The Grand Home

Pakistan has a culture of breeding joint family structures that are unique probably to the subcontinent only.

Of course most of the people living in the Zoo we call a joint family system yearn to be free and independent and it

takes quite a few decades of experience and experiment before we truly understand the value behind it!

 

I have some very definite opinions about the system and why the

integrity of it should be preserved but today I am writing to talk about

kids and the houses of their Grandparents. This topic came to mind

because just this weekend past I had my niece and nephew camp over at

our place and it was a pleasure. Being the one and only puphoo and the

oldest among my siblings the kids were invited over to spend the weekend with me and my daughter.

My nephew who is seven years of age has been camping over and been our movie buddy since he was four.

However the little one my niece has just turned four and is quite a ferocious character. It was essentially the first

time that both of them were over together.

The one thing that prompted me to write today was how kids who camp over at their grandparents think they have

access to a parallel nirvana worthy universe and the positive role that it can play in their future.

Since my dad was in the army my time at either of my grandparents’ house was infrequent and fraught with the

presence of my parents and a blur of annual holiday activities. On the other hand kids who come and live with their

grandparent’s house for short or long intervals are blessed with the attention of elders who have nothing better to do

but to lavish their progeny with love, attention and lots of positive and constructive advice.

This is something that usually is tougher for parents in general as they have so much going on at all times that

constant and consistent attention is difficult for even the most patient ones to manage.

Grandparents on the other hand have had decades to go over their parenting skills and often at an advanced age

welcome to rectify the mistakes they have made earlier by embracing patience and love and giving freely of what they

have most: time and unconditional love.

The second really awesome advantage that kids have is the

freedom to ask away and wish for whatever they like from their

grandparent’s and aunts and uncles. This they can do without the

formality or good manners instilled in kids that bars them asking

away for anything that catches their fancy from anyone other than

their parents.

During the process they are also exposed to newer ways of

parenting by their aunts and uncles which appear novel to the

camper and makes them more responsive which in turn goes to

making lasting and positive changes to their personality.

It is common for us to, in our ignorance, be upset with various

sections of our family and that often results in us barring our children

from the homes of these beloved relations who can bring diversity

and happiness to the lives of our kids. My advice: don’t do it!

Blood is thicker than water and in the end you will forgive your

beloved for whatever transgression might have transpired between

you. In the meantime your kids can lose out on some precious

memories that is their right. To say nothing of having the chance to

strengthen ties with cousins who can be the best of best friends in

later life.

 

Fight away if you must but let your kids enjoy the perks of being born to the Pakistani way of life!

 

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