When Daughters are Expecting

Why are you going on leave mam? this question was difficult to answer as my Master level students smiling mischeivously gathered around and waited for my answer.

‘well’ my daughter is expecting’

‘Is it her first child’? another difficult question. I wondered why people are so inquisitive.What difference does it make whether it is the first or the fourth.

It was difficult for me to tell them that it was by Grace of The  Gods the fourth. I knew the next question would be ‘Then she can handle the situation then , mam?

Well I knew how she was coping these days. Driving kids to school , going for checkups herself and handling the primary level three senior ones.

I was planning mentally what all I would need to prepare.

The list was not a long one though I had to live with my daughter.

My suitcase was now ever ready , packed with four suits according to the weather.

College Study/Office Bag

Two pairs of shoes. One black and one brown.Both polishable.

My hair blow dryer.Grandma’s hair must be neat.

My pens and pencils.A pair of scissors.My medicine bag and of course my mobile phone in a leather cover

Staying awake. Carrying the baby.

 Changing the diaper . Bearing the loud screams and running about clatter of the other three kids.

I was glad I went to UAE .There with my elder daughter I learnt about baby Care in the Abu Dhabi Corniche Hospital.

I specially enjoyed the baby bath and changing lessons.They were coming in handy.

The most difficult yet manageable (not all the time) was handling the two year old Sarah.very quick in action.Jumping up the sofa, turning over and standing on her head.dashing to the bathroom and opening the tap in a flash, pulling the soap then splashing all the water. Running to the fridge and refusing to move away without the coke drink. Well, well, well, I gave up many a times, after avoiding the taikwando kick and a jab on the left. My word children are quick these days. Terrible twos!

The toy of the time is the mobile phone. One cannot really avoid or hide the mobile phone from the child of today.I managed to bring mine safely only covered with a slight smear of glitter nail polish.I wonder how on earth she got hold of that !It was all over the table. Some monkey climbing had been done previously in the bedroom to reach the top shelf of the cupboard. The next day evrything was removed.

Well, I never had such terror attacks as saving the baby from the loving dashes of the five year, three year and two year old Sana Rayyan and Sarah.They would all want to hug and kiss the baby at the same time.

Terrorism at home it was almost, but a very innocent one.

An addition to the family is full of love wonder and excitement.It is a blessing of the Lord.