Category: Parenting
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Going Gently Into The Night
“My headphones are not charging.” Pattu’s voice is matter of fact. She states it as if it were non negotiable, this state of her headphones. “Have to tried charging it at a different spot? Have you tried using a different charging cord, different adapter?” My questions stream out of me in the measured way of…
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Reconsider. Reformat. Reframe.
This year will be sixteen years since I set down the path to grow my family through adoption. I have written on my blog, talked about it in interviews, ranted on social media and now, share my story on the big screen. The only constant through it all has been change. I went from an…
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Breaching New Frontiers
“You can get drunk as much as you want to…” Ammu says playfully in conversation where her dad and I talk about her and her twin getting their learner’s permits and eventually their drivers license. “Ani! Neva…” I call out laughing as I do and head back to my oasis that is my study. “True!…
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Gen X, Gen Z And, Gen Alpha
“Let me show you what I made…” Laddu’s voice trails off as she extends her phone to me. A video, less than a minute long plays. I am impressed with the little one’s editing skills and I say so. “So, can I have my YT channel please?” Her eyebrows go up and down as she…
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Discordant Time
“We made a TikTok on my friends account but don’t worry we didn’t show our faces” I am walking around my home sipping on coffee when I see the text. My youngest also sends the said video. I watch it not quite sure what to expect. It is cute. The music is preppy and the…
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Yin And Yang
“Ooh! I forgot to give mom kisses…” Ammu runs to me and smothers me with kisses all over my face. When I pause to catch my breath, she removes my glasses and attacks me again until I am bent over, wheezing with laughter and desperately trying not to pee. “Screw off” Ammu grumbles when I…
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Unplugged Parenting: Walking, Conversations, and Embracing Moments of Joy
“Can we go on a walk?” My middle child pops into the living room where I am prone on the sofa, the lazy ceiling fan lulling me into sleep. Amma is seated across the room. I squint at the window. The sun is still pretty bright for 6:00 pm. “How about after dinner?” I suggest.…
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Embracing Teenage Years: A Parent’s Perspective
It’s 8:45 pm, typical bedtime in our home. One of my older girls pauses to fill her water bottle. She is giggly. I look askance and she spills the tea. First loves, crushes, kisses. It all comes pouring forth. I smile along with her and as we walk upstairs remind her that actions have consequences.…
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Heartbreak Central
I queue up Taylor Swift to start as I enter the car and connect the phone. Say Don’t Go fills the enclosed space. The ride to the bus stop is less than a minute. I park and sing along as loudly as I dare. Pattu joins me. When the lyrics pause and the music takes…
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A Good Word
Jimin’s Like Crazy crooned in my ear as I walked this morning. My youngest sat on the sofa earnestly playing some game on her phone. Her hair was tousled, her complexion smooth. “You are beautiful!” I mouthed as I walked past. Over the course of the morning, I tried to recall the number of times…