Bringing the Yummy Back!

Kochu started at his new school in August and the first few days it was, well interesting for all of us. For Kochu he was meeting new kids, learning new songs and getting adjusted to early mornings while for us it was getting used to the new schedule. But one thing was easy - planning his lunch.

We bought a Buzz light-year lunchbox and send rice - red rice (beetroot) or green (spinach) or some macaroni and cheese. He came back home well fed and happy. Of course, good things do not last and slowly but surely food came back untouched. Every morning I would ask him want he wanted - sandwich, macoroni, rice ... and I would send him that, reminding him multiple times about finishing his lunch. But most days he would have eaten only a few bites. I would be upset and ask him about it, but no viable answer.

Then I decided a different tactic - If you eat lunch, you get a treat. That worked for two days and then it went back to "Amma I ate the whole thing" and when I would check he would have eaten only a few bites, but of course he would still expect a treat. When I would not given in to the bargain, there would a temper tantrum.

I was told sending a different food might work, something special so to speak. The drawback I soon found was that he wanted the same thing every day, which was ok with me except that, by the 3rd and 4th day the portion of food sent versus eaten got bigger and bigger.

As my options dwindled I am left with just a slimmer of hope for the best and preparing for the worst. I have ended with carrying a cheese stick or yogurt or some cheerios and chips for Kochu with me to be eaten on our way back home!

Anyone have any super cool ideas to ensure a well fed toddler let me know ...

Titbits from the toddler

- Kochunni pastime these days is to drop the P words at any opportunity he gets. His fascination with the words might seem uncharacteristic to most, but a few moms seem to relate. Like my cousin whose kid loved to make 'fart' sounds at the most (in)appropriate moments. Kochunni hasn't figured that out yet but he loves to sing nursery rhymes, film songs etc to the tune but with the words substituted to that of poop and pee. It is often funny to listen to the 'special words', but my worst fear currently is that Kunju's first words would be "appi/muthram" (poop/pee).


- We visited our friends house some weeks ago and as we were leaving the adults were having some last minute conversation. I strapped the boys in the car seat and joined the conversation. About a minute later my friend walked over to the car and started to talk to Kochunni. Couple of minutes later, I hear cries from him. As I walked back to the car thinking he was probably bored sitting inside, my friend tells me the real reason he was upset. Apparently, she told him let Grandma stay with me and he answered "But grandma cooks for me, she has to come with me" He knows everyone's role so well. Of course I step into the kitchen only to pass through it.

And then there was five

Today morning Amma and Achan left to go back to India.

It was more than a year ago when they came here for a visit and it got extended when I got pregnant. They stayed on for the delivery and then longer to help us out. Even though Achan made a 4 week trip in between, Amma was with us for the longest time after a very long time. The last time we were all together for such a long time was before my marriage. Of course, more than me, they enjoyed Kochu's company. He blossomed in their love and care. Muthu (grandpa) had to read to him, help him learn the Spider-man - big cycle and attend the garden to ensure a healthy crop of beetroot (his favourite vegetable). While Ammamma (grandma) became his personal chef, his teacher teaching him sholkas; helping him in his little homework, and his favourite student when he played teacher, in summary his best friend at home. When Kunju arrived, they became our lifeline as they stayed home with Kochunni while we were at the hospital. They ensured Kochu never felt that he had been displaced in our attention.

We prepared Kochu as much as possible, telling him about their impending departure as many times as possible. He would always get upset and tell us how much 'sad, mad' he would be. In the middle of all this we forgot how much we would miss them. Its only been 8 hours since they have left and the house feels empty. Luckily my mother is law is with us, Kochu and Kunju are active as ever and keeping our mind occupied; but there already been many moments when the house feels deserted.

It always is the same story when a visit ends. Even if the visit is for a weekend, weeks or months the folks that are left behind find it the hardest to adjust. For the person traveling it seems like an easier adjustment as there are no more reminders. Change – the ever constant thing is life is a tough pill to swallow.