We wait for the mornings with doubled eagerness, to hear a 'Moneeeng(morning)' from lil Ananya. We now are aware cars, planes, cows exist.
The energies of me and Murali put together, are failing to the match her activity levels.I feel tired and drained out several times a day.The lil one doesn't consider a day complete without pulling out my hair (with full force), stretching and almost breaking my spectacles, punching dada's face and eliciting several screams of pain. Yeah, yeah it's fun.........She's learning Newton's third law.
She knows where her favourite biscuits are stored.She goes up to the counter, stands on her toes,trying to reach for the tin, and says,'bikkeee'(for biscuit),stands at the refrigerator and says,'ceeem(for ice cream) .
There is not a thing that can escape her attention.She enjoys standing in the balcongy and watching each thing that passes by.Stacking, packing, unpacking are some of her favourite pastimes.
Lots of joy, lots of work and needed....lots of energy.
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
In awe.....
If I were to record each new word and each new activity Ananya is learning every passing day, I'd have to go on and on and on.Mama and Dadda are so much in awe of her growing up,her exerting independence in every activity, her asserting tastes and preferences........the fact that "baby Ananya' has metamorphed into a toddler, sends across a mixed bag of emotions.
The pretty, naughty, cute toddler that she is now, is only mastering more ways of captivating us.
The pretty, naughty, cute toddler that she is now, is only mastering more ways of captivating us.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Going to India !!!!
So.......the day has almost arrived and we are going to India tomorrow.Ananya's homecoming!!!
More than anything else, very excited and anxious too, about how the lil one is going to react to the new climate, new surroundings, new people, new everything. It is going to be a hectic month...Lots of travel, visits and things to do, while making sure that Ananya is comfortable always.
Really excited about our first birthday party.A BIG day for us....Most of the arrangements are in place.But lots more to do....
Most of the stuff has been cleared from our home in London.All our lil friends have found new homes.Very sad about it because the've all been with us since Ananya was born, and have seen her grow. Bye bye doggie, bye bye bunny, bye bye leapfrog activity center, bye bye trekker, bye bye greenie, bye bye teddy, bye bye snowwhite, bye bye tabbu, bye bye dabbu. We will miss you all sooooooooo much. And we know you will miss us too.But you know we can't carry you all to India as Ananya is allowed only 10 kilos luggage and you know we have to carry all food jars, milk and nappies for her.
But you will always be in our thoughts.And yeah....Be good and keep your new friends happy.Take care.....
Bye bye London.......Hope to visit you again.
More than anything else, very excited and anxious too, about how the lil one is going to react to the new climate, new surroundings, new people, new everything. It is going to be a hectic month...Lots of travel, visits and things to do, while making sure that Ananya is comfortable always.
Really excited about our first birthday party.A BIG day for us....Most of the arrangements are in place.But lots more to do....
Most of the stuff has been cleared from our home in London.All our lil friends have found new homes.Very sad about it because the've all been with us since Ananya was born, and have seen her grow. Bye bye doggie, bye bye bunny, bye bye leapfrog activity center, bye bye trekker, bye bye greenie, bye bye teddy, bye bye snowwhite, bye bye tabbu, bye bye dabbu. We will miss you all sooooooooo much. And we know you will miss us too.But you know we can't carry you all to India as Ananya is allowed only 10 kilos luggage and you know we have to carry all food jars, milk and nappies for her.
But you will always be in our thoughts.And yeah....Be good and keep your new friends happy.Take care.....
Bye bye London.......Hope to visit you again.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Do I know you???
Lil Ananya is now wary of going to strangers. We had friends visit us over the weekend and she would cry everytime she was asked to go to them(But, finally, with their persistence and loving ways, they managed to get her to play with them).The downside of staying in a new place, with not too many friends around!A coupla days ago, two health visitors knocked at our door, they'd come to collect some information.As they walked in, in their long, black coats, the lil one screamed.At least I know, we are safe that she doesn't let strangers in the house.Hahaha. So, lotsa of transformation, new ideas, imagination, emotions, feats, replacing the blissful ignorance.Amazing to see her grow in all aspects.Very fulfilling......
And an example of her strategic mind...She was playing on the floor this afternoon and I was sitting in the sofa, working on the computer.She pullled up a cushion close to the sofa, and stepping on it,climbed onto the sofa, ALL BY HERSELF and gave a big victorious laugh.And yeah, I felt victorious too......
And an example of her strategic mind...She was playing on the floor this afternoon and I was sitting in the sofa, working on the computer.She pullled up a cushion close to the sofa, and stepping on it,climbed onto the sofa, ALL BY HERSELF and gave a big victorious laugh.And yeah, I felt victorious too......
Friday, September 22, 2006
Homeschooling for Ananya?
So, this thought occurred to us a month ago.We were wondering if homeschooling was something to be considered for Ananya darling. We sat discussing the very fundamental things of how we would justify an idea like that.
Something that interested both of us was, Ananya would learn at her own pace and not at the pace of 50 other children.
She would set her own hours and do things in the order she prefers.
We want her to have a balanced life, good proportions of academics, extra curricular, sport, family time, social time, general awareness.....
Learning should be fun for her, not a chore or a burden.
May be this is feasible, at least till primary school.
The idea is in its nascent stage.Lotsa things to be considered.Huge amounts of research and groundwork to be done. And most important, Ananya should like it.
Not an easy task, homeschooling a young, enthusiastic, energetic, demanding, curious, lil kid.But, there is a hidden carrot..... more time with Ananya.Dream to make as much as possible, of the time we get to spend with her, before she grows into an independent adult and decides to set out on her own.
When Ananya's ready to go to school, I shall tell her,"Darling! Finish your work so we can go to the pool"
And if she answers,"Mom! I want all play and no rule".
I would end up," Baby!You are better off going to schooooooool".
Something that interested both of us was, Ananya would learn at her own pace and not at the pace of 50 other children.
She would set her own hours and do things in the order she prefers.
We want her to have a balanced life, good proportions of academics, extra curricular, sport, family time, social time, general awareness.....
Learning should be fun for her, not a chore or a burden.
May be this is feasible, at least till primary school.
The idea is in its nascent stage.Lotsa things to be considered.Huge amounts of research and groundwork to be done. And most important, Ananya should like it.
Not an easy task, homeschooling a young, enthusiastic, energetic, demanding, curious, lil kid.But, there is a hidden carrot..... more time with Ananya.Dream to make as much as possible, of the time we get to spend with her, before she grows into an independent adult and decides to set out on her own.
When Ananya's ready to go to school, I shall tell her,"Darling! Finish your work so we can go to the pool"
And if she answers,"Mom! I want all play and no rule".
I would end up," Baby!You are better off going to schooooooool".
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Honey heals!
Digression:
Something which i found on the web.
Honey can help heal chronic infected lesions caused by a bacterial infection. The study examined severe cases of skin lesions that had gone unhealed during nine months of intensive care. Within 10 weeks of the start of a topical treatment with honey, all lesions had healed completely. Other studies have shown that dressing with honey is as effective as aggressive surgical removal of infected tissue in treating "flesh-eating" bacteria. Honey also has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity, is effective against bacteria involved in gastroenteritis, strep throat, dental caries and gingivitis, and promotes growth of probiotics in the gut.
A new study into an ancient remedy now proves that honey helps the treatment of some wounds better than most modern antibiotics.
The study, by researchers from the University of Bonn, Germany, has found that medihoney is a very effective healer, even healing chronic wounds infected with multi-resistant bacteria within a few weeks.
