We asked moms about their experiences and how they cope with that "taken for granted" feeling…

Taken For Granted? No Siree!

Suprava Pattnaik, a Kharagpur based homemaker says, "I believe that you can be taken for granted if you allow it to happen, and no, I don't allow that to happen in my home."

But how does she do it?

"I make sure I assert myself in everything that I want and need from my kids. If I don't get it, I will resort to the rod as well," she says.

Consequently, her kids know that where they can get all her love, they can get all her wrath as well!

We say: Nowadays, resorting to the rod is not a very good idea. Make sure you talk to your child about your feelings and help her understand rather than punishing her.

Starting Early

"I don't give myself or my kids a chance to take me for granted," says Hema Kappat, a homemaker.

From a very young age, she made her kids do all the household chores without fail. In effect, her kids imbibed a sense of responsibility from a very early stage.

"They have never once questioned me about their chores, because it was so much a part of their daily work schedule," she continues.

In fact, this kind of discipline also reflected in her kids' all round behaviour. "They are good kids," she smiles, "I am proud of them."

Her Advice: Start early! Imbibe these habits in your child from an earliest stage and don't compromise on them. Remember, if you sow healthy habits, you will reap healthy behaviour.

Taking Everything in My Stride

How many of you are the kind that would get hurt but not wince one bit? Sybil Samson is one such mother.

She says, "I know my kids sometimes take me for granted. Sometimes they fail to acknowledge my presence. But, they are MY kids, after all. If I don't pamper them who will?"

However, she does admit that sometimes she complains and mopes.

"Yes, I do complain and tell them, 'you take me for granted,' and 'you will not understand how I feel until you will be a mother yourself,' but my kids know that I love them very much and can do anything for them."

More often than not, if they know that she is upset, they come and apologise to her, and it's a happy reunion!