It’s been raining heavily in Goa that has made new changes in one’s daily routine. Life as we all know it is affected. Roads are flooded and the flow of public transport has been affected. Attendance in offices have been affected. Importantly, the schedule of school going children has been affected. Classes have been suspended and children are spending time at home. For many parents it can be a pretty hectic time dealing with kids sitting at home. For many parents in Goa, it is time to try different activities to keep them occupied.
For Vinita Fernandes from Caranzalem, who is a music teacher, there is always a time for music at home. She says, “I have four children. At home, there are several musical instruments. The kids are using their time to learn new music even if it is not part of their regular musical curriculum. They also find Mandala art very therapeutic. These days, they have been reading Enid Blyton. Children being at home gives us more time to read the bible and pray as a family.”
For a mother like Bindya Vaval, it is time to teach her daughter baking. She says, “I have stayed at home and so has my daughter. She has informed me that she wants me to make a cupcake. Otherwise, she also likes to spend her time reading, completing her homework or playing online. My daughter who is in class 6, also likes to play with the pet cat.”
Music seems to play a big role in ensuring that the children stay focused and in line. Fabiola Fernandes from Divar who has two children both girls of 6 and 17 says the older girl Chriselle played the violin, piano and the cello and Lisandra the younger one is learning to play the violin and the keyboard. She taught them and there is always something going on in the house.
Gema Fernandes is very worried about the cancellation of classes. She says there is a possibility it could be cancelled on Tuesday, July 16 too, which could mean the pressure on the teachers would increase. This would result in the teacher rushing through the portion adding the pressure on students. Her children she says were revising their lessons. She says, “I feel relieved that they are at home though I worry about the rush through the portion that will happen.
My kids play chess and several board games which are present at home. They also spend time solving riddles and puzzles. These holidays are precious times that cannot be wasted.”
Sheldon Lobo says his kids were involved in some activity. He says, as a television buff who was addicted to the idiot box, he decided to give it up six years ago. He says, “The kids are always busy. They do their homework or the family organises a movie night.
All of us come together and have fun.”
The family that cooks together certainly stays together. Carol Noronha admits she is not a parent who believed in managing her kids. She says, “I let them be children. It is a bit restrictive though because they can’t go out to play because of the rains. Water borne diseases are rampant so that is a damper on their fun. They build forts with chairs and bed sheets and have fun and yes everyone has suddenly taken an interest in cooking. They make their snacks for themselves. The girls are 10, 8 and 6
years old. They are mama’s little helpers in the kitchen.”
Andrea Crasto has two daughters who she homeschools. She also runs an activity centre which includes after school activities in Margao. She conducts a reading and phonics programme. She also has a book club to encourage reading and a Curious Club to think about science and yes finally a drama programme. She informs her kids were participants in these programmes.
For Livelyn Manuel, it is a slightly easy task having three kids with the eldest being in college and the youngest, a two year old child. She says that the eldest one always went to college and the one in the middle will catch up on his studies or read a book which is not connected to the academic course or play with his baby sister. There are also the pets for entertainment. She says the kids are now waiting to play table tennis and then go for tuition. The evening she says was always interesting.
The younger generation seem prepared to enter the kitchen and learn cooking. Marilyn Moreira has two children. One in class 5 and the elder one in the first year of college. She says, “Both of them go to school and since a holiday was declared it was all very last minute. They are sitting at home and watching some television. My elder daughter plays music and has an exercise schedule in the evening. Then, of course, she goes to the kitchen to try some complicated dishes which are very interesting.
Or they could sit on the couch with or without the tablet. They cannot get out because it is wet.”
It is a continuous battle to ensure the children stay motivated and within the tramlines of good behaviour. For the parents in Goa, it is a battle that is increasingly against the weather.
It looks like this battle will only increase as the years go by.
