The Single Child
In the past our parents had less money but many kids. Today we have more money and mostly single child. Its ironical but true.
We as parents tend to think simple maths here. Instead of spending on 2 children, we can spend on one the same amount.But we tend to forget that materialistic accomplishment and aspirations are very short-lived and capricious. What remains forever is the emotional acomplishment, the sense of purpose, the livliness of sorrounding. This is something which many a times children with no siblings face. They do have friends in schools and neighbourhood, but there is no sense of belonging there, they may not be able to share their issues at home or something too intimate. They lounge for someone close, someone of their own, of around their age and someone who deeply understand them and their environment in which they breathe in order to discuss the issues they face in life. They need someone close with whom they can fight, but fight with love, becuase they will know, its not going to be a spat for lifetime.
I have come across many kids in my life who had no sibling and I found that many of them had a temprament quite different from other kids with multiple siblings. The single children were many a times introvert, unable to share their wares with other and often lacked interest in life. They needed far more involvement of their parents to do things, which were generally taken up by the other kids (with siblings) easily. These single children mostly have issues in taking decisions as they have always relied on their parents for that, while the other kids have learnt gradually from their siblings so they got to know both sides of the story (what worked and what failed) and had better command over their life.
Though there is a lot more I can write about, but I believe I made the point I was trying to drive. Always remeber that maths doesnt run this way in case of kids. Kids may not go to an International school (if your earnings do not permit), but they can definately be more happy and will have strong bonding for the lifetime, which is far more satisfying that a degree for Harward. After all, in long run, what matters is are you happy or not.
We as parents tend to think simple maths here. Instead of spending on 2 children, we can spend on one the same amount.But we tend to forget that materialistic accomplishment and aspirations are very short-lived and capricious. What remains forever is the emotional acomplishment, the sense of purpose, the livliness of sorrounding. This is something which many a times children with no siblings face. They do have friends in schools and neighbourhood, but there is no sense of belonging there, they may not be able to share their issues at home or something too intimate. They lounge for someone close, someone of their own, of around their age and someone who deeply understand them and their environment in which they breathe in order to discuss the issues they face in life. They need someone close with whom they can fight, but fight with love, becuase they will know, its not going to be a spat for lifetime.
I have come across many kids in my life who had no sibling and I found that many of them had a temprament quite different from other kids with multiple siblings. The single children were many a times introvert, unable to share their wares with other and often lacked interest in life. They needed far more involvement of their parents to do things, which were generally taken up by the other kids (with siblings) easily. These single children mostly have issues in taking decisions as they have always relied on their parents for that, while the other kids have learnt gradually from their siblings so they got to know both sides of the story (what worked and what failed) and had better command over their life.
Though there is a lot more I can write about, but I believe I made the point I was trying to drive. Always remeber that maths doesnt run this way in case of kids. Kids may not go to an International school (if your earnings do not permit), but they can definately be more happy and will have strong bonding for the lifetime, which is far more satisfying that a degree for Harward. After all, in long run, what matters is are you happy or not.
Labels: happiness, love, money, parenting, single child