My kids were not answering me when I called them to come
over for dinner. I had a tough day; deadlines to meet, argument with hubby and
cleaning up of house waiting for me. I am not a pleasant lady when house work
piles up on me. Upon that I had my son going away now and again, mysteriously
sneaking out, since morning; without informing me neither about where he was
going nor why he was going out for. His 10th standard midterm exams
were just a few days away, and the boy instead of studying for the exams had
been wasting away all his time being engaged in something silly. I was amazed
that my daughter had joined him too.
I called over once again, “Hey kids, it is dinner time. Maa
cannot wait for you till eternity. Come over here now”. I could hear my
daughter whisper and then giggle. My son answered, “Yes, Maa, we will be there
in a short while”. I lost my cool. I
stormed into the veranda to find them sitting on the wooden box which is
something like an all purpose furniture, and peeking out of the window. I
peeped along with them to find nothing. What is wrong with these kids anyway? I
was losing my cool and told them sternly, “No long while and no short while, I
want you here now”. With that I had them slowly and reluctantly coming over to
the table and sitting down to have their supper. I gave them a big lecture on
how to behave, how to be responsible blah blah blah! They silently had their
food and cleaned up after them. I got engrossed in my work after that and soon
fell asleep.
The next morning I woke up to find a very nicely packed bar
of my favorite chocolate along with a painting from my daughter and card from
my son greeting me. The dear boy had been running around to order a cake, find
the biggest bar Diary Milk Chocolate and find decorations for my present, which
came from his and Farheena’s pocket money. To top it my daughter had made an amazing
painting and card for me. I had totally forgotten it was my birthday!
I was so upset with them the day before, but I was touched
by their love now. I am glad I was not very tough on them. I had almost lost my
cool and was about to pull them by their ears to the dining table, but something
a voice inside me said, “Watch out Maa, you may regret this later!” Thank God I
listened to that voice.
How often we parents hurt our children in haste and then
regret it forever? We parents get annoyed quickly with our children than with
any other person we are dealing in our lives.
Not always it would be a secret surprise the kids are
planning for us, it could well be their favorite game or a (face)book that is
keeping them tied to the spot. Every parent has had trouble making the children
move away from an activity in which they have been engrossed. Breaking cups,
spilling water, knocking over your precious show piece, getting low scores in
exams are all a part of our children’s growing up days. Punishment for those
actions is an option and the choice is in our hands.
No wonder we, who
have lots on our hand, get annoyed. We yell and hurt their little hearts and
furthermore we feel the action was justified. Are our actions really justified?
No, I don’t expect an answer for that question, neither an explanation. It is
something I think; parents should ponder over when they are feeling happy and
content with life, and especially with the kids.
As parents, it is very important to count up to 100 before
getting annoyed with our children. Patience is one of the key ingredients in
the recipe for happy parenting. It has been more than five years since the
incident happened, but I have not let myself forget how bitter I felt for a while
when they did not come over to have their dinner when I called them. It gives
me more patience and strength when I deal with children.
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