Set your child free!!
It’s often observed that many young parents pride themselves when their toddlers use mobile phones and tablets skilfully. Well, this is an area where one needs caution and honestly there is nothing to be really proud about. If the use of screen media remains unchecked, believe me, there will soon be trouble of addiction. The former pride will soon transform into a distressful situation. I’m sure that as parents you wouldn’t want to bring in strain in the lives of your children and yourselves and damage your relationship.
Being a parent is a great responsibility and it is time consuming. There are no guarantees of gratefulness in return but then parenting is not business – it’s all about love.
So, spare your child screen injuries like:
- Dry eyes
- Text-neck and
- The texting thumb
You would probably become a temporary villain!
What a parent needs to never forget is that children are the greatest imitators. When they see their parents engrossed in screen media, they are bound to do the same.
If you want your child to grow up healthy, minus illnesses, then there are some things you need to do.
- Take away that tempting screen and instead take her out to parks.
- Play in the grass with her.
- If there is a sand-pit there, build along with her castles of imagination.
- Don’t just stand and watch her play; become a play partner.
- Sometimes go to the beach and walk bare-foot on the soft sand and collect shells.
- Go to book shops and spend money on books instead of on expensive gadgets.
- Cuddle up with your child in bed with a book in hand and read, read and read. Read stories of love and blessings before she dozes off to sleep so that she may dream of love and smile with joy in her heart.
- On occasions that need gifts to be given, gift her colours to paint her world in hues of imagination.
Believe me, when she grows up, she will thank you for not robbing her of the greatest inherent gift of creativity which would have otherwise got lost in the cluster of mechanics. She will appreciate you allowing her to live and breathe in the joys of nature; and not locking her up behind a mobile phone.
— Ruby Malshe —
She is a lecturer in a Mumbai college. And has written a novel, a book of short stories and a book of poems. She also has a blog ‘Thoughtful Whispers’ where she regularly posts matters of general and spiritual interest which need attention. Ruby is also a motivational speaker and talks on different issues about women, life and children.