Blogs - Page 1

A road roller crash and yes life roles on!

mithilaiy's blog, Sep 29, 2011 7:09 PM

Ten years ago, on a chill windy night a speeding bike crashed on a broken down road-roller, parked on the footpath along the road. The people of the village rushed to the aid of the bike driver. The d...

Building empathy in children

Parentree-editors' blog, Nov 8, 2008 12:09 PM

What 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 ...

Featured Articles

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...
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...
Gandhiji's little fans and Rajghat tripWe had gone to Delhi in summer holidays and my little ones’ (8 and 6) big highlight was a visit to Rajghat (Gandhiji’s memorial) and the adjacent Gandhi museum. Btw, Rajghat is the samadhi or...
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...
Taking care of your baby's teeth and gumsIndian parents can set their child on a lifelong path of good dental health by giving them good dental care even as a baby. Even though most babies start teething only when they are 6 months or...
5 memorable "things to do" with your kidsAs parents, we are all trying hard to do the best for our children. We make sure they eat well, study well, become all rounders, are well read, buy them the best things etc., etc., But life is a...
Get your young child to chat about their day at schoolParent: "What happened in school today?" Child: "Nothing" or "Same" or "OK" How many of us have had this conversation once our child comes home from school? How do we get around...
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...
Lead poisoning in childrenLead, 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,...
High chair - Buying guideA high chair can be useful for parents, when babies can sit on their own and want to try eating on their own. They can also serve as a secure place to seat your child with a book or a small toy,...
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,...
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...
A True Summer Escape As everytime, after having a rough ride, editing through a handful of possible destinations, we settled for a 4 day trip/holiday mid-April to a known destination "mysore-madikeri(capital of...
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...
A trip to AurovilleAuroville is the "experimental" township that is located near Pondicherry (Puducherry). It can be a pleasant day trip from Chennai, and a good place to go even if you are not from Chennai, for...
8 study tips - help children reach their potentialParents can help foster good study habits early in school going children, right from the 1st standard. Of course, your child learns a lot in school. But you also play a big role in creating a good...
When are you most fertile?Conceiving "naturally" does not mean leaving everything to chance. Understanding your body's fertility signals can help you conceive faster. The timing of ovulation is complex and can take some...
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...
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...
Can I have a baby after the age of 35? Is there any risk?Yes you can have a baby after 35 but there are certain factors and potential risks to keep in mind. The fertility of men and women changes with age. Research shows that a woman's peak fertility...
10 must-watch movie classics for families with kidsEditors’ picks! Here we have listed some children’s movies in English (Hollywood) that are popular in India and the world over, hailed by movie critics and of course many of these are our...
Help big kids improve their writing skillsWriting is not just about pushing a pen on paper or about good handwriting. It is about communicating clearly and thoughtfully. It is a very complex activity where a child has to put together a...
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...
7 signs of tension, stress and anxiety in childrenTension, stress and anxiety have become common among parents in India. But did you know that children also feel similar emotions and need your help to overcome it. Here are some signs that your...
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...
Computers, Internet and children (Basic guidelines)Computers and the Internet are changing the way the world does things and are pervasive these days. Here is a guide that will help Indian parents tap the power of the computers and the net for...
Preschool - Importance, Right age, How to select and other common questionsIn India, preschool is sometimes also referred to as playschool or nursery school. It is a place a child goes to before kindergarten/primary school (typically before beginning Kindergarten or...
Getting organized for school admissions : Smart tipsThe school admissions season has started. You are trying to decide on an appropriate school for your child and then working on getting them admitted. Along with these twin missions of trying to...
Foetal problems and distressSometimes, the baby may have problems while in the mother. The baby might be sick and not growing adequately and this may increase the risk of foetal distress and increase the risk of still born...
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...
Pregnancy - Packing for the hospitalRemember to pack your hospital bag at least about a couple of weeks before your due date. You can deliver anytime! Otherwise you will be panicking and scrambling to pack when labour starts...
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...
Non-stress test (NST)This is not a routine test. A doctor will use this any time after 26-28 weeks for high-risk pregnancies to ensure that the baby is getting enough oxygen and is not in any kind of distress. This...
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....
