Day 33/100
Last year, around this time my son had his computer science exam in school and I remember I was very careful when he used my laptop for practice. I sat near him to make sure that he handles it with utmost care and he too was a bit anxious because he didn’t know how to use the laptop at all. Exactly one year later, the situation has altered to such an extent that my son now makes fun of my knowledge of the computer, urging and teaching me to use shortcut keys for quick completion of tasks. Wow! Welcome to the 'new normal' where all kids worldwide are an expert in technology and it’s myriad ways.
When online classes first began, it was chaos. But as months passed by, we all realized that this is going to remain so better get used to it. And hence gradually, teachers, students and even parents have adapted. I was so anxious in the beginning but now I’m coming to enjoy it. It gives us the time and space to do things in our pace. It makes everyone responsible even though no one is interacting face to face. Exams are held, projects are done, competitions are conducted….everything is in place, but in a virtual world. If this continues, I suppose most parents might opt for this. Yet, two things are a major concern.
i) Children’s eyesight
ii) No outdoor/physical activity
In a course of these nine months, my son has already developed deficiency of vitamin D (which is primarily derived from the sun). Due to lack of this vitamin, he gets aches and pains on his back and he’s just 9. Besides, he already wears glasses so the impact on his eyesight is much more due to long hours of sitting in front of the laptop. But as it is with everything new, pros and cons will be there. Nothing is perfect, isn’t it? Except God’s creation, of course!
So, here we are desperately trying to cope with what has been coined as the 'new normal' and yet waiting for the day when we will get back to the olden times. However, that’s not going to happen sooner. So, until then, stay safe and healthy and continue to be online.
