Lesson from a three-year-old

Poonam Singh Bhimania

NOTHING can best comfort you from chilling winter than a cup of hot tea and cozy blanket.’ Perhaps lying in bed much before naptime was the easiest option available to the family to escape the chilly winter night. The youngest member of the family, my three-year-old child, quickly reached the bed, anticipating quality time with his parents. My husband quickly grabbed the advantage of ‘free time’ and chose to be with his most beloved entity, the mobile phone. In no time, all his senses were engaged in the digital world. 

I was tired of babysitting all through the day. By this time, I needed to relax and yearned to watch TV. Not wanting to watch Peppa Pig or Dora yet again, I also decided to spend time on my phone. 

My son, sitting next to me, examined our actions intently. After a long moment of discomfort, he jumped from the bed to look for something inside his toy box. The cacophony of toys would often distract me which I deliberately ignored. But his desire to find something desperately, forced me to enquire what was he looking for.  ‘My mobile, Mama!’ 

What? Why? I wondered in disbelief. 

Eventually, he hopped onto the bed. ‘I found my mobile.’ Soon, he was chatting on his red plastic phone with his grandparents and cousins. The best was a selfie with us, which could not be saved in his little mobile, but was stored in our memories for life. I was amazed, just sitting there, staring at him and listening to his conversation. His curiosity and creative spark brought back the lost enthusiasm and energy in the room. For a moment, we forgot our gadgets. 

However, the next day I woke up feeling guilty for not providing quality family time to my child that I enjoyed in my childhood. We were born in an era when technology had just reached our doorsteps and the middle class wallets could only afford a black-and-white TV set or a radio. People had time for family, friends, children. I didn’t see my parents chasing any big pleasures of life, they were content with little ones like watching plants grow in the garden, enjoying sun during winter, planning a small picnic to a nearby park, interacting with neighbours, reading books... And, we were happy. Their instincts could easily recognise our feelings.

Maybe we had little which we treasured. How much have we lost to the hectic pace of technology! There are many benefits, of course, but ‘smart’ devices have resulted in a disconnect. Rather than playing and conversing with our children, we provide them devices — more TV, iPads, phones. Technology can simplify their daily activities but can’t teach them human values. I feel obliged to my child whose innocence taught us the biggest lesson. I aspire to spend ample time with him in today’s digital society.