Tiding over Tough Times

The situation at home has been particularly disturbing for the last two months. I loaned my cook Rs 20,000 for her daughter’s wedding before she went on a month’s leave. It’s been over 45 days since and there seems to be no sign of her. Not even a phone call. I’m in a dilemma now – should I just look out for a cook and forgo my 20k or wait for the golden day to dawn.
My kid’s Nanny too decided to ditch me. She went on a week’s leave to attend a wedding in her hometown and found a life partner for herself there. She has decided to settle down in holy matrimony and of course not return to her workplace.
Effectively, for the last 45 days I’ve had no domestic help and no Nanny. While going to work I drop off my kid at mom’s place and pick him up while I go back. He seems pretty much ok with the routine (or so I assume) but what he really misses is the play time in the evenings. He has been spending his play time in the car stuck in the mad Mumbai traffic. This, at times, leaves him cranky and with surplus energy that he ends up utilizing while playing at home.
You don’t have to be a child care or parenting expert to understand the importance of play time. Play time gives your child lots of opportunity to exercise their bodies and channelize energies. Playing with other children helps develop social skills.
As I mom I see one more obvious benefit. The days my son plays in the open for at least an hour or more he eats better and sleeps better. Because all the activity has sapped him of energy, he is generally more forthcoming to whatever meal is served to him. Post the meal, he is eager to hop into the bed and call it a day. The days this routine is missed, he is cranky at the dinner table and refuses to sleep on time. I’m sure you agree that the li’l one is not to blame for this.
My search for a Nanny continues. Till then, beating Mumbai traffic, reaching after play time and moody dinner routines will be the order of the day.