The weekend sojourn...

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Usually, weekends for my family means a lazy morning, a heavy brunch and a melange of random, spur-of-the-moment plans. This weekend, otherwise no different that usual, saw me developing a list of rules for all such random madness we call weekends

Rule 1 : Never assume children have fixed ambitions. They are driven by determined little brains that leave no stone unturned to get what they set their heart to achieve - till they notice that the other kid down the road has something better worth achieving. Case in point - shiny new helium balloon (bought after much whining) was thrown aside when skates were discovered!

Rule 2 : If you thought a good workday ended in 8 hours, please note: NOT TRUE for toddlers. After about four hours, they start mutating into these terrible monsters who will do the exact opposite of what you tell them to! So the remainder of your day is spent either yelling or running after them (both of which, I discovered, can cause headaches!)

Rule 3 : Do not expect sympathies from people - even if they are scrambling mothers themselves. In other words - Your kids, YOUR problem! If your kids scream, you get dirty looks. No amount of sheepish grinning or hassled-looking apologies will clear the air.

Rule 4 : Do not, I repeat DO NOT, use puppies as a temporary means to pacify sulky toddlers. Sigh!! A petting corner, some ADORABLE puppies with satin ribbons, tired toddler with a love for canines - NOT a good combination. Of course, he jumped in glee when he was handed a pup with a purple ribbon. But his translation of that act was, "Ok... now lets go home... WITH the puppy!" Result? An absolutely berserk parent trying to pry the pup out of little hands, uncontrollable tears from the said toddler.... Sheer heartbreak! (While kiddo tries to enact Romeo's death scene here ....  )

Rule 5 : Sometimes, middle aged women security guards (we encountered ours in the elevator) tell you sensible stuff. "Maydam.... baba thak gaya hai... godi utha lo." (The kid is tired, why don't you pick him up...). And after kicking myself for not thinking of something so basic, I pick up the bawling one. And like magic, the sobbing stops, he puts his head on my neck and goes off to sleep..... Magic moments!

Rule 6 : Never, NEVER ignore the older child..... Oh yes! Same story - elder one gets pushed around, because the younger one is driving everyone NUTS. It is much more difficult to un-sulk an eight year old, as compared to a puppy-crazed toddler. But a special woman-to-woman talk and a barbie hair-band does the trick!

Rule 7 : Never end a tiring day with dinner at an atrociously overpriced restaurant. The kids are ready to crash, husband is not too sure his credit card will hold out any longer, and you are all but ready to throw those darned footwear out of your life! A snooty restaurant is NOT the place you want to unwind in. We were clever .... we headed home, one kiddo started snoring in the car, and the other one barely made it into her night clothes. We ordered momos from the local Chinese 'Snakes' fellow, snuggled into the blanket, and watched old Hindi songs .... Bliss! I Love my family!