As much as we like to treat our kid as a “little fellow” who knows nothing in this world, we expect him to do things like we do — like elders.

For example, we would love it if our kids are potty trained early in life by themselves or learns to eat properly like adults or behaves like the way we would given a situation.

Have we ever stopped and thought what it is to be a child? Do we ever look at the world like they do? We've all gone thru' the some/same childhood pains, but don't remember them now.

However, all the actions that have been condemned by elders around us when were a kid have made us what we are today. Think about it!

Anyways, coming back to my child ' Arya he's 1 yr and 5 months. People around me have amazing expressions when they know that I still feed him or he still eats ONLY soft and pureed meals or he makes a big mess of any food that you offer him on a plate or he does not know how to sip from a glass and drink.

I keep wondering why we need to hurry a child in learning something that we have mastered (have we?) after at least 20 yrs in our lives. People still eat messily; they still don't chew their food well before swallowing ' so how do you expect an infant to be correct?

Every time, we run around telling him “NO” for every small explore that he undertakes I myself do that and then refrain.

This morning, Arya's granny was very excited that he eats a small piece of egg omelet ' well, he did give it his best try but did not work out! He just threw up all the breakfast he had eaten as well. Granny's explanation was that he'll get used to it ' and we need to keep trying. My argument was that the day he's ready he'll begin eating and there is no reason for us to force him to do so.

Then again the comparison game begins ' saying a younger child in the neighborhood is already eating normal meals!!

I again repeat myself ' can we please allow every child to grow at his / her own pace?

I would love to know your thoughts on this.

- Sudha Shankar

It's hard being a working mom, particularly on days your child is not well.

Like yesterday, for example, when my four-year-old was not well. When he had to take tons of medicine and do nebulisation (that's when the medicine is forced out as vapour and has to be inhaled; each nebulisation takes 30-45 minutes) six times a day. And he feels weak and does not have the energy to play.

I delayed going to office as long as I could. We sat cuddled together. Then, when he looked like he was feeling a little better, I got ready to leave. At the door, I said by to him.

Clutching on to his train, he said, “Bye, Mamma.”

Then, “When the sun goes down, you come home okay ”

Then, “Don't come by taxi, come by bus ”

Then, “Mamma, when you come home, we'll play the colour game ”

Then, “Mamma, I like your dress.”

Then, “Mamma, you're looking nice.”

Then, “Mamma, after office, you can go to school ”

All of this with a bright smile on his tiny face But the eyes, they told a different story.

– Mom at work

PS: I know it’s been a long gap between posts, but we will be more regular. So please keep coming back and talking to us.