 |
| Pic: Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
Though I think of myself as a positive and optimistic person, I do realize that I am quite judgmental and critical in many ways. The only saving grace is that I am not in your face with my criticism; I generally am pretty courteous even with people I openly dislike. Why are we getting more bitter, intolerant and my way or the highway kind of folks? We criticize, bitch, find fault or generally enjoy slinging mud? Are we letting unnecessary negativity bog us down sometimes on as trivial and unrelated topics as celebrities! A blogger friend, Purba’s latest post made me think about this.
So, this post is going to be a cheerful post with no fingers pointing at anyone :).
We got our dog, Coco, neutered, and the guy seems to be doing pretty well all recuperated. I had a pleasant surprise when I went for my younger son’s PTI this week. Now, he has always struggled to keep up with the crazy kindergarten syllabus. Both Gautam and I have been working this entire year practicing and reading together along with his teacher’s support in the classroom. My son is very shy and requires sensitive handling. His teacher had such wonderful things to say about him this time and his progress. The little fellow made us so proud :). And, when I tell him, “I am so proud of you.” He asks me what does proud mean? And, it is so difficult to express the feeling of pride to a 5-year-old.
My elder son, is only about to be 10, but I see a real change in him in his maturity. I can really talk to him like a friend. He has the compassion and the patience to listen to me. I cherish this relationship that I share with him. And, hubby will be pleased too, as I eat his bheja less often ;-).
Another good thing about Coco’s neutering was that kids now understand that men has testicles that contribute to a child also along with the women who give birth. We have birds too. So, even the younger one understands that the egg that is not fertilized (a term he does not understand and mispronounces) does not have chicks coming out. Now, the next question is going to be how do they get fertilized, or how do the sperms from the testicles get into the baby. That will be a tough one to answer. I am still thinking about how I will answer that one. Indian parents always have it tough when talking to their kids about birds and bees. But, nature is helping us. Also, we can get psyched when a child mentions a forbidden word, though the child may mean it in all innocence. The problem is with our thinking :).
And, for our application Rolodexo.com, we created a Facebook Page. Please be a sweetie and “like” it :). You want to support budding entrepreneurs and friends, don’t you?
The link is here:
The power of the self is very strong and often unrealized! So, on this pensive note, let me wind up this post with this quote.
I love the positivity of this post .And also it is like reading my own story probably because our kids are in same age range .I liked your FB page few seconds back.Good Luck!
Will read Purba’s post later.
hehe All kids are the same in some respects. And thanks Kavita for your support :).
Beautiful post Rachna and I completely agree that we are a generation which likes to find faults and rarely sees the good around us.
I have already liked the Rolodexo page ( does that mean I am a sweety?? :D)Yet to register, maybe over the weekend.
TC
Thanks Bhagyashree! Yes, you liked it right from the time I created it. Thanks for the encouragement :). You are an absolute sweetie, even before the like ;-P.
We are indeed at a loss when we have to talk of the birds and bees. But an inventive parent can always find ways to do it. You will too. And I have already ‘liked’ your page on FB :))
Yep, I think a nice, creative way will come to me. I am already struggling with their questions about why women need diapers (read napkins) with all the horribly-illustrative ads that come on TV. Thanks for the like :).
am feeling v happy for ur son. A MOM IN the apartment is battling a very quiet kid. many kids dont take him for play even though he is v intelligent. aaaah parenting comes with all sorts of struggles and happy that u r putting time to coaching the lil one..
I have to put in the time. I don’t think anyone else can or should handle me. You know how terribly tied up my days and evenings are. Yep, parenting is a challenge at every stage. We are grappling with some behavior issues too at his end.
so true. A smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles
Thank you Alien :).
My parents solved this by buying a book on human anatomy and putting it on the lowest shelf of the bookcase 🙂
Nowadays, the situation is much better because you can get books here in The Netherlands, explaining everything in drawings/language that even a toddler could understand 🙂
My parents did the same. It was huge Medical Digest from Readers’ Digest. Very informative with loads of illustration. Have to look for something similar here, but I would like to speak to them too.
When my kids were little I bought a book “Where Did I Come From?” by Peter Mayle. I left it on their bookcase and sure enough one of them selected it for bedtime reading one day … the first time I read it to them it was a bit embarrassing – but that was on my part not from them so I figured that I had to be adult enough to get over it. After that it was plain sailing!
