Dizigui 1 & 2

Since CNY, my whole family has attended the dizigui classes twice. Heng and Jien are in separate classes with kids their ages. Hubby, Yan and I are in the parents' class. The reason for parents' class is so that parents know how to live the dizigui principles and become examples for the kids to follow. Consistency in parents' actions and what they tell the kids to do is very important, hence the Malay proverb : Do not be as the father crab teaches the son walk straight ahead :)

These first two classes has not gone into details of the principles. They were more introductory in nature, letting parents know the history and importance of dizigui in shaping a person, hence a society, of value and character. The speaker in our class was the vice principal of a Chinese primary school. She spoke of examples of kids gone astray due to lack of proper guidance. There were also examples of how a parent's conduct and emphasis of matter would impart values upon a child. Whether the values are good or bad depend on the conduct and what matter is emphasized as perceived by the child. The conduct may be something trivial in an adult's view point but the effect on the child may have far reaching consequences. Exaggerated? Consider this :-

• A mother dresses up her young daugther like a doll: different hairstyle everyday, fancy clothes, mini skirts, high heels, make up, accesories etc. Mother may think that it's a girl's perogative to look beautiful or afraid that she'll grow up a tomboy. Such emphasis on looks is akin to telling the child to concentrate her efforts on her appearance instead of her education. What is more important?
• A mother is obsessed with her own body weight and figure. Is it any wonder if her daughter is bulimic or anorexic?
• A parent who reads to and visits the library with her children emphasis the importance of knowledge and education. The children can't help but fall in love with books.

Don't underestimate a comment ("I look fat in this dress!") or an action (putting your arm out of a moving car to feel the wind). Our children are always watching...