Lately, i have been amused by my mundane day to day activities and for some odd reason thought that some of you might be interested in it too! After all, i have a feeling that many of us go through same experiences; although we go through it individually (was that an oxymoron?!)
Anywho, my current issue is raising kids. Last night, i went to the freshman orientation in our public school and listened to the principal advising parents of dos and donts of being a parent in this day and age. I live in a fairly small town in CT famous for its super uber public highschool. I looked around me and found the usual mix of blue blooded anglo americans and chinese, indian, iranian crowd. The principal warned us all of becoming too demanding, expecting too much, asking the kids to take too many honor courses, thus creating anxiety, and pushing our kids towards depression and substance abuse. All i was thinking was that i do not understand the code here. If the kid is happy with regular courses; am i supposed to say ok hon, just be happy? even though i know that the kid can do more? If i expect the kid to take all honors; then, am i pushing it? What if the kid is taking all honors courses; does well, and smokes pot as well? Am i supposed to throw a fit and go bullestic about it? Would an American mom do that? Even though i am familiar with all the literature regarding pot (I do research for a pharmaceutical company) am i suppose to let the kid know about it? The benefits too?! If the kid is doing well in honor courses and smokes pot too; is that ok? If the kid does not want to be a super uber achiever and wants to do regular courses; smoke pot once a week, and go to community college; should i just be happy about it?! What would an American parent do? Are there any other Iranian parents out there who have gone through the same experiences? Apparently, no one around me has a kid who is not a super uber achiever! When it comes to kids; there are not much that people around me share; except for A’s, Ivy-league acceptances; and mega-dollar job offers!
I must be super KHENG for not getting the code here…I dont want to follow the Chinese model. Chinese parents seem to have a total control over their kids’ life. The parents work hard; the kids are going from one extra-curricular activity to another; they are always busy with either music lessons,or karete, or Chinese school, or Kumon. The kids only hang out with other chinese friends. There are no MEHMOONIS, or parties in their houses. Kids never come out to play with other kids. The kids are super uber successful academically. Somehow, i could not do it this way. I am not sure i understand the American way either! American parents dont push as much; but, to me they are all about sports, sweet sixteens, marketing and business degrees and trips to cancun! Somehow, I dont think i can do that either! What is left then?! Where is that happy medium?
