What's been up at Playschool

Who is supposed to 'hate' homework?
Aren't kids supposed to hate homework? In our case, it's me! Let me start at the beginning. Vidur has been enjoying school after the summer break. Now that Vidur is in Nursery, the school thinks he is old enough to do his homework. The school has made a very good impression on me and therefore, I decided to forgive them for doing so. ;) The homework typically consist of coloring activity in their school book. I tried to look at it from their angle and came up with the following:

• They want to ensure that children get used to the 'good' habit of doing homework at the tender age of 3.5. It helps the kids understand that they can't leave their school at school like people leave their work at work... (confusing?) What I really mean is, it is all about 'discipline' and keeping some time aside for learning.
• They believe that learning will be reinforced when it is also done at home. 
• The parents sit with their child to have a look at what is being done at school. They also spend bonding time and explaining and guiding the kid through the homework. 
• (on a lighter note) They are trying to find all who the really 'good' parents are. What I mean is... which parents truly have time for their kids, which kid listens best to their parents and so on. Every time Vidur refuses to cooperate, I feel that his teacher may think I don't have the time! :D

My first reaction when I saw the circular and the school book was 'oops, how am I going to keep V from spilling things on this book and keeping it neat and clean!' But, I have begun to realize how much Vidur enjoys showing off what he has learnt at school. The restless child that he is, he finishes it quickly and then moves on to painting at free will on a canvas. That's more his style, hates the rules and boundaries.. :)

Let the kid decide. 

Vidur, to a large extent, uses his left hand for doing things like throwing a ball, eating his favorite food, painting, and so on. He also uses his right hand every now and then. Few traditionalists have also asked him to use his other hand. He obeys them for a while and then reverts back to his left hand. I noticed that as soon as Vidur saw his school book and I asked him to color or write in it, he shifted the crayon to his right hand. As soon as he was done, I gave him his 'informal, non-school' drawing book to paint. He immediately shifted the paintbrush to his left. I wrote a note to his teacher and also spoke to the incharge at school. Here's what I said: 

Vidur prominently uses his left hand and ever since school has begun, I see that he tries using his right hand for doing the tasks that remind him of his school (mainly homework). I am really not particular about which hand he chooses, but I do want the teacher to leave that choice to Vidur. I told her that I understood that the teacher may not be aware and she helps him write by holding his hand. I wanted to bring this to their notice. The in-charge was really sweet about it. She agreed that it was not right to change the preference and that she will have a word with teacher.

His previous teacher had also confessed that she had been encouraging Vidur to eat with his right hand. I had to make my point very clearly saying I don't mind which hand he eats with. You can tell him not to eat with both hands, but avoid telling him which hand to use. Indians are especially paranoid about using left hand for 'important' tasks like eating. I keep telling people let him decide and then we can figure it out.

I am not looking to make my kid unique and ensure he is left handed. At the same time, I am not going to force my child to use his right hand because it is the most preferred hand for a majority. Research shows that changing this can actually affect the brain. We have to give kids the time to figure out which hand they are most comfortable using.

Stylish Blogger Award - Thank You Speech

My good friend and colleague, Nishana has awarded this blog the Stylish Blogger Award. I would like to thank her for the same. As per tradition of this award, I am to list 7 random facts about me. But, because this blog is about me, my son and my doggie, you will have to read 7 random facts about each one of us. What can I say, it's tradition. :)

7 Random Facts About Archana

1. I absolutely love reading books ranging from Mills and Boons to James Patterson to Learning by Doing. What I can't stand and never finish are self-help books. They bore me to death. 
2. I watch animated movies and the current cartoons more because I enjoy them. But, I let people believe that I am forced to watch them because of my son. :)
3. I am a sympathetic listener and most people tend to share their life stories with me. 
4. I love my work and feel sorry for those who don't. I also work from home and hate people who assume I have it easy and don't respect my work. 
5. My mom is my strength, my sister my confidant/critic.
6. I am reserved with people I don't know or don't like and extremely talkative with people I know and love. 
7. I did not know that I was a 'creative' person till I joined Kern. I did not know that I write well till I started writing for the company blog. 

