D is for Daycare

I was going to write about Dreams, Desires, Darkness.. and all those mystical things that I could think of. However, one random conversation in the washroom with a colleague changed the topic.

So, I am going to talk about “Daycare”.

The facility, wherein you can leave your child for the entire day , when you are at work. It is amongst the newer concept here in India. Because, it off late that there has been a surge in the working mother’s population, and also the single mother population.

I have a working mother. I had a full time maid supervised by my super robust and awesome grandmother. My mum is a teacher, and so the number of hours are lesser. Much more flexible than those of the Multinationals.

This colleague of mine sent away her child for almost one year to her mother’s house, because, she couldn’t have left her job. And even if she could have left her job, he husband would have been alone, till the child was old enough. So she entrusted her 4 month daughter to her mother’s care in Delhi. She did not want a maid taking care of the child all by herself (maid), and her mum had to take care of her dad too, who was by himself in Delhi. The in-laws, are well independent beings. The husband has no jobs in Delhi. So the daughter was sent.

I know, how would a lot of you feel, you would say that, what was the need of having a child then? But let’s face the facts, time does run out for women. They end up compromising a lot of things, to fulfill their dreams of a happy family and a great career. I think, I salute her. My colleague. It takes a lot of courage to do what she and her husband did. To have your child looked after in her most formative months by your own mom especially when you know you can’t give that much time, is a feat in itself.

The child is back with her parents now, but she goes to the daycare now.

I don’t know, how will I ever cope up with this. My situation is no better, and we are talking (JUST TALKING) about going family way. But, at a time when our combined income is hardly enough to scrape through.. how in the world can I even think about taking a break from my job/ career? Will the husband move to Delhi, or would he let me the same step that my colleague took? I don’t think that I would want to leave my child to the only care of a maid, or that of a daycare.. not when the baby is just that a baby.

 

What do you have to say about the Daycare, upbringing??    

Letter to a 15 year old

I read this letter on TUIB's blog, a letter to a 15 year old you, by a preset you.. found it super interesting.. and therefore attempting it. 

Dear 15 year old Sexy,
Or hitler!
Isn't that what they call you in school?! Considering you are more chummy with the boys and go about 'hitting them'all the time!

It is the board year and I know that you are stressed! But don't be... you end up doing very well for yourself!
I know mom is being paranoid, but don't hold it against her, she is always competitive about you being better than the rest! ;)

What you really need to make up your mind about is, what do you want to do with your life, as a career choice. If you stick to your ground then you will have no issues at all in life!
But in case you are wondering, don't, you are gonna be a classic example of 'all is well that ends well'
Your inner desires will prevail over your dumb dreams! Just try not being overshadowed by the books you are reading!

Arushi will eventually grow up to be your best friend! And you will fight for her!

Since, what is writ can't be changed, if you can, then dont change your school!
That is something you will regret for the rest of your life!

You are going to find again the friendship that you had lost thanks to stupid teenage mentality! And this time to last beyond the teenage dramas!

Girl, be confident of your choices and about yourself! Opinions are important but they are just that, please learn to listen to your heart and voice your thoughts accordingly!

Just be strong, okay?
There are gonna be losses beyond your wildest dreams, just be strong through the low tides of life, trust me you will gain much more than what you will lose!

Lastly, this is gonna be THE best best year of your life, just enjoy it with your heart and soul!

Yours forever,
25 something!

PS: Waxing is painful! Just don't get bogged down coz of extra hair on your arms and please- DONT use hair removal cream on your under arms!

Jai Shree Krishna!!!!

Today is Krishna Janamashtami, meaning birthday of Lord Krishna!
And, today, for some weird reason, I was remembering the times that this festival meant a lot of celeberations, practices and performances! *Its the same now, except, that I am a grown up, and there are other kids who do it.*
There was always a dance performance in our local temple, where, I used be Radha. A very dear aunty, God rest her soul in peace, used to tell our grandmothers in the temple, that she is going to start the practise for the Janamashtmi, so the grand kids should be at her house at the given day and time. Oh, it was so much of fun! Dressing up, to dance and sing.. *No, wonder, all the aunties in the temple still love me so much!!*

And there used to be a jhanki competition *not really a competition, but amongst us kids, it used to be, whose depiction of Shree Krishna's life looks the best in the colony* and trust me, we used to be at our worst enemy behavior then! But like my mom said today *especially, since she was sad that there were no jhankis in the colony this year [there was just one, in one remote corner, at my time, there used to be one at every 10 mtrs or so!]* "That, it was not just about you guys getting dirty in the mud, but it was also about how, you used get exhausted by being in the heat the whole day, with your face going all red"
But those, were some fun days. I am truly saddened, that the kids in my colony, do not do the effort any more. Talking about jhankis, the last one that I did, was with my best friend and we had used all of our barbie dolls, to depict the life of Krishna!

As, I was reminiscing all of this, I cam across a lovely article on the relationship between Radha & Krishna, about their eternal undying love for each other... the article is titled as "Atma Tu Radhika Tasya- Radha, You are His Soul"  , I highly recommend that you read this. Here is a sneak peak:

"Life always gives you moments when you have to choose between two options. Always take side of truth and love and you will gain wisdom. Each decision will bring you closer to your true self.

How can you love Krishna so intensely even when you are not with him and even then remain free from everything?”, Uddhava asked.

Radha replied, “Faith and insecurity. There is a difference when you love a person and feel insecure about him and there is a difference when you have faith in him. Fear results in shackles and faith results in freedom. Fear gets lost in some time but faith grows with every passing day. The love because of insecurity leads to fear and the latter leads to the enlightenment. And that change is the only constant thing in world. Even Radha and Krishna are just ripples in the water but their love will remain forever.” 


I fell in love with these lines. I do not do favoritism towards the God (s) almighty, especially because, each one of them is so special in their own way! And, I have grown up watching all the mythologies possible.. from Ramayana, to Mahabharata, to Shree Krishna! And each of the story is tuck to me, like a beautiful fairy tale.

The thing about Lord Krishna, always has been about his mystery. There is a charm, a twinkle in his eyes, an eternal naughtiness, that you just can't let go of! At all! Though, I do blame him for polygamy, and get really angry, at the fact that he broke a lot of hearts because of the number of women that loved him! But, I do follow the path that he showed Arjuna, in Kurukshetra during the battle in Mahabharata.. probably the only sermon that makes sense in the present day world!
So, on lord Krishna's Birthday, I leave you with his most famous lines from the Bhagwad Geeta

"Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana,

 Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani"