The Bay Area Indian Parent - Part 2

When I wrote the first post on this topic, I received some interesting feedback. Some found it amusing. Others found it true. Some found it insulting. Obviously, I need to do a better message of keeping it amusing and true and not tread on the insulting part. So here goes.Continuing from right where I left off in my previous post on the topic,

• Unshackled from constant parental advice, the kid's parents are ready to socialize. And the real decisions start. The typical Bay Area parent spends 6 hours working, 6 hours sleeping and 12 hours figuring out if they are doing the right thing for their kid.
• When its time to pick a daycare, the big M question has to be answered. Should my child go to a Montessori or a regular daycare?. After hours of googling about the Montessori method and visiting every Montessori in South Bay, the decision is made. Remember we all believe our kids are preordained by Perumal to be Sergey Brin, Larry Page or Jeff Bezos.
• At daycare, the mother furtively glances at the doodle from the other "Asian" kid to make sure her kids is better. Never mind the child is 2 years old and is literally scratching with a crayon.
• Is my kid eating all his/her lunch. Should I pack some rice instead of the soup and salad at school?. Is my kid eating meat from the next plate? Shiva, Shiva.
• Is the daycare teacher qualified to teach my 2 year old how to doodle?. Is the teacher for the 3 year class ready to teach my kid how to read and write? In the evening, the 3 year old is asked what he/she learnt in school. Did they teach you the phonics yet?. At the weekend party, her friend's 3-year old kid can write her own name. Why can't mine do it?. That night, sleep is an elusive commodity.
• The third birthday arrives. After the festivities at Pump it Up, it is time for business. Should we move the child to Stafford or Challenger where they get real education?. Or will it be the daycare until 5?
• If a house hasn't already been purchased, house hunt starts at right earnest. Do I go where the flock is- Fremont, Sunnyvale or San Jose?. Should I really go into the desi bastions- why not the "American" neighborhoods of Redwood City or Palo Alto?. Or maybe my kid is meant for great things and we need to get into Cupertino somehow. Of course, the school district is the driver. The school api's website is promptly bookmarked.
• Brain Quest books are bought en masse at Costco. Crayons fill the kids room. Toys make way for the easel and the writing board.
• Education alone isn't enough these days- or so goes the talk at the kid's school. So a checklist is made- martial arts, musical instrument, art and soccer. Swimming is assumed as a default requirement.
• Oops, time for the next kid.
• Rinse, lather, repeat.

The kids turn out OK. Life turns out OK. Bay Area turns out OK. What if....