The study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Düsseldorf, Homburg and Berlin.
Dr Arne Simon from the cancer ward of the Bonn University Children’s Clinic said that with doctors being faced with germs resistant to all current anti-biotic, honey was once again being seen as a viable treatment.
“In hospitals today we are faced with germs which are resistant to almost all the current anti-biotics. As a result, the medical use of honey is becoming attractive again for the treatment of wounds,” he said.
Bonn paediatricians have over the years been pioneering the use in Germany of medihoney in treating wounds. Kai Sofka, wound specialist at the University Children’s Clinic, said that medihoney, that bears the CE seal for medical products, has proved to be extremely successful in treating wounds.
“Dead tissue is rejected faster, and the wounds heal more rapidly. What is more, changing dressings is less painful, since the poultices are easier to remove without damaging the newly formed layers of skin. Even wounds which consistently refused to heal for years can, in our experience, be brought under control with medihoney – and this frequently happens within a few weeks,” Kai Sofka said.
Medihoney consists of two different types of honey: one which forms a comparatively large amount of hydrogen peroxide, and another known as ‘lepto-spermum honey’. Leptospermum is a species of tree which occurs in New Zealand and Australia. Honey from these trees has a particularly strong anti-bacterial effect, even in a 10 percent dilution. ANI
Courtesy:
http://www.nexuspub.com/health/2001/hsept01_4.htm
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=072932
Something which i found on the web.
Honey can help heal chronic infected lesions caused by a bacterial infection. The study examined severe cases of skin lesions that had gone unhealed during nine months of intensive care. Within 10 weeks of the start of a topical treatment with honey, all lesions had healed completely. Other studies have shown that dressing with honey is as effective as aggressive surgical removal of infected tissue in treating "flesh-eating" bacteria. Honey also has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity, is effective against bacteria involved in gastroenteritis, strep throat, dental caries and gingivitis, and promotes growth of probiotics in the gut.
A new study into an ancient remedy now proves that honey helps the treatment of some wounds better than most modern antibiotics.
The study, by researchers from the University of Bonn, Germany, has found that medihoney is a very effective healer, even healing chronic wounds infected with multi-resistant bacteria within a few weeks.
The study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Düsseldorf, Homburg and Berlin.
Dr Arne Simon from the cancer ward of the Bonn University Children’s Clinic said that with doctors being faced with germs resistant to all current anti-biotic, honey was once again being seen as a viable treatment.
“In hospitals today we are faced with germs which are resistant to almost all the current anti-biotics. As a result, the medical use of honey is becoming attractive again for the treatment of wounds,” he said.
Bonn paediatricians have over the years been pioneering the use in Germany of medihoney in treating wounds. Kai Sofka, wound specialist at the University Children’s Clinic, said that medihoney, that bears the CE seal for medical products, has proved to be extremely successful in treating wounds.
“Dead tissue is rejected faster, and the wounds heal more rapidly. What is more, changing dressings is less painful, since the poultices are easier to remove without damaging the newly formed layers of skin. Even wounds which consistently refused to heal for years can, in our experience, be brought under control with medihoney – and this frequently happens within a few weeks,” Kai Sofka said.
Medihoney consists of two different types of honey: one which forms a comparatively large amount of hydrogen peroxide, and another known as ‘lepto-spermum honey’. Leptospermum is a species of tree which occurs in New Zealand and Australia. Honey from these trees has a particularly strong anti-bacterial effect, even in a 10 percent dilution. ANI
Courtesy:
http://www.nexuspub.com/health/2001/hsept01_4.htm
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=072932
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Digression: News to ponder
Another digression:
Some days ago, London press had something to report.The news item talked about a report published by
UK will bring in legislation which will prohibit teachers from talking about right and wrong.. The report says, students should find their own values and beliefs. It also said that schools need not have UK culture as a part of school curriculum.
I personally feel strongly that children should be instilled values, knowledge of rights, wrongs, culture by their parents and teachers. Children can be moulded to be good citizens when they are made aware of the results of their actions.
Culture is a part of your identity. And culture contributes respect for history, heritage and ultimately to national pride (contrasts with ego). Culture is where your roots are.
I also think it is very right for parents and teachers to admonish children (reasonably and causing no bodily harm or emotional turmoil) when the little ones deviate from the path of righteousness.
Sometimes, if the right is wrong... does it mean the wrong is right?Any answers?
Some days ago, London press had something to report.The news item talked about a report published by
UK will bring in legislation which will prohibit teachers from talking about right and wrong.. The report says, students should find their own values and beliefs. It also said that schools need not have UK culture as a part of school curriculum.
I personally feel strongly that children should be instilled values, knowledge of rights, wrongs, culture by their parents and teachers. Children can be moulded to be good citizens when they are made aware of the results of their actions.
Culture is a part of your identity. And culture contributes respect for history, heritage and ultimately to national pride (contrasts with ego). Culture is where your roots are.
I also think it is very right for parents and teachers to admonish children (reasonably and causing no bodily harm or emotional turmoil) when the little ones deviate from the path of righteousness.
Sometimes, if the right is wrong... does it mean the wrong is right?Any answers?
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Digression: An info article about essential oils
Courtesy rediff.com
Essential oils smell great. Even better, they are deemed to have therapeutic properties. If you're wondering how true that claim is, this should help.
The term 'essential' is intended to convey that the oil is the true essence of the plant it is derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated natural plant extracts, made from a liquid distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots or other parts. And, contrary to what 'oil' implies, they are not greasy at all.
9 popular oils and benefits
Most essential oils are available in 10 ml bottles, but some highly concentrated and expensive ones -- such as rose -- can be bought in 1 ml bottles too.
. Rose: Known as the queen of oils, this is ideal for skincare. It tones, cleanses and is useful for dry and aging skin. It is also known to have sensual and aphrodisiac properties.
Aroma type: Floral
Price: Approximately Rs 225 for 1 ml
. Peppermint: An energising oil with a penetrating aroma, this fights fatigue and muscle pain. When blended with Rosemary, it makes for an excellent morning bath. You can dab a few drops on your handkerchief while travelling.
Aroma type: Minty
Price: Approximately Rs 52 for 10 ml.
. Lavender: The most versatile of essential oils, lavender is relaxing, uplifts the spirits and helps relieve muscle pain. It is apt for rejuvenating tired muscles. It can also be used to treats burns, as it reduces scarring.
Aroma type: Herbal
Price: Approximately Rs 98 for 10 ml
. Tea tree: A powerful antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, this is useful in tackling acne, cold sores, headaches, warts and burns. It is a useful cleansing agent for the skin and helps fight foot odour.
Aroma type: Herbal
Price: Approximately Rs 173 for 10 ml
. Eucalyptus: With its penetrating scent and antiseptic properties, this is widely used in baths and massage during the cold season for tackling congestion and muscle aches. It is also used for soothing erupting and blemished skin.
Aroma type: Camphorous
Price: Approximately Rs 29 for 10 ml
. Lemon: Fresh, citrus scented oil with antibacterial and tonic properties, lemon essential oil revitalizes and brings relief from cold. It is used liberally in beauty care, such as for dulling stained hands or to tone and condition nails and cuticles.
Aroma type: Citrus
Price: Approximately Rs 58 for 10 ml
. Patchouli: It has sensual, uplifting properties and can prevent sleep with its nerve stimulating properties. It protects dry, mature or blemished skin and is effective in treating dandruff.
