There was a “Recession” last year.

Everyone panicked. People predicted doomsday and lost hope. Slowly we have stopped talking about it – because now we are talking Swine Flu, Terrorist Attacks, murders of lonely old people.

We live in a world full of media hype. And we get influenced so easily. Just wait for a few days and the media will bombard us with some other sensational news and we will start worrying all over again.

If you wish to inoculate yourself against these repeated attacks, try out the following three medications:

1. Make it a point every day, to speak a kind word and smile at someone new.

2. Pick up a good book and make friends with it.

3. Plant a sapling (it is the right time of the year too), even if it is in a pot in your balcony, and nurture it every day.

These three actions will teach you serenity, patience, delayed gratification, awe of nature, unconditional love. And no Tsunami will take away the joy of life from you.

The “C”

Many of us are uncomfortable with people who are different from us. Children who suffer from developmental or physical disabilities, or who are intellectually challenged, are difficult to understand when you first interact with them. You may have noticed this in your visits to institutions for special children.

What we need to do is to increase our sensitivity to these “differently-abled” persons. Do not show your compassion or pity because they cannot do some of the activities we can. Do not talk about their disability in their presence (they can “hear”, and even if they are deaf, they can understand your body language). Do not presume that you can intrude on their privacy. Show genuine interest in befriending them, and treat them as you would treat any other so-called “normal” child. If you need more learning about their specific disabilities, find out from books, experts, or Banjara, but do not ask questions in their presence. Let them feel that they are no different, for indeed at the emotional level, they aren’t. Thanks.

Encourage Autonomy in Children

Let them make choices : “Do you want to wear a blue shirt, or you prefer the grey one?”

Show Respect for a Child’s Struggle : “Box lids can be stuck very badly. Sometimes tapping it with a spoon on the side helps.”

Don’t Ask Too Many Questions : Instead of “How are you? What did you do? Where is your tiffin?” you may say, “So happy to see you, come, tell me EVERYTHING that happened”

Don’t Rush to Answer Questions : “That’s an interesting question. What do you think?”

Encourage Them to Use Outside Sources : “Did you ask Aunty which book to read?”

Don’t Take Away Hope : “So you’re thinking of trying for a role in the school play. Let’s see what they say.” “You want to ride a bicycle? I’m sure one day you will definitely do it.”

What we can give to our Children

• Listen, Give full attention
• Value their special days (birthdays, etc.)
• Trust them, even if they’ve let you down
• Love+ emotional security = self esteem
• Accept all feelings, Give respect
• Touch, hug, cuddle, hold hands
• Exclusive time (home/ outside)
• Become a child, don’t be an adult
• Remember that they imitate
• Encourage questions, help them explore

These will be permanent assets, and they will not be lost. Be genuinely concerned and interested in them .