Hers was a typical upper crust family living in a plush neighbourhood, with typical upper middle-class biases. Because they had been posted abroad a few times, they considered themselves more Angrez than Hindustani. They spoke to each other only in English. Their maids were made to wear stiff nursy uniforms. They ate Continental food, […]
The recent rape of a 11-year-old girl child in a school in Delhi allegedly by senior students, has outraged and shaken the confidence of the community of parents countrywide.
But while sexual safety awareness, personal safety videos and guidelines can help, they need to be supplemented by parental vigilance and guidance.
There was once a lady — simple and straightforward — who thought good and did good without contemplating twice about it. When their guru visited them, she asked him how she could better herself. “Prayer is the most important form of worship,” he pontificated. “You must offer benediction to the Creator daily without fail.”
My six-year-old is usually reluctant to attend school. He doesn’t tell me why. He looks scared at times when I ask him why he doesn’t want to go. I fear his teachers are being too harsh on him. What do I do?
Such behaviour could be related to classroom problems with teachers, students, bullies, or […]
Rainbow-coloured butterflies flying brilliant blue skies, flitting on the wall. Flowered pillows resting on pastel bedsheets. Children’s room decor can be pleasing, with a plethora of options to choose from. And it can be expensive.
Instead with some imagination, you and your kids can create your own decor to match any mall display. Not […]
“Will these children ever stop arguing?” you groan for the umpteenth time. Just face it. You can’t eliminate sibling rivalries altogether. But you can get them to work for you. Try these ideas:
1. Use their competitive spirit. Organise a contest to see who can make their play area/ room the tidiest in half an hour. […]
Most families are busy juggling school work, office work, household chores, extra-curricular activities, social life, and myriad little things that make daily schedules a hard grind.
It’s easy to spot a room that needs decluttering, but terribly hard to admit that our lives need decluttering too. But once you start, you might discover […]
There was once a gori chokri who despised everything dark to such an extent that she refused to step out at night and slept with the lights on. She hated ravens and crows because of their colour and even decided to mehendi her hair a bright orange to hide its rosewood hue.
My son is seven. and eats sweets and chocolates almost every day. His grandparents keep buying him soft drinks and confectionery. I have repeatedly explained the dangers of such indulgence but they take my words with a pinch of salt. Should I worry about my son’s teeth? – M.P, Chennai
Definitely. Children can experience tooth decay […]
Several studies show that during the past 20 years, the number of children wearing spectacles has doubled. A chat with Dr. Isai Mitra, ophthalmologist of the I Center, Chennai, who specialises in child ophthalmology is likley to be an ‘eye-opener’ for parents.
How should parents as certain if their chidren need glasses?
A child will […]
All knowledgeable parents try to keep children away from junk food, fizzy drinks and unhealthy lifestyles. But in the busy whirl of daily life, when popping a pack of biscuits into a snack box is much easier than packing chopped fruits, it’s easy to lose sight of these ideals.
Setting aside time to go to the gym, or signing children up for sports and games training may not fit into your schedule through the year. But a family exercising together could work.
Instead of figuring out when to leave the family and hit the gym, you can have your kids urging you to work out […]
Hey kids! It’s me your mate, cli’mate’!
You seem surprised. Don’t you know me? Well, if you don’t, let me introduce myself. I am climate. But, I’m pretty sad these days. I’m losing friends and that’s what’s making me sad.
I think I mustn’t leave you wondering what I am and what’s changing me. […]
“We spend a bundle year after year on birthday celebrations with school friends which seem so meaningless, as children have become accustomed to such birthday celebrations. I want to break out of this routine but it’s hard to do, as it is socially expected.” M.R, Kolkata
Yes, birthdays parties can become repetitive with the type of […]
Rainbow colours streaming in through your window, tinkling chimes. Sounds good? Get your children excited about it, and work on making it happen. Moreover, working on a craft project for your home is great for family bonding.
Materials needed
• Cardboard —1 sheet
• Cellophane/metallic paper — 5 sheets in different colours
• Black chart […]
Remember the close friends who stood by you through thick and thin? Your children need such friends too!
In times when children are separated from family, they will need precious friends who can give them good advice and moral support.
While such friendships grow over the years, you can do your bit to develop them. […]
Dear Parent,
The recent earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria highlight the precarious preciousness of life. But the natural instinct is to shield children from such tragedies.
Yet while it’s prudent not to expose them to gory images in the media, it’s not necessary to over-protect children from learning about the realities of life.
“I was always a topper in my school. I had my notes picture perfect and I was a model student. But my daughter is just the opposite — incomplete notes, complaints of daydreaming from her teachers and total disinterest in academic study. She doesn’t like extra curricular activities either. Every evening, homework time becomes […]
You learn something new everyday. It’s now commonly accepted that learning happens 24×7. It’s a continuum that starts from the womb and never stops. It’s happening right now, as you read this article!
The key to learning something new everyday is to redefine learning. Everything we see, every new experience, each new book, every movie […]
It’s not unusual to meet youngsters unwilling to conform with formal schooling systems. A growing number of smart and savvy students are disillusioned with the annual scramble for marks and grades, and rebel against the system in differing ways.
