Most of us have spent our childhoods in families with a lot of traditions and rituals associated with them. As we grow up, we seem to become less emotional and more resigned to many aspects of our lives. We try hard to give the same kind of traditional experiences to our children that we have had. But somehow each generation seem to be less involved with rituals and customs. We are not probably as traditional as our parents and our children may be less so. And we are worried about the culture gap that will eventually develop between us and our children. I wonder if that is something to be seen as a disappointment?
Our great-grand parents probably did not have the same exact way of celebrating a festival as we did when we were young. For example, the practice of Ganesh immersion started only in the late 1800's in Maharashtra. Ever wondered how the festival was celebrated before the time and in the rest of the country? It is interesting how the rituals and customs morph over time and each generation create their unique footprints defined by the individual experiences and values passed on by the parents. So, even though the way our children may not exactly celebrate the festivals as we did which again may differ from our parents, I guess the spirit is the same!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Newborn feelings
Someone said - "Making a decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body"
A couple of days ago, one of my friends had a baby girl. I was looking at the pictures of the newborn and it is amazing how these cute little doodlebugs can make you feel the same wonderful way everytime!
Sometimes, I wonder what might be going on in the tiny head of theirs! Those 9 months in the tummy, it must have been so cozy and comfortable with all the warmth and suddenly they are out in the open! The confusion, curiosity and the awe - watching everything and taking all in with their wide little eyes.
There is something about these newborns - whenever I look at them just out in the world, unconsciously I remember Tarush when he was born, what the day was like, the first sight of him just popped out and those 10 little fingers and 10 little toes curled up tight.. Then ofcourse, I open his first year album, refresh my memories of the past year and reminisce those mini milestones of their series of firsts - first smile, first bath, first word, frist step... And I look at him now grown up doing new things everyday and realize how fast time has flown by.
A couple of days ago, one of my friends had a baby girl. I was looking at the pictures of the newborn and it is amazing how these cute little doodlebugs can make you feel the same wonderful way everytime!
Sometimes, I wonder what might be going on in the tiny head of theirs! Those 9 months in the tummy, it must have been so cozy and comfortable with all the warmth and suddenly they are out in the open! The confusion, curiosity and the awe - watching everything and taking all in with their wide little eyes.
There is something about these newborns - whenever I look at them just out in the world, unconsciously I remember Tarush when he was born, what the day was like, the first sight of him just popped out and those 10 little fingers and 10 little toes curled up tight.. Then ofcourse, I open his first year album, refresh my memories of the past year and reminisce those mini milestones of their series of firsts - first smile, first bath, first word, frist step... And I look at him now grown up doing new things everyday and realize how fast time has flown by.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Napping glory
Every morning as soon as I finish feeding him breakfast, I wait for Tarush's nap time. As a stay-at-home mommy, there is this anticipation of the baby's nap time even before the day starts!
As the child falls into the daily routine, mommies count on those peaceful and quiet moments to gather thoughts, get a shut-eye, maybe finish off the chores without disruptions, or simply unwind..
Today, as soon as Tarush's eyes closed, I started my daily routine of stuff that I'd rather do without his interruptions. I finished all the work and gave a sigh of relief that he didn't even budge from his sleep position. Then I switched on the TV and fixed myself some lunch and ate at leisure watching one of my favorite programs. Later I did some browsing on the web and found myself getting a little restless. I went in to check on Tarush again and he was in still in such a deep sleep. I managed to read few pages of a long pending book. As time passed by, I started to feel bored. I wasn't much interested in reading anymore, nor watching TV.. or even browsing the net. All I wanted then was for Tarush to wake up and go about his happy running around business and to play with him. . I even gently nudged him couple of times to awaken him.
Ofcourse, he did wake up a happy boy in the next 5 minutes and after a few hours, I again started to wait for his second nap of the day.
Then I thought that we as parents don't give the poor little things a break at all. If they don't sleep, we are troubled and if they sleep too much we are anxious..
Well, guess parents never change and napping glory is just temporary!!
As the child falls into the daily routine, mommies count on those peaceful and quiet moments to gather thoughts, get a shut-eye, maybe finish off the chores without disruptions, or simply unwind..
Today, as soon as Tarush's eyes closed, I started my daily routine of stuff that I'd rather do without his interruptions. I finished all the work and gave a sigh of relief that he didn't even budge from his sleep position. Then I switched on the TV and fixed myself some lunch and ate at leisure watching one of my favorite programs. Later I did some browsing on the web and found myself getting a little restless. I went in to check on Tarush again and he was in still in such a deep sleep. I managed to read few pages of a long pending book. As time passed by, I started to feel bored. I wasn't much interested in reading anymore, nor watching TV.. or even browsing the net. All I wanted then was for Tarush to wake up and go about his happy running around business and to play with him. . I even gently nudged him couple of times to awaken him.
Ofcourse, he did wake up a happy boy in the next 5 minutes and after a few hours, I again started to wait for his second nap of the day.
Then I thought that we as parents don't give the poor little things a break at all. If they don't sleep, we are troubled and if they sleep too much we are anxious..
Well, guess parents never change and napping glory is just temporary!!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Carseat cum Stroller - Product review
Carseat is one of the most important things for a baby. We can't even bring the newborn home without one! Despite the costs, we have to buy a rear-facing and front-facing carseats. Here is a product (Sit n Stroll) that can be used as:
1. Rear-facing carseat
2. Forward-facing carseat
3. Stroller
4. Flight seat
We were using this old carseat from our friends that we wanted to dispose off and were looking for a new one but weren't sure what kind to buy. We came across this Carseat cum stroller "Sit n Stroll" in some baby magazine and I decided to check it out. I went through the reviews online and most of them had positive feedback.
