It was a usual Sunday morning in our household. I was sipping some warm tea as I sat by the window and my husband was busy with the chores he had to finish this weekend.
My six-year-old daughter just woke up and was walking up to give me a morning hug as the doorbell rang suddenly.
Mumma, kaamchor didi aa gayee..
As I was sitting comfortably on the couch I asked my little one to open the door and hug me after that. As she opened the door, I asked her “kaun hai?”
“Mumma, kaamchor didi aa gayee..,” she replied.
I was dumbfounded!!! How on earth could she say that? And before you jump to your own conclusions let me tell you that I am super, super careful of the things and words I say in front of my daughter. So, naturally this one statement left me speechless and I was wondering when did she even hear the word.
Mummies, be careful of the conversations you have in front or around your child
The next 10 minutes were spent trying to recall if I had said indeed uttered that word in front of her and if I did say, the question was when?
I remembered that last night I was having a chat with my husband when I suddenly saw that the balcony was not cleaned properly despite telling my house help at least twice before leaving for work. But still it was dirty and I was in a bad mood.
Ye bai ek number kee kaamchor hai…
My daughter was not in the room that time and since my husband was close to me I shouted in my chaste north-Indian accent: “Dekho yaar, balcony abhi tak saaf nahee karee isnee… ye bai ek number kee kaamchor hai… dus baar bolna padtaa hai ek cheez ko.”
So this was that one statement that I said to my husband when my daughter was not in the room, but obviously, she heard the word kaamchor.
Don’t you mums agree that there are so many things we say on a daily basis and even though most of the times we as parents try to be careful that the child is not around, unknowingly they pick up some words, especically those that catch their fascination. Yes, it was kaamchor in my case :(.
From that day, I made sure that I would be even more careful of what I say not only in front of my child, but even when she is in the house but not close to me.
Conversations you should not have in front or around your child
We think that having conversations on any topic when the child is around
1.Gossip: Refrain from gossiping with your friends or family when your child is around, even though it is harmless on your part.
2. Conversations about maids/house help: As per example given above, your child picks up what you say about your house helps and even if you think that they are not around you, they might pick up a few words here and there.
Moreover, to make sure that your child treats every member of the society with respect and gratitude, you have to take charge and lead by example.
3. Serious disagreements: Disagreements between you and your spouse should be a strict no-no even if your child is not in the same room.
4. Financial issues: Whether or not you are doing financially well, money matters should not be discussed in front of the child, especially when it comes to discussing the household expense. Of course, if you want your child to understand the value of money, have a separate conversation on that topic.
5. Criticism of any kind: Goes without saying that criticizing anyone or any matter has a negative impact of your child’s mind and they might also pick up the habit of complaining about each and everything that they have.
Read: “Mumma, why do boys have a penis?”: When my six-year-old asked me that dreadful question
