A Small Shift, A Big Change

Nowadays, kids are really aware of themselves. Not just themselves, but also their surroundings. When I compare this with my generation, or even the generation before that the difference is very clear.

Back then, when our parents asked us to do something, like talking to relatives and attending a family function, we had only two options. Either we resist—say no, cry, or we just agree and do it, at times even if we don’t feel like it. 

But now, kids are different.

They are valuing themselves first, then others. At such a young age, they already know what self-care means. They know where to say yes, where to say no. And more importantly, they are very good at setting boundaries.

I noticed this when I spoke to my cousin. She is just seven years old. We were on a call, and she spoke to me for 15 mins. Then I told her, “Okay, now talk to my mother… you like her so much, no? Please talk to her.”

She just said, “I have already talked so much… maybe I’ll talk after some time… (konjam neram kalichu pesava).

I was like… wow. Just see how she is putting herself first. She is not being rude. She is just saying, “I am tired now, maybe later.” She is taking a stand for herself, setting a position so clearly.

If it was me, or someone from my generation, we would have definitely talked out of compulsion or to be guit free, to preserve the image of Good child.

Another incident made me feel the same.

There is a small girl in my neighborhood. She is very attached to me. One day she came home and was just standing next to me while I was getting ready. I told her, “I’ll just go and change my clothes, I’ll come in two minutes.”

Immediately she said, “I’m also coming,” and followed me.

I told her, “No papa, you can't. Can you please wait outside for two minutes?”

She said okay.

And then she actually stood there. Quietly. For almost five minutes. No knocking, no disturbance. Just waiting, folding her hands.

Just see how things are changing. Kids today not only know how to express their own boundaries, but they also respect others’ boundaries so naturally. It’s not something forced on them, it’s something they understand.

I kind of feel like something is changing. From a generation where everything was about obeying, where we rarely said no, now it’s slowly moving towards understanding personal space and self-awareness.