Years
back, when my kids were still very young, I hired an Indonesian maid
who was in her mid 40s. I was lucky because she was one very hard
working lady. Household chores were made easy with her around. The
kids called her " Bibik " and they really enjoyed her
company and it seemed like the feeling was mutual on her part. However, kids will be kids! Hmm...
sometimes, they did give her severe headaches with their boisterous,
monstrous and disastrous acts! On one fateful day, I received a
distress call from my maid.
"Puan,
Puan. Cepat balik Puan ! Tolong saya Puan ! " (Madam, please hurry
home ! I really need your help!")
"
Alamak ! This is SOS !! " What could the kids be up to this
time !"
Abang
and I rushed home immediately. Bibik was already at the door
with my son clinging onto her. However, she forbade us from going into
the house, " Puan, jangan masuk .. nanti Puan jatuh.." (Don't go in Madam..you might slip..)
I could understand her concern for me as I was on the family way
but I demanded to go in. My heart nearly stopped beating
the moment Abang and I walked into the house. I just could not
believe what I saw. The floor of the living room was thoroughly covered with soapy water, yes soapy water ! Bubbles were floating
everywhere around the house. Before our eyes were our two daughters
having fun sliding in and out of the bedroom into the living hall !!
Bibik was near tears as her pleas were totally ignored by
these two little monsters! I was also near tears as I watched
my two daughters lathering themselves up before sliding again across
the room! Yes, that was exactly what they did over and over again !
By then, the house was all bubbles !! Hu Hu Hu..
Although
we were so upset with our two daughters, we did not resort to any
forms of punishment. We did not even shout at them, what more to
spank them. Abang and I merely asked them to stop and clean
themselves. The " piece of one' s mind " thing ( a long
lecture ) came later that day ; after the house was
back to its normal condition AND the poor parents had fully recovered
from the shock !!
Some
parenthood experience, eh ? Not just colorful , but shall I say full
of bubbles as well ! Ha ! Ha!
