The innocent and inquisitive Yashwanth

I have always been amazed by my son's curiosity of knowing things better. Here are a few inquisitive episodes of my son. 

An instance five months back..

It was a time, when my son was getting addicted to the mobile phone, watching all the educational videos and rhymes. This is undeniably a typical situation across all the new generation families. Irrespective of the age, babies to grannies are going digital. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the pets going digital in some years (Digital India DA!!).

Considering his mental and physical health, I decided to cut down the screen time to one hour per day. (A recent study says, ideal amount of screen time is 45 to 60 minutes per day). Though, my son knows A to Z on the mobile phone, I have deliberately made him unaware about the switch to turn on and off the router. So, when I turn off the router, the three lights on the router go off. Every now and then he keeps an eye on the router to check if the lights are back, without knowing that there is a switch to be switched on. I find this technique more easier to keep him away from the screen. (Healthy cheating in parenthood is allowed, according to Anitha’s law of parenting).

When I turn off the router, I have to cook up my own stories to narrate, as to why the internet connection is down. Such stories are, maintenance work is going on, internet guys have gone on vacation to Kodaikanal, I have not paid the bill yet and hence the disconnection. Every day, a new lie, sorry story.

On one fine day, he was back from the school. The good boy refreshed himself and had his lunch quickly. He was getting ready for his screen time and was allowed to watch for an hour. Later, I had turned off the router. As usual he was asking me for a reason. The story teller inside me said, “There was a crow which sat on the internet wire and now the wire has been broken and disconnected. So, please wait until the internet guys fix it”. He left the place without uttering a word and he was totally engrossed in setting up railway track and building blocks. After an hour or so he rushed to me and asked in a very innocent tone, “Amma, why is this crow sitting on the wireline. Doesn’t it have a sofa set at home??” I just burst out laughing and hugged him for his innocence. Then I had to explain him about the stone age and the civilization of how we got house arrested with the sophistications. At least, let the crows live under the sky unlike us living under a roof.

Another recent incident-

We hired a cab from Royapetah to Velachery. Whatever strikes his sight will be a question to us. Just imagine!!  It will take at least 30 to 45 minutes to reach our destination. He was all set to throw questions at us. It started with Metro train running underground, aeroplane, bridge construction, 2.0, etc and finally AMBUR STAR Biriyani, a restaurant which was recently opened in our locality. As we were crossing the restaurant, he was on the top of his voice shouting, “Amma, Star biriyani!!!”. (En inamada nee :) )

That moment something struck his mind and the conversation went like -

Yash: Amma, what will be there in Star biriyani??

Me and Hubby: (Throwing a silly-boy look at him) Biryani

Yash: That I know. What will be there in that biryani??

Me: Mutton

Yash: How come mutton in Star Biryani.. Star has to be there right? In Chicken Biryani we have chicken and in Mutton Biryani we have mutton and in Star biryani??

LOGICAL REASONING!! Maybe his left brain is developing well.

The cab driver, who was enjoying his solitude throughout the drive, was laughing out loud. Yash broke his silence. (KIDS CAN BREAK ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. So, keep the expensive items out of their reach.)

The art of asking questions never ends.. It continues with - 

1.    Why Amma you don’t have mustache and beard

2.    Why is it getting dark in the evening

3.    Where was this sun the whole night

4.    Why do we have black and white portions in eyes

5.    Why is my dad so tall and my uncle is short

6.    Why crescent moon has C shape

Even if I try to answer all his questions, he tries to frame another question from the previous answer. He is definitely not OK with a one word answer, and keeps pestering me until I give him a big lecture. He has reached a state of asking questions, even without a subject, head, tail, noun, adjective.. Heights of Learning!!

I know everyone will have such similar stories. Let us all encourage our kids to ask many more questions. Let the neurons of our child's brain be well connected with our factual answers. The first five years play a vital role in a child's brain development. Attention, eye contact, smile, touch and love - are the ones required for the brain development and not the expensive toys. Let's be our child’s toy. 

Happy Parenting and Q&A session with your child!!

Journey of Motherhood to Happy Motherhood!!

When a child is born, a MOTHER is born too!! Motherhood is a state which cannot be elaborated in words but it can only be experienced. Thankyou Yashwanth (my son) for making me experience the motherhood. I am here to share my experiences how this motherhood has transformed me personally and professionally.

Well, I am a proud mother of a five years old son cum mentor. Certainly, a mentor, because each kid is a parent to the parents. The life lessons which I learn from him can only be learnt by sitting under the Bodhi tree. My journey with Happy Motherhood started when my son was 5 months old in the womb. It was declared to be a complicated pregnancy, post Anomaly scan. I was totally dejected to know that the complication hits one in 500 women. Why me?? Nevertheless, I somehow managed to pacify myself.

