Bubble of contention

The school day is over. Both kids are back home; each unwinding in his/her own way –  music and TV, evening snack, general banter and at times a detailed outpouring of something exciting that happened in their day.

After lazing about, my daughter gets down to school work, while my son comes back drenched in sweat, having played with his friends.

A wash later, he has joined his sister in their room. I am at my computer, working away.

My mom antennae suddenly perk up. I know that the tenor of voices from the children’s room has changed. They seem to be running in the room, and yelling.

In a few minutes the door opens and I find my daughter chasing my son, who seems to be hiding something under his arm.

 Investigation shows that the bone of contention is a piece of bubble wrap paper that had come with my daughter’s new calculator.

Courtesy – http://www.dreamstime.com

Both siblings want the bubble wrap to pop the bubbles. As with all sibling fights, their fight takes on various dimensions.

I intervene. I confiscate the bubble wrap, issuing orders for it to be left on my desk. 

The storm passes. Both of them head back to their room, glaring at each other.

I am alone now. I start popping the bubble wrap.  Perfect….

Truly one of life’s simple pleasures.

Sibling tales #1

This is a story that happens in every family. When the entire family is heading out, there is always one person who is either looking for his/her missing socks or shoes or smartphone, while the rest of the family is standing at the door, simmering or annoyed or yelling or indifferent to this person.

The story is pretty much the same every time, but the character, who is late, keeps changing.

It happened in our home this morning too!

My husband, daughter and I were already in the living room, waiting for the youngest member, my son.

Courtesy – http://www.123rf.com

My daughter’s irritation peaked, as my son, totally oblivious to all of this continued to belt out a song.

My daughter muttered under her breath.

When I asked her, she said, “He always delays us. He is always late…”

I asked her, “Have you never caused a delay? Hmmm?”

Pat came her reply , “Of course I have not.”

I asked her, “Since when?”

She replied, “From this moment.”

“Very funny”, I said, rolling my eyes.

At that moment my son joined us, still crooning. Business as usual. We managed to leave without a full blown war.