Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 117
117 CHAPTER 7 COLLEGE YEARS AND BEYOND ‘ My Lord, make me observe Prayer, and my children too. Our Lord! B estow Thy G race on me and accept my prayer. 7. 1 INTRODUCTION By the time a child reaches college age, assuming that he/she has been brought up in the most effective manner with prayers and proper guidance, parents may be breathing a sigh of relief that their child has finally reached the age of maturity. They may think that they can sit back and relax and let the fruit of their labors unfold before their eyes as they reminisce fondly on the struggles and good times through the years of childhood. They may even be anticipating smooth sailing henceforth. However, it may not be that simple. Every stage of a child ’ s development, though filled with joys and pleasures ranging from birth, the first smile, the first crawl, first walk, first words, completing Qaid ’ a h , Holy Qur ’ an, first m eeting with the Khalifa , etc. , is also associated with a different set of problems, and college is no different. Motherhood is a lifelong commitment. Although a child may now be an adult legally, parents ’ support, guidance and prayers are more important than ever, especially when the child is no longer under constant parental supervision. The college years present some unique challenges as this is the time when many decisions affecting education, careers and lifestyles are made and the support and guidance of parents is critical. However, this is also the time when young people in this society usually leave home and embrace the independence that becoming legally ‘ of age ’