RAISING children today is no easy task. I don’t have first-hand knowledge, since my two ‘virtual’ children are vodka and cranberry, but I have enough vicarious experience through friends and family to know a thing or two.

The financial burden alone is in-your-face staggering and can become overwhelming if one wants the best for their child. School fees, clothing and not to mention food, especially if the little buggers have an appetite even close to that of mine whilst I was growing up, can easily send one to debtor’s jail. The emotional responsibility is far greater, as many of us have no idea where the ‘Parenting for Dummies’ handbook is located, or would we be willing or able to follow its instructions to the letter since parenting varies depending on the child; the situation and the culture. Tough times parents… I envy thee not! Not to mention the amount of information that these kids have access to nowadays and the handy gadgets that put it at their fingertips.

Gone are the days when we could tell our children about duppies and babies being brought by the stork. They don’t even ask anymore. Half of them are born with in depth sexual know how and the other half can simply Google it. My friend’s five year old daughter called me over to ask me if her father and I were having an affair. We were not, but I was mortified to think that her five year old brain was able to comprehend what that meant to her mom and dad’s relationship. In my limited view of the world in my fifth year of existence, ‘affair’ was somewhere you went and ate popcorn and cotton candy and rode on a Ferris wheel until you threw up.

My only fight at Alpha occurred in 1st form when the teacher asked “Where do babies come from?” and I smartly answered, “they come from Baby Jesus.” That was what my mumma told me. The teacher said yes, but went on to ask another student who gave a more carnal answer and I properly clocked her. For one she was implying that my mom was a liar, and two that my parents were doing “the forbidden act”. I was deeply traumatised and had to have both my parents attend the school and admit to their wrongdoing before me and the guidance counsellor. I have not looked at my angel-like parents the same ever since. These children would laugh hysterically at me if I even mentioned that mush to them.

With all of the ‘intelligence’, attitude and presence of today’s young, you have to sometimes seek refuge in their down time, be it when the little munchkins are asleep or ill. Hopefully not ill and pray to the Lord that you don’t have to take them to The Bustamante Hospital for Children. A wonderful facility and the largest of its kind for children in the Caribbean, but since the advent of the Government’s ‘free’ medical care, the poor nursing staff is so overworked and disgruntled that their attitudes are less than friendly. This ‘attitude’ does not fall shy of the doctors and janitorial staff either. The majority of staff seem to wear a permanent scowl, and the few who try to act concerned are inundated with requests. Parents and guardians now have to stay on the premises and tend to their own children, by way of changing clothes, linens and administering medication because there are just not enough staff members to deal with the flood of sick children. Shaggy, you may have to ‘Dare some hospital staff to care’ at your next concert to raise funds. I still thank them for showing up for work on that salary though, so may God bless them.

Parents continue to have faith and be strong while loving your children, and if you aren’t involved in their lives, find a way to do so now. Live, laugh and love people and remember as ‘prime’ as they may seem, our children need us. Mine are calling right now, I shall return to the counter. Have a great weekend folks.

elvachatalot@yahoo.com

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