Tag: parents

National Parents' Day: Honoring the Pillars of Our Lives

 National Parents’ Day, celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday in July, is a special occasion dedicated to recognizing and honoring the invaluable contributions of parents to their children and society. Established in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, this day complements other parental holidays such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, providing an opportunity to celebrate both parents together. National Parents’ Day emphasizes the importance of parental guidance, love, and sacrifice, and highlights the significant role that parents play in shaping the future of their children and the nation.

The Origins of National Parents’ Day

National Parents’ Day was established with the signing of a Congressional Resolution in 1994. The resolution, introduced by Senator Trent Lott, was intended to recognize the fundamental role of parents in the nurturing and upbringing of children. The day was envisioned as a way to honor parents for their dedication, support, and the positive influence they have on their children’s lives. By setting aside a day specifically to celebrate parents, the aim was to reinforce the importance of family values and to encourage communities to support and appreciate the role of parents.

The Significance of National Parents’ Day

Acknowledging Parental Sacrifice

Parents often make significant sacrifices for the well-being and future of their children. From sleepless nights caring for a newborn to the financial and emotional investments in their children’s education and development, the efforts and sacrifices made by parents are immense and deserving of recognition. National Parents’ Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge these sacrifices and to express gratitude for the unconditional love and support that parents provide.

Celebrating Parental Love and Guidance

Parental love and guidance are fundamental to a child’s development. The nurturing environment created by parents helps shape a child’s character, values, and sense of self-worth. National Parents’ Day is a celebration of the love, care, and wisdom that parents impart to their children, and it underscores the vital role that parents play in guiding and supporting their children through life’s challenges.

Highlighting the Role of Parents in Society

Parents are not only essential to the well-being of their own children but also contribute significantly to the health and stability of society. By raising responsible, compassionate, and well-adjusted individuals, parents help to build stronger communities and a more vibrant society. National Parents’ Day recognizes the collective impact of parents on the nation’s social fabric and encourages communities to support and appreciate their contributions.

Celebrating National Parents’ Day: Ideas and Traditions

Family Gatherings and Celebrations

One of the most popular ways to celebrate National Parents’ Day is by organizing family gatherings and celebrations. Whether it’s a simple family dinner, a picnic in the park, or a more elaborate family reunion, spending quality time together is a meaningful way to honor parents and strengthen family bonds.

Expressing Gratitude

National Parents’ Day is an ideal time to express gratitude to parents for their love, support, and guidance. This can be done through heartfelt letters, cards, or messages, sharing memories and acknowledging the positive impact parents have had on their children’s lives. Thoughtful gestures, such as giving gifts or creating handmade tokens of appreciation, can also convey gratitude and appreciation.

Volunteering and Community Service

Many people choose to celebrate National Parents’ Day by engaging in volunteer activities or community service. This can involve supporting organizations that help families in need, participating in events that promote family well-being, or simply taking the time to assist parents and families in your community. By giving back, you honor the spirit of the day and contribute to the well-being of others.

Supporting Parental Initiatives

National Parents’ Day is also an opportunity to support initiatives and programs that promote parental support and education. This can include advocating for policies that benefit families, supporting organizations that provide resources for parents, or participating in workshops and events that focus on parenting skills and family well-being.

The Impact of Parental Love and Guidance

Fostering Emotional and Social Development

Parental love and guidance play a crucial role in a child’s emotional and social development. Children who grow up in a nurturing and supportive environment are more likely to develop strong self-esteem, healthy relationships, and effective coping skills. Parents’ involvement in their children’s lives provides a sense of security and belonging, which is essential for emotional well-being.

Encouraging Educational Achievement

Parental involvement is a key factor in a child’s educational success. Parents who actively support and engage in their children’s education can help to foster a love of learning and encourage academic achievement. By providing guidance, setting expectations, and creating a supportive learning environment, parents can significantly impact their children’s educational outcomes.

Instilling Values and Life Skills

Parents are instrumental in instilling values and life skills in their children. Through their actions, words, and guidance, parents teach their children important values such as honesty, responsibility, empathy, and resilience. These values and skills are essential for personal development and help children navigate the complexities of life.

Supporting and Empowering Parents

Providing Resources and Education

Supporting parents through resources and education is crucial for their well-being and effectiveness in their role. Access to parenting classes, support groups, and educational materials can help parents develop the skills and knowledge they need to raise healthy, happy, and well-adjusted children. Community programs that offer support and guidance to parents can also play a vital role in empowering them.

