5 Guidelines For When Your Toddler Starts Preschool

If your toddler barely raises his hand to wave you goodbye when you drop him off, what is it that you should exactly feel? 'Ja Master A ja jee le apni zindagi' or ‘Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayee, Kisise Ab Kya Kehna’?

I was told that I should pat my back, for having bred an independent kid. 'Yeah' (read, what do you know!) I said, as I hid the tissues.

Here I go, 5 Eye-Openers for You

• Living up to my image of a crazy mom, I felt like I ought to get something to the effect of a cctv footage. What's he doing, how's he doing it, is he stumbling, is he falling, is he eating well, is he drinking enough water, is he washing his hands, what if the soap hasn't been washed off, so many questions. And where are the answers! Maybe a camera has them. Fitting it in his bag, or shirt maybe? If your better half supports these wacky ideas, I suggest you have your parents or in-laws handy to inject some sense into you.

• Having a to-do list ready beforehand is not a very bad idea friends. So many mixed feelings, goosebumps, anxiety, curiosity, excitement, delight. Those of you who haven’t reached this stage yet, don’t you make those faces and say, Kuch jyada ho raha hai! People, I know its not as if he’s doing post-graduation or getting married. But this is in fact a big deal, one of the biggest milestones in a child’s life. The first school ever, and a bigger one for children like Master A, cos there was never any playgroup or childcare in the picture. Above all, it’s my first experience of being a school-parent yaar. So kindly understand the Nirupa Roy kinda sentiments. And amidst all this, when you have to be particular about having packed everything, imagine the chaos! Extra sets of clothes? Yes. Extra pair of socks? Yes. Extra pair of shoes? Yes. Water bottle? Yes. And him?

• My little one has his own bag now, his first ever school bag. ‘See, he’s growing up’, we walk around with that look on the face, drawing attention of strangers, Kabhi hum usko kabhi uski  bag ko dekhte hain!  Awww...An amazing feeling! Until, you are trying to scoot with your own handbag, his school bag, and him, to catch hold of the 8.01 bus (the next one is after 20 minutes).

• Fried rice with Salmon, Pumpkin & Carrot Soup! Are you serious? Are you telling me that my son is actually eating all of that stuff, without being fussy or throwing any tantrums? I have got to pop in and take lessons from the chef, Mon Ami!

• Is it 6 am yet? Just 4.30! Is it 6 already? You got to be kidding me! Who's the one actually attending the school? Why is it that I am super exhausted? Wait, maybe cos I am not a toddler with super energy, I’m not the one with the super spring in my step, I’m not the one who’s super thrilled about going to school, I’m not the one who gets recharged after a nap and gets super enthusiastic about playing with pals. Nor the one who doesn’t sleep without the daily routine of jumping on the bed at night, to the point where I want to yell, 'So Ja Varna Gabbar aa jayega'!

New phases, new beginnings. Each one will always be super-special Master A.

Love You Loaaads Buddy!

Image source: Cliparts.co