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Getting into a Child's shoe

Yesterday I had been to my cousin's place who has a 2 years old daughter. It's interesting to see the way the kid has grown. Every day she has a new thing to learn. Now like every 'proud' parent, my cousin started to play the 'tell me who is this' game with the kid. The kid answered patiently and happily coz every answer was followed with applauds. An hour later, we had a new visitor. The neighborhood aunty. She re-started the 'tell me who is this' game. And the kid continued answering with a smile. This made me get into a kids shoe and think of what he/she might be thinking at each age.

Let me start with age Zero to 1 year. My parents hug and kiss me, I absolutely love it. I feel wanted. But why do they not talk properly? 'Mela thota baby thoyega,ghummi dayega'. What the hell!! I do understand the language. Anywayz next comes the uncle next door, I was happy the first time he came and got me a gift. But was followed by a 'lu lu lu lu'. What in the world does it mean. I'm hungry now and I cry, but what do I get to hear? My granny says ' O how chweet she cries just like her dad'.
I'm almost 6 months and I say my first word, lets say I said 'ma' and everyone is ma for me. So any visitor at home is entertained with me uttering maaaaa.
It's my 1st birthday. But why is there so much chaos? So many people? I'm suffocating! I'm crying, please stop coochie-cooing! But no..everyone coming home pulls my cheeks. And I'm not sure why I'm loaded with so many clothes.. Finally the day ends. Best part..I get many gifts. But wait.. I have 3 set of colored rings: (

Age 2 to 5- Now I speak sentences, know parts of body, can identify people and now I have become an exhibition! People come and go and each time I'm asked the same set of questions with the expectation that I will keep rattling. ' Beta where is your head, where is your nose blah blah blah'. Next I'm ready for school. Latest exhibit I have is the rhymes being taught. Every time I repeat a rhyme, my parents beam with pride and that makes me happy. Any new thing I learn is shared with the world.

Age 5 - 10- I'm in a complicated age. I'm not allowed to talk when adults talk coz I'm a child. But if I don't do my homework, I'm made to realize that I'm grown up. My parents now discuss about my school, my grades, extra curricular activities with their friends. Each parent tries to prove that the school their kid is being sent is the best. I'm sent for horse riding, swimming, skating, abacus plus whatever is in latest trend!

Age 10- 20 - My complicated age still continues to haunt me. I'm constantly being watched. My parents want to know everything about me. My friends, my mobile, social sites that I browse, whom and where do I meet. Any delay in returning home results in a series of calls. I'm advised about the importance of life and carrier( I hardly understand a word). I'm told I can enjoy life once I get a job.

Age 21-30- College life is about to end. Next the world is watching me to see where I get job. Finally I get a job in an MNC. Everyone is happy. I hope I can enjoy now. But no! My office life takes top most priority. My mornings and evenings, leaves, social life, vacations is all determined by my office. Next l'm expected to get married. Very well. Happy life. Now I have  more watchers. Wow! My spouse , my in-laws, far off relatives. I somehow pass all this. Next I'm asked on when are we planning for a baby.

Finally I have a baby. He/ she soo cute. The baby spits the milk and does the typical 'brrrrrr'. I click a pic and upload it on social site with a comment ' my baby's first ever brrrrr'. The kid is already an exhibit!! And the cycle continues.....

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