LKG admission - 2012

I have been busy with a lot of things ; mainly for ashwamedh's school admission, I was looking for schools which are nearby my house. So they were Bhavan's & Maharishi. Even though I was cool about this whole thing, moms in ash's school (Scope School) talks were making me feel stress. Funny part I was cool, I got worried thinking why I'm so cool about this school thing unlike other mothers. The amount of stress which is felt is unbelievable I'm very sure we won't be this stressed for their college admission. Schools asking for attestation on birth certificate, address proof documents, each schools asked for different documents, running for attestation was a huge stress. Some schools were asking PAN card copy, IT balance sheet, salary pay slips etc., and these are asked for WHAT? LKG-Admission.

Getting the forms were ok, but submission was HELL to go through schools had 2kms more long queues to submit, parents were made to stand in long queues in hot sun once the time was over they closed the gates & asked the parents to come next day. Sometimes after a long wait, when you go near the counter they ask you to go get some document or other, suddenly document which is not mentioned in the main form were asked. We were all applying 1000’s of applications for limited seats which were 25 / 35 seats only available. What is this trend &where are we heading was the question which kept occurring in my mind? Seeing mothers & fathers going through this kind of stress, sleepless nights to download application or stand in long queues in the mid of the night to get the application in my mind is this stress all worth it was something that kept propping?

Sometimes it makes you to stop & think it is better to start a school, earlier getting into schools weren’t this big a stress. I think our parents selected one school which was near our home & applied, there we studied. Today education is not service it is highly profitable business. These were same schools which existed in our neighborhood we studied there; just in few years getting a seat of our kid was suddenly very difficult close to impossible.

As I stood in queues to submit application I could see so many similar faces who I have met in another school while submission. All were praying, fearing for what if they don’t get a seat. This entire episode has been quite an experience; I spoke to many parents as I stood in the queue just to kill time. I chose 2 schools & applied; there were no strings attached for my selection, but many parents did have quite a few reasons. It was quite surprising each parent had done so much of research on each school; each parent had different perspective on different ones to me hearing them for the first time were quite interesting to hear: - Many choices were based on various factors as below

• Status of the crowd studying in that school.
• Community of the crowd like if they were domination of Sindhi’s or Marvadi’s a few parents didn’t apply.
• A few wanted high standard of education so that their kids end up in profession studies in famous institutions.
• Some wanted only education, other group wanted extra-curricular activities.
• Some wanted good English to be spoken by their kids.
• A few had restriction based on the fees.
• A few checked whether they had any sports coaching.
• Many had nothing but to just get a seat nothing more or less that’s all they wanted .
• Many schools had Pre-KG in their schools so getting a LKG seat was a challenge, so parents were running to get their kid a seat in Pre-KG itself so that till 12th std there are no worries.
• This year, Right to Education is getting implemented because of this seat are being allocated based on community.  Parents were talking on those lines.
• Many didn’t want matriculation board as the standard was being reduced. There would be no state board anymore it-seems. So many parents opted for Central board & there is a huge competition to getting into a good school. 

Over & above this I heard seats are given based on donations, many started thinking whether they can afford. Many said seats are given to wealthier parents, seeing work profiles of parents, others said preference to mothers who are homemaker etc. No-one was sure of anything but talks continued to increase the stress levels of parents which led to anxiety & fear of getting a seat for their kids. I think it’s easier to get a seat in politics or any college made me laugh as I think it made me think, are we having a lot of kids around & fewer seats? Especially areas like Kilpauk, Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar East, Kellys had only 3 good choices which were Bhavan's, Maharishi, & Chinmaya.  There were literally 2000 applications being applied for may be less than 100 seats, so this itself gets tough. 

    I saw this in the notice board of a famous school when i had gone to get LKG application

• No.of sections - 8
• No.of seats - 320
• No.of Seats of already existing PreKG students - 215
• No. of seats based for siblings, RTE, Old student's kid – 80
• No.of seats in general quote - 25.   
• Criteria - students should be 3yrs & 6 months by 1st Apr 2012, cut off birth date is Sep 2009. Kids who are coming within 3kms only should apply.

