ParentsWorld February 2023 Archives

Pregnancy tracking & baby apps

There’s no shortage of apps offering advice starting from coping with pregnancy, practical tips on childbirth and breastfeeding to expert guidance on child development. PW recommends the three best Mylo With over 1 million downloads, constant updates, and five-star ratings, Mylo top scores as the lion king of parenting apps. It offers free child diet charts and vaccination trackers, lists and reminders, complimentary doctor’s advice, diet plans for lactating mothers, and child growth tracking. In addition, there are lullabies and bedtime stories, facility to document pregnancy and after birth milestones. Moreover the app’s parents support group (India) recommends best pregnancy, and mother-baby shopping products, and local paediatricians. Other services on offer include Baby Name Finder, Growth Chart and Due Date Calculator. Most importantly, all content and services are customised for the Indian context. BabyG This app enables parents to monitor children’s growth and development milestones. It offers a detailed Growth Milestone Report, Daily Tracker, meal plans and bedtime stories. Moreover it provides information on ‘development activities’ parents can undertake to enable children to maximise their early years growth potential. BabyG won the Best Hidden Gems App, 2022 award of Google Play, India. Since its launch in August 2021, the app has attracted 200,000 users. Pregnancy+ This tracking app provides week-to-week reports of foetal growth and development. It provides 3D model renderings of the foetus, allowing you to zoom in to view details and sends you useful reports every day based on how far you are advanced in your pregnancy. It also enables you to plan and track hospital visits, hospital bag lists and birth plan, and offers practical advice on breastfeeding and postnatal exercises. Moreover you can personalize your pregnancy tracking and allow your partner or other loved ones to monitor your progress by downloading the app.

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Tarotscopes: Forecast for July 15-August 15

TAROTSCOPES Forecast for February 15th-March 15th

Chandana Chavan is a Bangalore-based tarot card reader with over 15 years of experience and special interest in parenting. Instagram:@mystic.muse.tarot

Forecast for February 15- March 15

Aries: The Empress
Your child is goal oriented when preparing for class/board exams. Continue to provide her full support and dispel any self-doubt she has over her capability. She will top […]

Leisure & Travel

The other side of Dubai

Contemporary UAE is one the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations. It offers visitors sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment Contrary to popular opinion, Dubai (pop. 3.55 million), a shopaholic’s delight, is not a country but a constituent state of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A federation of seven princedoms sited in the south-eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, UAE is bordered by the Persian Gulf to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east. With an aggregate population of 10 million, it comprises Abu Dhabi (Abu Zaby), Ajman, Dubai, Al Fujayrah, Ras al Khaymah, Ash Shariqah aka Sharjah, and Umm al Qaywayn and sprawls over an area of 83,600 sq km including 1,300 km of coastline. In a country where expatriates outnumber natives, English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu and Persian are as widely spoken as Arabic, the official language. Though Islam is the official religion, UAE’s constitution guarantees religious freedom to all, and the toll of church and temple bells mingle with the call to prayer of muzzeins. The emirates don’t offer much in terms of surviving historical or heritage monuments. Some historical ruins of UAE — Rumeilah near Al Ain, Al Madam, Al Thuqaibah, Qarn Bint Saud and Hili indicate that the region was inhabited by nomadic tribes circa 1000-300 BCE. Recorded history however is available only for the past two-three centuries. Christened the Trucial States, they were placed under British protection in 1892. In 1952 the Trucial Council, comprising rulers of seven sheikhdoms was established with the objective of adopting common administrative, economic and development policies. This council later evolved into a federation of emirates. The discovery of crude oil and petroleum reserves in 1958 beneath the coastal waters of Abu Dhabi — the largest sheikdom of UAE — transformed the landscape and socio-economic profile of the country. Commercial exploitation of crude oil began in 1962, ushering in unprecedented prosperity in the region. In January 1968, Britain announced its intention of withdrawing British military forces from the area by 1971. In March 1968 the Trucial States teamed with neighbouring Bahrain and Qatar to form the Federation of Arab Emirates. The intention was to create a federation to encompass the entire gulf region. But the interests of Bahrain and Qatar provd to be incompatible with those of the smaller sheikhdoms, and both seceded from the Federation in August 1971 to become separate independent nations. In July 1971 representatives of six Trucial States (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman and Fujairah) wrote a federal Constitution and formed the United Arab Emirates, and terminated the federation’s special treaty with the UK. Thus, UAE became independent on December 2, 1971. The last sheikhdom, Ras al-Khaimah, joined the United Arab Emirates in February 1972. Today UAE is one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations. The country offers visitors sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants,…

