Roots and Wings By Raksha Bharadia

Ok , with this book I agree to disagree on most of the aspects because we are blessed with "Information" which we know is right and which is endorsed by most of the books written on children. However, I give her (Raksha Bharadia) a thumbs up for doing so much research on this topic and yet cutting down the number of pages to 300+. This is an achievement by itself because there is no 'one' short answer as to "How we need bring up our kids?"

There is always a room for improvement and there is always space for a blunder; we do it occasionally. So read this book with a pinch of salt.

On one hand, Raksha wants to let loose the strings and let kids do what ever they feel like doing and on the other, she explains on how we need to undo the "DO" and that's a little funny aspect of this book. Take for example, she asks parents not to be 'Entertainment Directors' and let them through trial and error figure out the best way of coming out of a problem. No doubt they will figure out some way, but what's the guarantee that its the "Right" way. :)

That's where she falters and according to me, it is "Unacceptable" since she has put so much of effort on the topic. Believe it or not , she has given reference to 100+ books in 300 odd pages and yet the irony is - A contradiction.

One of the most striking errors in the book is "- the Interviews". She has spoken to so many celebrities on how we need to bring up kids and the obvious answer, all of them gave is 'Space' - Give kids the space they want; give them their choice and complement their mistakes by asking them to reason out what went wrong!

This reminds me a quote on the American children -"In the United States today, there is a pervasive tendency to treat children as adults, and adults as children. The options of children are thus steadily expanded, while those of adults are progressively constricted. The result is unruly children and childish adults." ~Thomas Szasz

So all in all, pretty disappointing to me personally. But I thank her for giving some references and books which I always love to have it in my library! Thumbs down but before we wind off , remember this Shloka -

Laalayeth panchavarshani, dashavarshaani taadayeeth |

Praapthethu shodashe varshe, putram mitravad aachareeth ||

Tend to kids with love for first 5 years, mend them for next 10 years and be a friend - A soul for ever from then on!!!