We need to overlook & analyze where is this trend heading? Instead of enjoying this phase, all parents are stressed, only solution is to have a broader perspective & flexibility to accept, increase the seats availability. Going will get tougher as years pass by. Now this worries me what will I need to face for Alankritha's admission. I hope for the best :)   

Karthi Deepam - 2012

Nov 27^th 2012 -

Today is Karthigai Deepam, a day of lights , This year was special has this is celebrated with Alankritha in our 1^st floor home in my parents place, my mom had prepared pori balls, neiyappam, all very yummy & to add adirasam, adai was also made. Went I had gone to buy, I happen to get adirasam mix ready made & guess what it came out so tasty.  Amma had gone to attai’s place to give their karthigai deepam share as this is one function where sister’s pray for their brothers.  Brother’s wife should go to give their respect & gratitude to their sister in laws for this gesture, in general sweets made are given with thabulam & if permits sari or some gifts are given.

I had put kolams, lit lamp in each room , balcony, in our entrance & did small poojai for Lord Murugan. It was pleasant & nice to see the glow in each room with lamp. Ashwamedh helped in getting me the diya's & matchbox, it made me realize he has grown up as looked at Alankritha was tiny in front of him. Ash enjoyed this arrangements. I enjoyed this as I saw his cuteness, he was adorable & I have started cherishing each moments realizing I would get this phase again

Kutty bites

I happen to go for some shopping, I was searching for masala powders & as I browsed the aisles at last I found the place where powders where available. Suddenly I saw this brand, Avittaa Masala pack in the lowest step most memorable thought flashed. Avittaa Masala ad had a capturing jingle song which went like jing jing nu manam thudikkuthu aaha nu suvai azaikkuthu .... :) I actually used to sing this song so many times,  in fact I have sang to over the phone to my friend too.

It was in the year 2003 this ad was launched, it was catchy to me. I used to tell this would be my family song, if my kids get lost like in movies I would sing to find my family. My thought process I must say its quite hilarious.

Like somebody recently told me " indha enathai thane mathanum" the slogan from Stayfree ad, I actually smiled big time hearing. It's been now probably almost a year since I have smiled like that.

There are many such memories which are to me BLISS :)     

Nov 26th :- Anna's birthday wished him late. It has been a busy day today running around for something or other. Now the biggest worry & tension is Ash's school admission, it's scary than I thought as I'm the only mom in the school gang of mom's to be relatively cool. All the mom's scare me saying something or other. One side i'm cool another side a bit worried saying myself why am i this cool. 

I guess one must in my shoes to experience my emotions. Today I had been to my doctor, general check up nothing major. Anu had come home to meet amma as tomm is Karthigai deepam. I made Punjabi Khofuta masala, which I tried based on the recipe shown on Tv. It came out well, appa, amma & myself liked it, Prabhu like it only 70%. My mom applied kajal to Alankritha, she kind of kidnapped her to her room & did this, when I saw she looked like kutty pisasu to me as I hate applying kajal to babies, which spoils there nature cuteness. 

Alankritha looks like kutty laddoo, I call her poriyurundai, amma calls her dumuduppu. She cries very cutely pouting her lower lips out, which makes us to make her to cry. Interesting memories :) 

Nov 25th , Alankritha turned 2 month old, in deed is quite special day as it reminded me of some cute memories. Had been to Thupakki movie, good one time pass well taken, couple of scenes reminded me of my soul mate like black blazer, calories burn out. Had come home made Butter-fruit Milkshake, which again reminds; everyday some small thing or other makes me think of this person.

