Play Date Activity

“Play is the work of child.” Maria Montessori

 In today’s world everyone is busy in their own small world. No one has time for others. Everybody is running their own race. Technology has taken all the time, children are no different {if you have read my last blog on freedom (http://sonavitiwa.blogspot.in/2018/01/freedom.html} than you will understand what I meant to say.) Little kids are also addicted to phones and I pads. These days they knew much more things on phone than their parents. I am not against screen time or giving phones to kids, sometimes I also do the same. I know it’s the requirement of time, but I want my son to get involved more in outdoor activities and to be more social (hope he will also feel same when he grows up finger crossed.)

We came to know about playdate activity which was organized by a preschool in our locality. Got to know about this through known lady in our society, who is also a mother. We met with each other daily in garden when kids were busy in playing and we mothers discussed how to keep them engage. We shifted to Pune few months back, so we didn’t have much friends over here who have kids of same age to plan regular play date at someone’s place. After discussing with husband, I decided to go for it. But everyone else in my family is quite apprehensive about my decision. They all thought he is too young for such kind of activity (he is 15 months old). They all said I am putting extra pressure on kid, he might get afraid of the school set up and will get uncomfortable in the new environment. But I was very clear in my head, if he did not feel comfortable I will not continue the playdate activity. I was bombarded with lots and lots of questions

1.Many of my friends and family asked me why play date activity is important?

 2.What made me think to join this activity?

 3.My son is youngest of all the kids, aren’t you afraid he might catch some infection?

4.Why you want to get rid of your responsibility so soon?

The play date activity was scheduled from 7^th feb to 12^th feb 2018. Timings for the play date was 10-12pm, this 2 hours session included rhyme session, activity for particular day, lunch break and outdoor play.

·        Rhyme session includes regular poems to make children calm down and make them settle for the further activity.

·        Every day activity includes paper tearing, painting, sticker pasting, all these activities help is fine motor skill development.

·        Story telling session covers telling of story through hand puppets, which helps in improving listening skills and verbal proficiency.

·        Outdoor play was unstructured play which includes slides, swings and see saw play.

·        School provided some time for free play for kids when other children are busy in doing activity, by that time kids can play with blocks, puzzles, and kitchen set.

So finally, the day, Monday came and we reached our destination. First day was more of an orientation day where we get to know about school, their vision and mission.

On the next day after orientation we got little late for our play date program and missed the rhyme session. But we were lucky we got to attend the next activity which was paper tearing activity (this activity helps children to develop their fine motor skills) we elder thought is was a simple thing to tear a paper. But have you ever seen small kids to tore paper, it’s very difficult for them to use their index finger and thumb for tearing the paper. AJ likes to tear the crepe paper, but he didn’t like to paste it on fish. So he left the activity in middle and start roaming here and there.

On Wednesday we did coloring activity which he really likes. He did it with the help of mommy. That was his first experience with the water color. He likes to make strokes on paper with brush.

On Thursday we did dough play, made different animal with the stencils. AJ was not interested in playing with dough. He did not like  

On Friday we made basket with the paper glass and decorate it with different shapes made up of glitter paper.

Saturday was the last day but it was the much fun filled day followed by graduation ceremony and party. School organized painting session of kids with their fathers. We did a small painting with the daddy dearest and AJ got his first participation certificate.

With all this activity daily we had rhyme session, storytelling session, and free play. Every program has its pros and cons and I am listing few of them.

·        The first and foremost thing was that I was very clear in my mind, if my kid didn’t enjoy the session we will quit the activity and not pressurize him to go further.

·        But to my concern my boy enjoyed the session and he was very much comfortable over there.

·        It helped us in improving our kid social skills as we lived in nuclear setup, we didn’t get much time to interact with other, except the evening play time in the garden.

·        Our scheduled get more organized, than the other days when we were at home. Both me and AJ get ready on time with our bag packs.

·        There are chances the kid might get scared because of new people. Kids are not comfortable with the strangers. If they are not ready to mingle with others, let them be by themselves

·        If child is not ready to certain activity, don’t compel them to do it. If we force them, they will get irritated and in future might be not like it.

This all we had during our play day activity and we really enjoyed it. If I get this opportunity again will definitely go for it. If you also get chance to do something like this with your kids, don’t miss that because you will be amazed to see your kid in new environment. They will definitely surprise you with their exploration and inquisitiveness.

