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Childhood Memories: Of playing 'Yes Boss', Yummy Nugget Frying Moments & lots more

Most of our childhood is stored not in photos but in certain biscuits, lights of day, smells, textures of carpet. - Alain de Botton

One of the most beautiful aspects about being a mother is that you are blessed with an opportunity to make your child's growing up years truly memorable. When my son looks back to his childhood days, I truly hope that these are some of the things that he will remember fondly and perhaps share as part of the 'Down Memory Lane' conversations as an adult:

Childhood Memories: With a Mom who turns the tables on 'Son is King' syndrome

Fun times with an easy going mother, who despite struggling with 24X7 work related tasks, kitchen chores and other odd jobs, makes sure that she raises a confident, down-to-earth and positive thinking kid who often tries his hand at being a brat. This mom doesn't give him the 'Son is King and never at fault' routine and she grills him whenever it is required, asks him to pitch in to go buy groceries, keep his plate back in the kitchen after eating, tidy up and sort the laundry and clean up his small toy areas that he is prone to dumping toys onto. 

How many kids get their moms to acknowledge them as 'BOSS' once a month? Just for the fun of it, here's a slightly eccentric mom who insists that her kid plays the Boss at least once a month wherein he gets to choose everything that he wants his mother to do for him. It could be eating a pizza, letting him watch cartoons for half a day or munch packet crisps that he loves to indulge in. And every time he gives an order, Mom says "Yes, Boss. Your wish is my command." And then the two of them giggle together. But Mom tells him firmly, "In the real world, bosses and employees don't work like this. No one really orders another to do something. Every task has a milestone and a reason to get done. Work is shared and it helps both people to grow and learn from each other gradually towards a point of friendship and mentoring that is valued with trust. This is just a chilled out game, so don't ever think you can boss anyone like this in real life."

Childhood Memories: Sleepless during Singing Time
Sleep time is our best 'bonding' time together right from baby days. It is when a child is most open yet vulnerable and the need to feel secure and loved is more than words can express. It's the time when I sing songs ranging from famous melodies like Dakshinamurthy's "Paatu paadi urakaam njaan" which instantly puts Adi to sleep or a hymn that is a family favorite 'Away in a Manger". Sometimes the roles get reversed and Mom asks son to sing a lullaby for her. Result: Both end up singing together instead of getting some sleep. Adi's best songs are "God's love, its so Wonderful" and "Que Sera Sera" - which always brings a smile all around.

Childhood Memories: Nugget Frying Moments
Delicious nugget frying moments when we seem to shout numbers at each other like "How many?" or "3 or 4?" and so on. Experimental moments when Mom tries hard to market her dish to the fussy food eater. Some 'best selling' experiments in the kitchen include Grated Potato and Cheese omelets, Macaroni Cheese and Creamy Garlic Potatoes. 

Childhood Memories: Emotional, tear-jerker moments
Emotional, tear-jerker moments when Mom and Son hug each other and cry as if it's the end of the world over little secrets they share only between themselves and promise each other never to reveal to anybodyelse!

Like Adi loves to sing "Que Sera, Sera" - "What will be, will be."

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Shady West Side said…
Reminds me of my mom and the good times...well I wish you luck after all the getting bossed around!

And btw its really difficult to prove that I am not a robot :-)
September 21, 2013 at 10:22 AM
harimohan said…
shows what a good mother you are Swapna
Adhi is lucky to have you both as his parents as you are too to have a son like him
he will turn into a fine human being mark my words
September 24, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
@Shahid - Thanks for saying that I have reminded you of your mom and the childhood memories. Indeed it is a blessing to have such memories to cherish and look back to. On robot, I am convinced that you are humane too:) Thanks for the patience!
October 12, 2013 at 2:12 AM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
@Harimohan uncle, you have always been so encouraging and kind to me. Thank you for that. It truly means a lot to me.
October 12, 2013 at 2:12 AM
Unknown said…

see 8 Former child stars in kids plays that stuck with their child faces http://duckhits.com/9254/8-former-child-stars-stuck-with-their-kid-faces
July 5, 2014 at 5:37 AM
Unknown said…

see 8 Former child stars in kids plays that stuck with their child faces http://duckhits.com/9254/8-former-child-stars-stuck-with-their-kid-faces
July 5, 2014 at 5:38 AM
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