Hectic schedule set for a schoolgoer

umasridharan · Jun 11, 2007

Dear Mothers,
This is the daily schedule of a girl who is just 5 yrs old in my neighborhood.
During holidays she has to wake up by <st1:time minute="30" hour="5">5.30 am</st1:time> in the morning. 6.30 to 7.30 swimming, 8.30 to 12.30 some arts course where they teach her to make dolls, greeting cards and some painting, from <st1:time minute="0" hour="14">2 pm</st1:time> to <st1:time minute="0" hour="15">3 pm</st1:time> key board class, <st1:time minute="0" hour="16">4 pm to 5 pm</st1:time> tennis, <st1:time minute="0" hour="18">6 pm to 7 pm</st1:time> carnatic music. Since the girl is not able behave properly in parties and other dinners, her parents arranged a chef who is working in a five star hotel and their family friend to teach her all the manners, on week ends.

Now the school has reopened. Instead of going to swimming by <st1:time minute="30" hour="6">6.30 am</st1:time> she is going there at <st1:time minute="0" hour="6">6 am</st1:time>. Her school timings are <st1:time minute="30" hour="8">8.30 am to 3 pm.</st1:time> so <st1:time minute="0" hour="16">4 pm to 5 pm</st1:time> is tennis, <st1:time minute="30" hour="17">5.30 pm to 7 pm</st1:time> is tuition and music class on week ends.

<st1lace>Holiday</st1lace> is just like any other day – no fun or play. Instead of going to school, that child went to all the courses available.

Now I’m wondering, where is the time to play, laugh and relax for that child? I remember my child hood days were filled with lots joy and laughter and playing.

Please consider this. Children are children. Let them enjoy their childhood with joy and laughter, not with tension and hectic schedule.

As a mother of 4 year old daughter, I have decided not to put her in any extra curricular activities, excepts if she really develops an interest in any of them.

Regards
Uma

sunitha · Jun 11, 2007

Re: kind attention mothers

Dear Uma,

You have reflected my thoughts beautifully.Here,in the U.S.,I stay in a place where my interaction with Indians is very minimal.Sometimes,my hubby and myself feel that we should be surrounded by our country people,but sometimes,I thank my stars for being in such a place.

The reason is very simple.Whenever there is a get together of our people,all discussion turns towards either visa matters or what each one's child is doing.
Jealousy and envy are the only things that stand out.If one's child is going just to school,well,that does not sound great at all. The child has to go for a number of extra-curricular activities at such a young age,whether the child is interested in it or not.Parents just keep pushing their children to the limits and this shows clearly in the kid's behaviour. I have seen a number of such kids being very aggressive in nature and very very uncontrollable.I really don't think the parents are doing the right thing.

Then there is a question of ego and prestige.If so and so 's kid is doing this,my kid also should do that.There are many times that I have felt the same way after going for such get togethers.I get very disturbed and keep thinking about it for a long time.Then I console myself that what I am doing is right and that I will never push my child to that extent.

It has a lot to do with our mentality.Whether in India or abroad,the present generation Indian parents are the same. Our parents were never like that and it has turned out to be good for us.So,why are we like this?

sudhak90 · Jun 11, 2007

Re: kind attention mothers

hi uma and sunitha i completely agree with you.

children should be given their space to enjoy their childhood as going back is never possible.

times have changed .children are more indoors glued to tv or racing from one coaching/hooby class to another. hooby is a hobby not an academic profession. hope many mothers understand that.

were we jack of all trades in our childhood? don't push your child too far. first get to know what interests the child. then hone their skills. don't train your child in something he does not enjoy just because your friend/neighbour is doing so.let the child be a child play, make a mess etc. and u'll be appalled to see how much the child not only learns ,but also retains what he has learnt.

i live in bangalore and here grief fills me as by ebvening 4 i can see children as young as 5/6 beisng whisked away to tuitions after the long day at school.

whats that tutition? just a repetition of school work.wont the child get bored. hope our education system and attitude changes to one which leaves scope for improvisation.
:2thumbsup:
sudha

umasridharan · Jun 13, 2007

Re: kind attention mothers

sudhak90 said: ↑

hi uma and sunitha i completely agree with you.

children should be given their space to enjoy their childhood as going back is never possible.

times have changed .children are more indoors glued to tv or racing from one coaching/hooby class to another. hooby is a hobby not an academic profession. hope many mothers understand that.

were we jack of all trades in our childhood? don't push your child too far. first get to know what interests the child. then hone their skills. don't train your child in something he does not enjoy just because your friend/neighbour is doing so.let the child be a child play, make a mess etc. and u'll be appalled to see how much the child not only learns ,but also retains what he has learnt.

i live in bangalore and here grief fills me as by ebvening 4 i can see children as young as 5/6 beisng whisked away to tuitions after the long day at school.

whats that tutition? just a repetition of school work.wont the child get bored. hope our education system and attitude changes to one which leaves scope for improvisation.
:2thumbsup:
sudha
Click to expand...

Dear Sunitha and Sudha

I really want to do something to release the poor kids from the clutches of holiday courses, camps and tuitions. why dont we start a campaign against these things. Actually these things are also cruelty against small children.
Regards
Uma:yes:

sunitha · Jun 13, 2007

Re: kind attention mothers

Dear Uma

You know what...everyone knows these things...it is not new at all.Parents will act like they don't know anything about this and will still go ahead and do what they want. How can we educate people who 'act' ignorant? If we prod further,they will ask us to mind our own business...that will only leave us looking dumb:mrgreen: