February 5th

It is vital for parents and family members to understand the onset of adolescence and its unique characteristics. It is especially important to listen carefully to what a child says. Accept them the way they are - unconditionally. Create an atmosphere where they can feel comfortable and be themselves. I would suggest that along with making such efforts, that you prepare yourself mentally to brave through this inevitable and challenging period in a child's life with courage and do your best in your interaction with them.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
親や周囲が、思春期の特徴をよく理解することだ。子どもの言うことをよく聞いてあげる。子どもをありのまま受け入れる。
さらに子どもがほっとする居心地のいい家庭をつくる。そういう努力をはらいながら、思春期は勇気をもって耐える期間であると受け止めて、接していってはどうだろうか。

December 1st

The love and care that you, as a mother, pour into the tiny life of your baby becomes the source of energy that sustains it for the rest of its life. Being straight-forward and simple is fine. At times you might make mistakes and at others you might be confused. At times you might even have emotional outbursts. But at all times, remember to do your very best. In the deepest recesses of your child's heart, your love will always live on, and like magma become their source of energy supporting them throughout life.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
幼い命に注がれた母の愛は、一生を支えるエネルギーです。愚直な母でいい。時には失敗し、時にはおっちょこちょいで、時に感情が爆発することもある。しかし、つねに一生懸命に生きることです。心の奥の奥に刻み込まれた、親の愛と生き方が、マグマのごとく、
子どものエネルギー源となって、一生を支えていくのです。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba)

November 11th

The relationship between husband and wife essentially sets the example for how all members of a family relate to each other. It is the orbit, the pillar of the family. The way a married couple lives has a great influence on their children. The growth of children hinges on a continuous improvement in the husband-wife relationship. Having happy children is the ultimate victory for parents.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"夫婦の関係は、家族の人間関係の基本です。軸であり、柱です。夫婦のあり方が、子どもの成長にも大きな影響を及ぼします。子どもの成長は、夫婦の向上です。子どもの幸福は、夫婦の勝利です。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 338)

November 5th

What will move a child's heart is not your words but your heart. In the absence of sincerity and passion, it is impossible to move anybody.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"子どもの心を動かすのは、言葉ではない。心です。その心も、真剣でなければ、必死でなければ、相手の心には響くことはない。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 332)

October 25

The two Chinese characters that depict the word "Education" are individually the words "learning" and "together". Children are truly amazing. They have the most brilliant radiance of life. When adults watch happy children they become happy themselves. A place where the joyful chatter, the hustle and bustle of children can be heard is a place that holds the promise of hope. It holds the promise of a peaceful world. It brings out the joy of living.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"教育は、「教育（共に育つ）」です。子供は不思議です。子どもには、まぶしい命の輝きがある。子どもの元気な姿を見れば、大人も元気になる。にぎやかな子どもの声があるところ、そこには希望がある。平和がある。生きる喜びがわいてくる。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 320)

August 20th

Even though children know how busy their mother is, they would still want her to face them and give them due attention. This is not something that applies to small children alone. Even as they grow up, children will always want their mother to be there for them at every turning point in life.

Japanese text:
子どもというのは、たとえ母親の忙しい状況をわかっていても、自分のほうを向いて、ちゃんと見てほしいものなのです。
それは幼い子どもだけではありません。大きくなれば大きくなったで、節目節目で受け止めてほしいと感じるものなのです。
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 251)

December 29th

What could motivate a child's growth more than the sight of a mother who is confident, goes about her life cheerfully, is forever hopeful and optimistic and who grows and develops herself with a smile on her face. Her shining example is like the solid earth that nurtures her children and motivates them to develop their unlimited potential.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"母親が自信をもって、生き生きと人生を歩んでいく。希望に向かって、朗らかに成長していく―――。その輝く姿こそが、子どもに生きる原動力を与え、子どもの素晴らしい可能性を育む大地となっていくのです。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 388)

November 23rd

It is said that "A child smile is worth more than a thousand words." The smile and purity of a child's life moves a person's heart far more than a thousand grown-up words spoken in the name of peace.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
”子どもの笑顔は万言に勝る”という。大人たちがどんなに言葉で平和を訴えるよりも、人びとの心を動かすのが、子どもたちの笑顔であり、純真な心である。

(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 350)

November 14th

As children grow up, they will become independent from their parents. This most important point of departure and independence usually occurs during the early years of elementary school. It is important that at this very crucial moment, that the mother shows special care and attention to her child and their needs.

- Daisaku Ikeda

Japanese Text:
"子どもは大きくなれば、親の手を次第に離れていくものだが、その大事な離陸の時が、小学校低学年の時期です。この時期こそ、お母さんが心して子どもと向きあうべき時です。"
(Josei ni okuru kotoba 365 nichi, pg. 341)