The Travails Of Avvai Sundari

Five years ago, around this time, Skanda was left under my care for fifteen days by his amma, Praneetha. On a daily-basis, I had documented that day's most interesting happening/tidbits via Facebook. You can read them here or on Facebook. In all, a re-run of past events.

Timeline: Jan 30, 2018 until Feb 13, 2018.

Day one, being a single parent.

Casualty: Morning coffee.

Down hill after that.

Note: Skanda was at his best behavior.

Day two, being a single parent.

Smooth as Silk.

Ethu pannalum, plan panni pannanum.

Day three, being a single parent.

Two minutes silence for "Ethu pannalum, plan panni pannanum."

Even the best-laid plans fail.

How I feel, minus the getup change.

Day four, being a single parent.

It was Friday. All is well!

Dreadful two days ahead? Let's see how that goes.

Day five, being a single parent.

You don't need alcohol to get high. Just a running toddler will get you high on everything.

Unless you need hallucinating effects along with high, don't give him sugar.

Day six, being a single parent.

Sunday. Chores day. Skanda being who he is, cleared the entire house for me to vacuum.

Rest.

Day seven, being a single parent.

... made a scientist out of me = kitchen scientist - to test various spices (minus the "red" item) at varying levels on different vegetables. We are getting somewhere.

Cold, it seems, can be treated in a week, if you take medication. Otherwise, it would subside itself within seven days.

The single parent thingy has become a habit.

And somewhere in between, did a weekend whizz by?

Day eight, being a single parent.

Not realizing the fact that you are the 'only' male parent, in the stores, hunting around for Valentine boxes/cards (did not know such thing exists for sale) for your son's daycare buddies, but ... realizing enough to see the scam through on these events - much similar to our "aadi thallupadi" scams. Purchased 15 odd kinds of stuff.

PS: I did overhear some moms cursing this ritual.

Day nine, being a single parent.

We had a scuffle. He with his actions, I with my voice.

He won, eventually. I should stop raising my voice. There is no point. He is just 3yrs old.

Looks like "missing amma" (not the "TN Amma") is finally showing up on both of us.

Day ten, being a single parent.

We spoke about yesterday's events. Using Modi's "mokkai" alliterations to describe, succinctly: Patch-up, Pact, Peace and Promise.

Anyway, I told him that I'll not raise my voice anymore, and he said he'll try to be good.

All is well.

Day eleven, being a single parent.

TL; DR: Parenting the parent.

Act I, Scene I - At the Indian Grocery store.

Skanda (looking at the Kulfi freezer box): Appa, I need that ice cream.

Appa: We already have that at home. Can we finish that and take it?

Skanda: Yes.

Act II, Scene I - At Costco.

Skanda: Appa, why are taking that?

Appa: Seeing if this good for ou ...

Skanda: Can you please keep that back? We already have the water jug at home.

Appa: Gup. Chup. (khonjham over-a rules paesittomo?)

Day tweleve, being a single parent.

Saturday. An uneventful day. Peace.

I finally got him chicken to eat. He ate only that.

Day thirteen, being a single parent.

A razor is a 'thing' that erases the hair. Skanda thinks so.

The day is not far off when he would question the need of a razor for my head.

That day, he'll begin to realize that he too would be subject to the same question, by himself. 😛

Day fourteen, being a single parent.

One more day to go.

Day fifteen, being a single parent.

The End!

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Post - 50!

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