The theory of relativity..

While the world may have required Einstein to make it understand it, my baby - K knows it very well, at her age of 17 months.

This is how it works for her.

Take 1: When the neighbor's kid (2 months younger to K) comes over, throw your weight around, don't let her touch any of your toys, be ready with the most primitive war cry at the slightest attempt, hoard her toys, ensure she cries at a minimum interval of 10 minutes, patronize her with wanting to comb her hair and patting her cheek, and show irreprisible signs of happiness of being able to pack her off when she leaves.

Take 2:  When at the playground, you meet a 3 year old girl double your height, smile nicely, reach out to shake hands, give her your books when she asks for them, ask them back soundlessly with just a stretch of the arm and finally wave a very cordial "ta-ta" when you leave.

You, my girl, are ready for the world!

Creatures of habit..

They say children are creatures of habit. So, all the Internet gurus (i.e. the gurus on the Internet), the books prescribe doing the same things, at the same time, at same place, with (of course the same) children ad infinitum, ad nauseum to get the semblance of a routine in your life and theirs. I think the problem starts when you don't have/ haven't had one in your own life - a routine that is. I would like to believe that there are a many of us who live like that - not waking, eating, sleeping, working at the same time/ place everyday (please tell me there are at least a few like that!).

So, for my little one's sleep woes, I guess i should take part responsibility. Probably, I have failed her in giving a - here it comes again- Routine. Although, she now sleeps with some sort of a schedule but wakes up at odd hours, sometimes after 2 hours, sometimes 3, 4, 6 and once (just once) 8 hours. I hope it is a natural skill that comes very soon to her and peace to us.

But, does she want the same thing? Try giving her the same thing for dinner everyday and look at her turn her head disdainfully when I know of some children who will down bowl after bowl of khichdi every day.

On habit, here is a funny thing. K is usually rewarded with a loud clap and lot of congratulation from my side whenever she pees in the commode. One time, last week, I took her to the seat. She peed and then looked at me expectedly. Occupied, as I was, I didn't understand it till she took my one hand and then the other and clapped them together. Congratulations baby!