Why Youngsters' Mess Is A Delight!

Prior to having kids of my own, I would shake my head in quiet disapproval as I observed mothers ‘giving in’ to their child’s public tantrums, or screaming at their child to ‘just behave’.

- Sudha Chandrasekaran

I would make a wry face at the snot-nosed kids, running willy-nilly in mismatched outfits, as their mothers looked away in quiet desperation. Do these women not have any pride, I would think to myself? Can they not manage their children? Not I….oh never! I, of course, planned to have beautifully dressed, well-mannered, cooperative, bright, adorable little cherubs….some day….

Fast-forward some years, and I woke up to find myself overrun by three little ones screaming, whining, fighting, constantly demanding something or the other – food, attention, toys, vindication, you name it – and leaving a trail of destruction in their wakes. What had happened to my grand plan of perfect little angels? I was washing dishes and thinking how many things I had to accomplish in the next few days. There was the school paperwork to fill out; a trip back to the dentist to reignite discussions about my elder one’s dental appointment; gifts for three newborns in our neighbourhood; sort out our insurance papers; write a column; do some social work; take the last kid to the doctor for a suspected fracture that happened two days ago; plant the tree we were given over a month ago which is starting to look dead…

MUNCHKINS & MESS

All of this on top of the usual school runs, homework, spending quality time with my spouse…This is not a busy week though. This is just about normal. I sighed, turned to hunt for more dirty dishes and was surprised to see the rest of the family still in the room. They generally make themselves scarce during post-dinner, pre-wash-up hour. I could see the little ones – one trying to read a story loudly on the top of his voice over a screaming stereo; the other one dragging an empty laundry basket in one hand and dragging his baby sister atop a bean bag with the other hand.