My Little 'Diplomat'

I am always amazed by the confidence and clarity of thought the new generation displays.  Their confidence stems from the simple reason that they are comfortable in their own skin. My daughter is my first hand experience of this generation.  She hates comparisons (even the hint of it), has a mind of her own and very difficult to be convinced. She is diplomatic too (in her own innocent ways), knows what serves better in a given situation, airing your opinion or keeping your mouth shut, especially when it comes to make her father give in to her demands. 

Last Saturday, She wanted to take our permission to go to local carnival with her uncle and his family. I redirected her query to my husband, because I know he is quite fussy about sending her ‘alone’ with somebody else (whoever that 'somebody else' be, for him it has to be either me or him accompanying her).  She called her papa, who was in office, and asked for his permission to go with his uncle’s family. Obviously, he refused. She very matter of factly conveyed me his decision and said,” we will go together whenever you both have time.” I was little offended by her response. I stopped the work I was doing in kitchen, called her and said, “You know, you are partial. When papa refuses you for something, you accept it so coolly, no tantrums, no ‘tamasha’. As if you fully agree with the reason behind it. Had it been I who refused, you would have pulled the whole house down! Would have howled, heaped blames on me of every kind.” She looked at me, dazed, and went  out of the kitchen. I resumed work with little pang in my heart. After some time, she reappeared, with weapons (read tears) in her eyes, arms folded on her chest defiantly. What she said next, totally knocked me out of my mind for some time, “Mom, You should I appreciate I do that to you. We share a happy space together. With papa, I am always careful because I am afraid of him, because I am never sure about his reaction. With you I share an open relationship, for you have given me that confidence that I can speak anything to you without fear. Yes I throw tantrums, I howl, I do everything I wish because with you, I can be ‘me’. If you want that to be taken away, your wish.” She dashed out leaving me completely speechless. I scratched my mind hard but could not remember if words like relationship, space, confidence ever figured in my vocabulary when I was 10. She is not even 10 and her explanation left my head spinning! 

I didn’t know how should I react, be happy or embrace myself for more difficult times ahead!

Picture taken from:ayushveda.com