What causes hair loss?

My girls were roaming around without getting their hair groomed for a long time. When I noticed it almost by the end of the day, I immediately called them to come to me with a brush so that I can groom it properly. Getting overly engrossed with what they were doing, they simply refused to come to me.

Me: Girls! If you don’t come now, then it is going to be a big loss for you and not for me.
Girls: How?
Me: Just stop asking questions and come to me now.
Shruthi: Are we going out now?
Me: No. We are not.
Swathi: Then we can as well do it tomorrow.
Me: Why don’t you want to look presentable while at home?
Shruthi ran to fetch a comb and came to me. Being excited over her action, I began brushing her hair. The knots that got accumulated in her hair gave her enough pain but she still did not stop talking.

Shruthi: What will actually happen if I do not brush my hair?
Me: As you now see, lots of knots will get accumulated. Not only that, your hair will get badly damaged and you will lose hair little by little.
Shruthi: Knots, I agree but do not talk about hair loss.
Me (curiously): Why?
Shruthi: Whenever I have left my hair loose, I have never seen hair falling on its own to the floor but the moment you take a comb and start brushing, I see that hair gets curled up onto all sides of the brush. So hair loss is only due to combing.
Me : !!!!????

Little Joy

My kids were so excited when they got into the park during the first few days of our stay in Coimbatore. The significant improvement this time was that one of them was able to swing high on her own. The other one needed some assistance. They did all kinds of acrobatics on seeing the other kids there.

My kids noticed that they were growing some pets in the park viz., parrots and rabbits. A bunny soft toy is Swathi’s all time favourite. She has nurtured that toy for a long period by feeding some carrots which she swallows ultimately. Now on seeing some real rabbits, she was so keen on feeding some carrots to them. I promised her that we will feed them the next day.

The following day, both Shruthi and Swathi carried carrots to feed them. Their facial expression revealed some sense of responsibility, pride and excitement. I simply enjoyed looking at their faces. For the first time in their life, they are doing so. On our way from home to the park, Swathi’s carrot fell on the mud.

Swathi: Ma!
Me: What?
Swathi: The carrot fell down
Me: It’s ok
Swathi: Shall we go back home?
Me: Why dear?
Swathi: Let me wash it and come back
Me: It’s ok. There is no need to wash them now
Swathi: Why?
Me: The rabbits will accept it. You just keep walking
Swathi: This is unfair. How can I give the carrot that has fallen down?
Me: Swathi, the rabbits are anyway in the sand. The carrot that you are going to drop will fall on the sand. So it is ok.

Swathi was silent. Her face showed some kind of sympathy towards those creatures that cared least about hygiene and more about food. When she dropped the carrot, the rabbits jumped towards it greedily and gobbled it up so fast. A sense of satisfaction combined with smile was found in her face immediately. That little joy filled my kids’ minds.

Effect of EVS

I consider it a wise decision to have brought my kids here to India to spend their summer vacation. Sitting in the scorching heat of Abu Dhabi confined within the walls of the house would have been such a big bore for them and for me. I maybe wrong, but I feel that running around bare feet during all seasons unmindful of the pricks of hard stones; jumping and dancing in rain; walking down the streets at any time of the day are all enjoyment of the first grade. This may not be pleasurable to all kids but as of now my kids have great delight in doing all the above here in India.

It was a promise that they had taken from me before coming to India that I should take them to the neighbouring park everyday. Though I took them to the park, they seem to be unhappy over that since they are irritated by the mosquitoes that are greedy for fresh blood.

So park was a big flop and they are reluctant to go there. The next option was the pool. My kids hardly know swimming. But they wanted to soak themselves in the kids’ pool nearby. So I took them both to the pool just to make them happy. The girls were too shy to step into the pool semi clad. There was not a single soul in the vicinity. It was because I chose the afternoon time around 3 -3.30. I believed the water would be warm around that time. But because of monsoon, the water was cold. Swathi stepped into the pool first. Shruthi was a bit hesitant to step in. She was struck with a heavy doubt. The subject “Environmental Studies” has hit her brain so hard I guess that she emerged with a peculiar question that made me laugh.

