I was visiting Delhi on work. It was my best friend’s son’s birthday around the same time so I got invited; the only adult in a kid’s party, besides my friend couple of course. There wasn’t much I was required to do; everything had been taken care of. So I ended up being a silent observer.
Kids today are super smart. You will notice that the moment they open their tiny mouths. Anyways, I was sitting there when I noticed boys forming a group in a corner. Curious me… I got up and casually walked past them trying my best not to give them any hint of my intentions. Guess what I saw? Two kids – one with a communicator (you can’t miss its size) and the other with some tiny swanky thing which had Infrared feature and these two kids were actually transferring files to each other!! Don’t’ know if it was out of shock or common sense of securing myself from further shock, I refrained from asking the question which I reined on the tip of my tongue – What are these files you are transferring? Thank God, I didn’t ask, atleast today I can take a safe assumption that those files were just games…. I am talking about 5-6 year old boys here btw.
Recently, I got Facebook request from a 7 and 5 year old kids of my friend. On asking their mother what they were doing on a social networking site, I learnt that their entire batch mates are on FB. Today I think they have more friends on FB than I have! Initially I thought it was the big city factor and things would be better when we move to smaller cities. I realized how wrong I was after moving to Kochi.
Today parents are dealing with the love/ crush problems of their 5 – 10 year olds! When I was 5 all I could think of was ice creams, chocolates and comics. Is it overexposure? Today, the kids also seem to be taking for granted simple things which were possibly a luxury for their parents.
Parents would always want their kids to have the best; everything they couldn’t have or do in their childhood. But, how do we inculcate a sense of gratitude in today’s generation is my question. No matter what, parents have to draw a line somewhere. For example, why does a 5 year old need a mobile? I bought my first mobile from my own salary! Yeh letting them be on FB because of peer pressure I understand; because, if you stop them, they will find means and ways. So best is to play it on their lines but keep a close watch on their actions.
Easier said than done. So very easy to pass comments and give advices yeh? I have no idea what I will do in similar situation. Frankly I am scared out of my wits but on the brighter note atleast these experiences are preparing me for the worst…Phew!
All these was in my mind too now got it in a composed way Nice……………..U should have come up with a remedy too
limiting the kids will only increase their curiosity….and curious kids are like jihadis…going all extremes to get things done!!
Let them be. I would not have become what I am today if my dad had limited my internet access.
you did not take advantage of your freedom… and have become what u r today… hopefully all kids realize that
Well, This is how I thought when I saw my sister’s kid.. Now that I have my own I realise easier said than done.. My sister’s son inspite of having all luxury is a very obedient and nice boy.. I just hope I manage to make my daughter a good human being.. because its not as easier as it was before…. you dont want them to be too mild, but at the same time you need to teach them good things, but they should be able to survive in this world which is too challenging these days….
well lets see…