My 5 gifts for my kids

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
47
When the time comes, what are the 5 gifts I would want to bestow upon my children for their future? 

This was a surprisingly challenging question to answer; the more I thought about it, the more answers popped up in my head. After going through a whole alphabetical list and crossing off the zebras and zoozoo dolls in the final 'Z' page, this is my choices on what I would want my kids to have.

1. Education and aptitude.
Scary as it is to admit, we live in a land where the less you study, the more you tend to earn because of unsavory means ( cough cough ministers cough cough ). But that is beyond my control. I would want my children to grow up educated and capable of innovative thinking. I would not enforce a profession upon them - their aptitudes and talents as they grow up will determine the direction of their destiny. Whether they choose to be doctors or ninjas, my role is to provide for them and make sure they have an opportunity to reach for the stars, should they choose.


2. Freedom and responsibility.

I'm tired of unwanted, invisible barriers still being an issue in India after all these years. I would want my children to grow up knowing that they have every opportunity to choose for themselves as long as they do no harm to others. They can choose their hobbies, their friends, those they want to keep in their lives and those they feel safer without, their beloved. Of course, the responsibility of their choices and decisions will need to be instilled upon them as well. I think that will be the key between raising a thoughtful child or ending up with a spoiled brat.



3. A happy family life worth emulating.
beagle power

The formative years of a child remain within the house. They will learn to hate, love, care or cheat based on what they see there. That is why the best gift I could give my children would be a house filled with love and laughter, healthy discussions and serenity. 
Oh, and definitely a dog to complete that household!! What better way to combine the gift of selfless love and a sense of responsibility than by a pet dog who will always be there for them and probably teach them more life-lessons than I will!



4. Security  
Being a middle class family, we do go from pay-cheque to pay-cheque, saving a few frugal Gandhi notes every month as we continue to dream bigger dreams. In recent years though, I've really begun to understand the value of long term investment schemes and how they can help us build our castles over time. Providing an ideal balance between security, insurance and long term benefits, they are almost a necessity now for those of us looking to stay ahead of the burgeoning inflation rates and still provide for our children's future.




5. My time

As a doctor, the true curse is always the loss of quality time with my family. It's a compromise I can afford to make for now. But when the time comes, I know I would anyday take a pay cut and spend lesser hours at work rather than miss out on the love and affection that my children and I would get to have. In the end, your children need your presence beside them more than tons of money and an empty seat at the dinner table.
        

This post is a part of the 1001 Gifts Activity by HDFC Life in association with BlogAdda.

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47Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. Superb list, Doc :) The last one is particularly thoughtful :) When you give someone your time, you are gifting a portion of your life to him, right ?

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    1. Thanks Sreeja
      I agree.. the gift of time is one of the best ones we can give. And sadly, that's the one thing that we can't find enough of in today's dog-eat-dog world

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  2. Very good list :) I liked the point about the difference between between raising a thoughtful child or ending up with a spoiled brat. - to instil a sense of responsibility for one's actions is definitely the way to go..

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    1. I think that's where so many parents have gone wrong. They provide enough that their children don't want for anything... but they forget to teach the child to be responsible for their actions.

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  3. Lovely list of gifts for your kids Doc. ATB for the contest :D

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  4. Loved the time factor....I guess the most valuable gift that one could gift to their children would be the time that they could give them letting them know that they are valued to the parents!
    All the best!

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    1. It is Dan. Something so many parents forget while providing things like money and toys.

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  5. This must have been a hard list to come up with I'm sure but all the gifts you've mentioned ate truly treasures!

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    1. Thanks Aditi. When you make a list like this, so many things pop into your head. Its choosing a worthy 5 thats tough.

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  6. Wonderful list!! And these are must give gifts to every child! All the best for the contest, Roshan :)

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  7. Great list. All the best for the contest.

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  8. Good one. Every child deserves these Five. No. 3 & 5 should have topped the list i feel. All the best for the contest, this list must win :)

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    1. Haha... I agree. Should have placed 3 and 5 at the top!

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  9. I have tied and made all efforts that my kids understand and appreciate Values of Life.
    There is no substitute for it.

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  10. What a beautiful list, Roshan. I second each one...and strive to provide it for my son! Thank you for sharing and all the best for the contest!

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  11. Nicely written...

    Arvind Passey
    www.passey.info

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  12. Lovely list there, Roshan! Good luck!

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  13. That's a great list, Roshan. Your kids are blessed already :)

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  14. Excellent Roshan! God bless the family !

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  15. Superb! A great list I must say! Very thoughtful list.

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  16. Agreed a lot of times we plan on giving them the world but these five important things get neglected. A great choice I must say :)

    Richa

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    1. we do aim to make sure they are not wanting anything.. yet, we forget the very basics while fulfilling their dreams

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  17. Good one..difficult but its worth it...and if we can do it then its an achievement in itself (personal goal)

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    1. It is really difficult for us pal.. have no doubt on that.

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  18. Good one..difficult but its worth it...and if we can do it then its an achievement in itself (personal goal)

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  19. Excellent Roshan...!. Though difficult to give Last one...!!

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  20. Give your child happy memories... I guess that is all I'll wish for. I know the rest is also important. But in the process of giving your child security, education, etc.. we fail to give him something to cherish. So, yes, happy memories.

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    1. True... a happy family life and happy memories too.

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  21. Really well said radha!particularly the last part...hav seen examples myself of spoiled brats who stay dat way cos they're jus flooded wit money n no love!!time wit our children is the best gift v can guv them....

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    1. Thanks Laila. We all have seen some really horrible spoiled brats frankly. Just giving children money without any responsibility is one of the biggest crimes some parents do. Scarier still that they use it as a justification.

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  22. my time is so important and the doggy pic is so cute :)
    good luck Roshan. May all ur wishes get fulfilled

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  23. What wonderful gifts you chose for the kids...cant agree more with you on the piece about freedom.. and with freedom comes responsibilities

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    1. Thanks Shiva. I truly feel thats where many have gone wrong... giving freedom without teaching them the cost of their actions.

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  24. just when I thought the next point couldn't hit closer home, you defy it with the next gift. Awesome list..... saving it for repeated reference.

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  25. Thanks Meena... I need to remember it too someday , I guess.

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