Congrats on your little fella getting a good school report
Thanks Jane! Looks like I’d use the book strategy too. It makes so much sense, and we had one such book at home too when we were growing up.
Thats a tough one 🙂 Guess you will have to go through that stage and pass. 🙂 It must be easier now with books and such
Yep, We had a book too strategically placed by my parents :).
well done to the little one 🙂
these days i like the fact that parents and kids can talk about things :).. i dare not talk like that with my dad .. but then those times had their own good things.
going over to FB now 🙂 all the best and you are my first friend on there too he he hehe
Bikram’s
Thank you Bikram! I know what you mean. I could not ask my parents. We were conservative in that sense, but had a thoughtful book kept by dad that gave factual information :). Thanks for the “like.” I know I can count on you :).
Lovely feel good post!! 🙂
Congrats to the lil one!! A proud moment indeed!
Liked it!! :))
Thanks Shilpa!
Yeah..this post has positivity and pleasantness..It has nature and the natural curiosity of children..Good one..
:). Thanks for the like too!
Your post made me smile. Good for you, and remember to keep thinking positive, and keep the smile on always. Post some pictures of Coco, he must have really grown big.
Thanks! Sure, I will post the pics soon. He is almost 9 months old now. And, everytime there is a great pose, the camera is missing :).
Eeeks…I think today kids gets enough and more info on net and TV.. so u will be spared the embarassment.
I remember the day when my Dad went beserk when i asked the meaning of word ‘Insemination’
Later I had to piece it together from a English Malayalam dictionary
very nice ..totally agree with you..
we at times more judgemental and critical so kinda creates negative atmosphere..
very well explained!
@Jon haha Kids always have access to other sources of information. But, I would want them to have a solid, reliable source of information like a good reference book, and parents who are open about these issues so that they will feel free to approach us with any concerns. No matter what, I want the lines of communication to be open.
Thank you Harman!
Well done to your son! And talking about this Gen of kids, it’s a bit scarry thing to actually bring up them! They are exposed to media so much that..And it’s a biggest challenge for parents! Good luck to you…and let us know how you managed to answer them 🙂
I agree. So much exposure which is not age appropriate and lots of erroneous information available too. Parenting is tough at every level. My younger son is going through a terrible tantrum phase.
Hahaha i just love the questions kids asks to us very innocently evey parent should go thru this phase i guess 🙂
Yep, it is amusing, embarrassing and fun :).
Pets at home are a great learning experience. After a certain age boys, prefer learning from friends….You are right when you say that we have become too judgemental.
Pets teach a lot of things especially to young kids. Boys might prefer to learn from friends, but I want them to not feel embarrassed to come discuss issues with us. I want them to have this.
Very nice. At times I feel,there is actually nothing wrong with being judgmental.
At times, yes, but when that becomes a way of life, it is a bit worrisome.
Few years ago I did get for my girls an American Girl book called ‘Me and My Body’ which I thought was pretty good but they turned it down as “inappropriate” but soon they found it helpful dealing with sweaty palms to stinky feet to n number of other girl issues.
Now the hard core stuff, I think I would skip. Let them hold on to their innocence or ignorance (as some would call it) for however long they can. Life will teach them it’s course and I don’t I am not in a hurry to rush them through. But then that’s my take on things.
Call me old school 🙂
I agree about the holding onto innocence for longer. I am also thinking of venturing into this territory via a book or some other way only once my son is in his teens. Just now, like I said, his curiosity is what I am reading more into :). But, I am giving these issues a thought though.
This comment has been removed by the author.
As parents we are forever plagued with doubts – how much is too much? Am I doing it right?
The relationship is evolving. Modern day parents are now more of friends and thank god for that!
And I am glad for your sons that they have a Mom who understands 🙂
Yes, so true. I always wonder if I am being too strict or too lenient. Like you said, am I doing it correctly? I think I like it that my husband and I are more pally, more approachable and more real with our kids. Thank you for the nice words, ma’am :).
A lovely post Rachna! Bringing up children and answering their probing questions is definitely challenging and fun:)Agree with the last sentence of Purba to be friends with children and be understanding!
Thank you Rahul. So agree with you.
I almost missed the Dalai Lama quote at the end of your post… my goodness what a great quote. My cat was already fixed when I got him, so there was no decision to be made 🙂
Thank you Agnes. Lucky you. My Coco had another problem; he was cryptorchid, so his surgery was even more complicated.
That was a positive post to say the least.
Good one 🙂
Thanks!