How Much is Enough????
When a child is born, it takes the attention of the entire family. In it’s own sweet way, it strengthens bonds, reunites relationships, fills our houses with joy, smiles, laughter, love and tears of gratitude.
Right from the Grandparents, to the Uncles and Aunts to the extended families of Mamas, Chachis, Maasis and the list goes on (especially in case of an Indian family)
The immediate, the easiest and the most common way of expressing love is to bombard the child with gifts and goodies. Well that is fine, it only gets troublesome when it gets too much.
As a result the fridge is overstocked with chocolates and junk food that the doctors have clearly asked the child to stay away from, and houses are filled with toys that the child would play with for just a couple of times.
Much before the little one explores a certain toy and outgrows it over time, there’s another one thrown (well not literally) at him.
I wonder how much of this is enough! I wonder what it does to the thought and behavior of the child. Well; he is bound to cry for the sweets and chocolates stocked, and anyone who stops him, is a sure villian in his eyes. I wonder if he starts expecting life to keep showering him with gifts even if he doesn’t play his part.
I wonder; instead of something materialistic each time, what if the loved one can invest a little time and teach some skills, some sport to the child. If they could teach it to explore nature, to probably tell a joke well; or maybe just read out a story.
Or simply sit down and listen to what the young one has to say. Do we have time for that???
No, I’m not saying to deprive the child of anything at all. What I mean is can we space out our materialistic gifts and rather give the child experiences that makes him wonder about life. Can we be his 4am friend who he can confide in? Can we etch within him good thoughts, attitudes, values that would shape his life forever. Wouldn’t that be a rather long term gift!
Well day in and day out we come across overpampered children, who on growing up fail to carry forward the legacy of their families.
What could be the reason? Could it be this overwhelming lifestyle that we offer them, making them complacent? Well may be, may be not. As a personal opinion I definitely think it is the very reason.
Whatever may be your opinion, yet the question is ” How much is really Enough???”
