Sunday, May 5, 2013

Accidental learning


I have said this number of times.  I have learnt a lot from my two year old – it feels back to school days. Take for instance, the case of a Sting-Ray, I only really came to know about this creature after Smera started recognising them. Then there is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise or how to distinguish seal from a sea-lion and to explain how an alligator is different from a crocodile. Of course, all these are testament to my lack of appreciation of marine biology and the result of Smera’s overdeveloped sense of curiosity, fueled by her weekly trips to the Dubai aquarium.

But that’s not the type of learning what I want to talk about today. We learn everyday to be better individuals, trying to be good parents to her. There have been days when I have felt my patience thinning out like an over-stretched rubber-band trying to potty train her. It’s like playing snakes and ladders, some days we go up the learning curve and some days we go back where we started.  

Last week after a potty training accident, I was really upset one evening, thinking to myself, why can I not teach her this? Then I tend to question myself, what is it that I am doing wrong? Just then she comes and sits on my lap and says “Mamma are you upset?”. I nodded my head to say yes and then gently putting her head on my shoulder and said, “I am sorry”.  
Image: gettyimages.ae

And this made me re-realise, that I have read and I am familiar to the theory bit of being a parent, it’s the practical execution that is much tougher. That is probably the reason why I tend to be hard on myself, expecting miracles on every first attempt. But that’s when little comforting words like, “I love you mamma” or “pretty mamma”, lets me validate on the job done well. 

Even though she drives me insane, it’s Smera herself that helps me find my balance, pushes me to be a better person. When you grow, darling I want you to know that its not you that I was never upset with you.  I am usually bugged with myself that I cannot teach you better or be more tolerant. Just when I feel everything is falling apart, your comforting words, your hug and kiss make me feel better. That’s my lesson for today and for once, I am glad it is non-aquatic. 

20 comments:

  1. :) yeah learning is a process.. takes it own time .. had that not been Crash Courses would have been utmost profitable businesses :) .. You have achieved so much as a parent .. is all worth praising if the sweet kiddo learned to say a sorry at this stage of infancy :)
    Lovely post Sangry !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never really thought of it that way ... thank you for a new perspective ..

      Smera at this stage, you will be surprised she understands human expressions much better than words. Yet it's surely an achievement, from what I have realised it's most difficult word to say "Sorry"

      Delete
  2. I believe it is a lot more complicated and challenging for the kids than it is to us. We have a short memory, we forget. That is a sweet child you have. You will miss the times when she grows up. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. USP - I am sure, I will miss this time .. and so I make it point to write down all this .. to re-live these days once again in future ..

      Delete
  3. Humility is a very beautiful word which the kids can teach us but as we grow we become very arrogant and egoistic. "I know everything", we say. Learning from our own children helps us become better human beings. God bless you and Smera.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely Krishna .. these are blessings for good lord above !!

      Delete
  4. such sweet words from a little 2 year old will surely make you melt in seconds !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it does ... and that innocent look on her face .. make me wonder how could I be so mean ..

      Delete
  5. Hi. Really like this post. I am a new mom of a 7 month old and still feel like this sometimes. I guess it's coz we've envisioned ourselves like some sort of parent without taking into consideration that the young person is an individual and may never be the kind of child u've envisioned. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup Allee !! i can vouch for it there will be loads of glorious moments waiting to happen for you .. :D

      Delete
  6. Very relevant ! Every parent learns to be a better person through his child, provided of course, you are willing to pause and listen. My son often asks me 'Amma, are you happy?'. For him the world is colored in only two colors, if I am not sad, I have to be happy ! Is'nt that so simple !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It could be that simple .. as we grow we tend to complicate things .. if a decision require an answer in yes or no .. we make sure to add an if, but, what would happen and complicate a simple process .. And I confess, I am guilty of this ..

      Delete
  7. There's plenty to learn from everyone around. Me too hav learnt a lot about geography, litrature, history, etc thru my past few yearsod teching high skul students. This was a lovely post from ur side. U alwez remind me of the simple litle joys of life

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, there's a problem with the comment section of this website. I can't sign in with anything except google. It doesn't let me type.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allee - I will have look into in this !! thanks

      Delete
  9. Kids are innocent souls who make us learn,love the article
    http://www.ankionthemove.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. awesome....
    i would try to be in touch with the blog...srslt gr8!!!1

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...