Postpartum Depression, a problem encountered by women after they have given birth, should be extended to include what we are going through today.
The MIL has gone back to India. This simple sentence has a lot of ramifications than you would possibly imagine !
Jr. started right at the security gate in the airport, trying to go in without a ticket. Apparently she thought, she was also going to board the flight with grandma !! We werent aware of her plans. I had to literally carry a screaming, fighting kid from the security gate all the way to the elevator. When we were waiting for the elevator, a chinese (or korean) couple had a similar screaming baby. Both Jr. and that girl (around the same age) were screaming "grandma" in their respective languages and the fathers were holding the kids almost parallel to the ground! The two sets of parents mutually consoled both kids in the elevator, thinking "grandma is grandma" in Chinese, Korean or Tamizh ! Somehow the kids stopped, after they saw that someone other than their parents, were also convinced that grandma will return!
I came home and openend the fridge and was in for another shock. There was sambar, rasam, curries and kootu's, not to mention urugais, rotis etc. If there is an earthquake in our area, and we happen to be stranded in the kitchen for a week, I think we will still do fine. That sent me into depression (although I havent given birth recently, I do have sleep deprivation etc. etc.. the other causes that enhance postpartum). You appreciate people completely, only when they disappear!!
Mommy's sadness is obvious. Well we all thought at least baby is immune. I rock her to sleep in the night and she keeps reaching for my ears with her fingers, her eyes still closed. She was searching for grandma's ear ring!! Now I am seriously considering getting my left ear pierced and put on grandma's ear ring, in hopes that she will sleep quickly! The kids are both insecure as expected, worrying about when mom or dad will suddenly disappear next!
I guess this is a common phenomena in every immigrant household where the grandparents come to help with the kids, bond more with the kids than the parents, and leave when their visa runs out.
The good thing is that Jr. is at an age where she understands and the baby hopefully will forget and forgive us.
Here's to grandma !!