I am always proud of my family as they are generous people and have achieved significant goals in life. However, I would like to share one specific incident when I felt exceptionally proud of my little sister.
It was 2009, when my sister and I were in school. We used to walk to school every day as we enjoyed it and we were accompanied by our friends as well. One morning, we were on our way to school as usual and we were running a bit late. I urged my sister to walk a bit faster but she seemed to stop halfway and started walking in a different direction.
I was startled as she was not responding to me and got worried about her as she quickly ran to the other side of the road. There was a frail elderly person wearing rough clothes sitting on the curb alone. I went ahead to get my sister as we were already late but she insisted on talking to him.
To my astonishment, she greeted him and handed him her lunch box. She was just 7 years old at the time and for her to make such a kind gesture, brought tears to my eyes. My mother always taught us to be benevolent and help the needy. I did not expect that my kid sister would understand that better than most of us and lend a helping hand. I felt very proud of her and when I told my parents about it, they felt the same. My friends and I learned a valuable thing from her that day.
Vocabulary:
- Exceptionally - exceedingly
- Startled - feeling sudden shock
- Frail - weak
- Astonishment - surprise
Part 3 Follow Up - Questions & Answers
1. When would parents feel proud of their children?
Parents feel proud of their kids when they do something good and when they achieve significant goals. These goals can be academic or in sports or in some other area such as arts, music or dance. Getting a job and graduating college are some of the situations when parents feel extremely proud of their kids. Some other situations include parents feeling proud of their toddlers when they complete their meals, running the garden or doing something on their own without any help.
2. Should parents reward their children? Why and how?
Yes, parents should recognise and appreciate their children's accomplishments and efforts. It motivates them to do better and feels like their activities are seen and appreciated. I would say, rewards should be more in the form of praising and telling them how well they have done instead of giving them tangible items as rewards every time.
3. Is it good to reward children too often? Why?
I believe parents rewarding children too often with material things might have a negative effect. As it is a good way to appreciate them, it might otherwise make them do things only for the sake of getting something in return. So, it is best to shower them with just love and recognition instead of offering them gifts as they soon might start demanding for them.
4. On what occasions would adults be proud of themselves?
Adults usually feel proud of themselves when they do well at their jobs and gain recognition for the same. Other situations to feel proud of, include getting a job or promotion, buying something significant, getting married and having kids, helping someone in need and some other similar situations.