Aroma type: Woody, musky
Price: Approximately Rs 173 for 10 ml
. Sage: A useful controller of the nervous system, it is considered useful in treating viral infections. It is also considered helpful for menstrual and digestive disorders, but should not be used during pregnancy.
Aroma type: Camphorous
Price: Approximately Rs 245 for 10 ml
. Thyme: A medicinal herb with a strong pungent aroma that is useful in combating cold conditions. It is also effective as a disinfectant.
Aroma type: Spicy
Price: Approximately Rs 173 for 10 ml
Pamper yourself
The most popular use of essential oils is in aromatherapy. This therapy uses essential oils to assist in the healing of physical and psychological ailments by utilising our rather neglected sense -- smell. Here are some simple aromatherapy methods you could try at home.
Rejuvenating baths
Add seven to eight drops of an essential oil such as lavender, lemon, rose or tea tree in lukewarm water and have a bath. This helps in de-stressing and refreshes you. For sensitive skin, dilute the oil in a base oil like sweet almond, apricot or peach kernel first. You could also pour some drops of essential oil on a wet sponge and gently rub it all over your body while you relax under a warm jet spray.
Fragrant moments
Wax candles already impregnated with essential oils, or lamps with the oils, are a delightful way of making your space fragrant.
Deodorising foot soak
To a tub of hot water, add four to five drops of peppermint or thyme oil and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. Then rub your feet with lavender oil to rid it of tiredness. Deodorise your shoe rack with lemon grass and your shoes with two drops of pine or tea tree oil.
Essential oil therapy
Perfume your pillow with two to three drops of oil or sprinkle some on your bed. Choose a relaxing oil like lavender, tangerine or ylang ylang to tackle insomnia. Dr Dheeraj Mulchandani, resident doctor at Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, explains, "Steam inhalation of essential oils is very helpful in controlling respiratory problems (colds and flu), but should not be used by asthmatics. For colds, one could try two drops each of eucalyptus, mountain pine and lemon. For flu relief, try four drops of sage, a drop of tea tree and a drop of thyme."
For indigestion, peppermint oil is very effective when taken orally. It can produce the same results when massaged on the stomach. Oils like eucalyptus and tea tree act as instant relief oils that dull pain. Sarika, a Mumbai-based beautician, says, "Essential oils are handy tools for beauticians because of their instant soothing effect. For instance, a gentle massage using pure undiluted tea tree oil right after bleaching works as an instant solution for ridding the skin of red patches and rashes. It also relaxes the skin."
Safety tips
Although the use of essential oils is usually safe and beneficial, Dr Mulchandani warns that excess or regular usage should be avoided during pregnancy as it poses a risk of possible toxicity. "A patch test should be done while using an essential oil for the first time," he adds. "Also, avoid excessive exposure to these oils as they are concentrated and can cause headaches or other symptoms."
Where to buy them
Essential oils are available in department stores and beauty stores such as Beauty Centre on SV Road, Bandra and Crawford Market in Mumbai. Some ashrams stock up on them too. For instance, Auroville ashram in Pondicherry has its own brand called Maroma that it supplies to stores across India. Retail outlets also usually have a counter that sells specialty products like essential oils. Aroma Treasure, R K's Aroma Shop, Blossom Kocchar and Soul Flower are brands considered reliable and stocked by most stores. The price and quality can vary greatly and depends on the rarity of the plant, country and conditions it was grown in, quality standards of the distiller and quantity of oil produced. Of course, the brand you go for makes a difference too.
Essential oils smell great. Even better, they are deemed to have therapeutic properties. If you're wondering how true that claim is, this should help.
The term 'essential' is intended to convey that the oil is the true essence of the plant it is derived from. Essential oils are highly concentrated natural plant extracts, made from a liquid distilled from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots or other parts. And, contrary to what 'oil' implies, they are not greasy at all.
9 popular oils and benefits
Most essential oils are available in 10 ml bottles, but some highly concentrated and expensive ones -- such as rose -- can be bought in 1 ml bottles too.
. Rose: Known as the queen of oils, this is ideal for skincare. It tones, cleanses and is useful for dry and aging skin. It is also known to have sensual and aphrodisiac properties.
Aroma type: Floral
Price: Approximately Rs 225 for 1 ml
. Peppermint: An energising oil with a penetrating aroma, this fights fatigue and muscle pain. When blended with Rosemary, it makes for an excellent morning bath. You can dab a few drops on your handkerchief while travelling.
Aroma type: Minty
Price: Approximately Rs 52 for 10 ml.
. Lavender: The most versatile of essential oils, lavender is relaxing, uplifts the spirits and helps relieve muscle pain. It is apt for rejuvenating tired muscles. It can also be used to treats burns, as it reduces scarring.
Aroma type: Herbal
Price: Approximately Rs 98 for 10 ml
. Tea tree: A powerful antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, this is useful in tackling acne, cold sores, headaches, warts and burns. It is a useful cleansing agent for the skin and helps fight foot odour.
Aroma type: Herbal
Price: Approximately Rs 173 for 10 ml
. Eucalyptus: With its penetrating scent and antiseptic properties, this is widely used in baths and massage during the cold season for tackling congestion and muscle aches. It is also used for soothing erupting and blemished skin.
Aroma type: Camphorous
Price: Approximately Rs 29 for 10 ml
. Lemon: Fresh, citrus scented oil with antibacterial and tonic properties, lemon essential oil revitalizes and brings relief from cold. It is used liberally in beauty care, such as for dulling stained hands or to tone and condition nails and cuticles.
Aroma type: Citrus
Price: Approximately Rs 58 for 10 ml
. Patchouli: It has sensual, uplifting properties and can prevent sleep with its nerve stimulating properties. It protects dry, mature or blemished skin and is effective in treating dandruff.
Aroma type: Woody, musky
Price: Approximately Rs 173 for 10 ml
. Sage: A useful controller of the nervous system, it is considered useful in treating viral infections. It is also considered helpful for menstrual and digestive disorders, but should not be used during pregnancy.
Aroma type: Camphorous
Price: Approximately Rs 245 for 10 ml
. Thyme: A medicinal herb with a strong pungent aroma that is useful in combating cold conditions. It is also effective as a disinfectant.
Aroma type: Spicy
Price: Approximately Rs 173 for 10 ml
Pamper yourself
The most popular use of essential oils is in aromatherapy. This therapy uses essential oils to assist in the healing of physical and psychological ailments by utilising our rather neglected sense -- smell. Here are some simple aromatherapy methods you could try at home.
Rejuvenating baths
Add seven to eight drops of an essential oil such as lavender, lemon, rose or tea tree in lukewarm water and have a bath. This helps in de-stressing and refreshes you. For sensitive skin, dilute the oil in a base oil like sweet almond, apricot or peach kernel first. You could also pour some drops of essential oil on a wet sponge and gently rub it all over your body while you relax under a warm jet spray.
Fragrant moments
Wax candles already impregnated with essential oils, or lamps with the oils, are a delightful way of making your space fragrant.
Deodorising foot soak
To a tub of hot water, add four to five drops of peppermint or thyme oil and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes. Then rub your feet with lavender oil to rid it of tiredness. Deodorise your shoe rack with lemon grass and your shoes with two drops of pine or tea tree oil.
Essential oil therapy
Perfume your pillow with two to three drops of oil or sprinkle some on your bed. Choose a relaxing oil like lavender, tangerine or ylang ylang to tackle insomnia. Dr Dheeraj Mulchandani, resident doctor at Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, explains, "Steam inhalation of essential oils is very helpful in controlling respiratory problems (colds and flu), but should not be used by asthmatics. For colds, one could try two drops each of eucalyptus, mountain pine and lemon. For flu relief, try four drops of sage, a drop of tea tree and a drop of thyme."