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Egg-citing meals

Rich in several vitamins, minerals and proteins, eggs are easy to cook. Here are three egg recipes that your family will enjoy writes Ramiya Sakthivel Egg Biriyani (4 servings) Ingredients • 2 cups soaked basmati rice • 6 large eggs • 1 onion • 10 green chillies • 1 bay leaf • 4 cloves • ½ tsp peppercorns • 1 inch cinnamon • 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste • 1 tsp pulao masala • 2 tbsp oil • Salt Preparation • Boil and shell four of the six eggs. • Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add whole spices. • After a few seconds, add onion, green chillies and ginger garlic paste. Fry until they turn light brown, stirring continuously. • Break two eggs and add into the pan and scramble. Add salt. • Add the drained rice and fry for a minute. • Now add boiled eggs and pour four cups of water. • Cover and cook until the rice is half done. • Add in the pulao masala and lemon juice and mix gently. • Cover and cook until the rice is done. • Garnish with coriander and serve hot. Egg paratha roll (3 servings) Ingredients • 2 onions • 1 tomato • ¼ tsp chilli powder • ½ tsp chaat masala • 1 tsp tomato ketchp • ½ capsicum • 2 spring onions • 1 carrot • 4 eggs • 2 cups whole wheat flour • 6 tsp oil • 2 tsp ghee • Salt (to taste) Preparation guide For the filling • Chop spring onions, carrot and capsicum into small pieces. • Cut onions and tomato. Set aside. • Mix salt in water. Add eggs and beat well. • Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan, and fry onions and tomatoes. Add the egg mix and scramble until cooked. • Separately, fry spring onions, capsicum and carrot with chilli powder. • After cooked, mix with the egg mixture, add chaat masala and ketchup. Set aside. For the parathas • Mix flour with water to make a soft dough. • Roll out parathas and cook them on a pan. Before removing, add egg filling, roll well, and serve with a dollop of ghee. Egg cube gravy (3 servings) Ingredients • 3 eggs • 2 onions • 2 tomatoes • 1 sprig coriander leaves • 1 tsp jeera powder • 1 green chilli • ½ tsp chilli powder • 1 tsp garam masala • 1 inch coconut piece • 1 tsp cream • Salt Preparation guide • Beat eggs, add salt and pour into a metal bowl. Place the bowl in a bigger saucepan filled with a little water. • Cover and steam on medium heat. Once done, remove and cut cooked eggs into cubes. • Cut coconut into small pieces. Set aside. • Fry onions until brown, then add tomatoes. Add coriander leaves, green chilli, garam masala, chilli powder and jeera powder. • Cool the mix and blend in a mixer, together with coconut pieces. Grind…

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Cli’mate’ Corner

Nishant Saxena 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. So, let me first tell you what’s climate and what’s making it change. Because unless you know me, how can you be my friend? Weather or climate? To understand me, you should first understand my cousin, weather. You may think we are one and the same, but weather and climate are two different species! While weather is about short-term changes in the atmosphere, climate is about how the weather is in a particular region, spread over a year or more. For instance, if it’s too hot outside, then that’s the weather in your city. For instance rain, cold, wind, snow, cyclone, etc, are all-weather events. Now ask yourself what’s the weather in your city these days. Is it the same as last year this month and in this month in the previous year as well? If yes, then that’s the climate of your state or region. In simple terms, climate is a pattern of weather that repeats over a long time, years and even centuries. For example, a desert usually has a dry climate because it doesn’t rain much there. But when it rains, it’s just a weather event. The climate of that region is dry. Climate change Now that you know the difference between climate and weather, Let’s discuss climate change, a big issue these days. Well, climate change means a change in usual weather patterns — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region for several years. For example, the annual mean temperature in India has increased by 1.2℃ from what it was 100 years ago. That’s climate change. But climate change is not just impacting India. It is impacting the entire Planet Earth. The earth’s temperature is rising, changing usual weather conditions around the world. Summers are getting warmer, winters colder; it’s either raining too much or not at all. Sea levels are rising and the mountain snows are melting too fast. This warming of the earth is changing usual global weather patterns and global climate. Global warming From this you can well imagine, warming of the earth has been changing me. But first why is the earth warming and making weather conditions worldwide unpredictable. But before that, let me ask you a trick question. What does a blanket do? You got it right. It helps us remain warm when it’s cold. Similarly, the Planet Earth would have been a ball of ice had it not been surrounded by a blanket of gases, which keeps it warm and comfortable. But just as you don’t like too many blankets because it would make you sweaty and uncomfortable, Planet Earth also doesn’t like it if the blankets of gases becomes too thick.…

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“Iʼm tired of birthday parties…”

“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 celebrations that your children’s friends expect. Yet every birthday can become a special milestone to celebrate the joy of having this child in your life. Talk to her about making each birthday extra special and meaningful by doing something different. Here are some ways to break out of the monotony of the routine birthday party. 1. Plan an initiative that will introduce your family to a new activity. It could be trekking, outdoor camping or a new adventure sport. 2. Invite a handful of old friends or relatives whom you rarely meet, to a lakeside picnic. 3. Plan a day of activities at an orphanage or old people’s home where your family can mingle with residents. 4. Gift your child a membership to a new skill development class of her choice, and spend the day exploring the skill by making a visit to a connected place. Staging a meaningful birthday • Don’t let the stereotype cake-and-balloons party or school celebration take the zing out of your child’s birthday. • Focus on making her feel loved and treasured. Make a card appreciating your child’s good habits, lovable traits and laudable activities. Spend time talking about the joy you felt on the day she was born, and reminisce about her first schoolfriends. • Start a yearly folder containing photos and objects that made the past year memorable. It can include craftwork, pictures, positive remarks made in a school test paper, or pictures taken at a summer camp. • Make and decorate cupcakes or cakes with your child to share in school. It will be an extra-special treat because you made them!

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Bonding over craft: Rainbow chimes

Anitha Bennett 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 paper —1 sheet • A few tiny bells or the jingles found in anklets • Scissors, punching machine, paints, brushes • Thin satin ribbon, stapler, glue How to make a circle 1. Cut two circles of 3 cm diameter from cardboard. 2. Carefully cut an inner circle of 2 cm diameter from each of the cardboard circles. You now have two cardboard circles resembling bangles. 3. You could use saucers and bangles to draw and cut the inner and outer circles. 4. Cut one circle of 3 cm diameter from cellophane paper. 5. Next, make a small paper cut-out of a heart or star from black chart paper. 6. Stick the heart to the centre of the cellophane. 7. Sandwich the cellophane paper between the two cardboard cut-outs using glue and stapler. You now get a lovely circle with glass paper and a shape in the middle. Assembling the glass chime 1. Make five circles using different colours of cellophane paper. 2. Paint cardboard circles in vibrant colours, preferably colours in contrast to the colour of the cellophane paper inside. 3. Punch holes in top and bottom of cardboard glass circle and attach the circles one below the other with bits of satin ribbon. 4. Loop a few tiny bells through the punched bottom hole of the last circle. 5. Loop a long satin ribbon through the punched top hole of the first circle and hang it near the sunniest window of the house. Alternately, draw and cut curves in different colours, attach the edges with craft glue, and make a single rainbow like the one in the picture. Hang a few tiny bells so that they gently tap each other in the breeze. As sunlight streams through your glass chime, your room will have coloured light all around.

