The parents sat with flushed faces, eager looks, focused cameras as their little children took the "Diploma exam" yesterday. The instructor guided the bunch of kids through different types of swimming techniques trying to make a good exhibition. The kids, like a group of dolphins followed her instructions, small hands and small legs making the perfect swimming moves. Then they dived one after the other, went through a ring underwater, popped up their heads from water, eyes searching the crowd to make eye contact with the respective parents just to confirm the "wow" looks in their eyes! The parents looked on with beaming faces, precariously holding cameras to capture the "right angle " for the "right " photograph, some clapping and cheering, some totally speechless with their kids actions.....all of them proud and happy.
At the end of this exercise, the A-diplomas were handed out to the beaming kids...ten smiling faces, glistening with water drops, shining with pride.
At the end of this exercise, the A-diplomas were handed out to the beaming kids...ten smiling faces, glistening with water drops, shining with pride.
Congratulations Arno!
As soon as I said this, I knew what was coming.
"Mama, will I get a gift?"
;-)
Kids these days are amazing. They do so many things. Parents are amazing-er. They want them to do so many things. I remember, in my childhood, just balancing studies with singing lessons was already a challenge. My son balances studies with swimming lessons with tennis lessons with guitar lessons. I know of kids who have basket ball and judo on top of this list, their parents currently talking to the piano teacher to book a date!!
The big question I sometimes ask myself is "Is this the way to go?"
At this point I still feel the answer is "yes" as long as I can hold on to this list of my son and not put more on top!
I have to admit that each achievement of the kid does make us extremely proud. And I think I am saying this on behalf of all parents. It is really not about HOW good the achievement is, it is all about the sheer disbelief and awe of HOW the tiny thing whom WE gave birth to is growing up to achieve anything.THAT is what makes us so proud! Did that make sense at all? or am I just blabbering in a happy mood?
Going back to my childhood, I have vivid memories of LOTS OF STUDIES--lots of classwork, lots of home work and lots of exams to test what we learnt during our classworks and homeworks. I also have vivid memories of my singing teacher coming at home to teach me indian classical music once a week in the evening. As it is Ma was very strict with the evening playtime. Her voice still rings clear and loud in my ears. "Street light jole jabar age bari ashbe" [Be back home before the streetlights go on]. ..And there was no option for any negotiations. The first thing I had to do after coming back home was wash my hands and feet and sit with the harmonium to practise singing atleast for 45 mins. After that the whole homework thing started till mom called us for dinner!Honestly did not enjoy it AT ALL. I must have promised ten thousand times that I will not make MY children go through this. EVER!
"Mama, will I get a gift?"
;-)
Kids these days are amazing. They do so many things. Parents are amazing-er. They want them to do so many things. I remember, in my childhood, just balancing studies with singing lessons was already a challenge. My son balances studies with swimming lessons with tennis lessons with guitar lessons. I know of kids who have basket ball and judo on top of this list, their parents currently talking to the piano teacher to book a date!!
The big question I sometimes ask myself is "Is this the way to go?"
At this point I still feel the answer is "yes" as long as I can hold on to this list of my son and not put more on top!
I have to admit that each achievement of the kid does make us extremely proud. And I think I am saying this on behalf of all parents. It is really not about HOW good the achievement is, it is all about the sheer disbelief and awe of HOW the tiny thing whom WE gave birth to is growing up to achieve anything.THAT is what makes us so proud! Did that make sense at all? or am I just blabbering in a happy mood?
Going back to my childhood, I have vivid memories of LOTS OF STUDIES--lots of classwork, lots of home work and lots of exams to test what we learnt during our classworks and homeworks. I also have vivid memories of my singing teacher coming at home to teach me indian classical music once a week in the evening. As it is Ma was very strict with the evening playtime. Her voice still rings clear and loud in my ears. "Street light jole jabar age bari ashbe" [Be back home before the streetlights go on]. ..And there was no option for any negotiations. The first thing I had to do after coming back home was wash my hands and feet and sit with the harmonium to practise singing atleast for 45 mins. After that the whole homework thing started till mom called us for dinner!Honestly did not enjoy it AT ALL. I must have promised ten thousand times that I will not make MY children go through this. EVER!
Times have changed.
I am a mom now.
I want Arno to practise guitar everyday.
..and I do not like to negotiate at all...
I am a mom now.
I want Arno to practise guitar everyday.
..and I do not like to negotiate at all...
Lets change the subject. For everyones good.
;-)
Lets cook Dim curry.
Dim curry, in my family is a major comfort food. It is easy to make after a tired day, it tastes good after travel, add a bit more oil and its good for a full fledged party....its really a saviour!!anyday..anytime!!
1. First boil the eggs
2. Heat one table spoon of oil (mustard really gives the kick but you can use white oil)
3. Add a pinch of turmeric and fry the eggs. (make some sharp knife slashes on the eggs so that they do not sputter)
;-)
Lets cook Dim curry.
Dim curry, in my family is a major comfort food. It is easy to make after a tired day, it tastes good after travel, add a bit more oil and its good for a full fledged party....its really a saviour!!anyday..anytime!!
Dim curry: Any day any time food.
1. First boil the eggs
2. Heat one table spoon of oil (mustard really gives the kick but you can use white oil)
3. Add a pinch of turmeric and fry the eggs. (make some sharp knife slashes on the eggs so that they do not sputter)
5.Add chopped onions and fry for 5 mins at medium heat. Add chopped tomatoes and chopped green chillies.
6.Add some coriander powder and garam masala powder.
7. Add turmeric and salt to taste.
8 .When fully cooked , add the fried eggs and add 5-6 spoons of water.
9. Cover and cook for 5 mins in medium heat.
10. Switch off the heat and add fresh chopped coriander.
11. Serve with rice or roti.
Enjoy....................
You are not alone ... we all feel good when our kids achieve something :-)
ReplyDelete@ EXACTLY!!Thats the reason i wrote " And I think I am saying this on behalf of all parents"
Delete;-)