I have unravelled a huge blackmail scandal! It is going on
all around in the world, and right near you! Young and unsuspecting parents are
their easiest catch. They take your time, money and love and they always want
more!
I’m talking about the little ruffians in our houses with cute
and chubby faces.
My son has learnt every trick in the book. He is becoming
stubborn by the minute and creates a tantrum if I do not comply with his wishes.
He tries to throw himself on the wall (bodily), bang his head, and beat his
fists. He comes back to me when he has inflicted pain on himself, saying ‘Mamma
dokala (Mamma my head is hurt)’ / ‘Mamma botale (Mamma my fingers hurt)’. He knows
that I would rush to his aid.
He cries till his voice goes hoarse and even tries diversion
tactics while eating food. He tries to show me his bicycle, toys, cartoons
while innocently saying ‘Nai kaycha (No mamma, I don’t want to eat.)’
He has also started beating up people with fists, and it
hurts so much.
We have learnt to ignore some of these tantrums and tactics.
When it gets too much and we want to punish him, we make him stand in a corner.
We say, ‘Jaa ubha raha tithe. Yeu nakos. Ani doka aptu nako. (Go stand there. Don’t
come back till I say. And don’t bang your head in the corner.)’ He does it.
But these days he starts looking for a sentimental person in
the house who will pick him. He sniffs his nose repeatedly to mimic crying and
purses his lower lip, to show he is so miserable! He fidgets with his fingers
showing he is so afraid right now.
This is enough to melt the soft person he was targeting. He
yelps with joy the moment someone calls out for him, and forgets everything
about the punishment. Even the reason for the punishment!
We think of newer strategies every day and each day we fail.
We do not quit though! A tantrum might bring irritation, anger, tears, pride, or
awe in us, but still enriches our memories of a lifetime.
