We’ve been in and out of town since 5th April. Back to back 3 holidays. All of different kinds.

First it was a couple of days in Gurgaon at bua’s and then four days in Jaipur. A relaxed 5 star retreat in complete luxury. We dint move out of the hotel at all. The Oberoi Rajvilas is a fantastic property with 150 species of birds in the property. There were dancing peacocks all around which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. We did swimming and many other activities in the hotel including a small treasure hunt made by the hotel staff. We also saw the palace and Amer Fort light and sound show, which is not to be missed!

A week in Bangalore and we were off to Nani house in Mumbai. We were there for a little less than a month. That was a mixture of activities. A farm stay, kidzania, Aladdin musical, the beach among other things. As usual the girls had an awesome time with their Abhi bhaiya. It was some play and a LOT of fighting. He being 5 years older than P, would tease her all the time and she would be irritated and crying. And then he would equally want to play as much with her. Come to the park, let’s go cycling and play this and play that. He totally adores his sisters and misses them a lot. Unfortunately we don’t live in the same city :(. Anyway… all in all it was a great holiday. Mumbai with all its heat and sweat and dust is still the vibrant city. It never fails to steal your heart. It’s like saying you can take a person out of Mumbai but you can’t take Mumbai out of a person. It’s always Amchi Mumbai ( translated to “Our Mumbai”)

And then came the most fun of them all. We went for a short trip to Bangkok for 5 days. Papa had a 2 day summit to attend there so he took us all along. Although it was P’s first week of school (second technically but they start studies only in the second week), I took the liberty of taking her along. The girls were super excited to go. It was A’s first trip abroad and P’s third, not that she remembers the first 2 😜.

We had taken a serviced suite there with a kitchenette since I would have to cook for Papa dear. He is on a restricted diet due to some allergies. So eating out was ruled out. It was on this trip I realised how much P actually thought about me. Whether it was helping me peel, chop or help with A, she was willing to help in any way she could. She asked me a few times if I would like to use the Spa ( she saw that the hotel offered a spa). I said I couldn’t because I dint have anyone to leave you girls with since Papa is out for work. She even offered to wait outside the spa for however much time I used it! When I told her I can’t leave u girls like that she was upset and said Ma it’s your holiday too. Even you should be able to do the things you like. Why do you only have to do things for us all the time? I had no answer to give her. It was logistically impossible for me this time. I had no one to leave them with. And she would not understand that leaving them both alone might not be safe. Bottom line is she was so thoughtful!! ( I usually don’t experience thoughtfulness from her)

I do strongly believe, if you do have the option you MUST take time out for ‘me’ time and do your thing. It’s important to maintain your sanity. Especially when you have 2 or more where you’re spending half the time being a referee.

Anyway…. back to Bangkok where I realised my 8 year old is growing up. She is starting to understand things around her and watching and observing and absorbing. She is also starting to form her own opinions on how things should be. I’m not the kind who treats my children like they are very mature. I want to keep their innocence till it’s possible because, after all, they to be grown ups for major part of their lives. I don’t take them for grown up movies or expose them to regular television. So yes… now I’m starting to realise how much my baby is growing up.

I can say I do pamper them in that sense. A is too small but P is old enough to do some chores around the house. Basic being cleaning up. Although I do push for that and keep on re iterating that I will not tolerate your things lying anywhere around the house or just scrambled on the floor. But she leaves it like that more often than not. I’m trying but she seems like she doesn’t care. I think she gets it from her dad. Not closing boxes and drawers after removing things and leaving things on the floor after looking for something. 🤔 However much I push, nothing works. I’ve even gone to the extent of throwing her things in the dustbin. But she is ok for 1-2 days and back to square one.

For the past few days I’m trying to be completely intolerant. If I find anything around I call her and make her put it back. I guess she will learn slowly but I do hope that slowly is soon. It gets on my nerves sometimes as to how she can forget it each and every time. Just how? When I tell her the same thing at least twice in a day. Sometimes even more. How difficult is it to push the drawer back in or just zip up the pouch again? I’m being patient and hoping this will change soon. As for A, she is another stubborn kid. Won’t even budge if I tell her to wind up 😢