Project 52 Week 6: And my day was made!

I love being with myself and I don't mind spending some moments every day lost in my thoughts. When I come out of my zone, I usually do not remember what was I thinking about, but those moments leave me all fresh and energetic. With a toddler around, one usually does not get those kind of moments. You actually have to search for them. Today, I was disturbed when I hate it the most, yes... it was one of those moments. And you guessed it right, it was the Toddler who came barging in my privacy. What was different, is that I did not mind it at all. I did feel even better after what happened.

So here is what happened... I was busy staring at the sky in the evening over a cup of chai. (Isn't cool Bangalore evening, a terrace to chill on and a pipping hot cup of tea all you want sometime?). The toddler was busy with her cycle, I could hear her constant yapping in the background. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder, and someone constantly kept pulling my hair. I had no choice but to look at her, I was irritated (to put it mildly). The toddler came closer to me and said "What happened Mommie?" She apparently thought I wasn't in a good mood. She kissed me on my cheeks and hugged me tight saying "big hug". I smiled and the toddler went back to her ride.

She did not know her Mommie is looking at her with moist eyes (this is huge for someone who doesn't cry so easily). She did not know she has given a precious gift to her mommie... she did not know she has made her mom's day.

My baby who came in my arms (so small and so delicate) 2 years back, is growing into a sensitive little girl. I have totally mixed feelings about this.

Project 52 Week 5: Photo Post after a Long Long Time

I thought I had lost my camera, I did everything possible to locate it... but all in vain. Yesterday, when I had lost all hope the Toddler brought the camera to me, she had hidden it in her toy cupboard. Yes, that happens when you have a 2 feet tall someone running around in your house, she owns everything. To celebrate the moment I clicked the Toddler's pictures after a long long time.

So before I left her at the Daycare, this is what we were doing. Looking at these pictures, I feel she has grown up all of a sudden. Now she knows where the camera is, what to do when momma clicks and how to pose ... She comes running to me after I click every picture, shouting "Show-Show-Show" 

Project 52 Week 4: Me... Myself,,, and I!

When I heard the topic of the Marathon Bloggers this week was about 'Me Time'... I was smiling from ear to ear. I'm a strong believer in taking time out for myself. People keep on telling me, "You have a toddler, you handle her single handedly, you work from home and still take out time for yourself... you must be kidding." Not really, I mean I do this and much more and I humbly accept it :-P, but I never compromise in taking out time for myself.

Next question which comes with a bang is "How do you do that?" and I say "its an art and you cannot learn it". Frankly, you just need to prioritize, plan, delegate for anything to work and that is what I do to take some time out. I don't manage to do it my way, but I do manage. 

I do try to make sure, Me Time means not only time with myself, doing something I like doing... it also means I have to be transported in a world which is free from worries and rush of any kind.

My 'Me Time' is very simple and totally fuss free, reading a nice book, watching a nice movie alone, working out, taking a nap at an odd hour, working on my blogs, going for a long walk when the weather is awesome (I get a lot of opportunities, thank God for Bangalore Weather). Traveling alone used to be so good before The Toddler was born... Even having a nice strong coffee sitting in my balcony or gardening helps me connect with myself. I believe in simple things and maybe that is the reason why I manage to take out time for myself.

If it would not have been for Fizzy, it would have been tough for me to take out time for myself.

Does everyone do similar things? What is the importance of your 'me time' to you?

Project 52- Week 3- See you real soon...

I have always been a pretty 'stone hearted' mom. Though the Toddler gets loads of hugs, kisses, fun times, story times with me... I'm extremely certain I would not spoil her for sure. That definitely doesn't mean scolding her unnecessarily or spanking her. (I do not believe in spanking anyways).

Coming to the point, I mostly work from home but step out almost every day for meetings/trainings (this takes around 3-4 hours)... so I decided to put the Toddler in a daycare for half a day. I did get a lot of raised eyebrows and many people voiced their concerns. Thankfully both Fizz and me were alright about this arrangement. Another reason why this was a good option was that the Toddler gets to mingle with other people, especially kids. This would help her become more confident when she start school in June Insh'Allah. It would also help us adjust (which is all the more important) ...

So this is a Note to Toddler before she goes to the Daycare tomorrow:

Dearest the Toddler,

Mommie and Fizzy (that's what she calls her dad) love you a lot. You have been such a fuss-free chilled out girl, who is also extremely sharp and knows what she wants in life (read books and cookies).