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Nurturing friendships that last

Cynthia John 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. When your child has a ‘bestie,’ give them opportunities to do things together, like sports or dance classes. A dependable, responsible friend can keep your child out of trouble or provide useful help and advice in a moment of crisis — which you may not be able to do! Occasionally, encourage a sleepover with lots of late night chatting and secrets. Night-time bonding helps them to open up and share experiences and confidences. Much as you may believe that you should be your child’s first confidante, the relationship is likely to diminish with the passage of time. Therefore value your child’s friendships as you value your own!

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Heart to Heart

Cynthia John 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. In a world of rising consumerism and self-centredness, exposure to tragedies can help children understand and appreciate the value of life, family and what they have. Watching or reading reports of children who have lost parents, and people who have lost their homes can help children value creature comforts they usually take for granted. Moreover, discussing such issues within the family helps them to develop values such as compassion, sharing and sacrifice. En famille, you could plan to contribute in cash and kind to people who’ve suffered loss of life and property. Similarly, when painful diseases and death afflict our near and dear ones, talking about it helps children to respect and love elders who have a short lease of life. Of course, every parent wants her child to feel safe and secure. But making them aware of the joys and tragedies of life supplemented with reassurances, will help your children appreciate the comfort and security of home and family and prepare them to cope with the inevitable slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. On the other hand as parents while we appreciate the value of our children’s lives, we can also learn to cherish the moments we spend with our precious progeny. It’s a lesson parents need to learn as much as children do.

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Keep it real with VERISIMILITUDE

Roopa Banerjee When we watch a realistic film, we laud it as a ‘slice of life’ movie while recommending it to friends. The same is true for books that faithfully portray life as it is. Writers use verisimilitude to create the real-life effect. Verisimilitude is defined as being real or near to truth. It is used in fiction writing to create authenticity and credibility through various strategems, such as realistic dialogue, descriptive language, and plausible events. The word originates from the Latin versus, meaning like or toward, and similis, meaning similar. One of the key elements of verisimilitude is the use of realistic dialogue. For a story to be believable, the characters must speak in a manner that is consistent with their personalities, backgrounds, and setting of the story. It should also be in sync with their education, social status, and regional or cultural dialects. Another distinctive feature of verisimilitude is the use of descriptive language. This involves using specific and detailed language to paint a vivid picture of the story’s setting, characters, and events, to create a sense of immersion and real-life feeling for readers. Verisimilitude also involves creating a story that is plausible and believable. For example, if a character is able to fly, there should be a logical explanation for this supernatural ability, rather than simply presenting it as magical power. There are abundant examples of verisimilitude in literature. In To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee uses realistic dialogue and detailed descriptions of the characters and story setting to make it authentic. For instance the protagonist Atticus Finch speaks in a way that is consistent with his background as a lawyer, and the detailed descriptions of the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, creates a vivid setting. Similarly, in the short story A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner, the author uses plausible sequence of events to create a sense of reality. The story is told by an unnamed narrator who speaks in a way that is congruent with the era and setting of the story. Movies too have used verisimilitude over the years to provide as near real-life experiences to viewers. For instance The Shawshank Redemption uses realistic dialogue to create authenticity. The protagonist Andy Dufresne speaks the language of a finance executive, and the descriptions of the prison and surroundings create a convincing and immersive backdrop. The movie Gran Torino also uses true-to-life dialogue and events to make the story credible. The main character Walt Kowalski is believable as a Korean War veteran, and the action, while somewhat extreme, is presented credibly. Verisimilitude is an invaluable device to create cinema realism. Although clubbed as art films in India in the early 70s, realistic films came into their own with filmmakers such as Gulzar and Hrishikesh Mukherjee pioneering the use of verisimilitude in Hindi films. However it’s important to note that verisimilitude is not about portraying absolute reality, but the reality of the world as created in a book or film. When we say, “That wasn’t…

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Exciting opportunities in medical tourism