It is a Happy talent to know how to play.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

AJ First Painting

Play Dough Activity

Graduation Day

Painting With papa

Letter to my Older Self

You can Find me somewhere in Between Inspiring others,

Working on Myself, Dodging Negativity,

And Slaying My Goals.

Hi Sonam,

How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we have talked to each other. So today I have decided to write a letter to you. Let me tell you, you are doing an amazing job. It’s been 33 years you are here in this world and you are doing great indeed! I am so proud of you, I really feel as a girl child to your parent, sister to your brother, wife to your husband, daughter-in-law to your in laws, mother to your child, friend to your friends and colleague to your office mates you are fabulous.

It just feels like yesterday, when you were in grade 5^th playing with dolls and in 10^th standard going out for a school picnic.

In college you were dreaming about your future, which subject to choose for further studies, which college to apply for?

Which company to join?

Discussing about your travel plans in future?

Talking about your crushes with friends?

Going out for your first date and after coming back and telling them the stories about your day?

Years have gone in minutes but memories of moments are still fresh in your eyes. Feels like everything is passed in a blink of an eye. But, you are always so content in what you had and feel good about yourself, and what you have achieved in the past 33 years. Your prized possessions are your family, your friends, your husband man and your little boy. Still the bright future is waiting for you and some big surprises are there for you in the future.

You are a good dancer and performed officially first time on the stage at the age of 30 after taking classes from a renowned academy, so there is no age for learning… There are so many skills which you still want to learn but first and foremost on which you want to focus on is your writing skills. You have started writing from last 8 months but still there is large scope of improvement. There are so many areas of writing on which you have to work upon, for this you have to join some online program for beginners.

Second thing which every mother would like to work on is their cooking skills. As your son is

Growing up and he has developed taste for food, and he easily get bored by the monotonous taste. So you have to learn how to cook varied and scrumptious food for him.

Goals which you want to achieve for yourself in recent future is a good health. Good health is the thing which always remains with you and, if you regularly work towards achieving good health it not only improves your physical wellbeing but as well as your mental and emotional wellbeing also. “Good Health is Wealth” this quote which you have to follow.

Next Goal for you is to run in a Marathon. I know you have got this special corner for athlete and sportsman, though you were not interested in sports in your childhood days. By seeing their dedication and discipline to live healthy life, you started admiring them. I know running gives you an adrenaline rush, so I want you to start again with your running and exercise regime.

I know Sonam you like and want to travel the different places. After having son, you want to visit places with him and try the different varieties of food and cuisine available locally. Want to explore every nook and corner of the strange city with your family and to make memories for yourself and for your kid. This is the time when you should start contemplating to achieve this goal. So that you can write travelogue when you will be in your 50’s.

Few things which I want you to stop doing is not to get hyper, you lose your calm easily. You are a one short tempered girl, but now you are a mother also so you have to behave accordingly. Your son will learn, what he sees. Now it’s up to you how you want to raise your kid.

There are the certain things, that you should start doing for yourself. Please be consistent with your exercise and diet regime. I want you start doing something for society, you can join some NGO and start giving them your services as per your convenience. You can teach or can give tuitions to some under privileged kids.

Start visiting parlor and spas regularly, its high time you should pampered yourself and take out some me time which is good for you emotional and mental wellbeing. I know It’s tough being in nuclear set up with an active toddler but you should focus on yourself also.

I know you have fear of being judged and fear of acceptance. Let it be everyone has flaws, no one is perfect. Start living with your flaws, don’t be ashamed, don’t feel guilty. Just accept yourself and try to love yourself as much as you can. If you accept yourself, no one has the power to demean you.

A piece of advice I would like to give you. Give second chance to some relationships, which were fallen apart due to some misunderstanding and miscommunication. Life is short so you cannot carry this grudges and burden of ill-fated relationship every time, try to resolve it as soon as possible.

Let Bygones, be Bygones

And always remember “Main Apni Favorite Huu”

Lots of Loves, Kisses and Hugs

Sonam

This blog post is a part of #womendayblogparty. I would like to thank Cheni Adukia for introducing me,and request you to go and read her amazing post on Letter to my Darling Daughter. 

https://cheniadukia.wordpress.com/2018/03/03/letter-to-my-darling-daughter/

And Would Like to introduce Mandavi,do go and read her post
 https://anurbannomadic.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/who-rules-the-world-girls/

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Wings to fly

Wings to Fly

Children should have enough freedom to be themselves once they have learned the rules.

