Parent of an Average/ a Unique child !

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Chapter 38 (edited), page 97 of my Debut Book - Momsie Popsie Diary Tea time chit chat on living life (Golden Book Awards 2023) Available as Paperback & e-book on Amazon and all e-commerce sites.


I often get asked, .... Your child must be good in maths, science, studies in general... 
I simply say no, he is not. My child is average.
Am I ashamed to say this?  Yes? No !

Should I be lying that he is the best in something which he is not, in front of others? Definitely No !

My child is that average child who people fail to notice either for not being at the top or being at the bottom. People fail to notice the sweet smile, funny talks, tight hugs, friendly personality, kind behavior, mild manners, helpful nature because he is JUST an average child. The school, society celebrates children who are top scorers or good in sports and extra-curricular, which rightfully they should. These celebrations have a short life span.

Amidst all this, my average child who is a spectator and cheers his friends with full heart goes unnoticed. His love for sports (even when he knows he is not going to be selected for school team) his love for music (even though he knows he is not going to be selected for school choir) never diminishes. He participates in all and does all this to enjoy it rather to compete.

Am I a parent, who is not strict with him for not scoring at the top. Yes, I used to be strict to an extent and have lost my cool many times in the past. However, I transformed when his words pierced through my every heart muscle. My 11 year old child asked, "Mom, do you not respect me for who am I "?

How many of us thought we should respect children?  We adults demand our respect each and every moment of our life. Why not a child? Among children preparing for JEE-IIT, NEET UG-MBBS from a tender age of 9-10 years (I feel it's cruel, akin to killing childhood in pursuit of trophy child competition), my average child is talking about traveling the world, meeting new people, reading new books of different genre's, tasting different cuisines, enjoying each day to the fullest and so on. 

My average child might or might not become a doctor, astronaut, scientist But he is sure to grow up to be a good person, who will spread cheer, happiness and positivity. 
Last but not least: a message for ONE and ALL

*Notice the average child. All that child wants is a smile or a kind word from us adults for just being their true self, and to give assurance to trust the world. 
Personally,  I believe there is no term as average. Each child is unique 

Please refrain from making Xerox copies of our own selves.
They are children of future.
For generations to evolve : let us help in maintaining their originality.

Each child is different, so is each parenting style. Lets preserve this, cherish and celebrate our unique child.

Love,
Juju 

Comments

Neeta Goyal said…
Well said didi! It is high time that we, all the parents there, should learn to raise their little ones as simple, ordinary, loving and feeling human beings rather than competitive score-centred brains.
April 7, 2024 at 7:49 AM
Sanjana Agarwal said…
True ❤️
April 21, 2024 at 7:52 AM
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