First Person
By Vandana Mathur, PhD*
The last one year has been a test of patience with huge uncertainty about travel, school, classes and now the Board exams
When I read the news, ‘ICSE, ISC Board 2021: Exam dates to be out soon’, it was a moment of hope and a moment of relief. Being a mother of a 22-year-old daughter studying in the US, whom I haven’t met for a year, thanks to the pandemic, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster ride. Had to cancel my tickets to visit her in the summer. Also, a mother to a 15-year-old son in grade 10, the last one year has been a test of patience with huge uncertainty about travel, school, classes and now the Board exams. Have been wondering why our Board has been keeping silent when all other Boards have been giving regular updates and eventually announced dates. Our dear Principal has been kind enough to send audio and video messages to keep the connect which I very much appreciate. But with regard to the uncertainty of the academic session, she was as clueless as us!
This academic year has been extremely challenging for most parents. Working from home has been a big shift for parents as well. Along with that having to deal with children being inactive leading to weight gain, dealing with their frustration at not being able to meet friends or play with them, boredom of a monotonous routine, mood swings and too much screen time to only name a few! Online classes were a struggle but we settled with that, the next challenge was the online exams. Good opportunity to drive home a lesson on honesty and integrity to the child I thought, later realised that few parents looked at it that way. Clicking and uploading the papers for submission was an added job, which many kids fumbled with. Not all are so quick and tech-savvy. So, it’s puzzling why the authorities would want to extend an agonising year as this one, adding on to the anxiety and dilemma of the already struggling parents, teachers and obviously the students. Adding to that, the uneasiness about further admissions for Junior College (yes, that happens in Mumbai). While studying for Prelims, I expected my 15-year-old to help in filling out forms for further admission, give the mandatory Math and English exams for entrance & also take out time for ‘interactions’ with Principal, academic co-ordinator and counsellor from prospective schools. A tall order which to my amazement, he met without batting an eyelid.
Have been apprehensive about how they will take things forward in Science without ever having entered a laboratory this academic year. All classes online, including Physical Education!! I have seen him strike Yoga poses or doing the plank in front of the camera. The hilarious part being the action of trying to adjust the camera so the teacher could see him and evaluate!
Not to talk of all the fun things that one awaits in the last year of school- the Teacher’s Day, the Annual Concert, the Sports Day, the Farewell. These are moments to make memories which are cherished lifelong. These kids have missed it all. Probably there were bigger lessons to learn- of focussing on one’s own health and immunity, of strengthening relationships within the home, of sustaining relationships while staying away and most of all, not taking anything for granted! Beyond all this, as a parent I am hopeful that this is the beginning of the end of the academic year and of the pandemic as well!
*Certified Parenting Counsellor and Consulting Nutritionist
Really well written and connects with me .
Thank you !
Succinct and to the point. It strongly resonates with the dilemma and challenges being faced by most parents and children too, thanks to the pandemic. Being a Certified Parenting Counsellor and Consulting Nutritionist Dr Mathur has very sensitively tried to show it’s positive take aways also. Great article.
Thank you so much for your kind words !
Thank you !
Actually this had happenned and all the credits goes to both the parents n the childrens too.Hope this year will be the best for all of us.Amen.
Thank you !
Hats off to you and all the families who were able to adapt, act upon wisely and keep positivity at home during these challenging times. Thank you for sharing the beautiful writeup and motivating me.
Thank you !
Well said and so true…
Thanks !
A succinct write-up that beautifully captured the plethora of experiences and the roller-coaster of emotions that we experienced as parents.
Yes, thank you !
Indeed it was a year full of challenges, and the word sketch of these resonates with most of our lives. I hope we are able to restore normalcy and give our children a normal and stress-free childhood and teenage.
True ! Thanks you.
Well said Vandana👍👍
Thanks !
Vandana, all young mothers could relate to this. Very well expressed ,both from mother’s and children’s stand point.
One has to appreciate the pressure that the teaching fraternity were put under. All of a sudden they had to adapt to teaching in totally a different medium.
All said and done, looking at the bright side, it has opened up avenues for distant learning. You can be graduating from the best institute anywhere in the world.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts !
One thing this pandemic proved children are tougher then we give them credit .Tough job being a parent so much to worry about. Kids are resilient.
Beautiful write up.
Well said, thanks !
Very well written … it felt as if u were writing my life story … happy to know that most of us sailing in the same boat … we will sail through this successfully together . Be strong and be positive !!!
Thank you so much !
A great synopsis of the year gone by and also of children and parents actually learning a lot from the situation caused by the pandemic and rising above the challenges. Beautifully put Vandana!!
Thank You !
Congrats for truthful e pression of a concerned parent. This should bring in more bonding and confidence..
Thank you so much !
Thanks for touching a sensitive subject, it’s more relevant in the the present pandemic times . The lifestyle of all members of family is affected, not only for school going children , education has been re defined for all, till yesterday education also meant spending time in Lab research or developing skills for personability growth on football field. Seeing the present scenario, my fathers words are still resounding in my ears : education is incomplete without hostel life : , however the present times throws opportunities also , so let us be optimistic and have that ‘never say die ‘ attitude !
Thanks for sharing your thoughts !
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Thank you =)
Thank you !
Straight from the 💖
Thank you!