It is not what you do for your children,

But what you have taught them to do for themselves,

That will make them successful human beings.

You all have heard about a boy and caterpillar story. Boy likes the beautiful caterpillar and kept him at his home and daily feed him leaves and fruits. One day caterpillar went under metamorphosis, boy was excited that caterpillar will turn into a beautiful butterfly. But when the day came and caterpillar tried to came out. This overly concerned boy helped him in coming out and rest is the history. That caterpillar never had beautiful wings to fly instead he had swollen wings with which he can’t fly.

Same thing will happen with our child or children if we not give them their share of freedom and struggle. They will not learn how to make their own decisions. They will resist to take risk or raise their voice in life. They will not learn how to cope up with the problems.

Give them freedom, trust their instincts. They will out pass your inhibitions. Freedom doesn’t means to just let them go out with friends and party, Freedom means the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.

Freedom from Unnecessary Competition: Today’s era is an era of competition. To survive in this world, one has to continuously compete with the others. Everyone is running in this rat race, and want to be ahead of others. Parents are forcing their children to be the part of this unhealthy competition.  To satisfy their own ego, they want to showcase their children in the society. Nowadays if you visit your relatives or friend and if they have small kid in their house, the moment you enter their home they start glorifying their kid. Baby sing a rhyme, show your dance move, show them your awards.

Freedom from Biasness: Even after 70 years of independence, biasness is still prevailing in our society. Biasness related to gender, caste, creed, color and so many other things.

I want my kid to feel free from all kind of biasness, he should never judge anyone on the basis of their gender, color and caste. I have seen kids especially girls are get judged by their looks and color of their skin. So many commercials are running on television promoting the fairness not only for girls but for boys also. People’s credibility and intelligence is now getting judge by their color of skin.

Recently I went out for shopping for my kid in a big branded store, there I found separate bed time story for boy and girls... Are you serious guys bed time stories are also different for boys and girls. I never got this why blue is for boys, and pink for girls?

Treat boy and girl equally, allotment of house chores should be equal. Boy should know how to manage home (this way you’re helping your future daughter in law) and girl should know about worldly affairs.

Freedom to Choose their Life: Never force your child to live their life as per your standard. Let them be free bird, give them wings to fly. Few of parents want their kids to fulfil their own dreams, which they can’t achieve in their own life. Let the child decide what he wants for himself. Parents want their children to select particular stream for their study and career. Parent want to select life partners for their children. They are independent enough, if you give them right values and education, children will never let you down. Parents have to trust their children, it’s their life and they will also have one life to live. It’s completely fine if they want to become dancer, or photographer or player instead of doctor and engineer. Everybody cannot become Einstein or A.P.J Abdul kalam Azad or Sachin Tendulkar. Accept your child the way they are, love them and respect their decisions.

Freedom to talk and Express: Freedom to speak and share their opinion or express their view is everyone’s right... then why not children have this fundamental right. In our household kids are considered of less importance. People think kids don’t know what is right or what is wrong. Give them chance to share their views and opinion and you never know you will get the better ideas from them. Involving them in decision will boost up their confidence, and this will further help in future. They will learn risk taking and start making their own decisions. Let them express their feelings if they don’t feel good about anything give them chance to express their feeling... Be their friend with them to certain extent so that they will come to you and tell you what is going on in their life. They can share their innermost feelings with you.

Many parents tell their boys not to cry, according to them boys are tough and that they cannot express their feelings in front of others. Let them express their emotions, crying doesn’t make your boy any weaker than others…

Freedom with Responsibility: “With freedom comes great responsibility.”  If parents are giving equal freedom to their kids. It’s become their responsibility to use it wisely. It’s parent’s duties to teach them if we are giving you freedom, it means we trust you and your actions. By giving them freedom we are believing in their course of action. Children should never take their freedom for granted. Now it’s their duty to prove their parents right, and parent should always keep check them on their actions and whenever it is required you should help them and teach them.

