ParentsWorld July 2019 Archives

Multiple charms of Madhya Pradesh

Situated in the heart of India, the country’s second largest state offers visitors the temples of Khajuraho, the serenity of Marble Rocks, stupas of Sanchi, and tigers of the Kanha National Park As its name implies the state of Madhya Pradesh (central province) is situated in the heart of India. The second largest of the 29 states of the Indian Union, the huge geographical sprawl (308,252 sq. km) of MP (as it’s popularly known) offers visitors a multiplicity of leisure and travel options. Whether it is the exquisite statuary and sculptures of the temples of Khajuraho, the ancient stupas of Sanchi, seat of Buddhism, the serene and peaceful waters of Marble Rocks or the Kanha National Park famous for its tigers, MP has plenty to offer business and leisure travellers. Though given its size state-wide tours are a tall order, its major cities Bhopal (the admin capital), Jabalpur, Indore and Gwalior offer numerous excursion options. The recorded history of Madhya Pradesh dates back to the time of venerated emperor Ashoka (300 BC). Subsequently a major portion of central India was incorporated into the Gupta Empire (300-550 AD). In the first half of the seventh century it was incorporated into the domain of emperor Harsha. In the early 11th century when Central Asian Muslims started invading central India, Mahmud of Ghazni and then Mohammad Gori integrated several parts of the state into the Delhi Sultanate. It was also part of the Mughal Empire during the rise of the Marathas. Until the death of Madhoji Scindia in 1794, the Marathas ruled supreme in central India, but subsequently several independent and smaller states came into being. The disintegrated smaller states paved the way for British sovereignty. Around that time, fabled women rulers ruled over Central India and these include Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore, Rani Kamla Devi and Rani Durgawati. When India became independent in 1947, the British Indian Central Provinces and Berar were consolidated into Madhya Pradesh. Boundary changes followed and the state of Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Forty percent of the tribal population of India, including large numbers of the Bhil and Gond tribes eke out a living in India’s second largest state also noted for its ravines and forests. The state hosts notable cultural events such as the annual Kalidas Samaroh (performing and fine arts) in Ujjain; the Tansen Samaroh (music) in Gwalior, and the Khajuraho Dance Festival, a unique extravaganza of performing artistes. Comments Renu Diwan, a Mumbai-based physician who has visited MP several times: “The contrast between different places within Madhya Pradesh is immense, not only in terms of natural beauty and scenic spots, but also in infrastructure and hotel facilities.” Bhopal The picturesque capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is set around a lake and is renowned for its archaeological wealth. It is sited on a 11th century city, Bhojapal, named after Raja Bhoj. But the founder of Bhopal was Dost Mohammed, an Afghan soldier. Contemporary Bhopal represents a multi-faceted…

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Is sleep deprivation holding your child back?

Driven by pushy parents, millions of children and teenagers across the country are sacrificing sleep at the altar of academics, co-curricular and sports education, and technology obsession. The consequences are disastrous — poor academic performance, lethargy, irritation, incremental stress and infection-prone children – K.P. Malini, Cynthia John & Mini P. Sleep deprivation is a new millennium lifestyle malady causing irreparable damage to children’s physical health and well-being. Driven by pushy parents, millions of children and teenagers across the country are sacrificing sleep at the altar of academics, co-curricular and sports education, and technology obsession. According to a research study published in October last year in The Indian Journal of Pediatrics (‘Sleep Pattern of Adolescents’ in a School in Delhi, India: Impact on their Mood and Academic Performance’), 90.5-92.5 percent of 13-15-year-olds in Delhi are sleep-deprived. The outcome is poor academic performance, lethargy, irritation and incremental stress among adolescents, says the study. A case in point is 13-year-old Latha Murty, a class VII student of a top-ranked private school in Bangalore. Latha wakes up at 5 a.m on weekdays to reach her badminton coaching class at a sports centre 12 km from her apartment where she lives with her parents and younger brother. She practices badminton from 6-8 a.m and after a quick snack with her mother who brings her breakfast and lunch box, she dashes off to school which begins at 8.45 a.m. After a full school day, which finishes at 3.45 p.m, she rushes to an academic tutorials class between 4.30-7.00 p.m. Back home, she does homework and study. Her activities-packed day ends at 10.30 p.m when she retires to bed. Latha gets barely six hours of sleep everyday against the National Sleep Foundation, USA’s-recommended nine-11 hours for early teens. Unfortunately, there is widespread ignorance within the country’s parents community about the dangers of persistent sleep deprivation in children. Night sleep is not only a time for the body to relax, recuperate and renew energy, it’s also a period when the body performs important brain development and tissue repair functions. “Restful and adequate sleep is critically important for the physical and mental growth of children. It’s the time when the body heals and repairs, and crucial brain development occurs. As the maximum brain development happens in early childhood, young children need 11-13 hours of sleep per day. As they grow older, children and adolescents still need at least nine hours of sleep per day. Many studies have proven that sleep improves memory, recall, concentration and learning capabilities,” says Dr. Ranjini Raghavan, senior consultant ENT surgeon and sleep specialist at the Sunrise Hospital, Kakkanad (Kochi). Sleep deficit consequences The adverse consequences of children suffering prolonged sleep deprivation are numerous. Among them: Increased body fat and poor immunity. The hormone leptin is secreted by the body’s fat cells during sleep. Lack of adequate sleep reduces the time available for the release of this hormone, prompting children to crave high-fat and carbohydrate-rich foods. The body also produces a protein — cytokines — which…

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Moms n’ Dads

There’s something special about a family that learns together. Learning a new sport together is great for family bonding and is certain to prove an enjoyable learning experience for all.

