The Thread That Guides: What Kites Can Teach Us About Growing Up

"Like a kite soaring with its thread, a child thrives when guided with care; without it, they may drift aimlessly, lost in the wind of uncertainty."

Last Sunday, after watching my son Divit’s cricket match, I was heading home on my electric scooter. As I drove through the neighborhood, something caught my eye. A couple of kites were caught on electric poles, hanging from trees, or stuck in bushes. The sight of those abandoned kites made me pause for a moment. It was a scene of disarray, yet it carried a lesson that I couldn’t ignore.

I began to think about the kites, and suddenly, a thought crossed my mind: What if these kites are like kids? The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. Just as the kites need a thread to guide them, kids need parents, teachers, and mentors to guide their path in life. The thread, in this analogy, is the influence and control that these guiding figures provide.

When a kite is flying high in the sky, soaring with the wind, it’s the thread that keeps it grounded, allowing it to stay on course. Similarly, kids need guidance and support to soar to their fullest potential. Parents and teachers act as that thread—helping kids navigate challenges, make decisions, and grow into responsible individuals.

However, just as a kite without a thread is left to drift uncontrollably, kids too, without the right guidance, can lose their way. Imagine if the thread of a kite were to snap mid-flight—the kite would no longer have direction, and it could get stuck in a tree, fall into a bush, or end up in a tangled mess. Similarly, when kids lose the support of their parents or mentors, they might struggle to find their way and can sometimes end up in difficult situations.

But the most important lesson here isn’t just about control. It’s about balance. A kite, though tethered to the ground by its thread, still experiences freedom as it sways and flies with the wind. Kids too, need the freedom to explore, to learn from their mistakes, and to grow in their own way. However, this freedom must be balanced with a sense of responsibility and guidance from those who care about them.

So, how can we, as parents, teachers, and mentors, ensure that we are guiding kids without taking away their freedom? How do we give them enough room to explore while keeping them grounded?

The answer lies in open communication, understanding, and empathy. It’s important to create an environment where kids feel supported, loved, and heard. At the same time, we must allow them to make their own choices, take risks, and learn from their experiences.

Just like the kite needs the right balance of control and freedom to fly, kids need the right balance of guidance and independence to grow into confident, responsible individuals. So, the next time you see a kite soaring high or caught in a tree, remember that it’s not just a piece of paper and string; it’s a lesson in the delicate balance between control and freedom.