Parents should trust their children and believe in their dream. Children need little support and then they will come out with flying colors. If they get fail in their actions,never discourage them,always support them. Give them new hopes and desires to fight back again,because we parents are their pillar of strength and support.

When a child is doing something she's passionately interested in,

she grows like a tree in all directions.

This is how children learn, how children grow.

They send down a taproot like a tree in dry soil. 

The tree may be stunted, but it send out these roots, 

 and suddenly one of these little taproots goes down and strikes a source of water .

And the whole tree grows. 

                                                                                   John Holt

This blogpost is a part of blogathon #letsdiscussfreedom. I would like to thanks Raaghvi https://thetinyamma.wordpress.com/for introducing me.
Would like to introduce Jasmeet http://mommyvouage.in/ go and read her views on " Your take on giving freedom to kids."

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Freedom!!

Freedom!!

Just living is not enough…

One should have sunshine, freedom and a little flower

Hans Christine Andersen

We got freedom from the British India company long ago, our freedom fighters sacrificed their life and family for the wellbeing of fellow countrymen, so that their future generations can live in a free space without any fear of life…After freedom Indian economy grew amazingly, saw the high of its time and still we are growing at jet space. But what about the freedom, this technology which is meant for the benefit of mankind, or to simplify one’s life has slowly become the dictator of our life, and we people become the slaves of our own developed technology. Technology which was meant as a boon, became bane. In our daily life we depend for everything on the technology-based product, in every nook and corner of our house we can find the technology accustomed and customized things.

Technology is a useful servant,

 but dangerous master.

Christian lans lounge

1.Freedom from Gadgets: Our life is totally depending on gadget these days, from the dawn to dusk we are engrossed in technology. We are virtually connected to people, family and friends but do we actually talk to them or do we really care about them…We are one touch away from them but our hearts are distant apart, technology not only makes our life simpler but gives us new era diseases which is popularly known as sedentary lifestyle diseases.

What an irony I’m writing about technology hazards and myself using phone and laptop.

2.Freedom from Pollution: Our own created slave is now destroying our mother nature. Hazardous emission of gases from vehicles and factories are making our environment polluted, which is not safe for our future generations. Rivers are getting polluted by the waste from chemicals by factories and industries which is not only endangering the life of water species but also of human being who are drinking that water. The funny part is this we used technology to disturb the ecological balance, and now again we are using technology-based products to rectify the problems. The air which is highly poisonous in certain areas of India and in during winter season the weather is not suitable for people, we are using air purifier to clean the air which is again not good at certain extent. And the most toxic waste that we are leaving in the environment is E-waste. Electronic waste adversely effects human health and environment.

3.Freedom from Plastics: Plastic pollution is caused by accumulation of plastic in the environment which adversely affect wild life, marine life and human habitat. Nowadays we are using plastics everywhere, milk was delivered at our door step in plastic bags. Vegetable and fruits are packed in the polythene and are easily available to us. Presence of BPA in plastic products cause serious health issues in human being. We are using non-disposable diapers, and wipes for the babies and kids which in turn disturbing our ecological balance. Every household is full of these plastic and poly bags. If the plastic bags are not disposed of properly and throw here and there, they can make landfill barren.

4.Freedom from Adulteration: Mixing of any type of chemical and pathogens in food to increase the quantity of food in raw form or prepared form, but they loss the quality standard is known as adulteration. People for their own use adding the adulterant in food items which is affecting the health of kids, adults and old people. Adulteration is not only in food but the medicines also, people are making adulterate medicine which are causing negative effects on the health of people.

5.Freedom from Rage: Yes, I literally meant “Rage” which means violent and uncontrollable anger. Today’s generation people are so violent that they can’t control their anger. Everyday we heard about road rage, air rage and there are so many types of rage. What is the cause of this rage?  The Answer is hidden emotions, when we didn’t express our feelings and emotions, and confined ourselves.  The sudden outburst of emotions in violent manner is rage. Technology took the human emotions away, we are so much engrossed in the technicality that we lost all the feelings of love, care, sadness and anger. We forgot to emote or express our feelings.

I know the conditions has become worst but still there are chances of improvement. Before becoming mother even, I didn’t care much about all these things. But now I realize the importance and usefulness of mother nature and environment. We can also leave something good for our future generation, so that they can also survive happily.

When there is a will, there is a way.

The solution to every problem is very simple:

Reduce the use of technology.

