Every day of my life as a parent starts with a long list of things
that my kids are supposed to do and don’t do. The thing that tops the list most
of the time is homework. We can’t ignore the homework.
It has to be done. Few days back my elder one who is in second grade and who
likes to question everything before adhering to it, asked me “Mom,
why are we supposed to do the homework? Why is it important?” I was taken aback. I had never
thought about it. We were given homework and we did it. Of course, the key was
that we were learning from it but that we do even in school, so why homework?
It
took me some time but I realised why we must do the homework. I sat down with
him and explained, “We
must do our homework because it is a part of the overall learning. Learning
doesn’t end in classroom, it is a continuous process. Homework prepares us for
the exam. If we don’t do it, how will we revise everything that we have learnt,
how will we be prepared for the final exam? “
Thankfully
my son understood it and went to study, but as usual he was back with his next
question. He asked, “Mom, do you also do your homework? What is your homework?
When is your exam?”
By
the time he had finished asking his questions, I had already lost my patience
and I told him I will tell him in detail later. But his questions had gotten me
to think. What is my exam? When are my exams? Am I prepared for them?
Just
as I was mulling over these questions, a new campaign from Axis
MF caught my
attention. Some of my friends were talking about it, so I went online and
checked it. It gave me the answer immediately. What can be the biggest exam of
a parent? It will be when my children grow up and they step outside the comfort
of our home. They will take on the world. It will be my responsibility to
fulfil their aspirations, to plan a better future for them. Am I ready for that?
I
don’t know if I am, and I don’t know if I will ever be, but it is my job to
make the process as smooth and as hindrance free as possible. When my kids grow
up, they should have the ability and grit to choose what they want to do.
Nothing should stop them. This will be my exam and I have to be prepared for it.
I have to do my
homework, just like my son. And
one of the first subjects is financial planning. I will start by evaluating Axis
MF’s campaign since they gave me the idea.
And
I urge every parent to get out of their comfort zones. Start communicating with
your children, understand their aspirations and start planning towards
it. It is the need of the hour. You have to start preparing now, for your
children’s future. You have to do
your homework.
