Back to school 2021 - Children lead the way!

Have you ever seen water flow through the crevices of a Dam? Have you ever seen a caged bird rush through an open door to attain soaring heights and experience the flight of freedom?

Water is meant to flow. Birds are meant to fly. And children are meant to explore.

When my 7-year-old daughter didn’t enjoy her remote learning journey, sitting on the backseat of the vehicle of education, it was time to take reins in her own hands, get in the driver’s seat and drive in full speed, back to the school which had given her cherished memories. So, came the new school term, and we took the leap.

The formula – Kids’ resilience + sanitizers, masks and parents’ prayers

Gripped with fear, thousand thoughts and uncertainties, we sent her to school, but not without our repeated warnings, 5 sanitizer bottles, 2 sanitizer wipes, 10 masks and a heartful of prayers. She held my hand and told me – “I am responsible. Don’t worry too much.” With a glistening tear in my eye, I bid her on this uncertain journey she was about to embark upon. But the uncertainty was only in my conscience. For her, this was the most natural thing. I realized that when I went to pick her up. Her scintillating smile was something I hadn’t seen in over a year. This was normal and this was natural. To this day, I keep reminding her – Sanitize Sanitize Sanitize. I’ve told her to take a big bottle of sanitizer and keep it on her desk. We remind her of the responsibilities she carries on her shoulders from time to time. And as parents, that is what we are meant to do. Show the guiding path and hope for our children to see the light.

Fear remains, acceptance of the new normal is the only way!

The pandemic is a way of life now. Each day, we learn to come close to normalcy, while battling the dangers the disease offers. But is there really an escape route? A full proof plan? A solution? Not for now. Yes, vaccination is the closest we have come to combating the evils of this war. But the peril remains.

The occasional dreaded email, mentioning there is a possible covid case or a close contact in your child’s class, is something no parent ever wishes to read. I shiver with the thought. As parents, we want to wrap our children in the cocoon of protection, which we wish could last till eternity. But eventually, each child needs to metamorphose into a beautiful butterfly on their own and find the wind beneath their wings.

So, let the water flow. Let the bird fly. And, let your kids go back-to-school to learn.

A week after sending my daughter, I sent my 2-year-old son back to school. He is my tiger who cannot be caged. And thankfully, he loves the sanitizer!

- By SuperMom Khushi Whabi

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Author profile:

Khushi Whabi is a mother of two adorable kids (7 year old girl, 2 year old boy) and 4 dogs.

An Indian expat, resident of UAE, works as Chief of everything at her family business.