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Parentree-editors' blog, Aug 14, 2008 6:35 AM

Lead, is a substance that occurs naturally on earth. It has been used for time immemorial, including by the Indus Valley civilisation. However, this useful metal has horrifying side effects, particula...

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Children's art - cherish, decorate and shareYour prolific budding artists are at work. Great! It is so wonderful that they are exploring and being creative. By all means facilitate and encourage this creativity. But is your children’s...
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 -...
EpisiotomyAn episiotomy is a surgical cut made by the doctor during vaginal birth to enlarge your vaginal opening to help deliver the baby. The cut is made between your vagina and your anus. In India, as in...
"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...
Mast Indian Baby Showers - Bollywood StyleHosting an Indian baby shower? Have you thought of organizing it with a Bollywood/filmi theme? We have some fun ideas. There are many themes - ethnic, bollywood, western etc., You can also mix...
Children - snoring, sleep apneaSnoring in children is a fairly common phenomenon that parents report. In one study conducted in Chandigarh, India for children between 3 - 10 years, 6% of parents reported this problem in their...
Fibroids - Symptoms, Effect on fertility and pregnancyWhat are fibroids? Fibroids are benign (not cancerous) tumors which grow in tufts or groups on the uterine walls of the female reproductive system. Medically known as leiomyoma, fibromyoma and...
BullyingBullying is a real problem in India and all over the world. Children of all ages can be subjected to bullying. This may come in many forms - from jokes and teasing with or without malicious intent...
Can I use household cleaning products during pregnancy? Is it safe?Exposure to mild cleaning agents is generally safe. But it’s a good idea to stay away from very strong fumes and harsh cleaning agents. For example, if the phenyl or disinfectant used in mopping...
What to do when your child hits others?Does your child hit other children or you or other people? Have you found yourself trying endlessly to stop the hitting? Here are some tips that may help. Frustration can lead to hitting Is...
ColicColic is the name given to the mysterious sustained crying in babies aged between 2 weeks to 12 weeks. Characteristics It is usually characterised by Sustained crying for hours on end ...
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)SIDS is one of the most puzzling dangers to a baby in his or her first year of life. In fact, the term is not a specific syndrome at all. It is an umbrella term that is used when a baby dies a...
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...
"It's not fair" - Common parent-child arguments and what to do about themYour son has been asked to do something or has been denied a request. His response "It's not fair". Typical example: You are about to go to meet your college friends and your son wants to go...
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...
"This is no picnic for me either, buster" - work ethic, discipline and relationships...“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration” - Albert Einstein Exactly how important are values like strong-work ethic, discipline and diligence in our children’s...
Chore ideas for young children - Increases independence and self-confidenceHere are some common household chores that you can ask your young children to do. Letting children do these chores helps them gain confidence and also increases their ability to act independently...
Is it safe to take medicines during pregnancy?Short answer: You should always check with your doctor as to what medicines are safe to take, when, and in what dosage during your pregnancy. Many times, women do not have a choice and really...
How do you know that you are in labour?Talk to your doctor beforehand, as to when you should call them and when you should go to the hospital. This way you will not be stressed when the time comes. If you think labour has begun, you...
Pregnancy - 7th month celebration (Godh Barai, Valakaapu, Seemantham, Dohal Jevan,Baby...7th month celebration – diverse ways of celebrating universal joys! – showering mom-to-be, baby and not to forget the dad-to-be with love and blessings. Most cultures the world over, have...
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...
Group B Strep ScreenGroup B Strep (GBS) is a bacterium that can be found in the vaginas of many healthy women. In many women, it does not cause any harm and these women are just carriers of this bacteria. But if your...
Teaching children through linguistic intelligence (multiple intelligence) -...Linguistic intelligence is how we use language, to express one's thoughts and feelings with clarity so others may comprehend, understand, even enjoy them. This can be verbal or in written form....
What to do when preschoolers (2-6 years) lie?So your little child has just started saying small phrases and responding to questions, and you hear some lies. What should you do? Change the way you ask the question Instead of asking a...
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...
TeethingTeeth are formed in a baby's jaw even at birth1. Baby teeth typically start appearing from 6 months. These tips will help you understand the timing of teething and what Indian parents can do...
Dads - 11 tips to remain a great husband even after kidsWhen Indian men become a dad, there often is a transformation that happens. Many husbands seems to lapse into the old stereotypical daddy model. This often results in a growing gap between...
Helping our children eat vegetables and fruitsAs parents, we all know the importance of having our children eat vegetables and fruits every day. However, we are also very familiar with our children's responses like "I don't like it", "Yuck",...
Travel journal - great way to keep memoriesThe summer would have been a time that many of us travelled with our children and showed them new places, new people and new things. It would have been accompanied by oohs and aahs at the time we...
Shopping list - New babyHere is a handy list of items that you will find useful in your preparation for a new Indian baby. Equipment Tote bag that you can stylishly carry when taking your baby around ...
Tips for dad or the support person - labour and childbirthYou are going to be the critical resource for mother-to-be during labour and childbirth (or delivery) Here are some tips you will find useful. If you are taking childbirth classes and want...
Strollers - Buying guideStrollers (often referred to as prams) can be a useful accessory for Indian parents. Here are some tips on how to buy a stroller. Types - Umbrella strollers This is a simple stroller which...
