Being a student of communication, I have always saluted the aura and genesis of various social networking sites.
It has helped us grow and stay connected with our "missing" friends and family members.
Without mincing words, I acknowledge that it has shrunk the world into the keyboard (rather, the keypad, now).
It has also offered us an opportunity, wherein we can exhibit our talents to the world, become sellers and buyers.
So, whether we have capital for investment or not we can grow and sore high in the sky.
Yet, I want to pause and think about it from a child's perspective.
Consider this, if you are a parent, is it really helping your child grow into a healthy and a mature person? Or are you detaching your child from yourself by continuously suggesting the young mind to get engaged in something creative and explore the world through a tablet, a smartphone or a laptop? Somewhere, we are losing the connect while trying to stay connected.
Is that person our world and our stress buster or the one with whom we are sharing our life and are part of our being and our self? Yes, I don't agree that we are well-connected, share happiness and sorrow of our distant and close relations as well as friends.
But somewhere in the process we are losing those who are sleeping next to us or may be in the adjoining room with their toys and thousands of emotions and dreams.
We learn everyday and this is something which I learnt from my 4 year old daughter.
They need appreciation, your love and your eye contact.
They do not want expensive gifts or toys! Children have a very small world and may be a chance to swing in the park or a chance to watch the rising sun or a starlit night is the most beautiful gift for the day and a week and a month too.
I get flattered when friends of my 9 year old daughter come and say, "Aunty, you play with her? Why?" But at the same time, it deeply hurts me when this crude thought is suddenly highlighted by the child...
why are we so busy and for what? Why do we always sit with our child when they need to study or need to get scolded or disciplined.
Children are very observant, they immediately pick up things from their surroundings and try to imitate.
Be patient, hear their silence and laughter and share what you learnt from your child.
Yes it is certainly a good idea to share your child's progress, awards and outstanding deed over various social networking sites but remember they also need a hug and loving caress.
It transmits your warmth and concern and child is forever connected to you.
In an attempt to get linked to your little ones, try to answer the following questions and judge yourself ( these are both for the working and the non-working parents) 1.
How many of you genuinely spend an hour of happiness and togetherness with your child? 2.
How many of you indulge in creative activities with your child? 3.
How many of you truly sit with your child to study and explore the world from their perspective? 4.
How many of you switch off or put you phone on the silent mode because family time has begun? 5.
How many of you try to make your child understand job is important for the family and family begins with him/her? 6.
How many of you share your childhood stories and tell them you also made mistakes? 7.
How many of you observe the game of your child and show your interest in his/ her attempts to make an improvement? 8.
How many of you read a boring story a hundred times because your child wants it? 9.
How many of you postpone work to evening and play with your kid on a Saturday/ Sunday morning? 10.
How many of you discreetly watch your child while they are enjoying role play games? If you do all the above then there are no more questions and I salute their initiatives but those who do not, please wake up and hear your child's heart and their love songs for you.
Life with social networking will only bloom when you are taking care of your child and teaching him or her the importance of knowing the person sitting beside you.