Rashmi's Space

Exams are done and it is now time for the summer to take over. With the impossibly high heat and the lack of enough company for outdoor play, most parents and children are looking forward to summer camps and places for children where they can indulge in indoor activities. With sky-high fees and the interactive, child friendly use of electronic media, many activity centres are only too happy to oblige us too..... Welcome to the 21st century summer vacations! Flashback  The year is somewhere in the 90's and schools have just let out for the summer vacations.

Its a man's world, they say..... The journey begins with birth. A baby is born in a hospital where there are too many people and too much light. In the midst of all the hustle bustle around him, the baby sees his Mother - soft, soothing, loving, caring - and his Father - strong, calm, quiet, making his presence felt. From an early age, the baby starts to understand how things work.  Feeding time = Mother.  Playtime = Father. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity And she laughs with no fear of the future   - Proverbs 31:25:31 NLT Beauty, grace, glamour, mystery - a woman represents all these and much more! As a mother, sister, friend, lover, wife and soulmate; a woman has always been the symbol of strength and dignity since time immemorial. Sometimes, hailed as virtuous, courageous, adventurous, strong-willed.....but most of the time, not mentioned, not acknowledged.....it's that time of the year to celebrate her once more!

"Why do we say touch wood mamma?" "Why do we have to stop and turn back because a black cat crossed our path?" "Why are you putting kajal on my cheek!?" "What is this rahukalam? What happens if we step out now instead?" "What is wrong with the number 13?" Ah, the questions!  Questions are pretty much an inevitable part of being a parent. And the dreaded ' why'  even more so! From 'why do I have to go to school?' to "why does Daddy get to sleep with you but I have to be a 'grown up' and sleep in my room!?" children ask all sorts of questions. While most of these questions are kind of simple to answer, there are some questions that really test our patience as a parent. And every once in a while, there comes a question, with no warning, that leaves us just, baffled! 

When you are working, you long to stay at home; and when you are at home, you long to work - even if it is just to maintain your sanity! So then working from home is the ideal solution, no? Well, lets see.  Working from home is the new 'it' thing today. People who work from home are the envied lot, who get to work in their pajamas and spend as much time with their family as they want. Generally viewed as people who manage to enjoy the best of both worlds, their schedule is not tied to the clock like the full-time office goers. They also do not have to answer to anyone but themselves... All in all, working from home sounds like being your own boss! Well, everyone is perceived by others differently. This is how stereotypes and myths are created, that mostly stick on, no matter whether they apply to a particular individual or not.  Here are some of the myths (we found at Ramblings et al ) that are prevalent about people who work from home; and the truth as ...

A cup of coffee for your little one?  Or how about tea?  No?  How about a chocolate milkshake then? Or may be some soda?  Oh! And some cookies to munch on? Well, that's alright then! 

"A day of love....?" "A day when people send valentines to others..... valentines I think are post cards!" "Its the day you ask someone 'Will you be my valentine?'" "I don't know what Valentine's Day is......" "Its a day to tell a girl you 'heart' her!" (as in love her....) (a heart being the pictorial representation of love for children in school)  "Isn't that the day Daddy gets flowers for Mummy?"