For indigestion, peppermint oil is very effective when taken orally. It can produce the same results when massaged on the stomach. Oils like eucalyptus and tea tree act as instant relief oils that dull pain. Sarika, a Mumbai-based beautician, says, "Essential oils are handy tools for beauticians because of their instant soothing effect. For instance, a gentle massage using pure undiluted tea tree oil right after bleaching works as an instant solution for ridding the skin of red patches and rashes. It also relaxes the skin."
Safety tips
Although the use of essential oils is usually safe and beneficial, Dr Mulchandani warns that excess or regular usage should be avoided during pregnancy as it poses a risk of possible toxicity. "A patch test should be done while using an essential oil for the first time," he adds. "Also, avoid excessive exposure to these oils as they are concentrated and can cause headaches or other symptoms."
Where to buy them
Essential oils are available in department stores and beauty stores such as Beauty Centre on SV Road, Bandra and Crawford Market in Mumbai. Some ashrams stock up on them too. For instance, Auroville ashram in Pondicherry has its own brand called Maroma that it supplies to stores across India. Retail outlets also usually have a counter that sells specialty products like essential oils. Aroma Treasure, R K's Aroma Shop, Blossom Kocchar and Soul Flower are brands considered reliable and stocked by most stores. The price and quality can vary greatly and depends on the rarity of the plant, country and conditions it was grown in, quality standards of the distiller and quantity of oil produced. Of course, the brand you go for makes a difference too.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Left handed or right handed?
One question haunting me ever since little Annaya was born.
Would she be left handed or right handed?
At what stage would we get to know that?
I am left handed and Lalitha is right handed.. and i know that the world is not very fair to the left handed person.Even a simple coffee cup is shaped for the comfort of the right hand. There were times when i used to shy away from telling people that i was left handed.
When i was a kid, i used to write a very good handwriting, with decent speed using my left hand.My teacher used to hit me on the knuckles to change to right hand. I was forced to change to writing using my right hand( i still write using my right hand). But my handwriting and speed both went to the dogs. I was very scared during examinations that i would not be able to complete my papers on time.
Hopefully now, people realise left handed behavior to be normal and kids in school arent tortured by teachers to change their writing hand.
Here is an article i found on the web.http://toddlerstoday.com/resources/articles/lefthand.htm
We do hope Ananya develops into a normal 'right handed' girl, though we will encourage her to continue using whichever hand she is comfortable using.
Do share your thoughts.
~Murali
Would she be left handed or right handed?
At what stage would we get to know that?
I am left handed and Lalitha is right handed.. and i know that the world is not very fair to the left handed person.Even a simple coffee cup is shaped for the comfort of the right hand. There were times when i used to shy away from telling people that i was left handed.
When i was a kid, i used to write a very good handwriting, with decent speed using my left hand.My teacher used to hit me on the knuckles to change to right hand. I was forced to change to writing using my right hand( i still write using my right hand). But my handwriting and speed both went to the dogs. I was very scared during examinations that i would not be able to complete my papers on time.
Hopefully now, people realise left handed behavior to be normal and kids in school arent tortured by teachers to change their writing hand.
Here is an article i found on the web.http://toddlerstoday.com/resources/articles/lefthand.htm
We do hope Ananya develops into a normal 'right handed' girl, though we will encourage her to continue using whichever hand she is comfortable using.
Do share your thoughts.
~Murali
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Homage to Mumbai Blast victims
A snap shot of the times we live in. This week hasnt been very good for india.
1. The INSAT 4C launch failed (10th July 06)
2. The Agni 3 touted as India's most sophisticated Nuclear capable misslie fell into sea after the second stage booster failed to separate.
3. Bomb blasts in Mumbai on 11/7. Claimed a lot of lives and hopes.
All is not is shades of grey however. A nice article on the spirit of people of Mumbai.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1733417.cms
But being the great country India is, the most resilient Indians and Mumbaikars in particular will not be cowed by this act.This page is in memory of all the innocent citizens who lost their lives in this dastardly act.Our heartfelt prayers go to the departed souls. Lets all be united in this hour of grief.~Murali and Lalitha
1. The INSAT 4C launch failed (10th July 06)
2. The Agni 3 touted as India's most sophisticated Nuclear capable misslie fell into sea after the second stage booster failed to separate.
3. Bomb blasts in Mumbai on 11/7. Claimed a lot of lives and hopes.
All is not is shades of grey however. A nice article on the spirit of people of Mumbai.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1733417.cms
But being the great country India is, the most resilient Indians and Mumbaikars in particular will not be cowed by this act.This page is in memory of all the innocent citizens who lost their lives in this dastardly act.Our heartfelt prayers go to the departed souls. Lets all be united in this hour of grief.~Murali and Lalitha
Saturday, July 08, 2006
When do infants recognise parents?
Got to know that babies recognise their mothers quite early in life.. but dad's got to wait some more time to be identified.
sigh.. poor dad.
~Murali
sigh.. poor dad.
~Murali
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
21 June part 1
I know this is not fresh news, but i want to save all news of interest in this blog. So here goes.
This report is from Times ofindia. Am quoting bits of it here:
Full article: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1508234.cms
For the last 40 years, doctors across the globe depended on the World Health Organisation’s paediatric growth chart to advise mothers about their baby’s ideal weight. Now, it has been found to be grossly defective. And, for the first time ever, WHO has admitted to having given potentially harmful advice on infant nutrition to breast-feeding mothers.
Due to the faulty chart, mothers were wrongly told that their babies were underweight. This led to overfeeding of the new born babies, making them obese and prone to heart diseases in later life…
…The fact is babies fed on formula milk put on weight much faster. This resulted in normal weighing newborns fed on breast milk being found to be underweight according to the PGC. This led to doctors wrongly advising mothers to fatten their babies by giving them formula milk or extra solids. Sometimes, they were also advised to stop breast feeding the child as early as in the sixth month of birth, and instead to feed it with bottled milk.
For breast fed babies, The new chart says a one-year-old boy should weigh between 7.7 kg and 12 kg. The old chart said the weight should be between 8.1 kg and 12.4 kg. A oneyear-old girl’s weight should be 7-11.5 kg against 7.4 to 11.6 kg of the old chart.
~Murali
This report is from Times ofindia. Am quoting bits of it here:
Full article: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1508234.cms
For the last 40 years, doctors across the globe depended on the World Health Organisation’s paediatric growth chart to advise mothers about their baby’s ideal weight. Now, it has been found to be grossly defective. And, for the first time ever, WHO has admitted to having given potentially harmful advice on infant nutrition to breast-feeding mothers.
Due to the faulty chart, mothers were wrongly told that their babies were underweight. This led to overfeeding of the new born babies, making them obese and prone to heart diseases in later life…
…The fact is babies fed on formula milk put on weight much faster. This resulted in normal weighing newborns fed on breast milk being found to be underweight according to the PGC. This led to doctors wrongly advising mothers to fatten their babies by giving them formula milk or extra solids. Sometimes, they were also advised to stop breast feeding the child as early as in the sixth month of birth, and instead to feed it with bottled milk.
For breast fed babies, The new chart says a one-year-old boy should weigh between 7.7 kg and 12 kg. The old chart said the weight should be between 8.1 kg and 12.4 kg. A oneyear-old girl’s weight should be 7-11.5 kg against 7.4 to 11.6 kg of the old chart.
