Blogs - Page 1

Bisphenol-A: Are hard plastic bottles safe for food and water?

Parentree-editors' blog, Aug 14, 2008 6:19 AM

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastic is tough and break-resistant and commonly used to make plastic-ware like water bottles, spoons, forks, contai...

Featured Articles

Sibling rivalry - The older child and the new arrivalHaving another baby is a decision that not only impacts parents but also the child or children you already have. Some siblings deal with this easily while some do not. Also the ability to cope...
Baby monitors - Buying guideBaby monitors are very useful devices if you ever need to keep an ear on your sleeping baby. In the night time, Indian babies usually sleep with their parents and remote monitoring is not...
Fun and easy playdates for preschoolers (Part 1 - Preparing)“Playdates” or planned kiddie social get-togethers are getting popular these days - because of increased demand for safety, parents being busy and kids not living in an area or apartment complexes...
Is it safe to drink coffee during pregnancy?Short answer: Moderate your consumption of coffee. Not more than 1 or at most 2 cups of Indian coffee with milk per day assuming no tea, colas, chocolate etc., The lesser the better. Coffee...
Teaching children to cope with a deathThe death of a near and dear person, whether family or friends, can impact children and may result in numerous questions from them, irrespective of age. Here are some tips on how Indian parents...
Far from the madding crowdLet me relate our 3 day trip to Chikmagalur last summer. While Ooty and Mysore are well known haunts,Chikmagalur is more scenic and much quieter. It is a hill station ,about 5 hrs drive from...
Swine flu (H1N1) - Pregnancy - Precautions, Symptoms, What to do...Pregnancy is a time when mothers have to be particularly careful about swine flu (H1N1). Is it dangerous? It is not clear as to whether swine flu is more dangerous in pregnant women than any...
Jaunt to the National Museum, New Delhi with kidsWe were in Delhi recently and I took our 3rd grader and 1st grader to the National Museum for an hour or so. I strongly recommend this trip if you live in the NCR or are visiting Delhi. National...
For fans of Thomas the tank engine - a must-see in ChennaiMy kids are huge fans of Thomas the Tank Engine and I must confess, so am I. When we heard about a railway museum in Chennai, we knew we had to go there. A web search brought up a website with...
Teaching children about honestyBringing up children to be responsible and mature adults is one of the important responsibilities of parents. Among the traits that we have to teach our children, honesty is an important one....
Stress TestThis is an invasive test so doctors use it only as a last option. The stress test measures how the baby can handle the “stress” of labour and is conducted in late pregnancy. This maybe done if...
Immunization schedule in IndiaImmunizations are critical to protect babies and children from various illnesses. Here is some basic information on Indian immunizations and schedules, that Indian parents can learn from....
What is Multiple Intelligence?In recent times, the term "multiple intelligence" has been very frequently used in Indian education circles and many schools are also claiming that their academic approach is based on it. So what...
"Violent" role play in young kidsSo you suddenly caught your child playing the role of a bad guy from a cartoon or of a villain in a recent movie and you are worried. What to do? Children's understanding of violence and...
Silver Oak farm-homestay near BangaloreSilver Oak farm is a lovely homestay and farm run by a this couple (the Khannas) just an hour or so away, bang on the slopes of Nandi Hill. It really feels like a sort of...
How much protein do Indian children need?Indian children have differing protein needs based on their age. 1-3 years: 22 grams/day 4-6 years: 30 grams/day 7-9 years: 41 grams/day 10-12 years (Boy): 54 grams/day 10-12 years (Girl): 57...
Managing aggression in young childrenYoung children, especially preschoolers can often show aggressive behaviour. This includes grabbing toys, kicking, yelling, and even playing very roughly with friends or siblings. This can be very...
Developing children's brains - The role of parentsYou have probably come to this article find the magic mantra that will make your child very intelligent. Well you already have it. It is called common sense. Millions of years of evolution and the...
Is your child a bully?It is often tough for Indian parents to imagine that their sweet child could be a bully. But this is a very real possibility and the sooner you recognize it and act on it, the better off your...
Lactating Indian mothers - Healthy foodsThe National Institute of Nutrition, a part of the Indian Council of Medical Research has created Recommended Dietary Allowances during lactation for Indian women. These are shown in the table...
Top 10 Bollywood movies to watch with your children“Bum bum bole, masti mein dole” aur bachon ke liye lots of films bole... Editors’ picks! We have here some Bollywood films that you can enjoy watching with your kids. Some are light and fun and...
Interesting drives / destinations around BangaloreInteresting drives / destinations around Bangalore Some of the off-beat drives / destinations around Bangalore that we cherish : Drive down to Devarayanadurga (Tumkur road) during rains – it...
Iron deficiency in children - AnaemiaAnaemia caused by iron deficiency is very prevalent in India and in Indian children. Various studies have shown prevalence between 14% to 88% (!!) even in urban upper-middle class children1....
