Kid is the New Parent

Most people, as in old souls, tend to suggest that technology makes Generation Z unfit, but I’ve got quite a few examples as to prove that theory false. My iPad makes me walk one step from where I was so it can connect to the internet, the chargers seem to excessively like the embrace of the ground and phones enjoy playing hide and seek, and don’t get me started onto printers and their nuisance.

Age is seldom a factor when it comes to logical thinking. However, when one is in authority, this thought slips our minds. Similarly, another thought escapes us, which is that one’s age is also seldom a factor when it comes to making mistakes. And lastly another thing, age is also seldom a factor when it comes to boredom. Because, from what I’ve collected from my observation, all parents have been in a situation where their kid seems to be narrating a never-ending tale.

If there is one thing in the world that does not have a logical or scientific explanation, it is the parent’s tendency to lecture their kids. Alright, so what great joy do you derive from wasting your sweet thirty minutes and breath on something that the listener (if they’re even listening) would forget in mere seconds after your departure from the venue? Every time you drop your word-bombs in the colony, they’re going to have less of an effect that they did the last time. People will stop running out of their houses to see what has happened and eventually, they’re going to completely ignore the fact that there is an explosion outside. Lecturing, in short makes no sense, because telling a kid of a hundred things they did wrong or they should be doing or they could be doing in a matter of minutes is a useless, unnecessary and hopeless procedure. I get it, you’re beyond frustrated, the brats just don’t listen, you can’t hit them, nor can you scold them. What’s the fun…er…I mean, what to do?

Trust is a major factor in parenting. Basically, trust is like holding a hot candle, you can either hold it without fearing or you can be super scared and leave it be. There’s just no middle road, it’s either extreme trust or extreme suspicion. Indeed there’s not a middle road, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make and spade one out using your tar and asphalt. It takes time, it is hard and it’s boring, but when you reach the destination, it’ll all be worth the effort. Fearing the candle doesn’t mean you can’t use a candleholder for the same.

Trust is something incredibly complex, and mending someone’s trust is one of the hardest things to do. Having it itself is something big, but somehow, being the kids, we don’t think of how our actions affect others. For us, trust is hollow, ‘I trust you,’ means no more than a few blank words.

And that’s where you have to prove us wrong. Prove to the kids that they trusting you is a big deal. It matters. That they being worthy of your trust is no less than winning the Nobel prize. And they must not break it. Because as I mentioned in a previous blog, ‘Pieces of porcelain that have once fallen can be very hard to collect.’

Tampering with fire is dangerous but if an early human had not rubbed two of those rocks together I have no idea what we would have cooked today (Eww, broccoli pizza. Wait, even Pizza needs heat. Raw broccoli?!). Taking the middle road doesn’t mean you allow yourself to be blindfolded, and rely simply on a thread of faith to keep you hanging, and nor does it mean you confiscate their devices at 10, give them back at 7, check all their messages, track their calls and interview their friends. Be it child or adult, everyone values their privacy.

The first one will make the child feel too free for their own good- having one’s complete trust may lead them astray onto a wrong road. The second one will make the child feel choked and extremely hurt, because if one’s parents do not have faith in them, who else will? Not to mention if the kid has a talent it will be likely to die soon in the second type, for speaking with experience, I’m often struck with inspiration for writing at odd timings and wee hours, thankfully my parents are highly supportive and I can cultivate my passion. I’m extremely grateful to my parents for being the best in the world.

The middle road means to keep an eye on them, but not too much into their comfort zone. Allowing them their leverage, yet not letting them completely off the hook. Don’t forbid them from entering into the grounds, but put a boundary around the grounds.

So how are lecturing and trust related, you’re probably thinking. Well, they are. Trusting someone is not something that can be done through a lecture or by raising your voice. The loudest of voices may get in the head but only whispers can make their way into the heart. Trusting someone is not a one-way affair, it requires mutual agreement and understanding. And no matter how many people they are or how many fights they had, all of them apparently need to hear is three words, for even the strongest of iron was once simply molten metal. Everyone has that bit of love and warmth in them, and everyone wants to receive the same.

‘I trust you.’

And lastly a message to all the stressed out parents, chill. We’re always going to be on your bums so enjoy while you can. It takes time and patience, but I promise we’re not that bad. At least, I like to think so.

(P.S: My heartfelt thanks to everyone on this beautiful platform for fighting through the exams with me. Rest assured I put your good luck wishes to good use! The exams have now ended and I’m going to chew at your head again. Plus I’m sorry if this post seemed like a lecture to the parents, it’s just that for once I’m in authority, the thought slipped my mind! 🙃 Love you lots, all of you!)

My utmost gratitude and love to those who pressed the blind button underneath. You all are way too sweet and kind towards me.

Lastly, I need your opinion- would you all like a series of such posts based on parenting from a child’s POV? I can chew your head, but it depends on whether or not you want to be lectured 😅

STAY HAPPY FOREVER!