~Murali
Sunday, June 18, 2006
June 18 part 1
Some nice article Lalitha found on the web. Unfortunately, i do not remember the URL. ( © 2002, Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065 Australia). This article was in a pdf format. And i cannot attach the doc in this blog. So pasting it. Lengthly article. Bear with it.
It is about skin care for infants.
~Murali
------------------------------------------------------------------
Care in Babies and Young ChildrenImportant Points
•Washing in warm water is all that is necessary
•Antibacterial and perfumed soaps are unnecessary
•A small amount of moisturiser such as sorbolene or aqueous cream is good for baby’s skin
•In the cold weather the skin can become drier and a moisturiser can be used two or three times a day
•In sunny weather use clothing, hats, sunshades on prams and shade to protect baby from the sun
•Infants and very young babies absorb more chemicals through their skin than adults
•Keep to a minimum the number of products that are put on a young baby’s skin
•Change nappies frequently
•Use nappies that are made of good quality absorbent material
•The nappy area can be washed with warm water using a little soap, sorbolene or aqueous cream
What is special about the skin of newborn and young children?
After birth a baby’s skin takes a little while to get used to the new world. There are many things in the environment to which the newborn skin may be more sensitive than in later life. However, a few simple measures in the home are all that is necessary to ensure that a young baby’s skin is able to cope with the environment.Washing the baby's skin Washing your baby’s skin with warm water is all that is necessary most of the time. Soap may dry out the skin. A small amount of unperfumed bath oil added to the bath will help to keep the skin soft. Avoid bubble baths as they remove natural oils from the skin. Antibacterial or perfumed soaps are unnecessary and should also be avoided. It is important to carefully pat dry the skin folds including the armpits, groin, neck and behind the ears after bathing. A small amount of moisturiser such as sorbolene or aqueous cream can be used to clean the nappy area. They can also be used as moisturisers after bathing. If your baby has dry skin, or infantile eczema, it is important to avoid soap completely and use the moisturisers in the bath as well as applying them to the skin regularly. In winter, wash your child’s skin less often as the cold weather makes the skin drier. If the skin is usually dry it may require moisturiser applied several times a day, especially after bathing.How does my baby's skin cope with different temperatures? The skin helps control the body’s temperature. In very young children, the temperature control is less able to cope with extremes of heat or cold. In the warm weather, light, loose fitting clothing made of cotton or cotton/synthetic mix is best. Try to avoid doonas, particularly in hot weather, as they may make the child overheat. In the cold weather, cotton or cotton/synthetic mixed clothes can be used. Woollen clothing over the top of cotton clothing is okay, but should not be in direct contact with the skin as it may make it itchy. The hands and feet in very young babies may look very blue and mottled in the cold. It is not a major problem but covering up the feet and hands in the cold will prevent it happening. Freckles are not normally present at birth. They are an increase in the colour produced by pigment cells (melanocytes). They occur in early childhood with exposure to moderate to large amounts of sunlight on the areas most exposed, e.g., the cheeks, the back of the hands or back of the forearms. Freckles may be able to be prevented by good sun protection. In sunny weather, light clothing, hats, sunshades on prams and shade when outdoors is the best protection against UV. When necessary, a small amount of broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or more can be applied to the small areas of the face, back of the hands or feet that are not protected by clothing. For very young children, a light lotion is better than a heavier cream. If the child’s skin is very dry, then a cream may be more satisfactory than a lotion.What about the nappy area? Change nappies frequently. Avoid plastic overpants if nappies cannot be changed frequently. Use nappies that contain good quality absorbent material. It is not necessary to add any chemicals to the final rinse of the washing machine cycle. Infants and very young babies absorb more chemicals through their skin so keep to a minimum the number of products that are used on the skin. Aqueous or sorbolene creams can be used for cleaning the nappy area. Otherwise the nappy area can be washed with warm water.What about hair and nails? Some babies are born with quite a lot of hair. This may be shed in the first few months before new soft, fine hair starts to grow again. The soft hair of infants is different to adult hair, which is stronger, longer and wider.Some babies are born with only a very small amount of hair which gradually develops its normal growth pattern and shedding over the first year or two. For infants and young babies, hair cutting is not necessary. Babies lying on their back and moving about may cause patches of hair thinning where the scalp is rubbing on the bedclothes. Most very young babies’ hair does not require any shampooing. If shampoo is going to be used, a very mild shampoo is best, using as little and as infrequently as possible. Cradle cap is very common and most children grow out of it. It can be removed by massaging olive oil or moisturiser into the scalp. Wash the hair over a basin before the bath otherwise the baby will be sitting in a bath containing shampoo, which may dry out its skin.The hair colour in babies is quite variable. Some are born with dark hair that is replaced with light hair as the new hair grows. The opposite is less common. Red hair in the scalp may not become apparent until hairs start to enter the normal growth pattern at around six to nine months of age. Even as the baby gets older, hair colour may change, with blond children commonly darkening around the age of eight years.The nails in newborn babies are often very soft and may not require cutting for the first few months. Even then it is gentler to peel the growing edge of the nail as needed. The nails can be quite flattened or spoon shaped in the newborn. This is normal and they tend to change to the normal curved shape of the nail in childhood by the age of three to four years.Occasionally the skin on which the nail sits may not have flattened sufficiently as the nail first develops. The nail can then push into the skin and produce swelling or redness on the tip of the finger or toe. This will go down over time with no treatment necessary as the nail grows through.Further Information Your Maternal and Child Health nurse. Your pharmacist. Your family doctor. A dermatologist..
It is about skin care for infants.
~Murali
------------------------------------------------------------------
Care in Babies and Young ChildrenImportant Points
•Washing in warm water is all that is necessary
•Antibacterial and perfumed soaps are unnecessary
•A small amount of moisturiser such as sorbolene or aqueous cream is good for baby’s skin
•In the cold weather the skin can become drier and a moisturiser can be used two or three times a day
•In sunny weather use clothing, hats, sunshades on prams and shade to protect baby from the sun
•Infants and very young babies absorb more chemicals through their skin than adults
•Keep to a minimum the number of products that are put on a young baby’s skin
•Change nappies frequently
•Use nappies that are made of good quality absorbent material
•The nappy area can be washed with warm water using a little soap, sorbolene or aqueous cream
What is special about the skin of newborn and young children?