7 Random Facts About Vidur

1. Use any gadget in front of him once and he will master it. Be it switching on and using a treadmill, playing a car racing game on my father-in-law's iPhone, operating my phone to play games, watch a video, take a pic, and so on. 
2. He has learnt the art of persuasion. If amma says no, ask ammama (grandmother). It always works. Grandmother's heart melts. 
3. He loves pastas and noodles. He gets extremely excited when he sees a dominoes delivery bike and runs upto to him and requests for pasta.  
4. He imitates the cartoon heroes. If you see him playing by himself, you will observe him talking to himself and saying 'Toodles' or eating ladoos or behaving like tom or jerry. At this young age, he also says I will be Buzz Lightyear, what do you want to be? 
5. I find it more entertaining watching his face as he watches something on TV. His face is a kaleidoscope of expressions. 
6. He fears nothing. He is not scared of the dark or of being left alone or of being whacked or policemen. The closest he comes to fearing anything is Deepa chithi, I think. She is the only one he listens to. :)
7. He can be a terror with all the running and jumping he does, but he loves to help out. Ask him to get water for you, or help you clean the titles and he will do so immediately. 

 7 Random Facts About Tuffy

1. Tuffy had another home before ours. The couple gave him away because they were relocating. Their loss I believe. 
2. He insists on saying hi to EVERYONE. He does not understand there are dog-people and non-dog people. In his world, everyone loves him. 
3. If you walk around with a handkerchief, you better watch out. This is his biggest weakness. He has to have that piece of cloth. 
4. He finds food on Vidur's plate more interesting than food in his own plate. This is the case even when it is the same thing! 
5. He is extremely possessive about me. Rajeev and I were talking once and Tuffy decides to butt in and sit on my lap. My uncle and dad fondly call him a cow because of his size. :) 
6. He understands Tamil better than English. He listens (unfortunately) only to me. 
7. He loves chewing on plastics toys/cups and soft toys. The satisfaction he gets from ripping a toy apart is incomparable.     

I would like to pass this award to the following blogs:

• R's World
• Next Take!

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RULES:

Thank and link back to the person who sent you the award.

Share seven things about yourself.

Spread the love and honor. Award recently discovered bloggers.

Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

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My Way Or the Highway!

Summer vacations are on for Vidur and therefore, bed time is flexible. He mostly lazes around the house, plays a lot of cricket, paints, plays with dough and watches his favorite cartoons. At home, my TV time is given the least priority. Vidur has top priority and then my husband. So, fights over what to watch typically take place between my husband (a 30 something) and my son (all of his 3 years). My husband has actually had to sacrifice a lot of his TV time to watch Tom and Jerry. I know what is the latest in Mr. Bean Animated/Ben 10/and so on. I love bollywood movies and used to watch Zoom (bollywood news and trailers) all the time. But, this is no longer the case. It was so bad that when emails were doing rounds of Munni vs Sheila, I was clueless as to who Sheila was. I called my mom (epitome of bollywood wisdom) to check on this.

Back to the clash between father and son, that particular evening, hubby was watching two movies simultaneously (it's an art) on cable TV. Vidur explained that he wanted to watch Tom and Jerry. Rajeev very firmly said we can't always watch what you want to watch. You can watch Tom and Jerry on the other TV. Vidur tried a few more times and that's when I decided to intervene. I put on Incredibles on the computer for him to watch. Vidur watched for a while, then got bored, and decided to play with Tuffy. I had some work so after cleaning up the Kitchen, I settled to work.

At 9:30, Vidur tells my husband, 'Off Tv, Dudu (that's what he calls himself) wants to sleep.' Rajeev was thrilled! This kid hates sleeping and fights it even when he is almost asleep. Vidur came up to me and said 'Look at time, come let's sleep amma.' He pulled me by my hand and led us to the bedroom. Rajeev tried singing him to sleep and all the while Vidur was facing me and had his eyes wide open. I wondered how he could feel sleepy after his marathon nap of three hours in the afternoon. I decided to get up and finish my work.

