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| How to get out of this? |
I was at semi formal dinner with my friends and
colleagues. For some reason I had to take my 4 yr old daughter along
with me. While everyone was busy chatting and catching up, I was little off the
discussion (focusing on her). And, one of my colleagues (not getting enough of
my attention :)) remarked, “बिटिया तंग तो नहीं कर रही?” (Hope she is not troubling) I said NO, and wondered if rather I am
troubling her?
I was trying to make her sit properly and keep her on the
table with everyone, while she wanted to wander here and there. And, why
shouldn’t she? I wanted her to eat nicely with spoon, while she would enjoy
eating by hands and picking the food across the plate. And, why shouldn’t
she? When my friends wanted to talk to her, I was trying to make her reply
nicely, and she was shy and moody. And, why shouldn’t she?
In our efforts of disciplining the children at times we may
go too far and restrict them from being themselves. I recall a couple of
incidents that came across. Once my friend was at her neighbors’ house. The
neighbor’s son was about 7 yr old. He was asking his mother for a robot (toy)
which was kept far from his reach on the top of cupboard. His mother was not
giving it to him, saying that toy was too expensive, and he might break it. And
to add, she explained to him “Dad cannot buy this expensive toy for you every
other day”!
In another incident, I was at a friends’ place, when she was
telling me about her 3 yr old daughter's school and what all she has been learning.
Hearing us talking about her studies, my friend's daughter ran and took
out her homework copy to show. The moment she did so, someone at her home
screamed, “Be careful! Take that book from her. She can not handle it properly.
She might tear it apart”. And, it was snatched from her.
