One of the parenting issues that stumble me is explaining to kuttyma her Indian roots. It is hard given our globe-trotting lifestyle. Kuttyma is an American citizen who currently resides in Australia (after a couple of years in Singapore). She knows parts of the Singapore National Anthem but not the American or Indian or Aussie one. She does know she is an American and that she carries an American passport unlike the one I have. While we make frequent trips to India, it is hard to explain to a 4 year old about patriotism, heritage and roots (or atleast I find it hard).

The tricolor banner to celebrate Republic Day

I have often wondered if she will feel patriotic to any country. I don’t know how to explain why I consider her motherland as India and why she should know small nuggets of information about the land. A lot of people I talk to inform me that the kids will pick it up and figure it out on their own some time in life. I am not too sure and I am too impatient. I rather explain it as she grows up than wait for the day she will ask the questions. I am totally open to tips from other experienced moms.

On scrap paper we scribbled with markers the flag

Republic Day is a great time to get started on some of the things I would like her to know. I just mentioned that Republic Day is a day to celebrate the people of the country who make the laws (indirectly) and govern the country. I am not sure how much she got of it. But we made a tricolor banner to celebrate the occasion. How are you explaining Republic Day to a pre-schooler?

And then sprinkled water to make the colors run before drying it and stringing it into a banner