India’s post-liberalisation state-of-the-art hospitals, well-qualified doctors and low medical charges are attracting a rising number of patients from developed countries with ageing populations With the costs of medical care particularly surgical procedures, having soared beyond middle class affordability, and waiting lists in public hospitals in developed OECD countries becoming longer, medical tourism has emerged as a new high-potential business in India with even the Union tourism ministry pitching India as a global health destination in a big way. Currently an estimated 400,000-800,000 medical tourists from over 78 countries are treated in hospitals across India every year. This country’s post-liberalisation state-of-the-art hospitals, well-qualified doctors, lower medical costs, and shorter waiting periods for surgeries are attracting a rising number of patients from developed nations with ageing populations. Informed estimates indicate that healthcare tourism will rake in over $13 billion (Rs.106,600 crore) annually by 2026. Naturally a large number of career opportunities has become available in this booming industry. India’s upmarket, fully-equipped and efficient corporate hospitals offer high-quality affordable healthcare facilities to medical tourists. Among them are the Apollo Group of hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Wockhardt International Group, Medanta Medicity, and Asian Health Assist Worldwide (an affiliate of the Asian Heart Institute). Healthcare professionals believe India’s medical tourism market is growing by 25-30 percent per annum and is set to generate 40 million new jobs in the next few years. Therefore exciting career opportunities in medical marketing services, public relations, international insurance, travel and tourism, logistics management and hospital administration have become available to youth interested in this non-traditional career. With the exponential growth of medical tourism as a business in its own right, almost all large-scale healthcare corporates and private sector hospitals have tied up with travel firms, airlines, hotels, car rentals, ayurvedic spas etc to offer customised healthcare-cum-leisure travel packages to medical tourists. This has led to rising demand for spa therapists and managers, public relations personnel, travel advisors, insurance facilitators, interpreters, chefs and tour planners, with internationalisation options. STUDY PROGRAMMES. As yet there aren’t any specialised study programmes in medical tourism per se. However professionals with marketing, PR, travel and tourism qualifications are highly valued by healthcare companies and hospital chains. While a postgraduate programme with medical tourism as an elective is as yet a distant possibility, several institutes offer Masters programmes in healthcare, hospital administration and diplomas in travel and tourism which are accepted qualifications. Among institutes offering MBA in hospital administration are • Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai • Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapally (M.Sc in healthcare and hospital administration) • Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai (MBA in health management). For MBA diplomas in travel, tourism and aircargo management, among the best educators are • Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, New Delhi • Kerala Institute of Tourism & Travel Studies (KITTS), Thiruvananthapuram • Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior • Pondicherry University REMUNERATION PROSPECTS. Being a sunrise industry, career progression is fast and remuneration packages are well above industry average. Medically qualified professionals who perform life-saving…

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Replace digital screen focus with other activities

Parents need to make efforts to wean children off digital devices by engaging them in non-tech activities writes Mini P The time children expend staring at digital devices such as smartphones, desktop computers and laptops has increased dramatically after the Covid pandemic. According to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, children’s on screen time spiked by 52 percent between 2020 and 2022. Time expended on handheld devices and personal computers was highest for children aged 12-18 years. The outcome of digital addiction is that a rising number of children are reporting physical and psychological disorders. Therefore, parents need to make efforts to wean children off digital devices by engaging them in non-tech activities. Some suggestions: Physical activity Apart from the obvious option of enrolling children in organised sports and fitness classes, here are some at-home activities that parents can introduce. • Clay. Playing with clay improves children’s fine motor skills. Keep a cardboard/plastic box to store clay and encourage children to play and mould it into varying shapes and designs. • Trampoline. Install a mini trampoline at home. It’s a safe and excellent physical activity for children. • Swing. If you have a garden or large verandah, you could hang a swing for children to use. • Music. Set a daily hour for children to sing and/or dance to their favourite music. Excellent for fitness. • Basketball. A basketball basket can be fixed in the garden or a spare/store room. Also purchase some tennikoit rings for young children to play. • Sand and slime. Coloured squishy sand and slime provide sensory stimuli and improve hand muscle movement. Purchase non-toxic sand and slime and encourage children to play with it. However, ensure children wash hands after play. • Fidget toys. Keep fidget toys such as a sand timer, pop-it or fidget spinner at home. These are stress relievers for children. Calming children • Gift your child soft toys. Encourage her to talk to them and express herself: “You can hug your teddy when you feel happy,” or “You can tell your unicorn why you are angry.” • Encourage gardening. It’s a nature-friendly and soothing activity. The wonderment of monitoring growth of a plant grow from seed to maturity is very satisfying. • Encourage reading. For youngest children, buy touch-and-feel/pop-up books. Read to them and set an example by reading yourself. • Excessive screen watching. This can adversely affect children’s behaviour and make them anxious and irritable. Encourage children to identify, label and overcome negative emotions. • Impose screen time limits. Initially children are likely to react angrily. Respond by suggesting engagement in other enjoyable activities suggested above or cycling in the local park or playing an outdoor sport.

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early detection of communication disorders in babies

Speech & language development milestones

The first three years of a child’s life are the most important and intensive period for developing speech and language skills. These inherent skills are best learned in an environment rich with sounds, sights, and exposure to speech and language capabilities of adults. While the majority of children cross early childhood speech development milestones smoothly, some experience delays known as developmental language disorders and/or specific language impairment (SLI). Children diagnosed with SLI exhibit significant deficits in articulation and/or comprehension of speech that cannot be explained by general cognitive impairment, sensorimotor deficits, neurological disorders, psychiatric diagnosis, or general lack of exposure to language. In such cases, early intervention, therapy and restructuring a child’s linguistic environment are critical to enable her to adapt in the self-care, social interaction, and education domains. Therefore it’s of utmost importance that parents carefully observe and monitor youngest children’s speech and language development milestones to enable them to initiate immediate remedial action in cases of speech impairment and delay. These milestones enable doctors and other health professionals to determine whether a child is on track or requires assistance. A checklist of desirable milestones from birth to five years of age is set out below. 0-6 months • Reacts to sudden or loud sounds • Responds to familiar voices by altering her behaviour (for instance, she may stop crying after hearing her mother’s soothing voice) • Follows the source of a sound (for example, a person talking and walking around the room) • Makes different types of verbal sounds, which may not be speech 6-12 months • Listens and pays attention when addressed • Responds to simple commands (‘come here,’ ‘eat,’ ‘sit’) • Understands the meaning of frequently used words (milk, bowl, plate, ball) • Communicates with hand gestures, sometimes using specific sounds or words • Speaks one or two words (mama, papa, come) 1-2 years • Recognises names of objects • Responds to questions • Starts adding words to her vocabulary • Uses combinations of two or more words • Some children start uttering full sentences 2-3 years • Able to verbalise familiar objects • Articulates clearly for listeners to understand • Expresses wants in words 3-4 years • Uses sentences with more than four words • Describes what happens at school or at home • Answers questions clearly 4-5 years • Listens to a narrative and asks questions • Tells a story or anecdote • Uses fairly correct grammar • Hears, understands and responds to most speech addressed to her • Communicates confidently • Pronounces familiar words and sounds If you observe speech development delays, consult your paediatrician, clinical psychologist for a Developmental Milestones Assessment. If there’s a problem, she will refer you to a speech-language pathologist, a health professional trained to evaluate and treat people with speech/language disorders. Don’t neglect diagnosis of children’s speech disorders. Early intervention is critical for better prognosis and treatment. (Sailaja Pisapati is a clinical psychologist and founder of Sailaja Pisapati’s Mental Health Center, Delhi)