Promoting Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a significant challenge for many parents. Policies that promote flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and affordable childcare can help parents balance their responsibilities at home and work, reducing stress and enhancing their ability to provide quality care for their children.

Encouraging Community Support

Communities play an important role in supporting parents and families. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, communities can help alleviate some of the challenges that parents face. This can include providing access to healthcare, education, and social services, as well as creating opportunities for parents to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

Conclusion

National Parents’ Day is a meaningful occasion to celebrate and honor the dedication, love, and sacrifice of parents. It is a time to recognize the profound impact that parents have on their children’s lives and on society as a whole. As we celebrate this day, let us express our gratitude to the parents who have nurtured and guided us, and commit to supporting and empowering parents in our communities. By recognizing the vital role of parents, we can help to create a more compassionate, supportive, and resilient society for future generations.

Feel free to share this article to celebrate and honor the contributions of parents and to promote the importance of supporting families and parental well-being.

How to manage separation anxiety in children.

As a parent, it’s sometimes hard to be away from your kids. But it’s an indescribable, heartwarming feeling when you return – their smiles, the running to you with open arms, their tiny arms squeezing your neck. Whether you’ve been gone ten minutes or two days, that moment, this sweet reward, is everything.But what if reunions aren’t possible because the goodbyes are too much for your child to bear? If goodbyes are full of tears and fits, your little one might have separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is a normal part of development that occurs when toddlers begin to grow more aware and develop stronger relationships with their caregivers. This awareness can make them more apprehensive and possibly feel unsafe without their parent or caregiver.Whether it’s dropping your child off at day-care or leaving your child at home as you head out to work, farewells can be difficult. Your child may understand that mommy and daddy didn’t vanish, but they might not know for how long. All they know is that they feel safest when you’re around.

When does it begin?

Separation anxiety typically develops before age 1 and peters out around age 3, but it can be experienced by older children and young adults as well—particularly during major life changes like transitioning to high school or leaving for college. Certain life stressors can trigger feelings of anxiety about being separated, such as divorce, loss of a pet, new caregiver, a new sibling, a new school or moving to a new place.

Separation anxiety can be normal and temporary. Although it can be difficult for your child, and for you as their parent, remember this indicates a strong attachment between you and your child.However, if you notice your child’s anxiety starts affecting their daily life and academics, talk to their doctor. Things like stomach aches, vomiting, headaches, constant worry about losing you or a loved one to a disease or illness or a reluctance to sleep away from you may be a sign of a more serious emotional problem called separation anxiety disorder (SAD. The main difference between the two is that with SAD their fears keep them from normal activities. Adult separation anxiety can have an onset in childhood or adulthood. Similar to other anxiety disorders, adult separation anxiety can affect your quality of life, but the condition can be managed with treatment. Talk to a medical professional if you suspect you or someone you love is living with this disorder.

Common causes of separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety disorder occurs because a child feels unsafe in some way. Take a look at anything that may have thrown your child’s world off balance, made them feel threatened, or upset their normal routine. If you can pinpoint the root cause—or causes—you’ll be one step closer to helping your child through their struggles.Common causes of separation anxiety disorder in children include:

  • Change in environment. Changes in surroundings, such as a new house, school, or day care situation, can trigger separation anxiety disorder.
  • Stress. Stressful situations like switching schools, divorce, or the loss of a loved one—including a pet—can trigger separation anxiety problems.
  • Insecure attachment. The attachment bond is the emotional connection formed between an infant and their primary caretaker. While a secure attachment bond ensures that your child will feel secure, understood and calm enough for optimal development, an insecure attachment bond can contribute to childhood problems such as separation anxiety.

Tips to reduce separation anxiety

Separation anxiety may come and go, but there’s plenty you can do to help ease your child’s symptoms. These tips can help them through this difficult period.

