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The author rightly says that we must, as a parent, first address our own anxiety by being positive. This attitude will help our children too.
I chose to read this book because of the importance it lays on raising resilient kids, especially in the extraordinary times we all are in.
The book is written by famous author and columnist Ms. Kiran Manral and starts with a rather angsty conversation between her and sixteen-year-old son. “Are we all going to die?” is what he asks the author.
Most of us have faced such type of questions from our kids at one time or another. There are a lot of other things as well in the book that one can resonate with as a parent.
I am a mother of two boys, eleven and nine. My elder one is up to speed with the latest news (his general awareness is better than his Mom’s).
The author talks about several relevant issues such as climate change which is the elephant in the room we should have acknowledged way back.
Most of us were happy and in denial mode when the pandemic hit China thinking this is not going to happen to us. In fact, like most people, I had booked our tickets for the summer vacations.
Kiran touches the unprecedented experiences we had all gone through during the lockdown. She also talks about accepting the new normal (which is interestingly not defined till today!) and the sudden way of life we all are forced to be living in since the outbreak of COVID-19.
One good thing that has come out of this madness is the much needed pause it has given, compelling us to turn inward.
The author talks about the lack of physical activity and increase in screen time and what we, as parents can do about it. Well, I could resonate with the ideas as I have been following some of them too.
My boys do contribute to the age appropriate household chores which makes them take ownership of the work and feel responsible too. I enrolled my kids for an Online Yoga and breathing program in July itself. They have learnt few breathing practices which they now continue to do on their own.
The uncertainty of how long we have to live like this does create anxiety. The author rightly says that we must, as a parent, first address our own anxiety by being positive. This attitude will help our children too. She also stresses on answering the kids questions honestly.
Manral stresses the need for discussing actions which we can own and act on. This will give kids a sense of ownership and control, besides raising their awareness and hope.
“Look to the past and be assured that humankind has survived in worse conditions”-This thought is very important to give our kids ‘hope’ amidst all the negativity.
Looking for the benefits of being in a lockdown, I have a long personal list here.
Right from the precious time I am getting to spend with my family, doing the household chores together, taking additional responsibility if one member is pressed for time because of other commitments, enjoying the simple pleasures of life, learning to manage with what is available, mindful of our actions and their impact on others.
First published here.
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Image Credits : Pixabay and book cover from Amazon India.
Happy Soul, believer in gift called life, avid traveler and explorer, sometimes restless but mostly sane, respect relationships and believer in goodness all around. Student of my two sons who teach me many lessons of read more...
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Mothers do things for you out of love, so please treat them with respect and dignity at your home, especially in front of your in laws, and ask your in laws to share responsibilities.
Motherhood isn’t just a word. It’s a world in itself…of love, labor and commitment that goes beyond a lifetime, when we don’t really have a concept of flying the nest and mothers are required to be battle ready to shoulder every responsibility at any age.
As a new mom I too had my share of struggles like every woman, and reached out to my mom for help. Sadly, since she had health issues of her own she agreed reluctantly and was uneasy throughout her stay, which disappointed me. Only later did I know that she had suffered from serious menopausal problems that made her edgy and nervous in difficult situations, and it left me with a sense of regret of not taking the effort of understanding her troubles.
Neelu might have outwardly forgiven Ramesh, but in her mind, which once was filled with unconditional love for Ramesh, there was now a seed of resentment.
Ramesh’s footsteps paused at the entrance of the hotel’s ballroom. Inside, his school’s reunion party was going in full swing. The air was heavy, as expensive perfumes and the aroma of food from the buffet table, mingled. There were low murmurs, tinkling laughs and clinks of cutlery.
Ramesh had not wanted to come, knowing that she would be there. She, Neelu, who once had been the love of his life. Taking a deep breath, Ramesh entered the room. His eyes found Neelu almost immediately. She still looked the same. Maybe there was now grey in her hair and a few wrinkles on her face. But her vivacity, her mannerisms were still the same. Things, that had first attracted him.
Over time, while my palm prints still remained etched on the canvas, I had become an outsider. My marital status had invalidated my claim. What was home then?
The Muse of the Month is a monthly writing contest organised by Women’s Web, bringing you original fiction inspired by women.
Lalitha Ramanathan is one of the winners for the June 2021 Muse of the Month, and wins a Rs 750 Amazon voucher from Women’s Web. The juror for this month, Kiran Manral commented, “Highlights the unfair restrictions most married women face when it comes to visiting their parents, with sensitivity and firmness.”
Books can be your best friends, as well as your window to the world outside. Let's try and introduce our children to the enchanting world of books.
Books can be your best friends, as well as your window to the world outside. Let’s try and introduce our children to the enchanting world of books.
“My never-failing friends are they, with whom I converse day by day.” These Robert Southey verses have stuck to me since the day I first heard them from my father when I was a child. Those were beautiful times for my brother and me, especially when the onset of summer vacation meant a definite trip to the local book store to stack up and renew our library stock.
As a family we travelled a lot , which meant almost 4 to 5 trips a year and that was a jackpot for us. The railway station’s A.H. Wheeler stores were a sure pit stop every time we took a train. Both of us would hover around books, constantly ogling at them, and negotiating with our dad to let us buy many more than what was allowed, which were two books for each of us. The moment we bought them, we picked a book and a suitcase each and plonked ourselves on it, reading them while waiting for the train to arrive. I remember our mother had to literally drag us into the train’s compartment when it arrived, for how could we leave a story half-way!