Try swimming for a start. Learn how to stay afloat and different strokes. When you go on your next vacation, you will have a blast as […]

Do it now!

Make Your Own Sports Drink – Anitha Bennett

Fascinated by all the jazzy drinks for sportspeople on supermarket shelves?

Wondering what magic formula the drink contains that makes it so pricey?

Here’s an easy recipe for a cool sports DIY drink that you can make yourself. It’s yummy, gives you an energy boost, and doesn’t pinch your […]

Short story

Crazy over Cricket -Annie Besant Jon

The Khanna household was busy as a beehive. Everyone was getting ready to go watch an India-Australia cricket match at the city stadium. Papa Khanna had called in sick at work, Mama was furiously making sandwiches and snacks to take along, Nikhil was getting his face painted with […]

Heart to Heart

Hello children!

We all have our moments to cherish, and I am sure you will have sporty moments to cherish.

The thrill of winning a game particularly, at the end of fast-paced, breathless play, is something else altogether! You may be tired, breathing hard, and on the verge of collapse at the end of a long game. […]

Teaching children empathy

PW invited parents of Garodia International Centre for Learning Mumbai (GICLM) to share their insights on how to teach their children empathetic behaviour “We believe youngest children are capable of exhibiting empathy which can be fostered, encouraged and cultivated by adults. As parents we have made an effort to be good role models for our 11-year-old daughter Souumya (class VI) by acknowledging and valuing her feelings, and expressing sympathy when she is sad, upset, distressed or frustrated after a long day at school. Lately we have begun sharing our own workplace challenges. Unsurprisingly Souumya offers her emotional support, which is a mature gesture. I have also noticed how Souumya empathises with less fortunate children whom she spots on her way to school,” — Kashmira Kothari, director, Excella Electronics “I believe charity begins at home. Spending time with children to sensitise them towards the way other people feel, think and behave through ‘reality checks’ is of utmost importance and critical for their all-round development. Role modelling our behaviour and emotional understanding of friends, family and domestic house helpers has been the most basic lesson which has worked wonders with our 15-year-old son Hardik (class IX). Community service initiatives of his school have also shaped him to demonstrate empathetic behaviour.” — Swapneel Nagarkar, sr. vice president and business head, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd “We strive hard to practice empathy at home to help our children turn these lessons into lifelong habits. We understand and value empathy as the most beautiful gift that sets us apart from other species. Therefore we take keen interest in things that matter to our five-year-old daughter Ryna and nine-year-old son Ryan (studying in another school) with grace and courtesy and respond to their emotions in a positive, loving and caring manner. We believe children feel secure and happy when their emotional needs are fulfilled, and they learn how to meet the emotional needs of others in society.” — Neepa Gaurav Raveshia, homemaker “I believe humans are naturally wired to be empathetic. To arouse their empathy some observation and emulation is necessary. My 13-year-old son Dev Ashutosh (class VIII) has learnt to show empathy by observing our actions and reactions with friends, family, acquaintances, clients and others in our daily lives. Narrating real-life stories of exemplary people to him, volunteering with the family in social work activities and teaching him to reflect on his own feelings have also helped.” — Dr Amita Shah, consultant psychiatrist, Dr H D Gandhi Memorial Hospital for Mental Health Care

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Turning a phrase with an antimetabole

The repeating of a phrase in reverse order is known as an antimetabole – Roopa Banerjee The sentence ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair’ hits a lyrical and rhetorical note because of the placement of words in reverse order. This repeating of a phrase in reverse order is known as an antimetabole. Antimetabole is derived from the Greek words anti which means against or opposite and metabole i.e change. This literary device has been used since 450 BC, from the time of Greek philosopher Socrates. His famous quote: ‘Eat to live, not live to eat’ is one of the earliest examples of an antimetabole. However merely reversing the meaning is not enough to create an antimetabole. The words and grammatical structure should also be swapped to contrast the meaning. American actress and comedienne Mae West’s memorable quote: “It’s not the men in my life; it’s the life in my men I’m worried about,” is a classic example of creating a contrast in meaning. Here, the words, rhythm, and grammatical structure in the second phrase are exactly similar to the first, but the meaning is the mirror opposite. An essential component of an effective antimetabole is that it should have a logical premise. Reversing a phrase for the sake of it is not enough. If the first half of the antimetabole is relatable, the listener will be able to make sense of the second. Thus, “It is not about the years in your life, but about the life in your years that matter,” is logically and grammatically correct and conveys a message to readers. This literary device is most popular with world leaders and politicians because antimetaboles are rhetorical, easy to remember, memorable and appeal to audiences. An oft-cited example is “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country,” by the late US President John F. Kennedy. Another popular example is Winston Churchill saying “It is not even the beginning of the end but is perhaps, the end of the beginning,” in his 1942 speech about the second battle of El Alamein. Dr. Martin Luther King, renowned for his powerful oratory skills famously said, “Hate destroys a man’s sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.” In a more recent example, former US President Barack Obama said, “You stood up for America, now America must stand up for you” (2011). Antimetaboles are also popular with advertising copywriters. For instance the tag line of Band Aid reads: “I am stuck on band-aid, because band-aid’s stuck on me”. Scuba diving enthusiasts would have often heard this from their instructors, “Plan your dive, dive your plan.” Other examples: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” and “Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail”. Literature abounds in antimetaboles. The legendary playwright William Shakespeare used it…

