Today I welcome, Roshan Radhakrishnan, an Anaesthesiologist by profession, a prolific writer, a published author, a celebrated blogger, a foodie, a dog lover and a very good human being! Roshan has been blogging since 2005 at Godyears and The Appletini. Thank you, Roshan for this thought-provoking piece.
The Three Rs and Two More
They say that we should look to teach our children the three Rs while they are at school – Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic. A cute play on the phonetics of the three words, it does make sense, does it not? But then, what should we aspire to teach them at home if the school teachers get the Wren & Martin grammar books and multiplication tables?
I would like to share with you my views on two more R’s that I feel need to be inculcated into children while they are still at an impressionable age.
I remember an incident where two children were playing catch with a tennis ball within an apartment. The boy was definitely a Type A personality in the making while the girl was just having fun. Frustrated when the girl ‘won’ the catching game, the boy hurled the ball directly at the girl’s face at almost point blank range, striking her hard below the nose. After consoling the crying girl and stopping the bleeding from a chipped tooth, I turned and started admonishing the seven year old boy for what he had intentionally done even as his mother walked into the room. I still remember his answer even today.
“It’s okay. She’s poor. She should get used to getting hit.”
This was an actual answer given to me by a seven year old boy. His mother then went on to berate me, telling me that kids get hurt while playing and if the girl can’t catch the ball, she shouldn’t play with her son. I watched the little girl leave the house crying while the mother mollycoddled her ‘adorable innocent’ child as she told me never to shout at her kid in front of other kids as it made him look bad . As I left the room that day, I realised that two people had learned a lesson- I had learned to mind my own business. The kid, more importantly, had learned that he could get away with hurting others.
The first R I want to stress upon is something that I always felt our Bollywood movies caricatured – righteousness. Teaching children right from wrong when they are still mouldable is crucial to what they will be as they grow up. In time peer pressure, social media, personal experiences and other factors will all have their effect upon them – they need to be able to know where the line is drawn and most importantly, that while their parents love them, condoning their misdeeds is not part of that package. Being privileged is fine… that does not mean that you teach your children that they can do anything and get away with it.
A decade ago, if you had asked me, I would probably have only added that one word to the list. I would have said that teaching your kid to be righteous is your main duty… that he can make a difference in today’s world.
A decade ago, I was a fool.
Being righteous alone will get you destroyed in today’s world. You will be trampled upon by those who choose a different path and unlike in the movies, there will be no six-pack hero riding a motorbike through walls to save you. You do not even have to go looking for evil. Evil is all around us and whichever fork in the road we take, we will be forced to cross paths with one form or the other of it. At that time, being righteous alone may not be enough.
Teach your child to be resilient. I cannot stress this enough.
Don’t hide the brutality of the world from his/her eyes. While innocence is an adorable trait in any person, naivety isn’t. By choosing to protect them, you conversely would be making them lambs walking out into a world filled with wolves in sheep’s clothing. They must realise the dog-eat-dog world they are entering into and develop an inner strength to face injustice head on should when their paths meet. Life is never going to be easy… it helps to have a moral code to follow. But it is also imperative that they have the will power to hang on to those morals when all around them choose an immoral path.
That resilience to stand up for what it right eventually determines the kind of man or woman they will grow up to be.
Do share your views on what Roshan has shared and is there anything else you’d like to add to the list of Rs?
This post is written for the letter ‘R’ for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014.
Lovely post, Roshan!! Given the way things are going on in this world, your two R’s are actually more important than the traditional R’s!!! It’s sad that parents don’t have any qualms about their own children contributing to the existing discrimination in the world. I think you’ve covered it all, but if I had to, I’d add one more R – Respect. For oneself, other creatures, the environment and relationships.
Fab recently posted..Recipe for the Week – Chocolate Babka Muffins (Baking Partners Challenge #21)
More than anything else, I’m a bit disappointed when I see parents of my generation choosing to teach their children that it’s okay to do anything they want and they (the parents) will bail them out should trouble arise.
Yes, I totally agree that Respect too deserves to be taught at that age itself.
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
Very insightful post .. The two modern Rs are very much required along with traditional Rs ..
simple girl recently posted..AtoZchallenge -R for… rezala, roshogolla, rabdi, rashomalai, rosh bora …
I feel that the “modern Rs” are more crucial because they are imbibed at home. The others are part of a teaching curriculum but these two are dependent predominantly on how the child sees his/her parents react.
