August 31, 2007...5:55 pm
Parenting
Millions of people all over the world express their opinions about politics, sports and entertainment. Sometimes about subjects totally unknown to them. Same can be said about parenting — anyone can be wrong, and anyone can be right.When we raise a child, we are preparing that young person to live in this world. Everyone around us has something to offer. You can at least listen to what they have to say.
Sometimes I’m bothered about my daughters’ security. I was discussing this with a lady who has a son, a very innocuos looking young man. When I was expressing my concerns she said “what’s scarier is when your son is the cause of someone else’s insecurity”. I didn’t understand. She explained that her son was stalking a neighbour’s daughter and when that girl’s parents complained about her son she was embarrassed and ashamed.
Having a child changes you forever. Your baby’s cries hurt you more than anybody else. Most people would run into a burning house to grab their own child, the reaction would be different if it was the neighbour’s child. But do those instinctive emotions help our children become healthy, strong and confident adults? Lot of times we see these natural feelings of protectiveness stifle the child’s growth. Shouldn’t we stop and think about the long-term consequences of the examples we set and the implications of the lessons we teach?
5 Comments
August 31, 2007 at 7:02 pm
As I learn everyday, parenting is one of the hardest things you would have do in life (if you choose to have children). Even the littlest things you do can form deep impressions - and it is so hard to be be constant aware of that, particularly given the emotional attachment we have to our children.
August 31, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Well quantitatively speaking, the love is not the same on both sides (parents and children). My dad always said that “children can never love their parents as much as parents love their children”. Maybe true, we do take love for granted as children. Someone had called it Sukh Rog (Disease of Happiness), not sure about that anyway. Am I wandering away from the topic?
September 1, 2007 at 10:21 am
Hi Prerna
You have made me think…I guess I am one of the millions because I am not a parent but I will speak about it. Thanks for your thoughts.
It is a sad fact of life that we have to worry about or see or loved ones being subject to that sort of things, or equally in the reverse situation when you know that there are worthwhile aspects of a person who does bad things like that..even though it is tempting to hate the person doing wrong they are people too, and something is wrong with them to make them act like that.
I know that if I ever have kids myself I will be torn between stifling them by protecting them and letting them have some freedom.
As young people grow up too, they want to take responsibility themselves for things and I imagine it must be hard to let go and not worry -
Paul
September 3, 2007 at 11:30 am
There are so many serious things to consider and think about when it comes to Parenting, that I was afraid and didn’t become a Parent for many years! It was after a long time that I finally decided to take the plunge!
September 16, 2007 at 5:14 pm
[...] to worry about. Your own child’s behavior can also affect another child’s security. Prerna writes about this delicate balance with sensitivity - where exactly do you draw the line between protectiveness [...]
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