My husband and I had visited my neighbor's place. As with all parents, the topics revolved around children, school and play. My hubby pointed out that most children today are protected. They do not have a playground to play in, they sit in AC classrooms. My neighbor agreed and said that most children are hooked to TVs and computer games. She mentioned that she encouraged her children to read several books. She said these days children are so hooked to the TV and computer games. My attention was caught. I replied saying I think computer games are good for children. She said yes but I don't think she believed me. I don't blame her, most parents would not agree with me.
I really, really believe that computer games help children think, strategize, and even learn. It helps them analyze situations and gives them a lot of confidence. It encourages them to achieve something and not give up till they do. I grew up playing cricket, TT, hide and seek with my sis and cousin. I also grew up playing several computer games such as Prince of Persia, Alladin, Mario Brothers, Packman, Mortal Combat, Road Rash, Need for Speed, Wolfenstein, and so on. These were most single player games then (or we had just one joystick) but we stick played as a team. And, it was absolutely fun! :)
It is important for children to find the right balance between indoor and outdoor activities. Parents can help them find this balance. I am waiting for my son to grow up so that I get an excuse to play some games. :D Let it not be only about studies. Let them play!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Why Compare?
Saturdays and Sundays are half days for my maid. I get to spend quality time with my son on these days. Every evening, Vidur goes in his tricycle for a walk. This Saturday I took him for his evening walk. I met several of his friends on the way. It is a pleasure to watch him as he scans his environment for interesting things. He talks to people on the way.
My maid always mentions an old man who takes his grand daughter for a walk. Yesterday, I got to meet him. We chit chatted about the babies. Vidur and she are of the same age. He then told me that his granddaughter had not started standing without support and that everyone at home was anxious about this. I asked him whether she is standing holding onto to something and he said yes she is. I then consoled him saying don't worry she will do it soon. As she is pretty active, he should not worry. Each child is different.
This incident reminded me of several instances where mother/family members compare children of similar age. I remember when my son got teeth early, there were family member of other kids the same age telling me that teeth that come later are stronger. Really, do I have control over such things? Everything is compared. What tricks does your child do? How tall/heavy/fair is your child? Which doctor are you consulting? Are you sure she/he is good? Know what, my doctor is the best in the world. Seriously! Your child did this now, my kid did it ages ago. Puhlease! Why compare? Some kids do things early, while others take time. This does not mean that the kids who do things faster are going to be smarter than the ones who are slower.
Take pride in what your child does. It is special for you. For you, your child is the best and the smartest. Don't compare and doubt your child's learning curve. Also, please don't put down another child by proving that your child is smart.
My maid always mentions an old man who takes his grand daughter for a walk. Yesterday, I got to meet him. We chit chatted about the babies. Vidur and she are of the same age. He then told me that his granddaughter had not started standing without support and that everyone at home was anxious about this. I asked him whether she is standing holding onto to something and he said yes she is. I then consoled him saying don't worry she will do it soon. As she is pretty active, he should not worry. Each child is different.
This incident reminded me of several instances where mother/family members compare children of similar age. I remember when my son got teeth early, there were family member of other kids the same age telling me that teeth that come later are stronger. Really, do I have control over such things? Everything is compared. What tricks does your child do? How tall/heavy/fair is your child? Which doctor are you consulting? Are you sure she/he is good? Know what, my doctor is the best in the world. Seriously! Your child did this now, my kid did it ages ago. Puhlease! Why compare? Some kids do things early, while others take time. This does not mean that the kids who do things faster are going to be smarter than the ones who are slower.
Take pride in what your child does. It is special for you. For you, your child is the best and the smartest. Don't compare and doubt your child's learning curve. Also, please don't put down another child by proving that your child is smart.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
New Tricks
Trick 1: Vidur used to vigorously shake his head indicating no. Now, he has learned the art of saying yes. So if you ask him 'Are you hungry?' He shakes his head confirming the same. If you ask him 'You want to be spanked?' He says yes to that too.
Trick 2: He, like most other kids, loves the fan. As soon as the fan is switched on, he lifts one hand, points up, and says 'an with a grin on his face.
Trick 3: His maternal grandfather has taught him to count. My father spreads his palm out and counts to five (one-two-three-four-five) and then says 'Now your turn'. And, guess what he actually spreads out his tiny little palm and his stabs his index finger and says 'aa-aa-aa'.
Trick 4: His maternal grandfather (yes, he has been very busy) has also taught him to spot the moon. When outside, my dad asks him, 'Where's the moon?' and Vidur point at the moon and he puker his lips as if he were saying 'moo'.
Trick 5: His maternal grandmother has taught him to stir food. Whenever he see anyone near the stove, he insists that he is lifted and allowed to stir at least once.
Trick 6: Vidur dances to any tune he hears. He loves those toys that make a lot of noise and play some tune. (gives me a headache sometimes)
Trick 7: He goes round and round whenever someone sings ringa ringa roses. My cousin would deliberately sing at a public place, Vidur's face would light up, he would grab hold of my fingers and start moving round. He would then look very expectantly at me and wonders 'why is moming not falling down. She acts pretty crazy at home. '
Trick 2: He, like most other kids, loves the fan. As soon as the fan is switched on, he lifts one hand, points up, and says 'an with a grin on his face.
