Space

This morning's timeout did not go as expected. Little Miss Haana was not eating and had been sitting on the breakfast table with a bite in her mouth since eons. After much goading, I finally gave up. I told her to finish or get a timeout. As it turns out, timeout it was to be. The timeout place is on the turn of the stairs, away from any activities or stuff that could be utilized for play.

I didn't hear from her for sometime. I wondered if she'd fallen asleep. She hadn't. I spied her. She spied me back. I pretended to be busy working chores around the house. Another few minutes passed. Still no sound.

I crept up close and asked her what she was doing. She said, "I'm standing by myself and I was making funny faces at Papa."
"But Papa can't see you!" I asked.
"I was playing by myself", she said.

She had been hanging out by herself in a corner, with no toys or avenues. She was making funny faces and singing funny songs to herself, by herself. Entertaining herself.

It did beat the purpose of a timeout but I was very glad she's capable to having fun by herself. On this day of constant stimulation (television, radio, social engagements, social media, ... the list is endless), personal time has rapidly depleted. I'm guilty myself. The ability to give ourselves some time and space; and be able to enjoy one's own company is extremely valuable. I'm proud of little Miss Haana for being able to do that today. And I hope she never outgrows it!

Talk

Last couple days the little girl has been sniffling. Inhaling steam is a good remedy for noses with cold, but holds logistics and practical challenges.

So, Daddy was explaining to little Gugu- "I'm going to put this pan of boiling water in the washbasin. You can climb up on the stool and then we will lean into the pan from which steam will be coming it. Take deep breaths but don't touch anything. Remember, the pan will be very, very, very, very hot." 

Could more "very"s be added to that sentence? Probably not.

But on hearing the instructions, what did a visibly anxious and disconcerted Gugu ask?

"But Daddy... But... Would I be able to talk?"

Report Cards

I still remember the day when I was in school (elementary, middle and high) and it used to be the report card day! Last month we went to visit grand-parents in India and we saw a different kind of report cards.

Every morning during our stay with her maternal grand parents, my little girl would come out with her own report card: who all are on her good books, and who are not. 

On the first day, Mumma, Papa, Aby bhaiya (my sugar drop nephew) and Sid uncle were Pyaara bachha (lovely child) and everyone else- Softy Mausi (my sweet sister), nana (grandpa) and Nani (grandma) were all declared badmaash bachha (naughty kids).

On hearing her report, Softy Mausi got thoroughly traumatized. She doubled up on the hugging and the agreeing and the bribing. 

Next day, the charms had worked. Papa, Mumma, Softy Mausi, Aby bhaiya, Sid uncle - all of us were on the good books. So who's left? Nana, Nani. Both grandparents ended up on the naughty side. Reason? They came between Miss Haana and her tv shows! :-)

Every day for the rest of our stay, I checked but the report cards stayed the same.

We've just been back for a week and I checked this morning. Nana, Nani and still badmaash bachha!