Growing up !

Perhaps its afterall true that child is the father of man (or to extend the idea- daughter is the mother of man / woman) ..

Was just witness to my little one’s first ever Annual day ! The theme music was interpreted in many more ways than one, what with the little ones dancing to the latest “jai ho” or “bum bum bole” or even “nagaada” – all of them superhit blockbusters in their own right.

Perhaps as a first time spectator as a parent, what I was awestruck about was the sheer innocence with which each of them-differently-interpreted and displayed the steps so diligently taught over the last month by the teacher. And more importantly, being oblivious to the fact that each one of them had a different step to dance to!
Talk about non-conformance. Why is it so “just-cute” / “Awesome”?

And why do we, the same parents get horror stricken when the same little one now grown up decides to be an entrepreneur / restaurateur / hair stylist / fashion designing? Why do all careers revolve around ‘hacked-to-style’ medicine/engineering/computer science? Do we as parents reading this blog actually make the attempt to understand our child’s real ability> Isnt elementary / nursery school admission today all about how you hoodwinked your child’s best friend’s parent and secured that coveted admission in that so-called educational institution ? How many of us have the guts (yes, I mean guts) to home-school our kid (yes, time , money and all other resources included). Do we have it in us ourselves to be ‘conformant’ in attitude/body/spirit and therefore imbibe the same in us?

Aren’t each of us conformant to societal pressures / expectations in every respect : right from the expectations of having a child with a unique name. going to the best school that your neighbours haven’t even heard about. To wearing the best shoe prodcured from the grand aunt’s neice’s husband’s inlaws. We have all done these. Or atleast similar roles we have all played / yet to play.

Do we learn to be non-conformant and therefore wane away from the “have-to-be’s” and therefore imbibe minimalism in life and accept things as they are. !? But when. Probably
then when we really ‘grow up’ as mature parents/ adults responsible for societal morals.

Meanwhile, my little one has learnt another Dr DVG’s kagga poems “andhigandhina kelasa” from her inspirational and exceptional grandma..

Perhaps my growing phase starts there :-)