Role reversal..

Parents are supposed to be role models for their kids, but how often kids teach us valuable lessons too! I attended a parent-teacher interaction at my elder one’s school yesterday. His exams had just got over and the discussion would be about the child’s performance and other things. When my turn came, I introduced myself and the teacher’s eyes kind of lit up when I mentioned my child’s name.

“Oh, so you are S’s mom? I have been waiting to meet you”, she said.

My son is hardly the mischief monger types and the expression on the teacher’s face clearly was happy, so there was no reason to be concerned!

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Why kids lie?

We all dream of bringing up our kids to be honest individuals. Well, if not for the world outside, we at least expect them to be totally truthful to us. But more often than not, we find them fibbing their way out of everyday situations!

Why do kids lie?

So why do kids have this tendency to lie? Actually the answer is quite simple! They lie for the same reasons that we adults do!! There could be different reasons-

To get out of trouble- Kids might lie to cover up something, hoping to avoid punishment or consequences. For eg.  Scared that mom might punish him for breaking an expensive vase, a kid might say, “Mom, I did not break the vase.”

For personal gain- Kids might lie to manipulate a situation or to set up something. For eg. A kid might tell dad who does not know the routine, “Mom always let me eat chocolates before dinner” hoping to get that candy bar, he knows mom will never let him eat!

To impress – Kids like to make things up and hence exaggerate stories and try to impress others. For eg. A kid saying to his friend, “I caught a big fish last Sunday when I went fishing with dad, it was as big our boat.”

To protect someone- They might lie to protect a loved sibling, or friend.

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Just right books...

There’s a lot of talk about getting kids into the habit of reading. Reading not only improves the child’s language skills, imagination and vocabulary, but also helps build their character. Yes, good books have that potential! Often we find that children become good readers, one book at a time.  

My friends often ask me what the right age is to introduce books to the child and how they can help their kids with picking the right book. I’d say the key is to start early and initially you will have to pick the books for the child. Buy books instead of toys and read out to them whenever you can, not just at bedtime. This creates a ritual, one that they associate with a “cozy time” together with the parent.

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Fickle love...

The nip in the air makes me want to snuggle back into the comfort of the warm sheets. Outside, the rain in all its splendor and sparkle embraces the earth even as she shudders at his touch. As they dance together, their dance of love… I watch them, and my own heart pines for the love of my life. I wait for him to cup my face with his warm orange ray and smother me with kisses. I love the way he flirts with me each morning, streaming in like I belong just to him. But he’s been playing hard to get of late! Where is he today?

Ah! There he is! So he plans to tease me and play hide and seek from behind the clouds? Wrong move!  He should have known better than to keep his lady love waiting like this! It’s been a long wait now, and just as my patience starts wearing thin, I see him emerge smiling from behind a cloud. Not so easy love….keep waiting, I say, as I pull the screen and snuggle back into bed.

And then I see him.

What a stunner! Every cell in my body tingles with excitement at his sight and every hair stands on end. I cannot take my eyes off him!!

 I take a deep breath and his unmistakable scent fills my senses with pleasure. If there’s something called love at first sight, then I’m sure this is it! Did I just fall in love all over again?

As if by magic, I drift towards him, his scent more magnetic than any charm that has ever held its sway over me. Unabashedly, we come closer and I feel his warm body giving me the much needed comfort from the nip outside. His hug melts my heart! I know I crave for that kiss, but again, I know better than to hurry up that moment! I close my eyes and soak in his scent, as he draws me closer and engulfs me in his kiss.

Did I just die and go to heaven?

Definitely feels so! I throw a guilty glance outside and see a bright golden ray knocking on my screen, pleading to be let in. But it is too late now. Fickle love…. doesn’t wait for anyone. You might have to try harder later, I tell him, because I just lost my heart to this smoking hot, tall, dark and handsome, not to forget, heavenly smelling……. cup of coffee!

Speaking up..

“Hi champ, how was school today?” I asked my son as he trudged in looking a little sad. He is usually quite chirpy and is forever bursting to let me in on all the minute details of his school day the moment he barges in, but today he looked slightly off colour.

“What seems to be the problem, champ? Want to share?” I quizzed not wanting to be overly nosey.

“Dance sir slapped me on my cheeks. I lost balance and he just slapped me.” He looked hurt.

“You could have tried explaining what went wrong.” I suggested.

“I did. He said he doesn’t want to listen to anything.”

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