Recently I met a class X teen who refused to write his exams, although he […]
Nurturing your child to love (English) language and become an effective communicator is one of the best gifts you could bestow upon her. Strong linguistic skills are an asset and the passport to success in academics, higher education and workplaces. Here are some simple tips to develop your child’s communication skills.
Hello Parents! Heard enough about quality time? Forget psychologists and educationists who cry themselves hoarse about how children need quality time. If you are an average busy stressed-out parent, it will help you to learn that investing quality time in your children will benefit you just as much as them. Perhaps this is a good […]
Fortunately, science is not just about high marks and entrance exams. Though the subject is associated with toppers, medicine and engineering, its breadth is so wide that most children are enthralled by it. If your child gets hooked to the magic of science, she could be studying marine life in the Maldives, conducting research to […]
Dear Parent,
What’s your pain point? Latchkey kids? No family dinners? More time at playschool/daycare? Some lament these issues. Others dismiss them as inevitable. Some frown at lifestyle choices of parents. And parents try to ignore critics, or justify their choices.
Like it or not, urban realities are here to stay. Long distance or broken marriages. […]
Looking for family weekend ideas that you and your children will enjoy? Children may not share your enthusiasm for Scrabble, but they will definitely enjoy a good movie.
Create a ʻmovie timeʼ weekend once a month, distinctly different from watching the telly daily. This can be a starting point for conversations about the issues highlighted […]
There was once an angel, beautiful beyond compare, with teeth like white marble, hair like black coal, eyes a deerlike amber, skin the colour of honey and wings of shimmering gold. She was so wondrous to behold that all who saw her fell in love with her.
Restaurants serving multinational cuisine are sprouting countrywide. They help your family savour foreign delicacies in your own city. It’s a good way to wean kids off junk food and fast food joints. Here are international cuisines you could try at home, writes Anitha Bennet
Fajita
A Fajita is a staple of Mexican menus. Typically it consists […]
Do you know a child who wants to learn but can’t afford school? Or a child who has a hard time doing her homework because her parents are illiterate? Your family could help such children! It’s a good way to teach your children the joy of helping others.
Hello Parents!
I recently met a mother who is waging regular battles with her daughter. Her 14-year old daughter wants to go out with friends, hang out at malls and visit friends, like most teenagers.
But given the deteriorating law and order situation countrywide, her parents refuse to allow her to go anywhere unaccompanied. Her […]
Once, there was a little boy who roamed the streets of the city, because he didn’t have a roof over his head. He had no idea what his name was or who his parents were. If he was lucky, someone threw him a stale vada pao or a half-drunk bottle of Coke. But most nights, […]
According to 2010 survey of ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry), urban children (aged 6-17) are spending an average of five hours per day watching television. The survey covered major Indian cities in which 52 percent of children had a television in their own rooms.
The survey warned that excessive television viewing prompts aggressive, anti-social […]
Once, a long while ago — perhaps in a previous life — I found myself abducted by aliens and taken to their spaceship. After the initial fear, we started chatting. Needless to say, I was full of questions. Since I was a UFO tracker and a sci-fi buff, I wanted to know how the […]
In a room full of eight-year-olds, everyone’s busy talking to each other. But suddenly, Shiva leaves to talk to ‘SuperKid,’ an imaginary friend who is waiting to take him on a space adventure. Shiva feels compelled to explain to Superkid why he can’t join him on his adventure right now, but will do later […]
Once upon a time there was a girl so greedy, she wanted everything. She asked the Source for more and more and the Source, like an indulgent parent, gave her all she desired and said with a smile, “And when will you be satisfied?” Dimpling, the lass coquettishly replied, “I’ll let […]
Draw this duck, following the steps, and colour it.
Brainteasers
The 3 x 3 grid has three missing letters. Guess them so that each row and each column has a complete word.
Fill in the missing boxes so that every row and every column adds to 15. You can only use numbers from 1 to 9. And […]
Teaching children to recycle objects and materials is a great way to encourage them to adopt an environment friendly lifestyle.
Here’s a DIY activity recycling old newspapers and magazines to craft a pen stand and/or flower vase.
Entrepreneurship education is the new subject of Indian K-12 education. Several progressive schools across the country are offering programmes in entrepreneurship development, including the Delhi state government which has recently launched an ‘Entrepreneurship mindset curriculum’ in all its public schools. The objective: to develop children’s entrepreneurship skills including communication, risk-taking, networking, critical and creative […]
There was a time, long ago, when my cup of joy spilt over. But there was a nameless hole in my heart the size of a fist, growing bigger, darker and deeper with every passing day.
I read the holy books of many faiths. I visited sacred sites and sat at the feet of […]
A family that exercises together usually brims with energy and enthusiasm. Having fun and remaining healthy happens automatically. Helping your family remain active is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Do it together
Turn activity sessions into workout capsules for the family. Encourage children to join you in simple cardio exercises like jumps and […]
[embed]https://youtu.be/T8zpdfot4w4[/embed] Dr. Anunaya Chaubey, Provost of Anant National University, is a distinguished academician, artist, and thought leader in education. His artworks explore the mystery of .....Read More
Mita Mukherjee Bringing a big setback to the Mamata Banerjee government in Bengal, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the Calcutta High Court’s decision to .....Read More
