Turning Point


Once upon a time, I was an ever worrying mom. Every March, I was struck with a fever. The school has announced the exam schedule and my head went spinning. How do I prepare Amogha for the final exams? She is still eight. She does not know how to plan. She does not realize how exams have to be taken. So many subjects to cover in such a short time span, how do I get her to be serious?How do I help? While my thoughts were revolving around the exams and planning, Amogha was overjoyed by the thoughts of the much awaited mango season, the vacations, the ice creams.. 


 

There were 30 days for the exams to begin. And the countdown had begun inside me. I decided to be a super mom, and I thought, let me put up the best plan. Let us make the best use of the next 30 days, there should be no last moment preparations, no hurry. I need to come up with a neat schedule for my daughter, plus a revision plan .


I picked up a paper and wrote a schedule for two weeks, feeling much elated, called her. "We have a month for your exams to begin, and here is the plan. We have to be well-prepared and this plan will help you ". She stared at the plan , rolled her eyes and said, I am not going by this plan of yours and walked out of the room.

I sat quietly clueless, also feeling terrible. After all, I want to help her.What is wrong ? 


 

After a couple of minutes, she comes with a sheet of paper and sits beside. And firmly said "this is the plan I want to follow, I want to take this exam very cool and calm so I like to call it "Schedule the Silly" and mamma you have put a plan for 15 days at a stretch and have you thought what if there are guests at home , what is my friends come play with me ,  I cannot follow it well and we have to redo it. Also i like to have enough break in between. Have you not heard of the saying " All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy"

Mamma "I feel the plan must be more flexible.  Look at the plan i want to follow "

 

 

She continued "This plan allows me to study a subject for 5 days and then stop, review what i have achieved and then take the next action. I also want to decide the subject i want to study based on my mood. Also my plan allows me to chose the place of study, for example studying science in front of plants , taking a look at nature and understand science better"

I took a pause. I was totally clueless and at the same time I realized my daughter has given a whole new perspective to the exams and planning.  She wants to take care of her mood , her emotions,  the time constraint, try out a fun way of learning, she has taken care of everything in the plan.

Let's think for a moment, a plan that we plan might work for us, but not for the child. How would it be if we allow the child to plan for himself or herself? It would definitely work the best for them. Why don't we stop advising, planning, lecturing, parenting our kids and allow them to plan for themselves. We take a back seat and just observe. I believe that there is no potential dearth in any kid and every kid is gifted, blessed and smart. Why don't we set the stage for them to discover themselves? Why dont we allow them to try out, fail, learn by their own experiences?

I want to allow my child to discover herself and at the same time I am rediscovering myself. 

I believe, trust, encourage my child, Will you ?

 

Special mention

Thanks to Masti-ki-Paathsala team without whom i would never realize how amazing parenting can be.

To enjoy your parenting journey, join our community-

https://www.facebook.com/Parenting.with.MKP

 






 

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