Craze for Crazy Looking Cartoon Umbrellas

It’s been raining heavily in Ahmedabad these days. Wait, it's pouring. Roads are water logged, plus there are a network of potholes that one  needs to meticulously maneuver, (or else you know what); and added to that, there’s cow menace all over.  (Ah! It's on a wing and prayer I make it to the office daily.) However, there’s a flip side to this monsoon fury as well. First off, I managed to take a few unofficial days off from the office (that’s was a breath of fresh air). Plus, the fresh patch of grass you get to see all around is a pure visual delight.(In fact, the blanket of greenery that one gets to view from the terrace of my 12^thfloor office building is quite breathtaking.)

But, first things first 'Aryan’s craze for cartoon umbrellas'. Yes, with monsoons in full swing, Aryan’s craze for a new cartoon umbrella has heightened. (Though, I don’t mind indulging him most of the times, what I dread are those deadly attacks from my hubby dear accusing me of spoiling his kid, by giving in to his demands all the time; well, he is right, by the way.)     

Aryan's cartoon umbrellas

“Momsy can you get me a new umbrella,” my cute little Aryan begs, and then goes ahead and does the inevitable. He keeps on bragging about the benefits of owning a new umbrella. And, yes of course, he has got all the right expressions on his face that could melt any mother’s heart away. Anyway, I decided not to give in this time. (Don’t know from where he gets these crazy ideas from, most probably from his crazy class mates I believe; he already has a raincoat and an umbrella, then why in world…? I gave into his demands last year and bought a Thomas and Son’sumbrella for him. But,  that only seemed to have whetted his appetite further; and this year, unsurprisingly though, he has started waxing eloquent on the importance of a acquiring a new one.

But as his momsy failed to pamper him this time, so he immediately turned his attention to daddy dear. And, surprisingly this time his daddy gave in, though it required weeks of persistence pestering and some serious explanation doing from his end. The final result: Aryan’s pleadings paid off and he got hold of yet another brand new Angry Birds umbrella. 

Aryan is a huge Angry Birds fan, and his collection includes two pencil boxes, a key chain, a card album,etc., all on the same theme.

It may as surprise many, but you will find an array of cartoon varieties lined up on the S.G highway. (I know Aryan won’t mind having them all.) First, he decided to go for the black Spiderman umbrella; but went back on his decision on seeing the blue-toned Angry bird’s umbrella. He couldn’t resist his temptation on seeing this umbrella, despite the fact that he had a similar blue type with him already.

I know, next year he would conjure up a new excuse to demand a new one and am already having ideas on the same . Probably he’ll say,  “Momsy I’m grown up now, so buy me a more mature-looking umbrella. I simply hate the look of this one." Yes, I don't know, what will I answer him then. Probably, I might end up scolding him, and then given in (as always.)

Mother's out there how do you handle such situations? When you child is begging, pleading and sometimes banging his fist on the floor and crying his heart out. (Touchwood, my Arayn doesn't attempt the later part.) I know, it isn't that easy to put your foot down in such times, but then giving into your child's demands is not always done. What say?

Deodorant bug

Aryan, in no time, will turn eight. He looks as smart as his daddy now. Fortunately or unfortunately, he’s aware of his looks as well. So, these days he selects his own outfits and naturally creates a hue and cry when told to wear clothes that he simply abhors. For instance, no shorts, no capris, just full pants and full-sleeved shirts. He's grown up now, you see! The bottom-line is: he wants to look good. Looking good is feeling good, I agree. But, what about smelling good?

Kids today are highly conscious of their looks. And, I thought it's just Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham’s kids who dress up so fashionably.

But, my Aryan has taken a step further. He wants to smell good as well. Yes, besides clothes, he’s bitten by the deo bug. Aryan has been demanding deo for some time now. He says, “even children’s deos are available these days mummy, so why can’t you buy me one?” Okay! Fine, Let me think, I tell him.

And then, on one fine day he tells his dad, “Daddy, you should apply AXE deo.”  When his Daddy asked him why, Aryan’s naïve reply was, “Daddy, girls will look at you if you apply it.” “And, Daddy you should also shave often, then you would look as smart as I am.” Aryan innocuously added.

Max, my husband, simply smiled back at him, painfully aware of the fact that his little son is growing up too fast and is getting accustomed to worldly ways, too soon. Max shared this interesting little conversation he had with Aryan, when I got home from office.

I find the root in Aryan’s snoopy talk in mindless television ads. Ranbir Kapoor applying Axe and attracting female attention has got registered in his tiny little mind. And, yes, the ad had an immediate impact on him: lasting or not, I don’t know.

For the life of me, I don’t understand why deo companies conjure up such stupid ads. And, aren't these ads made for adults, then how come it has caught the fancy of young kids like Aryan(assuming it's not just Aryan who's wanting to have a deo).  Almost all the deo ads work on the same line.   Finally, I patiently explained to him, “Aryan, you are too small for a deo, just grow up baba, I’ll get you many.”

For the time being, I have put that deo out of his mind. But this is just a beginning I believe…I wonder what all stupid ads that idiot box will throw up in the future, and how much Aryan will be influenced by them.  
My goodness!!! He's already demanding Gatsby gel now. Which ad did he watch now?    

Damn with deo companies 
Jini Maxin

Countdown for Holi 2014 has begun for me and Aryan!!!

