Author: Swati Mohandas
Sometimes, don`t we all wish that we could go back in time, maybe to an era, or a phase to relive the moment – well, for me I would really look forward to go back in time when my children were tiny tots!
Maybe it sounds crazy, I can even hear few mommies groan right now and wonder that I am a weird mother to go back to the time when kids were tiny I mean it’s a supremely crazy time for parents back then, not knowing what is going on with the incessant crying of our babies at odd hours, the worrying if they are well fed, are they achieving the desired growth milestones and so on. The list is endless, right!?
I would still wish to revisit those growing up years – the toddler days, the mess, the spilling of food, not to forget the awkward scenario when the curious minds loudly ask embarrassing queries especially when you are with a group of fellow parents.
Back then, I simply used to get miffed when even after warning them not to use crayons on the walls, they would happily do their artwork oblivious of what mess they are creating as for them it was their masterpiece.
Not to forget the phase of fussy-eaters, with me searching for recipes either online or from other mommies and trying them out just so, my kid would be ‘as healthy’ as the neighbour’s child, Monty.
Enrolling and taking them to various activity classes to keep them ‘engaged’. For our overnight family outing, me packing ‘extra’ clothing, toys and other stuff for them, thinking ‘what-if’ they require it.
Assisting them with their school assignments, projects. Cheering them at their annual sports event and then making them understand that it is alright to lose or at the cultural programme proudly recording them on the handy-cam with tears of joy of seeing our child performing ‘up there’.
Amidst all the chaos, and the wailing and the fun, the dancing, the laughter episodes, the impromptu hugs and kisses, my children and myself had an amazing time growing up together.
Yes, parenting is not an easy task, sometimes it can be quite daunting and over-whelming. We, mothers learn skills and tricks for our children, we stumble, go on guilt trips, we simply invest our 100% in our children. Let me tell you, It’s all worth it. Through my children I have re-lived my childhood.
I miss those days when toys were strewn all over the house, as now my children have long grown up and the home is usually neat, tidy, organised and very conspicuous with their absence.
To Sum it up, my Point of view is to enjoy your children, they will mingle and make friends, they will learn to cope up with school/college, get the hang of manners, eventually they all learn the ropes of life. Instead We, mothers have to learn to fret less with their milestones, with the messy house, learn to soak in the moments without worrying about anything – as, ‘these days never come back‘.