The Honest Academy

Thoughts?

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Please wear masks 😷 and get vaccinated 🙏🏻

Oregon and Idaho are running out of I.C.U. beds as Covid cases hit records. Amid a Delta-driven surge in the U.S., most states have less than 30 percent of their intensive-care beds still available.

Interesting read!

“I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.”

From the diary of a 2-year-old:

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me sad.

I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told,
“No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”

This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.”

This made me cry.

I wanted to get out of the car on my own but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me want to run away.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…”

I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks anymore. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it. I was told “No, don’t do that! You have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “No, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up. I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.”

I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me.

“What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? Pick up your toys, now!”

I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move.

I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little. Let me do it.”

This made me feel small. I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying “Here, try this, eat this…” and putting things in my face.

I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I’m tired and I need someone to hold me. I do not feel safe or in control. This makes me scared. I cry even more.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.

*edited to add: I have finally identified the author! Thank you, Dejah Roman for your POWERFUL words*

This saddens me! Eric Carle, the artist and author who created that creature in his book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” a tale that has charmed generations of children and parents alike, died at 91. RIP

Happy Mother’s Day to all the lovely Mammas and their babies ❤️

Today is the last day of my in-home childcare. The Honest Academy is gearing up to expand into a center and it is bittersweet.

As I prepare to close this facility, I am swamped with mixed feelings! Thoughts including my babies, their parents, the school walls filled with projects made with tiny hands, my kids addressing me as Ms. Aarsi, the overwhelming love and support from my clients, my daughter’s sacrifice of me working long hours, the amazing teachers whom I had the pleasure of working with, tiny people comforting my owies, their sense of belongingness towards me, the ups and downs of the business, and many more.

We were lucky to not have a positive case during the pandemic.

I want to thank each one of you for making this journey meaningful and interesting. I want to thank my husband, who always provided a safety net in times of distress. Trust me it was plenty of times! Thank you Abhishek Aggarwal. I want to thank my daughter, who often complained that her mother was always thinking about the school. I want to thank my sister Anushree Mithal for listening to my rants when I had a bad day. Thank you Eshatva Mithal, for making my website and providing technical support. My family who reminded me of the light at the end of the tunnel, every time I wanted to give up. I want to thank all my clients for trusting me with care of their most precious beings. I want to thank all the teachers who were a part of this preschool family and for executing my ideas to the fullest and adapting to the school’s personality. Thank you to all those who brought hurt to me. It only made me stronger. Thank you to those who flattered me by copying me. I would like to thank the state of Oregon for making sure we were equipped with masks and sanitizers during the pandemic. I want to thank my licensor, Jessica who believed in me and was available whenever needed. Last but not the least, my favorite, my munchkins for showering me with LOVE. So much love, that it made me feel like the richest women on earth. Their bright faces and smiles always cheered me up and melted my stress.

With this, I want to apologize to all those whom I might have disappointed during this era. I may have not handled things as per your expectations, but trust me, I tried my best. I am human and I believe in making mistakes but not repeating them.

Dear Clients,
These days, people hide their emotions because they feel it will present them weak. Today, when you cried during goodbyes, it suggested that you really did care. You really did love me and you really are appreciative of my services. And because of that, I am able to do what I do. I am grateful for each one of you. I love you all and I will miss you all. I am leaving absolutely spoilt, pampered and content.

I wish you good luck and best wishes. At the end, this is what remains...

Lots of slots available for COVID vaccine here:

COVID-19 Vaccines: Information and Appointments | OHSU We’ve gathered tools and information about COVID-19 vaccines in Oregon to help you.

For our bird week, we decided to get a little a adventurous this time!
Thank you Eshatva Mithal

Earth day

Earth day project!