The Mirror of Parenting: Reflecting Our Inner Self

Attitude towards children is not simply a life duty, but a true mirror of our inner world and character. From the very start, the awareness of how important it is to offer warmth, love, and attention to our children allows us to reveal the real facets of our personality. After all, if an adult tends to view a child solely through the lens of strict discipline and an upbringing devoid of tender care and warmth, it indicates hidden barriers in their soul – rigidity, formalism, and a lack of genuine humanity.

On the other hand, when an adult is able to show warm, responsive care to a little one, it speaks of a rich inner life, maturity, and the ability to love. The capacity to radiate care and encouragement requires courage and self-reflection – qualities without which it is impossible to establish a true, deep connection with a child. This not only impacts the quality of upbringing, but also the emotional state of the adult as well as the harmony within the family. Gentle touches, confident and calm movements – these are manifestations of inner balance, while sharp, hesitant gestures betray fatigue, tension, and emotional overload.

Furthermore, it is important to remember the significance of personal responsibility in building relationships with children. Shunning personal involvement in upbringing and shifting this primary life task onto others may indicate an unwillingness on the part of the adult to acknowledge their important role and accept the consequences of their own decisions. By showing initiative and love, each one of us can change our view of the child, transforming the conventional framework of discipline into free, creative communication that fosters personal development.

Thus, a thoughtful, warm, and sincere attitude towards children not only shapes their future, but also aids in our own inner growth. Care, empathy, and the ability to change are the qualities that open the door to true love and harmony in the family—and thus, to a bright future for each of us.

What can a person’s attitude towards children reveal about them and what conclusions can be drawn about their character?

An individual’s attitude towards children can reveal much about their inner world and character. For instance, if an adult views a child primarily through the prism of discipline and upbringing, devoid of warmth and joy, it may indicate a tendency towards rigidity, formalism, and a lack of sincere care. As noted in one statement:
"After offering an apple to the child, such a person will invariably remind them: 'It seems you forgot to say something?' He does not derive joy from the fact that the child has a tasty apple; he is only pleased by the child’s discipline. He knows no other relationship with the child apart from one of instruction, and when speaking to the schoolchild he can only ask one question: 'How are you studying?' A son is not the judge of his father, but the father’s conscience lives in his children. They are somehow connected to us, and if we behave badly, it affects them." (source: link txt, page: 17)

On the other hand, an open, warm, and sincere attitude towards children speaks of the ability to love, self-control, and inner maturity. Thus, another source emphasizes that the ability to experience genuine feelings for children is a task that requires courage and a willingness to change:
"Not everyone among us has such a heart that one would like to transplant it into oneself; not everyone knows how to love children, even their own; not every one of us is sufficiently wise; not everyone can control their behavior, not everyone can refrain from losing their temper... We cannot love a child more than we love them, and we cannot change our will or character, but we can change our view of the child, our idea about them, the image of the Child, and gradually we develop another, new, better attitude towards them. Here lies my chance." (source: link txt, page: 26)

Also, it should not be overlooked that relationships with children reflect a person’s emotional state and their capacity for empathy. For example, the display of gentle maternal touches and calm, confident movements indicates harmony and calmness in the adult’s soul, while sharp, uncertain movements may point to inner tension and a state of weariness. This is supported by the statement:
"A child needs the tender touch of the mother, the warmth of her hands, calm, unhurried movements, and the strength and confidence of her palms. But if the mother is tired, upset, or agitated, her hands betray her state... When she is well, her child is well too." (source: link txt)

Finally, if adults tend to distance themselves from the responsibility of raising children—entrusting the care of children to other people or institutions—this may indicate an unwillingness to assume the primary life responsibility. This is noted in the following passage:
"Woman is saved by her childbearing, said Apostle Paul. The fundamental obedience of a woman in the world is to bring children into the world for the Church. ... And we mostly push children away from ourselves, trying to hand them over to others: to the grandfather, to the grandmother—thank God if one is available, and if not, then to a daycare, and even only for five days a week; while some simply do not care: 'I am tired, I don’t have time.'" (source: link txt)

Thus, analyzing a person’s attitude towards children allows us to draw conclusions about their emotional sensitivity, level of responsibility, capacity for change, and ability to embrace life's primary tasks. A warm, caring, and attentive attitude speaks of a mature, loving, and stable personality, while a cold, conditional, or even repulsive behavior towards children may be indicative of a lack of emotional warmth, rigidity, and a tendency towards formalism.