Never Again

Momsie,
I can remember how it was a taboo to leave leftovers in our plate. We just had to clean up the plate and if we couldn't we either threw it over the fence into the empty plot next door or piled it up on someone else's plate (if that person was silly enough to leave his/her leftover in the kitchen). If we were caught with leftovers, we just had to eat it all up.

Well I learnt a very important lesson yesterday, "NEVER FORCE YOUR CHILD TO EAT BEFORE BEDTIME" (especially when there is nothing wrong with her). Feeling like the good mother I am, I told Idunnu it was time to eat her dinner. The young child said she wanted to sleep and not eat. Did I listen to her? No! I told her in my sternest voice "Eat your food". I even enlisted the help of my husband to make sure she cleared her plate. With both parents against her, the little one had no option than to eat everything on her plate. After bathing her, she went straight to bed (my undoing). After a few hours, we all retired for the day.

I was deep in slumberland having great adventures when suddenly I heard "grrrrr, grrrr", the sound of vomiting. Without processing the details, I jumped up, grabbed the first child I could lay my hands on and rushed her to the bathroom. It was Idunnu. Her eyes were not even opened, she was obviously still asleep. Vomit was everywhere - on the bed, on her sister, on the floor,she gave back to me everything I dished on her plate. I am grateful she didn't choke on her vomit and so glad I didn't sleep through it all. As I cleaned upwith my huband assisting me, I made up my mind, "Never again will I force her to eat, Never Again".

With Fond Memories,
Deeso Mama

Season of Harvest

Momsie,

Can you remember those days when I would insist on using your best jewelry, or tie your best headgear for an event? Some days, I would decide I wanted to share your meal with you or insist on playing games on your mobile device. There were many ways I devised to “torment” you and usually you say to me with laughter in your eyes “Omo a se be fun e.” meaning my child would do the same unto me. Well, my dearest mum, harvest time is here and I am reaping a thousand fold what I have sown.

Idunnu is four now and Dara is just two but they are already giving me a taste of my own (not bitter) medicine. In my own defense, I cannot remember “tormenting” you until I was well into my teens. Dara just loves wearing my shoes (no matter how high it is). She doesn’t even want to wait until she’s old enough to wear them. Even though I bought Idunnu her own bag and necklace, she still finds mine fascinating (Hello!!! She is just four, I did not come near yours until I was way past fourteen)! Her latest attraction is my engagement and wedding rings, it’s a good thing I don’t ever take them off. As for my tab,

Can you remember when I and my sisters would refer to you as “you wife”? “Daddy tell your wife to stop disturbing me”. “Daddy, your wife has started again oh.” I am now “your wife”. Even little Dara will say things like, “Your wife beat me” (that’s me she’s referring to). Right now my tab is no longer mine. Idunnu even cuts the line when calls come in while she’s playing her games on the tab. I used to give you back your phone when calls came in.

Enough of the ramblings. Momsie, in all honesty, I thoroughly enjoy every bit of the "torture" just like you used to enjoy ours ;-). I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t wait to start saying “Omo a se be fun e”. It’s a beautiful prayer, I think.

With Fond Memories,

Deeso Mama