After birth a baby’s skin takes a little while to get used to the new world. There are many things in the environment to which the newborn skin may be more sensitive than in later life. However, a few simple measures in the home are all that is necessary to ensure that a young baby’s skin is able to cope with the environment.Washing the baby's skin Washing your baby’s skin with warm water is all that is necessary most of the time. Soap may dry out the skin. A small amount of unperfumed bath oil added to the bath will help to keep the skin soft. Avoid bubble baths as they remove natural oils from the skin. Antibacterial or perfumed soaps are unnecessary and should also be avoided. It is important to carefully pat dry the skin folds including the armpits, groin, neck and behind the ears after bathing. A small amount of moisturiser such as sorbolene or aqueous cream can be used to clean the nappy area. They can also be used as moisturisers after bathing. If your baby has dry skin, or infantile eczema, it is important to avoid soap completely and use the moisturisers in the bath as well as applying them to the skin regularly. In winter, wash your child’s skin less often as the cold weather makes the skin drier. If the skin is usually dry it may require moisturiser applied several times a day, especially after bathing.How does my baby's skin cope with different temperatures? The skin helps control the body’s temperature. In very young children, the temperature control is less able to cope with extremes of heat or cold. In the warm weather, light, loose fitting clothing made of cotton or cotton/synthetic mix is best. Try to avoid doonas, particularly in hot weather, as they may make the child overheat. In the cold weather, cotton or cotton/synthetic mixed clothes can be used. Woollen clothing over the top of cotton clothing is okay, but should not be in direct contact with the skin as it may make it itchy. The hands and feet in very young babies may look very blue and mottled in the cold. It is not a major problem but covering up the feet and hands in the cold will prevent it happening. Freckles are not normally present at birth. They are an increase in the colour produced by pigment cells (melanocytes). They occur in early childhood with exposure to moderate to large amounts of sunlight on the areas most exposed, e.g., the cheeks, the back of the hands or back of the forearms. Freckles may be able to be prevented by good sun protection. In sunny weather, light clothing, hats, sunshades on prams and shade when outdoors is the best protection against UV. When necessary, a small amount of broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or more can be applied to the small areas of the face, back of the hands or feet that are not protected by clothing. For very young children, a light lotion is better than a heavier cream. If the child’s skin is very dry, then a cream may be more satisfactory than a lotion.What about the nappy area? Change nappies frequently. Avoid plastic overpants if nappies cannot be changed frequently. Use nappies that contain good quality absorbent material. It is not necessary to add any chemicals to the final rinse of the washing machine cycle. Infants and very young babies absorb more chemicals through their skin so keep to a minimum the number of products that are used on the skin. Aqueous or sorbolene creams can be used for cleaning the nappy area. Otherwise the nappy area can be washed with warm water.What about hair and nails? Some babies are born with quite a lot of hair. This may be shed in the first few months before new soft, fine hair starts to grow again. The soft hair of infants is different to adult hair, which is stronger, longer and wider.Some babies are born with only a very small amount of hair which gradually develops its normal growth pattern and shedding over the first year or two. For infants and young babies, hair cutting is not necessary. Babies lying on their back and moving about may cause patches of hair thinning where the scalp is rubbing on the bedclothes. Most very young babies’ hair does not require any shampooing. If shampoo is going to be used, a very mild shampoo is best, using as little and as infrequently as possible. Cradle cap is very common and most children grow out of it. It can be removed by massaging olive oil or moisturiser into the scalp. Wash the hair over a basin before the bath otherwise the baby will be sitting in a bath containing shampoo, which may dry out its skin.The hair colour in babies is quite variable. Some are born with dark hair that is replaced with light hair as the new hair grows. The opposite is less common. Red hair in the scalp may not become apparent until hairs start to enter the normal growth pattern at around six to nine months of age. Even as the baby gets older, hair colour may change, with blond children commonly darkening around the age of eight years.The nails in newborn babies are often very soft and may not require cutting for the first few months. Even then it is gentler to peel the growing edge of the nail as needed. The nails can be quite flattened or spoon shaped in the newborn. This is normal and they tend to change to the normal curved shape of the nail in childhood by the age of three to four years.Occasionally the skin on which the nail sits may not have flattened sufficiently as the nail first develops. The nail can then push into the skin and produce swelling or redness on the tip of the finger or toe. This will go down over time with no treatment necessary as the nail grows through.Further Information Your Maternal and Child Health nurse. Your pharmacist. Your family doctor. A dermatologist..
Monday, June 12, 2006
12th June Part 1 off track
12 June,
For a change, a different topic on this post.
My favorite music director is Ilayaraaja.I am a great fan of his music.He is respectfully called as the Maestro.Those of us who follow the south indian movie scene would be familiar with his music. Here is his official website www.raaja.comTamil is a south indian language and i do not know that language. But that doesnt deter me from listening to a lot of tamil songs as most of
Ilayaraja's evergreen songs are in Tamil.If you are not from India, it is very likely that you will find the concept of songs-in-movies bizzaire. But songs and movies are wed for life
in the indian scenario.Most of the movies made in india have atleast five songs. It is only recent that we are getting to listen non film or private albums in the
popular domain.And the indian movie industry is not naive. The indian movie industry makes around 900 movies an year compared with around 100 movies from
hollywood. Ofcourse hollywood movies capture some 300 billion dollars worldwide and Indian movies make around 3.5 billion dollars.Well the point of this rant is not about bollywood versus hollywood. It is a chant about one of India's most versatile music gurus.I always wondered if I would get to meet my legendray hero. The wish is yet to come true. I wished to see the way he records his music. I
wanted to be a part of his miracle charm which enthralls millions of his fans. Well, i havent been lucky, yet!But, i happened to come across this write up where the author lives a working day of the Maestro. This article is pretty long (22 Pages,42000
characters) and expects the reader to have seen some of the maestro's movies. Basically, the article is for fans. And I enjoyed reading it!http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/sanketh/dump/ilayaraja.html
Way back in 1988, I got a chance opportunity to visit the city of Chennai (then Madras) to meet my relatives. I was very excited as I knew
Ilayaraaja worked and lived in Madras. I made some enquiries and found that he worked at Prasad 70 MM recording theatre (he still works there
and some of his very best movies were made there).In those days, there was no internet and it was very tough to obtain information. So i was
extremely delighted to have made some progress. I managed to convince a cousin of mine to take me to Prasad studios, which he did. We both
waited outside the studio gates for three hours in the scorching sun to catch a glimpse and probably an autograph of the Maestro. The studion
guards repeatedly shooed us away, but we were hell bent. Finally, we met a man who sweet talked us into paying him 25 rupees for an entry to
the studio. Hving taken the money from us, he vanished into thin air keeping us waiting. He never came back.. and we never got to see the
maestro.I still hope i get to see him some day, and to take his autograph.
Sailors of yore used to write messages on paper and put them inside bottles and seal them with cork. These bottles were then thrown to the sea
in the hope that someone would find them and read the contents. The internet is my bottle and the contents of my blog are the pages in the
bottle. I end this page with the hope that someone who has access to Ilayaraaja gets to see it and helps me meet him.
~Murali
For a change, a different topic on this post.
My favorite music director is Ilayaraaja.I am a great fan of his music.He is respectfully called as the Maestro.Those of us who follow the south indian movie scene would be familiar with his music. Here is his official website www.raaja.comTamil is a south indian language and i do not know that language. But that doesnt deter me from listening to a lot of tamil songs as most of
Ilayaraja's evergreen songs are in Tamil.If you are not from India, it is very likely that you will find the concept of songs-in-movies bizzaire. But songs and movies are wed for life
in the indian scenario.Most of the movies made in india have atleast five songs. It is only recent that we are getting to listen non film or private albums in the
popular domain.And the indian movie industry is not naive. The indian movie industry makes around 900 movies an year compared with around 100 movies from
hollywood. Ofcourse hollywood movies capture some 300 billion dollars worldwide and Indian movies make around 3.5 billion dollars.Well the point of this rant is not about bollywood versus hollywood. It is a chant about one of India's most versatile music gurus.I always wondered if I would get to meet my legendray hero. The wish is yet to come true. I wished to see the way he records his music. I
wanted to be a part of his miracle charm which enthralls millions of his fans. Well, i havent been lucky, yet!But, i happened to come across this write up where the author lives a working day of the Maestro. This article is pretty long (22 Pages,42000
characters) and expects the reader to have seen some of the maestro's movies. Basically, the article is for fans. And I enjoyed reading it!http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/sanketh/dump/ilayaraja.html
Way back in 1988, I got a chance opportunity to visit the city of Chennai (then Madras) to meet my relatives. I was very excited as I knew
Ilayaraaja worked and lived in Madras. I made some enquiries and found that he worked at Prasad 70 MM recording theatre (he still works there
and some of his very best movies were made there).In those days, there was no internet and it was very tough to obtain information. So i was
extremely delighted to have made some progress. I managed to convince a cousin of mine to take me to Prasad studios, which he did. We both
waited outside the studio gates for three hours in the scorching sun to catch a glimpse and probably an autograph of the Maestro. The studion
guards repeatedly shooed us away, but we were hell bent. Finally, we met a man who sweet talked us into paying him 25 rupees for an entry to
the studio. Hving taken the money from us, he vanished into thin air keeping us waiting. He never came back.. and we never got to see the
maestro.I still hope i get to see him some day, and to take his autograph.