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News Bytes

Parenting more stressful than expected Parenting is a far harder job than expected, say parents surveyed by the US-based Pew Research Center. The study, released in January for which 3,757 parents were interviewed, reports that while eight of ten parents believe parenting is enjoyable most of the time, 62 percent said it was far harder than they thought. But regardless of how hard it is, most parents (64 percent) gave themselves an “excellent” or “very good” rating when it came to assessing their parenting skills with only 4 percent self-assessed as “fair” or “poor.” The Pew parenting study also reveals that mothers are more stressed because of societal expectations to balance work and parenting duties. They were more likely than male parents to say that being a parent is stressful and tiring all or most of the time. Mothers said they do more than their spouses or partners to manage child-care responsibilities and are more likely than fathers to report feeling judged by relatives, friends and other parents in their communities. Moreover, the study found that parents worry about their children for a variety of reasons, with fears about mental health topping the list. Parents using digital devices to unwind, show poor parenting Parents who use digital gadgets/screens to unwind, experience more psychological stress and report poor parenting behaviour such as yelling, nagging, and saying hurtful things to their children, reveals a recent study conducted by University of Waterloo, Canada. Researchers interviewed 549 parents with at least two children between ages five and 18 years. “When kids are showing difficult behaviour, parents often use technology to withdraw. And when you’re absorbed in media, you might have stronger, less patient reactions to your children,” says Jasmine Zhang, lead study author and a graduate student researcher at the University of Waterloo. According to Zhang, such parents are also more likely to “retreat” rather than engage with their children. “If you’re absorbed in your phone, you’re more likely to shy away when a child is throwing a tantrum rather than addressing the situation,” adds Zhang. However not all technology consumption is connected with bad parenting. For instance the study found that using media to maintain social connections — for example by texting, video chatting, and emailing friends — is linked with good parenting. It can cheer your child when she’s sad. Inadequate sleep in adolescence linked to multiple sclerosis Adolescents who sleep less are at higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis, says a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (January). Conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, the study examined 2,075 adults with multiple sclerosis and 3,164 others (control group). Researchers asked participants about the quality and duration of sleep during their teenage years. They divided sleep duration into three categories: less than seven hours per night (short sleep), seven-nine hours and ten or more hours (long sleep). The researchers discovered that sleeping less than seven hours at night during adolescence was associated with increased risk of developing…

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Good advice Your recipes section (PW January) inspired me to rediscover apples, a crunchy powerhouse of nutrients. In India, we are used to eating raw apples and rarely cook or bake them. But your apple recipes were far too tempting not to try out. I tried the apple pie and crumble and both have become an instant hit with my family. Thanks! My daughter is a preteen and aspires to qualify as a costume and accessories designer. I never took her career choice seriously until I read your Careers story on a promising future in costume design in the film and television industry. Minu Thomas Chennai Timely & relevant Your cover story ‘Protecting children against dark net dangers’ (PW January) is timely and relevant. The internet offers a wealth of information and resources to our children but simultaneously it’s full of dangers. Innocent children can fall prey to online predators looking to sexually and/or financially exploit them. There’s also the growing incidence of cyber bullying which can emotionally scar children for life. Recently, a friend told me that her teenage daughter was being bullied by two boys she befriended on instagram. As parents, we have a special responsibility to monitor children’s internet usage and educate them about cybercrimes and cybersafety. Thanks for the excellent list of parental control apps which can be installed on children’s phones and laptops. Liana Kumar Bengaluru Online games addiction dangers Your cover story about protecting children from dark net dangers (PW January) was informative and insightful. A big parental concern these days is children’s addiction to violent video/online games. These games are exposing children to extreme violence and aggression resulting in their becoming aggressive in real life apart from losing interest in studies and not sleeping well. Parents have to strictly prohibit children from playing violent games and/or restrict their access using parental control apps. I also liked Ritu Jain’s tips on positive discipline. Today’s Gen Z tends to be irresponsible and undisciplined and managing them needs super parenting skills. Sumita Kapoor Delhi Natural foods Your Health story on natural immunity boosting foods (PW January) has busted the myth that consuming ghee is a sure shot formula to gain weight. As you rightly say, ghee enhances immunity, aids digestion and fat loss, if taken in limited quantities. Also natural foods such as jaggery, garlic, ginger, turmeric, amla, sesame seeds, almonds and dates are any day healthier than processed foods which contain harmful chemicals. It’s up to parents to encourage and motivate children to switch to healthy diets. I also enjoyed reading the Leisure & Travel section and suggestions for immersive ‘learning holidays’ especially the ‘farm to fork’ and ‘calling all young chefs’ experiences. Shefali Chhabra Mumbai Think twice before sharenting Your special essay on sharenting (PW January) is a must read for unsuspecting parents who routinely share photos and videos of their children on social media. The essay spreads awareness about the risks of identity theft and information sharing security. Although I am not a…

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Helping children resist negative peer pressure

