A conversation to remember

It was a bright sunny afternoon on a weekend and I was deeply engrossed with my novel, suddenly my 7-year-old son peeped in, Mumma it's boring, I don't know what to do. Now I need to start giving work to my brain to keep Rishaan occupied. As we follow 1 hour screen time a day at home. Later the rest of the day he is either painting, studying, doing craft, building blocks, playing ludo with me or making architecture marvels, building huge houses, playing on wave boards, Cricket etc. He is fascinated by the huge house. Open cars, love to travel and to be with nature. At times I give him such interesting tasks to do he goes awestruck. For Eg:- I mix 5 types of dals on a plate and tell him to segregate all dals to their respective places and tell him to give names to those dals against them. He is busy for the next 1 hour, learning new dals and their names. Isn't it awesome, please try it out with your kids too who is bored and want something interesting. He has a great interest in astronomy and mythological stories. We buy him a lot of books on Space, Stories on Panchatantra, Encyclopedia of the universe, Tenali Rama, magical tales and whatnot. He loves books.

He always asks me what is above the universe. I tell him above the universe there is infinite, space. There is no end. He says why there is no end, if there is a beginning there should be an end too. He goes into deep thinking. I often see him and get amazed at what all keep running in his small mind. He enjoys doing yoga with his dad. And I must say he does a great job. I call him little yogi. He demonstrates with instructions and shows different variations in asana's to his yoga teacher too during his online school classes. The entire class applauses. He loves baking cakes along with me. Rishaan enjoys making papads over summer vacation. I indulge him in all possible ways and keep him active and happy.

So coming back to that afternoon, when Rishaan wanted to do something different. I got this wonderful idea which I felt was important for him and it's the right time to tell him. I sat with a notepad and a pen, he was seeing me with a confused look and asked Mumma again writing, I am not in the mood to read or write now. I said not all, we will play a game now. He sat with full excitement. I started putting lines and making columns, started writing. Gave names as hobbies, dreams, goals, start date, completion date. His eyes were widely open reading them all and asked me Mumma what is this. I said this is all you wanted to do once you grow up, which you keep discussing with me always. These are your Wishlist. 

Later I explained to him what is a wishlist all about. He wanted few examples of how it works. I gave him an example of online shopping. Amid pandemic, this is what is ruling currently. And kids have become tech-savvy now. I opened one of the online shopping apps and showed him my wishlist. He immediately answered these are few items which you want to buy in future. He got it right. And later he got the answer to his question which he had asked me. I didn't have to explain him. My little mastermind started working like a formula one car. He said Mumma I got you, these are my wishlist which I wanted to do once I grow up. And we both started working on it. 

We both had a long conversation on how to go about it. I started noting it down and he was explaining to me what he has to do to accomplish it. In the end, he told me Mumma I have so much to do, looking into my eyes. I saw a great sign of responsibility in his sparkling eyes. And I was happy to sow that seed in his mind at the right time, maybe he just 7 years old now. But I have always felt his vision is much higher than his age. So grab it when you get it. This is the age where we can mould them and start giving them a shape. As they grow there ambitions and goals might change, keep a track of them. I always give an example of Jijamata, to my son. She is one of my favourite role models. How she sow that seed of vision and mission into those tiny eyes while playing a game with her son, who later became a great warrior and strategist of India. Who laid the foundation of the great Maratha Empire, our Raje Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I feel so proud whenever I narrate stories of Shivba to Rishaan and he equally loves listening to them.

Every child is born with some special qualities we just have to catch them at the right time. Always keep motivating kids, spend as much time with them. Never judge them. Give them responsibilities, teach them the value of money. Let them learn how to lead a life with minimal commodities. I always feel nature is a great tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves. Restore balance. Most children have the technology, school and extracurricular activities covered. I feel it's time to add a pinch of adventure, a sprinkle of sunshine and a big handful of outdoor play. Kids grow best when they are with nature. Make them feel they are the most precious ones. Respect them. Earlier and more often, happier, healthier and brighter they become.

That evening at the end of the day, I had a great feeling of contentment. And yes, I will remember this beautiful conversation for the rest of my life. As a mother being with Rishaan, every day is new learning with a lot of new experiences. And his clear vision towards his life makes me feel amazed at times. I pray to God may you grow and turn into a beautiful human being and spread joy, love everywhere you go. We as parents and I your mom will never stop giving 100% to you. 

Now tell me, friends, how do you spend your time with your kids. And remember to make your child's every day a memorable one. So that once they grow let them have a whole book of stories and memories about their childhood to share with their loved ones. Like I try to make one for my little boy.

Isn't it a great conversation to remember? 😊