Leave that stress outside the bedroom to get pregnantStress in the workplace has become common for all of us. Indian mothers-to-be need to pay attention to stress, as it can affect conception. What is stress and what is its effect on the...
Fostering fun, wit and humour (2 to 4 years)From the age of 2, children start developing the ability to talk and verbal humour starts coming into play. Parents will see new avenues where the child detects and expresses humour. By fostering...
11 ways to increase stamina and energy - for momsBeing a mom takes a lot of work, energy and stamina. Taking care of children, husband, family, the home and in many cases going to work outside can make a mom very tired. But how do you tackle it...
When should I go see a doctor if I am not becoming pregnant?Becoming pregnant can take a long time. However, there are times when it may be wise to visit a doctor if you are unsuccessful after a long time. Here are some guidelines that can help. If you...
Indian foods with high iron contentHere is a list of Indian foods (pulses, beans, nuts, fish, meat, and milk products) with high ironcontent. These have approximately 8mg or more of iron per 100 gms of the food. Local names of many...
Ten early good manners for a young childPoliteness is an essential characteristic in everyone. It is important that parents help children learn politeness early in life. Usually, preschool and kindergarten years (2 1/2 to 6) are the...
Sadras Fort - Day trip - ChennaiSadras (Saduranga pattinam) is an old Dutch fort that is located just past Mahabalipuram, near the Kalpakkam atomic power plant. It is next to the beach and is a nice place to have a small picnic...
10 classic toys for preschoolersEditors picks! We have come up with a collection of popular toys or play stuff for preschoolers (ages 2-5 years) - from our experience as parents and our research. We feel all preschoolers should...
Television and your childTelevision is often called the "one-eyed babysitter" by parents. Our kids seem to become calm, quiet, attentive in front of the television. Most importantly, it seems to parents like a load is...
Teaching children through logical-mathematical intelligence (multiple intelligence) -...Logical-mathematical intelligence is how we understand, manipulate and use logic, numbers and reasoning to understand how something works or detect a framework/pattern that exists or to create...
Helping young children with their fearsAll young children experience fears at some time or the other. As they grow up, what they fear may change too. Here are some tips that parents can use to help their children. Common fears Some...
Why preschoolers (2-6 years) lie - 8 reasonsYour little preschooler is just starting to learn language and suddenly you catch him or her lying about small things. Why do they do it? 1. Its not a lie. Preschoolers may not know the...
My child is a poor eater. What do I do?A number of Indian parents say that their children are "poor eaters", "bad eaters" etc. Often this is during the toddler and pre-schooler years. Indian parents tend to use the term to describe...
Baby swings - Buying guideBabies are often soothed by gentle swinging motion. Naturally also, as parents, we rock our babies. A swing is equipment that tries to do the same when the parent has to attend to something else. ...
Creative writing tips for young childrenDoes your little one have a love affair with the pen and paper and loves to write or scribble endlessly? Or does she have a writer’s block and is reluctant to pen away her thoughts? We have here...
Bringing up content kids in today's materialistic worldDo you get tired of hearing “I want, I want, I want...” from your brats all the time? Wonder why despite giving them everything and more, they still want more all the time? Do you ever wonder what...
Foods for the baby - The first yearThere is no dearth of advice for Indian mothers and fathers about the solid foods and liquid foods to feed their babies. From the mother-in-law, to the maid, to the visiting aunt, to the...
Multiple languages and your child's brainLanguage is a gift that helps us to think, imagine and express ourselves. India has a rich bounty of over 25 languages and hundreds of dialects. Many families and children have regular exposure to...
Lalbagh - what we enjoyLalbagh is a sprawling green area (240 acres) in Bangalore. It has something for everyone. Adults, nature lovers, picnic go’ers, avid gardeners, walkers, bird lovers, children etc. Our kids...
Pre-schooler development - 24+ to 30 monthsYour child is now 2 years old. Preschoolers reach a number of developmental milestone between 24 and 30 months. There is also very wide variance in when they reach certain milestones. Some...
Can I eat non-vegetarian food during pregnancy? Is it safe?Short answer: Eat fully cooked non-vegetarian food. Meat can be packed with protein and iron, but, stay away from meats like salami and hotdogs. They have been known to be contaminated with...
Under-parenting - Are you guilty of it?As parents, we often hear about over-parenting - parents who are trying to control and manage every little aspect of their children's life. But there is also such a thing as under-parenting?...
What Indian foods should we eat for folic acid during pregnancy?A number of Indian foods have naturally occurring folic acid but the percentage is very small. Indian women who are pregnant or planning to have a baby must have atleast 400mg of folic acid every...
