Hridya the smiling doll
From the moment Hridya was born, she stole the show in her family. She was adorable and always so cheerful. Right from her first day, she woke up with a big, bright smile. Her big brother, Murali, nicknamed her "the smiling doll."
Murali was seven when Hridya arrived. Ever since Mom told him a new baby was on the way, he couldn't wait. When she finally came, his happiness exploded. It was a cozy evening at the hospital in town. Murali waited with his Dad, Mahadevan, his grandparents, and everyone else outside the delivery room, where his Mom, Madhurima, was. After what felt like forever, a nurse popped out grinning. "A baby girl... you've got a little sister!" she told Murali. They named her Hridya.
Three days later, Mom and the baby came home. Murali and his grandparents spruced up the place to welcome them. Dad was there too, helping out. The whole house buzzed with joy, like everything was brand new and sparkling. Murali thought, "Wow, a baby makes home feel magical!"
Murali made it his mission to look after Hridya. He loved every second. She slept peacefully most of the time and only whimpered softly when hungry. One day, Mom, while she was feeding Hridya, teased Murali, "When you were this tiny, you'd wail super loud if hungry and get all fussy if we were slow." She laughed. Hridya paused and stared at Murali. He turned red, wondering if she understood.
Every time felt like his first babysitting adventure. He watched Hridya with tons of love and wonder. Her sleepy faces and wiggly moves when awake were the cutest. He got really good at reading her signals. Sometimes she reached for toys; other times she wanted to scoot closer to things. He knew when she just wanted Mom, or playtime, or food, or a trip outside. It made caring for her easy. In weeks, he mastered the basics of babysitting. His parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends all cheered him on. But the best part was Hridya loving his care—that meant the world to him.
Dad, Mahadevan, and Mom, Madhurima, were teachers. Grandparents also lived with them, like best buddies. The family was tight-knit, full of love and respect. Murali picked up babysitting tips from all of them.
Another set of cool teachers was Grandpa's walking crew. Grandpa rose early for his 5:15 a.m. morning walk. Murali didn't want him to go alone, so he woke up at 5 and tagged along. He loved the quiet, fresh mornings. Grandpa pointed out some neat natural phenomena, such as how the air cools, how mist forms, clues about rain, and why plants are essential. There were always fresh chats.
As they walked, Grandpa's friends joined in, making the experience even more enjoyable. They treated Murali like their own grandkid. From their talks, he learned that being a big brother was a huge responsibility. "I have duties just like Mom, Dad, and my grandparents," he thought proudly. He loved that.
Auntie Manjula, one of Grandpa's friends and a pediatrician, was like a grandmother. She visited their home often and shared facts about baby growth. Once, Murali asked her, "When will Hridya chat and walk with me?" She chuckled and said, "By her first birthday, she'll say 'mama' and 'papa,' wave 'bye,' and understand 'no.' She'll stuff things in cups, hunt for hidden toys, stand, and cruise along furniture. Some kids start walking alone early. Hridya will zoom ahead, I bet."
"How do you know?"
"Watching kids closely teaches us," she said with a smile.
Murali couldn't wait to see it. He helped Hridya with everything. She lit up around him. He stuck close when she was awake. Even while doing schoolwork, he played with balls and rattles with her.
During his morning walks with Grandpa and his friends, Murali learned that when a new sibling comes, share the spotlight happily. Let parents focus more on the baby. "Am I doing that?" he wondered at that moment.
Months flew by, and Hridya started calling for Murali with wiggles and special sounds. Parents took time to catch on, but Murali got it instantly. Their bond was that strong already.
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Life-Skills Introduced in This Chapter
Adaptability to Change:Welcoming a new family member, like a baby sibling, and adjusting to the excitement and shifts in family dynamics with joy and patience.
Observation and Empathy:Learning to read a baby's signals (such as hunger, play needs, or desire for closeness) to provide caring support and build a strong bond.
Responsibility in Caregiving:Taking on babysitting duties, mastering basics like watching over a sibling, and seeking guidance from family and experts to improve skills.
Learning from Others:Gaining knowledge about child development and sibling roles through conversations with parents, grandparents, and knowledgeable adults, such as a pediatrician.
Sharing Attention:Understanding the importance of letting parents focus on the new baby while happily sharing the family spotlight to maintain harmony.