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
A good set of Rs. Also agree with Fab. Respect is also a very important thing for children to learn. But I believe that whatever we teach them, we need to practice ourselves. Children learn from example.
Suzy recently posted..Life’s Jigsaw – Relationships
True… we need to set an example within the house. Only a house which has love to offer can bestow it upon the child. Same goes for moral values..
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
This is absolutely Relevant to today’s scenario, Roshan. I agree, mere righteousness will get you nowhere. Be Relentless, resilient and Resistant to evil influences. These are things the parents can surely inculcate. I pity the young boy who thought he could get away with anything. Who can you blame though? Obviously the parent, who never thought it right to admonish the child when he did wrong. I am all for positive parenting, but will not stand by and watch my child hurt another, without a reprimand.
Shailaja V recently posted..There’s always a Reason
I personally blame that parent of course because seeing a child bleeding from the face with a broken tooth and choosing to ignore it and pretend nothing happened is criminal in my books. It sets a horrible example for the boy that he can continue to do such things… I was stunned by a kid mocking another child he was playing with for her financial status too.
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
Roshan, I couldn’t agree more with you.
I speak politely with everybody I come in contact with. Some people mistake my politeness for weakness. When such people act funny, it is only a real threat of penalty or retaliation that works!
Proactive Indian recently posted..Reach out
I was always considered a patsy because I was non-confrontational by nature. That worked against me in so many ways. It wasn’t necessary to go seeking someone who would take advantage of u… once u r noted, they will come to u by themselves. And if you haven’t learned to be resilient, You can find yourself in deep trouble very quickly.
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
I can so relate to this post. My parents were over protective. At age 22, when I got married, I thought I knew everything but I was a naive idiot. And when life kicked me, as it does to all of us, I did not know what hit me. Imagine, my parents did not tell me about the demise of my grandpa, thinking I wouldn’t be able to handle it in the midst of exams( was in a hostel).
True. I too was really naive as a teen and in my twenties. But a lot of hard blows did make me see things in a different light and I realised that preparing the future generation requires letting them know that it isn’t gonna always be smooth sailing once they step out into the big bad world.
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
Very thought provoking and important post ! thanks for sharing, as a parent I agree with the two R “s
Thanks Angela. Glad to know that. 😀
Dr Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
The incident you narrated and the behavior of both the child and the mother got me so agitated. Sad but such is the state. I completely agree with your two R’s Roshan, so imp! And yes respect…not just respect your elders but each and every entity of the society. Parents need to inculcate these values from a very young age!
Great post Roshan!
Aditi recently posted..Quinces – the smell of Friendship
True, respect is another R that should be added to this list, I agree. And that role falls upon the parents more than teachers.
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
I have seen something along the same lines…It saddens me that somewhere along the line children nowadays are so curt and parents are equally to blame for this
nabanita recently posted..R is for Ready
parents are definitely to blame here. when children see their parents are okay with something, they will carry on.
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
Great post. I’m not a parent but I teach music privately to children and a lot of the time it’s the parents’ voice I’m hearing from the child’s mouth. A lot are taught that they can do what they want with no regard for others. No heart involved. The other R that needs to be taught is Respect – for themselves and others.
I wonder what happened to the little girl who was hit?
Best wishes
Fil
Fil Campbell recently posted..Rostrevor
i honestly dont know what happened to the girl… her own parents would have probably told her not to fight this family as well. thats just the way things are sadly.
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
You are spot on!! I was horrified by how the mother of the boy handled that situation!! It is deplorable. No one deserves to get used to being hit. That poor little girl. You and I have the right idea about how to raise kids, that is for sure. Kids need to have thought for others. They need to understand what they are facing in the world and how to handle it. Better to be prepared that naive. Great post.
Kathy Combs ( recently posted..R is for Rabbit
I understand how we will naturally be protective when its our child… but there must be a line drawn where the child knows this is wrong and will not be tolerated. Instead if the parents themselves stand by the child after he makes a girl bleed, then I really dont know where we are going as a society.
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
“It’s okay. She’s poor. She should get used to getting hit.” This is shocking and I would slam and slap the boy if it was my son or brother. I wonder what kind of education parents teach their kids and it often reflect on parents’ responsibilities. If this is the kind of education being taught, I pity institutions, including families. Thanks for sharing the brilliant post, Roshan.