Sailors of yore used to write messages on paper and put them inside bottles and seal them with cork. These bottles were then thrown to the sea
in the hope that someone would find them and read the contents. The internet is my bottle and the contents of my blog are the pages in the
bottle. I end this page with the hope that someone who has access to Ilayaraaja gets to see it and helps me meet him.
~Murali
Sunday, June 11, 2006
June 10 Part 1
While the rest of the world congratulate England on their win over Paraguay in their opening draw, I write this blog to congratulate and wish my good friend Sudhi and Rohini who were blessed with a baby girl yesterday (9/jun/06). May the little one be showered with good health and happiness.
~Murali and Lalitha
~Murali and Lalitha
Friday, June 02, 2006
June 1 Part 2
I always had this doubt: Should you let infants cry for some time before you attend to them or do you care for them immediately?
Some people say that letting the baby cry is good and some say its bad.
Well, here is the latest news on this. Courtesy London's Metro newspaper.
Letting babies cry just leads to more tears, research suggests.
Comforting upset newborns makes them cry less during the first weeks of life, said the study by the University of London.
The research contradicts advice in a book by Gwyneth Paltrow's nanny, Rachel Waddilove, that allowing babies to cry makes them more settled.
Prof Ian St James-Roberts, who led the study, split the test group into three parts – one that responded whenever their baby cried, one that held their baby for most of their waking hours and a group that left their baby crying.
The group which left their infant crying for longer found that at two and five weeks old they were crying 50 per cent more than the other two groups – and they were still crying more at 12 weeks.
~Murali
Some people say that letting the baby cry is good and some say its bad.
Well, here is the latest news on this. Courtesy London's Metro newspaper.
Letting babies cry just leads to more tears, research suggests.
Comforting upset newborns makes them cry less during the first weeks of life, said the study by the University of London.
The research contradicts advice in a book by Gwyneth Paltrow's nanny, Rachel Waddilove, that allowing babies to cry makes them more settled.
Prof Ian St James-Roberts, who led the study, split the test group into three parts – one that responded whenever their baby cried, one that held their baby for most of their waking hours and a group that left their baby crying.
The group which left their infant crying for longer found that at two and five weeks old they were crying 50 per cent more than the other two groups – and they were still crying more at 12 weeks.
~Murali
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
May 31 part 1
i understand this might be too early to really apply this to Ananya, but i found a nice article at rediff.com which i paste here.This article talks about the pressure which parents subject their children to, wanting them to be high achievers in everything.Twenty five years ago, when i started school, till almost the point i finished school, we were never subject to as much pressure to perform as happens these days. I do know of a few cases where children are driven to the brink of exhaustion- all in the name of performance!The content of this article is all to familiar, but it something most parents tend to conveniently overlook- as if it does not apply to them and that their child is extra special.I mention this article here to remind me and lalitha that we ought to be careful with how much we drive Ananya to succeed.
http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2006/may/29parent.htm
The perils of all work and no play
Sonal D'Silva May 29, 2006
Dhruv Kejriwal is five years old. At the end of a regular school day, he is so exhausted, he often falls asleep in the middle of dinner.
Dhruv's mom has enrolled him in multiple classes after school. "Mummy said it will make me more clever," says Dhruv.
Instead of carefree hours spent playing as they choose, pre-schoolers are now bundled off from one activity after another by parents keen to ensure their child gets the maximum exposure to all the skills that he or she could possibly need in the real world.
A question arises -- are we equipping them to be more capable?
Or are we crushing them with the excess pressure?
Part I: Is my child different? How to cope
Expert speak
Do parents put too much pressure on kids these days? According to experts, the answer is a resounding 'YES'.
"The other day there was a newspaper report about a young child who wakes up at 2.30 am each day to study. What happens to parents when they read an article like this is they compare their own child to this child. They don't see the situation as ridiculous. Instead, they see it as a reference point," says Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria.
Often, this increased pressure by parents comes from a lack of awareness.
"Due to lack of knowledge about the developmental capabilities of a child as well as failure to note individual differences in children, parents often put pressure on children to perform to perfection in various areas -- the predominant ones being academic performance. There is great pressure that the parents' themselves face to see that their child gets admitted to a 'good school'," says psychotherapist Khursheed Kanga.
Recognise the signs
All parents feel that, in this competitive world, their children must be pushed so that they become stronger. But how do you know if you are pushing too hard?
Dr Chhabria outlines some of the signs you should look out for:
~ Falling sick often
~ Refusing to eat
~ Disturbed sleep patterns
~ Temper tantrums
~ Crying unnecessarily
Tip: If you are not sure about whether your child is actually suffering under the strain, it is better to take him/ her to a counsellor and find out.
Too many activities!
Art class, dance class, karate class, singing class, craft class... exhausted already?
Imagine how a four-year-old attending all of these must feel. Sending a child to every possible class available has become the norm these days.
Explains Bharati Kelkar, mother of four-year-old Taran, "I want him to take part in as many creative activities as he can at an early age. This way he will be stimulated and I think that will help him be a good all-rounder later."
The flip side to this argument raises valid concerns. Anjali Savoor Bulla, a teacher at a Montessori school, outlines the problems that may arise:
~ Parents these days want their child to be doing a lot of things and they want them to achieve things very quickly.
~ You would think a five-year-old's life would consist of going to school, playing, eating and sleeping. But parents make them go to multiple classes after spending the whole day in school. As a result, the child returns to school the next day feeling completely drained.
~ They get no respite on the weekend either. A weekend packed with classes leaves the child with no energy for school on Monday morning.
~ Parents also want their children to excel in everything that they do. This kind of expectation is unrealistic.
~ Some parents insist on having homework for their pre-schoolers. If such a young child studies in school and then is made to go over all of that at home repeatedly, they do get tired of the subject and can even begin to hate studying.
Tip: While it is good to send your child to an organised class, understand the psychological importance of free playtime.
Dr Chhabria explains what a child learns from normal play with other children:
~ They learn to wait for their chance
~ To fight and compete in a healthy manner
~ To make decisions
~ To cope in a social setting
Know your child
Counselling psychologist Kirti Bakshi shares from her experience. "Parents are so boggled and confused by the information being thrown at them that they often have no method of selecting what is right for their child. They say 'If a brighter child is going to the class, let me send my child as well so that he/ she will also become smarter'."
Tip: Know your child's skill set. Don't push them into something that does not suit their personality. Every child is born with the inherent gifts. See what hidden talents they have.
Send them to extracurricular activities by all means, but with the right aim -- creative exposure and not rigid excellence in all tasks.
The comparison conundrum
How many times have you heard this statement -- 'See how much your classmate is studying! Why can't you be like him?' It is so commonplace that we don't realise how much harm it can cause.
