PARENTING – The Most Beautiful Journey of Life (8 – 12 yrs) Part- 6

Despite not being physically present every day, I remained actively involved with the school, conducting free workshops and training programs. I purchased an apartment in Tapovan, Dehradun, a place surrounded by Ashrams – spiritual havens for saints, yogis, and rishis. I left my corporate job and joined the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to be closer to my children. Additionally, I qualified as a Trainer from the World Pranic Healing School and the School of Inner Studies, Manila, and established a Healing and Training Centre in Dehradun.

Whenever the children longed for home-cooked meals, I prepared enough to share with their friends, most of whom were also far from home. On long weekends, they would come home and reconnect since both were now studying in different schools.

Each time they returned, they brought back a trove of medals and certificates. Ryllee was the swimming champion of her school and excelled in art, basketball, karate, rugby, zumba, dance, craft, face painting, cooking, and cake-making, stitching. Meanwhile, Pema shone in music (both Western and Hindustani classical), acting, gymnastics, football, hockey, swimming and cricket. Both also participated in elocution, debates, quizzes, and Jams, consistently winning the All-Rounder’s prize every year.

Pema’s exceptional performance in gymnastics earned him a spot at the Nationals; wile yoga in the International Yoga Festival. One weekend, when he came home, he handed me a notebook with “About the Author – Author is 10 years old” written on the back cover. It was a novel he had written about heroes and monsters. I was overjoyed to see both my children expressing their talents, exploring their potential, and excelling in their chosen interests.

I never celebrated their birthdays with lavish parties; instead, we visited places where underprivileged children and the elderly resided. We went to Ramakrishna Mission, where destitute children attended evening classes in the hope of receiving a meal; to Mother’s House, Mother Teresa’s orphanage; to the Tibetan Old Age Home, where 100 elderly Indian Army veterans without families lived; to Cheshire Home, which housed spastic children; to Uttarayan, a mental home for children; to Dr. Dullet’s Rehabilitation Centre for recovering addicts; and to Sharp Blind School.

Since their birthdays were just a week apart, Ryllee and Pema would cut a cake together and distribute snacks, fun toys, and drawing or hobby sets to the children. I knew these kids received necessities from NGOs, but I wanted to give them the “fun items” that parents usually provide. We visited these places frequently, donating essentials and spending time with the children, so they were familiar faces. No matter how many medals and awards Ryllee and Pema won, I wanted them to remain grounded, humble, and in touch with the real world.

As trained healers and meditators, the children also assisted me when I taught yoga and meditation to the schoolchildren. Ryllee’s school, Shigally Hill International Academy, was particularly supportive. The Director, Mrs. Manraj Pallan, was a remarkable woman – progressive, encouraging, and compassionate, not only to the students but also to the staff, including the gardeners and cleaning staff. Observing her actions and attitude, Ryllee imbibed values of kindness, respect, and integrity.

Mrs. Pallan provided me with opportunities to conduct workshops to uplift the mindset of the children and invited me as a judge for various intra-school competitions and the annual Fever Fest, a three-day extravaganza of talent and creativity. It included events like Face Painting, Cake Decoration, Treasure Hunt, Tarot Card Reading, Hair Styling, Dance Competitions, Movie Night Sleepovers, Pani Puri Competitions, Rap Battles, Angel Card Predictions, Wall Painting, and more. It was a time when children could freely express themselves, learn new skills, and develop both individual and community-oriented talents.

Pema’s school, being an all-boys institution, was slightly more rigid and conventional in its approach. While they hosted annual fests and project displays, the emphasis was more on structured activities than on open expression. Although I conducted workshops for the entire student body and some students reached out to seek my help as a psychological counselor, but I was constrained by school.

My heart ached when I received a letter from a ninth-grade student. He confessed that he used to top his class but had recently struggled to maintain his performance. He expressed a willingness to rewire his mindset and become an achiever once more. Yet, despite his plea for guidance, I couldn’t intervene. It pained me, knowing that a child seeking help at such a crucial stage might slip through the cracks without timely support.

Child development is a delicate matter. Within each of us resides a Parent, an Adult, and a Child. When we nurture, guide, and encourage, the Parent within us is active. When we reason logically – for instance, “There’s lightning, so I should carry an umbrella,” – the Adult takes charge. And when we embrace spontaneity – “It’s raining, let’s get drenched!” – the Child emerges.

In parenting, we must consciously activate all three states, alternating them wisely, so our children accept and understand us fully. The same principle applies to our interactions with our spouse, fostering deeper connections and effective communication.

… to be continued.

Author- Mondreeta Sengupta Das (Mondy) ([email protected])

Let your Light Shine so Brightly, that others can see their way, out of the Dark ~ Mondy

Mondreeta is a paragon of versatility—an award-winning author, national-level swimmer, world-record-holding mountaineer, and corporate leader turned spiritual healer. Felicitated by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and, in 2025, Nominated by the President of India under the “Woman – Lifetime Achievement” category, her journey defies convention.

A psychologist, healer, life coach, and storyteller, she has trained global airline crews, served the American Consulate, and led leadership development at Reliance Industries as GM–HR. Currently Vice President t (Toga), at Ministry of Tourism & Culture, she represents India to international delegations.

A featured writer in The Times of India and Shesight and photographer for Incredible India, she merges intellect with intuition. Her spiritual pursuits include Reiki, Pranic Healing, Angel Healing and Karma Healing. As a regular speaker at the International Yoga Festival, Mondreeta embodies the confluence of purpose, passion, perseverance & service rising from the ashes to the pinnacle of success.

If you want to give Light to others, you first must Glow Yourself ~ Mondy