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BRINJAL IN YOUR CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients b  1 kg brinjal, halved lengthways  4 finely chopped mint leaves  200g unsalted butter  225g dark chocolate  6 eggs  240g sugar  100g cocoa powder  140g ground almonds Chocolate crumble  90g flour  10g chilled and diced butter  10g cocoa powder  100g icing sugar  100g ground almonds Preparation Guide  Preheat the oven to 200°C.  To prepare the smoked brinjal for the chocolate cake, arrange the halves on a baking tray and cook for 30-45 minutes or until the skin is charred and the flesh is very soft.  Remove cooked brinjal from the oven and place in a bowl, covering tightly with cling film. Once cool, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh from the skins into a sieve.  Discard the skins and leave the flesh to drain over a bowl or sink for 2-3 hours to remove any excess liquid.  Once the excess liquid has drained, transfer it from the sieve into a bowl or tray and chop finely. Stir with the chopped mint leaves and set aside.  Preheat oven to 160°C.  Place the butter and chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Allow to melt gently, stirring the butter and chocolate. Remove the bowl from the pan and set aside to cool.  Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl for 10 minutes, or until pale and fluffy. Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs, followed by the cocoa and ground almonds.  Mix a little of the chocolate mixture with the brinjal and mint to loosen the texture slightly, then fold this through the rest of the chocolate mixture until fully combined.  Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake for 60-90 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean — the cake should be cooked through but still be slightly moist. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack to cool completely. For the chocolate crumble  Preheat the oven to 175˚C and line a tray with baking paper.  Grind dry ingredients for chocolate crumble in a mixer.  Add the butter and grind again until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Pour evenly across the lined tray and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until crunchy, storing in an airtight container.

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MOUSSAKA

Ingredients  1.5 kg brinjal, unpeeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds  1/2 cup olive oil  1 large onion thinly sliced  1 cup chopped carrots  4 minced garlic cloves  300g chopped mushrooms  1 tsp oregano  1/2 tsp ground cinnamon  750 grams tomato puree  1 cup grated Parmesan cheese  6 tbsp butter  7 tbsp maida  3 1/2 cups milk  4 large egg yolks Preparation Guide  Sprinkle salt on brinjal and set aside for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 230°C. Pat brinjal dry. Oil some baking sheets.  Brush brinjal rounds with 1/4 cup oil. Arrange in single layer on baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.  Turn brinjal and continue baking until tender, about 15 minutes longer. Cool.  Reduce oven temperature to 180°C.  Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup oil in pan.  Add onion, carrots. Sauté until onion is tender. Mix in garlic, mushrooms.  Sauté until juices evaporate, about 10 minutes.  Mix in oregano and cinnamon. Add tomatoes.  Cook until mixture is thick, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.  Lightly oil glass baking dish.  Arrange half of the brinjal rounds in a single layer. Spoon half of the tomato mixture evenly over eggplant. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Repeat layering with remaining eggplant, tomato mixture and 2 tablespoons cheese.  Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour (maida). Stir for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk. Simmer until it thickens, stirring constantly, for about five minutes.  Add in 1/2 cup cheese. Add salt and pepper.  Whisk egg yolks in large bowl and blend. Gradually whisk into sauce. Pour sauce over vegetables in the baking dish. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese over sauce.  Bake moussaka until heated through and sauce is golden brown on top, about 45 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes and serve.

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BRINJAL DIP

Ingredients  4 brinjals  4 tbsp Greek yogurt  2 tbsp olive oil  1 bunch coriander finely chopped  1 crushed garlic clove  1 lime juice Preparation Guide  Char brinjals on all sides on a gas stove.  When cool, strip away the blackened skin and put the flesh (which should be cooked and soft) in a colander to drain for 30 minutes.  Transfer the brinjal to a bowl, then mash with a fork or blitz with a hand blender, taking care not to make it fully smooth.  Stir in the yogurt, olive oil and a fat pinch of salt. Add coriander, garlic and lemon or lime juice.  Taste and add salt or lemon juice if necessary. Be careful not to overwhelm the brinjal flavour.

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The versatile brinjal

High in vitamins (B1, B6 and potassium), minerals (copper, magnesium and manganese) and dietary fibre, the versatile brinjal is a great choice for salads, pies and even desserts. Brinjal (solanum melongena) is of the nightshade plant family and is rich in antioxidants, specifically nasunin, which is found in its skin and gives it its purple colour. Nasunin protects lipids (fats) in the brain cell membranes and lowers cholesterol. While shopping, carefully select brinjals ensuring the skin colour is shiny and free of discoloration, scars and bruises. Moreover it should be firm to the touch. Press the skin gently with the pad of your thumb. If it springs back, it is ripe; if an indentation remains, it is not. For these recipes, use large sized brinjals (aka aubergines). – Parvathy Menon Chickpea Brinjal Salad Ingredients  2 large brinjals or 1 aubergine  2-3 tbsp olive oil  200g boiled chickpeas  1/2 bunch coriander roughly chopped  1 finely chopped onion For the dressing  1/2 tsp paprika  1/2 tsp ground cumin  1/2 tsp honey  1/2 lemon juice  2 tbsp olive oil Preparation guide  Thickly slice the brinjals and arrange over a grill rack.  Brush lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill until brown.  Turn them over, brush and season again. Cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.  Remove from the grill and cut each slice into quarters.  Place brinjal in a salad bowl, add the chickpeas, coriander and red onion. Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl and dress the salad. Also read: BRINJAL DIP

