The article “Two brats and a daughter, thrice blessed!” (Open Page, Nov. 21) made me nostalgic. We had three daughters. My parents stayed with us. With both my wife and I working, we did not have time to think of the daunting task before us. As a bank employee, I was transferred to almost all corners of the country. My wife and I often elicited stares of sympathy when we visited friends and relatives, but we took everything in our stride. What is apparently a daunting task is not difficult to accomplish, god willing, if we do it with devotion, sincerity and the blessings of elders.
R. Mani,
Hyderabad
Due to various factors, the one-child norm has come to stay. Reared in isolation and pampered, a single child often finds it difficult to adjust to the demands of life. The joys of sharing, competing, and fighting for snacks and goodies among siblings teach children many values at a tender age. This helps them face challenges in later life.
J. Edison Devakaram,
Tuticorin
Being a mother of many children is not necessarily a blessing. Life does not stop with a single pram or tricycle. With education becoming commercial, it is difficult to ensure that even one child gets good education, not to talk of quality health care.
I know a family in which the first daughter-in- law, one of four siblings, is aggressive while the second, a single child, is very calm with pleasing manners. Motherhood may give a sense of pride and possession, but it is not the only factor in the wholesome development of children.
Vathsala Jayaraman,
Chennai
