Parenting has never been so challenging before today. This
is probably what a parent from every generation felt when they compared the
teaching patterns, methods and environment with the earlier generation.
However, it is true that while this generation is synonymous with more creature
comforts and luxuries made available at the drop of a hat, it is more often
accompanied by more work, more stress and more scarcity of family time. Where our parents and grandparents took the
time to teach us the values of life, we take to the short-cut method and try to
replace quantity time with more outings, gifts, parties and silly pampering.
Whatever is your social and financial scenario, it cannot
take away from the fact that children emulate their parents and learn from what
is being offered to them. So, instead of succumbing to outside pressures, it is
worthwhile to take a pause and look at how we as parents behave when our
children are around and what is it that we would like them to imbibe through
our stand in certain situations.
A simple example is that of the birthday parties that are
making the round these days. Where once children’s parties could be easily
translated to a homely affair with a tight guest list of close friends, small
snacks, fun and frolic, the same has been replaced with lavish décor, huge
guest lists, dinner parties, magic shows, tattoo making and the likes with very
fancy return gifts. The bottom line
being, have money, flaunt it! Can you then blame the young impressionable minds
who care less about money and throw tantrums for every little wish?
Another common example is that of how parents behave in a
social situation, for example in a queue or taking care of the garbage. We as
adults do not think twice before jumping a queue or honking without restraint
in a traffic snarl. We sit in swanky cars, wolf down a packet of chips and
mindlessly throw it out on the roads. What lessons do you think the children
get from these acts? It’s a no-brainer, right?
Consciously or unconsciously, we are responsible for how the
future generation turns out to be. So, if we wish to see a country of sensible,
sensitive, compassionate and responsible citizens, it is time to clean up our
acts and be the same.
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