The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX

D. Maralgoo
L. Baasansuren, Teacher
Secondary School #45, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
I wanted to write about how my mother was an example of courage in my
life. For young kids, the adults have a significant effect on their character
development. It is the parents’ responsibility to educate their children, mold
their characters, and develop their abilities by their own real examples. I
read in one journal that 80-90 percent of children growing up in hostile and
violent family environments are most likely to grow up to be either criminals
or victims of violence. This is because children copy their parents’ behaviors.
The kind of values the parents are instilling in their children is so important.
I am growing up in a family of four children. When I was four years old, my
little brother was born. I helped my parents take care of my baby brother.
My big brother also helped my mom. During this time, my dad was away in a
foreign country. From such a young age I learned to clean the house, helped
with cooking, washing, and taking care of the baby. My mother told me it
was important to learn to do all these things. First, because she needed me
to do these things. Secondly, it was her upbringing to learn these work skills
when she was very young. She would say these kinds of work skills will help us
survive, help us handle difficult situations, and help us to be disciplined.
Then I went to school. I had to study for my homework. Going to school didn’t
free me from my household duties. As soon as I finished doing my homework,
I would clean the house and start cooking dinner for my parents and siblings.
My aunts and uncles would jokingly say that Marla is such a Cinderella. My
mother also jokingly said that Cinderella becomes a Princess.
As my little brother grew and started going to school, my duties to take care of
the little baby lessened. I was finally happy because I had free time for myself
and didn’t have to handle the baby responsibility. But, that didn’t last long.
Two years ago, my family welcomed another beautiful little baby brother. Now,
I carry on household duties and take care of the little baby duties. At the same
time, I study and I am a good student. Everyone wonders how I do this and
still study well in school.
At times, I get so tired of my little baby brother making a lot of noise and
messes around the house. When weekends come, my mom takes the baby out
to my grandpa and grandma’s house. She does it to give me room to relax and
enjoy. Now, with Covid-19, I stay home with all my brothers and there are more
duties and online studies.
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