Raising a Child

He was all smiles walking into the school gate, with his lunch box hung around his neck and his left hand, holding on to his mum’s. he is three and this was the first time that he had left home to be with other kids in an environment. His father insisted on informal education first before formal education. He said that a child has to learn from his parents before school.

This almost caused a ridge between the two of them. Lisa his mom, wanted him to start as early as nine months but the father rejected the idea. He didn’t want his son to go to a daycare and be influenced by other people. He was of the opinion that the formative stage of a child should be influenced by his parents not others outside.

For this to work out, he had to sacrifice his work for three years. He solely depended on freelancing and was also into tech so it was easier to earn money that could be used by the family. He was also a farmer and because of this, they never lacked food. He cultivated crops and also reared livestock both for sale and for use at home.

Three years passed slowly and Tim was ready to start schooling. Walking in to the school premises, one could see the joy on his face. He couldn’t wait to make new friends. After the registration, he was brought into his classroom and introduced to his new classmates.

“My name is Tim Davids, this is my first time in school, I’m pleased to meet you all. I hope to make great friends and learn alongside you all.” Standing in front of the class, Tim spoke fluently as if he read it from a book. Every one was stunned including the homeroom teacher. They couldn’t believe could be this fluent owing to the fact that he only received informal education and this was his first time in school.

“The three years was worth it after all.” Lisa was all smiles. She had a satisfied look as she saw the surprise on the faces of the principal and the homeroom teacher in charge of Tim’s class. She was happy she listened to her husband.

“He’s so cute and well behaved,” the homeroom teacher nodded. “You can take your seat,” she said to Tim pointing to an empty desk by the corner of the classroom. Lisa left with the principal after she saw her son settle down in his new classroom

“Ma’am your son is cute and adorable. For a child, he’s also well organized, I am sure he’ll grow up to be a perfect gentleman,” the principal said as they walked back to her office.

“That was my husband’s doing,” she said with a smile on her face.

“When he first came up with the idea, I was skeptical and scolded him. It was so intense that it almost caused a quarrel. He never listened to me and never refuted me. He only said ‘this will be beneficial to us in the future’. It wasn’t just talk he even decided to work from home and most of the tutoring was done by him. Seeing his commitment, I had hope that it will work.”

“I didn’t even do much. My husband literally became a teacher for our son. I only contributed a little. He was there, he is a real father.”

“Oh my! Madam you really have a husband. Such men are really hard to come by,” the principal remarked.

“Indeed.” Lisa nodded

“I wish all parents are committed to raising their children as you did. Raising children is a combined effort of both parents not one. Most parents are absent in their children’s lives and are busy with work and wonder why their children turn out differently.”

“You’re right Madam Principal. I have made up my mind, all our children will be raised like this. I believe we can have a better society like this. Though it isn’t easy, but the result is really satisfying,” Lisa said with determination.

“This has to be taught to parents also. They should be there for their children at all time. As a principal, I have seen parents forget their children in school and we have to call them to pick them up. Its disheartening. I’ll reintroduce this method to them in our PTA meeting. Hopefully, there will be parents who will buy the idea.”

“That’ll be a good idea. I have always believed that one shouldn’t bring a person into this world when he/she is not ready to take care and diligently raise him/her. As such if we are not able to raise children, we shouldn’t give birth to them. Raising children is not an easy task and must not be taken lightly.”

“You have broadened my horizon. We are fortunate to have parents like you in this world,” the principal said with all smiles.

Lisa bid the principal farewell and went home. She runs shifts and today happens to be one of her off days. She laid on her bed to get some rest before preparing something for Tim to eat when he returns home.

Word count: 862