"Little Munchkin". That's what they call the 14-18 month old in her day care center (Your Kids 'R' Our Kids). Starting this Monday, Anshu and I bravely embraced one of the harshest truths of 21st Century parenting - The Day Care Center. A concept, which conveniently fits into your scheme of things, your job, your career and your baby is taken care of just the way you would like.
Shahana started her long and arduous journey of institutionalization - with excited little baby steps. And she fit right in, among the other kids at the center. But ofcourse on day one, it was us parents who were loaded with a lot of guilt pangs. I for one, never expected this to be such a tough thing to do. And I realized it in good measure on the first day while leaving her alone. Although they take exceptionally good care of the child, catering to all her needs, but somehow, the parent in you never comes around to *completely* entrust the childs care to them. I guess we both grew a little more as parents, that day.
But then in today's scenario of working parents and next to nil support and the disintegration of the joint family (a good thing in my case), this is the next best option available. In fact, when I saw the number of parents dropping off their kids and going off to work, It was quite re-assuring to say the least.
As for Misthi, she has reached the stage, where she had begun craving for companionship. And we believe this is the right time to put her into a situation like this, where she will rapidly develop here social and interactive skills. We were actually very relieved to see her so happily engrossed with other kids her age. And then, I believe it is a matter of time when she will completely get used to this new arrangement.
So will we.
Shahana started her long and arduous journey of institutionalization - with excited little baby steps. And she fit right in, among the other kids at the center. But ofcourse on day one, it was us parents who were loaded with a lot of guilt pangs. I for one, never expected this to be such a tough thing to do. And I realized it in good measure on the first day while leaving her alone. Although they take exceptionally good care of the child, catering to all her needs, but somehow, the parent in you never comes around to *completely* entrust the childs care to them. I guess we both grew a little more as parents, that day.
But then in today's scenario of working parents and next to nil support and the disintegration of the joint family (a good thing in my case), this is the next best option available. In fact, when I saw the number of parents dropping off their kids and going off to work, It was quite re-assuring to say the least.
As for Misthi, she has reached the stage, where she had begun craving for companionship. And we believe this is the right time to put her into a situation like this, where she will rapidly develop here social and interactive skills. We were actually very relieved to see her so happily engrossed with other kids her age. And then, I believe it is a matter of time when she will completely get used to this new arrangement.
So will we.
1 comment:
How true! I can pour my heart out. Not used to see her in stranger's hand. I keep constantly thinking, what will she be doing, will she be eating right and enough? And so many countless things!
I thank God and my Mother (along with her Sis) who helped us alot in raising her. Mishti is almost 16 months old now and she is so attached with her Naani and Naanu that I sometimes feel, she will be missing her alot when she will go.
I pray for a day, when we all can live near and unite for all goodness.
Cheers and Love
Anshu
Post a Comment