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Preventing chronic diseases in children

In this essay I detail some of the chronic illnesses afflicting 21st century children and advise how parents can help to alleviate their pain and suffering In 1990, the under-five infant mortality rate in India was 126 per 1,000 live births. Almost three decades later in 2018, it has reduced to 39 deaths per 1,000, according to a report of the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. Thanks to advances in medical technology and improved healthcare facilities, children around the world are living beyond their first and more birthdays as against millions of children dying of curable illnesses such as bronchitis, chickenpox, diarrhoea, malaria etc, a few decades ago. With governments launching mass immunization programmes, many chronic childhood diseases have been eradicated and/or prevented. However, advances in medical science have a downside. The number of children with chronic diseases caused by genetic or environmental factors or a combination of both, or prenatal exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke and alcohol surviving into adult life with health complications and disabilities has risen. This places great emotional and financial strain on families obliged to care for chronically ill children and adolescents. In this essay I detail some of the chronic illnesses afflicting 21st century children and advise how parents can help to alleviate their pain and suffering. Respiratory diseases Some chronic respiratory ailments such as asthma manifest in early childhood. Keeping a clean house and avoiding dusty outdoor environments, vaporizing mosquito repellents, cigarette smoke and strategic use of broncho-dilating medication (as prescribed) helps control and recovery in young children. Inhalers and nebulizers are more effective than oral medication. In some children, asthma attacks are aggravated by cow’s milk. Asthmatics struggle with breathing difficulties because of poor coordination of their respiratory muscles. Child asthmatics can greatly benefit from regular steam inhalations, yoga breathing exercises and structured aerobic workouts such as cycling, running and swimming. Also teaching children to play a wind instrument will improve their lung capacity. Martial arts (karate, kung fu, silambam) training also helps alleviate breathing difficulties. Obesity/malnutrition Malnutrition and obesity lead to lifelong morbidity. Childhood and adolescent obesity results in early onset of puberty, diminished stature, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac diseases which can be fatal. Child malnutrition in the midst of plenty is becoming common in middle class India, as children are fed transfat and sugar-filled snacks in lieu of nutritious home-cooked meals. This leads to lethargy, weak bones and anaemia. Diarrhoea Chronic diarrhoea is caused by food allergies, intolerance to milk and wheat, inflammatory bowel disease or parasitic infestation. After clinical tests and diagnosis, immediate medical treatment should be administered to children. If infants are exclusively breastfed for 180 days and then partially breastfed along with semi-solids for one year, they are likely to be resistant to chronic diarrhoea. Diabetes Children and adolescents can suffer from Type 1 as well as Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually follows viral infections, some of which can be prevented with appropriate immunization. Type 2 diabetes is usually the…

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Rising demand for healthcare administrators

The phenomenon of global health tourists who expect world-class management systems to supplement healthcare and medical services has created a market for backroom healthcare professionals Copy to a new draft With India emerging as a major destination for the multiplying tribe of ‘health tourists’ travelling the world for medical attention and treatment, a host of two to five star general and specialist hospitals are mushrooming across the subcontinent. Over 400,000 foreigners receive treatment in private sector Indian hospitals. Inevitably they — and the growing number of domestic upscale patients — expect world-class management and administrative systems to supplement healthcare and medical services. This Rs.7 lakh crore industry is all set to grow further with public and private investment pouring into the healthcare and affiliated industries which employ an estimated 4 million personnel — doctors, nurses and technicians with specialists in great demand. As health corporates enter this flourishing industry, a demand boom for healthcare professionals in the offing. Other than medical and para-medical staff, the healthcare sector needs to recruit professionals from other service industries such as airlines and hotels, among others, to manage state-of-the-art hospitals and healthcare institutions springing up across the country. Health administrators/managers provide the non-medical backup services of general management, coordination, and post-operative care which are vital for the success and good reputation of hospitals and healthcare institutions. Non-medical healthcare professionals are required to inter alia devise organisation management systems; manage institutional finances; maintain buildings, premises, operation theatres, hospital rooms and wards; devise personnel management systems; purchase supplies and equipment; and supervise support services such as laundry, catering, cleaning, and transport. A health administrator’s functions vary according to his/her specialist skills and interests and the requirement of the institutions they serve. Fortunately there are a number of prestigious institutions which offer contemporary postgraduate study programmes in health administration. Among the best are: • Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai which offers a two-year Master’s programme in hospital and health administration (MHA) as also a 12-month diploma programme in hospital administration. Admission eligibility requirements are a bachelor’s degree from a medical or paramedical institution or three years work experience in a healthcare institution. Alternatively a bachelor’s degree in any subject with a 45 percent average (35 percent for SC/ST) and a minimum of five years work experience in a healthcare institution • Hinduja Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Administrative Staff College of India and Johns Hopkins University offers a two-year full-time MHA study programme • Symbiosis Centre of Health Care, Pune, offers a one-year distance education programme which is also available online • Apollo Group of Hospitals has promoted an institute in Hyderabad offering MHA study programmes • All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, admits medical graduates (MBBS) with three years work experience in a recognised hospital. It also admits non-medical graduates with seven years administrative experience in hospitals • Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Kolkata, offers a postgraduate diploma programme in hospital management to graduates…

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No substitute for love, care and attention

