Last
year was a huge year for me. I would say so because I learnt a few more things
as a mother and also could live a “working woman’s life”. Last year with a whole lot of enthusiasm I
joined my daughter’s school as a teacher. It was a very beautiful experience. I
could meet and know 35 new children and soon did we bond quite well too. I
still do miss them now but I wouldn’t say I regret taking the decision to
resume my home maker tag.
One
thing I learnt about being a mother is, no matter how big your child becomes
there will never be a time when they wouldn’t need you. I say so because last
year this was one among the points I gathered to become a working mother. I
thought she is 5 years old, and I will be working in her school so rather than
missing me, I would be around her so she wouldn’t miss me at all. So I misconstrued
it to be a win-win situation. But every time I returned from school what I saw
were her eyes searching for my attention when I would be busy with my own
homework. She would then slowly stand beside me intending to spend time with me
after which, I suppose, but I would on the contrary yell at her saying, “Yuvi! Either
finish your home work if you have any or go watch cartoon, DON’T DISTURB ME!” I wouldn’t say that I didn’t see her becoming
sad then, but I ironically do admit that I didn’t mind ignoring it as I thought
my work was more important at the point. And when thinking about it now, I
didn’t realize that every time I was being appreciated at school for my work,
it was actually gained at the cost of my daughter’s happiness. But practically
speaking I was physically there with her after school hours, and she didn’t
have much to learn at home so that part of my requirement wasn’t there either.
I made sure she had all her meals on times, her all physical needs were met.
But I wasn’t mentally there with her for the entire year last year and she was
taking it bad.
At
school, I would caress my children when they became sad and appreciate at the
simplest improvement they showed, but at home I preferred ignoring my child for
my career gains. My children’s parents called me a “motherly teacher” while in
real, I was failing at my role as a mother. I didn’t realize all these at that
moment until one day God decided to show me my mistakes. As I cared for my
children at class, my daughter was also blessed with a loving caring mother
like teacher. She always taught her set of children morals and lessons of life
besides the academy. May be that would be why Yuvi did not spoil in the one
year I ignored her. One day , her madam, walked up to me and asked what my daily schedules were . Initially I
was a little confused on why does she want to know my routine, but very proudly
poured in all my work routine believing that I am doing the best I can do. After
listening to my entire words, she asked me, “Chanjal, do you know you child
misses you?” I was like “Misses me? How…
I mean why? I am always there with her, at school, at home…..??? I don’t get
it.” She simply smiled and told me that
she had asked her class about their parents the previous day and my daughter
being one among the most reserved child in the class replied so, “I love my
mamma. She does scold me for my bad doings but I know she does so because she
loves me. But now, Mamma is so busy that
I can only see her running around. She doesn’t sit with me or play with me
anymore. So papa plays with me after office. I think she loves her class
children more now. May be they listen to her very well.” Honestly speaking,
when I heard this, I was lost. I didn’t hear another word anyone said. I did
realize then that I have officially become a bad mother now.
That
was my wake up call. And I changed, from the exact day on wards I made sure
that as soon as I came home I would hold her and share my whole day with her.
And when she slept at night I was on my school work. My performance at school
did deteriorate from then though, but no one complained. Gradually due to this
unhealthy routine of mine my health began complaining and finally at the end of
the academic year, I resigned. It was painful and joyous at the same moment to
do so. A huge lesson I learnt, I must say. All, our children want is love,
attention, a feeling they are important to us. They need to know that! All the
other of their necessities can be met with alternatives except for your love!
No one can give them your share of love. And no matter big they become, they
will always seek your love if you constantly give them. Hope you realize your
mistake too, if you are doing any.. ..