|
Lessons From My Daughters
My daughters,
Lekha and Divya, are both under 3, yet I've learned more from them
than I've learned from many adults. These aren't the type of lessons
you'll get in college, unless you happen to have one of those
radical professors who decides, for a change, to teach you something
practical.
My daughters
are always teaching me practical stuff, mostly by turning my life
into a practical joke. From them, I've learned about the importance
of love, patience, and a good stain remover.
I've learned
that love is the greatest gift you can give, that when you give a
child a hug or kiss, you are giving her something she will cherish,
something she will appreciate, almost as much as a lollipop.
I've learned
that patience is a virtue, but it tends to run out when you're late
for a dinner party and your daughter insists on dressing herself,
struggling to fit her head into the leg hole of her pants. She knows
it's not a shirt, but is just experimenting, trying to make her own
fashion statement.
I've learned
that a child's imagination is a beautiful thing, especially when the
child imagines that doing the dishes is a fun activity. But a
child's imagination can also be a headache, especially when the
child imagines that your head is a drum. And the remote control is a
drumstick.
I've learned
that there's nothing so sweet as an afternoon nap. It's amazing how
peaceful life can seem when your children are asleep. Even 15
minutes can refresh you, make you feel like having more children.
I've learned
that the natural state of a home is chaos and disorder, that any
attempt at tidying up is quickly corrected. Better to let nature
take its course than to keep removing the Britney Spears CD from the
toaster.
I've learned
that if you play a tortilla on your CD player, you won't get Mexican
music. But if you play an onion, a tomato and a chili pepper, you
might get salsa.
I've learned
that it's easier to get pigs to fly than to get my daughters to eat
vegetables. As far as my older daughter, Lekha, is concerned, there
are three main food groups: milk, spaghetti and ice cream.
I've learned
that it's natural for a big sister to take care of a little sister.
When Divya touches one of Lekha's toys, you should see how Lekha
takes care of her. We've tried to teach her the importance of
sharing, but the only thing she's eager to share with her sister is
the side of her foot.
I've learned
that tantrums are natural. Not a day goes by without my wife and I
throwing one. It's the only way we keep our sanity.
I've learned
that there's no one as biased as a parent. If your daughter draws a
bunch of squiggly lines and tells you it's the Mona Lisa, you're apt
to call her Leonardo da Vinci. And if she draws those squiggly lines
on the living room wall, you're apt to call her several other names.
I've learned
that nothing is unbreakable in a home. That's why it's a good idea
to always wear a helmet. And to hide the remote control.
 Melvin
Durai is a U.S.-based writer and humorist who grew up
in Zambia. His weekly humour columns are read by thousands of
people in more than 90 countries. For an email subscription
to his columns, please visit his
website
|
May 2005