As 2017 came to an end, we found ourselves looking back at Parth’s early years, from his first birthday to his third, from the joy of his playful toddler days to the challenges of his first months in school.
The years 2015 and 2016 were filled with cheerful memories. Parth was a happy, curious toddler who laughed easily, explored everything around him, and filled our home with energy. He loved scribbling with crayons, playing with dough, and listening to music on repeat. Even then, he showed little habits of neatness and routine, preferring plain clothes and copying his father’s style. Those small details made him uniquely Parth.
In 2017, his world grew bigger with the start of school. It wasn’t easy. The first days were full of tears, clinging to his mother, and long hours spent in the waiting room. Slowly, with time and patience, he began to settle. Hiring a shadow teacher gave him the extra support he needed, helping him join in songs, coloring, and simple activities. His 3rd birthday was a moment of joy and reflection. Surrounded by balloons, cake, and family love, we saw a child who had grown stronger and braver, even through his struggles.
Looking back, we also realized some mistakes we made as parents during those early years. To calm him when he cried, we often gave him chocolates because they instantly stopped his tears. At the time, it felt like a harmless trick to make him happy, but later we understood that it was not a healthy practice. We also allowed him more screen time on the smartphone than we should have. Watching rhymes and cartoons made him calm and quiet, and in moments of exhaustion it felt like a blessing, but slowly it became a habit that was hard to undo. These were choices made out of love, but they taught us an important lesson: quick fixes may give short relief, but they are not always right for the long run.
These three years taught us more than we could have imagined. They reminded us that every child grows differently, and that parenting is not about perfection, but about learning along the way. Parth’s early childhood was full of joy, innocence, and discovery, and it also showed us the importance of patience, balance, and mindful choices. Looking back, we cherish the happy moments, accept our mistakes, and carry forward the lessons with love and hope.