Saturday, June 16, 2007

Interacting with Youngsters

With the crumbling of joint family concept, interaction between grand parents and grand children is virtually extinct except for occasional visits. Traditions and values used to be handed down and the grand parents also benefited through a sense of usefulness and pride.

Change is natural. No point in regretting over changes that may not be palatable but over which we have no control.

Apart from the joy that one gets from interacting with one's own grandchildren, one more benefit was the opportunity to interact with those other than peers. When we interact with peers, we hardly imbibe anything new and, especially in old age, there is nothing but exchange of unpleasant experiences, complaints and discussion about health problems. This makes us all the more depressing. This I learnt from a young gentleman today though some vague idea was there in me earlier. But he put it more succiently.

Thus, interaction with youngsters is of immense help, in fact eye-opener, in these days of lonliness amidst the concrete jungles. If your grand children are away, interact with other children. Help them with their studies, if possible, without any monetary consideration. Share their interests. Take care of them if their parents are away. Share confidences. More importantly learn from them because their knowledge is fresh.

Ponder...

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