PW invited parents of Gurukul The School, Ghaziabad to share how they are helping their children cope with negative peer pressure “We attentively listen to the concerns of our son Avni (class IV) and nurture a strong sense of self-worth within him to support him in resisting negative peer pressure. By providing positive role models and alternative activities, we make an effort to broaden his perspective. We also teach him the importance of standing up for his beliefs and principles, even though they may be at odds with his peers. Additionally, we encourage him to associate with positive and supportive friends. It’s crucial to instill the value of being a positive influence on others and making sound decisions. Avni is open to seek our guidance and support anytime” — Anu Bala, entrepreneur “We believe teaching our daughter Arshya (class VIII) to be self-assured and true to her convictions is the best way to safeguard her against negative peer pressure. We have worked hard to develop her self-esteem and confidence, qualities which make children less vulnerable to peer pressure. We are now confident Arshya can speak up to defend herself in any given situation. We encourage her to participate in activities that she likes, and find friends who share similar qualities and interests” — Nilanjana Singh, business- woman “For teenage children like my daughter Krisha (class XI), the pressure to conform can be extremely powerful and hard to resist. My first lesson to her was to teach her to say ‘no’ and make her understand that refusal doesn’t make anyone a bad person. Instead it generates a sense of self-awareness and conveys the message clearly. I avoid being judgemental during our long conversations. Understanding things from her point of view is the key” — Purvi Khuntia, homemaker “Negative peer pressure can affect children’s overall growth and mental well-being. Therefore, we have begun preparing Yuvaan (class II) from an early age. First and foremost, we have helped him develop a clear understanding of right and wrong, followed by building his confidence to say No to actions and activities that fall under the wrong category. We have developed a clear and dedicated communication channel with Yuvaan who never hesitates to reach out to us in times of trouble.” — Chhavi Toshan, financial analyst, RK Associates

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Helping children cope with school bullies

PW invited parents of Delhi Public School, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad to share insights on how they help their children to manage school bullies “Our first lesson to our daughter Shreem (class XI) has been to act smart, brave and firmly tell the bully to stop and walk away. We help her practice ways to ignore a bully’s hurtful remarks and have drawn up a list of responses to keep handy. She is aware that showing kindness, displaying confidence and a positive body language are useful deterrants to bullying. Now Shreem has learnt to stand up for victims of bullying and encourage others to stand up to them. I am confident our daughter is quite capable of handling this social evil in school” — Kiran Bindal, teacher, Dayawati Modi Public School, Modinagar “Together with my daughter Safia (class XI), our family practices body positivity at home which requires each of us to praise friends and family even if they have poor communication skills, attitude, size, complexion or height. Above all, we have learnt to love and embrace ourselves the way we are. This practice not only helps Safia to believe in herself but also develops her confidence to stand up for herself. When and how to react and when to ignore some folks is another lesson we are teaching her. It’s noteworthy that when children learn to love themselves, no bully can make them feel unworthy” — Charu Sharma, homemaker. “Children habitually observe and learn from their parents’ reactions to different situations. Over and above this learning, we have taught our daughter Vaani (class X) to be emotionally strong and stand up by displaying confidence in what she believes is right. She is aware that bullying is wrong and unacceptable. And as important as it is to make sure our child is not the victim of bullies, it’s equally important to ensure she isn’t bullying others. Vaani and I have had long conversations about the importance of treating others as they would like to be treated. Our lines of communication always remain open” — Priti Goyal, businesswoman, Ghaziabad. “We have provided a healthy and cordial home environment to our teenage daughter Kavya (class X). She is free to discuss anything at any time with us. As much as I am her mother, I am also her best friend, and try hard not to burden her with our expectations. To prepare her to handle any adverse situation, we are now focusing on developing her mental and emotional health by inculcating the values of self-respect and esteem. I also try to maintain a friendly relationship with Kavya’s peer group” — Reena Saran, homemaker.

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Yogasanas to boost children’s immunity

There are several yogasanas which improve children’s bodily immunity, writes Smriti Sivakumar Practising yoga enhances body strength and builds immunity of people in all age groups. Several yogasanas improve blood circulation and functioning of the nervous and lymphatic systems leading to greater immunity. Here are some yoga exercises to strengthen children’s immune systems (NB. guidance of an experienced yoga practitioner recommended). Surya Namaskara. Surya namaskara or sun salutation is practiced as a continuous flow of yogasanas. The focus is on movement and breathing rather than posture. It conprises 12 ‘steps’ and enhances body strength, improves flexibility, blood circulation, and activates the lymphatic system to boost immunity. Best when practiced with controlled breathing, drishti or focused gaze, and correct movements. Paschimottanasana is a forward-folding asana which improves spine flexibility. It also aids digestion, strengthens the heart, and builds physical endurance, especially in children. Ushtrasana, or camel posture, is an exercise to strengthen the respiratory system. It improves thyroid gland functioning and expands the chest, thus enhancing the lung capacity of children. It also reduces lifestyle-related postural deformities such as drooping shoulders, rounded back, etc. Sarvangasana, aka the mother of all asanas, is an inversion in hatha yoga. Due to the inversion, blood flows into the upper body. This in turn boosts immunity, improves thyroid gland function, blood circulation, and also cures asthma, wheezing, sinusitis, etc. Chakrasana is an advanced back-bending asana, aka full-wheel pose. It stretches the spinal column and strengthens joints and muscles. It also improves respiration and blood circulation, boosts the immune system and reduces anxiety and stress. Children should practice this asana from early age. Sirsasana aka the father of all asanas, is a headstand that requires continuous practice and persistence to master. Sirsasana offers several benefits including improved function of the nervous system, heart, lungs, digestive system, blood circulation, and overall body strength. It also improves immunity, concentration, and sleep quality. Savasana or dead man’s posture, enables children to slow down, relax, and de-stress. It is a deep relaxation technique that relieves physical tiredness. It also improves function of the nervous system and makes children more mindful of themselves and their environment. (Smriti Sivakumar is a yoga practitioner at 6AM Yoga, Bengaluru)