Actress Isha Koppikar on how she likes to lead her child by example, and how she finds digital gadgets a far bigger cause for worry than social media – BHUMIKA K. Model and actress Isha Koppikar and restaurateur Timmy Narang are parents of little Rianna, who will be five this month. Isha started modeling while still in college, and made her debut in Telugu cinema with Chandralekha in 1998. Since then, she has acted in a host of Tamil, Kannada and Bollywood/Hindi movies including En Swaasa Katre, Surya Vamsha, Fiza, Company, Kya Kool Hai Hum among others. She recently signed up as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party just before General Election 2019. But that hasn’t stopped her attempting a comeback in southern cinema again, specially Kannada and Tamil films. Speaking to ParentsWorld, Isha explains her parenting style, and how being a celebrity-mother makes her no different from any other mom. She also busts several beauty myths and stresses that there are no shortcuts to health and looking good and fit. Excerpts: What are the moments you enjoy most with Rianna? We love to play music, dance and dabble in art. She’s just started cooking classes and she really seems to enjoy them. Her teacher is staging a joint mother and daughter cook-out. I am really looking forward to it. You took a breather from films a few years ago. Was it because of motherhood? Did you feel the need to spend more time with your child? Yes, I wanted to give full attention to Rianna in her first formative years. Nevertheless, I didn’t cut myself off from the film industry entirely. I did a couple of films in south India and Rianna travelled with me during those shoots. But I spent most of my time with my child. I believe that love, care, and undivided attention should be lavished on children in their earliest years. There’s no substitute for it. What has been your biggest challenge as a parent? It’s too early to define her character because right now I have my hands full dealing with her tantrums. Mind you, I don’t give in to my daughter’s tantrums easily because if I do, it will spoil her and will reward bad behaviour. So, I am firm on most occasions. But it really breaks my heart to see Rianna sad or crying. I don’t agree that sparing the rod spoils children. Although I am dead against corporal punishment, I am quite strict for her own good. What is your parenting philosophy? What kind of parents are you and your husband? We are hands-on parents and we usually walk our talk. So we try to model good behaviour to her. Basically, our parenting philosophy is to lead by example. You are always in the limelight first as an actress now as a politician. How do you shield your daughter from the media glare, especially of social media? I don’t believe I need to shield her from anything. I go with the…

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Apps for dyslexia & a teen mystery series

Mini P. recommends reading apps to aid children with dyslexia and a new mystery series for teenagers Reading apps for dyslexia and learning disabilities An estimated 35 million school-going children in India suffer from mild to severe dyslexia — a learning disorder that involves difficulty in reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words. Here are two apps which have been specially developed to help dyslexic children learn and understand better: Augmenta11y. An Augmented Reality (AR) enabled app, it helps people with learning disabilities read signage, newspapers, texts and other material in the real world. A main feature of the app is real-time text detection. Once the user clicks and uploads a picture of the text on the app, it uses an offline machine learning model to provide instant text detection using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). There are options to change the font style of the text, including a special font, Open Dyslexic designed by researchers specifically for people with dyslexia. The font helps users focus on the words and prevents confusion between alphabets like ‘b’-‘d’, ‘a’-‘o’, ‘u’-‘v’ and jumping between lines. Augmenta11y also allows users to adjust line height and letter spacing of the text, making it easier to distinguish characters from each other. Read aloud is another option, you can download it free-of-charge on Google Playstore. MDA Avaz. Developed by the Madras Dyslexia Association, this app uses state-of-the-art technology, works largely off-line and is based on time-tested reading methodologies followed at MDA. This app also uses OCR technology and can be used to read any printed material. Although available on Playstore for Rs.2,000 per year, it can be subscribed at Rs 600 annually by directly e-mailing MDA. The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer (Simon & Schuster Books) This young adult fiction series of detective novels by American author Nancy Springer stars Enola Holmes as the 14-year-old sister of an already-famous and much older Sherlock Holmes. It borrows characters and settings from the Sherlock Holmes compendium, but the Enola character, is, well, quite the character. The first book, The Case of the Missing Marquess, and the fifth, The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline, were nominated for the Edgar Awards for Best Juvenile Mystery in 2007 and 2010, respectively. In The Case of the Missing Marquess, Enola’s mother disappears on the latter’s 14th birthday. Brothers Sherlock and Mycroft think she has left of her own volition, but Enola discovers there is more to the mysterious disappearance than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Mycroft insists that Enola attends boarding school, but she runs away to London instead, and begins to crack cases. Inevitably she meets Dr John Watson and Inspector Lestrade in London. In The Case of the Left-Handed Lady, Enola tries to trace Lady Cecily Alistair, who disappeared from her bedroom, while dodging Sherlock and Mycroft. And in The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets it’s Dr. John Watson, who goes missing. Children are likely to enjoy this page-turner mystery series.

