Parenting = Character Makeover

Our expectation from having kids vs Reality

When we planned for #2 we thought we had everything under control.

Now that we are been there done that parents it would not be as tiring as the #1

But the reality

We are waiting to have our night sleep like this

But after every 2-3 hours we are like this - nursing, changing diaper or she just don't want to sleep anymore.

We have 3 years of age difference between both our kids

We thought that once the kid goes to pre-school she will become independent eater and we need not worry about baby#1

But this was the scenario till baby#1 turned 4

We planned for #2 so that #1 gets a companion and they live happily together

This is a rare moment; mostly the scenario is like this. Though I should admit that they do stand for each other too..

I was a cleanliness freak and when I used to see someone's house with kids, I would tell myself my house would never look like that 

But this is the state of my house practically everyday. There are stuffed animals, clothes and toy parts scattered everywhere.

We thought we would be with patients and love teach and admonish our kids when they misbehave and never get annoyed by my children.

But after #2 the reality

Being a mother of two girls out of norm, I keep reprimanding her ways and I expected my 4 yr old to respond positively

However, this is what I get when I advise her.

We had decided that we would help our kids grow in every area not just study and I expected the result of our encouragement to be this

Instead, we got this.

When I used to see kids throwing tantrums I would tell myself my kids would never behave like that in public. So after having kids we thought that trip to Super market would be used as an educational excursion. 

But it always ended up like this.

We thought that our word would be the final word, and when we say they will Obey

But this is what happens when we say No

And when we say “wait”

I want now, now. now

Guess kids don’t have them in their dictionary.  

 
My hubby is very particular about time, and he takes it quite seriously. So for him it was like I will never be late anywhere

The slowest my children ever move is when we have to go anywhere that has a start time.

The second I have to be anywhere, time goes backwards. It turns into negative time. That’s how long it takes them to get to me. -15 minutes

I used to find it quite mean on parents part when they would crack a deal with those tiny tots

And I had told myself that I will never negotiate with my children. 

But we realised that Raising a child is like a business. It’s all about incentives. Okay, maybe it sounds more like bribing. 

For example, if little Trisha wants ice cream, she has to eat her two Roti. If she doesn’t eat them, everyone else at the table gets ice cream. Negotiation is a powerful tool and it gives me my way.

When I would see other parents letting their kids watch TV I had told myself that I will not allow my children to watch TV. 

Well I did till Baby#2, and then TV became my survivor, a sanctuary. A magical box that emits irresistible sounds and colors that buy me at least 15 minutes of motionless activity.

I never liked working under someone, simply because I didn't like answering. Still we had decided that we would answer to their every question.

But after having kids I am under surveillance, 24x7 Answering the “Why?” – “Why?” “But Why?” Eventually you run out of answers and they still want to know, “Why?” I’m preparing myself now for the inevitable, “Where do babies come from” question

When I used to see my mother take afternoon nap, I used to wonder what a waste of time. But after becoming a mother, afternoon naps became an essential. 

I realized the true value of Afternoon naps

And if any one disturbs them

There’s nothing more humbling than becoming a parent. There’s no experience in life that challenges your character, patience, and endurance like raising children. 


One real reason moms get angry at our kids is because we expect them to act grown up. 

It’s impossible to be a calm mom all the time. But if we stop and count how many times their “childishness” makes us angry, we may just become less angry. If we realize, accept, and embrace the fact our children are going to do a lot of inconvenient things, we become less frustrated.