Pop corns in the circus tent

As Anna and I passed by this circus sight, many memories of the childhood of Arpit and Anandit flashed in our mind. They both loved seeing circus performances. We spent most of their childhood years at Chennai. Every year we had at least one  circus company camping in the city for about two months, mostly during the winter.

Amidst the excitement of watching daring and captivating acts and performances, it was also pop corn time for the boys. Some how, the pop corns tasted better when bought from the vendors inside the circus tent.  

It was an unusually refreshing conversation time. Both boys viewed the performances from different perspectives. One admired the adventure of the activity and the other the logistics which made the performance exciting. I knew then that they were 'wired' to think critically and differently. 

There was lot of fun and unwinding from the routine while watching the performances and afterwards. This gave topics to talk about at meal and travel times. I remember now that it was common to talk about the same topic several times, but each time on different aspect. Children need sights and experiences to think, reflect and converse. 

The boys grew up without Televison or phone at home. Computers had not become affordable by then. I am not sure whether it is a compliment or a deprivation! So it was the table top games, out door games, picnics, excursions, visiting family friends, going for music concerts, etc. which occupied the evening times. Even travelling together in a Bajaj Chetak, Anandit seated between Anna and myself and Arpit standing on the foot board was fun, although I am sure that we would not have done  it, had the traffic conditions then, are what  they are  today.  

Anna was always child centric as a mother and I wanted to honour her prompts and directions. Her commitment to promote reading habits in the boys stands out in my mind. Every free time was spent in reading, including while travelling in the car or train.

Childhood is not just a passage time through growth and developmental stages, but a time given to parents to foster communication, endearing relationships, trust , character formation, self esteem, values, etc. 

Most of this can happen when we offer them diverse contexts when all of this can be explored informally. That is how we sow seeds of these lasting formative experiences in their lives. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)