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 ...
Learn to read - Children (2 to 4 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...
How much sleep do infants and babies need?Babies will vary greatly in their sleeping patterns and in the number of hours they sleep, as can be seen from the typical ranges shown below. 0 - 2 months: 14 to 20 hours per day 3 - 12 months:...
"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...
How does labour progress - the three stagesThe process of childbirth is usually divided into three stages. First stage The first stage of childbirth is when the labour pains start appearing. This stage begins when real contractions...
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...
Teaching small kidsThese days there is a lot of emphasis on teaching kids as many things as possible and as early as possible at that. Parents begin singing nursery rhymes,alphabets, numbers, shlokas to the baby...
Dads - 10 ways to give Mom a break from the kidsOK, Dad, let's be honest. Doesn't mom need a break from all the things she does with the kids - Food, homework, keeping track of school events etc., Even if you cannot step into these tasks all...
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...
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...
Just-before exam tips for your kids (8 commandments)We realize that our education system is very exam oriented already (yes, yes the Sibal commission is on its way to change some of this). And of course we understand that the real learning is...
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a condition where the baby is not growing adequately while inside the uterus. Symptoms During a routine check-up, while measuring the uterus, the doctor...
Resistance to antibioticsAntibiotics are among the greatest discoveries of human history and they are a miracle cure. However, there has been indiscriminate use of antibiotics resulting in the increasing occurrence of...
Feeling tired? - 8 ways to feel more energetic during your pregnancyFeeling tired and fatigued is part of being pregnant. Here are a few things you can do to try and build up as much energy as possible. Exercise Low impact exercises (like walking and swimming)...
Fun and easy playdates for preschoolers (Part 2 - Play time)You have now prepared for the playdate - scheduled it, have thought about it, talked about it with your child and have even set it up. So folks now get ready for a great time. Hoping you and your...
Boards for school education in IndiaIndia has a large number of boards for schools, and sometimes this can be confusing. Here is a short guide on what these different boards are. Please give us your feedback in the...
8 tips for an easy, stylish and organized wardrobe for kids Kids clothes spilling out of all their shelves, tired of sorting through kids clothes, spending a fortune on their clothes and still not being able to have the right thing for them to wear? Of...
Making friends wiselyAs children reach adolescence (11 - 13 years), they start to form strong friendships and slowly start moving out of the parental orbit. This is also the time when they are physically undergoing...
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...
Eight men's health questions to ask when planning to have a babyAs couples prepare for pregnancy, it is easy to focus only on the woman’s health. However, there are several items that are critical for men also. The father's health also affects his fertility...
Signs of pregnancyYou maybe looking at this article because you might have missed your period and are suspecting that you might be pregnant. Some women might suspect that they might be pregnant even before they...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Why children should not drink colas/carbonated drinks!As lifestyles changes occur and as advertising dollars are poured in, our children are drinking more and more colas every day. Here are the reasons why children should not be drinking colas or...
Placental abruptionThis is a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus, before delivery. Placenta is the organ that connects the mother and the baby. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to the baby and...
In their grandparents "loving laps"It takes a village to bring up a child! Most Indian kids are lucky. They grow up close to their grandparents - their dada/ dadi, nana/nani or their paati/thatha etc. Thanks to our cultural values...
Tumbling tots - Rough, physical playChildren often indulge in what parents consider to be rough, physical play - tumbling and rolling around, holding each other tight, screaming etc., As parents we often get concerned about whether...
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...
Criteria for selecting a school - guidelines, checklist and adviceIt is that time of the year again - The start of school admissions! You know the process - standing in long lines to get school admission forms, keeping track of the admission dates and...
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 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...
Dealing with whining childrenThere it is again, a high pitched whine from your child about "Why can't I have orange juice at night time" or "Why does my sister not have to take a shower now" or "Why do I have to do all this...
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...
Breastfeeding tips for new momsBreastfeeding can be a challenge in the first few days, especially for first time moms. Contrary to the popular notion, breastfeeding does not necessarily come all that “naturally” to most new...

Poll

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

Blog Comments

Blogs - Page 1

Featured Articles

Poll