I know what I felt at that time when the boy threw it at the girl and I know how stunned I was when the mother reacted as she did.
I wonder what is the point sometimes… are we really teaching the next generation to do anything they want and saying we will save you? Is that the take away message we really want for our children?
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
So true. You can’t help but wonder how many children don’t have the resilience to overcome those negative comments and other obstacles that are put in their way. Teachers definitely play a big role in helping disadvantaged children see that they can do anything, if only they put their minds to it.
Stephanie Faris recently posted..R is for Robes
I shudder to even think of what u said. I mean, I remember this one incident from 3 years ago… the truth is that this must be going on everyday somewhere and always the influential kid gets portrayed in social gatherings and even social media as adorable and cute and what not?
The real true gems are forced to suffer countless indignities… sadly, that is where their resilience may arise from.
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
a post that has nailed it right… I felt that there are better things to teach children than buying them luxurious things which many parents do these days. Also your post shows clearly how much we as elders are responsible for the change.
S(t)ri recently posted..Ride With The Tide – AToZ Challenge 2014 – Day18
Last year, there was an incident in Kerala where a mother put up a video showing off her 9 year old son driving their Ferrari on the road. There were kids nearby and he could easily have run over them had he lost control… instead of being embarrassed by the negative publicity, the mother said her son knew to drive Lambis and Audis since a young age and it was the public who was jealous of his talents who should mind their own business.
I honestly dont know what to say? I just wonder… is it okay then if i were to bring a 9 year old kid I think is talented to an operation theater to perform surgeries too? Where do we draw the line?
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
….. the will power to hang on to those morals when all around them choose an immoral path. – Well said! It’s the need of the hour. As someone has mentioned in comments, we should teach them by being the examples not by preaching. That’e where most of the parents fail. Very insightful writing. Thanks 🙂 Will share it, worth a repeated reading n practice.
Exactly… preaching is never going to be enough. Children learn to love or hate based on what they imbibe from home…
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
A brilliant post, Dr. R. All those high grades in three R’s won’t really mean much if the kids aren’t given a good education in the other two R’s you list here. And may I add another one – Respect, starting with respecting the self and all those kids come in contact with, including people, things, objects, books, classrooms, spaces, pencils, flowers, trees everything.
Thanks Corinne for having Roshan as your guest blogger today.
Just as I am about to close this comment, I thought of another R – Roshni/Light itself…how about helping children move toward the light always 🙂
Beloo Mehra recently posted..R is for Reason
Haha.. RESPECT really is the right one to add to this list as everyone has pointed out. And yes, the other Rs wont matter if the character of the child is lost, isn’t it?
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
This is the forgotten R!
Michelle Liew recently posted..How do you feel about guests?
😀 True that…
Roshan R recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
That resilience to stand up for what it right eventually determines the kind of man or woman they will grow up to be.
Love that last line buddy! It’s true in the world that we live today that’s probably the most important laurel any child can possess. It would make the whole world a better place. THe ability to get along with those who don’t and yet strive forward is key today!
And buddy! I’m coming after you for a guest post next month!
Danny Simon recently posted..R for Respect
sadly more and more families are happy to just let their bank balances determine how much their child can get away with these days.
I agree with you.. getting along is the key and how people do it matters a lot.
Roshan recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
what an inspiring and true post. Inspiring because of the parenting tips guiding us on the right track and true because of the incident.
Thanks for sharing.
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal recently posted..RESILIENT RAG DOLLS
Thanks Inderpreet… hopefully people will be more sensible in raising their kids… can’t imagine a world filled with these kind of parents and children like this.
Roshan recently posted..“Read. Write. Listen. Evolve. Repeat.” – My guest post
Thanks Corinne for putting Roshan on today – I’m a big fan of your writings , so great choice for R:-) So shocking to read about a 7 year old with an attitude like that. Makes me really angry – at the parents .. And totally agree with your two R’ s – I like to think I have implemented that with my kids. To differ right from wrong – and maybe more important: be able to stand with their back straight.
Eli recently posted..R for Rosendal
Thanks Eli… trust me. Noone was more shocked than me that day. Every time I think Ive seen everything, something like this pops up and leaves me stunned.
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Loved the last line, so true !
Thanks for the share !
Ananya Kiran recently posted..RIGHT v/s WRONG
Thanks Ananya 😀
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Two wonderful Rs Roshan,by a really wonderful R (you). What a delight to see you here!