Trick 3: His maternal grandfather has taught him to count. My father spreads his palm out and counts to five (one-two-three-four-five) and then says 'Now your turn'. And, guess what he actually spreads out his tiny little palm and his stabs his index finger and says 'aa-aa-aa'.
Trick 4: His maternal grandfather (yes, he has been very busy) has also taught him to spot the moon. When outside, my dad asks him, 'Where's the moon?' and Vidur point at the moon and he puker his lips as if he were saying 'moo'.
Trick 5: His maternal grandmother has taught him to stir food. Whenever he see anyone near the stove, he insists that he is lifted and allowed to stir at least once.
Trick 6: Vidur dances to any tune he hears. He loves those toys that make a lot of noise and play some tune. (gives me a headache sometimes)
Trick 7: He goes round and round whenever someone sings ringa ringa roses. My cousin would deliberately sing at a public place, Vidur's face would light up, he would grab hold of my fingers and start moving round. He would then look very expectantly at me and wonders 'why is moming not falling down. She acts pretty crazy at home. '
Monday, February 2, 2009
My baby is not deprived
When I left from India for Doha, I took one Nan 2 can, one Ceralac and one Nestum. Ceralac and Nestum were almost empty cans, but I was really looking forward to exploring baby food available in the Gulf. I visited FFC (Family Food Center) and rushed to the baby food counter. I was very excited to find baby rusks. I grabbed a box. I thought my baby should have had access to this when he started teething. Nestum is not avaliable in the Gulf. My guess is that Nestum is specially packaged for India.
Ceralac was available and the flavors that were available were wheat and dates and wheat and fruits. I was very disappointed with what was available. In India, some of the options available are wheat with honey, wheat with orange, wheat with apple and cherry, and so on. Nestum also has several options, rice with fruits, rice with spinach, rice with dal, and rice with vegetables.
Guess what happened with the baby rusk, Vidur chewed on it for a few minutes and then threw it away. My doggie ate it. I have left befind the box of baby rusks in Doha for my dog. So, I declare that my baby is not deprived. He has access to so much, much more here.
Ceralac was available and the flavors that were available were wheat and dates and wheat and fruits. I was very disappointed with what was available. In India, some of the options available are wheat with honey, wheat with orange, wheat with apple and cherry, and so on. Nestum also has several options, rice with fruits, rice with spinach, rice with dal, and rice with vegetables.
Guess what happened with the baby rusk, Vidur chewed on it for a few minutes and then threw it away. My doggie ate it. I have left befind the box of baby rusks in Doha for my dog. So, I declare that my baby is not deprived. He has access to so much, much more here.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Stairs - an adventure
My home in Doha is a duplex. As soon as you enter, you come to a lobby which also has a staircase leading upstairs. If you go straight, you take two steps down and further ahead is the TV room. In India, Vidur has never had an opportunity to climb up or down a staircase. My mother (yes, she does seem to worry alot :)) kept worrying about how Vidur was going to move around without hurting himself.
On the first day there, he made an attempt to climb the stairs. What made him want to go up? You guessed right! It was my doggie. Vidur was, however, very successful the first time round. He went on all fours. He did not touch his knees to the ground. He climbed the stairs effortlessly. The next day (by which time he had also started walking) he tried climbing the stairs standing on his feet supporting himself on the banister. My mother heaved a sigh of relief.
Now, my mother was worried about how he would come down the stairs. Vidur found a solution to that too. He would turn around and keep going back on his fours till he reached the step. (sometimes he would start reversing way too early :)). Thus, he mastered the art of climbing up and down the stairs.
On the first day there, he made an attempt to climb the stairs. What made him want to go up? You guessed right! It was my doggie. Vidur was, however, very successful the first time round. He went on all fours. He did not touch his knees to the ground. He climbed the stairs effortlessly. The next day (by which time he had also started walking) he tried climbing the stairs standing on his feet supporting himself on the banister. My mother heaved a sigh of relief.
Now, my mother was worried about how he would come down the stairs. Vidur found a solution to that too. He would turn around and keep going back on his fours till he reached the step. (sometimes he would start reversing way too early :)). Thus, he mastered the art of climbing up and down the stairs.
Home Sweet Home
We were headed home (Doha) from the airport, my mother was a little apprehensive about how Vidur would react to my dog. Let me explain. Micky goes crazy when she sees us and she was seeing us after a very long time. As we entered the house, predictably, Micky rushed down the stairs and started howling, barking and jumping. Micky is a saluki mix (salukis are dogs used for hunting in the desert). My point being that she is reasonably big and quite ferocious looking. Vidur's reaction stunned all of us. He was in love! He was facinated by Micky. He wriggled out of my arms and made a dash for Micky. Micky, unfortunately, hates kids. She used to bark at them all the time when she was younger. Now, she barely puts up with them. She checked Vidur out and seemed to understand that he was family and she had to be nice to him.