Shruthi: Mommy, we forgot something!
Me: What?
Shruthi: Where is the cylinder?
Me: Which cylinder?
Shruthi: Don’t you remember what we learnt in EVS?
Me: What?
Shruthi: We learnt that divers carry oxygen cylinder on their back just to breathe. How will I breathe now?
Me (Laughing heartily within me): You don’t need it because you are not diving in.

Convinced with this answer she stepped in. I then explained to her the difference between swimming and diving and how different is just getting soaked in the water from swimming. They were somehow convinced that they were swimming I guess. Kids sometimes arise with strange questions that make us laugh. But of late, I have also noted that if I laugh, they get offended. But how can I remain without laughing when such a question is posed?

UNO re-born

I still remember the day when the game ‘UNO’ was introduced among our friends’ circle in Bahrain five years ago. We all (like kids) used to get gathered in a big circle to play the game. The only kid among the gang was my friend’s son Atul. He was very enthusiastic and we too shared the same enthusiasm when we played it. To keep my daughters from disturbing us, we used to give some old UNO cards to them so that they bite, chew and throw it everywhere.

The way we played UNO is unforgettable. We used to order Mirinda, Pepsi and dinner and used to have them alongside as we play the game. If we hear somebody call ‘UNO’ (which indicates that he has just one card left; which also means that he is close to victory), we consider it our responsibility to make that guy pick up more cards making him lose just by conspiring among the others. So because of this, one single game gets prolonged to as long as 20 – 30 minutes. And just imagine! We used to play for several hours together.

It has been quite some time since we stopped playing UNO since we discovered several other games. It is almost 10 months since I left Bahrain which means we are hardly getting together and hardly playing any games together. The main reason is that we miss our dear friends back in Bahrain. It is difficult to get such a group of friends again.

As we were shopping few days back, I discovered a pack of UNO cards stacked in one of the shelves. My husband and I were reminded of those days in Bahrain when we all used to play merrily. I just asked him if we can pick it up for which he said that it is no fun if it is played among two people. I said that I can coach our daughters into playing this. So I just picked them up and taught my kids how to play it. They found the game so interesting that they call my husband and me to play this often. The girls who were licking and biting these cards some years back are playing it with great zeal now. I was reminded of Atul who used to play this game with a great spirit. Now my kids are also playing them with the same fervour. I made them understand that it is just a game and that they should not cry when they lose. They have taken that piece of advice in the right spirit and convince each other on their loss telling “It’s just a game.” How I wish to play the same game with our Bahrain friends’ circle once again! This time, with my kids!

My kids are growing

As any other kids, my kids too were prone to infections very often when they were toddlers. So I always used to make it a point to home feed them. I had banned giving them outside food and I would give them hygienically prepared food at home. There were many of my friends too who used to prepare food with the same hygiene as I, so that I need not carry food when I visit their houses. But if I were to visit any other place, I either feed my kids before starting or carry food along with me so that I can give them at a later time.

But this practice continued for a very long time. My kids too started enjoying having the mashed food prepared exclusively for them so that they can easily swallow without giving work to their teeth. I later began getting worried about this since even if we wanted to have dinner at a restaurant, I have to prepare the same food for them, feed them, give them and then start to the restaurant. The fun of having food at a restaurant vanishes since I anyway have to work in the kitchen. My kids used to hate outside food. They never even had the appetite to taste restaurant food. That put me in greatntrouble. My friends too said that it was not an acceptable idea since my daughters had outgrown that age. They said that they better learn to eat outside else survival becomes very tough.

Fortunately for me, my daughters started eating idlis and dosas at a restaurant. So if I were to visit South Indian restaurants, I would be benefitted. After reaching Abu Dhabi, I decided that I would somehow make them eat outside. So I prepared all those dishes prepared in a restaurant at home and made them eat it little by little. They began to like them after some trials. Now, they have developed great fascination towards outside food. They are now eating Indian food in restaurants. I was greatly relieved last month, when they fully began to eat a wholesome meal at a restaurant.

