IS IT STILL CALLED A REMOTE???? (May be a skull of the remote)

Off-late television has become my best friend. Anytime I am in the kitchen and Anika is being difficult, I rely on the television to distract her and give me some much needed peace of mind. The so called idiot-box, if I may say so, is my biggest respite from all things difficult.

In fact like most kids these days, Anika too has become a TV lover. She calls it “Te Te” with love. Barely 2, and she already knows that the TeTe has two remotes. The big black remote is for the TV and the small white remote is for the set up box. Anytime she is in the mood, she just makes a beeline for the TV, takes the remote and starts pressing on the buttons expecting the TeTe to come to life instantly. Just like any other kid, if the TV does not come on, she starts screaming in annoyance. And regardless of what I might be doing, she expects me to set things right immediately.

Just like her father, Anika loves getting comfy on our cosy couch to watch her favorite programs.

I then realize that she wants to watch television. I quickly switch on the television and tune into her favorite channels.

Although she keeps a hawk’s eye on how Ashwin and I operate the remote, she is yet to get a hang of it. I sometimes stand quietly and just watch her with the remote. She attacks the remote with all the gusto of a two year old and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Well, this is a day which will again be a memorable one. Both of us decided to play a funny game. As usual I can see how excited she is coz we are going to play her favorite game. The rules of the game is very simple, I have to do exactly what she does. Now let me tell you, this is not an easy game. That’s because her energy is literally bouncing off the walls, while me...all I can say is “Never mind!”. This game can go on for minutes and even hours with tiny tiny breaks in between.

I needed that extra energy to compete with her. I thought of a little warm up before I start the game.  She kept watching all that I was doing and she must be thinking in her mind, “Mama is in full force to play this game, yayyyyyyyy!”. Unfortunately both of us didn't know the victim of this game would be our Television Remote.

It started well. She ran into rooms and I did the same. She started shouting and I did the same. She stretched on the ground, again I did the same. It went on for few minutes until I wanted a break. First break she was perfectly fine. The second break she was not too okay with it, still managed. My third break was a disaster.

After playing the game for about 20 mins successfully, I was ready to quit.  I told her I can’t play any longer. And although she kept forcing me to play, I refused. This is what transpired between us –

Anika: Mama tham (tham as in “come”)

Me:  “no baby”, I Cant. Enough now

Anika: Nooooo Mama, tham here

Me: Please I don’t want to play this game

Anika: Boooooooo (starts crying)

Me: Please Ani baby, “No” Let’s play something else.

“Grrrrrrrrrr Ahhhhhhhhh !!!!!! “,Her anger levels went extremely high. I guess she takes that after her dad. Still angry she stomps off to the TV, takes the remote in her hand and just throws it with all force.

By this time, I am running low on energy and as I pick the remote up I find it resembling a crushed skull!

All I could do was to divert her mind into something else and make her feel nice. But, I couldn't stop feeling bad about my lovely remote. As I already mentioned TV and I are good friends now and couldn't think of my remote not functioning now. Neither did I scold her nor did I give her a whack. All I did was to explain to her that such things should not be repeated. I didn't want to be bad mommy to her and make her feel,” I hate my mama”. I only explained to her what happens if she does such things. She did nod her head like any good girl.

I was extremely proud of my parenting skills. I thought I should take some classes, may be prenatal classes and tell people how to bring up children.

But, just after few days my little girl proved me wrong. Ask me, “How?”

Well, she wanted to sit on her couch which is her favorite place. She saw the remote being a big disturbance there. She conveniently threw the remote and happily sat down.

I then thought I was dreaming all this while. I couldn't help but realize children are children. We explain, we shout, we scream, we scold or give them a solid whack. It may not change. As they grow older, they will realize these themselves. I`m sure when we were kids we must have been troublesome children to our parents.

But, was wondering if I was writing this blog to share my experience or letting people know how stupid I was. Whatever it may be, my remote will never come back again. It’s no more called a remote still I try all my funny tricks to operate my TV.