What kind of a parent are you?

Hey you, why are you stalking me ..., originally uploaded by Dr Sanjay Dhawan.

What would you do?

Give out your index finger and make the child grip it?

Or would you make sure you had a good grip on your child's tender hand, irrespective of the child's grip?

These tiny hands are always curled to hold. This is nature's way of securing them. A tiny infant's grip can be so tight as to require even a strong adult some effort to free themselves. And the hold is completely natural and reflex. The child does not think (s)he has to hold your hand. You simply put your finger to the palm of the child and the fingers curl up into a most endearing and tight grip you are likely to encounter in your life.

But... a child is not strong enough to keep holding on. And may leave your hand when distracted by a sight or even a sound that captures its fancy. And any sight or sound can capture their imagination
And... they let go...

Then there is the parent who holds the child's hand. Tight. Almost too tight. The more the child tries to free the hand held by this parent, the tighter the grip becomes... And the parent KNOWS...

NOT TO LET GO...

It is easy to provide the comfort to the innocence and allow the child to hold on. The result may be tragic at times- in a flash, the child will be carried away by the waves of a tsunami or a flash flood. The waters of time will be relentless. And the child, powerless. The parent... helpless.

It is more difficult to hold on. Sometimes despite the resistance by the struggling child. Gentle. And firm. In a moment of crisis, the parent thinks only of the progeny.

The Father does not let go.

The Mother holds on despite the odds.

The parents gather supernatural powers from the nature to KEEP their child, nature's child, safe.

So, what kind of a parent are you?