January 23 2014, Thursday
Contract
Throughout our adult life, we
have all signed various contracts. A contract is a legal document binding the signatories
to a set of terms or agreements. Technically, there is no honour involved
because otherwise, we do not need this legal endorsement. It is pathetic that we
humans are so weak that we ask to have our commitment institutionalized.
Spouses cheat! Employers abuse! Country heads torture! But they have all
pledged publicly that, some with their hand on the Bible, they will honour
their declarations.
The saintliest of all
relationships, parenthood, is never entered into a contract by the parties
concerned, namely the parent and the child. Yet, nothing can sever this blood
relationship, not the law not death!
Parenting is life commitment but before plunging
into this high-risk “career”, candidates are not interviewed. There are no
objective benchmarks or qualifications to meet. Credentials are not verified.
There is no probation period. Neither is there any age requirement. And yet so
many people, even minors rush in to become parents. On the other hand, there are
people with seemingly outstanding
qualifications who hesitate so much and for so long
that they miss the chance to be biological parents.
I rushed in almost four decades ago ignorant of how unfit I
was or how inadequate the objective conditions were. At that time, information
on parenting was minimal and people seemed to accept that problems, big or
small, would resolve themselves. It was by trial and error, by remorse and regrets
that I stumbled
through.
Now that my son is the father of a six-year old girl
and I am grandma, I can see what a huge difference lies between the two
generations in the perception of parenthood. Mine was uncharted with only my passion to
rely on. I succeeded at times but collapsed many times. My son
became a parent after all possible planning had been undertaken. It was an
informed decision he proudly and whole-heartedly honoured.
Having said all these, I feel both proud and privileged to declare
that motherhood is the best blessing of my life while being a teacher the
second.
I rushed in almost four decades ago ignorant of how unfit I
was or how inadequate the objective conditions were. At that time, information
on parenting was minimal and people seemed to accept that problems, big or
small, would resolve themselves. It was by trial and error, by remorse and regrets
that I stumbled
through.
