When you talk about Tao Yuanming, do you immediately think of the picturesque idyllic scenery of "picking chrysanthemums under the east fence and leisurely seeing Nanshan"? But do you know that this family, who was called "the sect of hidden poets" by later generations, did not always live in such a leisurely and leisurely life, especially on the issue of children's education, his choice was quite controversial. Today, let's gossip about Tao Yuanming's days of retreat and see how this great writer made a mistake in family education.
In that era of war and chaos, Tao Yuanming was an "outlier". He didn't sharpen his head and drill into the officialdom like others, but in the year of not being confused, he resolutely resigned from the official position of Pengze County Order, packed up and went home to farm. In 405, he waved his sleeves like this, did not take a cloud with him, and resolutely left the officialdom full of deceit. On the one hand, his choice really showed his deep weariness with the chaotic officialdom at that time, and on the other hand, it also revealed his infinite yearning for an idyllic life.
But the ideal is very plump, but the reality is very skinny. After returning to seclusion, although Tao Yuanming lived the idyllic life he dreamed of, he lost his official position and a stable source of income. Life is starting to get stretched thin. To make matters worse, his family situation is also difficult to explain. The original wife died early, and the four sons born to him and the Xuxian Chen family, as well as a son and a daughter born to him by his later wife Zhai Yuying, all need him to raise them. Six children, it's no joke!
You may say, "Oh, Tao Yuanming is a great writer, just write articles and draw pictures, can't life be passable?" But the truth is that his life is far from being as comfortable as we think. His lazy attitude to life and his habit of drinking from time to time not only made his body deteriorate, but also invisibly set an "example" for his children. Under the influence of their father, the children gradually became lazy and did not have the slightest interest in reading and learning.
Tao Yuanming himself is a literary genius, but what about his children? Unfortunately, none of them can inherit his literary mantle. The eldest son Tao Yan, the second son Tao Qian, the third son Tao Fen, the fourth son Tao Yi, and later Tao Tong, they all failed to get out of the farmland and become literary giants like his father. This has to be said to be a great regret, and it is also a kind of irony for Tao Yuanming's choice to go into hiding.
Could it be that we just deny Tao Yuanming's choice to retreat? Of course not. Everyone has their own way of life and values, and Tao Yuanming's choice to go into seclusion is his passionate pursuit of a free life and a deep reflection on the corruption of officialdom. There is nothing wrong with his choice in itself, but the problem is that he neglects his responsibilities and obligations as a father while pursuing his personal ideals. If he could have put a little effort into the education of his children while retreating, maybe his children would have a different fate.
Now, let's consider a question: As parents, should we give up our dreams and pursuits for the sake of our children's future? Or in other words, how can we pursue our personal dreams while still giving our children the education and care they deserve? Tao Yuanming's story is a wake-up call for us: the importance of family education is self-evident, as parents, we should not only pay attention to our own life pursuits, but also pay attention to the growth and education of our children.
Tao Yuanming used his experience to tell us a truth: it is right to pursue freedom, but don't forget that you are still a father (or mother)! On the way to pursue poetry and distant places, don't forget to bring your children to grow up together.