The evolution of parenting

My elder son is in 1st grade this year and this will be his 5th year of formal schooling starting from playgroup when he was 2 years old! Kids' schooling is the most essential part of today's parents and well, it has be. We are far more serious than our parents were and tend to get stressed out fast. I remember my mom sending to kindergarten when I was 4 and I always ran back behind her. My parents didn't worry much about it then. I wonder how I would react if my son would do the same now! However, today's schools are more inviting and fun learning types.

The town where we lived had only one English medium school, so we all ended up there. That could have been so easier for our parents. They didn't have to research for the extraordinary schools, their ratings, teachers and what not. Schools back then did what they were supposed to do..impart education and assess at the end of the year. That's all! What we get in schools these days is a lot different. They do many other things other than teaching, so many activities, Olympiads, parents involving stuff, fund raising etc. There is so much competition between schools that leaves parents in dilemma and often wonder if their decision for their kids is the right one.

When I was in, may be, second or third grade, I was used to walk back from my school which was more than 2 kms far. I loved that walk and cherish even now. Me and my friends made stories, picked tamarind from trees, but never felt the fear. Would that be possible now? The insecurity that has crept in our society now always keeps parents in worry mode. I go pick my son who gets dropped by his bus just a 1000ft from my home. Although he tells me that he can walk back alone, I am never at ease. I wonder what memories he is making for life.

Our schooling was totally different and was fun that we will never get to see now. We respected our teachers and not loved them. We used to please our teachers so much that they asked our names and remembered it. When a teacher called by our name in class, we would feel accomplished. Teachers were strict and there were rules to follow. Now, a teacher knows the child on the first day itself. He is welcomed by the teacher in the class and made so comfortable. I never see any kid crying now to be left at school. That's a huge change I see.

We as parents are putting so much of efforts and time on our kids, their home work, play etc. We know what is taught every day in class. We involve so much with their school activities, PTA, we know their teachers well, ask them about kids progress often. We even decide what game he needs to play and for how long. We fetch books for them and know well about their reading ability. We learn new recipes,  think so much on their lunch box. There are numerous blogs and Facebook pages just involving kids friendly recipes and lunch ideas. We plan every detail about them. We are into everything in their life. Sometimes I feel, he doesn't have space at all. My parents never got involved in this detail in my childhood. I went to residential school and they visited me once a month. They didn't know my teachers, what I read and what I played. Yet, at the end, I think I grew pretty well and had good lessons for life.

I think this is the evolution of parenting I see, good or bad is the topic for discussion and debate. I think my parents did the best job, gave just what I needed and made ME be MYSELF. I sometimes put myself under analysis, and try to change as a parent, still I am not that good at handling stress because the world is competitive and we want our kids to outperform in everything :(