Resilience and righteousness of the right sort must both develop at home. Children often copy what they see at home and believe it as the right thing to do. The foundation for being mean, belittling others and willfully not speaking up – starts growing in the early years. Sad to see parents allowing their children get away with anything. Even worse is allowing economic status discrimination.
Years ago, I remember, while at high school, we went to the movies. We usually bought the second row tickets and we couldn’t afford the balcony ones. One day, a classmate of mine was there with her family – posh people who never dreamed of watching from anywhere but the balcony seats. She spotted me and did not speak. Then, the next day, I remember – when I walked into class, her friends and she made snide remarks. For every little thing, they managed to connect the “poor” status. And you know what? She hasn’t changed at all!
Thank you for a wonderful read, Roshan!
Corinne, a pleasure to see Roshan here!
Vidya Sury recently posted..Rescue Isnât For Sissies by @Guilie73
I totally agree with you.. that foundation on how to behave, what to do in a situation begins early at home. So when you molly cuddle the child too much and let him get away with anything, thats exactly what he will learn…
Sad to hear this kind of cheap comments by children based on money. Really shows absolute lack of culture on the part of the parents, if you ask me.
And I agree on one more thing of course… the third wonderful R, ROSHAN 😀
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
It’s a darn good thing I wasn’t in that classroom, because I seriously would have decked that parent. No kidding.
I guess this is the virtue of homeschooling. I remember meeting a young man who’d been homeschooled all his life, and I was impressed with how respectful and kind he was. Granted, there was an edge of naivete to him, but it was perfectly acceptable and led to an optimism we don’t often see cultivated in children these days. It was that young man who gave me the courage to pull my own son out of a public school when he was learning nothing but poor social behavior. As it turns out, that was the right call. I mean, he burned through half of elementary school in 1.5 years.
Crystal Collier recently posted..True Heroes: R for Radical Red…
Sigh… A part of me wishes somebody would have decked that parent when she was a kid. Maybe then she would have known how to raise a child…
And that’s an interesting insight into home schooling. Never thought of that part – can school itself weigh a child down?
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Great addition of the 2 new R’s Doc!!
I was indignant when I read about that boy’s mother. She is literally breeding a terrorist in her home that way.
A Walk into the Woods recently posted..Ishq waliyan da hoya bura haal
Honestly yes. This is the kind of kid who will treat women as playtoys even when he grows up and destroy lives. That was one of the thoughts that crossed my head as I walked away.
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
First of all, I totally agree with your post and applaud you. One of the trends I have noticed over the past couple decades is raising our children to fear. Fear of rejection and fear of failure which cover a huge range of negative actions. One of the ways this is played out is, as you said, to coddle them, to not allow them to deal with reality. This makes a weak society and that is becoming more evident daily — at least in this country. Bringing back the values we held dear is the only salvation to bring about change.
does fear play a part though? I just naturally assumed that it is was the arrogance of wealth because that was what was conveyed to me by no less than a 7 year old.
But you raise an interesting point… how much does failure or fear of rejection cause the parent to hide the child from real life?
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
I really believe fear is a great motivator. Both resilience and righteousness take strength. In the case you sited regarding the ball, I have seen several like that when the parent will blame the innocent party to avoid any repercussions if it was her child’s fault – fear.
Regarding resilience – as you said – takes inner strength to stand up for what is right or to get up when knocked down. When parents are over protective they don’t give their child the power to fight their own battles. Again, I believe that fear motivates them to protect their child from getting hurt and if mommy is always there to fight your battles…….
Arrogance of wealth is a good point and in my experience I believe this is a form of fear as well. Arrogance is a form of weakness and lack of substance. I have watched a lot of “plastic” people terrified that they might lose their ‘position’ in society and go to great lengths to protect their image – which most people can see right through anyway.
Carol Graham recently posted..Dogs – S is for Sheba on the Yellow Line
I have to agree with that final point and how it links up to what you had mentioned earlier… fear of losing that position in society is a very big “motivator” too, isn’t it?
