Hey Mums, kids too can teach you some life lessons

It’s little more than a decade since I first became a parent and not more than eight years since I mothered another child.  So far parenting had been an adventurous journey (and  will continue to be); I have enjoyed  embosoming my kids when they were my cute babies,  have  cherished  their little talks and funny antics when they were preschoolers , love  guiding them in their studies and also in  her “troubles”, now that my elder one is already a pre-teen. But as my kids are growing up, I am slowly recognizing that during this whole process of parenting (in which I usually take pride in) its not only me but my kids too are teaching some lessons on life. With their own understanding of things and outlook for life they are molding me also into a better human being as we move forward in this symbiotic relationship.

Here are some of the life lessons which I have learnt from my kids, either just by watching them or talking to them:

Forgive and feel good:  I shout , I lecture, I threaten; that’s another story whenever I do these antics I am filled with remorse and promise myself never to repeat my bad behavior (but promises are meant to be broken, right?)  .  Anyways the point being, although at times I am given the title of “the worst mother ever”, magically, I am their “the best mom ever”, the next minute. Kids  conveniently forgive me for all my reprimands coz deep in their hearts they know how much I love them.

Similarly after their every small tiff, both my kids shake hands and make-up since they know they are indispensable to each other. Even with their friends, they don’t hold a grudge for long. May be that’s the reason they are always so relaxed, calm and full of positive energy.  Such a behavior on their part keeps motivating me to master this life- skill day in and day out.

Life lesson 1: Not to fret and let it go. Life is too short to harbor a grudge. Love unconditionally

Be careful with your words:  My little one once told her friend in the park, “you are an idiot; I won’t play with you anymore.”  Imagine my plight when she put me in a spot in front of her mother whom I was talking to.  Sometimes the situation arises when my kids say something hurtful to others or  even  snap each other by saying “it goes back to you” , whenever  they indulge in name-calling games. This makes me think “from where are they learning such disrespectful tone. Why such wrong words are coming out of their mouths?”

Actually my kids are not to be blamed. The thing is I might be using disrespectful language with them which, in return they just vomit on someone else’s face.  So now I understand that I have to be really careful about what I say since I am the role model for my kids. Though I must say it’s a work in progress but having two kids, whose eyes and ears are constantly on me, keeps reminding me “to behave”.

Here I must add that one should be polite not only to the kids but extend their politeness to friends, family and neighbors too, as eventually it will make us a better person.

Life lesson 2:  Think before you speak lest it might hurt others’ feelings.

Hard work pays, eventually:  Have you observed that our kids do a lot as per their abilities.  For example, a typical routine of my elder one includes waking up early in the morning, getting ready for school and spending half a day there to gain knowledge. Once she is back home; completing her homework, attending dance classes and tuition eat up most of her time. She is a brilliant kid who, to my wonder, remains much composed while carrying out her usual activities.

When my younger one was learning to ride her bicycle, she would fall repeatedly but still remain keen to learn, only to fall again. After many bumps and bruises, her perseverance finally paid off and now she is an adept at cycling.

I continuously watch them working hard towards completing their school work or indulging themselves completely in various co-curricular activities. Each passing day teaches them something new, making them a confident being in the process.

Taking cue from their life, I too am inspired to work diligently to achieve goals of my life.

Life lesson 3: Keep trying till you succeed.

Nurture relationship with real people:  You must have noticed that regardless of nth toys and games you buy for your children, they still want to play with their real-life friends. For my kids, no amount of gadgets and indoor games can beat the fun that they have in the company of their friends .Even on days when her usual friends are not in the park, my younger one will find a kid of her age and after formal introductions starts playing with her new friend. Isn’t it amazing!! Both my kids can spend hours and hours together with their neighborhood friends without getting bored. In the park they will be running around, play on swings and slides or simply chat. Ask them to come home and they will beg “for one more minute”.

Though in a veiled manner, but my kids have taught me how important it is to have good friends in your life, the ones with whom you can share your joys and sorrows. It has been rightly observed that having good friends is a boon as they are the ones who give us the desired company, especially with the emergence of more and more nuclear families.

Life lesson 4:  try to spend less time with my gadgets and be more socially active.

Though I think it’s my prerogative to teach them finer nuances of life but whether it’s learning new things or relearning the old lessons, sometimes I feel it’s my kids who are my teachers in a true sense.