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Young kids. What must be going on behind those innocent yet mischief filled eyes? What would a toddler's world be like? Here's a personal account.
Young kids. What must be going on behind those innocent yet mischief filled eyes? What would a toddler’s world be like? Here’s a personal account.
Children see, hear and experience the world just as we adults do. I sometimes wonder – what do babies and toddlers think? It would be fun to know what they are thinking. I imagine my 4 year old son would say something like this if he could verbalise all his thoughts….
When my parents make silly faces, I sometimes smile out of politeness and gratitude. But then they started doing it very often and it bores me.
One day, when I was trying to pass gas, I gave a new facial expression that they thought was a smile. They all got so excited and wanted to showcase me to everyone. My family gathered around to see me smile, but to their disappointment, I didn’t need to pass gas any more.
Sometimes I wonder what they add to my milk. It makes me so drowsy. I want to stay up and party with everyone but I sleep off after every feed.
My parents get so many toys for me and seem more excited about them than me. I only like the real things like their phone, laptop, TV remote, keys etc. More than the toy, I like the carton in which it is packed since I can tear that apart into tiny pieces and play with the shreds.
Why do they keep saying everything doesn’t go in the mouth? Have they tasted it? No, right! So let me decide and hand over those car keys for tasting.
It was annoying when they did not understand what I want. They did everything except realise that I was sitting in my own urine and they needed to change my diaper ASAP!!!
Sometimes I even think that they make things so complicated for themselves. Just ask me if I have pooped instead of sticking your finger in my diaper and then making yucky faces when some of it gets into your finger nails.
My parents embarrass me! They talk about the colour of my poop, rash on my bum and how many times I pee in a day. Are there no other topics of discussion these days?
One day my mom was hysterically trying to find my shoes. She looked everywhere but did not ask me. If she had asked me I would’ve told that I threw it in the dustbin along with a pair of socks and my new toy car. But she seemed so mad that I just kept quiet at first and later simply pointed out the dustbin to her.
I can now recognise and name all veggies and fruits. Don’t hand over that brown mashed veggie and say it’s a banana.
I like to dress up by myself. I think it’s cool to be different and experimental. I like to wear my trousers as a hat and t-shirt below the waist. There is no need to laugh at me and take pictures to threaten me when I grow up.
My parents just can’t make up their mind. They say I’m a small boy so I can’t shave yet or drive a car but other times they say that I’m a big boy and I should not be naughty. How they confuse me…
People may not realize but it’s not easy being a toddler. It comes with a lot of power but also responsibility – to entertain, to be charmingly mischievous, to look good and grace photographs. I hear in this age of instant communication, one slip and you could be talked about on social media. I often see my dad shaking his head to himself when he can’t figure out what my mom wants. I guess when both of them are shaking their heads to themselves, they can’t figure out what I want. And the surprises will still keep coming…
Mom’s note: This write-up is cooked up by me since like most other boys; my 4 year old son does not tell me what’s on his mind!
Do you want to add anything your child would have to say? I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Published here earlier.
Image source: pexels
Prerna Wahi worked in the corporate world for 7 years. In the past few years, she has been a stay-at-home mom. She has been enjoying the new role ever since and likes to read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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