Category: Parenting
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An Afterthought, Invisible.
A week back I stumbled on something that crossed my timeline on Facebook, the way these memes do. I read, liked and went my way. The thought however, lodged itself in my head and would not let go. I tried pinning it down a couple of times without luck. This morning as I looked at…
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Scripted lives
I stand on the wooden steps that lead away from the kitchen into the garage, holding out pretty backpacks with swirls of color. A heart blinks on one and a butterfly on another. The twins turn their backs to me so I can help them with their bags. I stand as they leave, their rain coats…
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On The Outside Looking In
Sitting in the midst of a swarming, teeming auditorium packed with kids and parents alike, I felt like I was in a bubble. Untouched, isolated, like an island. As if sensing how overwhelming it felt, one twin leaned on me, her face resting on my bosom. The other held my hand. In the few minutes…
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Spreading their wings
I circle the low-slung building that houses the elementary school scanning the sides for parking. Even as I despair of finding one, I spy a red arrow pointing further down for additional parking. The clock reads 5:55 PM. I park and hold the girls close as I follow the crowd to the doors. A few…
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On mothering the second time around
I am leaning over the crib where Laddu lies, legs up in the air. I am about to change her diaper when a little hand shoves a bottle of talc on the changing mat. I turn and Ammu stands arms extended. I take it from her and put it away as I explain why I…
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Notes to my past self
I lie sprawled on the couch. My feet touching Saathi’s as he is stretched out at the other end. Laddu crawls back and forth aligning herself to the planes and angles of his body and the curves and contours of mine. I lie not asleep but in a deep state of exhaustion after what has…
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The not so fine moments of mothering
Mothering is not just rainbows and unicorns. It is the not so fine moments that do not get vocalized.
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Milestones that sneak up on you
Sometime late last year, I browsed the local schools online trying to find out what the process was like to register for Kindergarten. I got on mailing lists. I marked dates on my calendar and let it be. One fine morning I woke up to a gentle reminder that registration was coming up. The choices…
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Parenting conundrums
I put away clothes and tidy up the bedroom picking up stray doll parts and mini bags stuffed with blocks. The TV blares from downstairs as the Colts play the Chiefs. Saathi’s voice modulates as he explains the game to the girls. I smile as straighten the bed and fold the warm throws. As the…
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Things my toddlers teach me
Ammu and I sit on the recliner, our heads side to side with matching smiles that light up our faces. It is a Sunday afternoon and in that gray zone between lunch and nap time when I have no idea how to entertain the kids, we discover something new. Armed with a flashlight each, we…