Why is there a chaos when the family is ready to drive?

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

As the family finally sets off from home after many arguments, there is a moment of lull as the car takes off. “Alright, so where are we going for dinner now?” asks the one at the driving wheel. What follows is chaos as multiple voices make as many suggestions.

By the time order is restored and a decision is arrived at, tempers have risen, feelings injured and there is at least one person grumbling.

Twenty years ago, you would step out of home, the decision of meal and venue already made with no arguments or opposition and everybody looked forward to the meal with equal enthusiasm. The decision was made by the head of the family and the others fell in line. Today, every member of the family has a say in every decision which also promotes a sense of togetherness and bonding.

We empower our kids to take their own decisions from a very early age. We ask them the cuisine they prefer, the movie they want to see, the holiday they wish to go on and the subjects they wish to study.

It’s a closely connected world, out there where children consult and guide each other. A parent’s well-meaning advice can sound like nothing more than unnecessary preaching. How then do we teach our children through all the conflicting views and make the voice of reason be heard? Children today question choices and prefer to go with the flow.

What then is the best path to take? I would say the most important thing one can do is to listen. Listen to your children and their silences. Ensure that you keep some time aside for them, insist that they share their stories with you. Step into their world. It is not as complicated as it sounds; just a daily half an hour of quality time would do the trick.