I often try ignoring the minutest details of what, how, when, where. But my always too-curious mom never lets me out of sight without all details revealed. At that time, I think of those lucky teenagers who don’t need to give explanations round the clock. But at the same time, I feel blessed to have a mom who cares and has time for me despite her hectic schedules.
Kathmandu is getting modernized. Almost all my friends’ parents are working. I believe the same to be with other parents in the city too. What I have come across is that in their busy lives, they cannot give sufficient time to their children. A mother plays a significant role in a teenager’s life because, as believed, she is a built-in versatile all-rounder who can turn out to be anything from a teacher to a friend. Similarly, a father is equally important, as it is generally the ‘dad’ who the children idolize. Furthermore, parents’ counseling, guidance and support are really required as a teenager is said to be living the most vulnerable and crucial stage of his life.
It is logical that parents are ambitious and work hard to make their child’s future better and safer and also so that he need not be left out or insulted for being deprived of any basic facility. And it is also understood that parties and TV soaps act as a medium of escape for them from their tiring and boring life schedules. A commonly heard dialogue in all households is, “All what parents do is for the betterment of the children.”
This is where my question to all working parents with similar mindset fits in. If everything is being done for the child’s future, does that mean their present should go neglected? If your child is found to be doing drugs without your knowledge, isn’t it your fault? To add, would all your hard-earned money be spent in a rehab for your child’s better and safer future?
On the other hand, there are teenagers who don’t communicate with their parents as they are too occupied uploading their recently taken photographs on Facebook and simultaneously downloading the latest songs on their iPods and chatting with their best friends about the newest bikes in town. Mobile phones, PSPs, Xbox, and other kinds of electronics also fit somewhere or the other in their so-called busy lives.
A very disturbing and funny trend exposed is that some teenagers simply do not talk about everything to their willing parents because it is simply not their style statement and just a waste of time! At times, many even lie to their parents to justify their absence from home or school.
A few months back, my friend skipped school and went out to watch some movie, which was rumored to be a big hit, with her friend. When the school officials called her mom at work, my friend had already made her mom believe that she was late to school and was back on her way home, but due to heavy traffic, she got hungry and went to have something at a nearby restaurant. She told me about this the very same day. Strangely, she was not at all guilty about lying to her mom and was sure enough that either of her parents would never find out about it. What is the use of living in a family without transparency, and cheating and lying to your own folks?
In the end, to all parents and my dear teenager friends, I urge you to spend your valuable time as much as possible with each other, and create beautiful memories which you can always treasure, and share with the forthcoming generations. You never know what to expect tomorrow. Your golden moments will always stay with you, whatever may come and go. Welcome this 2011 with a promise to be together at least for two minutes despite your life burdens and tensions!
Therefore, however belated it is: Happy New Year!
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