Yessy Riana Sutiyoso shares her happiness with Aulia R. Sungkar about her four-year-old only child Martasha Savira.
Met by Tatler Bambini at her school, Martasha (Tasha) and her mother are seen playing a simple rhythmic of gamelan, leaving an impression of likeness between mother and daughter.
“I can play a bit of Ampar-Ampar Pisang. My mother teaches me how to play the melody with gamelan,” Tasha exclaims in delight. “She can sing the whole song along with other regional songs like Suwe Ora Jamu, Yamko Rambe Yamko and Apuse,” her mother adds.
The closeness between Tasha and her mother has left a kind of mother-daughter relationship where Tasha not only takes her mother as her role model, but when asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Tasha quickly responds,” My mother!”
The answer sounds rather flat, even for children her age whose dreams of being in the professional fields such as being doctor and writer. However, the only child of Yessy Riana Sutiyoso and Yogie Sandi Nugraha has her own reason of why she wants to be like her mother.
“I want to be like Bunda (literary means mother). She is a devoted mother and I’m mesmerized of how she cares about me. Even with my friends, she always shows the mother’s care attitude,” Tasha amazes. “More importantly, my mother often accompanies me at school.”
Notwithstanding her activities in running her school, Planet Kidz Preschool, and children party organizer, Plangi Kidz; Yessy considers herself as a full-time mother since her daily activities are mostly spent with the presence of Tasha around. “I’m focusing on spreading my wings into education business without having to abandon my role as a mother.”
For Tasha, being around with friends in addition to the presence of her mother at school without doubt creates a convivial mood. But when asked what made her like about her school, the only grandchild of former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso replies, “toys, friends and books!”
Tasha represents a figure of most toddlers where she likes exploring objects that surround her by playing. So, being among friends are of great importance for little Tasha who likes to eat variety of food; from Japanese and Italian to Indonesian food of Tempe and Tofu.
While showing a bunch of toys, Tasha says that it is hard to tell her preference since she has so many toys she likes to play with. Raising her arms with utter joy, the little cute Tasha exclaims in delight, “There are lots of toys that make me keen on staying at school. Barbie dolls are among my favourites. But I also like my toy cars as these cars keep me happy and occupied when driving them.”
With an avuncular smile, Tasha energetically points at a yellow school bus design. Having the size as big as a real small bus, it’s actually a library at Planet Kidz Preschool. “Let’s go in! You will find a new world here,” she says excitingly while showing an array of children’s books from comic to children’s encyclopedia.
“My daughter likes to read comics of Barney and Winnie the Pooh. And as for the encyclopedia, Little Einsteins is her favourite,” says the mother Yessy, who has been implanted a love of reading to Tasha in both Bahasa Indonesia and English. “I regularly take her to bookstores. Tasha especially likes Kinokuniya and Aksara as they have great choices of children’s books.”
While listening to her mother, Tasha adds, “I love science and like to play games in computer. In addition, I now enjoy playing tennis and cooking using my Nintendo Wii at home.”
Adores the colours of pink and red, Tasha prefers to dress in a flowery pattern. Allure Kids is what she treasures most. As well, she is into other fashion labels like Zara and Burberry.
Despite enjoying going to malls, Tasha says that nothing is better than visiting her grandparents’ (Mr. and Mrs. Sutiyoso) house in Cibubur. “Eyang Kung (grandpa) and Eyang Putri (grandma) has many pets; from the little fish to monkey and big kangaroo. I have been to Kidzania and Lollypop, but I’d rather play ‘flying fox’ at Eyang Kung’s garden in Bogor.”
Grinning with happiness, the heartfelt Tasha introduces her two pet rabbits, of which she named Bil-bil and Bel-bel. “The one with lots of hair is Bil-Bil.”
Both Yessy and Tasha have the same birthday, June 8. Also, the two like to fill their spare time playing badminton, swimming and travelling. Likewise, Yessy has for a number of times taken Tasha to holiday destinations such as Istanbul (Turkey), Hong Kong, Tokyo (Japan) and California.
“I once took her to Umroh in Mecca when she was three years old,” Yessy says. “But I like Tokyo Disneyland best!” Tasha adds.
Childhood is the best moment and parents should not spoil such a beautiful time. Yessy raises her concern of the ongoing phenomenon whereby many parents of toddlers still push their children into enforcing strict discipline in the learning process.
“All parents want their children to fulfill their learning potential, however, they should realize children in general – particularly toddlers – do not like to study despite the fact that it is necessary for their education.”
Even though Yessy puts education at the forefront in raising Tasha, Yessy doesn’t want to put her expectation too high on Tasha. “I just wish that my daughter, regardless of her future career, can grow up to be mature, wise and able to solve her own problems when embarking on her independent life.”
Published in Tatler Bambini, special edition, January 2009.
Photos by Han.