At 10:00, Vidur comes and settles himself on the bean bag. He looks at me and whispers 'Amma, appa sleeping, on TV, I want Tom and Jerry.' I was extremely amused as my son had managed to strategize and carry out his plan. He managed to put his father to sleep and have the TV all to himself! Kids are really smart these days.... watch out for them! 

My Brave Boy!

As most of my Facebook Buddies know (because of this pic), Vidur ran into the wall. It was the scariest thing watching my maid bring him to me with a terrible wound near his eye. As soon as I saw it, I realized that I have to take him to the doctor. I called my mom and told her to catch hold of V's doctor, took the car and rushed out. On the way, I was informed that the doctor suggested that I take him directly to a hospital. The traffic was pretty bad. Rajeev was stuck in training and therefore, there was no point contacting him.

My cousin (the hero of the day) kept calling me to check where I was going, whether I was fine, etc. I reached the hospital finally and asked the security were I had to park the car. The security guy took one look at Vidur and said leave your car here and take your son to the emergency. He then asked me how it happened as I parked it as close I could to the curb. After I explained briefly, he started saying in Hindi 'You people just don't take care of your children. Look what has happened to him.' Needless to say, I saw red. I took a precious half minute to tell him what I thought 'Is it really important for me to listen to your lecture now? Do you realize how worried and upset I am as his mother? Can you please shut up?' He got a little worried and said 'Yes ma'am. The emergency ward is this way.' I can truly understand how Geet from Jab we Met felt with that old station master.

As I entered the emergency, people jumped to attention. They immediately took over and started cleaning the wound. Till before this, Vidur insisted that he did not want to meet a doctor. But the nurses here were so good with him, he allowed them to clean as he answered important questions about his school. The doctor asked what happened. All the cleaning and the worry finally got to me. I called up my cousin and told him I needed him here. He was already on his way with my mom. What I am skipping due to acute embarrassment is the fact that I felt giddy and nurses and doc insisted that I lie down in the bed next to Vidur. Very embarrassing and funny! Vidur asked me what happened and I said nothing, it's my chance now. He was happy with that. The emergency people insisted Vidur will not need stitches but he has to meet the plastic surgeon about the scar. By this time, Vidur was enjoying all the attention he was getting. He was actually lying down with one leg over another calling for the doctor.

My cousin and mom arrived finally. They were worried about me and so they took over from there. As we waited to see the plastic surgeon, Vidur went back to being Vidur and ran all over the place. People saw his dressing and kept telling him go slowly and giving me dirty looks. As he was running, my sweet child stopped in front of me, put his hand under my chin and asked 'Amma, you ok?' I had tears in my eyes as I said 'I am fine sweetie. Are you ok?' (ok enough mush) He said 'Am fine' and continued running and driving my cousin crazy. :)

The plastic surgeon had one look at his wound and said he needs stitches. He believed that Vidur will cooperate and so we can do it with local anesthesia. Karthik was the pillar of support at the treatment room. He kept saying please wait outside. I will be with him. But I had to stay with Vidur. Vidur was a really, really brave boy. He did as he was told, didn't cry and was an angel (shows he can be when he wants to be). He just didn't like the fact that water was falling over his face and kept complaining about that. But understood when I explained that the doctor was cleaning the wound. The doctor finally said it's almost over and I parroted the same for Vidur. Vidur said 'Thank you uncle'. Sweetheart, remembers his manners at the weirdest of situations! By the time the doctor finished, he was asleep.  The doctor said 'Boys his age usually scream and shout and cry. He is a very cooperative boy.' The nurse also promptly agreed and said he is good boy. :)

The weirdest thing is after we got back from the hospital and I was sitting near him, he turned to me and asked 'Amma, you ok?' Then, again last night, in his sleep, he asks me 'Amma, you ok?' Now I am seriously worried whether something is wrong with me :D. Jokes apart, I am touched that Vidur thinks of me even at such a young age, especially when he has been hurt! Love him the most! 

Tuffy - Trying his luck

A few months back...

Is that food I smell?

Can I have some please?

Pretty please?

(trying from a different angle) Here comes 'The Look.' Let's see you say no to this.