For parents living in Bangalore, June is a welcome month. Not only is the monsoon on the doorstep and rain-washed days become a reality, but schools reopen after the summer holidays. After putting up with two months of screechy kids at home, our spirits are battered and our patience reservoir is running really low. A few more days, and I am certain that I would have sought psychiatric intervention. I yearn for those days of quiet sanity. I especially look forward to working in peace when someone is not practicing Operaesque singing on my head, or when the two are not threatening to kill each other while running around the house Coco in tow.
So, today that day arrived. The kids were out of the house by 7.30 am. Waking them I thought would be a challenge especially since they had gotten into the mold of sleeping late and waking up later. But the kids did good. They got up bright and shiny early in the morning without tantrums. They are growing up, I guess, or it could have something to do with Coco waking them up with licks and grunts. With 4 dabbas packed and breakfasts made for everyone, I settle down with my newspaper and Coco. The maid continues working and chatting. I switch on the TV and flick news channels. How beautiful is routine! Seriously!
If you were expecting a sentimental post lamenting that kids are no longer home, then you clearly have landed on the wrong blog. I am much more honest. J I love them kids but I also like them to go to school for a few hours every day. It is good for everyone’s sanity.
In other news, after a week of humidity, we saw thunder and lightning accompanied by rains the last two days. This is one of the reasons why we love Bangalore weather especially when not stuck on a rain-clogged street in traffic. Or, when a tree has not fallen in our backyard, on the road we take for our commute or on our parked car. Jokes aside, it is beautiful not to be stewing in heat and turning into tandoori human being. The thunderstorms are pretty scary though.
It almost feels like a New Year. The kids are in a higher grade. I look forward to their stories when they get back. They will have new teachers though the classmates will remain the same more or less. I was more methodical this year having covered their books, sorting their uniforms and taking care of their eye and dental checks much in advance. Now, I have a bunch of things in the pipeline. I have a couple of online courses that I can go back to. June is the month when I go back to active work after sort of going easy in April and May. Just to reiterate to myself, I have to restart my Yoga as well.
One thing is for certain, I will miss them on my shopping trips and other outings. And, all their help around the house. For now, let me just enjoy this amazing solitude. 😉
So what does your June look like?
Pic courtesy: nirots at Freedigitalphotos.net
When I was in school, June used to be holidays. And I loved it away from school & study. I used to savour litchi & mango whole day. But now June means hot climate with lots of humidity.
The kids loved it too. From their point of view, they had the best fun — playing, eating, sleeping and waking up late. Yes, the climate is certainly getting hotter these days.
That’s actually your time back again! Newspaper time and sitting with your feet up does sound heavenly 😉 Enjoyed your post! I am also loving these rains and showers every alternate day!
I am already looking forward to June. My parents are coming in 10 days and I will see them after an year. So I am excited. Time for conversations and shopping. Of course, Mum will have her gyaan sessions ready for me – but that I will manage 😉
Ah, that sounds exciting. Having parents over is fun. Yes, moms and gyaan, but it always stems from their love.
Here up north in Delhi NCR it is still hot as burning coals, every body is in a fowl mood due to the heat.. the only solace is the cool drinks that we guzzle on industrial scale.. God I wish we lived in Bangalore….
I seriously don’t know how you guys do it. Good luck with surviving the heat, dirt and pollution.
Such an honest post, loved it 🙂 While the kids must be thinking otherwise about the holidays getting over too soon! 😛
Oh, yes, the kids grumbled a bit but they were bright and chirpy when back from school. So many tales to tell and so many comments to share. They loved meeting their friends again. 🙂
Reminds me of my mom Rachna…She used to enjoy when we used to be at school and dad at office 😀
hehe … Loved reading it!
hahaha I am sure all moms feel similarly. We like our kids being home but not for so much time. 😉
Hahahahaha.. Even my mum had a horrible time waking me up to reach school in time.. But now that I’m in college, a little late is okay okay! 😀
June for me might be the last month of complete rest and relaxation.. HSC year demands a lot of study and hardly any leisure.. 🙁
But I just hope it rains here in Mumbai.. Some blessed relief from the sweltering heat!
Oh yes, HSC. Those were the hectic days. But I had so much fun in college. My dad who lives in Mumbai was also complaining of the heat and humidity. You know, I lived in Mumbai for many years, did my schooling, college, graduation and MBA from there. It is home for me. 🙂
“For now, let me just enjoy this amazing solitude” -So go ahead and enjoy your quiet time.You’ve earned it !.
Thanks, Rajeev. 🙂
Hehe..I completely agree with you here, Rachna. Only a mom knows how it feels to have kids in the house during their summer vacations. For me 15 more days of tantrums. 😀
Wish you strength, Mani. 😉
Nicely put across & straight from the heartof a woman. Although monsoon no where near sight but hv been always exciting the mitti Ki khusboo in rains. Jun also makes us realise that we r in mid of the year and its time for a retrospection or a mid course correction…
Great work…
Yes, Deepankar. Valid point about introspection and taking stock. Thanks for reading.
You already know my take on this 😛 How much I love kids, that much I detest them screaming in the house and fighting like cats and dogs minus a dog for us. Unfortunately, mom is not with us this summer…so have to put them both in day care or at least the younger one. Only thing I feel bad is, they can’t sleep late in the mornings and evenings I need to rush them to bed because I need to wake up early next day. 🙁 Btw, hamko bhi bahut baarish ho raha hai yeha….too much too much rains/floods/thunderstorms till now. They just stopped this weekend…what?? I am writing my personal dairy here? 😛
Yes, that waking up early drives me mad as well. 🙂 I enjoy reading your personal diaries, girl.
