This Teacher's Day, meet mothers who thank their little ones for teaching them some great life lessons

The most important thing that my 3-year-old daughter has taught me is to always be inquisitive. Once, I showed her the neighborhood canal and told her that it’s called “nahar” in Hindi. Immediately a question came my way – “Why is it called so, mumma?” I didn’t have an answer. On looking it up, I learned that the roots are actually Arabic as well as Urdu. Also, that Naharu or Nehru is someone who lives near a canal or a river. So much information only because the little one managed to ignite that curiosity in my mind. This is just one such example. My little one’s obstinate obsession with questions helps me in becoming an informed individual, and I can’t thank her enough for so.

Since I have always been a working woman, after becoming a mother, I realized that there is much more to life than just going to office. Through her, I have learned of fear, love and joy in forms I never knew existed. She has taught me to be patient about a messy home and changed plans, and be accommodating of tantrums also. So I thank my 5 month old teacher for helping me become a better version of myself.

The most valued lesson that my 9 year old has taught me is “How not to procrastinate”, especially when it is about a wonderful idea. At such a young age, he exhibits a fine balance between logic and emotions, and inspires me to make strong decisions, staying unattached of these virtues. I have always yearned to lead by example, and my child has taught me how to do so by being the example I follow.

4 years ago, when my daughter, was born, I was faced with the same old societal dilemma – to or not to quit my job. But it was she, who taught me that I can raise a happy child, only if I was a happy woman myself. And it was independence that brought me contentment and happiness. As she grew, I grew as a mother, and she trained me on balancing all the aspects of life with equal panash. She was happy with the limited time I could afford to her, for that was “Kavya-Mumma ka personal time”. It’s not the quantity, but the quality of little things that must be praised, and I know it because my baby taught me so.

She knew how broken I was when her brother left the nest to conquer greater horizons? Shivering at the thought of separating from my child, I cried for hours. He was her beloved brother, they were inseparable. But she was calm, composed. She decided against celebrating her birthday, had impending exams and despite having her heart in pieces, she took them like a champion, came out with flying colors and did me proud. And then she held me tight, as I broke down in our cozy bed. She allowed the tears to slip out, admitted that she too missed her brother. But to brave the little obligations of life, are a must too. I thank my precious daughter for showing me how to carry on with life, even when life isn’t warm and cozy.

Ask any anthropologist and he will tell you how difficult it is for the human body to balance itself on a small surface below our feet with a body length of around 5 feet and a head weighing around 2 kgs wobbing on the body. As per science, getting up and balancing in order to stand on two feet by an infant is one of the greatest marvels of nature. But then nature is much more intelligent than us. It doesn’t give emotions like fear, ego, shame, what-will-people-think, and what-if-I-cannot to the infants and they keep on trying till they succeed. Both my sons, Divyan and Aryan, taught me the same thing – keep hitting hard, shamelessly and stubbornly, till you get what you want; never think what the society and people around may think about you; be yourself come what may; and have a shining smile even if you fall with a thud.

To find utmost happiness in the simplest things in life, is what my children have taught me. From finding rhythm in the noise of a grinding mixer and dance to its beats, to the delight of jumping in the rain, there was so much happiness scattered around, and I have been ignoring them all, till my kids came along and helped me recognize the joy in small things. I cannot thank them enough.

I thank my little one for teaching the biggest life lesson, forgiveness. Like every mother, I regret after I have scolded her, but she surprises me everytime with her natural forgiveness. “It’s ok, we are family”, she says. She holds no grudges against anyone. And with her unconditional love, this little angel has inspired me to become not only a good mom but to be a good human first.

One day, my 6 year old daughter, while helping my mother clean our little Pooja shrine, posed an innocent question – “Who took this picture of Krishna?” My mother told her that it was a painting, inspired by the imagination of the artist. “Maybe he looks completely different and the painter got it wrong. Maybe that’s why he is upset because people are worshiping the wrong photo. And that’s why he is not listening to prayers.” Said my little girl. That day my little girl taught me there’s more to spirituality than our minds can fathom. Pictures and idols cannot contain that.