The joy of doing nothing, that is what I want to give my eight
year old daughter this summer. Many things have changed because of
technology, and parenting is one of them. I don’t know if we are becoming
stronger or weaker as a well - read-digitally- driven - group that knows
everything about everything. Special summer classes are happening everywhere.
Drawing, handwriting, water play, pottery, abacus, mental math, aqua yoga and
the list continues. For families with both the parents working and no grandparents
at home, these classes function as day care though.
School starts from June, the new class
teacher, the old friends who are in a different sections now, the heavy
back packs (New? yeah, but still heavy!), the new rules and the
sudden expectations….the class tests and aftermath of it, the yearnings to get
the class leader badge and the big disappointment of not getting it…kids go
through a lot! It is not all torture but they do go through major changes at a
very young age. It is merely the training we give them so that they become like
us! I don’t think any adult can say that they are truly happy and content with
their life. Eleven months of school and serious learning , don’t they
deserve just thirty days of craziness?
Kids of the new age can “do” but do they know to “think”? The best time of my
childhood was the alone time I spent on the “mottamadi” making face creams for
my dollies by mixing chalk powder and water, and the times I melted plastic
spoons. I built a tent with four blankets , as I did not have a room of
my own, and read comics all day sitting inside undisturbed by my mom and my
sisters.
Self-reliance is rarely taught to kids these days. Leadership skills and team
work are over emphasized in today’s society. Yes these special classes will
teach them to lead a team, to function efficiently in a group but that is what
happens in school time too. I am just saying that kids should let
‘be’ and that parents will be amazed to see what they could do.
