Now that the importance of patience and self-confidence is established...

Now that the importance of patience and self-confidence is established, it will not be out of place to remind that the basis of these characteristics is inherent in the nature of every human being. But they need to be nurtured and trained. The ideal and most pertinent period of this [1] Nahj al-Balagha, Vol. 2, Page 163. [2] Usool al-Kafi, V 2, Page 148. [3] Ibid., Page 148. training is the very childhood of the person.

The rudiments of patience and assurance get manifested from the childhood of every individual. The characteristics contrary to these, namely: impatience and lack of confidence, dependence on others too start developing because of faulty training by the parents. The parents have to train their children with care that they grow into useful individuals. Imam Zain al-Abedeen says: Train your children in such a way that they bring respect and eminence to you.

[1] From the age of four years to the age of eight years is the best period for the shaping of the personality and poise in an individual. In this period the child will be inclined towards patience and forbearance and prepares himself to face the hardships. Although the child will be aware of its weakness and the need for dependence on a superior, it will also have the elements of patience and poise in its nature. It wishes to fulfill its needs . It feels elated at performing new tasks.

You must have heard the children uttering these words: See, what I am doing? Did you see how I jumped? Look, I can wear my own dress. I shall put on the shoe myself! I shall drink water from the tumbler [1] Tuhaf al-Uqool, P 269. I want to eat the food with my own hands. I dont want you to pour the tea for me. Look at the beautiful picture I have drawn. I want to climb on the tree. The child insists that he would spend the money in his pocket the way he wants.

He wants to arrange his toys himself. Sometimes he becomes stubborn with the parents to get his way. Sometimes the child wants to give a helping hand to the parents at the chores. The little daughter tries to wash utensils and clothes with her mother. She wants to cook food and arrange the dining table. The little son tries to spruce up the garden. He wants to draw pictures, write letters and go out shopping with the father. He will insist that he would select his own dress and footwear.

While walking on the road he shows his preference sometimes to walk ahead of the parents and at others he prefers to trail behind them.