Start Reusing things.

Recycle the products.

Express your feelings

These 3 R’s & 1 E can save our environment and it will again became better place to live.

This is my idea of freedom to make our society and environment free from all the hazardous things and make it a beautiful and wonderful place for kids to live and enjoy it.

This blog is a part of blogathon #letsdiscussfreedom i would like to thank Raaghvi thetinyamma.wordpress.com to introduce me.

I would like to introduce Jasmeet http://mommyvoyage.com , go and read her views on the prompt.

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Baby Photoshoot.

"Photography takes an instant out of time,

altering life by holding it still."

by:Dorothea Lange

Nowadays photoshoot has become important call of the life,whenever you open your Facebook or instagram account you will get to see lots of pictures of prewedding shoot,maternity shoot,baby's shoot.Earlier we didn't know this term actually,photoshoot basically meant for the models or promotions of some commodity or products but now the era has changed we are in 21st century so anyone can do phooshoot anywhere.
But i thinks it's a very good thing that came into existence for the common people the technology has developed so much that big cameras which cameraman were using earlier with different types of lenses are available now in small and readily form.I didn't know much about camera and photography so i am not the right person to write about it more,lets come back to our original topic photo shoot.What i remembered when i was a child either on every birthday or new year we go to these photo studio near our place all dressed up in our best clothes and get clicked by the photographer in the signature pose (children were sitting in their parents lap) and some later we got this kodak camera which had that black reel inside and we can click maximum 36 photos from it and then give it to studio to develop and if by mistake the reel got exposed to sunlight or anything all the photos will gone this happened with me twice and thrice.
Photo shoot really helped us to store the memories of our particular celebrations and the amazing part is the candid pictures they are awesome we got all the pictures with the natural expressions,i really like the concept of photo shoot though with our mobile cameras daily we clicked the pictures of our self and baby but amateur like me never get that perfect shot but this shoot photography come like sigh of relief to us.
On Arinjay's first birthday we planned to do a photo shoot of him with all the family members so that we can save the memories of his birthday with the grandparents and parents in the most  beautiful way.There are the some pointers that we have to consider before doing the shoot which i would like to share with you all.
1.Plan Your Action: Plan all your things before hand so that you will be stress free on the day of shoot which is very important.

1. What do you want from this shoot discuss with the photographer?
2. What is your requirement from the shoot?
3. How you want your pictures to be come out?
4. If you have any pictures or reference show it to your photographer so that they get the idea what you want from them? 

2.Selection of Photographer:             "It is the photographer,

        not the camera,

             That is the Instrument."

The Most important aspect of photo shoot "the Photographer" she/he is the one who makes your ordinary looking picture into a picturesque portrait.Certain pointers you should keep in mind before the selection of photographer.

1. Crosscheck or verify the past work of photographer go through their page so you get an idea about their work.
2. Second important thing is to know they carry which type of camera and lenses if you didn't have any idea about camera and lenses than take the person who knew anything about it.
3. Discuss the time of the shoot with photographer your kid is comfortable in morning or evening,best time for shoot is between 4-6 pm by that time your kid is settled done with the feed  and nap.
4. Discuss about the charges at earliest and finalize them according to your budget.if their is any hidden cost please discuss it earlier so that it didn't create any ruckus later.
5. You should at-least talk to 2-3 photographers so that you can compare and select the best.
6. It's always better to ask for soft and hard copy.

3. Selection of place:It's your choice whether to do your shoot inside or outside,choose the place as per your and your child convenience .If your kid is fine with outdoor setup than  nothing is better than that,picture always comes beautiful in natural light,And at home or at studio they will feel more safe and secure with their near and dear ones.Parks are best place for the shoot and there you will get swing and slides where baby can enjoy if they get bored while doing shoot and you will get some real time candid moments.

4.Decoration and Prop preparation: Decorate the room as per your theme that you have decided for the shoot and discuss further about your theme and decorations with the photographer.Decorate the room with buntings,banners,monthly pictures of baby,and balloons but be careful with the balloons as when they burst the child may get scared from the sound.Prepare the props whatever you required for your photo shoot,do not over do the decorations and don't add so much props because sometimes child get distracted with them but always kept their favorite toys,and book.

