15 days into the new year, and my parenting resolutions went down the drain. With school exams beginning, I promised to stay calm, focus on myself, and project a better personality. Three papers down, and I found myself yelling, maybe even resembling Manjulika from Bhool Bhulaiyaa. I hated myself for losing my calm.
That's when my uncle's words echoed: "Imagine how you were as a kid and set expectations for your child." Reflecting, I realized I was the clingiest, never-letting-my-mom-move-until-my-studies-were-done kind of kid. I got yelled at a lot. It hit me – breaking the cycle is crucial. If it's not something I was proud of as a child, why repeat it now?
Give them space. Let them learn responsibility for their studies. In doing so, I discovered that I, too, can be a responsible parent, focusing on how I conduct myself rather than disrupting their peace of mind. They mirror our actions, and every action molds them.
So, I still hover, worry, and stress, but I keep my emotions in check, letting them find their way around their learning. It's a journey, and I'm learning as much as they are. Here's to growth and breaking the cycles!