The Vagabond

Parenting is indeed a tough job. No two kids, nor any parents are alike. Each learns by his/her own mistakes, and hit and trial. My little one is usually a happy go kid who will mix up with everyone and enjoy each moment to hilt. I have this amazing memory in my closet which always reminds that it’s not just a caretaker which a child needs, but the presence of both father and mother for his optimum growth and development.

This was in year 2011. My son was 2 and a half years old. Usually, fathers take an excuse at this age and keep busy that a child won’t notice his absence. But this is not really so. Right from a small age, they get accustomed to the faces around them and miss them when not around.

In March 2011, my husband went for a conference to Brussels, Belgium. It was a 7 days trip and he was due to be back on Sunday evening. Sunday morning, I received a call from my husband that due to bad weather conditions, his flight was cancelled and he was trying for the next available booking.

My son was already curious since last two days and i could sense he was missing him. We had been telling him that he would be back on Sunday, but now this new development was difficult to be explained to a 2 year old.  He was stressed why dad is not around and was chit chatting only about him. ” My dad is my Jaan and I am My Dad’s Jaan.” I can never forget this sentence of his and he repeated this sentence to anyone he saw that day.

By evening, he was restless. I made him sleep early and told him that tomorrow morning when he wakes up, he would find his dad home. That night, he woke up 4 to 5 times. Each time, he would wake up, he would look outside, and since it would be dark outside, he would sleep again.

Finally, he woke up at 5 am in the morning. It was already dawn outside…No more dark that means Morning! ” Where is  Papa? You said he would be home when i wake up in morning!” and he started crying.  Dad’s  flight was not expected another half an hour so i just tried to calm him and cuddle him. He was not ready to drink milk…nothing he just needed his dad. So i tried to call my husband at around 6 am and luckily his flight had landed.  He spoke to him and assured that by the time he finishes his milk, he would be home.

So with the milk cup in hand, we both moved to our balcony. May be by now, even God took pity on this little child and by the time, he finished his milk, we spotted his cab. That smile on his face…I can never forget.

Who says …Kids do not miss their dads!

Mother and father both play an important role in the upbringing of child. Both complement each other and one cannot do without other. Mother is the constant love, care and security a child has. Father is the encouragement to take risk, be confident, move independently and go ahead. Father is the feeling that i will hold you in case you fall.  Mother shows you the way, while father lets you find your own.