My daughter was four when I taught her who is allowed to touch her and where.
I already monitor her necklines and hemlines for appropriate levels of modesty.
Never leave her alone in a room even with a close male relative or trusted friend
Inwardly fume when I see the neighbour’s child waiting alone for her school bus next to the security guard’s cabin and add a mental note on yet another ‘not to do’ for my child
Look at even a 7 year old boy with suspicion
Always hold her hand in public and never let her out of my sight - anywhere
Made a research on schools close enough to personally drop and pick up my daugher while still keeping in mind the minimal requirements of education
Even considered home-schooling and weighed security against social isolation in the overall scheme of things
Constantly wonder about her well-being when she is out of my sight and probably colouring butterflies in her drawing book
Thrown cold stares in the direction of waiters or random strangers who act friendly towards her
I have already traded in sanity for a venomous spider’s deathly wait to strike
Now what else can I give up so my child has a reasonable chance of enjoying her childhood and making it to adulthood unscathed?
safety is a big question mark today...for parents of girls the situation is only more complex...
ReplyDeletebut how much caring is too much, dono..
Thank you for the response, Deeps. Yes, parents of girls get pretty much obsessed with the question of safety!
ReplyDeleteGot me all teary eyed in the morning itself! What a heart tugging post this is. And it is as relevant to us adults as it is to our kids. Kyunki Maa Bhi (Kabhi) Beti Thi/Hai (Hoon :P).
ReplyDelete"Even if they are not around physically, they will always be in their children's hearts and when the children really need them, that love manifests as a thought that makes you happy, a solution to whatever problem you are facing, maybe even a flower or butterfly that suddenly makes you smile."
And today it is this post of yours that made me smile, thinking of my dad who passed away ten years ago, but still sends messages like this to let me know he is still holding on tightly to my hand as I navigate a new year in my life. Thank you.