The Troubled Three’s – Making them ‘Share’

I mean, it isn’t that easy to share, look at us, it’s so hard for me to share my favorite bag; I love my handbags. So now tell me, now how shall I teach my son to share is favorite Ball?

Yes, it is hard. At any age it may be, the concept of sharing is not an easy one to get connected with. It’s an uphill battle to learn the model of sharing, and our little toys are at their first step.

The understanding of sharing should be a continuous, yet filtered process. We can’t tell them one thing one day and stone hinge it for life. A child’s mind is like an amusement park. Where too much is going on at one time. We just have to find the best ‘momentary’ trick to solve the issue in hand. In our case, it’s sharing.

A child’s behavior and habits are results of two major reasons, exploring her/his individuality and copying their best examples; parents. And we, as parents can control only one. While teaching my 3 ½ year old I came across these resolutions, and I must confess I kept it same since his first motor skill developed.

• Explain your child everything. Just like you would to a primitive being. Nothing is easy for them to understand.
• Never lie to them, especially if it is about their favorite toy/thing/food. If you know he/she will have to share it, make sure you explain it before hand, and mention it again.
• If you know your child is not ready to share a particular toy, always keep it out of common reach. Kids are emotional with favorites. And hence if the same situation arises with the other child in contact, accept the same from their parent.
• Always defend your child, but never leave the other child for his/her parent. It’s a wrong lesson for your child. He/she will never learn compassion of forgiveness and acceptance of mistakes.
• Let them fight their own battles, and never choose sides.
• As an adult unconsciously put rules in place for sharing at home. You wouldn’t want your child to use your hair brush or towel. But share a slice of cake.

I’ve made my share if mistakes as a parent. And I’m sure I’ll continue doing them, but I learn every day.

Kultar’s Mime – A Voice to Experience.

I love watching, working, reading, in a nutshell, I love anything that has to do with theater. It brings me close to stories, characters, perceptions and ideas that are dared to be lived/relived. Storytelling is an art, mastered by many, but felt by few. I’m no judge or critic but, the writer/ director of Kultar’s Mime knows how to feel the unfelt. You would not know till the end, how the details are related, and how the director’s vision in characters would grow. The told/untold stories of 1984 Delhi Riots are gravely horrifying. And for someone like me who have just read about this mind bending political massacre, would not even have a slightest of idea what the people, particularly the Sikh Community, went through during those madman’s days. Hence, came Kultar’s Mime, the plot just said, based on 1984 riots.

With no expectation I came to see the performance. We were introduced to the artistic depiction of story, or shall I say the poem on which the play is based on, with a backdrop of 8 penetrating paintings. And then was mesmerized by the soulful performances of such poignant performers. The riots, though were politically triggered but, were against one religious group in particular. And hence to reach a wider audience the director has skillfully endured the human element from every performer. The poem Kultar’s Mime, drew upon eyewitness accounts of Delhi massacre, is a true story of four children who faced the 1984 riots head on, and till now faces its aftermath. The portrayal of each character was fumingly heartfelt. I sincerely thank the writer of the poem, and of course the writer - director of this play Sarbpreet Singh for bringing such painfully violent event, in such a creative way.

The prologue and one of the scenes of the play was drawn from Hayim Nahman Bialik’s poem ‘In the City of Slaughter’. Which fore played a similar account of barbaric eruption against the Jewish population is the small city of Kishinev (Russia) in 1906.

These are just four stories that melted our hearts, and stunned our core. There are countless back then, and there are millions now. I don’t know who has to come down from heaven to fix us, but I know if I do one thing right a day I make a difference. And hence can everybody.

As an audience, I’m grateful to Sikh Research Institute for promoting Kultar’s Mime, which has been performed in 3 continents and various countries. And Enacte Arts www.enacte.org for bringing fabulous Theater to life and to us. Kultar’s Mime is on the road, for their upcoming shows go to https://sikhri.org/ and mark your calender.

First Step - Wishing the Wonder

It's an extremely important aspect to enter the vivid world of Parent Trap, to know yourself, understand the inner calling of becoming a mother. It is easy to get pregnant, but to know if you are ready raise a child that's the biggest question. It's a feeling that will come to you, either you have it or you don't.