Just as I was
thinking of my next post, little Smera walks in with a grumpy face back from
school. The expression was self-explanatory that her day at school was not very
exciting. So I got started my interrogation, to better understand why her mood
was off.
Me: How was your day?
Smera: Not good!
Me: Why not?
Smera: I was not the super reader in the class
today.
Me: That’s alright, you were super reader
yesterday and you will have chance to try again tomorrow.
Smera: But Hannan was the super reader and I did not
like that. The whole class clapped for her, even I did but very slowly.
Me: Hmm and why is that?
Smera: Just because I was feeling angry in my heart!
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I was glad that
I got the little one to talk about it. By the end of the day Smera felt a lot
better after talking it out, but this incident really was meant to be a good
lesson in her learning curve. These little incidents teach children that they aren’t
always just meant to win. They would have to put it their best effort and the
best effort would eventually get to shine.
While Hannan got
to taste success, Smera got to taste competition and which in my understanding
was also a good lesson to learn. Every lesson that Smera learns, gives us also
a revision in old lessons learnt and which is why something that I read a while
ago made perfect sense to me today. Let
our children know that is absolutely alright to come second or even fail for
that matter, but what is more important is that we are there to help them when
they do fall.
“It may be
necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can
rise from, how you can still come out of it.” - Maya Angelou
Parenting is
such a wonderful experience, lets you re-learn, re-inspire yourself almost
everyday. I guess this is how we become more experienced and hopefully wiser in
life!!
Loved how you threw open the platform for her to find her own answers... that's what children have always needed...
ReplyDeleteThanks Vishal, it is a constant learning process for us too, sometimes I do get it wrong :)
DeleteThis is a beautiful piece. I think children makes you unlearn and relearn which is fantastic! Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Shamsud !!
DeleteI am sure we learn with kids ..
ReplyDeleteBikram's
Oh yes Bikram almost everyday !!
DeleteTruly children have to learn that they can't always be the best. More important that they can learn from someone who proves to be better now and then.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Lata, probably this is how we also become more humble and appreciative of our success and give effort it's due credit!
DeleteSangeeta out of all the things I loved how you noticed that even sense of competition is a learning for a child. Parenting is so much about who we are and how we became that and imparting it to our kids.. no?
ReplyDeleteTrue Richa and this is difficult thing in parenting to teach what is unsaid and is invisible. That's why it is the toughtest job in the world. We too learn from Smera's learnings !!
DeleteLovely learning post.
ReplyDeleteA Rat's Nibble
Thank you :)
Delete