When you as parent are successful, it is equal implication that you expect the same from your little one. And I was no different. I am a professor at a college. My husband is an IT professional. It goes beyond question that when I gave birth to a baby boy, I expected him to be really intelligent. As an individual I was not wrong. But, as a parent my dreams for him were on way to deteriorate his life. Of course, when you expect from your child, you push them to attain the same. I am sure that many of you reading this would co relate with it.
And this is the problem with the present society. We read news of IITians and IIM graduates earning crore. And we had same aspiration for the apple of our eye, even when he is just learning to speak A, B, C.
So, it so happened that we admitted our child in the preschool. He progressed to class 1, then class 2. He was doing well. However, I expected better. I expected him to be the star kid of his class. I expected him to learn everything very well. I expected him to dazzle everyone with his smartness. But, he did none of the above. He was just an average student of the class. I was surprised. I was shocked. I was irritated. How can my kid, not excel? I have been a throughout meritorious student. My husband had been graduated from the top engineering college of the country. Why my son was not showing the signs of Brilliance?
The mother in me was apprehensive about his future. And then, an event changed me. It made me proud of my son.
We were having dinner together. When my little one asked- “Mumma, why were the kids on the street begging?” He is an emotional kid. I tried to explain him, that they do not have money to get food. He said –“Mumma, can we help them?” I was touched my 7 year old, is a wonderful human. Together we gathered his toys, brought some new toys and purchased food. It was an amazing experience when my son, gave the children the needful things. It did not end here.
When we were planning to celebrate his birthday, he came up with the plan to visit an orphanage, he was taught about the orphanage at his school. That afternoon he distributed sweets at the orphanage. At evening he had a party with his friends. I was touched. I felt it was absolutely fine if my child is not doing excellent in his studies. It may be that he was born for other better things in life. He was becoming a nice human with each day.
His school felicitated him for his social work the next year. I hope he continues to pursue the good work all his life. He will be happy. He will be blessed. He will do well in his life.
It is alright if your daughter is not a dancer like you. It is alright if your son cannot do math. It is alright if your child is a slow learner. It is absolutely fine to be a parent of an average child. If money and success could buy happiness, every successful man would be happy. But, the reality is different. So, just relax. Take a deep breath. Nurture your child with virtues which will help him or her lead a good life. Make your child strong. Make him feel worthy. Inculcate self confidence.
It is your responsibility to nurture him, not to complete your dreams through them.