Story: Dr Shahla Gondal
In almost every household with children, there is a problem that may seem small but always looms large—matching socks!
In our family of six, we had every type of sock—children’s, adults’, cotton, woolen, colorful, short, and long. Yet, after laundry, it always seemed as if the socks had intentionally separated from their pairs.
Last week, I decided not only to solve this issue with my children’s help but also to turn it into an opportunity for learning through fun.
“Daniyal, Khola!” I called them. Both came running, their faces full of curiosity.
“Yes, Mama?”
“I have a mission for you!” I said seriously. “Search the entire house for socks that need washing. For every sock you find, you’ll earn one krone.”
Hearing this, both jumped with joy.
“Really, Mama?” Khola asked in surprise.
“Absolutely!” I replied with a smile.
And so, the two of them embarked on their mission. Khola scoured every corner—under beds, behind sofas, in cushions, and even the laundry basket. Daniyal, not to be outdone, worked hard too but cheekily added some already washed socks from the storage bag to his pile.
I stood aside, watching their energy and enthusiasm. Daniyal’s cleverness made me laugh, though I also felt mildly annoyed.
“Daniyal, this is foul play!” I said with mock sternness.
“Sorry, Mama!” he replied with a sheepish grin, though his hands kept busy.
When their piles were ready, I gave the next instruction.
“Now pair up the washed socks. For every pair, you’ll earn two krone!”
This doubled their excitement. Khola, more serious and careful this time, focused on matching socks of the same size and design. Daniyal, however, tried again to be clever by pairing mismatched socks, which I promptly corrected.
“Daniyal, cheating isn’t right. Work honestly!”
They got to work again, counting as they went. “Two, four, six, eight…” Watching their focus and enjoyment warmed my heart.
Finally, the calculations were done. Daniyal earned 49 krone for collecting socks and an additional 46 krone for pairing them, making a total of 95 krone. Khola earned 40 krone for collecting socks and another 40 krone for pairing them, totaling 80 krone. Both happily shared their totals with me.
“Well done!” I said. “Khola, your attention to detail was excellent. Daniyal, you worked hard and were very quick, but remember, honesty is most important.”
Afterward, they separated the pairs into individual compartments for everyone in the family. It was a task I usually did alone, but today, the children not only lightened my load but also learned valuable lessons in the process.
This wasn’t just about socks—it was an opportunity for the kids to learn and practice important life skills. They demonstrated counting, organization, honesty, and consideration for others. To reward their efforts, I promised to take them to the mall for Khola’s birthday, where they could each spend 200 krone as they wished. We’d also dine at their favorite restaurant—my treat!
Later that night, when the house was quiet and the children were asleep, I reflected on the day. This wasn’t merely about solving the missing socks problem—it was about instilling values in my children. Their efforts, acknowledgment of mistakes, and friendly competition, all grounded in fairness, brought me immense joy.
I praised Khola for her organization and Daniyal for his energy, knowing these small lessons would leave a big impact on their personalities. These little moments, I realized, are what shape a child’s character. Not only did they learn responsibility, but they also understood how honesty and consideration for others bring true success and happiness.
This day reminded me that the best way to teach children is to make learning fun. The joy and satisfaction on their faces were my greatest reward.
Life’s beauty, I thought, lies in such small moments—spending time with your children, guiding them, and learning alongside them. What seemed like a minor incident turned into a cherished memory—an occasion where, while matching socks, we matched lessons for life and relationships.
