Parenting Difference of two Nations.

Today i saw something that pointed out the difference in the parenting style of two nations.

I was sitting on a bench basking in the Sunday morning sun, when a British dad and his son walked by me and the son said he wanted a race.

Dad: Pointing to a tree says,  "Ok, first one to touch the third tree over there wins."
Son: "Ok!"
Dad: "Ok,  on your marks, get set" and before he said go, the son started off.
Dad made him stop and said "No, you started early, your lucky there is no disqualification here,
Let's do it again."
This time he started off correctly but he touched the 2nd tree instead of the 3rd and his dad said assertively but lovingly, "No, I said the third tree!"  By this time he caught up with his son but he didn't stop to let his son get ahead of him, he just went and touched the third tree.
The son lost.. Or did he?

 I was thinking back to a similar scene back home in India,but handled completely differently.
I'm sure many of you would have seen this.

Dad: Ok, first one to touch the third tree over there wins.
Son:Ok
If the kid would have stated prematurely , dad wouldn't have stopped him,he would have let him win and praised him with adulation and kisses saying you're the best.
If he touched the second tree instead of the third he would have let him win and praised him with adulation and kisses saying you're the best.
Even if the dad was ahead , he would let his son pass him to let him win and praised him with adulation and kisses saying you're the best.

In both cases the dad did what he did because he loves his son.

The first dad, in my humble opinion, teaches his son the reality of life , that you have to play by the rules and work towards winning or reaching your goal.

Is the second dad giving him a false expectation as to what it takes to win or is he in fact giving him a high self-confidence and belief in himself that he can win? What do you think?

Lx

Digical Detox

I had to write about today. It's one of the most intense and relaxed days I have had in a long long time. I  treated myself to a Digital and Physical detox.
Stayed away from phone most of the day, well there was a glitch in my watsapp which kind nudged me into the digital detox and let me tell you it was nothing short of exhilarating.
And extended the detox to my diet as well.
Breakfast: Lemon, Maple Syrup and Cayenne pepper along with oats and yoghurt with some cinamon powder and flax seeds.
Lunch: Broccoli , kale , quinoa, avocado and some cherry tomatoes.

Went for a run, and ended up being my best run and then went to the gym for a moderate work out came back showered , had a protein shake for dinner.

And this is where things got interesting. I cleaned up my room to the T. Spic n span, even later approved by my ultra OCD flat mate.

Turned off all the lights, thought they were too bright. Lit the candles all around and placed a big candle by my bedside. Turned  on some smooth and suave Jazz music and ensconced on my bed with a book I had earlier bought and i started reading with the only source of light emanating from the candle. steadily burning and intermittently dancing to the Jazz music. Guess I'm not the only one enjoying the music.

This was such a refreshing change from my usual routine of watching some random and supposedly 'useful/helpful' you tube videos  and intellectually non-stimulating videos on facebook and what not.

I remembered what I was missing. Reading is so much fun and your mind is more engaged.
When you read your mind has to visualise and imagine the  things you are reading but when your watching a video everything is presented to you and you don't have to take the pain to imagine anything, I guess this is the reason your retain more when you read as opposed to watching a video when your  brain doesn't do much work.

So can't stress enough to inculcate the habit of reading. Get those grey matter lighted up and creative juices flowing.

And oh, followed by writing this journal.

Reading and writing is what makes the human species different from all other species. So don't lose this habit. I hope i take my own advice and keep at it.

Peace!

K E Alexander