The Mums Unite

17th Sep 2024

The mums casually catch up at a cafe near the school after PTM.

Simran: "These PTM's are so stressful. I wonder if teachers are also equally stressed about them!"

Janet: "Let us order first. I will leave in an hour, and I can't wait any longer. Sharon may start troubling my mom."

Pallavi: "I am here only to catch up. I won't have anything. I am on a gluten-free diet"
Lots of eyes were seen to be rolling after that. But only Simran dared to ask, "Wasn't that something else last time?", pressing her palm against her mouth, acting to control laughter.

Pallavi: "I like variations. Also season season-wise availability of fruits and vegetables changes. So the change in diet becomes mandatory."

Kusum: "Yeah, right. I will have a Paneer Zinger. And a medium french fries for Shriya."

Ashwini: "Wow. That was quick. Let us place the order quickly. Simran, please pass the menu."

Poonam: "I am so worried. Aarya's report card does not look good. One club sandwich for me and cold coffee for Aarya."

Priyanka: "It is better than Ved's. Don't worry. I will have a sandwich too. Ved won't have anything. Simran, you?"

Simran: "I toh will have a Panini. Happy with Harmeet's report card this time."

Ashwini: Guys the PTM is over. Let us get over it and look forward to what can make it better. I will place the order at the counter and be back. Janet, what do you want?"

Janet: "An iced tea, that's it."

Poonam: "Sometimes I wonder if our parents would be so stressed when we were kids. It was so different back then na? Probably, easy also."

Janet: "Their struggles would have been different. And, I don't think it would have been easy for them either.
I am so tired of listening to improve Crystal's behavior. I think that is because I am a working woman. I am never able to give enough time."

Simran: "That's not true Janet. Don't be guilty of being a working woman. You are doing your best, and it is better than most of the other parents, I am sure. It depends on the child also na. Don't give up on your career. I know how it feels to be financially dependent. If you think Crystal is alone and can't give her time, send her to my place. Harmeet will give her good company."

Ashwini comes back and overhears the last bit. "That's a good idea. Kids getting to interact casually is so nice. Even Rudra will join."

Priyanka: "Hey. What did the teacher say about Rudra, Ashwini? You seem so chilled out."

Ashwini smiles, "Academically, now he is better than before. He has been active in other activities, but that has never been an issue. So, I am a little relaxed. Math needs improvement, but we will get there. Nothing to worry."

Priyanka: "So sorted you are, so calm Ashwini. How?"



Ashwini: "Do you remember how we were when we were their age? :D
We should not be stressing them out with constant pressure. They learn at their own pace. We are interrupting their process with our constant advice and expectations. They are already dealing with a lot. Competition, unknowingly and subconsciously has been a part of their childhood, we only increase it by expressing our disappointment. Many of us want them to fulfil our dreams, when will they see theirs then? Let us not drag them into the rat race that we created." Ashwini pauses, "Okay, I think that is enough of Gyaan! Let's attack the food", Ashwini tries to change everyone's mood.
Poonam: "How is your writing project going on Ashwini?"
Ashwini: "You remember that? How sweet of you! It's in the final stage now. I loved your latest new baking adventure, Cinnamon cookies. Why don't you start taking orders already? You make them so good. Now, our tea time is incomplete without your cookies."
Poonam: "I am not sure if I should do that, but I will send you a batch the next time I bake them."
Ashwini: "If you need help planning or setting it up, I can help. Why keep the world devoid of the yummy deliciousness?"
Kusum: "Where do you bring all this strength from?"
Ashwini: "Hitting the rock bottom made me realise, there can't be anything worse. Besides, I know, how it feels when you don't have anyone by your side, you don't receive any appreciation. Choosing to raise Rudra single-handedly was not an easy decision. But when you have to choose between the two, you choose the less wrong one, right? So instead of showing him toxicity, I chose to raise him alone. What the world thinks of me hardly matters, what Rudra thinks does, because he is my world."
The mums unite at the cafe after every PTM to share their lives and feel better. Even if they are unable to find a solution to their situations, they at least feel lighter after sharing it.

This post is a part of Every Conversation Matters blog hop hosted by Sukaina Majeed and Manali Desai .