Dear moms/dads of the world,
Making paper boats, jumping in puddles without falling ill and being ecstatic with the simple things in life are how I remember growing up. Of course, during those years everything came with a time limit and a rule, which is what this post is about.
A few years ago, I stumbled upon an interesting sheet of paper. At first glance, I thought it was some random handwritten note. When curiosity kicked in, I realised my past was staring back at me. Just like the Ten Commandments, there I was, holding this note with rules for my sisters and me, from our childhood.
One set for regular school days, one for exam time and another for our vacations. As I read through the various rules, I felt a mix of emotions surge through me. There was laughter, some shuddering and some nostalgia but most of all, there was comparing!
Mother’s rules for us kids:
On regular school days:
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During exams:
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During summer holidays:
My rules for my kids:
On regular school days:
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During exams:
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During summer holidays:
The biggest comparison, however, revolved around technology! Questions of how to balance time between online and offline activities ran through my mind. It was so much easier than I thought… especially because we had lesser things to distract us.
Eight years into parenthood and the words my mother used to chant every now and then rang in my head. “You will know how I feel when you have kids of your own!” I would laugh it off before but today I realise that I actually do know the feeling.
Irrespective of whether you are new or old to motherhood, if you have ever noticed how the rules your parents had for you, end up being the rules you have for you little ones, share your story with us!
Love
Pod Parents