India, Jan. 4 -- Winter vacation is around the corner for kids. As usual (as if carrying a legacy from one generation to next, or, also, maintaining the 'ritual'), my son has already begun demanding to take leave(s) from school just like that. And while I clearly recall demanding the same from my mother back during my school days at this time of the year, I strive to stay calm and collected when my son does it. Also, I am yet to understand the reasons/theory behind this (I presume) universal craving for pre-vacation-skips.

Anyhow, along with the much-needed winter break comes the holiday homework. It's akin to pulling bears out of hibernation when cajoling kids to work on the writing and learning assignments, and the charts and practical...