A little view of my background, I trekked about 6 kilometers occasionally back to the house from school during elementary school. My parents had no means of transportation and did not have much money to give out for transportation. I depended mostly on lifts either when going home or returning and my school uniform was helpful. A good Samaritan plying through the same route would probably pity us since I was a little kid and innocent-looking, especially when it was getting late to resume school. And even when coming back, I either stood at the roadside to beg for lifts or began the long walk home.
But, life in High school in Nigeria is peculiar especially when it is a boarding school. You meet life at its toughness and worst of all, you may have nobody to stand up for you against seniors who are usually wicked and heartless. Life was difficult for me as a junior and for every term when I went home for the break, I resolved not to resume the following term. But like a pregnant woman who has recently delivered and forgets the pangs of the labor room, I find myself back to school despite my previous resolves. I convinced myself that if I was able to complete the Junior section and get to the senior class, I would do whatever it took for me to graduate from the school which became the reality eventually.
As much as the hurdles were daunting and life seemingly unbearable, I appreciated the hardships as they helped to discipline within the context of limited resources. Gradually, I accepted the fact that life was unfair and unbalanced yet, one had the chance of changing one's fortune provided indices like fate, hard work, and luck were to one's advantage. I used to tell myself that my kids would attend a high school boarding and equally experience what I did. My thoughts must have been when I was in high school. I was the young boy who followed his parent to the farm, yet had to face wicked seniors in high school. I wanted my kids to have those exposures and equally be strong enough to face life.
But, on a second tught, do children from well-to-do homes turn out differently, maybe and maybe, not. Now, I've seen quite a handful of children born with silver spoons who do not have an iota of the type of troubles we went through yet, lived life simply and humbly even though a larger percentage of them would rather ride on the advantages of the less privileged.
So, yes, I will give my children the best that would make them comfortable but not too much as to lavish or squander. I would rather ensure discipline and a heart of gratitude is imbibed in them while exposing them both to abundance and intentional lack. I will be quick to rebuke any act of superiority or dominance if expressed by them towards the less privileged. A fair playing ground should be given to all kids within the context of privilege and availability.
Thank you for reading. I would love to have your comments and contributions.
