Giving Space

It is amazing how soon we parents forget our own younger days and are condemned to repeat with our children what our parent did with us in our youth.

Today’s youngsters are much smarter and fiercely independent than what we were at their age. It is heartening to see today’s youth taking charge of their own lives so early. They are exposed to much wider spectrum of life and ideas. They know that life is multi-dimensional and have the guts to explore these dimensions. If they don’t succeed with one, they are ready to take on another challenge. They are not scared of trying untried career propositions. No doubt they are brand conscious, they are also aware of difference between ‘need’ and ‘greed’. Their hearts are easily filled with compassions for the less privileged in the society. They cry for justice whenever they see violation of fundamental human rights irrespective of cast, creed and colour. They are bubbling with innocent energy that must be directed appropriately.

The question then is what different role we parents should play. I believe that we should give them more space to blossom than what we got from our parents. More like a gardener who supports a sapling with a prop, directs its growth with gentle care and gives freedom to flower in full splendour. If we have lived a value-based life ourselves, we need not worry about our children as they would emulate those values while growing. They should be given the space that they need to explore the world and realise their dreams, while we stand by trusting that they would take us in confidence when they need our guidance and make us only proud parents. Tomorrow’s world will not only be safer in the hands of today’s youngsters, but it will also be better.