Dr Chhabria recounts, "When you compare, children feel they are not good enough and no one can work well when they feel they are not good enough. Children have told me that they would like to be encouraged instead."
Further, if the comparison is between siblings (as is often the case), it can result in the one being negatively compared feeling the parents love him/ her less. However, it is definitely important to stop doing it as it can negatively impact the child's self esteem.
Kanga acknowledges, however, that it can be difficult to avoid comparing children.
Tip: Stick to the issue of what this one child is doing (or not doing) -- without referring to another child.
One does have to correct the child to show him where he is lacking and tell him do better -- but not by comparison and criticism. Instead, help the child and show them in concrete ways how they can be better.
~Murali
http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2006/may/29parent.htm
The perils of all work and no play
Sonal D'Silva May 29, 2006
Dhruv Kejriwal is five years old. At the end of a regular school day, he is so exhausted, he often falls asleep in the middle of dinner.
Dhruv's mom has enrolled him in multiple classes after school. "Mummy said it will make me more clever," says Dhruv.
Instead of carefree hours spent playing as they choose, pre-schoolers are now bundled off from one activity after another by parents keen to ensure their child gets the maximum exposure to all the skills that he or she could possibly need in the real world.
A question arises -- are we equipping them to be more capable?
Or are we crushing them with the excess pressure?
Part I: Is my child different? How to cope
Expert speak
Do parents put too much pressure on kids these days? According to experts, the answer is a resounding 'YES'.
"The other day there was a newspaper report about a young child who wakes up at 2.30 am each day to study. What happens to parents when they read an article like this is they compare their own child to this child. They don't see the situation as ridiculous. Instead, they see it as a reference point," says Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria.
Often, this increased pressure by parents comes from a lack of awareness.
"Due to lack of knowledge about the developmental capabilities of a child as well as failure to note individual differences in children, parents often put pressure on children to perform to perfection in various areas -- the predominant ones being academic performance. There is great pressure that the parents' themselves face to see that their child gets admitted to a 'good school'," says psychotherapist Khursheed Kanga.
Recognise the signs
All parents feel that, in this competitive world, their children must be pushed so that they become stronger. But how do you know if you are pushing too hard?
Dr Chhabria outlines some of the signs you should look out for:
~ Falling sick often
~ Refusing to eat
~ Disturbed sleep patterns
~ Temper tantrums
~ Crying unnecessarily
Tip: If you are not sure about whether your child is actually suffering under the strain, it is better to take him/ her to a counsellor and find out.
Too many activities!
Art class, dance class, karate class, singing class, craft class... exhausted already?
Imagine how a four-year-old attending all of these must feel. Sending a child to every possible class available has become the norm these days.
Explains Bharati Kelkar, mother of four-year-old Taran, "I want him to take part in as many creative activities as he can at an early age. This way he will be stimulated and I think that will help him be a good all-rounder later."
The flip side to this argument raises valid concerns. Anjali Savoor Bulla, a teacher at a Montessori school, outlines the problems that may arise:
~ Parents these days want their child to be doing a lot of things and they want them to achieve things very quickly.
~ You would think a five-year-old's life would consist of going to school, playing, eating and sleeping. But parents make them go to multiple classes after spending the whole day in school. As a result, the child returns to school the next day feeling completely drained.
~ They get no respite on the weekend either. A weekend packed with classes leaves the child with no energy for school on Monday morning.
~ Parents also want their children to excel in everything that they do. This kind of expectation is unrealistic.
~ Some parents insist on having homework for their pre-schoolers. If such a young child studies in school and then is made to go over all of that at home repeatedly, they do get tired of the subject and can even begin to hate studying.
Tip: While it is good to send your child to an organised class, understand the psychological importance of free playtime.
Dr Chhabria explains what a child learns from normal play with other children:
~ They learn to wait for their chance
~ To fight and compete in a healthy manner
~ To make decisions
~ To cope in a social setting
Know your child
Counselling psychologist Kirti Bakshi shares from her experience. "Parents are so boggled and confused by the information being thrown at them that they often have no method of selecting what is right for their child. They say 'If a brighter child is going to the class, let me send my child as well so that he/ she will also become smarter'."
Tip: Know your child's skill set. Don't push them into something that does not suit their personality. Every child is born with the inherent gifts. See what hidden talents they have.
Send them to extracurricular activities by all means, but with the right aim -- creative exposure and not rigid excellence in all tasks.
The comparison conundrum
How many times have you heard this statement -- 'See how much your classmate is studying! Why can't you be like him?' It is so commonplace that we don't realise how much harm it can cause.
Dr Chhabria recounts, "When you compare, children feel they are not good enough and no one can work well when they feel they are not good enough. Children have told me that they would like to be encouraged instead."
Further, if the comparison is between siblings (as is often the case), it can result in the one being negatively compared feeling the parents love him/ her less. However, it is definitely important to stop doing it as it can negatively impact the child's self esteem.
Kanga acknowledges, however, that it can be difficult to avoid comparing children.
Tip: Stick to the issue of what this one child is doing (or not doing) -- without referring to another child.
One does have to correct the child to show him where he is lacking and tell him do better -- but not by comparison and criticism. Instead, help the child and show them in concrete ways how they can be better.
~Murali
Saturday, May 20, 2006
May 20 Part 3
I have started reading a novel after nearly three months. And what a wonderful novel has it been thus far ( I am chugging along.. yet to complete it). It is not the normal novel, it is mostly a narration. Most book shops classify it as children's fiction. It is titled 'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time' by Mark Haddon.
ISBN 0 099 45025 9. I recommend it to everyone.
http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/childrens/grownups/davidficklingbooks/curious/
http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/curious_incident_of_the_dog/
I mostly pride(misplaced pride) in the fact that I hardly weep. This book almost took me to the brink of a tear. No, it is not a sad story.. it is a touching story. Read it. you wouldnt regret.
ISBN 0 099 45025 9. I recommend it to everyone.
http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/childrens/grownups/davidficklingbooks/curious/
http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/curious_incident_of_the_dog/
I mostly pride(misplaced pride) in the fact that I hardly weep. This book almost took me to the brink of a tear. No, it is not a sad story.. it is a touching story. Read it. you wouldnt regret.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Changing the title of the blog.
May 06.
We think it is no longer apt for this blog to be called 'Adventures with our yet to be born'. We shall henceforth call it 'Our adventures at parenting'
We think it is no longer apt for this blog to be called 'Adventures with our yet to be born'. We shall henceforth call it 'Our adventures at parenting'
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Amends!
I must admit i did a mistake here! I had told earlier that I would be writing in this post, a lot in detail abt the birth and our experiences with various stages. Me and Lalitha wanted to keep this URL away from some people who influence the way we express on this blog. This morning i got so carried away that i gave this URL to some people whom i wouldnt like to share all the events during the magical 48 hours!
I shall write abt the birth experience only after lalitha arrives from hospital. she is due to arrive tomorrow and i will in all probability post the story in greater detail on thursday.
meanwhile, i am going to update about today's events.. in another quick post in 15 minutes.
~murali
2nd may 2006
2nd day after birth of my sweet lil daughter.
I shall write abt the birth experience only after lalitha arrives from hospital. she is due to arrive tomorrow and i will in all probability post the story in greater detail on thursday.
meanwhile, i am going to update about today's events.. in another quick post in 15 minutes.
~murali
2nd may 2006
2nd day after birth of my sweet lil daughter.
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