Page 57 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 3 | February - March 2024

KARANVIR THAKRAL

Businessman
Father to Suhavni (8 years old) and Shaan (4 years old)

Dad life for me revolves around my two sweet and adventurous
kids – Suhavni and Shaan. I’d say the most important thing about
bonding with them is less about orchestrating grand activities, and
more about embracing the small moments of simply being there.

I don’t get much time with them during the weekdays so when they
go to school, I’m happy to kick off the day with their drop-offs. It’s
a golden opportunity for conversations with these curious minds,
fuelled by funny questions that never fail to bring a smile to my face.

Bedtime is also fun when I get the chance to dive into storyland
with their favorite books – you know, the ones you read with
questionable accents and epic character voices. The perfect way
to end the day before they have to wind down and go to sleep.
Suhavni’s favourite book is The Book With No Pictures by B.J. I don’t think kids need a lot of scheduled activities at this age. They
Novak. Shaan’s favourite book is Dr Seuss’s ABC. just need our uninterrupted time, which we all wish we could
give more of, before they grow even older. I do the things they
Sundays are their favourite. It’s “family day,” where everything else love with them whenever possible: playing a ball game, going to
takes a backseat. We have a routine which usually includes going the playground on weekends, swimming, painting, playing with
to the Gurudwara, followed by spending time with grandparents/ Legos, or even just tag or hide and seek!
family. I try to get outdoor time, ending the evening in a park, or
with dinner at their favourite restaurant. The essence is to just be there (without the phone scrolling). Play,
listen, and occasionally nod like you understand the complexities
Occasionally, we’ll do something adventurous on the weekends of childhood drama when they begin to tease each other.
like exploring new places or going to the beach. They love joining
me on my café-hopping adventures where they get to slurp on In this chaotic little world, it’s the laughter, the spilled coffee,
milkshakes, and enjoy ice cream like it’s the elixir of life. I try not and the simple joys often in the unplanned that make for the
to spill my coffee while keeping up with their sugar-fuelled energy! best memories!

NAM NARULA

Entrepreneur
Father to Kyrav (1 year)

The best day of my life was when my son Kyrav was born, and
it has been a whirlwind since then. The first time I went to the
doctor with him, I was sleep deprived and exhausted. I was torn
when the doctor told me that in Scandinavian countries paternity
leave is six months. And for good reason, he added. Babies need
their fathers in spirit equally as much as their mothers. My entitled
and Thai-Indian alter ego shook within my soul. My inner princely
nature rose up, and I immediately realised that I had to put aside
my entitlements if I am going to be a true father to this little guy.
I hated the doctor for saying it, but I knew he was right and my
dear wife would never let me forget it!

Today, I am very grateful for that doctor because I ended up trying
my best to develop a deep bond with my little buddy. Through
swimming, going to the park together, experiencing the ocean,
airplane rides, weekly gym classes, wrestling, and eating together,
every day has been amazing with him, and I wouldn’t change
a thing. My favourite activity has to be our nighttime routine,
where I get to read to him, and sometimes, he tries to read to me.
Kyrav’s favourite storybook is I Love Us! A Book About Family by
Luisa Uribe.

I get to experience once again my innocence and childlike wonder
with him every time we are together. I thought I was a foodie He teaches me to find joy in the simplest (or the weirdest) of things,
until I saw my son’s love for food and got blown away completely like water fountains or a fan turning on. Seeing him smile every day
in comparison. and enjoying life is such a blessing and a pure inspiration for me.

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