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Treating allergic reactions in children

Our neighbour recently adopted a cat. Though I am an animal lover, I think my daughter is allergic to the cat. Subsequent to playing with the feline, she developed itching and a runny nose. Is there some way of finding out if she is allergic to cat hair/fur? —Preetha Kumar, Chennai Dogs and cats emanate sticky allergens that remain in the air for long periods of time (43 days). However it’s the dander flakes of dead skin of dogs and cats which are more allergenic than their hair or fur. If your daughter has a history of allergy atopic constitution or has tested positive for an allergy test (skin prick test and specific IgE) conducted by a clinical allergist, it’s advisable for her not to play with your neighbour’s cat. To be doubly sure she is allergic to cats, you can opt for provocation tests, in which avoidance of cats for three months will relieve her allergy symptoms, but re-exposure will prompt recurrence of symptoms. This will confirm if she is allergic to cats. My five-year-old son seems to have a permanent cold and runny nose during summers. Recently, he has been complaining of ear pain. We moved to Bangalore last summer and my husband has noticed that this is the second summer that he has exhibited these symptoms. Please advise. — Shameel R. K, Bangalore If your child has recurrent colds and runny nose without fever with seasonal exacerbation (April, May, June) even after administering symptomatic treatment consecutively for two-three years, it is advisable to perform a blood specific IgE test for indoor allergens (altrenaria, dust mites etc.). Please consult an allergy specialist. If the test is negative and you suspect viral or bacterial infection, consult your physician. We eat sea prawns and other seafood at home regularly. My 12-year-old son has been eating them from childhood. However in the past two weeks he has complained of stomach pain after consuming prawns. He does not exhibit these symptoms after consuming fish. Is it possible to suddenly develop an allergy to a particular food? — Ardra Venugopal, Chennai Food allergy symptoms occur within one hour of eating in the form of urticaria (hives all over the body) but food intolerance signs are only confined to the gastro-intestinal tract (abdominal pain etc). You can develop sudden allergies to particular foods — it depends on individual genetic susceptibility and external factors such as alcohol, painkillers, exercise etc. I suggest he eats fish in small amounts and gradually increases tolerance as advised by a clinical allergist. We have recently moved back into our house after renovating it. My eight-year-old daughter has started showing allergic reactions right from the time we moved in again — sneezing, runny nose, etc. She was born here and has lived here from childhood. Is it possible to become suddenly allergic to the house that she has lived in for years? — Ananya Bhat, Mangalore The symptoms of allergic reaction depend on the type of allergens sensitisation, concentration and duration…

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Teaching children money management

Our family is facing a temporary financial crisis and my husband has asked us to reduce household expenses for two months. My 11-year-old son has misunderstood the situation as dire and has become non-communicative. Should I consult a professional counsellor? — Preethi Chaddha, Chandigarh For children, money-related and concepts such as “reducing expenses” are abstract and can cause anxiety. You need to educate him about money management. Give him a small sum of money and ask him to maintain four piggy banks, for savings, charity, investment and expenditure. Encourage him to manage the money efficiently. Your temporary financial crisis provides a good opportunity to help him understand money management and discuss his father’s financial troubles. Only if this strategy doesn’t work, should you call in a counsellor. My daughter is preparing to write the CBSE class X board exam in 2020. My husband’s cousin’s daughter will also take the same exam next year. My mother-in-law is always comparing their report cards and marks. This irritates my daughter. How do I explain to my mother-in-law that comparisons are odious? — Prameela Balakrishnan, Kochi Though you can counsel your mother-in-law that a little restraint and understanding from her will go a long way in helping her granddaughter cope with board exam pressure, it’s usually difficult to change the well-entrenched attitudes and behaviour of elders. I suggest that you focus on supporting your daughter in this crucial academic year. Advise her to develop coping strategies such as ignoring her grandmother’s comparisons, practise breathing techniques and yoga to calm down, and develop positive life attitudes. Last year we shifted to a new city and my children, aged six (son) and eight (daughter) years, started attending a new school. Recently I was informed by my son’s class teacher that he still does not interact freely with classmates and has few friends. Please advise.— Harshvardhini Bhatia, Haryana Male children take longer than girl children to adapt to new social situations especially if they lack opportunities for free, unstructured, outdoor play with peers. They are also less likely to use language for communication. You should make an effort to provide him time every day for free unstructured play with his peers. Also, reduce gadget and screen time. You will notice change in his behaviour in three-six months. My 15-year-old daughter is neither too thin nor too fat. But she believes she has become obese and is skipping her meals. I am worried about her health. Is this a passing phase? — Neha Palekar, Mumbai Media and peer pressure to look physically attractive affects most adolescents who are constantly shamed for being different from the ideal body image. It’s advisable to consult a professional dietician who will counsel her on the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise and fitness. On the home front, make fitness and health an important priority — as opposed to following weight loss regimens — and encourage all family members to participate and bond through collaborative physical exercise. (Aarti Rajaratnam is director of…

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Help children cope with divorce