Have indeed seen the variety of people you are talking about… some of my worst moments in life they were…
Roshan recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Roshan,
I am a mother of two daughters. My older kid is an angel baby, who is now showing signs of turning into a tyrant. The other is a born tyrant. I find it extremely difficult to mould the two remaining R’s into my kids. I have no idea how. I just keep trying and feeling like I have hit a brick wall. If you could give some ideas, I’d be really grateful 🙂
Gauri recently posted..R – Roses on Cakes (A to Z April Blogging Challenge 2014)
Well, I’m hardly the right person to give advice… I can see a dozen moms above me in this comment section who maybe better equipped with answers for this 😀
Anyway, I feel that being stern does play a role during their formative years. Make them know who is the boss when things go out of hand… its tough for mothers having to play bad cop while the dad takes the easy way out and pretends to be the good cop, I realise. But sometimes, its better that the children realise the value at a later date rather than force u into a situation where you may have to defend your child’s actions for something inexcusable.
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
As a parent and as a person, I completely agree with you, Roshan. Three cheers to you!! Trying to teach my kids to be righteous, I often hear it from son; why is it that I can’t do it? How come everyone else’s moms let them do it? How come I don’t get to do it? This is not fair kind of arguments all the time. Now, he is only 10. So, may be I am able to shut him up with my explanation or commands…but won’t be that easy going further I believe.
And a 7 yr old said that? Can’t believe it. And the 2nd R is even more important…
Thank you for introducing Roshan, Corinne!
Found In Folsom recently posted..R for Rum Cake!!!
Thats the saddest part. Children start to compare. And the world isnt as small as it was a generation ago… u literally have the world’s myriad cultures and its many ways right at your fingertips via the media so the comparisons now get more and more diverse and aggrevated… it is barely ever restricted to what the neighbour has anymore, is it?
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
I totally agree and think the two rs should be included in a child\’s education as well as Respect as so many others said. Sad to see that some kids are growing up self absorbed and without empathy for others, thinking they can do and say what they want. It does make you wonder about the future and where it\’s all headed.
I wish it were just “some” kids.. the fact is that more and more kids of the present generation are being this way and its scary. I dont know if it represents a failure on the part of my generation as parents, in the end
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Wow, that is just awful. No empathy on another living thing. There is a saying here in the US, that some people should never be allowed to breed. These are the kind of parents that bring shame to parenting. Being mean at any age is disgraceful whether it is to another person or an animal. Shocking, but I know it happens in every country. The Golden Rule should be taught and by the time someone is 7 they surely should not right from wrong.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted..Eco Friendly and Save Some Money
Haha.. love the saying.. it reminded me of something I had thought of back then. “Making babies should not be a criteria for the right to raise children!”
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
My son (the older one) is always one to stand up for what is right, and he is bullied for it. I continue to tell him that when he is older, he will be prepared for whatever comes his way. I tell him how proud we are of him, for standing up for what he believes in and defending those that are picked on. It’s that age, apparently. At least that’s what the school tells us. It’s tough. Sometimes he is fine and it all rolls off his back and other times, he is so deeply affected. Its in these times that I worry. Thanks for this post.
Cristina recently posted..R is for Rosary
That is something you really have to worry about. Kids being on the edge… wanting to hold onto their morals in a society which shows them over and over that evil and wealth truimphs over righteousness.
Keep reassuring him… not just with stories of good being victorious in the end but how losing isn’t always LOSING. How some defeats need to be taken in his stride without losing faith.
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Your post is truly inspirational and insightful. I can totally connect with the incident you shared here because I see it all the time. Parents of our generation who see themselves as educated, tech savvy and smart think that it is very smart to teach their children to do anything they want because these parents have the clout or social influence to silence or manipulate if their kids get into trouble. Like you have said, it isn’t enough to just teach righteous behavior. It’s equally important for parents to teach resilience.
Swapna Raghu Sanand recently posted..Your Voice, Their World
exactly… its the well to do parents who are actually well educated who seem to have this trait and have passed it on to their children. That’s even more scary… should more emphasis be placed on moral education then?
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
I told you when I first asked you for a guest post, that I should have asked you much earlier, Roshan. Thank you for this wonderful post. The fact that what you, as a ‘non-parent, like me, wrote something that resonated so much with parents, speaks of your insight and wisdom. You know, you’re always welcome to write here again! 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Anything Goes on Sunday 7 : Grace
Pehle ye to khatam hone do! 😀
I’m still replying to comments and thinking it will slow down to a trickle . Instead , they keep adding up every time I go for work and come back…
Still, it was a pleasure to write here. I mean that.
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
This is such a fabulous post, Roshan. We truly need these 2 R’s along with the traditional R’s. It is really sad to see that parents brush the child’s wrong deeds under the carpet or pamper him to no end but would never guide him in the right direction. Such kind of parenting will do so much harm to the child, I wonder when the realization will dawn on them!
