Pre school - Day 1

I was nervous like hell. It was like going for a maths exam (Okey, not maths because I was good at it, but lets say... sanskrit exam or whichever subject you feared the most).

Challenge # 1 - Getting Venky (and ourselves) ready on time. I had to make sure that we get up at 7am to ensure that Venky reaches school by 9 am. That is quite a bit of an effort for one who not seen the 7 am sky for lets say.. a decade? Needless to say, I slept badly because of the tension. And woke up at 6 am. Tossed and turned till 7 am and then finally got up.

While I got ready, Vibhu handled waking up Venky. Venky wanted to sleep more and was terribly upset with Vibhu for forcing him out of the bed. His dada, dadi came to the rescue. By the time I dressed up he was in a good mood ( he was told that he will go to "school" and that excited him - isn't that a blessing!). So brush, shower and breakfast later (which went fairly smoothly and on schedule), the whole family was ready by 8.30 to take him to the school. Yeah, 4 adults (Vibhu, MIL, FIL & me) were to drop him to the school. I remember getting such a grand see off when I first went to the US. From the next time on, I called the cab. Sorry, I am digressing. So, we ALL got ready and left for Venky's school well in time.

Challenge # 2 - Waving goodbye. No matter how much we prepare Venky for our departure to the office, he always does a flip flop at the last moment. Although Venky's grandparents were to accompany him, I was wary about his reaction on seeing us leave. I tried to prep him by talking to him about it on our way to his school.. and lo, we were there! Venky hopped off excited (his 3 pre school visits had made him somewhat comfortable with its enviornment), and headed straight for the "jhoola". Dada, dadi followed him. We called him and waved bye. Yeah, today's child psychology - "inform" the child of your departure. I guess this days parents are the one who are made to follow the rules! I almost thought Venky'll will come back running and crying. But lo and behold, he waved goodbye. Traitor! Girgit! Dal Badloo! "Jaldi aana", he said. Hmmm.. okey, that'll unbreak my heart.

Challenge # 3 - Stay in school for 1.5 hours. Now, we were in office and Venky was in the school along with his grandparents. Grandparents were supposed to stay out of sight as long as possible and the teacher was supposed to handle him. At 9.15 am Vibhu pinged me on IM.

V [9:15 AM]:
my phone is in the car
call papa once

SS [9:15 AM]:
:)
arre rahne do na
itni jaldi kyon call karna hai?

V [9:16 AM]:
to find out if they are watching him on CCTV

SS[9:16 AM]:
we'll call at 10.30

tum toh Venky se jayada pareshan ho

its ok. Let them be
we'll call at 10.30 and then find out

V [9:16 AM]:

:(
ok

Dads these days I tell you! They've started behaving like mothers. And they've confused the moms which way to behave! So, I got back to work and then I got another IM at 10.38 am

V [10:38 AM]:
did you check?

SS [10:38 AM]:
what?

V [10:38 AM]:

on Venky?

I called my FIL now and found out how Venky behaved. Ofcourse I reported it back to Vibhu immideately. I wanted him to concentrate on work and not get fired during this recession. So,

this is how it went...

SS [10:45 AM]:
it went off very well
other kids were crying
he was not

V [10:46 AM]:
good

SS [10:46 AM]:
mostly he was on his own
he asked for his tiffin and ate

V [10:46 AM]:
they did not call papa(my FIL)?

SS [10:46 AM]:
all parents were just around
so they (my parents in law) were sitting in the office
but Venky came to them only once
and then kept himself busy
thoda classroom ke andar
and thoda bahar

V[10:47 AM]:
cool

SS [10:47 AM]:
some kids were just not leaving their parents

V [10:47 AM]:
hmmm

SS [10:48 AM]:
I talked to him (Venky)
he said ki maza aaya
and he is ready to go tomorrow again
so far so good :)

V [10:48 AM]:
awesome

SS [10:49 AM]:
I told you ki my son is a rock star :)

V [10:49 AM]:
hee hee

SS [10:49 AM]:
but you are one worried parent :p

V [10:49 AM]:
ok ok :p
bye

SS[10:49 AM]:
chalo bye obsessed daddy
think about work now :p

Hence proved - Venky is a rock star, Vibhu is an obessed dad and I am a happy mom!

Rules are for everyone

Venky is jumping on the dining table

I - "Venky, neeche utro! Gir jaoge." (Venky, climb down! You'll fall)

Venky keeps jumping

Vibhu - "Venky, gir jaoge beta" (Venky, you'll fall son)

Venky gets more excited and keeps jumping

FIL - " Venky is a bad boy. Gir jaoge, neeche utro"

MIL says something too (to the same effect). Venky ignores everyone, gets excited at the attention and keeps jumping. Finally, after several threats, reprimands and requests we have to force him down from the dining table.

Venky gets upset with us for spoiling his fun and sits in my lap sucking his thumb.

I - "Vibhu, please put the blinds down."

These blinds are accessible only from the dining table. So, Vibhu climbs the table to pull the blinds down.



Venky - "Papaaaaaa. NEECHE UTRO. GIR JAAOGE."

:D :D :D

Lately, we've had quite a few of those coming our way!

From a material mom's heart

The 3 week vacation in Switzerland did wonders. It was truly a bonding time - for Venky, us, and his dada, dadi. We have surely returned as a much happier family. It taught us that love and nuturing can really do wonders to a child. Venky had become such a good kid! No fuss over food. Taking all instructions. Listening to us and giving us his little hugs and kisses. He sat through the 8 hour flight without any tantrums. Everybody, from flight attendants to co passengers were all praises for him. I was such a proud mom :)


And a very guilty one too. Just being in our constant company made him behave so well. Just before we left for vacation he was so difficult with food and such a stubborn kid. I have to believe that the change in his behaviour was due to all the love and attention he was getting from us and his grandparents. We are now back in office and soon his grandparents will leave too :-( I wonder if that will change his personality in a negetive direction again. The mom in me wants to quit her job and stay home with him ... the woman in me does not. So, the quintessential conflict continues ....






Venky starts his pre school now. 9 am - 12 pm. With that and the afternoon nap, I believe (or should I say, I want to believe) that he will not spend too much time at home without us. I desparately want Venky to enjoy his school. That will take some guilt off me. But if he regresses, I guess I should be ready to make some hard decisions.