Certainty- Parenting Dilemma

 

 I was watching  Extraction on Netflix. It starred Chris Hemsworth (Thor fame). The scene was that of a young boy who was part of a crime syndicate pointing a gun at Chris Hemsworth. My daughter who was watching it couldn’t understand it.

She was certain that all children know that violence is bad and pointing a gun for a child is a crime. Then why? When she asked me, I tried to explain to her poor conditions of children in some part of the world and tried to explain the concept of extremism. In retrospect, I might have been wrong in doing so. She did not need to know or did she?

There are a couple of aspects of this incident that I want to highlight-

• -         The innocence of a child which does not understand the uncertainties and frustrations of the world.
• -         As a parent, I am certain I am capable of providing a certain environment but I am aware uncertainty is inevitable. Where does that leave us?
• -         What are the skills I need to teach her to deal with uncertainty?

Our children are exposed to almost every kind of sin, thanks to the Internet revolution. As a parent, we are well aware we are as much a part of the problem as a solution. We obviously cannot apply the  same parameters that our parents applied, because they don’t make sense anymore.  

Going back to my observations, there are a couple of things we can prepare our children for:

• Let we acknowledge two important facts. The world is shrinking and our kids are smarter than ever before. We can start by helping them accept and celebrate the differences.
• It is difficult to control the environment but definitely possible to develop their emotional wellbeing to face adversities.
• Resilience, Empathy,  Modesty, kindness, gratitude and wisdom are some qualities we should be looking at our children to have.
• Communication is the key. Keep doors open for communication, even if you don't understand it. 
• Train yourself to unlearn some of the things you have been taught 

Preparation for uncertainty is comparatively easy now.  Covid hasn’t really left anything to the imagination.  Children are aware of the prospect of new normal and as parents we know our capacity, we have been tested.  Our fear of children’s future will never truly leave us. What will help us will certainly is the belief that the future holds promise.