Upright and hanging!

Some fruits in this tree are upright and some are hanging. That is how it is in this tree another chiko tree in the garden.

What is it which makes it behave in this divergent way!

It is a question which a botany student would understand and learn. But for rest of us, it just means the diverse ways a fruit tree would produce its fruits. 

This gives an insight about the behaviour differences between children in the same family. One child would like bread and jam and another child would insist on having porridge for breakfast. It is demanding on parents if they insist on children to forego their choices. 

Yesterday, it was a strong concern which a family expressed. So strong was the preferences that the meal times ended up as a 'battle zone' for parents. 

The less we make the differences an issue, the less it would become a reason to insist for children. 

Let go and a conflict prone issue becomes just a difference !

So do parents provide bread and jam and porridge on the table! If possible that is the way to diffuse tension and create an opportunity to bargain. When children get included in conversations about their preferences, they become more open. If we thrust our preference they grow up resentfully!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)