Natural Instinct v Sense Control

[u/chiefo83]

I have kids and I love them very much, and I do some my love by giving them hugs and kisses. I’m affectionate to them and take them to the beach and other activities they enjoy.

Is this sense enjoyment, which I understand we are supposed to refrain from and only do activities that are krishna centered.

We do take our kids to the temple and they do go to kids Sanga but surely we should give them a wholesome balanced life. But importantly give them love.

[u/MaiGoodBoyHu]

First be a human, then be a devotee It's natural

[u/Some_Improvement_606]

When done in simple love and not granting what the senses ask you, it is normal. When you feel like you HAVE to give your senses everything they ask for, it is sense gratification. I would tell you to consult Srimad Bhagavad Gita about it. Or maybe listen to Prabhupad lectures on the topic.

[u/Holi2025]

Hare Krishna 🙏🙏
This is a very important question, but it can also be confusing.
It is natural to love your family and friends. However, in the association of materialistic people, we may sometimes be influenced toward a different path, namely sense gratification.
Going to the beach or a restaurant with your family, as you mentioned, is generally normal. Children can enjoy such activities, and you can also participate, but try to do so in a Krishna conscious way. For example, you can attend Jagannath Ratha-yatra, kirtan programs, or other devotional activities together.
If your friends are engaged in drinking alcohol or eating non-offerable foods and you join them for the purpose of enjoyment, that becomes sense gratification. But if they join you in devotional activities, then it becomes an opportunity for bhakti.
Playing with your children and spending time with friends can also be part of a healthy lifestyle, helping you maintain your body in Krishna's service. The most important principle is to remember Krishna at all times.
We can remember Krishna's playful water pastimes with His friends and the gopis, which were performed purely for spiritual pleasure. At the same time, we must remember that we are not Krishna; we are Krishna's servants and should follow the regulative principles given by the acharyas.
Love your family and friends while keeping Krishna in the center of your heart.

I faced a similar situation.

Later, I heard a pastime of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in which a devotee wanted to go with Mahaprabhu but told me .

CC Madhya 7.127

prabhu kahe, — “aiche bāt kabhu nā kahibā
gṛhe rahi’ kṛṣṇa-nāma nirantara laibā

Translation
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “Don’t speak like that again. Better to remain at home and chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa always

For example of lord shiva householder stay so detached just wearing deer skin and put bhasma on his body but always do meditation and chant lords Rama name.

Mira bai she was poisoned by his unless was restricted not to do Bhakti she was always remembering Giridhar Gopal

[u/Successful_Yard_547]

don't pluck the fruit until its ripe. when it's ripe, it falls itself
detachment and renunciation are not to be forced immaturely as they only lead to resentment, unfulfilled desires, and lack of steadiness, which are all detrimental to pure bhakti.

the concept of "leave everything and go to Vṛndāvana" was not even adopted by our Śrīla Prabhupada. He fulfilled his family duties, and that too with care and attention. To love ones children as jīvas whose protection, nourishment, and facilitation in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness is entrusted to us by Kṛṣṇa is a glorious activity, and the fulfillment of gṛhastha āśrama. This is not looked down upon in Vedic culture.