It’s been a lean phase but hope June will overcome the tide. In my part of the world, winter is creeping in and started raining. Hope to be more creative with lotsa reading, short stories and blogging to heaven:)
Where do you live, Vishal? Hope all that you hope for gets fulfilled.
My June is still waiting for the schools to start. Two more weeks for the schools and monsoon too I guess. Till then counting days 😛
Wish you luck. 🙂
June looks hot and very VERY dusty! Or should I say “sandy”? The mantra seems to be “a sandstorm a day”!
How I envy you. No rains. And no schools either for another 3 weeks. Summer vacations are a curse for stationery store owners like me! 🙁
I guess. Summer vacations are a bane for many for different reasons. But the kids just love it! 🙂
Liked your post.
How important it is to have a me time, just to sit relax, reduce stress, restore energy and for doing own stuff.
Enjoy monsoon and happy times.
Send some rains to Delhi.
Thanks, Swati. I wish I could about the rains. 🙂
Enjoy the month and the fresh stories from school and the rains and all that!
🙂
You know me so well by now. 😛
I echo those sentiments, not for anything else, but this has been one hectic vacation! I have been traveling all over the place and it’s been crazy! Gy was more than happy to return to school and I am more than thrilled to be back to my work from home routine. Have to bless these things! I wonder how people homeschool. I would lose my patience within 3 days 😉
I know. How do people homeschool? I love my kids but can’t have them around all the time. 🙂
Certainly Rachna much though every mother loves her kids,their going to school recharges her energies.It is a big relief to have the house all to herself.
Your description of monsoon is so tempting.Here we are frying at 48* c.Send over some clouds will you ?
I wish I could send some clouds over there, Indu. Hopefully, the rains are not far off.
Oh, I know the feeling all right, Rachna.
And since Rishi starts a new school soon, he’s at home till the 11th *gulps*
Now you know why I’ve been quiet 🙂
Oh, man! May the force be with you. 😉
Hahaha! Yay on getting back to the saner routine of life, Rachna!
Here Namnam & I are gearing up to slip into the screechy scorchy summer break mode! And this time we are going to be staying put most of the two+ months of vacation, so I am already going crazy looking up for activities to enrol the young lady in :D.
Now that you have your sanity back, time to wish me luck! And I’m sure Namnam is going to need all the luck too 👿 😉
Good luck, Deeps. You know, I loved the initial few days. I did take on less work as well. And, this is not to say that I don’t enjoy their company. But that constant bickering and yelling makes me go nuts by the end of the day. 🙂 At least the weather has been good. Oh yes, good luck to Namnam too. It is not too much fun when moms turn cranky. 😉
I know the feeling and I am sure every mother can relate to it! Kids during vacations have the power to drive you nuts. Enjoy your solitude and peace for a few hours 🙂
Thanks, Shilpa. I do love June. 😉
I can totally imagine the need for routine and some quiet time after a two-month-long summer vacation with two growing boys! I really do like the honesty of your post, Rachna 🙂
We just finished some major home renovation, and I am glad that the mess is done with, so my June is already looking up to be a cleaner and fresher month! It is also shaping up to be a busy one, with my nephew arriving next week for about couple of weeks, but I am looking forward to some fun times with him, full of interesting conversations.
Have fun with your nephew, Beloo. Yes, the conversations with children and teens are quite stimulating.
Was in bangalore for a conference, and absolutely fell in love with the weather. It has always rained whenever i am in your place, and it always feels great. Although as you said, the traffic jams give you a really hard time!
Yes, traffic is hellish here. We desperately need to much-delayed Metro all over Bangalore. But, the weather, it can turn you into a writer or a romantic. 🙂 I feel blessed to be living here despite the other problems.
I did a happy jig on June 3rd. S started school, three hours of quiet. But then it gets too quiet when he is not around 🙂
But, you can do your work peacefully and be energized when he gets back home. 🙂
Scorching heat, wait for the rains to find their way here and surviving the sibling wars…thats what my june looks like. And that description of bangalore monsoons you just rubbed in…is making me cry. Im so goddamn bangaloresick right now. Having to leave bangalore was the top reason i did not wanna get married…i shouldnt have! Damn!
Lovely post there rachna. I too wait for schools to reopen which will happen here in july. Although im still not sure that will bring in respite…my big little one only started school this year and went for just 3 days before refusing to. I dont know how much i will be able to convince him when they reopen…i may have to even change schools!!
Awww Sorry the post made you feel Bangaloresick. Oh, I hope the situation with your little one eases out a bit. Is it something major that he hated the school?
I’m sure my sister and I tested Mom’s nerves often and I can understand how difficult it would be at times. I havent experienced this from the other side, so perhaps then I’ll understand better how my mom felt when we got back to our routine 🙂
Yes, my brother and I used to trouble mom like crazy. 🙂 Now it’s all being paid back.
I have a 3 year old who is pretty much at home with me all day every day. However, he is set to start pre-school in September. I have mixed feelings about that. As he is really small (according to me) and will be away from me for the very first time, I am anxious about sending him off to a school setting, but I am also looking forward to the 3 odd hours of peace and quiet everyday. Motherhood and its conflicting emotions. 😛
I can understand, Shantala. I remember feeling so sad and even suppressing a tear on the first day. But the best part about children is that they adapt so quickly. In no time, you’ll be regaled with funny tales. Well said about motherhood.