Tuesday 27 November 2012

My Little 'Diplomat'


I am always amazed by the confidence and clarity of thought the new generation displays.  Their confidence stems from the simple reason that they are comfortable in their own skin. My daughter is my first hand experience of this generation.  She hates comparisons (even the hint of it), has a mind of her own and very difficult to be convinced. She is diplomatic too (in her own innocent ways), knows what serves better in a given situation, airing your opinion or keeping your mouth shut, especially when it comes to make her father give in to her demands. 

Last Saturday, She wanted to take our permission to go to local carnival with her uncle and his family. I redirected her query to my husband, because I know he is quite fussy about sending her ‘alone’ with somebody else (whoever that 'somebody else' be, for him it has to be either me or him accompanying her).  She called her papa, who was in office, and asked for his permission to go with his uncle’s family. Obviously, he refused. She very matter of factly conveyed me his decision and said,” we will go together whenever you both have time.” I was little offended by her response. I stopped the work I was doing in kitchen, called her and said, “You know, you are partial. When papa refuses you for something, you accept it so coolly, no tantrums, no ‘tamasha’. As if you fully agree with the reason behind it. Had it been I who refused, you would have pulled the whole house down! Would have howled, heaped blames on me of every kind.” She looked at me, dazed, and went  out of the kitchen. I resumed work with little pang in my heart. After some time, she reappeared, with weapons (read tears) in her eyes, arms folded on her chest defiantly. What she said next, totally knocked me out of my mind for some time, “Mom, You should I appreciate I do that to you. We share a happy space together. With papa, I am always careful because I am afraid of him, because I am never sure about his reaction. With you I share an open relationship, for you have given me that confidence that I can speak anything to you without fear. Yes I throw tantrums, I howl, I do everything I wish because with you, I can be ‘me’. If you want that to be taken away, your wish.” She dashed out leaving me completely speechless. I scratched my mind hard but could not remember if words like relationship, space, confidence ever figured in my vocabulary when I was 10. She is not even 10 and her explanation left my head spinning! 

I didn’t know how should I react, be happy or embrace myself for more difficult times ahead!

Picture taken from:ayushveda.com

27 comments:

  1. Loved it a lot :)

    it's true A son or daughter shares himself/herself as their own self more to their mother than a father...!!!

    loved the post and loved the innocence of your daughter in expressing herself...!!!

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    1. Thanks Anjan

      True, in our childhood, we are closer to our mother, but daughter tend to grow closer to their fathers as the grow up.

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  2. wow!! That totally blew me away!! How old is she?!!

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  3. WOWO.. and you say she is not even 10.. blimey BUT GOOD she speaks her mind , the world is such nowadays one needs to speak their mind otherwise your thoughts get lost somewhee and no one pays heed to you..

    SO Good I will say , and you shud be happy that you are bringing her up in such a way that she can speak her mind .. SO kudos to you too :)

    Bikram's

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    1. wow! that's rare, you seldom get a pat on back for this job! Thanks a ton!!

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  4. All right! All right!! Don't you be shocked: they are pretty intelligent beings these days, the homo sapiens-intelligence! I have a pair of two- couple of years older than yours- and I am wary of what they may come up with!

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  5. Kids today are way too smarter than we were :-)

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  6. WOW ! That was a really cool explanation by a toddler. I think you must be proud if you suppose she was telling the truth, I don't think kids lie at things like this so dear Mamma, think you should be a happy soulful, mother. :) SUper-cute kid :)Take care!

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    1. I bet she was! Thanks for reading and liking Tanya!

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  7. I am amazed at the explanation she gave to you. Such an intelligent soul.

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    1. She is! but her this trait doesn't show up in her studies:)

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  8. wow!totally stunned.credit goes to mom,for upbring of her daughter in a way that she can speak her mind in such an imperassive way that too at very early age.God bless our little angel.

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    1. hey, we are sailing in the same boat, yours is equally outspoken and intelligent when it comes to making her point loud and clear! Ya! God bless them, and us too;)

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  9. You should have just rushed towards her and embraced her! How lucky you are to have such an intelligent daughter with you!

    But be prepared.....she will say the same thing to her dad when she goes to college later in her life :-) just kidding.....

    Lovely narrative. It actually made me bit emotional...

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    1. Thanks a lot for dropping by and welcome to my blog. I know I adore her for her candid approach, but her strong will also makes me nervous at times.

      Perhaps that's being mother!

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    2. Hmmm I understand. ...

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  10. Right from the start Misha's been a very emotional girl and obviously
    very much attatched to you......and ....I always admire ( sometimes get surprised too) the ability of her to express herself in very correct and clear
    words....maybe she has inherited this quality from her mother only....

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    1. Ok, so here also, I am the ultimate culprit! hahahaha.........Thanks for reading!

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  11. Yes I throw tantrums, I howl, I do everything I wish because with you, I can be ‘me’. If you want that to be taken away, your wish.”


    have heard those words many a times from my daughters too --and would love to here them again and again :))
    great read

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    1. I am glad to hear I not the only one going through the ordeal of raising such a strong willed child;) We will have many more things to share!

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  12. Congrats Meenakshi for writing such a beautiful post.I admire your daughter's way of expressing her thoughts towards her Mom.You have aptly called her your diplomat! These days children are very smart.I have four cute grand children, all teenagers.They too speak like your daughter. Be proud of her.

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    1. Thank you so much! I am proud of her self confidence and ability to speak her mind. It is just that its very uncomfortable when you are rendered speechless by your no-even-teen daughter!

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  13. Wow, she expressed herself in such a clear and candid way. Admirable and smart too:)

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  14. Thanks Chatty! Kids are really way smarter these days.

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