Kiku vs. Big School: A Mom's Guide to Surviving the Tiny Tods's First Rebellion

Aruneeta Srivastava
Apr 2
2 min read

Updated: Apr 3

Expectation vs. Reality: The Great Betrayal

Before my kid started school, I had grand visions of how it would go:

Me, sipping chai in peace, finally getting work done without tiny hands smearing peanut butter on my laptop.
Catching up on emails like a productivity goddess.
Maybe even taking a nap (remember those?).

But reality? HAHAHA, NOPE.

What Actually Happened:

Kiku clung to my leg like a determined little octopus
I ugly-cried so hard the security uncle offered me tissues
Came home to find... it's too quiet. Why is it so quiet? IS THIS WHAT HELL FEELS LIKE?

Kiku's School Journey vs. My Downfall

Day	Kiku's Status	My Status
1	Full Bollywood drama scene	Sobbing into tiffin dabba
3	"Bye Mama!" (runs off)	Suspiciously eyeing her new BFF
5	Corrects teacher's Hindi	Googling "is 2.7 too young for pre school?"
10	Organizes snack-sharing mafia	Getting side-eyed by teachers for lurking

Why This Hurts More Than My C-Section Stitch

The Betrayal - She adjusted in 3 days. I'm still not over it.
The Silence - No constant "Mama look!" means I keep checking what she is doing or what mess is she creating?
The Independence - Since when does she need me to "stop embarrassing her"?!

Survival Tips for the Emotionally Wrecked

When Kiku Cries:

Whisper: "If you go in, we'll get two Anjeers" (Anything that works)
Point to random kid: "See that boy? He's scared too!" (comparative misery works)

When YOU Cry:

Invest in huge sunglasses (perfect for hiding mascara streaks)
Befriend the aunty who sells chips outside (best intel source)
Remember: Teachers have seen worse (like that mom who tried to attend class)

The Silver Linings (Because We Need Them)

✔️ Finally peeing alone feels like a spa day✔️ Rediscovering my name isn't just "Kiku's Mom"✔️ Watching her boss around other kids like a tiny CEO is weirdly proud

P.S. If you see me "just happening to walk by" during recess... mind your business.

P.P.S. Kiku beta, when you read this at 16: I kept all your tear-stained tissues as blackmail material. Love you! ❤️

P.P.P.S. To all moms crying in parking lots: Our WhatsApp group meets at 11am. Bring tissues and chocolate. We'll get through this. Probably. Maybe.