I recently got my two and half year old child's mundan done. After all the hullabaloo I still do not understand what was the big fuss about? why did I put my child through the tormenting experience. She did not cry a bit when her hair was being chopped or when the barber picked up the blade to scrape out her hair. She clenched her fist, looked at the ground and trusted her family. I kept repeating the words "you are the most beautiful baby" and she believed me. She cried out of discomfort due to a few red spot for some time and still continued for the pooja. My baby trusted us that it cant be that bad after all. She was happy that we are going to have a party and she got gifts for the mundan, especially her pink scooter. Just as we were getting ready for the party, she looked at the mirror and she was shocked. Her tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice was trembling she came near me and whispered. "mumma dont take of my hat, I want to wear it for the party".
For the first time I felt I did not have the solution to my child's problem and it felt miserable. I had a sinking feeling to see my princess so distressed and lacking the extraordinary confidence that she usually exudes. After I got her dressed up we clicked pictures as usual and she came running to check the pic but was very disappointed to see herself. Some how I kept her involved in something or the other to keep her distracted. But in the end at night at bed time I told her lets have a quick shower, something we do every night. She at first refused. I was surprised because she usually jumps at shower time. After lot of coaxing I realized that she did not want to take off her hat. I looked in her eyes and said that "its just two of us here, no one's looking". She still did not budge, I felt aghast to find out that she was shy, even in front of me!! I told her "baby I loved you even when I had not seen you, so please stop bothering yourself". She looked at me in disbelief of the new revelation. Then I promised her that I wont look at her just wash her. She agreed to that and took off her hat, still with reluctance. When we went for her shower I kept my promise and did not look up at her face. She touched my shoulders and said "mumma muje dekho please". I gave her a big tight hug. Cursed myself for not being strong enough to stop the useless agonizing ceremony. Later I told to myself that I am going to take it as an opportunity to teach my daughter that beauty is not just about the way you look. Also that we need to break free form the conventional stereotypes of beauty.
My toddler can't wait to get her hair back. Sometimes she puts my hair on her head and looking herself in the mirror exclaims that she got her hair back. The next moment she is annoyed with me and says that I should also get a mundan. Every morning the first thing she does is check how much her hair grew. She feels bad for the slightest raised voice or even a mild nudge. I try to cheer her up when she is low by kissing her bald head saying once you get your hair back how will I kiss, she finds it very funny. She calls herself ugly at times and I scold her saying "don't you dare call my baby ugly" and she runs away giggling. I don't know what else I can or should do to comfort her. My child is a sensitive one and pretty as a pristine princess, but this mundan has made her really sad. I want my chirpy bubbly baby back. I just do not know how and when will that happen.
My beautiful princess
For the first time I felt I did not have the solution to my child's problem and it felt miserable. I had a sinking feeling to see my princess so distressed and lacking the extraordinary confidence that she usually exudes. After I got her dressed up we clicked pictures as usual and she came running to check the pic but was very disappointed to see herself. Some how I kept her involved in something or the other to keep her distracted. But in the end at night at bed time I told her lets have a quick shower, something we do every night. She at first refused. I was surprised because she usually jumps at shower time. After lot of coaxing I realized that she did not want to take off her hat. I looked in her eyes and said that "its just two of us here, no one's looking". She still did not budge, I felt aghast to find out that she was shy, even in front of me!! I told her "baby I loved you even when I had not seen you, so please stop bothering yourself". She looked at me in disbelief of the new revelation. Then I promised her that I wont look at her just wash her. She agreed to that and took off her hat, still with reluctance. When we went for her shower I kept my promise and did not look up at her face. She touched my shoulders and said "mumma muje dekho please". I gave her a big tight hug. Cursed myself for not being strong enough to stop the useless agonizing ceremony. Later I told to myself that I am going to take it as an opportunity to teach my daughter that beauty is not just about the way you look. Also that we need to break free form the conventional stereotypes of beauty.
My toddler can't wait to get her hair back. Sometimes she puts my hair on her head and looking herself in the mirror exclaims that she got her hair back. The next moment she is annoyed with me and says that I should also get a mundan. Every morning the first thing she does is check how much her hair grew. She feels bad for the slightest raised voice or even a mild nudge. I try to cheer her up when she is low by kissing her bald head saying once you get your hair back how will I kiss, she finds it very funny. She calls herself ugly at times and I scold her saying "don't you dare call my baby ugly" and she runs away giggling. I don't know what else I can or should do to comfort her. My child is a sensitive one and pretty as a pristine princess, but this mundan has made her really sad. I want my chirpy bubbly baby back. I just do not know how and when will that happen.
My beautiful princess