How will my baby look at birth?Your baby will not be at her prettiest when she arrives. She has been inside you for nine months, and then went through the twists and turns of coming out. Expect to see some of the following...
How to talk with kidsNot just talking to them but talk with them. You can boost their communication skills and make them listen to you. Communication does not just mean just “talking”. Observe, Wait, and Listen -...
Phone skills for childrenTeaching children to talk on the phone is as important as teaching children to talk. Given the level of communication that is now carried on through telephones, it is imperative that children be...
Make your child an optimistOptimism is the ability to look at the positive side. Optimism has many benefits including better health and lesser stress. Optimists are also better at social relationships. In fact, an optimist...
Raise a book loverAs parents, we often focus on teaching our children to read. It is undoubtedly an important skill, but we parents should focus on a more beneficial goal - a love of books. A book lover will...
Fitness Fundas"If it weren't for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn't get any exercise at all" - Joey Adams While this probably defines us adults most aptly,...
Help your kids reach their goals - Make a planMany of us parents, often set goals for ourselves, either in our personal lives or in our professional lives. And as most of us would have realized, no goal can be reached without a good plan...
Common sleep problems in young childrenSleep is an essential part of a young child's health. In this article, we tell you what are some of the common sleep problems in young Indian children, less than 10 years of age. (preschoolers,...
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" - 7 big benefits of playThe importance of play cannot be stressed enough. Research has shown numerous benefits from play . But often, as Indian parents, we do not seem to give as much importance to it. We tend to focus...
TimeoutsChildren need a whole lot of love, to blossom. But it is also our responsibility as parents to help them learn acceptable behaviour. Parents should always try to use positive parenting methods...
Is it safe? - Common questions during pregnancyPregnancy is a time when you get extra careful about what you eat and drink and your environment. You are responsible not just for yourself but your baby as well. Here is a guide that can help...
Ranganathittu - Birds, birds and more birdsRanganathittu is an awesome bird sanctuary near Srirangapatna. It is very small, and consists of small islands in the Cauvery, where birds nest. Though small, there are birds, birds, birds...
Children's rooms and Vastu shastraThis is a guest column on Vastu (also Vaastu or Vastushastra or Vastushastra) for children's rooms. Guest contributor: Arun Naik Anil and Anjali run their factory of wrought iron furniture in...
Autism - OverviewWhat is autism? Autism is a neuro-biological developmental disorder which usually appears in early childhood and continues throughout someone's life. It is characterized by three primary...
Confident childConfidence is a critical skill for children. From young to old, everyone needs this skill. And all Indian parents would love to help their children become confident. Here are some tips that...
How long does it take to conceive (become pregnant)?It can take a long time. Research shows that the average couple (under 35) has only a 20 to 30 percent chance of getting pregnant in any given menstrual cycle, as long as they have regular...
Learn to talk - Children (2 to 4 years)Learning to talk and express themselves is one of the most critical skills that children will develop. As parents we can help them develop this critical skill. Here are some tips on what we can...
Extracurricular activities - why, which, when & howIn today’s competitive, dynamic and multifaceted world, extracurricular activities and classes for children are getting increasingly popular. With the growing importance of confident all rounders...
Massages for babiesIt is an old cultural tradition for Indian parents to massage their babies with natural oil. It is also a very beneficial one, if done right. Benefits of massaging Massaging increases the...
Get ready for the summer break! -10 tipsHurry! Get a head start in prepping for the summer break. For many parts of India like the south and the west with exam season at its peak, summer break is right on the beginning in April. For...
Learn to read - Children (4 to 6 years)Reading and a love of books are a priceless skill that will benefit our children. They are also an effective alternative to television. Here we would like to share some tips on how you can help...
"You are always shouting at me" - Common parent-child arguments and what to do about themYou raise your voice or say something in a stern tone and you hear from your child - "You are always shouting at me". What you are tempted to do or say An overwhelming feeling comes upon...
Kerala backwaters with kidsWe had gone to Kerala with our 2 kids (7 and 5) this Dussehra break for 5 days. Had focused on the backwaters. It was relaxing, we got to spend time together (with almost no laptops, internet and...
Packaged fruit juices and drinks - Juice for thoughtFruits are an important part of eating a balanced meal. However, more and more parents think that packaged fruit juices and drinks are a substitute for fruits. These packaged products are...

Poll

Will you send your child to a boarding school? ( surveys)

Blog Comments

Blogs - Page 1

Featured Articles

Poll