Vasha Singh – Week Two
Vasha came into the world as the 10th child in a
busy family. Her birth was what Shura expected, and Vasha was generally a
“good” baby, as her brothers and sisters had been. At 6 months of age, Vasha
was a healthy baby, eating well and growing quickly. All was going just as
Shura had expected until one morning in April – she still remembers it. She was
standing at the kitchen sink when she got the call. Arup had had a heart attack
and was taken to the hospital. Shura dropped everything, picked up Vasha and
the other 2 children at home and rushed to the hospital. By the time she
arrived, it was too late. Arup had died minutes before she arrived.
* Write a narrative appropriate to the rest of the children
in the family regarding how they should be introduced to new sister (though
Vasha is 6 months of age, this would have taken place when Vasha came home from
the hospital). What might the other children expect in terms of mom’s time and
energy?
* What should Shura expect at this point in terms of Vasha’s
major developmental milestones? What should a 6-month old be doing?
* What are the mental health risks for Shura given the death
of her husband? Are there
culture-specific ways of grieving that Shura might access? What wonderings do you have about other
resources Shura might draw upon at this difficult time? How might Shura’s
suffering and grief affect Vasha at this point in her development?
DECISION POINT
* Does Shura return to India?
Write a narrative appropriate to the rest of the children in the family regarding how they should be introduced to new sister (though Vasha is 6 months of age, this would have taken place when Vasha came home from the hospital). What might the other children expect in terms of mom’s time and energy?
ReplyDeleteDear Kids,
I’m about to bring home your new sister Vasha. With a new baby come a lot of changes and it’s normal for you to have feelings of jealousy and neglect. This baby will need more attention, which I know will be hard to understand. However, we can all spend time together if you are willing to help out with your baby sister. You can help with feeding, changing, bathing, and playing with the baby. Of course I would never force your assistance but I know you will come around and learn to love her in time. We are a family now and at a time like this we need to all come together and help each other out. The days will be long and the baby will need me at all times of the day, even throughout the night. This means that Mommy will have limited sleep and limited energy. I do not want you to take this as a preference or a punishment. I am not choosing Vasha over you or loving her more. You are all my children and I love you all equally. At this time in Vasha’s life, she needs her parents the most because she isn’t able to do the “big kid” things that you can do. You all had this time with Mommy and it’s important to give Vasha this time as well. You guys are becoming more independent every day and it makes Mommy so proud. Watching you grow has been a blessing and now we all can watch and help Vasha through her journey. Although my time with each one of you will be limited, your father and I will try to make some one-on-one time with you each day. It may not be every day but I will try my best so I really need you to bare with me. I also encourage all of you to express your opinion and true feelings about the new baby because your happiness and concern is most important to me. Let’s try to welcome Vasha with open arms (Pendley, 2011).
All my love,
Mommy
What should Shura expect at this point in terms of Vasha’s major developmental milestones? What should a 6-month old be doing?
ReplyDeleteAt six months Vasha should have accommodation or pupil dilation for distant objects, weigh 18 pounds or double her birth weight, be 26.5 inches or a 6 inch height gain, have an increase of 3 inches in head circumference, begin teething, have an increase in drooling, and able to roll from her back to her stomach. She should be able to hold objects and pick up items, lift her head while on her stomach, sit in a chair with a straight back, and able to endure her weight when supported in an upright position. She should also begin the Landau reflex, which is when she is put it the prone position she will form a convexupward arc with her body. Then gravity or a gentle force on the head flexes the neck and hip, reversing this arc.
It is normal for her to recognize parents but fear strangers, mimic actions and sounds, realize that if an item drops it doesn’t disappear, locate sounds, and vocalize sounds. This is the time where a child puts everything in his or her mouth. He or she enjoys playing with toes and holding feet and smiling or talking to image in the a mirror. Vasha should be sleeping 6-8 hours a night and have between 20/60 and 20/40 vision (Jennifer, 2011).
What are the mental health risks for Shura given the death of her husband? Are there culture-specific ways of grieving that Shura might access? What wonderings do you have about other resources Shura might draw upon at this difficult time? How might Shura’s suffering and grief affect Vasha at this point in her development?
ReplyDeleteAs a result of the death of her husband, Shura may become vulnerable and left with the responsibility for taking care and providing for her family. A sudden and unexpected death of a loved one can have a lasting effect on the loved ones left behind. One mental health risk Shura can face is depression. This may not go away in a few weeks or months, but may remain permanent. If it remains longer then a month then Shura experiences Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). One that has PTSD can display symptoms that include panic attacks, substance abuse, relationship problems and suicidal thoughts (Riggs).
In the Indian culture, death is very important and is given a large amount of attention. It is believed that once one passes, their soul is starting on a new level of existence. Mourning starts the death of the death to the thirteenth day after the funeral provided. During this time families are practice rituals that do not allow them to any religious function, to eat certain foods or wear particular clothing. Praying is a large part in the healing process after the death asking for the sould of the deceased to rest peacefully. Rituals are usually observed during the thirteen days, however some extend up to a year. At the end of the year, members of the family will meet again and have a meal (Indian Funeral Traditions).
Shura’s suffering and grief will not only interfere with her life and daily activities, but also her children’s, especially Vasha. As a result of Vasha being a newborn that is exposed to such a traumatic event, she may suffer from this the most. As a mother, Shura has the task of raising the children while her husband worked to support the family. Now that her husband died, she has the role of caretaker of the family and has to find a way to support her family financially. This places stress and anxiety on Shura who was once dependent on her husband. This anxiety can lead to a lack of focus and attention on caring and raising Vasha. Unfortunately, due to this form of parental neglect, Vasha may not receive proper growth and development. As a six month old child she should be taught cognitive abilities such as speech, language and visual concepts. Such as mimicking words back and understanding the concept of mirrors and images (Jennifer, 2011).
Does Shura return to India?
We think Shura should bring her family back to India. During this time, we believe she needs all the help and support she can get from her other family members.
Works Cited
ReplyDeleteIndian Funeral Traditions. Retrieved September 13, 2011 from
http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-traditions/funeral-traditions.html
Jennifer (April 17, 2011). Development Milestones Chart for Children.
Retrieved September 14, 2011 from
http://understanding.infantilism.org/chart.php
Pendley, J. S. (August 2011). Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling.
Retrieved September 13, 2011 from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/sibling_prep.html
Riggs, D.S. Mental Health America: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Retrieved September 13, 2011 from http://www.nmha.org/go/ptsd