Shilpa Garg recently posted..S is to Spice It Up
I’m actually starting to worry about the inverse Shilpa! That the child will forever be protected in a coating of wealth and the safety it offers. Instead, it will be the others who suffer. Yesterday, it was a girl with a broken tooth and bleeding face. What horrors for tomorrow, I shudder to imagine?
Roshan R recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
Wonderful post. Righteousness and resilience–indeed, those two, especially if combined, will make a great human being. Thanks, Corinne, for the love on my post at Vidya’s blog yesterday. Loved seeing you there 🙂
Guilie
Guilie Castillo recently posted..Respect Is Peace (#atozchallenge)
Thanks Guilie… I sincerely believe that this combination will make for a gem of a human being… sadly, its becoming more and more rarer these days…
Roshan recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
So true Roshan!
I see small kids with huge sense of entitlement and wonder – what are the parents teaching their kids? And then I see the parents and mind my own business!
Righteousness and resilience are indeed important lessons we need to teach our children…
fab post Roshan and thank you Corinne for having him over here! 🙂
Haha… i learned that lesson ( to mind my own business ) after getting my hand burnt this way. Now I just walk away… if there’s justice in this world, let it reach them in due time.
Roshan recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
wooow! Realy a seven year old saying this! Its his mom who need sthe whack first
Meena Menon recently posted..The Thinker!
sigh… I can’t hit a woman… but I wish someone senior would have done the same to her. I guess its the same thing- nobody would have shouted at her cos she is ‘priviliged’ whatever that means.
Roshan recently posted..What the 100HappyDays Challenge taught me…
I totally agree to this. I have seen mothers protecting their kids and not reprimanding them unaware of the repercussions of it. They are turning them into villains of future who have no place in kind hearts and may end up isolated in their later lives. I myself have seen a few chauvinists who couldn’t stand me winning the game. Then there were others, who in a game spirit, asked for one more game. I am somebody stands firm for my respect, even more strongly when I feel some sort of suppression. And so what you have said here is a perfect thing. The good has to be stronger than evil. We have to teach resilience!
Shesha Chaturvedi recently posted..Travel
If it were just a need to prove to oneself that one can do better, it is ok. But when the mentality is that the other person should leave the room vanquished one way or the other, it is no longer a game. More importantly, when a child is doing that and the mother feels its ok and even encourages it, it is scary. That kid went to sleep that day thinking theres nothing wrong in hurting a girl and making her bleed.
Thats tough to get over..
roshan recently posted..Indireads anthology – The Long and Short of It
Take a bow, Roshan.
The incident is shocking. I’m more troubled by what the mother did, than what her son did. Because, her son’s mistake is something that can be corrected, if someone actually tells him that he’s wrong, and teaches him righteousness and respect, as you said. But who will teach the mother here ? She should learn first ! Thanks for sharing this here !!
And resilience, yes, we need it more these days. Resilience matched by the integrity to hold on to our values !
Sreeja Praveen recently posted..A to Z Random Post # 21 U – Unusual, though….
Its too late to teach the mother that. Sadly, by now I guess the child has it well ingrained in his head too that money is all that matters… character will be defined by that.
roshan recently posted..Indireads anthology – The Long and Short of It
I am amazed at how that boy reacted. At 7 he’s learnt his ‘place’ in the world and what he can get away with it! But then going by his mums’s reaction I can do away with the surprise. It’s unbelievable!! Oh yes the two R’s you talk about are so important and so necessary to each other. Lovely post Roshan.
Obsessivemom recently posted..V is for Vikram Seth
i guess thats the correct way to say it… he knows his place in the world.
i thought the mom’s takeaway message was unbelievable too. now i realise that many have seen the same too… its the “present day” way of life.
roshan recently posted..Indireads anthology – The Long and Short of It
Really? The girl is poor he actually said that? Not to say it out loud but the sweet mother is primarily to be blamed for this. And yes I believe being resilient is in todays world a worthy addition to every quality.
Richa Singh recently posted..Weight and Watch
Sweet is hardly a word to describe the mother and yes, I too felt the blame lies with the elders. Children will mimic what they hear at home only. And as I mentioned, the child just learned that he can keep on doing it and get away…
Roshan recently posted..Indireads anthology – The Long and Short of It