While parents going through divorce spend most of their time sorting out their own feelings of hurt, rejection and bitterness, children who bear witness to arguments and recriminations have to suffer their own challenges. Here’s how to help children cope with divorce – K.P. Malini & Indu Surendar Divorce can be heart-breaking for a couple, but it can hit your children even harder. While parents going through divorce spend most of their time sorting out their own feelings of hurt, rejection and bitterness, children who bear witness to arguments and recriminations have to suffer their own challenges. Marital discord at home could interfere with their academic work and social life, especially if they are adolescents who are conscious of their image and standing in society. Although there’s less stigma of divorce these days, children, especially young ones, almost never believe that it is as good an idea as parents who seek it, believe. Children love the family life and invariably feel anxious and insecure when parents break up. In such a circumstance, it’s important to give them time to adjust to the new situation and also perhaps to let-off steam. “First of all, if parents are going through a hard time, the children should be referred to a counsellor who will help them process the situation and react in a mature way. Many a time, children retreat into their shell or become overtly hostile towards one or both parents. They need a professional’s help to understand that because their parents’ relationship is coming apart, it does not diminish their love for them,” says Dr. Sagar Mundada, consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Healthspring, Mumbai, who counsels three-four children every month whose parents are going — or have gone — their separate ways. Male children tend to express their distress overtly through classroom rebellion and social aggression. On the other hand, girl children manage better in the immediate aftermath of their parents’ divorce, but may experience difficulty in forming romantic relationships when they grow older. According to child psychologists and psychiatrists, it’s very difficult for children to really understand the reasons behind a divorce, however much parents may try to explain. Moreover, angry, squabbling parents often vent their anger on children for trivial mistakes. This prompts them to blame themselves for their parents falling out and this could cause great emotional stress. “If the children feel guilty and blame themselves for your troubles, explain to them that they are not to blame for your falling out. Assure them that both parents will continue to love them unconditionally, if not more than before,” advises Dr. Mundada. “My kids were terrified when my husband and I decided on a trial separation. They literally withdrew from us and kept each other company. They feared that our separation would separate them. They also dreaded the prospect of our being short of money after daddy left,” recalls Preethi Singh*, a divorced mother of two pre-teens. Here are some suggestions offered by Dr. Mundada to make divorce less painful…

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Help your child succeed with positive psychology

Positive psychology focuses on the positive events and influences in life, an individual’s strengths rather than weaknesses, and building the good in life instead of repairing the bad Positive psychology is the new mantra for leading happy and fulfilling lives. Coined and propounded by Dr. Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, positive psychology focuses on positive events and influences in life, a person’s strengths rather than weaknesses, and building the good in life instead of repairing the bad. It’s a scientific discipline and should not be confused with positive thinking, positive affirmation or similar self-help mantras. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, following his PERMA model helps individuals achieve psychological well-being and happiness. PERMA Model To Happiness P — Positive Emotions. Develop a mindset which focuses on positive emotions such as joy, satisfaction, pride, etc. This can be done through mindfulness training and adopting an attitude of gratitude. Writing a daily journal of at least three things that made you happy that day is a great way to develop this mindset. E — Engagement. Activities that fully engage and fill us with positive emotions and elevate one’s sense of well-being, and help us find calm, focus, and joy. Choose a career, hobby, sports, or activity that attracts full engagement. R — (Positive) Relationships. Homo sapiens are social creatures. Interact with people around you with an attitude of adding value to their lives. Soon you will discover that they are also adding value to your life. M — Meaning. Wealth and fortune are not the only determinants of success and happiness. Living a meaningful life requires dedicating yourself to a vocation or cause greater than earning money. Focus and introspect on how the job you do every day helps others. This will give you a sense of meaning and purpose to life. A — Accomplishment. Dr. Seligman believes it’s difficult to live a full life and attain true happiness unless you are working towards improving yourself and achieve goals. Celebrating the small victories in life such as winning a contract, having your child win a race or helping an underprivileged child, will enable you to experience a feeling of accomplishment. Positive psychology for children You can incorporate the PERMA model into your parenting style to raise confident and happy children with strong emotional intelligence. As a starting point, focus on building your child’s innate strengths instead of focusing on improving her weaknesses. Set high expectations and reward her with praise if she achieves her goals. But if she fails, don’t criticise her. Instead give her constructive feedback on ways and means to improve. All praise or feedback should be authentic and specific to the task at hand. For instance, instead of saying “you are so intelligent,” its advisable to say “this math exercise was difficult, but I’m glad you worked hard to solve it”. If your child confesses to getting into a fight in school or stealing from a friend, listen in a non-judgmental way and encourage her…

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New parents feel inadequate

Six in 10 parents admitted to experiencing failure as a parent during their child’s first year, according to a worldwide poll of 13,064 adults commissioned by WaterWipes, a US-based baby products company. The survey highlighted that adapting to sleepless nights, battling tiredness and struggling with infant feeding schedules makes many new parents believe they are simply “not good enough”. “The global research speaks for itself. At times, parents are left feeling like they are failing, especially when they are surrounded by false images of perfect parenting — with the UK one of the most likely countries to experience this,” says Cathy Kidd, global vice president, marketing at WaterWipes, adding that Britain is the country with the second-most anxious parents (after Australia and New Zealand).

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Traumatic childhood linked to teen violence

Exposure to traumatic events such as physical and emotional neglect, violence, and sexual abuse in childhood could result in adolescent depression and violence, says a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (May). The first-of-its-type Global Early Adolescent Study, a collaborative project of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA, assessed how “adverse childhood experiences” impact young children in several low-and middle-income countries, where the vast majority of the word’s 1.8 billion 10-24-year-olds live including Vietnam, China, Bolivia, Egypt, India, Kenya, the UK and US. 46 percent of young adolescents reported experiencing violence, 38 percent suffered emotional neglect and 29 percent physical neglect. “This is the first global study to investigate how a cluster of traumatic childhood experiences known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) work together to cause specific health issues in early adolescence with terrible, life-long consequences,” says Robert Blum, professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Don’t preach to papa about parenting

More than 50 percent of male parents believe they are judged harshly as parents, reveals a study published by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The study which surveyed 713 male parents of children aged 0-13 years, asking them to answer questions about how criticism impacts their parenting choices, found that 52 percent of male parents reported receiving “negative feedback about their parenting style,” while 90 percent believed that they were doing a good job. Over 40 percent of the criticism was received from a co-parent and 25 percent from a grandparent. Lead researcher Sarah Clark, a health and behaviour specialist and faculty at the University of Michigan’s School of Medicine, says that the “dad-shaming” survey highlights that 67 percent of male parents received criticism about discipline, 43 percent about diet and nutrition, 32 percent about paying too little attention to their children and 32 percent for being too rough. “Different parenting styles can be a strength that fathers bring to parenting. A father’s parenting style can be enriching for children — help kids to behave positively and broaden their perspective of the world,” says Clark.

