When Did my boy grow up???

Shanvy · Oct 18, 2009

Finest Blog of Nov 2009 - Winner!

The other day, my son in one of his outbursts just said that "I am not a child anymore, mom", I know what is wrong and right.(he is going on 12)

And I was left wondering, when did my Boy grow up. it is true as many say, in the eyes of the parent, the kids are always small. the illusion of parenthood i suppose.
I am sure n everyday when our child does something so responsible, matured and
many of us go through this question of what happened to that sweet bundle, who needed me always.:idea

These are few lines I wrote on behalf of both of us for our kids.

On the day you were born,
Our lives were changed in a second,
We still wonder how a small bundle could
Change the world so sweetly.
The love we felt then, has now blossomed and grown
So much that it overflows from our hearts.

You made us look back at our childhood,
Bringing out the child in us sometimes,
You were the reason, for the fresh outlook
On our lives’ priorities

We have had all the fun, the tears and laughter,
Through these years of growing with you,

Time flies away and suddenly you are here
as an adolescent, and we do not know how
to address you, so grown is our sweet bundle of joy,
We love you so much, and will risk even your love for us
To do the right thing for you.

It is not easy for us to stand at a distance and see you
Angry, frustrated or hating the rules and disciplines
That we force on you some times.

We give you guidelines, but will not force you to
Take decisions you are not comfortable.
We want to be there for you cheering silently
while choosing your friends, Your career,
and ways of life giving you the strength,
To be independent, to hold you when you need a hug,
To applaud you when you need cheering,

Though today you may think we are too strict,
Remember we want you to have the inner strength and character,
That will carry you through life’s trials and errors
And mould you into a great human being.

We know, deep down in our heart,
We may also be making mistakes as parents,
Like we did when we were kids,
But we are sure, we will learn and grow
Together with you, hope you understand.

meenakrishnan · Oct 18, 2009

Nice write-up, Shanthy.Beautiful poem!
Yes, kids of 12 feel that they have become adults.You would have read the poem, "Child or adult" by Margaret Lawrence.He is stepping into teenage and wants to be treated like an adult-when we as parents feel that he is still a child.For parents children are always kids however old they are!I have gone through this phase..

manjumnair · Oct 18, 2009

Beautiful write up, shanthi.. :thumbsup

varalotti · Oct 18, 2009

Maybe Veda Vyasan's presence with you after some time has inspired you to write this great poem! ha ha ha

Jokes apart you are right. When our child says "I know what I am doing" we feel hurt though that statement is an indication that the child has grown up and more often an indication that we treat the child still as a three year old.

Throughout the poem I could see the heart of an honest, sincere and a responsible mother. I especially loved the last stanza

We know, deep down in our heart,
We may also be making mistakes as parents,
Like we did when we were kids,
But we are sure, we will learn and grow
Together with you, hope you understand.

Only a very sincere, earnest parent can say "we weill learn and grow together with you"

Great work, Shanthi. I loved it.
sridhar

sreedevikan · Oct 18, 2009

hi shanti
its a great work
loved it like any thing
love sreedevi

asma747 · Oct 18, 2009

Its a great writing. I know the kids after certain age think themself grown up. The words of your poem are clicking in my mind, excellent!
Keep writing and sharing.
Asma

knot2share · Oct 19, 2009

Nice one Shanthi. I too liked the last couple of lines
But we are sure, we will learn and grow
Together with you, hope you understand.

Sriniketan · Oct 19, 2009

You had brought out the exact feelings that go through each and every parent, Shanthi..enjoyed those lines because I am on living in that stage..

sriniketan

Arunarc · Oct 19, 2009

Dear Shanti
What an apt poem for a growing boy.
This poem fits to all those parents who have teen kids...
The last few lines where just awesome..........