Here, in South Mumbai, life is a tad different. Moms are still hanging out by the pool - think Willingdon Club and not JW Marriot - but there's no lounging here! They're upright and attentive, screaming at their tadpoles, making sure that their off-springs become the swim champs they never were. Sports gear replaces designer wear and the moms are in comfortable flats - you never know when the child needs and ear full or the coach almighty summons!
Scarily, I think I fit in better here....! I'm mildly amused by the craziness of it all and alternate between the reality check of my life and the idea of my five-year-old one day being a ballet performer perhaps in .... The Nutcracker??? I love the enthusiasm and the discipline that comes with it, but I have to draw the line at walking in on a mom who's telling her daughter's teacher about how well she reads and how she must be the lead in the school play!
There's a book I recently read that basically told me that I could make it happen for my kids. All they require is potential. I can push them, make them put in the hours and voila! They'll be pros!
I guess in South Mumbai the idols are Nadal and Paes and in North Bombay, It's Beyonce and Shahrukh. Either way, we're a generation that's either going to have the biggest group of pros ever, or a bunch of really disappointed adults....
