This summer has been quite enlightening for me. I traveled less for work, had minor work engagements, curbed my desire to climb another mountain and dedicated myself entirely to boys. Not complaining at all, I am enjoying my time with two super energy bombs, but now I feel like disowning them. I had an overdose of everything.
Too much love
Too much attention
Too many WWE matches
Too much mess in the kitchen
Too much, “mamma, he is hitting me.”
Too many demands of “good” food
Too much to and fro from swimming classes
Too much of hearing my pet name – mamma
Too much of refereeing
Too much of being an encyclopedia of anything, everything, and nothing
But again, there is always a this and that side of everything. I have cribbed enough of that side now let me talk about this side.
I spend very quality time with my boys. We fought, argued, got miffed with each other but then we had a fantastic silent understanding as well. I was without help for almost a month(it’s a very BIG thing), and these boys were just too good at housework. Right from folding their sheets, to changing towels in the bathroom, they did everything. During this course, I also came to know that my elder son, who will be a teenager soon has a little soft corner for someone. I was delighted as well as surprised. Then we had a great conversation on this subject, and he gladly opened with me, although being an introvert child. I loved our connect as well as the disconnect.
Second amazing thing I would like to mention is our discussion on how much is too much? Yes, you heard it right, let me explain.
With the onset of the holiday season, everyone is going all over the world. Mullas are pouring in, and a foreign destination is no more a luxury. But inevitably few don’t fail to make it further luxurious, with best airlines and aircraft, most luxurious hotels, five-star cruise and not just one but multiple vacations in a year. These days’ children also talk about the number of countries visited. My boys asked me too, “mom where are we going for summer break?” Well, our summer break is always either Dadi or Nani house, so I took them to Nani house.
Boys with their cousins and Nana
There came another demand, “mom, can we fly business class please?” .. please was repeated to the power of infinity. I tried to explain that it is a short flight and they won’t enjoy it much. But, my explanation went unheard. Thanks to my extensive travel I had enough miles to redeem hence I got them upgraded to business class. They beamed with joy, and their eyes all lit up. I was more than satisfied. But as I handed them their boarding pass mentioning “business,” I told them, “boys, this has come from the all the pains that I have taken to travel, and it’s earned and not gifted.” They nodded their head silently.
Younger one thanked me several times, and I got many hugs and kisses too.
After they were done with the travel and satiated with their “business class” feeling I asked them about how they felt. Boys answered in sync – ” It was awesome, mamma.”
Then came the motherhood Gyan, “Boys, I was able to do it because I earned the miles don’t expect that I’ll be doing every time. It’s a hard-earned effort.”
Boys replied, “we understand mamma, all this stuff costs a lot of money. We would like you to take us on mountains than in business class.”
Oh wow!!! I have arrived and achieved.
I couldn’t thank my boys enough and hugged them tightly.
I ended my day by wondering, how much is too much when it comes to giving experience, exposure, and life learning lessons to our children. Read what I wrote on this earlier:Experience over gift to your children
Shouldn’t we focus on raising spiritually enlightened children than just providing them everything on the platter?
Shouldn’t we make them realize the value of everything they have in life than just giving them away even when they don’t demand it?
Shouldn’t we make them wait and crave for things thereby silently teaching them how to earn their desires?
Shouldn’t we toughen them mentally as per their level so that they can face hard realities of life later on?
I believe there is no age for spiritual awakening, we might not see instant results, but few life learning experiences stay with them all through their life.
How much is too much, take your call.
