Our kids decide.

We are a funny sandwiched generation. We heard an earful from our parents and seldom answered back, and now we hear an earful from our children, and again... seldom answer back. You know what I mean, they are given far more freedom to speak their mind and say what they think and act like they know it all. They certainly believe they do. And it’s for us to get with the times and find a way to live in this new funny new world.

Though, I often wonder about both approaches and which worked ‘better’. Doesn’t the fact that our parents structured and set our routine for us, hold us in good stead now? I certainly remember cribbing to my mother who sent me for touch typing lessons. I clearly remember all the grunting and sulking I did through each and every lesson I attended. But then I was also secretly thrilled when I did well in the exam. And now, every time I sit in front of my keyboard and punch away at the keys with every thought I have with seamless speed I think back to those lessons and just how grateful I am to my mom for making me go.

I teach a few grown up students, doctors, community workers, bankers and such. People from varied field who's parents or grandparents came from India. They grew up in a community where the emphasis was on English, and somewhere learning their mother tongue and cultural heritage was lost. For many, they feel an emptiness inside as a result of this and wish they had done more as child to learn about their roots. But the thing is, as I tell each and everyone of them, it's never too late. We all have our inadequacies and the areas in our lives we wish we could have done more in, but we live in a time where it really is never too late. There are so many resources available to learn that language or find out about where we came from. So to all of them I say, why not just turn up to a lesson, who knows, it could well be the most fulfilling thing you do.