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.