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Summer’s here! Dehydration & sunstroke prevention

My children love playing outdoor games but I’m worried about them playing in the hot summer sun. How great is the danger of dehydration and sunstroke? — Priyanshi Dutta, Mumbai Prolonged exposure to sun/heat can strike children down with dehydration and sunstroke. The best ways to prevent them are to encourage children to wear light coloured clothing, use sunscreen lotion, and drink plenty of fluids such as coconut water, buttermilk, and fresh fruit juices. Also during the afternoon when the sun is glaring encourage children to play indoor games such as chess or carom. My ten-year-old loves swimming. But she is very susceptible to cold infections. What precautions should I take? — Rianna Sumi, Bengaluru Here are some tips to prevent coughs and cold infection:  Choose a swimming pool which is uncrowded, where the water is cleaned regularly  Ensure she wears proper swim gear (earplugs and goggles)  Ensure she takes a shower before/after a swim. Apply a layer of moisturiser before a swim to prevent chlorine (used in most pools) from causing skin irritation  Keep her well hydrated  Apply sunscreen lotion when swimming during the day to prevent swimmers tan  Counsel her about dangers of swallowing pool water My seven-year old contracts red eye infection, aka conjunctivitis every summer. What’s the explanation? — Minal Roy, Hyderabad Red eye or conjunctivitis is a contagious viral infection common in summer season. Symptoms include itching, redness and burning sensation in the eyes. Secondary bacterial infection may also cause purulent discharge from eyes. High summer temperatures are favourable for viral and bacterial replication. To prevent infection, encourage your child to wear sunglasses with UV protection, avoid touching or rubbing eyes, wash them often with cold water and to maintain distance from people suffering conjunctivitis. My 12-year-old son loves drinking juices and ice-creams in summer. What is the healthy alternative of these summer cravings? — Hitika Shah, Delhi Summer is the season to enjoy fruit juices and ice creams. Fresh home-made fruit juices, in particular, are good for children. But counsel them against packaged juices in tetra packs or juices sold by roadside vendors. Ice creams of reputed brands are safe in moderation. Healthy alternatives include coconut water, lassi, and fruit salads. (Dr. (Major) K. Gopinath is consultant paediatrician at Aarush Children’s Clinic, Hyderabad)

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Autism signs and symptoms

My six-year old son is distracted and unfocused. I suspect he could be suffering from autism. What are the signs of autism disorder? — Krithika Reddy, Bengaluru You need to closely monitor your child’s development milestones such as speech, inter-personal and emotional skills. Some signs to look out for:  He doesn’t gesticulate or uses fewer gestures such as pointing to something.  Speech tone and/or rhythm are strange.  Repeats words without any intention of communication.  Opts for solitude over playing with peers.  Not interested in what’s happening around him.  Doesn’t participate in group activities and/or shows disinterest.  Doesn’t welcome changes in daily routine or environment If you discern one or more of these signs consult an expert immediately. Early intervention and therapy is critical. My daughter is autistic. What are the main problems of autistic children when playing with peers? How can I help her? — Sahida Begum, Hyderabad Any type of group activity needs cooperative behaviour with all agreeing to work to accomplish the task by following instructions, sharing and/or taking turns. However autistic children don’t respond positively to group activities and/or peer play. This is because of several reasons:  Autistic children take extra time to understand instructions and are uneasy if too many instructions are given.  Language skills are not fully developed and most of the time it is hard for them to follow instructions.  Social interaction is a challenge because they are unable to control/manage their emotions.  Sensory issues also pose problems as many autistic children cannot tolerate high noise levels. Here are some ways you can help your daughter:  Give short and clear instructions  Provide enough time to understand and follow instructions  Repeat instructions until understood  Praise and encourage her My six-year-old daughter is mildly autistic. Should I enroll her in a mainstream school? — Varun Johann, Delhi A special school provides children with disability specialised support and guidance to realise their education potential. You need to evaluate the learning and communication capabilities of your daughter before making this decision. If she is able to communicate and understand instructions clearly, it’s advisable to enrol her in a mainstream school equipped with special educators. Or you could opt for a special school during the primary years and after improvement shift her to regular school. (Ritu Jain is founder of Solicitude Parenting, Bangalore, and parenting advisor for children with autism, ADHD and developmental delays)

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Kids and money: 5 ways to start the conversation

Children feel empowered to learn about money and financial independence when they understand basic concepts, writes Bomikai Zeka and Abdul Lateef Alhassan When it comes to teaching young children about the world, parents may feel that some topics — like politics and religion — are too tough to broach. Money is another. Parents may not feel like they know how to approach the subject, or worry that they don’t set a good financial example for their kids. But money talk shouldn’t be avoided. Talking about it is the first stepping stone towards financial knowledge and, ultimately, to financial independence. Holding off the conversations for too long can leave your children in the lurch later in life. For instance, in South Africa, only 42 percent of adults are financially literate. In Ghana the figure is 32 percent and in Nigeria 26 percent. This means a large number of adults in these countries don’t know or understand financial concepts. This highlights the importance of starting the money talk conversation early to ensure individuals develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to successfully manage their finances. Perhaps your child receives an allowance and you feel this is enough to familiarise them with the concept of saving and the value of money. But studies have found that an allowance is most beneficial when it’s paired with guidance on savings and budgeting. Children learn through numerous sources of influence, including school, friends and the media. But the greatest influence of their financial socialisation — that is, the values, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that promote financial well-being — are their parents or primary caregivers. The earlier you start the conversation the better. It’s sad that majority of children between the ages of 11-17 lack confidence in managing money. If you wonder how to teach your children about savings and budgeting, here are five ideas to explore for children aged 10 and above. Setting goals Setting financial goals is an important part of learning how to manage money, because it requires you to prioritise your financial needs. It also requires systems. Studies have shown that people perform better when they have written down what they need to do. There are several free and printable online goal charts that kids can use to either tick off or colour in how much they’ve accumulated in their piggy banks. Goal charts or clear jars are particularly helpful for children who are visual learners as they get to “see their savings grow” over time. And just like ticking off a to-do list, it’s satisfying for children to measure progress and have proof that they’ve worked towards achieving set goals. Savings The motivation to accumulate savings becomes stronger when it’s coupled with a financial goal. As adults, we understand the need to save for a rainy day, but this concept may be foreign to a child. Instead, consider teaching the importance of saving for an event a child can understand and relate to, such as a birthday or Christmas Day. This gives children…

