My experiences and dialogues with saints and priests have rarely been warm or cordial, thanks to my vocal protest whenever I felt religion overshadowed humanity. So, when I received an invitation to speak at #CMI_Vishwajyothi_Public_School, I hesitated. I hesitated again when the topic assigned was "Sex Education and Sexuality for Adolescents" and "Understanding Learning Differences in Children for Parents." Nevertheless, I agreed because I had nothing at stake, but the young teacher who called me was putting it all at stake, little did she know then! The one-hour drive from home to the school was filled with thoughts and sub-thoughts, and I was at my overthinking best, pondering over what could go wrong. The sprawling open campus was delightful, yet I remained skeptical. The welcoming meditative music that played frequently as a calming tool was refreshing, yet I had my doubts. That was until I was received with a firm and warm handshake by Father Joshy Koottumkal CMI, the Principal of the School. He was the calm in my storm, putting to rest all the apprehensions and the hurt and humiliation I had faced earlier from other religious individuals (thanks to my non-baptized child). Father Joshy was a very calm and composed person who seemed to know exactly what he expected from his students and teachers alike. During the brief time I spent in his office, I noticed a disciplined queue of students from all classes taking turns to show him their leave notes and provide explanations. He spoke softly and gently to each one individually, and despite my desperate attempts to eavesdrop, I couldn't hear their conversations. However, the expressions on the children's faces conveyed the message that they needed to be responsible and accountable for their absence from school. In the afternoon, I witnessed another similar queue of students holding open notebooks. These were the students who had not completed their notes and were now having them checked after completion. I saw vigorous shaking of heads when Father Joshy, tenderly yet assertively, said something while looking at their books. Again, I couldn't hear their conversations despite sitting just two chairs away. This routine was remarkable! I applaud and bow down to schools that take on responsibilities that parents should have been handling. So, dear parents, let's step up and discuss routines at home. #R - Teach children basic responsibility at home. Rules are necessary, but they should be communicated with respect to maintain the relationship. #O - Make conversations at home open and not a one-time affair. Engage in meaningful discussions on various topics rather than just offering advice and philosophical guidance. #U - Understand the uniqueness of your child and don't underestimate their potential based solely on test scores. #T - Time is crucial. Let technology give you more time with your children instead of taking it away. Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks for easier teaching at home for those who need it. #I - Remember that information is not equivalent to intelligence. Emotional intelligence is more crucial. #N - "No" is not a bad word; use it differently as "not now" or sometimes even "never." Introduce the concept of waiting at home. #E - Every experience at home is valuable, and take care of your emotions too. Be the calm in their storm. #S - Schools can only facilitate learning. They are primarily academic institutions. Understand the difference between subjects and skills. Focus on developing skills.
