Little hearts & curious Minds

It's not surprising to see kids speak their mind, ask questions until convinced and have a say in everything that's happening around. We all agree technology rules the world today and kids being so smartly adapting to it is no wonder a boon in a true sense.

If I go back in time when technology had not taken over every household the way it has today... Life was different, however it has certainly brought a revolution in the current generation in terms of everything .. Be it their way of thinking, adapting, learning or performing.

Years back, we as kids had no role to play when it came to decision making of any sorts... We blindly followed what we were told to and never questioned any decision... thinking that's how it's supposed to be. Whereas kids today have an opinion and their say in every matter they hear parents talking. They have intelligent and relevant questions about any particular situation that's being discussed in their presence. Which of course is a revolution of some kind for me whose seen both the generations.

Today I feel so proud when I see a younger generation being able to talk about most of the things we discuss... My five year old was well aware of the Cricket World Cup series that was held this year... And that's not all...he had all the relevant questions to ask that one could expect..Where was it held?, the time difference of day and night, the countries playing? and understood the game pretty well too. It felt great to see a five year old enjoy the game as much as any elder would do.

The other day I saw a bunch of kids discussing about US Presidents visit to India during Independence Day. Kids basic nature of wanting to learn something new every day and share along is nothing less than a genius.When it comes to sports and choosing their favourite players.. They know it all.. speaks of the clarity of their thoughts and minds.

In our times I still remember we were asked to read books to improve our general awareness and current affairs... Well that's passé. Today awareness of happenings around is a part of learning each day.

When it comes to the most common question of..What do they want to become when they grow up

They have the answers ready at the tip of their tongues ... Of course the credit goes to the exposure they get at such an early age of all kinds through media, televisions, newspapers and so on.

Children ask dozens of questions whole day long, while at play, while travelling, while watching tv, even when told a story... Anything that catches their attention.. They don't wanna just let it go ... Their ability to not give up until answered is like a hungry mind wanting to learn so much more.

This is the generation which has the potential plus the preferences so as to speak what interests them and what not. They can clearly differentiate their likes and dislikes. I still remember whenever we had a choice to pick from ... I always got confused and went by what parents decided for me.. and it always felt right and convenient.

Starting from what clothes to wear, what to eat, what toys and presents to buy plus birthday themes and who to invite ... The list is endless but their choices are firm and they are well aware of their wants.

The most amazing was the Swacchata Abhiyan run by PM Mr. Modi ... The celebrities did it for the cameras but our kids followed it with the true spirit and spoke of it openly and questioned fearlessly when saw someone not abiding by it.

A child's viewpoint should never be disheartened or suppressed.. Let their ideas flow.. as restricting them would give birth to fear and failure, which are the biggest obstacles on the road to success.
Give them a chance to do it their way, freedom brings in peace and ability to perform the best...

Questioning is the best form of learning... To be able to question correctly .. one must be able to comprehend and think beyond whats been told... It's a clear indication that a child's mind is curious and is eager to learn ... Never set a limit to a learning.. It's always hungry for more.

They have the courage, they have the brains, they have the voice... All we as parents and teachers need to do is ...instill the values that can bring the real revolution in our society in the times to come. We play the most vital role in exposing them to as much knowledge as we could and answer their queries appropriately for them to reason out and think differently.

They have the mind we need to feed them with knowledge, they have the ability to learn and grasp ... We need to ensure we set the right examples, they have the dreams to make big... We need to let a helping hand for them to reach it.

Are you raising a helpless or an independent child?

Times have changed and so are the ways of Parenting. Thanks to the fast paced life especially in metros...where youngsters look for all the reasons to escape from Marriage. Even when they are finally tied into this relationship with the pressures from friends and family ....they run away from the responsibility of becoming parents and avoid it as long as they can until they again fall prey to the pressures of family and society.

Due to the changing lifestyle, Most of the couples choose to become parents at a later stage and at times with difficulty too... That's one reason they become so protective and sensitive that they don't even realize when they start shielding their kids. They become so habitual of restricting their kids and impose their ways of doing things that they do more harm than good by not allowing child to function independently.



Parents unknowingly get into the way of anything and everything that leads to a child's growth...be it social skills, his creativity or his self confidence.

Is that what we call overprotective or hypersensitive parents ?
Well, we all love and care about our kids...and panic too when the situation calls for but there are many parents who want to protect their kids even when there is no harm around... What I am trying to say is for instance if a kid is playing in a ground ...they are repeatedly instructed not to play in the sand, not to get dirty, not to get hurt and so on.... Enforcing too many No's & Don't's lead to overprotection and hampers childs confidence to be able to do anything by himself. Such parents constantly shadow their kids and direct their behaviour so much so that they end up deciding their friends too.

Isn't falling n getting little bruises a part of growing up ?...

Where are the days when our parents let us free in the fields and brought us up rough & tough.



It's not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings. Ann Landers 
Over concerned parents diminish the child's growth mentally, which in turn effects their thinking and decision Making abilities.

Then what's the right way to do it ?

The best way to see your kids learn and grow is to let them free... More than anything else they want a go-ahead to try different challenges in day today life... Nothing is more thrilling for them to be able to do things they see others do with ease.. Our mere presence for them is the assurance as well a protection that they need from parents.

World is a scary place to be and how can we let these little kids be on their own?
The best way to deal with all your worries as a parent is to make your kid aware of the little realities of life...and educate them of what can help them in situations that are not so safe as home.



I made my four years old remember my mobile number by letting him dial through the landline and spoke to him for fun. But I had never imagined this fun would one day turn out to be the biggest learning for him ...

It was a sunday evening, I decided to take my son to a near by mall... While returning as we stepped out, he lost my sight watching other kids play and was in complete distress as he couldn't place me anywhere ...I also walked ahead thinking he is right behind me. Just after few steps I turned to hold his hands as I was nearing the main road ...I was taken aback when I didn't see him around... I ran back in a flash looking out for him, when I get a call on my phone... Usually I don't pick unknown numbers ... N especially in a rush I didn't want to but something clicked and I answered the call....to my surprise a man called saying are you ronnie's mother?...he is with me.

Totally baffled I rushed back in haste and spotted my son wailing out of anxiety ...I immediately held him n broke down in tears ... Though I quickly regained my composer to calm him down and took a sigh of relief.

This unanticipated episode not just left me perplexed but was also an awakening call for me. The thought what if he didn't know my number kept reminding me how I needed to make conscious effort of making my child independent. I couldn't have been more proud of my little baby's presence of mind and brave act.. He not only remembered my number but also had the courage to walk up to someone and ask for help in a situation of distress ...

This was the day when I realised kids are smarter than we think... Many times we make a mistake of treating them like kids and don't pay attention to their thoughts and ideas but not to forget they are young minds of 21st century who can give a run for money to many people with their sharp brains.




We must share all important information to make them aware of what can happen and how can they safe guard themselves.

We can't be with and around them 24/7 ..its always advisable to share with them what if something unexpected happens ... How can they deal with it or seek someone's help. Make them aware of the surroundings, the names of the places, your address, the route back home from near by places ect. Kids remeber what they are told, the general talks we share while travelling or at home can lead them to learn many facts of life.



Age is no bar for knowledge and learning. In fact kids learn faster than adults and moreover some of the greatest learnings have not been taught in school but were the mistakes made by few. The most important thing that we as parents can give our kids would be the freedom to think, act and speak.

This leads to kids being more responsible and confident in situations as they know they are not helpless...