The schools in the Kashmir Valley have formally closed for their three-month-long winter break. As per the directions of the School Education Department, schools up to 8th standard closed from the 1st of December, while secondary and higher secondary schools are about to close from the 11th of December. This break provides a significant stretch of time for families to do something productive, something worth cherishing and something worth spending on. This winter break may not merely be seen as a break from active academic activities. It is a critical opportunity for parents to guide their children towards meaningful engagements and steer them away from the pervasive shadows of unguided, damaging habits.

Foremost among these modern damaging habits is screen addiction. It is the most brutal, yet universal habit. Almost all our children have fallen prey to it. This habit poses a multi-pronged, multi-dimensional assault on their physical health, moral framework, and social well-being. There is palpable apprehension that the children will waste this winter vacation in front of phones, playing endless games and watching mindless reels. They may click on harmful adult content and trigger the release of dopamine. In a world where everything is just a click away, the risk is profound.
Therefore, the primary task for families this winter should be to help their children break free from this digital addiction and quicksand. In this mission, parents, and particularly mothers, have an invaluable role to play.
It stirs a deep nostalgia to recall our own childhoods, those of us who grew up in the 90s or early 2000s. Back then, we considered it a luxury if our parents allowed us to increase the volume of the TV or radio. Listening to a song on the radio in solitude was a seldom-granted privilege. Watching TV in isolation was a dream. No child of the 90s can claim otherwise. At least, I cannot. Yet, we had the most beautiful and memorable childhood, which most of today's children unfortunately lack.
Back then, we would involve ourselves and busy our whole days with different leisure activities. If these games and activities could keep us busy physically and mentally, they could surely keep modern children engaged as well. They did not only entertain us but also socialized us and taught us moral values like discipline, cooperation, love and care. For example, the game of Katren gindun (pebble play) taught cooperation and obedience while maintaining the physical well-being of players. Similarly, Loung Sooz (hopscotch) would accommodate as many children as were available. A single game could last for hours, yet remain unfinished, and it developed not only hip and leg muscles but also cognitive capabilities. The game of marbles, lal phael, sharpened both gross and fine motor skills, which directly influenced handwriting in academics. Likewise, games with matching cards, patten gindun, would engage players for hours, developing the ability to compare things for qualities and quantities.
Besides, we would play outdoor day games like Kho-Kho, cricket and badminton with enthusiasm and valor. But the evenings were not lazy either. As soon as darkness fell, a different set of games began. For instance, in my house, our aunt would assemble all the family kids, hand over five small stone particles locally called tancheh fael to each, and ask us to play in a disciplined manner. I vividly remember how difficult it was for a novice to play the game. The challenge was tricky, yet entertaining and engaging. It was to throw one particle up, quickly gather the rest from the ground and catch the thrown particle before it hit the floor. It would take a novice weeks, if not months, to finally master the art of catching the particles artistically. Diverse skills like hand-eye coordination, motor development, and cognitive skills were touched and honed.
Our parents were not highly literate, yet they deeply understood the art of nurturing a child. They knew how to groom a kid with values, discipline and purpose. They believed that feeding a child was not enough; raising a responsible and productive human being for the future was what truly mattered. Parents of today have much to learn from the parenting wisdom of the past.
Children today are addicted to phones largely because their parents are too. Imagine a child returning home after a long day at school only to find his mother glued to a screen. Imagine a kid watching his father play mobile games in the witching hours of the night. Children imitate what they see. So before parents stop their children from using phones, they must first discipline themselves. These phones are like termites—silent destroyers. They are the worst kind of pests. Their models and versions grow more sophisticated at the cost of our health, wealth, and social relationships.
I don't advocate for a total cut-off from phones. That is neither possible nor practical. Phones are an important part of our lives. But they are not the only part. We should limit their use, and put limitations on how often we reach for them. We should spend our leisure time on something meaningful and productive, and what could be more productive than spending it with our children?
Parents can play games with their kids, tell them meaningful stories, and even sing songs with them. They can divert their children’s attention away from phones through real-life engagement. They can give them age-appropriate, challenging tasks—and believe me, children love to accept and solve challenges. I have a friend from Bandipora who, just last year, would read out Arabian Nights to his children, adding his own insights and takeaways to each story. In doing so, he positively engaged his kids while making every evening memorable. His children have not only developed a strong English vocabulary but have also become passionate listeners. We can imitate parents like him.
This winter break is more than a holiday pause. It is a treasure trove of possibilities. If parents take the lead, these three months can become a turning point in their children's lives. If parents can just set boundaries for their kids, and engage them meaningfully with love, care and affection, the children can surely beat the draining habit of screen addiction. Let us not allow our children to sink deeper into this silent trap of phones. Instead, let us gift them memories, skills, stories, and real human warmth—treasures no device can ever replace. The onus is on us. If we shape their winter wisely, we will help shape their future beautifully.

Email:---------------------------darbashir1234321@gmail.com