Monday calls for a new blog, and on Sunday eve as I sat down and opened my laptop to write, my younger one instantly said, “mom, can we watch our favourite series at Netlfix?”
Honestly, I was not at all keen to watch it. I had ideas and thoughts in my mind, and I was eager to pin them down. I just get one day to do what I want, and I was excited to write a new blog. But, I also know that he waits for Sunday to do some family stuff together.
I need to have a mood to write and looking at him; it took me no time to shut the laptop, and there we were, couching and cuddling together to watch the series.
He was constantly chattering with me and after a while moved away to another room, leaving me alone watching “his” favourite series. I felt a sudden surge of anger, for I gave up my mood and time to write to be together, and then he leaves to play some online game. In between, he came and checked on me if I liked the series or not, also making me eat those freshly baked cookies. Gradually, I started moving away from the thought of missing to write the blog and how bad I felt to shut the laptop and involved myself in the series. My son and I were even discussing (although louder) the series across the room. It was fun.
I kept wondering, what joy did he get to make me move away from my laptop and watch that series for a short while together? As he cuddled in me and put his head in my lap, I stroked his hair gently and observed him. He had comfort on his face. He was exhibiting happiness in all his gestures. I did nothing other than shutting my laptop and agreeing to be with him, but I think that was HUGE for him. When I was mumbling that, I am not ok to give my mood to write, he replied, “mom, it’s ok. You get just one Sunday. Why are you so hard on yourself? It’s ok if you don’t write. You must learn to chill”.
I asked him about his definition of “chill”. Bang came to the reply, “like sitting with me and watching this series, just talking or even doing nothing. It’s fine if you don’t follow your routine for a day(he knows that I am very disciplined). Don’t be so harsh on yourself, mom”. As if the younger one was not enough, my elder one came in and sat in my lap. This almost a man-like figure sitting asking me if I can accommodate him somehow in my lap so that he can sleep; I sensed the urge to be together from both of them.
As I share this experience today on a Monday morning, I know that my boys would already be waiting for Sunday. So to cuddle again and have their momma back for a day as the week will be crazy again.
We miss out on such small gestures and overlook what children want in all our so-called busy schedules. But, of course, children don’t ask for anything huge but just playing Monopoly, watching TV together, baking cookies (our newfound love), chatting, or, as my younger one says, doing nothing also qualifies as spending quality time. Earlier, when I travelled for work, I always thought that staying at home is much better for I can be with the boys for a longer time. But now that we are forcefully together, I realised that it’s not the number of hours that we spend with our kids’ count for a good time but how much they enjoy with us is crucial.
We parents mostly replace the time with gifts, luxury holidays, amenities etc. but what children need is – just US, parents.
Today as I sit on a Monday morning and write this piece in flat fifteen minutes, not followed my training plan and waiting for the boys to get up, I look forward to yet another Sunday where we can cuddle together and watch “his” favourite series. And I also know that he won’t sit for long together and will keep coming to check on me if I was having fun.
I love being a mother. It’s my favourite job of learning every single day.
What are your plans for the next Sunday?