5.Dress Selection and and Change:Select the dress of your kids and yours as per the theme,don't overdo its baby's photo shoot let him/her be the center of attraction.Choose the comfortable,soft and cottony dress in which he/she feels fine,dress with more of sequins work and glitters can cause irritation and rashes to them and choose the dress as per the weather and time of the day.If its summer than soft and cottony dress is fine but in winter you required layers for them in form of nice jackets and sweaters with cute bunny caps.Your whole family can twin the dress with the kid,twinning is so much in fashion these days.Go for only 2-3 change more than that will irritate your child and than he will not cooperate with you in the shoot

6.Make Child Comfortable: This happened with us Baby AJ was not comfortable with one of the member of photography team when he saw he started crying so first we make him comfortable with that guy so that AJ can enjoy the shoot without being cranky.

• If your going outdoor for the shoot take your child favorite food item,water bottle,favorite toys,book and one extra toy for him/her.
• Always keeps your baby carrier handy if your baby wants to be with you can easily snuggle him in it and can offer feed also.
• Photo shoot is a tiring process if baby wants to take nap in between let him/her take their own sweet little time because when they got will be more relaxed and refreshed and full of energy.
• Photo shoot is outside or inside let them explore the place than you will get more beautiful candid don't force them to sit at place and pose for you.

7.Enjoy the shoot: Whatever or how precisely you plan there will be some lacuna's so just stop worrying and enjoy whether its your baby's first birthday shoot or newborn shoot,this is time which you can capture in the reel forever and ever.We really enjoyed our baby's first birthday shoot with the family and i am looking forward for more shoots together.

                                                Live life

take pictures

relive memories

repeat.

I hope you like my blog on photo shoot i tried to catch up all the point if i missed something please pour you advice and suggestion.Show some love by leaving your comments.
Thanks
Being Ma

A Letter to Son

Dearest Son
 Ma loves you a lot more than you can imagine of,you are the reason of my smile,laugh and cry nowadays you make my life more beautiful and fill it with vivid colors.You make me more responsible and sensible woman after having you my life got the new meaning and dimensions,you make my life worth living.
On the day of your birth i was quite tensed and anxious because my was little complicated pregnancy but when i heard your cry for the first all the pains,tensions gone in the vain,i was not the first one to hold you in my arms when we met after almost one hour and i saw you first i was totally amazed and astonished i had never ever seen such a cute and beautiful baby in my whole life, after holding you first time in my arms and when the nurse kept you besides me for the first feed i felt so complete and my eyes were full of joyous tear.

You are the answers to my prayers of five long years and the most wonderful outcome of my struggles that i faced before having you.After your birth i was so confused how to i handle you and how will i take care of my little bub,you were so tiny my squish that i was afraid of you to lift and hold.But you are a one strong baby you not only understood me very well but supported me also you never ever cried for the whole night or never wake up int he middle of night and start playing.

You are such a happy go lucky baby every morning you woke up with broad smile on your face and whole days smiles and laugh and make my motherhood journey more joyous and full of fun.
Slowly and gradually we both started understand each other and become best of buddies and now after one year only looking at your face i can understand what going on in your mind and you too know me very well because you are the one who knows how my heart sounds from inside.

You are the one made our house into home,now my place is full of laughter,giggles and fun.You makes our every morning very special and nights more cheerful.Me and your papa enjoying the  parenthood at its fullest,I didn't know where this last one year has gone from a tiny little squish now you have grown up into a toddler.You are growing up way too fast my baby please be little slow let me love you,hug you and kiss you little more.

On your first birthday i wish you all the happiness,love health and fun in abundance.I wish you all the success in your life but at the same time i wish you never get afraid of failures accept them they are the parts and parcels of life make your own mistake and learn from them and stand up again to achieve more bigger success in your life.I wish you work as hard as possible but party as harder as you can,and never miss the fun essence of your life be a little childish always don't let this this harsh and rude society to ruin your innocence.

I wish you can differentiate what is right and what is wrong and always take stand for your own decisions,do not get influenced by other think,repeat and act.I wish you always give respect to your elders and love to the little ones but you should know to whom you have to give respect and love it will be never enforced on you it will be always your choice.I wish you to be more kind,humane and sane towards the every strata of the society.

I know you are very small to understand all this things but still i wish you all this that when you grow up into an individual you will understand what your mommy wants to convey.I want you to know that i love you to the moon and back,you are the apple of my eye,you are the most most special person of my life.