7 practical tips for parents of young school-going childrenKeeping up with your child’s school routine and paraphernalia driving you and your family crazy? - the morning rush, the long school hours, their bulging school bags, their eating lunch in school,...
Teaching your child to accept "No"Many parents say their children do not listen to them. Often this is because their children do not accept when parents say “No”. How do we get children to accept “No” from us? Ensure the...
Selecting a paediatricianA paediatrician is part of a child's ecosystem. Due to the vital role they play, parents must select one carefully. To locate a paediatrician, ask for referrals from parents in Parentree groups,...
Computers and Internet - 6th to 8th standardDo you ponder and fret about what web activities are appropriate for your middle school going child (6th to 8th standards)? What if they bumped into undesirable adult web sites while researching...
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...
Computers and Internet - 1st to 5th standardPondered and fretted about what websites and web activities are appropriate for your primary school going child. What if they bump into undesirable adult web sites while researching for a school...
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...
Toddler development - 18+ to 24 monthsYour baby is now one-and-a-half years (18 months) old. The period between 18 and 24 months is an age where toddlers show a lot of development but there is also very wide variance in when they...
Chennai - Fort St. GeorgeFort St. George, one of the earliest British settlements in India can be an interesting trip for kids of any age. Its a nice way to spend a couple of hours. For older kids, it can be a great...
My toddler (1 to 2 year child) does not listen to me. What do I do?Indian parents often say "my child does not listen to me". This remark is heard irrespective of the age of the child and particularly when the child ignores the parent who is saying "No, no" and...
Pretend play - importanceYoung children learn a lot through pretend play, By pretending that their doll is a firefighter or their hand is a tennis racquet or that their crayon box is a spacecraft going to the Moon, they...
15 fun ways to help teach your child writeHere are some practical tips that Indian parents can employ to help their preschoolers and little kids start writing. Make sure writing materials are always handy - paper (could be...
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...
The 6 commandments of parentingThere are a few things that are an absolute NO when we become parents. While kids bring loads of happiness and a sense of fulfillment in our lives, they also come with a list of do’s and don’ts....
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...
Common skin conditions during pregnancyAll women experience numerous bodily changes during pregnancy and one of the most explicit change is the one that is witnessed on the skin. Here are some of the common skin conditions that...
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...
Piano classes for kids - a guideLooking at putting your child in a piano class? But are lost about how to find the right class, what to look for in the class, at what age should your child start learning the piano, what kind of...
Baby - Home safety checklistThese safety tips will help Indian parents think about how to make their baby's environment secure in the first year. Of course, these are no replacement for the constant care and attention that...
Raising a creative, imaginative childLook around you. Some of the people you admire the most are creative and imaginative, whether it is artists like M. F. Husain or maestros like A.R. Rahman or directors like Steven Spielberg. How...
Medicines for pain relief during childbirthMany times the labour process can be very long, arduous, and complicated. Mothers may experience long and unbearably painful labour or the mother might be too panicky. In these cases, it is best...
Namaste Hong kong!My husband and I love to travel. We covered most parts of Europe, before we had our brats. Post parenthood, we had drastically cut down on travel. Last April, we decided to explore Hongkong with...
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...
Is is safe to visit the dentist during pregnancy?Short answer: Don't fail to do essentials like teeth cleaning at the dentist. Postpone cosmetic dentistry till after the pregnancy. The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes sensitive...
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...
Building empathy in childrenWhat is empathy? Merriam Webster says empathy is "the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another...
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...
8 skin care tips for pregnant womenPregnancy is a time when hormonal changes can change your skin significantly - from positive changes like "pregnancy glow" to negative ones like acne. Here are some tips on how you can help your...
Fun and easy playdates for 6-12 year olds“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...
How do I make my child (2 - 6 year old) sleep early?Going to bed and to sleep is always a struggle between parents and children. Especially, preschoolers seem to be particularly determined to try and go to sleep as late as possible. Here are some...
Exams for children - Tips for parentsWith examination time round the corner, it is common for parents too to feel the stress. So the 1st tip to all parents is - Don’t be stressed Your being stressed is not only bad for you but...
Teaching children through spatial intelligence (multiple intelligence) - Activities,...Spatial intelligence is how we visualize and represent a spatial world in our mind, using concepts like form, shape, colour etc. and manipulate it or understand how things will impacted in a...
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...
Children's activities in Chennai Fun activities and things to do for kids, in and around Chennai Dakshina Chitra - Dakshina Chitra is a museum of South Indian cultural heritage. Kids can visit various stalls set up by...
Is it safe to take an X-Ray during pregnancy?Short answer: If your doctor decides you need X-rays, it is better to get an X-ray. There are no conclusive studies about whether/or how much the radiation in x-rays can affect your baby. Your...
Typical language related milestones for childrenEvery child is unique. They develop different skills at different times. The milestones given below are the average and many children can be ahead or behind the milestones. Comparisons are unfair...
Poopoo, Susu - Potty talkIs your preschooler fascinated with bathroom humour? Do you catch him or her saying the most embarrassing things like "You are Ms. Poopoo" or "I want susu for lunch" ?. Isn't it mortifying when...
Comparing children - Don't!Parents with multiple children often find themselves comparing one to the other. However, here are some facts that parents must become aware of when they think about comparing them. Each child...

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