Parenting
by gleefulblogger

Jumble Bumble – All the Trouble of Forced Ambition

April 11, 2018
6
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Jumble Bumble – Forced Ambition Trouble

Dance Bonanza – Dance Summer Class; Early bird discounts.

DIY child craft – Special Craft classes for kids aged 3 and above.

Skating/ Swimming/ Football/ Chess – First come first serve basis only.

Music Summer Special – Choice of Instrument – Guitar/ Violin/ Keyboard/ Piano and many more.

Vedic Maths / Algebra / Elocution / Art & Drama / Theatre – Enrol in One get One free.

These are the flyers we get with the daily newspaper every morning. My morning cup of ‘garma-garam chai’ winds up reading details about these vocational training courses. I discussed few with husband, who patiently listens to my babble while gulping his breakfast down and pushes it for evening discussion.

Last week I saved few flyers of Swimming/ Skating and Music for my girl to check out. While she was excited to know about these activities, at the same time inconclusive on which one to join. We left the trickiest task for Dad to decide. He was briefed about the scenario in evening and gave options to pick from. His loss of interest got on my nerves and had to give my two-cents to explain why these activities are MUST for every child.

Scene at Home

‘Do you know such activities refresh kids from daily school life’ I said giving my justification. ‘Even her best friends have joined these courses’ in addition to prove I am RIGHT. (mom aka wife is always right)

‘Then what are holidays for? Aren’t holidays to break the monotony, let her have peace of mind for one month’ said concerned dad.

‘Well yes, holidays are to enjoy but she can also attend these classes for an hour or so? Art is relaxing, she will enjoy for sure.’

‘Okay then, enroll in whatever she likes, but do not force ambition into it. Let her Enjoy’, he replied.

‘Of course, this is just fun.’ Yes, I was super excited to hear him say OKAY. ‘Looks like you are more excited than her for this whole thing’ he remarked seeing my excitement.

Next day I made few calls to inquire about the charges and location, most camps had trial class options and we went for two/three trials. Skating and swimming top the chart.

A day at the trail class –

We checked out few training centers and finalized to take trials. They took her inside and made me wait at reception when counselor came to discuss the course structure. She informed about how their training centers have made champions and parents are very proud. Some digital testimonial from parents to prove they are the best. She also mentioned different types of course plans – beginners, intermediate, advanced and champions.

I asked her to differentiate between all types, her response startled me to the core. Beginners course at summer camp with a certificate of participation. Intermediate course to boost child’s interest in the course with new activities. The advanced course is to harness the skills and Champions is taken by subject experts only, for competitive stages.

Well, all I thought of these training courses is to break the monotony in child’s life and bring some relaxation.

Clear Case of Forced Ambition

Summer Camps and many such activities are to engage the children during holidays or free time. Let it be that way, take a small plunge into memory lane and try to remember our childhood times? How relaxing summer or winter vacations used to be. Fun, friends, frolic and carefree few days. Playing from early morning to late in the evening, visiting friends houses, pajama parties, and much more. Today morning, read a beautiful post on summers from a dear friend and wonderful blogger – Mayuri. Summer Soliloquy, she beautifully explained summer fun in her post.

Reading Mayuri’s post made me introspect, why do we force our children with the burden to learn, perform, excel in everything? Our parents did not, and we are doing fairly well in life. So why this maddening rat race with our kids?

force ambition

Summer camps or any such crash course is to fill the gap. If a child has interest in any art based activity harness it as a creative addition. We as parents have to understand and respect every child’s decision and understanding. I often hear parents saying – ‘wasted my money on you’, ‘why couldn’t you perform well in competition?’. This is peer pressure which makes children vulnerable to break.

As a parent, I have learned my lesson and do not add my likes/dislikes to her decisions. Childhood is the BEST phase of life, let children have most out of it.

This post is written for #BlogchatterA2Z series by Blogchatter, and my theme for this challenge is Gleeful Parenting. Previously from the series –

H for Housekeeping.

I for Ignite creativity.

COPY-WRITE NOTICE –
@Dipika Singh Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger) with right and specific direction to the original content.
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hopes wishes

Hopes and Wishes for a Better You

July 16, 2017
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In a World where you can be anything; BE KIND

Hopes and Wishes from a mother’s heart are always earnest and true to the ability in making of a child’s character. We all have our own share of hopes, wishes, dreams for kids, to pave out their path for better future we stand like a rock behind them. #MondayMommyMoments – my writing family gave a very interesting prompt this time – “what are my hopes and wishes for my child?”

My hopes and wishes for my little miss

As a mother I have many many hopes and wishes for my child (like any other mommy) , but what really matters it – what do I really want her to imbibe in her character as a person?

hopes wishes
image credit – Internet.