My sister-in-law suggested me to talk to her neighbour, Mrs. Ananthi Ragupathy, Founder of Happy Motherhood. I did not force myself to talk to anyone as I was in my own world. However, Ananthi herself made an attempt to call me and we spoke hardly for 30 minutes. That phone call was indeed a boost for me! It would be no exaggeration to say that, my pregnancy season to be termed as Pre-Ananthi trimester and Post-Ananthi trimester. That was the impact of positive vibes she passed on to me. A good start to my true motherhood!

Days were passing on and I started concentrating on my work. I worked for a Bangalore-based firm which is into oil & gas sector. I was compensated with highest series of five-digit salary. Well paid and women-friendly job in a happening and cool city. What else is needed for a married woman in the late twenties. Life was all smooth and settled until I delivered my little champ. As expected and visualised, I did not face any problem during delivery (Power of positive thoughts and vibes acquired from Happy Motherhood). If not for Happy Motherhood, I would have had fearful pregnancy which would have had its own negative influences on my son. 

A few months later, I had to re-join office. As every other first-time-mom, I was reluctant to take up the job again. I was just not ready to leave my tiny boy, who will need me every hour. Was that the only reason? Not at all.. It's all a master plan of the nature. Yes, I was trapped in the deep motherly love for my boy. Who will not fall for her own baby?? And I am so glad to say that I was no exception to this scenario.

So, what did I do? I chose to resign the job and stay at home to give my son the love, the warmth and values which I would not be able to buy from anywhere with the money I earn. (Undoubtedly, Philosophy #1, :P). As days passed on, I was not the same lovable and energetic mom. My life had become very monotonous with no challenges to face. I could feel the void inside my mind and soul. There was a spark which made me realise that I have lost the career. Did I make a mistake resigning the job?? Weren’t the other new-gen mothers balancing both work and life. Then why wouldn't I? Gave a shot to few interviews. Fortunately, nothing fruitful happened then. At times, I used to show the frustration on my boy saying that he was the reason for me losing the career. (Philosophy #2 God has his own plan and he is the best script writer and screenplay editor. So, wait for it.)

In the meantime, I moved to Chennai, another happening city for all the classes of people. Sitting idle at home was making me crazy like hell. One fine day, I happened to message Happy Motherhood group on WhatsApp, asking for job opportunities. Immediately, Ananthi texted me personally, if I would be interested to take up Franchisee of Happy Motherhood. What an opportunity and responsibility?? I always wanted to become an entrepreneur and a public speaker. So, why will I miss this double dhamaka opportunity. Without any second thought I said a YES! (Philosophy # 3 Believe in God/Universe. You will get what you deserve to get).

Though it took years together to materialize, now I am an ENTREPRENEUR - Franchise of Happy Motherhood in Velachery. This is not just a money-making job for me, but my passion as well. Immense self-satisfaction is the best compensation, one would receive for any job it matters. And I receive it with pride.

I am writing this just to motivate many such first time mothers who have lost the career because of motherhood. There is nothing to be worried about. God/Universe has a plan for us. Have a strong belief on this. You will be communicated through some means on what you are good at, strong at and capable of. Grab it and be thankful for what you have. We can definitely make a living out of our passion. Making your passion as your profession would be the best thing to do on the earth. Let’s live our own and single LIFE. Let us all celebrate the motherhood and at the same time let us not forget women empowerment!

Motherhood made me lose my job and Happy Motherhood made me an Entrepreneur. Thankyou Happy Motherhood and Yashwanth. You made it possible for me.

Paanjalai akka

Paanjalai akka - The maid who works at my in-law's place..

Though I have known her for months together, today there was something in her that attracted me.. Yes!!! The smile, the energy and the attitude she carries is remarkable. She has her own tragic story with a drunkard husband, two mentally-retarded teenage girls and a carefree son. Only I call her life to be tragic. However, she understands and handles it well (To my surprise she never took any counselling session from a family counselor).

What keeps her driving??

She starts to work at 6 am every morning.. Then who will take care of the needs at her home?? Trust me. It's the same drunkard husband. He does everything from cooking to cleaning. I don't see any gender-based employment discrimination. Shouldn't we (society) celebrate this gender equality.

Dedicated to dual-career couples. Let us celebrate each other for what the partner is good at!!

P.S: My blogs are not to show my literature or writing skills😃, but to kindle the emotions and thoughts unnoticed within us😏.. Let's make the society a better place to live in🙏.

Universe - The ultimate power to be experienced

Another moment where I felt closer to the universe.. went out for walking at 5.30 am. it was drizzling.. "மழையில் நனைந்தால் கரைந்து விட மாட்டோம்" என்று நண்பர் ஒருவர் சொன்னது நினைவுக்கு வர, வானத்தை உற்று நோக்கி என்னை தயார் படுத்தி கொண்டு இருந்தேன் (was repeating the affirmation of universe helping me in all means). என்ன விந்தை. பிரபஞ்சம் செவி சாய்த்தது. It stopped drizzling in few mins. Walking task completed(moral: மனம் இருந்தால் மார்கபந்து, மொத சந்து)