Linia's "The Invisible Wall"

All parents want their children to grow up healthy and happy. They work day and night to overcome life's challenges, just to give their children a bright future. However, in this tireless effort, some small mistakes may turn into serious problems and unknowingly cast an invisible shadow on the child's physical and mental development. This shadow will eventually solidify into an invisible wall, subtly cutting off the child's path to a truly healthy and fulfilling life.

Meet Mr. Shahid, a father who gives everything for his little girl, Linia. He provides her with the best schools, expensive toys, her favorite chocolates – Linia has everything. He believes that his tireless efforts are the only key to Linia’s bright future. However, he uses his busy schedule as an excuse to inadvertently deprive Linia of the most important things: his time and his attentive care.

Linia was very active as a child and loved playing outdoors, but this habit gradually faded. Today, she spends most of her time playing games on her phone or watching TV. “We live in modern times, and kids are like this now,” Mr. Shahid thinks. Instead of nutritious meals, Linia’s plate is usually filled with ready-made meals and her favorite fast food. He doesn’t notice that Linia is often sick, has trouble concentrating on her studies, and has a hint of sadness in her eyes.

One afternoon, Linia came home from school with a fever. She also had a severe cough and difficulty breathing. Mr. Shahid took her to the doctor and then went home, very worried. The doctor's words were clear and unequivocal: "Linia's immune system is severely weakened. Her diet must be completely changed. She must drastically reduce the time she spends on her phone and tablet and ensure regular physical exercise."

The doctor's words echoed in Mr. Shahid's mind. He seemed to wake up from a long sleep. He realized that in providing Linia with material abundance, he had inadvertently destroyed the foundation of her physical and mental health. His own negligence and lack of time had built an invisible wall around Linia. He thought he was contributing to her bright future, but in fact, he was gradually pushing her towards a bleak, unhealthy life.

Mr. Shahid recalled the countless times he had given Linia a cell phone to calm her down so he could focus on his work. He remembered how he had easily relied on unhealthy convenience foods because cooking a decent meal seemed too much of an effort after a busy day. He didn’t realize that every time he chose convenience over genuine engagement, he was adding another brick to the invisible wall that separated Linia from the healthy childhood she deserved. Now, he saw expensive toys lying idle while Linia’s eyes grew glazed over from staring at a screen for so long. He had built a fortress of material wealth, but Linia’s heart had become isolated and vulnerable.

Mr. Shahid regretted his decisions and decided to change. The next day, he returned home early from work. Instead of hunkering down in front of his electronic devices, he took Linia to the park. Together they played cricket, ran races, and enjoyed the fresh air.

In the evenings, board games like Ludo and Carrom supplanted screen time. Linia’s meals were modified, with colorful vegetables, fresh fruits, and protein-rich foods taking the place of packaged treats. He genuinely engaged with Linia's thoughts and emotions by sitting with her, reading books aloud, listening to her stories, and inquiring about her day. When it was time for bed, Linia fell asleep to her father's calming stories rather than a screen.

Linia initially resisted these modifications a little. It was difficult to make the shift from continuous screen time to active play and concentrated engagement. But gradually, she grew to love her father's newfound company. Her customary happy laugh reverberated throughout the home as the bright spark returned to her eyes. Her regular illnesses started to lessen, and she enthusiastically participated in outdoor games.

Mr. Shahid noticed that Linia was growing happier and more energetic mentally in addition to physically. Genuine connection and shared experiences took the place of the invisible wall that had been dividing them, and it started to fall down brick by brick.

This story conveys an important lesson to all parents/guardians: Parents have responsibilities that go well beyond providing for their families' material needs. Parents must actively participate, provide enough time, and provide appropriate advice for their children's healthy physical, mental, and emotional development. Parents who are watchful and proactive must acknowledge and combat the negative effects that excessive use of digital devices and bad eating habits have on their children's lives.

In the end, the most valuable investments you can make in your child's healthy and prosperous future are your time and sincere attention.