I wish her to be KIND and learn the act of kindness through her words as well as deeds, though this is an innate behaviour and cannot be taught however, simple selfless acts of kindness like smiling, appreciating, helping and sharing can bring lot of positiveness in life. Kindness helps you grow beyond the fragmentation of societal differences, if we bring ‘being-kind’ as their core structure early in the childhood days you will bring up a happy and positive child. Researches have shown that a happy/kind person is easily adjustable in any situation and take life positively.

I wish her to be Courageous – a person who can take stand for herself and differentiate between what is right and wrong for her. I will not be there with her to guide or tell the right/wrong always, she has to be independent and learn how to take decisions on her own. Courage will help her in taking even the ‘boldest’ decisions without being confused or tied in dilemma, also the fall from the ‘wrong decisions’ will never break her. Being brave help the kids to grow out of their prescribed boundaries, self-doubt, educational/professional stress, etc.

I wish her many more things, as a mother’s heart never stops at one or two 🙂 wish her to be happy, unbiased, pragmatic, just and adjustable/flexible. Hope her to be able to stand for herself and others’ when in need. I wish her to achieve what she aspires to be, it can be anything she likes but first she has to be a good and a kind human being. As a mother, wish her all the goodness of universe and yes truly HOPE she picks up reading!! Reading is my gateway to happiness and relaxation, plus it brings knowledge beyond books and schools. Do not want her to forcefully pick up on reading as I never go over-board in my parenting style, to know more about over-parenting click here…

Linking this post with #MMM by Amrita & Deepa

 

Child Development

School Safety – Creating safe environment for Children

April 22, 2018
20

School Safety for our children is a joint effort of Parents and School administration.

The recent episodes of violence against children have shooked the entire nation. Everyone is talking about the safety of children and measures to create a safe environment. Two out of three children in India are subjected to some form of abuse, as per this survey. Parents try their best to give a safe environment for children. However, are our children really safe in school? Many schools have upgraded child safety framework and included new parameters. But we cannot leave everything for the school. Keeping our children safe is everyone’s responsibility.

“School Safety” is creating safe environment for children, right from their homes to school and back. The framework of School Safety ranges to providing safety to children from any kind of harm. Mental, physical abuse, violence, natural or created disaster, transportation, etc.

Definition of School safety for children as per NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights). You can access the detailed report here.

Point to ponder – School safety changes

Recently daughter’s school has integrated few changes on various levels. As every new change brings some discomfort so did these. From transportation report checks to entry and exit level points, new norms and regulations implemented. The changes are in lieu of Government child safety guidelines, to keep children safe.

From the school’s perspective, this is a massive change. The entire transport infrastructure and support staff are verified under the purview of the legal system. We have new school buses as per regulations and verified attendants. Parents were well aware of the structural changes and requested to support the move.

However, parents were with school till it was on papers. Once the implementation began tempers raised high. Even the smallest of deviation raised and we all turned into devil’s advocate. Everyone started advocating ways and means to school authorities and voiced objections in whatever way possible. At the macro level, the change is to upgrade safety measure for our children at school. With the sudden rise in incidents related to child safety at school, it is everyone’s responsibility to protect children from any harm. But are we really helping authorities to create a safer environment for our children or negating their efforts?

Change is the only constant, and certain changes are for good. Parents play a major role in ensuring the safe environment for children.

Role of Parents in School Safety measures –

school safety

Know the law – The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) 2012. The Act addresses sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children effectively. The government has recently drafted new changes to address mass appeal from citizens. As aware parents, we should know the laws and circumstances to take legal help if required.

Awareness about school safety environment –

School safety requires a paradigm shift from earlier comfort zones to cater new challenges. Many schools are implementing these changes, as a prerequisite from governing authorities. However, it is our responsibility to inquire about the safety measures at school.

Participate in school-parent meetings or forums. Every school has Parent-Teacher Association to discuss issues related to education, facilities, and administration. Parents should raise concerns through the correct channels, and help schools become a safer place for children.

Educate children about school safety protocols. Provide children a checklist to follow when in danger. They should know whom to reach for when in an emergency. Create a trust-based relationship with children and school authorities.

Creating a safe environment is everyone’s responsibility. School safety and parental awareness together bring a better change for our children.

This post is written for #BlogchatterA2Z series by Blogchatter, and my theme for this challenge is Gleeful Parenting.

PREVIOUSLY FROM THE SERIES –

Q for Questions.

R for Respectful Parenting.

COPY-WRITE NOTICE –
@Dipika Singh Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger) with right and specific direction to the original content.
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