Yesterday as usual, I picked up my kids from the bus stop after they got off the school bus. Their bus is one of the buses which doesn't come inside the community and the stop is in front of the gate. Kids can come by themselves as it is safe with the security guards watching and making sure they are going the right way and S being with R, I need not worry about getting them. But since I'm home and not working yet, I have made this as part of my routine and want to bond with them whenever I can and however I can while I can. Also, I can make out from their faces how their day went at school. As a typical parent, I ask R and S as to how their day was at school and try to listen to them as patiently as I can. Sometimes they both want to share the information at the same time and that turns into another fight.
Anyway, coming back to the topic, another question I ask is how was their lunch. The menu for lunch for the week usually consists of mix of american and indian food: poha, paratha, pasta, macaroni, sandwiches, fusion food etc. I prefer not to send only indian since they eat indian food at home no matter what. Also, I want to send something they prefer and can enjoy with their friends.
I had sent macaroni yesterday and wasn't aware that would become an issue for my little boy. When I asked him about lunch, he started off rambling...."Everybody wants it, everybody wants it, my friends were asking me: can I have some? can I have some ?" It was pretty amusing to me to see his pouted face. I could make out from his facial expression and gesture that he didn't want to share his food. Then I asked out of curiosity, "did you share?" and he said "yes" with a grin on his face. I was surprised to hear that. When it comes to sharing his favorite stuff, R is not a fan of it and he becomes so adamant that he throws a big tantrum. This was surprising for S also because she has been a victim of R's not sharing attitude, so she exclaimed " you shared?". "Yeah, I shared akka, I had to. How many times should I tell you?". It was very painful for R to answer again and again. His response "had to" made both of us curious again. Leaving that thought aside, I felt for R and I advised him that he didn't have to share if he didn't want to and asked him as to what made him share. Also, I got little concerned thinking the quantity I had sent was not enough to share with his friends. R pouted again and told me the real scoop: "they told me they wouldn't invite me for the b'day party if I didn't share". Bingo ! there comes the truth of sharing. Then, I tried to convince him by saying it was okay not to share and that they would still invite him but he wasn't ready to change his conclusion. My next thought was it wasn't hygienic to share the food especially these little ones and asked him how they shared. S intervened and explained to me that "Didis" in the school use another spoon and help them share the food. That eased me a bit. Every class room until Grade 2 in their school have helpers/assistants and they are called "Didis". Didis help these little kids.
When I was packing lunch this morning, R asked me as to what I was packing (even though I had told him last night) I said "Aloo sandwich", he started again "everybody wants it"story with the same expression, gesture and emotion. At this point, I realized there was no point in trying to convince him to change his conclusion, therefore, I promised him that next time I will pack his favorite food extra in another lunch box so that he can share with his friends. He smiled and said "Okay !". Even though, it was amusing and funny to hear this story and see him narrate the incident with strong emotions, we had got tired of his whining. Finally he stopped and it was a big relief to all of us. It surely is amazing to know how little kids' minds work.
Anyway, coming back to the topic, another question I ask is how was their lunch. The menu for lunch for the week usually consists of mix of american and indian food: poha, paratha, pasta, macaroni, sandwiches, fusion food etc. I prefer not to send only indian since they eat indian food at home no matter what. Also, I want to send something they prefer and can enjoy with their friends.
I had sent macaroni yesterday and wasn't aware that would become an issue for my little boy. When I asked him about lunch, he started off rambling...."Everybody wants it, everybody wants it, my friends were asking me: can I have some? can I have some ?" It was pretty amusing to me to see his pouted face. I could make out from his facial expression and gesture that he didn't want to share his food. Then I asked out of curiosity, "did you share?" and he said "yes" with a grin on his face. I was surprised to hear that. When it comes to sharing his favorite stuff, R is not a fan of it and he becomes so adamant that he throws a big tantrum. This was surprising for S also because she has been a victim of R's not sharing attitude, so she exclaimed " you shared?". "Yeah, I shared akka, I had to. How many times should I tell you?". It was very painful for R to answer again and again. His response "had to" made both of us curious again. Leaving that thought aside, I felt for R and I advised him that he didn't have to share if he didn't want to and asked him as to what made him share. Also, I got little concerned thinking the quantity I had sent was not enough to share with his friends. R pouted again and told me the real scoop: "they told me they wouldn't invite me for the b'day party if I didn't share". Bingo ! there comes the truth of sharing. Then, I tried to convince him by saying it was okay not to share and that they would still invite him but he wasn't ready to change his conclusion. My next thought was it wasn't hygienic to share the food especially these little ones and asked him how they shared. S intervened and explained to me that "Didis" in the school use another spoon and help them share the food. That eased me a bit. Every class room until Grade 2 in their school have helpers/assistants and they are called "Didis". Didis help these little kids.
When I was packing lunch this morning, R asked me as to what I was packing (even though I had told him last night) I said "Aloo sandwich", he started again "everybody wants it"story with the same expression, gesture and emotion. At this point, I realized there was no point in trying to convince him to change his conclusion, therefore, I promised him that next time I will pack his favorite food extra in another lunch box so that he can share with his friends. He smiled and said "Okay !". Even though, it was amusing and funny to hear this story and see him narrate the incident with strong emotions, we had got tired of his whining. Finally he stopped and it was a big relief to all of us. It surely is amazing to know how little kids' minds work.
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