Love our children
My heart sank as the pictures flashed at me on the front page of today’s the Star . Just a couple of days ago, a similar story was frontpaged in the Star. As I continue to read today’s story in anguish, I start to wonder what has happened to our children, what could have turn them into monsters!
Just yesterday, I overheard my most good-natured 6-year-old pre-schooler telling his 3-year-old brother to "get lost and kick your ass" while they fought for Lightning McQueen. It may be a normal scenario for siblings to fight, but when they start to call names and curse which is so uncalled for, I know that something is obviously wrong. Pressing further, he told me that he has been hearing that from his classmate, whose parents we know very well.
During the last open day at the pre-school, I remembered vividly the teacher told the parents of this boy to observe the punctuality because he is always late for school. I was shocked to hear the reply from the father, "Why do you start the class so early? Can’t you start it an hour later?", right in front of the child. And in a recent party organized by a mutual friend, I was even more shocked to hear what the father said to the son when the son complained that someone has boxed him, "Box that boy back, give him double punch, I will support you."
And on several occasion, I have heard the father insulting and humiliating the maid for a simple mistake and the child slapping the maid and shouting at the poor lady. Monkey see, monkey do. Adults behavior are an example to a child. If a parent acts as a bully, the children will grow up to be such.
In today’s reality, parents are too busy pursuing the material world that they have neglected their children and leave the upbringing of the children to someone else. Our children may have the most expensive toys, wearing designer clothings, going to the best school, it is pointless if they have the lowest class attitude and mentality. Unless we expect to live to a healthy 200 years to be able to provide for our children, we have to prepare them for life on their own.
Love and affection comes in the form of spending quality time with them, reading with them, explaining the concept and facts of real life. Discipline them and correct them from a very young age when they act against social norms and made them understand that these are not acceptable behaviors.
Nurturing our children is about the way we love them, the way we bring them up. A parent’s love is our children’s destiny. It’s the legacy we give them.
Love our children for the way we live today.
