistent for your little one to comprehend and follow

He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

- So, should I be consistent or flexible? AHA! I’m sure your mother did not tell you what you were getting into when you first announced your pregnancy ;)

- Just like water charts its course along the nature of ground on which it flows, you, dear parent, must also be ready to wear various hats as the situation demands. In short, you have to be consistently adaptable to the constantly evolving landscape that is your effervescent and spectacular volcanic mountain of a toddler.

Don’t compete for the best parent award, don’t get embarrassed by your toddler’s failure to conduct him/herself to great aplomb in public. Since my husband and I right-swiped on the idea of having a child, our moral obligation is to raise our kids to be happy and well-adjusted adults. Introduce them to the world of yoga!

Consider these points before introducing Yoga to your child.

Just do your duty lovingly and one day, for sure, just like Sun Tzu said, because you as a general, only thought to protect and serve his sovereign, you shall be the jewel of your child’s kingdom.

Excelsior!!!