Okay, I am old enough to know that all that happens in movies is not real; but what can I say, for someone who was introduced to the Star TV Network at an impressionable age (ah! the joys of growing up in the 90’s in India); I believe it is okay to pine for some of the things that I have seen time and again in Hollywood movies. Wondering what I am talking about? Here goes –
1)
Backyards
and treehouses
We
have all seen the sprawling homes in Hollywood movies, with backyards that have
a pool and at least one tree with a tree house and sometimes even a hammock!
(Yeah, what bliss!) Even the modest homes are shown to have backyards with at least
a strip of green and the quintessential tree with a tyre hanging from it. Even
if some homes don’t have pools, there is enough space in most homes to have an
inflatable pool for kids to play or at least to have some garden furniture to
sit out in the evenings sipping tea in peace when children can play around
outdoors under the watchful eyes of their mothers. And all this, right in their
own backyard! Living in a metro, and stuck in a high-rise apartment, I really
wish I had that backyard, complete with a hammock to relax in, as I read my
favourite books!
2)
Easier
school life for children
Books
remind me, have you seen how school life for children in these movies is so
much easier than what we had (or have)? The children do not need to wear
uniforms, are not supposed to carry heavy bags full of books for all the
periods that may or may not actually take place any particular day; they are
also not stuck in one classroom from the beginning of the day till they are
saved by the final bell that tells them they can go home now. They have
projects and homework that is much more interesting and way cooler than writing
tables or doing word problems on division. What’s more, they have cool
cafeterias too, unlike the out-house kind of structures most of our schools
have, the ones that sometimes boast of tin roofs and serve only samosas and
chai, as against theirs which serve much more appealing fare! Yeah, growing up
in Mumbai and attending schools and colleges where discipline was of prime
importance, I really wish I had that easy life in school.
3)
Young
children earning their pocket money
Speaking
of easy life, what do you think of young children earning their pocket money? I
feel and have always felt, that it were true in our lives. Since the time I was
younger and dependent on the pocket money my parents gave me, I have always liked
to have money on me, enjoyed the independence it afforded. I also liked to have
a bit of surplus so I could surprise my Mom or my younger brother with some
little trinket, without burning too big a hole in my pocket. And I would have
been really happy to earn some of my own money so I could save even more. Of
course, that was then. Today, as a mother I think earning your own money is
definitely good for children who are old enough. It teaches them responsibility
and the dignity of labour. It also teaches them that independence comes at a
price and makes them understand that there is no “free lunch” in this world. As
someone who will soon start giving pocket money to her little one, I really wish,
I could let him earn some money on his own; not because I want to skimp on paying
him, but because I want him to appreciate the importance of labour.
4)
Little
League/Soccer
Now,
as someone living in a metro, dedicated time for team sports every single day,
is something I desperately wish I could have for my child. Outdoor play is
extremely important and we all know that, but most of our children play either
in the building compound or (as in my case) at home or go on a playdate. How
many of us living in cities really have the luxury of taking our children out
for team sports? I wish there were some team sports my little one could be part
of – not the soccer he plays in the building with four other boys, but the
actual game that is given as much importance by adults as if it were a game
they played themselves – where my child could actually feel important enough
that his team depends on him to hit that goal! Another reason I would want him
to be part of the Little League is that his Dad would actually have the
opportunity to volunteer to coach his team! And the bonding that would create,
would, I am sure, be much greater than the one created by watching IPL games at
home together.
5)
Independence
– accepted and expected!
And
finally, I come to the point that I have come to long for, that is not only
part of the so called Hollywood movie brigade, but also part of the western
culture. And unlike many of my countrymen (or women) I think this is one thing
that is really good in western culture. And I say this as a daughter, as a
woman, as a mother and most importantly as a person. Individual space is
something that everyone wants and needs; and we all need to accept that and
live life expecting to be allowed to be ourselves. I also say this as a mother,
because I believe, coming from a culture where parents forever hold themselves
responsible for their children’s lives, I am afraid to end up pressurizing my
little one too much – to study, to perform to his fullest potential, to follow
the path I choose for him, to take care of me when I am old – I mean, no harm
in hoping he does all that; but I don’t want to pester him by expecting too
much of him!
And that is my list. What do you say, did I miss out on something?
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