Holi is one helluvafestival that Aryan enjoys to the hilt - of course, apart from Christmas. It's one festival where he gets to brandish his gun and fire at his friends at the same time. Rest of the days, he  stays satisfied playing alone; sometimes holding his black gun and staring at the ceiling or the TV absentmindedly.

Regardless, he was on an unstoppable firing spree on Holi day, which was thankfully a holiday for him. Covered in a splash of colours, he's was the cynosure of all eyes - or should I say, I had my eyes only for him? His chubby cheeks, dimple chin simply made me swoon over him, helplessly.  

With his semester exams round the corner, the festival came as a real stress buster. He wanted me to join him, but, I was too lazy too play along.

Aryan brandishing his blue water gun & threatening his friends

Surrounded by society uncles

All excited and running around

"Come on, mummy, be a sport," Aryan requested, pleaded, and begged. But his mother turned deaf ears. This disappointed him a little.

Yes, I go a little over the edge when it comes to colors. Even the sight of those ghastly colours gives me goose bumps, let alone the idea of having them all over my body.

I was happy to see him play from the sidelines.

He and his grandfather had the time of their lives drenching themselves in water colours.

For me 2013 Holi went away without a trace. Hope, 2014 Holi comes soon. Why? Because, I've promised Aryan that'll play, alongside him. I've promised to share his excitement from now on, because I know down the years he'll have his own gang of friends to hang around, and he won't need me anymore.

Sharing a fun moment with his grandpa

Better late than never.  Yes! The countdown for Holi 2014 has begun for me. 

Hitler Mom!

Recently, I was pillion riding my son to school. Just half-way through, he blurted out, "Mummy, you are Hitler." I was too stunned to respond. Kept quite for sometime and let that accusation sink in.

Aryan is just seven. Maybe he had heard of Hitler on National Geography channel. Maybe he simply blurted out with no rhyme or reason. Maybe he's heard me, call my father Hitler. Where did get this name from? I wondered.

Of course, there's was no question of dropping this matter.

Without taxing my brain any further I decided to question him. "What makes you call me Hitler?" I asked Aryan. 

Hesitation. Obviously, Aryan was absolutely clueless. In other words, "he didn't have answer." He had simply blurted out, but with good reason. Reasons, I was very well aware of. Yes, It was no big deal, piecing this puzzle together; but regardless, his spontaneous blame had hit the right spot on my heart. Aryan may have zero or little knowledge of the Fuehrer, but he knows his mother in and out.

I figure, somewhere in his subconscious level he had started forming negative notions about his mother.

Notions that stem from my constant nagging and bickering. 

Aryan's ruthless mother losing steam!

"Aryan, did you complete your homework?" "Aryan, why haven't finished your classwork?" "Aryan, why can't you write legibly?" "Aryan, why don't you pay attention in the class?" "Aryan, eat less, you're gaining weight?" Aryan, stop watching TV".  The list goes on and on, followed by a chain of slaps and shouts. 

If I was in Norway, I realize i would have been put behind bars for putting my child under so much of pressure.

After those grueling study sessions with my son, I always feel like chopping my hands off. But does that matter now?  Isn't the damage already done?

There is no shortcut to success, they say. Blood, sweat, tears, time, and heart are the recipes for success. So, without wanting, I make Aryan follow his study schedule, strictly. Any detour, and he gets his dose.

But is aggression only way to make your child do what he is supposed to do?

I've promised him that I won't hit him. Then, there is another slap. And he reminds me, I've broken my promise, once again.   

Oh! Lord help me. Help me not to raise my hand on my innocent son, once again.

"When a child hits a child, we call it aggression. When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility. When an adult hits an adult, we call it assault. When an adult hits a child, we call it discipline." — Haim G. Ginot

Cute little Aryan

I just wish I had two of him

I have a cute little son who means the world to me. He fills my days and nights, and every breath I take. Thank you Jesus, thank you so much for this beautiful gift. I just wish I had two of him. So much more to love and care for.

A Lesson in Lies!

Aryan's toothless grin

The other day, Aryan lost his Maths classwork. Naturally, i panicked. His exams were approaching and his teacher might have given him important notes to learn. As always, i was at the school next day, and fortunately bumped into his class teacher right at the school gate. I shared my grievance with her. Thankfully, Kinjal Ma'am promised to help me find the book.

When I dashed home from the office (I always to do that, always in a hurry to reach home), the first thing I asked Aryan was did he find the book. With a sweet, toothless grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes he waved the notebook at me. I heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God, I said.

On flipping through the pages of the book I realized that this was not his book. It was of some other kid or probably an ex-student's book. More than anything, the writing was pretty good and clear. Aryan scribbles, he doesn't write.

 I told Aryan, "Beta, this book is not yours" .

 "Oh! I told the teacher this is my book. Now what to do? You just copy all the relevant stuff and I'll give the book back," said cute, little Aryan, his face brimming with innocence .

"Who's going to copy all this?" I screamed. "There is so much to write and I don't have time, you know that. Keep this book. In case the teacher gets a wind of it and asks for the book, we'll return it," I added without a second thought.

Whoops!!!The matter was taken care of, I thought.

But on the dinner table, these were 7-year-old Aryan's innocent observations: " I never knew telling lies had its merits and I am repeatedly told not to lie. Why so?" All eyes were on Aryan. Mine, my husband and my in-laws. He's was sitting right at the center of the dining table with a questionable look in his eyes. I tried to explain...but does that matter now? The damage was already done.

Tweaking moral values to suit life situations...Ah...life...life!!!