Mother's Magic

"Mom! I am fed up with feeding Jai. He is bluntly rejecting everything. I tried diverting his attention from food by playing Youtube Videos. I am not able to manage him" said Sapna in a crackling voice.

"Don't worry dear! Give him time to settle. My ticket has got confirmed. I will pay a visit to your home next week. So be ready to welcome me. Don't lose your patience. Children need to be dealt with a lot of patience" said Ragini in a soft voice.

After a week...

"Hai Jai! How are you?" asked Ragini, spreading her hands and signalling him to hug her. Jai ran to her and hugged her with a million-dollar smile.

During lunchtime, as always Sapna was about to open the YouTube but was stopped by her mother.

"Wait. Let me try something new!" Ragini said and carried him to the balcony. Seeing the surroundings, he felt excited and started chatting a lot. Ragini signalled to bring the food. Sapna nodded her head and rushed to bring the bowl. As she handed the bowl, Ragini tried feeding him. Happily, Jai opened his mouth and started eating. She kept him busy by talking about vehicles, dogs, cats, colours, plants etc., Ragini expressively talked with him flashing lots of smiles now and then.

Jai emptied the bowl without throwing any tantrums. He ate a complete meal without troubling her. Sapna was amused to see this happening. She smiled widely and thanked her mother non-verbally.

During the night after making Jai sleep on the bed, Sapna went to her mother's room and questioned "What magic have you done on your grandson today? He ate without complaining about anything. He didn't demand the mobile too. Mom! I want to know the secret" curiously.

"It's called Mother's Magic. You just need to be connected with your child while feeding him. Listen to him, refresh his mind and yours too. Interact with him and smile at him whenever you can. It may take some time for you to learn this art but believe me You can do it. After all, Rome was not built in one day. He will take time to settle with you but I have confidence in my daughter. Be patient and smile in front of him. Dear! Mother and her child's connection is a magical one. From the child's journey in the mother's womb, they are physically, mentally and emotionally connected to their mother. Until he turns five years old, try feeding him with your hands. Mother's affection will make your child eat wholeheartedly. Also, Panchathathvas in your hand aids proper food digestion when you feed him with your hand. Cultivate the habit of feeding him by giving him some activity like asking where is red colour? Can you see the blue car? The most important thing is Never to Give Up! I never gave up on you and you also don't give up on your child. Try to use a different approach if he refuses to eat in the same way regularly. Once he is six years old, make him sit along with you to eat. In this way, he learns table manners, eating punctually, etc., last but not least first you eat and then feed him" she said by gently tapping on Sapna's shoulder.

"Mom! How can I eat without feeding my kid?" Sapna startled

"Oh, God! Stop trying to be like me. Your generation is different from ours. In our time, we had other relatives to look after the kids in the time of need but you people don't have anyone due to the current work culture and high commitment. I know you must focus on both work and Jai. But a mother to a child can never be replaced by anyone in this universe. Nowadays, due to food quality and work pressures, most of them are getting stressed out and their energy levels are running low. So, first, you replenish your energy and then feed him. You will have two benefits. One is you will have the energy to run around him and feed him patiently. Second is you will have good digestion" she raised her brows.

"Okay! I will try" she said with a half-hearted smile.

After two days...

Sapna noticed a change in her as her mother was right. Jai listened to her and are properly as Sapna talked to him with a lot of patience.

"You are right! So, this was my Mother's magic trick. Nice!" Sapna chuckled and hugged her dearly.