Random Thoughts

To Child 1, mother says " You have to talk more. How else will I know what is happening in school ? Communication is the key. Monosyllabic replies cannot always work."
To Child 2, mother says "You talk too much. That is your problem. When you continously talk, half of it ends  up being nonsense. Learn to listen better".

To Child 1, mother says in a very exasperated voice "You have played already for 4 hours today, outside the house. Now when I ask you to sit for some weekend studies for just half an hour, you keep such a long face. It cannot always be play time"
To Child 2, mother says "You HAVE to get out and play. You just cannot sit and talk always with your friends. Give your body the much needed physical activities and outdoor time. Otherwise you are going to end up so unhealthy."

To Child 1, mother says  "It is okay, if I wake you up five minutes later than the time you told me. You do not have to be so obsessed with time. You are pretty punctual and manage your time well. You don't have to get so worked up over it".
To Child 2, mother says in a panic stricken high pitched voice at 7.30 in the morning " Do YOU have any idea of time ? In one hour's time you need to be in the bus stand and NOW you are asking for five minutes more to sleep ? GET UP RIGHT NOW. When will you ever get a sense of time ? "

The same mother in the same home environment gives out these mixed signals. Mother thinks she is trying to impart a sense of balance in everything to her kids. Kids must think "Mothers mostly give out contradictory messages. But don't you ever dare to contradict her." Sigh.