Delhi : The other day my kids came home from school and asked, “Mom, is the Shravan month starting?” I was pleased to hear this and replied, “Yes, it will start next week. You’re really paying attention!” But their response surprised me. They said, “Our friends at school were talking about it, and they’re all like, ‘Oh no, we can’t eat this, we can’t eat that.’ How can we do this?”
Their body language and facial expressions conveyed their fear and reluctance. I realized they had picked up negative vibes about the Shravan month. As a parent, it’s our responsibility to shape their perceptions.
In our time, the arrival of Shravan month brought excitement. We would write essays on “The King of Festivals – Shravan Month.” The changing seasons, the lush green landscape, and the variety of colorful flowers would fill our hearts with joy.
Times have changed, however, and many people now view our traditions and festivals as outdated. Some parents might say, “We don’t follow these old customs. We need to eat well and not bother about such things.”
But it’s essential to teach our children the true significance of these festivals and traditions. Here’s how we can do it:
1. Shravan – Self-Control
The biggest concern for kids is not being able to eat non-vegetarian food during the Shravan month. Explain to them that it’s a time for self-control and that it’s not a big deal to avoid non-veg food for 28 days. You can say, “Let’s try to avoid non-veg food for a month, and we’ll see how it goes.” This will help them develop self-discipline.
2. Shravan – Activities
The Shravan month is filled with various festivals such as Nag Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami. We can use these festivals as opportunities for fun activities with our kids. Instead of viewing them as mere traditions, we can make them engaging and educational.
3. Shravan – Health
Our ancestors designed these festivals with health benefits in mind. For example, avoiding non-veg food and spicy food during the Shravan month can help prevent digestive problems. By following these traditions, we can promote healthy eating habits and well-being.
Let’s make an effort to teach our children the true significance of the Shravan month and its festivals. By doing so, we can help them develop a positive attitude towards our traditions and culture.
So, let’s make this Shravan month a fun and enriching experience for our kids. Let’s say “Shravan, Oh Yes!” and make the most of it!
(The opinions expressed in this article are personal and may not be universally applicable.)
Dr. Sumedha Ranade
Ayurvedacharya, Child Counselor