Sabita and her husband have just had a baby girl. The colours of the rainbow seem to have burst into their lives. Holding this precious package in their arms, they feel the weight of responsibility. They want to be the best parents in the world to this novice in the school of life. To be a guide, confidant, mentor and best friend, and at the same time to set boundaries without stifling her natural talents- what an intimidating task! They are overwhelmed with a feeling of inadequacy – how will they learn to be good parents?

The knowledge that parenting comes with no job description and no instruction books, dawns slowly and catches most new parents floundering in a morass of self doubt. All parents have to bungle along, making up rules as they go and hoping for the best at the end of it all. It is a 24 hour job with no day off, and no annual leave. The only saving grace of the parenting deal is that you can’t be fired! All parents struggle along knowing that there is a definite bonus for a job well done. The child that you bring up, guiding him along the uneven paths of childhood and youth, will always be a testimony to your excellent parenting skills.

The biggest stumbling block in parenting is that we seem to have different standards for adults and children. We accept without any argument that adults are individuals, and expect them to have likes and dislikes, to be good at some things and not at others. But we always seem surprised when children fight to be unique individuals with their own tastes, styles, and abilities.

Kahlil Gibran, in “The Prophet” says, ‘Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.’ The realization that you have been blessed with the task of shaping and moulding a brand new human being may be a little daunting. You can only do your best and then be prepared to let your child go and pursue her own destiny.