Let me take you back to my childhood. For my sister and me, the wall was our friend.

I was in 7th standard, and my sister was in 5th. As with most siblings, fights were common between us. One day, one of my aunts told my sister, “Don’t talk to Ganesh” (that’s how I was called at home). And just like that, we stopped talking.

If there was anything to communicate, it had to go through my second sister. If she wasn’t around, the wall became our medium—tapping, scribbling, or using gestures to “talk” through it.

We weren’t alone in this odd practice. My cousin and his brother did the same for a while. Even my aunt, ironically, wasn’t speaking to my mother during that period. It seemed like “talking to the walls” ran in the family!

Looking back, I wonder—why do such things happen? Why didn’t the adults step in to resolve the issue calmly? Did they carry similar unresolved childhood memories? Were they influenced by movies that glorified sibling rivalries? It makes me think about the power of influence—both good and bad.

Now, in 2025, if you are a parent reading this, how would you help your children resolve conflicts?

Parenting is an art. Traditionally, it was believed that a man should be at least three years older than a woman in marriage because women mature faster. But that gap is no longer maintained. Today, couples experiment with trial and error in relationships, and many parents resort to bribing their kids to calm tantrums instead of addressing the root cause.

It’s concerning to see a two-year-old refusing to eat unless a mobile phone is playing something. Is it because parents find feeding boring? Or do they prioritize earning and securing the future over actively raising a child? For what purpose?

I have many questions. As parents, isn’t our primary responsibility to raise emotionally and mentally strong children?

My Guru has always taught us that raising a happy family is the first step. When families are happy, societies thrive. A happy household creates a ripple effect—making communities, cities, and nations happier. This isn’t a top-down approach; it starts from the ground up.

You have the power to positively influence your family, your children, and your surroundings. Start there. Don’t stress over CO2 emissions or recycling just yet. First, build a strong, happy foundation at home—see the magic unfold.