One step away!

One step away!

Kids have something to tell us, all the time, especially after school, exactly when we aren’t ready! Yes! When we, parents are NOT listening or when we are hurrying to book a cab to drop them in a class, or when we are going to a new place like a competition venue, then comes everything that’s important!

I have/am seeing both the extremes, everyday! My son needs to be asked 100 questions to get few answers from him amidst his hmm, yes, oh, No, etc... and my daughter should be requested to zip her mouth!

Just exactly when we are getting down from an auto, when they are heading for a music or drawing class, my daughter would say, Amma, I need to take a 4 lined new notebook, a new set of color pencils tomorrow while I am hurriedly paying the auto driver! The 4 lined never went inside my ears and all I can gather was she wants something to take to school!

My son, even though with us, has kept his listening skills at rest! He is in his own world, and at 8pm amidst their giggles and little fights, he remembers when I ask him looking at his class’s WhatsApp group, someone says, you have to take that notebook to school?! 

Oh yeah Mom! I need that notebook! I am like, OMG! How many times I have told you to inform me beforehand?! What were you doing when she told me? His prompt reply: I am not aware, Mom! May be you both discussed without me!

So, I have made up my mind to be an active listener the moment my kids come back from school! The moment he or she “touches down” from their van, I am ready! My daughter will have so much to say from that first step till we reach home. Then later, after food if I ask her, she’s like, I already told you! I am like, when?! So what?! Can’t you repeat?

You guys make me repeat everything so many times but can’t you do the same?! Mom, we are sure, you have already noted down as you are sharp! Oh no! I am blunt! So, repeat if you want anything for tomorrow else, skip it! ( I am also learning to be a smart mom!)

My ears get tired listening at a stretch and my mind is constantly thinking! You know how much stress that is? Well, if you don’t have a clue, become a mom!

Especially the weekends, they will remember everything on a Sunday night if you’re lucky and if you don’t, then on Monday mornings where we cannot do anything other than waving them off!

The point to be noted here is they share with their Dad! He’s not going to do anything other than saying hmm, did you inform Amma?

Monday morning, as I heave a sigh of relief, as all leave home for their respective areas of work, I find a pillow to lie down! The never-ending pile of work comes in front of me and I renounce the pillow like Buddha who renounced his family and get to work!  

The subtle difference between Buddha and me is what we renounced! I was just one step away from becoming a Buddha! In fact, we all moms are!

I want to have an energy drink for being the active listener, the unpaid, unappointed, yet the indispensable secretary to all the three!  My terms of work are cruel! When everyone has a weekend, I have double work!

I have read, the greatest bliss is to sleep the next moment you hit the bed! Well, being a tired mom has its own edge, we don’t need even a blanket but a stingy little place to stretch our body!

Life is simple!

--Vishnupriya