Wherever Micky went, Vidur followed. Vidur walked again (after that stint at my grandmother's place) and the sole inspiration was my dog. He seemed to think he could reach her faster and make eye contact. Micky, however, ensured that she was always out of reach. Micky loves her evening walks. About an hour before the actual time, she gets excited and restless. The closer it gets to her walk time, the more excited she gets. Vidur tried to touch Micky when she was really eager to go for her walk. Micky started barking at Vidur. Vidur froze. He quickly looked at me to judge my reaction. When he saw that I was smiling, he clamped his hands together and had this look of absolute glee.
Though Micky acted pricy most of the time, when Vidur slept, she would got sniff him and wag her tail. She also slept next to him once when she thought he was upset over something. Vidur got braver by the day. He started trying to poke micky in the eye, pull her tail and so on. We had to keep a close watch on both. After all, Micky deserved to be rescued from Vidur!
Now that Vidur and I are back in India, he continues to display his love for doggies. He wants to touch the street dogs! I am not sure they are going to be as understanding as Micky.
Wherever Micky went, Vidur followed. Vidur walked again (after that stint at my grandmother's place) and the sole inspiration was my dog. He seemed to think he could reach her faster and make eye contact. Micky, however, ensured that she was always out of reach. Micky loves her evening walks. About an hour before the actual time, she gets excited and restless. The closer it gets to her walk time, the more excited she gets. Vidur tried to touch Micky when she was really eager to go for her walk. Micky started barking at Vidur. Vidur froze. He quickly looked at me to judge my reaction. When he saw that I was smiling, he clamped his hands together and had this look of absolute glee.
Though Micky acted pricy most of the time, when Vidur slept, she would got sniff him and wag her tail. She also slept next to him once when she thought he was upset over something. Vidur got braver by the day. He started trying to poke micky in the eye, pull her tail and so on. We had to keep a close watch on both. After all, Micky deserved to be rescued from Vidur!
Now that Vidur and I are back in India, he continues to display his love for doggies. He wants to touch the street dogs! I am not sure they are going to be as understanding as Micky.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Flying Overseas
Vidur developed a terrible cold two days before our departure to Doha. My doc was a little concerned about his health. She did everything possible to ensure that Vidur was fit to travel. I am very grateful to her. She asked me to carry his regular medicines. She also asked me to give him 'lullaby' to ensure that he sleeps through the journey. She said that else with his cold he may cry a lot and it will get difficult for us. I asked her whether I could give him the syrup if he gets cranky. She said it will take half and hour to take effect.
Even though the doc warned me that Vidur would cry, trusting my motherly instincts, I decided against it. Let me tell you something about my son. He loves (I mean really loves!) going out and seeing people. His eyes light up when he sees new places and new people. Our flight was at 4:45 am and therefore we left home at 2:30 am. Vidur was fast asleep. I dressed him up while he was still sleeping and carried him down to the taxi. As soon as we reached the airport, he was up and was definitely not cranky. He wanted to take it all in...the people, the lights, the shops. Once we were in the flight, he played for sometime with a pen and promptly slept off just before my food arrived. The Qatar Airways staff asked us whether we wanted a bassinet for Vidur. I think this was procedure as he had a very doubtful expression on his face. My son is 11 months but he is tall and chubby. I told him no thanks I think he is too big and heavy for the bassinet. :)
Vidur was such a darling. He slept through most of the four and half hour flight duration. He got up once and was even then he was his happy self. He got off my lap and past my mother and sister to toddle down the aisle. My mother was reminded of Baby's Day Out (the movie). :) We had to force him to come back to his seat. I was telling my mother how glad I was that I decided against giving him the sedative. Why should I deprive him of the pleasure of enjoying his overseas flight experience?
Even though the doc warned me that Vidur would cry, trusting my motherly instincts, I decided against it. Let me tell you something about my son. He loves (I mean really loves!) going out and seeing people. His eyes light up when he sees new places and new people. Our flight was at 4:45 am and therefore we left home at 2:30 am. Vidur was fast asleep. I dressed him up while he was still sleeping and carried him down to the taxi. As soon as we reached the airport, he was up and was definitely not cranky. He wanted to take it all in...the people, the lights, the shops. Once we were in the flight, he played for sometime with a pen and promptly slept off just before my food arrived. The Qatar Airways staff asked us whether we wanted a bassinet for Vidur. I think this was procedure as he had a very doubtful expression on his face. My son is 11 months but he is tall and chubby. I told him no thanks I think he is too big and heavy for the bassinet. :)
Vidur was such a darling. He slept through most of the four and half hour flight duration. He got up once and was even then he was his happy self. He got off my lap and past my mother and sister to toddle down the aisle. My mother was reminded of Baby's Day Out (the movie). :) We had to force him to come back to his seat. I was telling my mother how glad I was that I decided against giving him the sedative. Why should I deprive him of the pleasure of enjoying his overseas flight experience?
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