How much do you know your child?

Every parent wanted to be proud of their children. Parents expectations are far more than expected in their child. But sincerely speaking, how many parents know about their child and what are their needs?

To be frank some parents do not know nothing much about their child. Years back, one funny incident in the school where I was working reminded me of this fact. As our cashier was on vacation, I was asked to take over her position until her return.

Àccounts software was already installed in the system. So my duty was just to collect the fees of the students, update in the system and handover the cash to my immediate head by evening ie., before I leave home. Things were going on smoothly, when one day a parent came to pay the fees of his child. As usual my first question was Admission number. Because if we input the admission number of the student we get the the complete information of the student.

He was an Arab parent and he started questioning me after giving the child's name as to why I don't have knowledge about his sons Admission number. So the next question I asked him was which class is he studying in? He lost his control and called his wife to check the details of his son. So this is also a parenr. After he left I really couldn't help laughing.

Now, here comes a bitter experience faced by a 15 year old girl. She is a high school student. Actually this incident is the news highlight in most of the channels at our place. The girls father earns his living by selling drugs. So he is been put behind bars. The father's friends took this as an opportunity and raped the girl several times.

Though aware of this fact, the parents are not ready to complain to the police out of fear. Recently, her teachers noticed her strange behavior and advised her for a counseling section whereby she disclosed the truth. Anyway immediate action was taken against the culprits and the parents. And the child is right now placed in a Child help centre. What kind of parent is this? Imagine the physical and mental trauma faced by the victim. These happenings are in raise nowadays.

Lately I happened to watch a Hindi movie "Taarae Zameen Par". Its an old movie but you will love watching it several times. A real entertaining movie. Infact, a lesson for most parents. Do watch in youtube with your child.

The story is based on bringing up two siblings in the same family. The family consists of a strict father and a supportive mother and two kids whose character are in contrast to each other. The elder one is studious one, very brilliant and a class topper while the younger one is a dull head in studies. But he has a hidden talent which goes unnoticed by his parents and later recognized by one of his teachers.

The younger one who is below 10 years is forced to go to a boarding school despite the child's plea to study well. The new atmosphere makes him more sick but his talent is recognized and appreciated by his teacher, who later personally talks to the parents, especially the father.

Here also, the father fails to understand his son. As a parent let us follow certain things to bring a better son or daughter for tommorow.

• Know your child. Children should be given a little bit of freedom to do as they like, but strictly under your direction. To choose what they need to. To be themselves.

• Focus on what they are interested in rather than forcing them on what they are not interested. Sometimes the children get frustrated.

• Parents should be broad minded to let the child choose a career of his/her own.

• Never give teachers a false picture of your child. But at the same time do not exaggerate much about your child which he or she is unaware of.

• Do not show your frustration in your child's academics. Let your problem or family problem be yours only. Do not keep brooding to your child saying I spent so much for that, so much for this, our house is in loan, our monthly expense is above our reach, so and so. This will only pressurize the child, ultimately affecting the mental health of the growing child.

• Do not compare. This will lead to anger, anguish resulting in hatred towards studies as well as towards society.

• Remember, every child is unique in its own.

Education is not the end. There are people with extra skills for whom education is only a base the rest is there mindset. Give a good citizen to the country through you. Let him see what you are, hear what you sat and learn from you the joy of life. In short, let him see the world through you.