So, we bought one a month ago and have been using it as a carseat since. Last weekend we tried it as a stroller/flight seat in our trip to Chicago. I must say, we were pretty happy.
The Sit n Stroll is a 5-point harness and FAA certified flight seat (which the airlines require). It is little on the expensive side though - $220 (online price includes shade but store prices do not).
Even though it can also be used as stroller, I don't recommend it for everyday use. I find it a little inconvenient to unbuckle the carseat everytime we need a stroller. To use as a rear-facing carseat, the only problem I find is that it doesn't have a base. You can't just unhook the top part and carry it as a basket like a traditional infant carseat. But we had already progressed to a front-facing one! So, it was an easy decision for us.
But it is great for travel purpose. If you are going to travel a couple of times a year or more, this is of a great help. Instead of lugging around the huge/heavy carseat in an airport, this sit n stroll is transformed into a stroller just by the push of a lever.
Pros: Very convenient, comfortable for the baby, great for travel.
Cons: Flimsy handle, no storage space, Seat belt over the carseat (optional but recommended) which might make the baby uncomfortable.
We fount Sit n Stroll very helpful in our trip. All we had to do was take the carseat out of the car (with Tarush in it!), push down the lever and to convert it into a stroller..
For more information about this product - http://sitnstroll.com/
-Shalini.
1. Rear-facing carseat
2. Forward-facing carseat
3. Stroller
4. Flight seat
We were using this old carseat from our friends that we wanted to dispose off and were looking for a new one but weren't sure what kind to buy. We came across this Carseat cum stroller "Sit n Stroll" in some baby magazine and I decided to check it out. I went through the reviews online and most of them had positive feedback.
So, we bought one a month ago and have been using it as a carseat since. Last weekend we tried it as a stroller/flight seat in our trip to Chicago. I must say, we were pretty happy.
The Sit n Stroll is a 5-point harness and FAA certified flight seat (which the airlines require). It is little on the expensive side though - $220 (online price includes shade but store prices do not).
Even though it can also be used as stroller, I don't recommend it for everyday use. I find it a little inconvenient to unbuckle the carseat everytime we need a stroller. To use as a rear-facing carseat, the only problem I find is that it doesn't have a base. You can't just unhook the top part and carry it as a basket like a traditional infant carseat. But we had already progressed to a front-facing one! So, it was an easy decision for us.
But it is great for travel purpose. If you are going to travel a couple of times a year or more, this is of a great help. Instead of lugging around the huge/heavy carseat in an airport, this sit n stroll is transformed into a stroller just by the push of a lever.
Pros: Very convenient, comfortable for the baby, great for travel.
Cons: Flimsy handle, no storage space, Seat belt over the carseat (optional but recommended) which might make the baby uncomfortable.
We fount Sit n Stroll very helpful in our trip. All we had to do was take the carseat out of the car (with Tarush in it!), push down the lever and to convert it into a stroller..
For more information about this product - http://sitnstroll.com/
-Shalini.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Postpartum weight loss
Here is a million dollar issue - Postpartum weight loss!!! Mommies who have gone through the phase can understand. And I do envy those, who look exactly as they were before the baby without the hard work!!
Pregnancy is such a wonderful experience. And to top that, I had no morning sickness. We have all those food cravings and no one to stop you from eating and with no guilt whatsoever. We don't give a second thought to all that weight gain (shouldn't too, I suppose!) and put on the ideal pregnancy weight (25-35 pounds). After the delivery it strikes us that the baby weighs about 8 pounds and the rest of the weight is still in us!
The first 6 months you are too busy adjusting to the little peanut and the crazy routine. Then the struggle begins. I never realized it would be so hard to lose all that baby weight. I guess it also depends on the body constitution of the individual. Some take more time than others. I do try and workout about 2-3 times a week but diet is as important and definitely the tougher end of the bargain.
My battle for the weight loss is still on, so any suggestions are welcome.
-Shalini.
Pregnancy is such a wonderful experience. And to top that, I had no morning sickness. We have all those food cravings and no one to stop you from eating and with no guilt whatsoever. We don't give a second thought to all that weight gain (shouldn't too, I suppose!) and put on the ideal pregnancy weight (25-35 pounds). After the delivery it strikes us that the baby weighs about 8 pounds and the rest of the weight is still in us!
The first 6 months you are too busy adjusting to the little peanut and the crazy routine. Then the struggle begins. I never realized it would be so hard to lose all that baby weight. I guess it also depends on the body constitution of the individual. Some take more time than others. I do try and workout about 2-3 times a week but diet is as important and definitely the tougher end of the bargain.
My battle for the weight loss is still on, so any suggestions are welcome.
-Shalini.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Perfect or just kids?!
In today's world, parenting has become more challenging than ever. Sometimes, I think our lives when we were young were so much easier than kids today. Maybe because we grew up in a much simpler world which did not have as many opportunities or the overwhelming information as children do these days. No matter the age, the kids are more aware of what is going on around them than we ever were. Most of the times we are unsure of what information should reach them and the right manner. With that kind of pressure comes a great deal of responsibility especially for parents and we tend to become less tolerant and over protective.
Often, we tend to forget they are kids and put too many restrictions on them. We are scared of them getting hyper with a bowl of dessert, of becoming dirty by jumping in a puddle, of making too much noise..
Sometimes, I wonder if we are missing out on the fact they are kids and are supposed to act like them and involuntarily start to expect this model perfect behaviour.
Shalini.
Often, we tend to forget they are kids and put too many restrictions on them. We are scared of them getting hyper with a bowl of dessert, of becoming dirty by jumping in a puddle, of making too much noise..
Sometimes, I wonder if we are missing out on the fact they are kids and are supposed to act like them and involuntarily start to expect this model perfect behaviour.
Shalini.
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