Authentic & credible

Your well-written cover story ‘Coping with single parenting’ (PW July) celebrates the resilience of single parents while acknowledging their emotional, financial and social challenges.

The inclusion of expert insights from psychologists, real-life experiences of single parents, and practical coping strategies makes the story authentic and credible. Particularly valuable is its emphasis on parental self-care, emotional healing and the importance of building strong support networks. It challenges social stereotypes about single parenting and reinforces that providing a nurturing home environment can go a long way in raising confident, well-adjusted children.

Susan Thomas

Kochi

Insightful advice

Dr. Swati Popat Vats’ guest column ‘Falling to Stand Tall: Why Our Children Need ‘Risky’ and ‘Destructive’ Play’ (PW July) is a must-read for parents, educators and caregivers.

Drawing on child development research, Dr. Vats makes a compelling case for allowing children to engage in age-appropriate risky play as essential to healthy growth and development. At a time when children’s lives are becoming increasingly structured, supervised and risk-averse, this insightful essay encourages parents and educators to give children the freedom to explore, experiment and learn from manageable risks.

Sreyoshi Dey

Chandigarh

Timely & inspiring

Your Early Childhood feature ‘Teaching Empathy: The Power of Mirror Neurons’ (PW July) succinctly explains why empathy is one of the most critical life skills children need to develop and how it can be nurtured through positive role modelling, meaningful interactions and emotional awareness.

The author has explained the science of mirror neurons in simple, engaging language, effectively bridging neuroscience with everyday parenting and classroom practices. In an age of increasing digital isolation and social challenges, its emphasis on cultivating compassion and emotional intelligence in children is inspiring.

Priya Shenoy

Mysuru

Refreshingly different

Your Leisure & Travel column (PW July) is refreshingly different. ‘Journey to the Stars: India’s Best Astronomy and Space Science Centres’ is an inspiring guide to a carefully curated selection of the country’s most fascinating observatories, planetariums and space science centres.

I especially appreciated its emphasis on experiential learning. It encourages parents and educators to take learning beyond textbooks and classrooms by providing children opportunities for hands-on exploration that could spark a lifelong interest in STEM disciplines. Lucidly written and richly informative, Punita Malhotra’s feature is an excellent resource for families looking to combine travel with learning.

Shivraj Mathur

Delhi

Practical safety tips

Your Special Essay feature ‘Baby Slings: Benefits, Risks and Safe Use’ (PW July) was timely and informative.

It details how baby slings can promote parent-infant bonding, provide comfort, support breastfeeding and allow caregivers greater mobility, while also highlighting the importance of correct positioning and safe practices.

Combining scientific research with easy-to-follow recommendations, it empowers parents to make informed choices without creating unnecessary anxiety. Its practical safety tips are especially valuable for first-time parents like us, who are constantly seeking reliable guidance amid a flood of conflicting advice.

Koel Mullick

Bengaluru

Healthy eating habits emphasis

I enjoyed reading the Ask Your Doctor column ‘Managing Common Digestive Problems of Children’ (PW July). Paediatrician Dr. Tarun Singh does a good job of explaining problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion and abdominal discomfort, helping parents distinguish between minor ailments and symptoms that require medical attention. I especially appreciate his emphasis on developing children’s healthy eating habits, hydration, and hygiene.

Ayesha Baig

Hyderabad