My kid refuses to talk in English…and I am ok with that

 Let me clear one thing before I start, I am an English language teacher,( a good one as per me😜) and hence people assume my kids would be experts in the language whether spoken or written. Leave people aside, even I thought I will make my kids super experts in the language I teach my students, as I will start early with them. 

My son , elder one is a calm though determined character, a Spider-Man in making. I started with poems early with him, but then he is a bit like me - he refused to follow my instructions, the dad bit in him became expert in handling phone and remote, he would change channels. I would sit there completely clueless whether to be upset about it, or smile at his antics of talking in language of whichever cartoon he was following. He never stuck to one for long. 

He is nearly six now, I am the only relaxed person at home, in view of his disinterest in talking in English consciously. Though I have observed he does talk unconsciously a lot in English  when he knows no one is paying attention.( but then a teacher’s ears are very sharp). I have realised that I can’t force this kid , you see he has picked up words like…”TABAH” and “BARBAAD” , the first time I heard them I laughed like crazy and said,” don’t kill me son,  your mom is a teacher,”, abashed he replied, “ main sab tehes nehas kar dunga”. I left the room before suffering my first heart attack.

To be honest, I am not worried about his lack of interest , my focus is that he learns to express ( which him being less talkative is a task in itself) which is the first goal of any language. I would rather he express, the language is secondary. He will learn, and I will be there to guide him. And believe me , he will do well after all he is my kid🤣. Till then, I am scared to know that which next word will he pick from his latest cartoon, currently junior Singham.

Just to add, my younger one is a step ahead, he refuses to speak if he can explain with sounds, gestures or just one word. But he repeats whatever his elder brother says. So imagine what he will learn.

P.S - let your kid speak, no matter what language because that more important. And enjoy the words they learn, and surprise or shock you with….

Spider-Man Diaries - chapter 1

  I have been living with Spider-Man stuff for years now, my son is a real big fan of this superhero…. 

So much so that we have everything from bed sheets to bottles to pencils to T-shirts to kids scooter and oh even undies for him with Spider-Man or his logo….the boy had a crazy phase that is still on …

We have these crazy Spider-Man talks ….wherein at times he talks logically but at times the lil kid comes out who just loves his superhero madly. In one such session he asked me…”mumma who is your favourite superhero?” I automatically said “Superman”….He asked me if I could show him some videos….you see superman isn’t that visible alongside Hulk, Ironman etc - the current favourites…

So I showed him one , he saw it and said…he is good but my Spider-Man is better….( His Spider-Man….did he buy the rights?🙄) and stupidly I asked him why? He said innocently…He has webs….Superman ke pass kya he….( I wish I could have said…my teenage dreamy eyes 😋). I said yes , you are right and went back to my work. 

Then suddenly he comes up and says….” I am not happy mumma”, I panicked coz he is a calm child, rarely throwing tantrums so I leave my work, sit with him and ask with all love in my voice…” Why , son?” . He says “ I am trying for a long time, but my webs aren’t coming out”. I stared at him blankly…he said ‘“ Uff, mumma , I told you na I wanted to become Spider-Man when I grow up, so I was practising but web nai nikal rahe”. 

I didn’t know how to reply….still clueless…and he is still bent on becoming Spider-Man when he grows up.

P.S - will be updating new chapter of Spider-Man saga in future…as when something interesting is discussed.

A tale of 5 kids

Kids become epicenter of your house from the moment they are born. They form their own bonds, own ways of communication and a connection with the people around especially other kids. 

At the moment life has become a little monotonous, meeting friends and relatives seems like dream that we hope will true soon. It’s the kids who are missing socialising the most and learning from peers and elders and even younger cousins. Now I am not writing a mental health blog, leaving that to experts.  I am writing what I have realised over last few weeks, my kids have their own special connection with their cousins, it’s kinda sneak peek into some golden memories.

Both my kids were pre mature, that hasn’t stopped them from creating havoc around, so take off that look from your face. So when my elder kid (A) was born and brought home a few weeks later, his elder cousin sister (M)became a fierce protector, “  don’t touch him without sanitising your hand,”, she would seriously tell to everyone no matter what age and relation. She is still that protective and my kid A is a great fan of hers, he would listen and follow all instructions if you just let him know that didi said so. Love you M.

Oh I forgot about the eldest cousin brother (C), a typical teenager, showed off he doesn’t care, but would keep an eye out for A whenever I would step out. I knew that and smiled a lot. He is a great kid. He loves teasing A, so much but then maybe A senses his love and care and follows him around. He knows you love him, so no need to hide behind I don’t care persona C, we love you you too.

Next was the first younger cousin A saw, (B.) He fell in love with that small bundle and wanted him to start playing with him. We had to pull him away from him. Then they grew up and became frenemy. They would miss each other a lot, meet play together like Ram Lakhan for exactly 40 minutes and then world war. Thankfully things have improved. But we love you B, because you love him.

Now enters the hero, my younger kid , Y. And believe me he is the boss. And he knows that. He thinks he owns the world and everybody is here to love and pamper him. This is true because all his brother and sister love him. We aren’t as elders allowed to scold him, specially  around B. So secure in that protection, he is a happy kid. He does not understand everything they say, but the way he responds to them is so beautiful to watch.

You should their smiles when they now video chat, the way the ask when can we meet again? It’s lovely to see them jumping when they see each other, when they go through old photos of being with them. Oh god keep their bond like this only.

That’s the lovely kid group around my kids, keeping them safe, loved and grounded.

They have lovely connections with other second cousins too, let’s keep that for another time.

Bless you all. Stay safe and healthy.

Just because....

Just because I refuse to play victim,

Don't cast me as a vamp.

Just because I am not shedding tears,
Don't think smiling has been easy.

Just because I didn't hold on,
Don't think letting go was a cakewalk.

Just because I didn't break down,
Don't assume I am made of stone.

Just because I don't share my feelings,
Don't whisper I am heartless.

Just because I am surviving it all,
Don't say it was my choice.

Asal se pyara sood... Does it work on younger brother too?

Age old saying " Asal se pyara sood", roughly translated - you love the grandchildren more than the children. Adding to same, younger sibling is almost your child, pay attention to it bhai. (Albeit you feel like killing them almost every day in your teenage years). I was thinking about it lately, so is the extra love waali feeling true for the kids of your younger brother too( for the ones who have younger sisters , read sister) ? I fell in love with my brother at first sight on the day he was born, bachho ko samajh kahan hoti he- i didn’t know what an irritating fellow he would turn out to be when he grows up. ( hence, the murderous streak in me). 

Four years to the day, he and his wife were blessed with a baby boy. A cute lil cherub, with face almost like his dad but the disposition of his mom ,hopefully. I fell in love again with his baby on the day he was born. I saw my son doing the same. I rejoiced in their bond that has extended to now troublesome three Musketeers at home. This lil boy, made me live my brother’s childhood again, you see we all have tendencies to draw similarities between kids and parents. And I loved reminiscing those times when I could love my brother unconditionally 😜, before his irritating teens started. I waited for his first words, first steps, first kiss and hugs, I was scared for him on his first day of school, I prided on each of his achievements ( though credit lies with his mom mostly). It was almost like having three babies myself.

I fell in love with his smile, the way he says haanji, the way his eyes reflect his naughtiness, the way he is ready to dance the moment music starts, I mostly love the way he stands up for what he wants. My love for him is  - just love, I see him and I smile. So on this day, my darling Shaurya Aneja, Happy Birthday....Bua loves you.

P.S.   - Bhai , I feel title is true, forget about murder intentions, I can’t even see his tears. Asal se pyaar sood.