It’s been quite a few days I am observing that my son’s cycle is not parked at the same place. I don’t see him playing cricket with his friends as well.
Curious to know the reason I went to check for my younger son in the play area for kids of his age.
I was shocked to see my hyper energetic elder son in the baby play area!
Upon questioning that why he was playing in this area and where are his friends and why is he not playing cricket?
As any typical man when females ask too many questions, he replied,” uff! You ask too many questions at one time!”
“No one has time- that’s it” ,he replied hurriedly .
I stood there for a while still wondering what he said.
“No one has time?”
This phrase is heard by all corporate people but how come children don’t have time?
I wasn’t letting this go so easily.
So, I nicely strolled in the park and smiled at every mother or the baby sitter or the grand parent with anticipation that they’ll respond and this will be the correct moment to start the conversation.
Thankfully, few did while others thought I am displaying, “Mere toothpaste mein namak hai (my toothpaste has salt)”.
Well, at this moment I wasn’t worried about how stupid I was acting, my motto was something different.
So, after series of smile exchange and formal conversation I was about to hit my question and I did,
Me: “Haven’t seen your baby for a long time, all well?”
Mom: Oh! He’s been keeping too busy
Me: Busy? (This word again)
Mom: Yes, just two weeks to go for the exam (with the most worried expression)
Me: Your kid must be in higher grade, I understand
Mom: No, he’s in grade 1 but trust me the syllabus is very difficult?
Me: Lost first breath
Mom: Then he has his classes
Me: Which classes?
Mom: Personality development, singing, musical instrument, maths, football, and GK. It’s so important to develop proper skill set in child right from the early age
Me: Phew!! Lost second breath, almost died.. Choked.
I just left the conversation there and headed back home.
While snail walking I was wondering the competitive world my child is entering into.
He doesn’t go to any of the classes most important not during his playtime. He even refuses to attend any birthday parties during his playtime.
Series of questions and doubts hovered my mind making me depressed.
- I am not sending him to any of the skill development classes, will he remain unskilled?
- He is not a voracious reader, is he devoid of knowledge?
- He screams, he answers back, he even fights with his peers, at time they play , roll do moves of WWE on the green grass, is he turning into a spoiled brat?
- He decides which class to attend, he makes his own choice of clothes to wear, am I turning him disobedient?
- He doesn’t fit into the frame of civilised, society adorable, amazingly well behaved child, have I failed as a mother?
I sank myself into the pillow and let myself go with the free flow pouring down my cheeks.
After the Ekta Kapoor crying series. I stood straight with a firm head to think logically.
It is important for the children to be what they are and the way they want to be. They’ll evolve very well on their own with a little guidance from us for sure.
If my boy doesn’t attend any skill based classes, I am still happy to see him running freely in the garden or getting wet when it’s pouring or cycling like a free bird or playing football in the muddiest puddle.
I have an unskilled child and I have no qualms about it.
I am glad when my boy comes home, dirty, drenched, bruised with innumerable scars because he has come home very happy and that’s what I want.