Alankritha successfully completes 60 days by watching this movie in Skywalk mall. :)  

Today, Alankritha is 57 days old identifies my voice now she smiles watching the fan move. Ashwamedh is enjoying her company Sree left to US for one and half months yesterday. Ashwamedh went to school like normal days I dropped & picked him up. I planned to take him out on every day as he may get bored sitting at home. Today after school he ate sambar & curd rice, we watched Astro Boy movie together he enjoyed the movie so much. Alankritha cries sounding amma aloud for feeds its quite thrilling to hear her cry amma so early, Ashwamedh wasn’t like this. Ashwamedh imitates other actions & his acting skills is quite interesting to watch. For dinner I made Bombay curry recipe which I watched in Captain Tv came out well. Trying some cooking as I’m terrible at that J

Things to pack for delivery to hospital + otherwise

Mother –

• ·         Money for bill payments.
• ·         Some cash in 10’s & 20’s change.
• ·         Insurance details if any.
• ·         Dress to wear.
• ·         Undergarments – nursing bra + panties
• ·         Feeding Nighty / Pyjama type night wear
• ·         Flask
• ·         Horlicks
• ·         Camera
• ·         Chocolates
• ·         Carefree napkins ( 1^st & 2^nd days only)
• ·         Your brand sanitary napkins.
• ·         Hot bag
• ·         Cosmetics for your use (Bindi’s, face powder, Oil,)  
• ·         Soap
• ·         Face wash
• ·         Washing soap & brush
• ·         Shampoo
• ·         Scissors
• ·         Knife
• ·         2 glasses / tumblers
• ·         2 bowls
• ·         Big plate
• ·         Pillow + bed sheets ( for person staying with u if hospital doesn’t provide)
• ·         Hair clip + hair band
• ·         Comb
• ·         Toothpaste & toothbrush
• ·         Water bottles
• ·         Cleaning cloth
• ·         Towels ( big & small )
• ·         Covers ( big & small) - to throw waste  
• ·         Juice ( Tropicana etc)
• ·         Eatables – biscuits or snack for staying person
• ·         God picture if reqd.
• ·         Vicks & headache balm, hand sanitizer.
• ·         Waste cloth to wipe & throw off
• ·         Mosquito repellent plug in
• ·         Mosquito bat ( if needed)

Baby

·         New baby clothes washed well

·         Throwable Nappies to use n throw in hospital

·         Nappies

·         Diaper – 3kg new born

·         Cotton

·         Wrapping soft cloth

·         Absorbing mat

·         Wet wipes

·         Nail cutter

·         Soft small towels

·         Baby soap, oil, powder

·         Ear buds.

·         Towels.

·         Baby lotion, shampoo.

·         Socks & hand gloves.

·         Old soft saris, dhothis , bedsheets

·         Square cotton cloths for putting on rubber sheet

·         Dettol

·         Feeding bottle.

·         Woolen clothes ( in case your city is cold)  

Notes : -

• ·         Pack these things 1month before your delivery
• ·         Pack baby & other stuff separately in 2 bags.
• ·         Ask your doctor well in advance which hospital, check with hospital room charges, medical insurance details. So that you can be prepared w.r.t money  & insurance.
• ·         Inform your doctor with your medical history i.e., allergic , illness etc.,
• ·         Clean your room, throw unnecessary stuff, prepare your room to accommodate a  baby.
• ·         Clean to cupboard to keep new born stuff.
• ·         Wash all the baby clothes well in advance, don’t use anything new with washing.
• ·         In case of pets at home, make sure they are away from the baby. Find an alternative place for the pets.
• ·         Wash bedsheets before your delivery. Keep one set separately so that you can instruct person at home to spread that when you come after delivery.
• ·         Get your house pest control, mosquito net can be put.
• ·         Plan everything well in advance like filling n stocking provisions, clean the entire house. Buy everything require at least 2 months before. Put a to-do list and do accordingly.
• ·         Inform the person in home, where things are kept so that you can instruct them to get you those things if required.
• ·         Take big covers to put your used clothes.
• ·         Check your list n make sure you don’t miss anything.
• ·         Plan to get the cradle, potty, ETC.
• ·         In case of painting do it before your delivery.