Last night, we had been to a restaurant and my husband ordered a Chinese rice item and one of my daughters developed deep curiosity as to what he is eating and asked for the name of it and repeated it out to herself so that she can order it the next time we come there. She seemingly liked that rice and had a few spoons. She also checked what I was eating and asked if she can taste that too. What a development! I no longer have to carry boxes for them!!

Confusing Punishments

Last night, as I was laying the bed, I learnt that Shruthi hit Swathi because Swathi called her a ‘bad’ girl. Shruthi tried to patch up with Swathi since the latter wanted to complain about Shruthi to me. Shruthi apologized with her and also checked if it pained her and tried to stroke Swathi to ease off the pain but Swathi was so adamant that she would complain to me. Shruthi then followed Swathi as the latter approached me and whispered in her ears not to make a big issue out of it.

Swathi : Amma, Shruthi hit me.

I looked at Shruthi and I could figure out from her expressions that her whisper in to Swathi’s ears was about this.

Me: Shruthi! Why did you do that?

Shruthi: It is because she called me a ‘bad’ girl.

Me: Why would you beat her if she called you that way? Just like how she came to me, you could have also complained about her to me.

Shruthi was silent.

Me: As a punishment, you are going to sleep alone. Swathi will not sleep with you tonight. She will sleep with us.

Shruthi: But why?

Me: You got to know the value of a sister. Only if you miss her, you will understand the importance of a sister.

Shruthi: I already know about her importance. That is why I said ‘sorry’ to her and also tried to ease off her pain though I knew it wouldn’t have pained her much.

Me: No way Shruthi. I cannot allow this kind of physical interference. You are sleeping alone tonight.

Shruthi: But I want somebody next to me. I have a bad back too!

(My Mom complains of a bad back. I too have problem with my back and this girl is also complaining. I don’t understand! A 6 ½ year old child having back pain!)

Me: What back pain? You did not tell me about this!

Shruthi: Yes, it is paining.

Me: So if Swathi sleeps near you, will the back pain disappear?

Shruthi: Yes, she will massage.

Me: See! Do you now know how important it is to have a sister next to you? So miss her for a night. You will realize.

Shruthi: I am scared that monster would come and disturb me in the night.

Me: You should have thought about all these before hitting Swathi.

Shruthi: But, I did not know what kind of punishment you will give me.

It was an unexpected answer and I also realized that kids get confused as to what kind of punishment will be given at what times. Earlier, the only kind of punishment I used to subject them was ‘time out’. Of late, they started enjoying a time out session. So we began treating them to a different kind of treatment based on the incidents. No doubt, Shruthi was not left alone last night. In fact, I slept with her to ease her pain off. After few minutes, I just laughed at the entire episode. It happens every time I scold them. I also think if such punishments will really make them understand what they are doing. As a ritual, I punish them and they accept it diligently as a routine. Is there any meaning to the punishments that I subject them to? But all said and done, my punishments are never serious and even if I give them any punishment, I waive them off in no minutes. They are after all, my children!

Dinner with my kids

It was dinner time. My husband was busy with IPL match. So it was just kids and me at the table for dinner. Since Shruthi and Swathi’s interest towards finishing their homework seemed to decline, I thought I would initiate the topic of how education is so important to our lives. I thought if I make the concept of education very clear, I can make them realize the importance of concentrating on their day-to-day school assignments.

Me: Listen girls! I just wanted to tell you something for a very long time. I was just waiting for the right time to speak this up to you both.

Shruthi and Swathi: What's that?

Me: A career is very important for each one of us. To survive in this world, we all need to hold a decent job.

Shruthi: (She spoke as she contained the food in her mouth) - Then why is it that you are still at home? Why don’t you have a job?