Mom & Fizzy will be around, and if you miss us really bad... just hang in there, we will be with you in no time. Enjoy your day, have lots of fun, make many friends, and please do not throw a tantrum while getting potty trained.

We are there for you always sweetheart.

See You Real Soon.

Lots of Love always

Mommie n Fizzy

Project 52- Week 2 - We trust you Sweetheart

I remember when I was in college, there was some rumor a 'relative' of ours was spreading about me, which was extremely pathetic and a complete lie. I came to know about it later, but that person made sure my parents know every bit of it, with extra spices and a strong tadka. I might smile as I recall now, but back then I was very emotional and was totally hurt. I went to my parents and asked them "Didn't all this bother you guys a bit?"... All they said was "We trust you Sweetheart..." These 4 words changed my entire life and my thought process. Thank God for that incident.

One thing which is extremely important for a rock-solid relationship is a 5 letter word TRUST. I know the importance of it, since I grew up to parents who luckily trusted me... I have seen and heard of parents who start having doubts about their own children. My parents chose to believe in us than any gossip monger or a lay man. That gave us (3 siblings) the courage to be upfront and truthful to our parents. When I got into my first relationship, my dad was the 1st person to know/meet him. When Faizan proposed to me the first person I told was mom.
I'm blessed to have equally trusting siblings and a husband who has blind faith in me and vice-verse.
I feel as a parent its not only our duty to tell your child the difference between right and wrong... Equally important is trusting your child. I would want to be a mom who has complete faith in The Toddler, and I want Zoe to become a girl who discusses things (especially which might involve her parents) with us. 

This is not as easy as it may sound. You can't just say "I trust you", you have to stand by your child when s/he needs you. I just hope and wish, we as parents are able to successfully bring the Toddler up as we have planned to raise her. **Fingers Crossed. 

Project 52- Week 1- 13 things I want to do differently (as a mom) in 2013

If you know me as a person, you'd know I don't believe in stereotypes. My way of parenting is not what every parent vouch by, but its a method The Toddler and me have developed over a period of 2 years. I believe parenting (like every other thing) is an ever learning process, and what works for me, might or might not work for you. Here I've listed down 13 small changes which might affect my parenting in a huge manner positively (Insh'Allah).

1. Work on my patience and try to keep my cool: Before the Toddler was born, I was an extremely chilled out person, but motherhood changed it. I'm Human, I get irritated and yell at The Toddler, I hate it but I end up doing it. I definitely do it in a controlled manner, I know my limits as a parent. Still I feel pathetic and I want to change this bit.
2. Make an effort to look better. I feel better when I look better and it will affect my mood and my behavior. I work from home most of the time and when I go out for meetings/training I don't put much effort there as well. Soon The Toddler might just start telling me, she's embarrassed by the way I dress up, and I wouldn't be able to blame her.
3. Become/Stay Healthier: this means working out, losing weight, getting Physio for my knee and back, as well as getting regular check-ups. I don't have a problem, where diet is concerned.
4. Have a meal as a family, without watching Television. 
5. Keep our car and my wardrobe clatter free. If the car is dirty, it might be unhealthy for The Toddler. If my wardrobe is clean, I would obviously be in a better mood. I would need less time to fetch my cloths and can get more time to get ready. 
6. Sleep on time and get up before The Toddler gets up. Generally the Toddler wakes us up and we are in a terrible mood, especially on weekends. So I want to go early to bed and get up early... this would ensure I'm healthier as well. 
7. Read more books, and get more for the Toddler. 
8. Take The Toddler to zoos, botanical gardens, parks, and help her explore open spaces. 
9. Organize play-dates for The Toddler with my mommy friends. This has been pending for a long long time and its high time I get into organizing the same. This will also help get used to her to her daycare and schools.
10. Stop analyzing parenting skills of other parents, I do try to avoid doing that and I hate when I end up doing it. It's not good for mommie-hood as well.
11. Try to improve my work-life balance. This would ensure when I work I give my 100% there and when I'm with The Toddler I am totally with her. 
12. Try to spend some quality time with The Toddler... reading books, crafts, puzzles etc.  
13. Meal plan for The Toddler, I do that on and off. I want to become regular with her meal planning.

So... that is my list. What is yours?