(This was published in Parentous)
A few days ago, as mom-in-law had just finished giving my son a bath, I noticed that she had left around 2 mugs of water in the bucket. For my 10 month old, bath time is fun time with splashing, toys and laughter. Usually, even when he’s done with the shower, we play a splashing game with the remaining amount of water. “Pour the little water left in bucket on him mom. He will enjoy!” I suggested.
What my mom-in-law said next gave me the Eureka moment of parenting…
“Using a natural resource more than we need amounts to wastage. We are lucky to be born in a place that isn’t drought affected. Only if we save water today, our son will have water tomorrow.”
Her words kept hovering in my mind for several minutes. As parents we want to provide the best to our children. We strive hard so that our children have everything in sufficient quantities. In this quest to provide the best for our kids, we often mistake abundance for sufficiency. Children too grow up thinking, “It’s OK, our parents can afford anything.” Sometimes this very notion takes them away from a basic lesson in life – Only if we use judiciously and conserve the rest, our future generations will have abundant natural resources...continue reading...
Very nice post with wondeful thoughts- thinking of others & not just about one's own, appreciation & acceptance of views coming from a relatioship traditionally held antagonistic.
ReplyDeleteHi Shaivi, as usual you have worded the mentality of parents perfectly with "In this quest to provide the best for our kids, we often mistake abundance for sufficiency. Children too grow up thinking, “It’s OK, our parents can afford anything.” That's how our children are treated by DISK... from being pampered lavishly ... to spoiled silly. Thank heavens for our parents who use Head and Heart wisely
ReplyDeleteयदी हम नैसर्गिक संपदा का किफायत से उचित उपयोग करेंगे त्ब ही कल को हमारे बच्चों को वो हासिल होगा। बच्चों के लिए सिर्फ पैसे बचाने से कुछ नहीं होगा। यदि उन्हें पीने के लिए पानी ही उपलब्ध नहीं होगा तो वो पैसे का क्या करेंगे? सुंदर प्रस्तुति।
ReplyDeleteNo doubt a person's character is formed mostly at home in the first few years.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said is absolutely correct, we as parents try to give our kids what we couldn't have but forget that giving before time and in excess makes them value less, be it things or relations.
ReplyDeleteHey Shaivi,
ReplyDeleteI think the Parentous link is not correct. Please check. Yes your right, we need to save for them
Thanks Upasana, have corrected the link now.
Delete