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Personal care products harmful for children

Personal care products such as shampoo, lotion and nail polish can be hazardous for young children, says a study published in Clinical Pediatrics (June), noting that over 64,600 children below five years of age were treated for injuries related to cosmetic products between 2002 and 2016 in US hospitals. The study conducted over a period of 15 years by the Center for Injury Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus (USA), found that most injuries occurred when children swallow such products (75.7 percent) or the product made contact with a child’s skin or eyes (19.3 percent). Such ingestions and exposures often caused poisoning (86.2 percent) or chemical burns (13.8 percent). “Kids this age can’t read, so they don’t know what they are looking at. They see a bottle with a colorful label that looks or smells like something they are allowed to eat or drink, so they try to open it and take a swallow. When the bottle turns out to be nail polish remover instead of juice, or lotion instead of yogurt, serious injuries can occur,” warns Rebecca McAdams, senior research associate at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and co-author of the study.

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Poor role models

Thanks for your timely cover story ‘Evolved males redefining fatherhood’ (PW June). It was nice to read how millennium male parents are increasingly sharing parenting duties and household chores. However, this is only true in some progressive households in metro cities. In rural India, it’s the norm for women to do all household work, raise children as well as help out on the farm. Men believe their duty is limited to being financial providers. Sadly, such patriarchal fathers are poor role models for their male children who grow into insensitive men with little respect for women’s freedoms and rights. Surabhi Saxena Delhi Father’s Day history After reading your cover story ‘Evolved males redefining fatherhood’ (PW June), I did some googling on the origins of Father’s Day. My family has never celebrated Father’s Day so it was fascinating to read about it. Only in some countries such as the UK and US, it is celebrated in June. In others such as Russia, it is celebrated in February, Spain in March, and Australia in September. The origin of the day dates back to 1910, when during a Mother’s Day church service, Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington suggested that like mothers, male parents should be honoured. Dodd’s mother had died when she was 16 years and her father, an American civil war veteran, had raised her and her five siblings. She convinced the church to declare June 5, her dad’s birthday, as Father’s Day. In 1913, the first bill was introduced in the US Congress, to designate Father’s Day as a national holiday. But the bill was finally passed half a century later in 1972 when President Nixon declared Father’s Day as an official celebration on every third Sunday of June. James Joseph D’Souza Bangalore Speed reading imperative The story on speed reading techniques was very informative (PW June). Today, the school syllabus is so vast and children’s textbooks so detailed, that unless they practice speed reading techniques, it will become very difficult for them to complete the syllabus portions on time. I’ve done some further Internet research on speed reading and intend to train my two children in this art. Selina Rodrigues Chennai Pleasures of art journaling I started art journaling two years ago and therefore it was a pleasure to read your well-researched essay on this subject in ParentsWorld last month. I also got my daughter to start a year ago, and now it has become something we do every day together. It has become a wonderful way for the two of us to bond and share insights and ideas. I’ve realised that it’s very important for parents to involve children in creative activities to develop their attention and cognitive skills. Since creativity involves exploration and problem solving, it encourages them to come up with new ideas and think outside the box.\ Shweta Lakshman Coimbatore Stressful parenting I am a mother of two school-going children and am stressed on most days trying to get them ready for school and managing their…

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Letter from the Managing Editor

There are two widely divergent opinions on the quantum of sleep required by productive and successful individuals of the 21st century. The consensus opinion of the rich and famous is ‘don’t sleep your life away’. Most of the world’s richest and most successful people sleep for less than five hours. They include US President Donald Trump (3-4 hours), Twitter founder Jack Dorsey (4), GE chief executive Jeff Immelt (5) and former president of Pepsico Inc Indra Nooyi (4). However, most research conducted by healthcare gurus and academics is unanimous that adults require a minimum seven-nine hours sleep in every 24-hour cycle to maintain good health and become productive. According to this accumulating body of research, sleep deprivation can — and does — aggravate stress, depression, diabetes and cardiac ailments. In particular, expert and professional opinion is unanimous that for children and adolescents, adequate and restful sleep is the prerequisite of physical and mental well-being. For the young, good quality prolonged sleep is necessary for their growing bodies to build sinews and mental capability to enable brain development and tissue repair functions. According to a recent study published in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics, over 90 percent of 13-15-year-olds in Delhi are sleep-deprived. Driven by pushy parents, millions of children and teenagers across the country are sacrificing sleep at the altar of academics, co-curricular and sports education and technology addiction. The consequences are poor academic performance, lethargy, irritation, obesity and incremental stress. The warning of medical experts to the growing tribe of helicopter parents is don’t cram your child’s day with activities and cut down on their sleep hours; it can be counter-productive. There are many other interesting features in this issue. Among them: how to help children cope with divorce; a health and nutrition essay on preventing chronic illnesses in children by Vellore-based pediatrician Dr. Gita Mathai and interview with popular actress Isha Koppikar on how she nurtures her daughter by example. Also check out our four-page Kidzone special on ways and means to encourage children to take to sports and games.

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