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Why children need a good night’s rest every night

With World Sleep Day coming up on March 17, we highlight the importance of children getting sufficient, good quality sleep; common sleep disorders and ways and means to improve children’s nocturnal rest and rejuvenation writes Ramiya Sakthivel, Mini P. & Cynthia John “Sleep, the main course in life’s feast, and the most nourishing” — William Shakespeare, Macbeth In the new era of disruptive technologies with futuristic digital gadgets offering a mind-boggling range of entertainment options, social media, games and apps, combined with fast-pace lifestyles, sleep deprivation is emerging as a major health hazard. Driven by technology obsession and FOMO (fear of missing out), parents and children are pushing themselves to juggle packed daily schedules with entertainment options, with the result that sleep disorder has become a new 21st century lifestyle epidemic. In particular, sleep deprivation among children and adolescents is attracting incremental attention. Parents, teachers, counsellors and health experts are reporting a sharp rise in cases of sleep deprivation among children resulting in sliding exam scores, health and behavioural maladies. According to a 2020 study of the paediatric outpatient department of the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 34 percent of 450 sample respondent children surveyed, reported sleep disturbance and 10.7 percent had difficulty waking up in mornings. Another more recent study (2022) published in the Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine says that an alarming 88 percent of children aged 5-15 years assessed, had sleep disorders such as parasomnia and day-time drowsiness. Sleep science experts warn parents against assuming that sleep problems in childhood will melt away as children transition into adulthood. A study published in the journal Paediatrics (February 2022) found that teenagers with insomnia are five and a half times more likely to experience it in adulthood. “Restful, sufficient sleep is essential for children’s orderly growth and development. Growth hormones are secreted during deep sleep when the body heals and refreshes heart and blood vessels and critical brain development occurs. When children don’t get adequate sleep at night, there’s an increase in blood glucose and cortisol levels which can prompt diabetes, obesity and heart ailments. So when children sleep adequately, they are at a lesser risk of becoming overweight and diabetic. They also experience fewer learning difficulties and attention/concentration issues as children tend to better retain lessons and learning when they sleep well,” says Dr. Ranjini Raghavan, head of the ENT department at Sunrise Hospital, Kochi and a leading sleep surgeon who has conducted the maximum number of ‘sleep surgeries’ in Kerala state. With World Sleep Day coming up on March 17, in the pages following we highlight the importance of children getting sufficient, good quality sleep; common sleep disorders and ways and means to improve children’s nocturnal rest and rejuvenation. Common sleep disorders Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, microsleep, and sleep-talking are among the ailments that people, including children, experience. Insomnia. This common sleep disorder makes it difficult for individuals to fall asleep, and remain in slumber for adequate duration. This debilitating condition…

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Letter from managing editor

Post-Covid, sleep deprivation is emerging as the new pandemic. A rapidly multiplying number of millennial parents, Gen Z, the young and old are all to a greater or lesser extent suffering this 21st century lifestyle malady. Compulsion to work hard and play hard in the age of the smartphone, social media, and OTT revolutions, has reduced the duration and quality of sleep for adults and children. A 2019 study conducted by Fitbit, a US-based health and fitness tech company, ranks India as the world’s second most sleep-deprived country, after Japan. A more recent study by Wakefit.co, a Bengaluru-based sleep and home solutions provider, says that 25 percent of Indians “think they have insomnia” with 36 percent identifying time spent on digital devices as the prime cause. Fortunately, simultaneously there’s rising public awareness of the critical importance of getting a good night’s rest every night for maintaining physical and mental well-being and workplace productivity. Moreover there’s convergence of opinion among medical practitioners and the newly emergent tribe of wellness professionals that sleep deprivation prompts obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular ailments. As a result a whole new sleep wellness industry has crystalized as business tycoons and professionals, homemakers and young children turn to sleep specialists and wellness gurus for sleep improvement advice and therapy. This is testified by the exponential growth of the sleep aids market — comprising drugs, medical devices and mattress industries — which rakes in a massive $79.85 billion (Rs.548,652 crore) per year. In our cover story this month we beam a searchlight on this new epidemic with special focus on the rising incidence of sleep deprivation and disturbance among children and adolescents which could assume pandemic proportions. Medical practitioners, well-being gurus and sleep industry professionals are waking to the connection between sleep deprivation and falling grades and physical and mental health deterioration of children who are likely to carry this malady into adulthood. They warn parents not to neglect their duty to inculcate good sleep habits in children from young age to ensure that they aren’t deprived the best nourishment of life’s feast. There are many other interesting features in this issue. Among them: a checklist to monitor children’s speech and language progress; a non-tech activities guide to reduce children’s digital screen time and yogasanas to boost their immunity. Also check out the special essay advising how and when to start teaching children financial literacy. And now that a long, hot summer is imminent, check out the advisory on how to ensure your little ones are protected against dehydration and sunstroke.

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