Me: (I did not know how to deal with this unexpected question) - That’s because I now have the responsibility of taking care of you two at home.

Swathi: Then why are you applying for jobs?

Me: (Oh God! How come they know many things?) - That’s because I think that you guys are big enough to manage things on your own. That is why Daddy asked me to look for a job.

Shruthi: Mummy, tell me one thing – who should decide about my job?

Me: Undoubtedly you, darling!

Shruthi: Will my husband interfere and ask me to take care of my kids when I grow up?

Me: He need not interfere. You will willfully stay back if you have to take care of your kids. Sometimes you need not stay back either if you have a responsible person to take care of your kids.

Shruthi: Mummy, I am going to name my daughter “Latika”

Me: (These girls are moving away from the topic!) - Wow! That’s a good name!

Swathi: I will name my daughters Varsha, Shreya, Lalita and I have thought of more names. Did you like these names Ma?

Me: (Oh God!!!??) – Indeed, nice names! Now, let me come to the point. I mean to say that we all have to have a job in hand.

Shruthi: Ok, so?

Me: Only if you study well, you will get good job.

Shruthi: All who are having jobs were good students at school?

Me: (hope she doesn’t understand the reverse to be true and try to figure out that to be the reason why I am at home :)) – Yes. If we all study well, we will get good marks and if we get good marks, we will get a good job and if you get a good job, you will be paid well and you can buy anything you want with that money. Now, how does that shound?

Shruthi: That sounds nice but I have a trouble here.

Me: What is that?

Shruthi: I want to be a teacher and that too a drawing teacher and I don’t understand why a person who is going to be a drawing teacher should learn so many subjects like Maths, EVS, Moral Science, Computer Science and many others. Is it not enough if I learn to draw and maybe attend the Art class in Tarang?

[Tarang is an institute that teaches music, dance, art and such stuff and Shruthi has been asking my permission to join in the art class though she already is in music and dance]

Me: If you want to become a drawing teacher, then why would you learn music and dance? It is just like that.

Shruthi: I am learning them because a drawing teacher can sing at home and dance at parties. In fact, everybody should learn to dance.

(That is her theory probably - that everybody should learn to dance)

Me: Ok, leave that. You were once telling me that you want to be a Princess when you grow big. You changed that idea later on. Is it not?

Shruthi: Yes

Me: You also told me that you wanted to be a Physical Trainer in a school. You changed that too. Is it not?

Shruthi: Yes

Me: A child’s interest would keep on changing like this.

Swathi: When you were young, did you also have changing interests Mom?

Me: Yes, I too wanted to be a teacher and then I decided I would be a lawyer. Now again, coming to the point, when you turn 17 or 18, you would be able to clearly define what you want to become. So that is why we study the basics of all the subjects. That would be useful for us to choose what we want to become.

Shruthi: Maybe I will still say that I want to be a drawing teacher when I turn 18.

Me: That’s ok.

Shruthi: I have another problem here.

Me: Now what?

Shruthi: I haven’t heard of a teacher by name ‘Shruthi’

Swathi: That’s ok Shruthi. What is there in a name? Have you ever heard of a teacher by name ‘Jennifer’ before? And don’t we have a teacher by that name? So I think that’s not a problem.

(I was just laughing bending my head down)

Me: Shruthi, name is not a problem. What I want to say is that you girls are growing. I want you to be good at your studies so that you can choose your career at ease when you turn 18. For that, you need to be very serious with your day-to-day assignments and get good marks all through.

Shruthi: Ok

Me: What about you Swathi?

Swathi: I will also do my homework regularly.

Shruthi: (after a long pause) - Mom, I think you may be right. My interests are changing. Sometimes, I feel that I should be like Daddy working in a bank.

Swathi: Yes, Shruthi. Sometimes I too feel that I want to become a doctor.

Me :) :)

Shruthi: (after some time) - Mom! Will I be paid like Daddy when I become a drawing teacher?

Me: You will definitely be paid but not like Daddy.

Shruthi then began thinking deeply......