I gave birth to you,but you didn't come with instructions.
I know i made mistakes along the way,and for those i am sorry.
I pray you understand that they came from me not a lack of love.
From the moment you were born my heart was yours.
I looked in your eyes and saw all my dreams and hopes come alive in you.
I love you more than you will ever know!
For now for always.

Happy first birthday Arinjay
Lots of love
Your Mommy.

Mundan Ceremony

Mundan is also known as baby first hair cut which is performed within the completion of 1st year or -+3rd year of age ans is performed with some rituals and rites.Some people say hair from birth is related to past lives and undesirable traits,the child is shaven to signify freedom from the past and moving into the future.

Significance of Mundan:

1)Improves the growth of the baby's hair.

2)Helps relieve headaches and pains caused by teething.

3)Helps to keep baby's head cool

4)Cleanses the child body and soul.

5)Protect the child from evil eye.

6)Bestows a long life and a good future.

7)Rids the baby of his past life negativity..

So we decided to plan our baby's mundan before his birthday at our ancestral town in Madhya pradesh. The day we choose was the auspicious asthami teethi (eighth day of navratri).We packed our bags as you all know with baby it was very tough to do packing so i started the preparations one week prior so at the last moment there will be less chaos,mess up is compulsory part of my travelling or else i felt something is missing,it is a goodluck charm for me.From pune we went to mumbai by taxi then from mumbai to jabalpur,from jabalpur to katni and finally from katni to matwari (ancestral place) it's a very small village and to my surprise google is showing this tiny village in the map.If we want we could take train directly to katni, it will take 16-18hrs to reach there but it was me who wanted to keep it comfortable and simple but it became little hectic for the baby,i think sometimes i should listen to my husband ,he is not always wrong but mind you he is not always right.But anyways we finally reached our destination of mundan.

After his birth baby AJ is first time going to meet his great grandmother she lives there only,this is his first visit to village and mine second.I really like the village far away from the hustle and bustle of city surrounded by greenery,full of fresh air,sunlight,vegetables,fruits and water.In the backyard only they plant so many veggies for their regular use.Some rooms of house is made up mud,soil and stone and mind part is much cooler than the other part which is made up from cement and bricks.

We performed the pooja and havan of our goddess here offer prasad and bhog seeking for her blessing for the wellbeing of everyone in the family.On 28th sep 2017 after performing our family rituals we started the ceremony of mundan.Im ny family Mundan is performed in the temple near some water bodies by the barber,My baby's mundan is performed in shiv temple where the first hair cut of my father in law and his elder brother was performed and by the same barber who shaved my father in law head.The barber was so excited as he got the chance to shave the head of 3rd generation of the family,before starting the mundan we took the blessings of lord shiva.

Baby AJ sat in my lap and to divert his attention from the shaving i handed him his favourite toy so that he get busy playing with it and luckily my trick works,he was so engrossed in it that he didn't even look up and cried during the ceremony,in ours tradition when barber shave the head of baby his aunt (sister in law) has to take the hair in the kneaded dough and afterward it would be put tin some pond or lakes i don;t have any idea why they did this but i think instead of putting here and there the dough will eaten by fishes so they will get their food and some good deeds is done by us.After getting shaved turmeric (Haldi) and oil paste is put on the baby's head so whatever minor cut they got will be get cured.

Some points to be considered before performing the mundan ceremony:

1) Make sure your baby is full because all the rituals take time,if he/she is hungry she will not cooperate with you and will cry their lungs out.

2)Always carry their favorite toy or toys to keep them engage.

3)Please take extra pair of clothes and diapers for them because after performing the mundan change is required.

4)Carry their water bottle or sippy cups/sippers whatever you have so they can sip water.

5)Experienced barber is required so make the arrangement prior.

6) Get your camera ready to click the pictures for your memories.

I know my baby is not going to remember all these but it's always good to perform your customs and traditions so by seeing the pictures they will understand the importance of these thing in our life.We are living in a very fast pace life where no one has time for others but by performing all these function we remain connected to our roots and got to learn so much from elders about our customs and tradition and may be can inculcate some values in our little ones.Most importantly get chance to meet family and relatives from whom we haven't met in ages.

Resources:Wikipedia and baby center