From the Diaspora…MY three-year-old grandson has his own iphone

Oct 13, 2012 News

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I know I have been missing for two weeks, and for good reason; the Seeram family got a new addition, a beautiful baby girl, my first granddaughter born a week ago. And yes Grand Pa has more responsibility. It was a new experience for me, very much unlike when my two children were born in New Amsterdam. My son was born at the New Amsterdam Hospital or I should say the old New Amsterdam Hospital, the one the government allowed vandals to steal.
From the hospital he went home where he was placed on a bed with two pillows on the side to prevent rolling, no cradle or cribs that was it.
My daughter was born at home in Smythfield, delivered by Nurse Ward. Many of the older folks might remember Nurse Ward; she probably delivered more than a thousand babies in New Amsterdam and its environs.
My daughter had a crib, a gift from my neighbor Isaac Romalho who personally made the crib, which the baby promptly refused to sleep in, preferring to sleep on my arms– yes no bed for her. So when my granddaughter was born I suggested that the baby would have to sleep with her for the first few months. Was I wrong!! Not only wrong but apparently out of touch with the times.
A month before the baby was born her room was furnished; she had her own room (as I am writing I am recalling my six siblings sharing one room). She has her crib, a play pen/bassinet, another piece of furniture that rocks her to sleep while playing lullaby songs, and of course a rocking chair. I won’t even get in to the other baby accessories.
Did I mention a video monitor with a portable screen where you can see and hear the baby cry? I never knew you had to get so many pieces of baby furniture for the first few years of the baby upbringing. Makes me wonder how we managed to rear our two kids without all those equipment. For that matter how do the babies in Guyana grow up without those luxuries. Yes they are luxuries to me. Maybe I am not up with the times.
For good measure to ensure Grand Pa and Grand Ma share the responsibilities, my daughter set up in my bedroom, a crib, play pen/bassinet and a rocker bed. What a smart move. I don’t think it needs any explanation. There is “no if and but”; I would have to do some babysitting, part of being grandparents I am told.
From my little interactions with her I think we will get on fine– except for her wake up and play time, she wakes up and wants to play from 1 am to 4 am, or as Guyanese would say “foreday morning”
Now I did mention I have a three-year-old grandson, who acts like he is 16. He is a great backseat driver; from his child seat he directs me how to drive. “Papa go that way” choosing which entrance he wants to exit his school. The car hits a bump on the road and he tells me “Papa you have to be careful; you can’t drive, I am going to drive my car next time” He has a large battery operated car.
One day I was passing a vehicle and he tells me, “you driving too fast”. He thinks he is a driving instructor. The other day he was reading a book and I attempted to talk to him. “You are talking while I am reading Papa”. “Don’t disturb me”.
Sometimes I marvel at how he can express himself. It really comes down to his exposure to learning materials.
Did I mention he has his own room loaded with all the learning educational and materials you can think about? Two days ago his mother showed me an iPhone she gave him —iPhone. Now what does a three-year-old need an iPhone for?
It actually turned out to be a good idea. He likes to play with my iPhone. I don’t know how he does it but sometimes he bypasses the password and gets into programs, and unearths stuff I did not know exist on my phone.
However, the beauty of the Iphone is that it can download and store hundreds of interactive educational programmes, and that is the part that fascinates my grandson. He loves the educational Apps on the phone; that’s why he loves to play with my phone. It is fun for him but at the same time a great interactive educational tool– fun while learning.
Just in case you are wondering, his phone does not make calls; it is only used as an educational tool. Now a week ago I made the mistake of allowing him to play educational games on my laptop. Now he wants to use my laptop, he loves the large screen. Maybe he can, later, but for now I had to draw the line; his tiny fingers are too quick for me.
He locked up my computer the other day; I had to get help to unlock it.
Grand Pa will have fun babysitting his grandson and granddaughter. It will be interesting considering that another loved one will also need my attention. In fact she demands my attention. The other love of my life, my pet cat, Chelsea. Despite all the “fancy stuff” in my room, I can see the four of us sleeping together on my bed “Guyanese style” the way I grew up. Don’t tell my daughter that.
Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: [email protected]

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