“Please Embrace Your Child”
This book is one of the treasured titles in our library, carefully placed in the section we hope all parents will have the chance to explore. Veenaporn Nitiprapha has delicately compiled reflections on raising “human children” with understanding and a profound love—one that does not seek to possess or control their lives but instead stands beside them, supporting and allowing them to grow into their authentic selves.
Veenaporn does not provide rigid answers about what constitutes good parenting. Instead, she invites us to reflect on the parent-child relationship through the lens of love, understanding, and gentle release. If summarised succinctly, the essence of the book can be expressed as follows:
Parenting is about embracing, not possessing
Parents should provide love and space for children to grow freely. They must avoid controlling or confining their children to meet their own expectations.
Growing alongside your child
The book highlights that raising children is not simply about teaching them but is also a process through which parents themselves must learn and grow. This includes accepting their own imperfections and those of their children.
Understanding a child’s identity
Children are “humans” with their own thoughts, dreams, and identities. Parents should listen to them and provide opportunities for genuine self-expression, rather than forcing them onto a path predetermined by their parents’ aspirations.
Letting go with kindness
The role of a parent is to “embrace” their child with warmth and let go when the time is right for the child to move forward. Parents must learn to trust their children and allow them to face life on their own terms.
Perfection is not required
Veenaporn emphasises that the parent-child relationship need not be perfect. Mistakes and misunderstandings are simply part of learning and growing together.
In the closing chapter, Veenaporn writes, “No one lives forever.” With just this one sentence, we are reminded to offer nothing but goodness to one another. Life is short, and in this uncertain world, there is no reason to waste time pressuring or hurting one another. By the end of this book, we are gently urged to embrace imperfection and offer mindful love to “human children” so they can flourish beautifully, in their own way.
CREDIT: “Please Embrace Your Child” by Veenaporn Nitiprapha
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