The Art of Parenting

My elder daughter is now a college freshman. She is studying in one of the top colleges in India with the most brilliant students. Of course, it makes the parents feel proud. It is not easy to make it to these colleges, and it is even more challenging to retain a good standing in these universities.

She is active in her enterpreneurship club, finance club and the model united nations. How much she makes us proud! Supremely thrilled about how she is facing the challenges in her college – Starting from the simple to the complex. She is developing as a complete human with varied interests and skills.

This gives us a lot of joy! Some of these things are not possible unless you are in a college hostel, managing bunch of responsibilities, work, play and extra-curriculars. Yes, I understand everything logically. I know that this is a beautiful opportunity and talent-building time.

But, how can I explain this to my heart which is overflowing with “momma-love”. Every time I go near her room, I miss her so much and I feel like crying. Whenever I think about her during the day, my heart yearns to be near her and hear her say “teenager” things. Even her silence is dearly missed, as sometimes she stays silent but connected. The vacuum a child leaves in a parent’s heart is like a black hole. If you fall into the feeling, you may enter depression. You try to hover around it and avoid this vacuum. Life hits and it is a big damn vacuum sucking machine some days.

This journey of raising strong children is an art for the brave. The weak will never send their kids to develop themselves. With knees shaking, we make certain decisions, facing uncertainty.

This is one of the things about parenting. It is not different from entrepreneurship. Risks, and rewards, uncertainty in every corner. You hope you have given a lot of moral character to the child.

Morally strong children with integrity can face challenges bravely. Challenges develop a human. Your total potential is right out of your comfort zone. For the child, the opportunity holds a lot of merit. For the parent, this is a test of character.

If we had a good college here in the city we live which can help develop an all-rounder, we would be happy for the opportunity. As of now, our kid judged that the outside opportunity provided more chances to develop herself. This, from an unbiased perspective, is true.

Simultaneously loving and letting go is the art of great parenting. Loving with all your heart and trusting with all your heart is the secret ingredient in this recipe called parenting.

One day, the lion will return to its jungle to take the throne as the king. 🙂 With the skills and talents developed, our child will be back with us.

Until then, we will have to see our kid once in few weeks. My husband is the luckier one now as he gets to visit our daughter more often because of work.

However, the wait will be worth it. Her room and our home wait patiently for our little princess to return!

As I search for pictures for this blog, my mind tells me – Don’t do it. You are going to cry. So I listen this time. No picture for now.