  • Talk to your child in a calm, positive tone. Let your child know what will happen while you are gone, who they will be with and all the fun things they get to do. Even if you feel your child is too young to understand, your positive tone and attitude will send a reassuring message. It may even be helpful to find and read picture books that talk about separation and that goodbyes aren’t forever.
  • Practice separating. Practice leaving your child at home with a caregiver for a short period of time. As time goes on, you can extend the time you are away before returning home.
  • Ease the separation. Leave your child with their favorite stuffed animal or toy.
  • Prepare an activity. Engage your child in a fun activity when the caregiver arrives or ask the daycare teacher to have an activity ready as soon as you drop your child off.
  • Make your goodbye short. Whenever you leave your child or drop them off, keep the goodbye brief. If you act anxious or keep returning for just one more hug or kiss, you may unnecessarily worry your child
  • Follow through on your promise. It’s important that you return when you promised to return as this helps your child build confidence and trust.
  • Aim for consistency. Kids like consistency, so try to schedule the same caregiver whenever possible, so your child feels more comfortable when you leave. Develop a brief, consistent routine for when you leave to create a familiar transition from being with you to being without you.
  • Attention: When separating, give your child full attention, be loving, and provide affection. Then say good-bye quickly despite their antics or cries for you to stay.

Additional tips for older children

Although separation anxiety tends to lower during adolescence, teens can experience it too. it is necessary to make sure an older child still feels safe and emotionally well to start being independent or it can resurface in untimely situations. . Here are some additional tips to help your adolescent child:

  • Acknowledge their fears. Let them know you’re there for them and that uneasy feelings are natural parts of adolescence.
  • Praise them for doing something they are anxious about.
  • Gently encourage, don’t force, them to do things that make them anxious.
  • Wait until your child is anxious before stepping in to help.
  • Remind your child of times when they were initially afraid but still managed to do something.

How to manage separation anxiety in children.

As a parent, it’s sometimes hard to be away from your kids. But it’s an indescribable, heartwarming feeling when you return – their smiles, the running to you with open arms, their tiny arms squeezing your neck. Whether you’ve been gone ten minutes or two days, that moment, this sweet reward, is everything.But what if reunions aren’t possible because the goodbyes are too much for your child to bear? If goodbyes are full of tears and fits, your little one might have separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is a normal part of development that occurs when toddlers begin to grow more aware and develop stronger relationships with their caregivers. This awareness can make them more apprehensive and possibly feel unsafe without their parent or caregiver.Whether it’s dropping your child off at day-care or leaving your child at home as you head out to work, farewells can be difficult. Your child may understand that mommy and daddy didn’t vanish, but they might not know for how long. All they know is that they feel safest when you’re around.

When does it begin?

Separation anxiety typically develops before age 1 and peters out around age 3, but it can be experienced by older children and young adults as well—particularly during major life changes like transitioning to high school or leaving for college. Certain life stressors can trigger feelings of anxiety about being separated, such as divorce, loss of a pet, new caregiver, a new sibling, a new school or moving to a new place.

Separation anxiety can be normal and temporary. Although it can be difficult for your child, and for you as their parent, remember this indicates a strong attachment between you and your child.However, if you notice your child’s anxiety starts affecting their daily life and academics, talk to their doctor. Things like stomach aches, vomiting, headaches, constant worry about losing you or a loved one to a disease or illness or a reluctance to sleep away from you may be a sign of a more serious emotional problem called separation anxiety disorder (SAD. The main difference between the two is that with SAD their fears keep them from normal activities. Adult separation anxiety can have an onset in childhood or adulthood. Similar to other anxiety disorders, adult separation anxiety can affect your quality of life, but the condition can be managed with treatment. Talk to a medical professional if you suspect you or someone you love is living with this disorder.

Common causes of separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety disorder occurs because a child feels unsafe in some way. Take a look at anything that may have thrown your child’s world off balance, made them feel threatened, or upset their normal routine. If you can pinpoint the root cause—or causes—you’ll be one step closer to helping your child through their struggles.Common causes of separation anxiety disorder in children include:

  • Change in environment. Changes in surroundings, such as a new house, school, or day care situation, can trigger separation anxiety disorder.
  • Stress. Stressful situations like switching schools, divorce, or the loss of a loved one—including a pet—can trigger separation anxiety problems.
  • Insecure attachment. The attachment bond is the emotional connection formed between an infant and their primary caretaker. While a secure attachment bond ensures that your child will feel secure, understood and calm enough for optimal development, an insecure attachment bond can contribute to childhood problems such as separation anxiety.

Tips to reduce separation anxiety

Separation anxiety may come and go, but there’s plenty you can do to help ease your child’s symptoms. These tips can help them through this difficult period.

  • Talk to your child in a calm, positive tone. Let your child know what will happen while you are gone, who they will be with and all the fun things they get to do. Even if you feel your child is too young to understand, your positive tone and attitude will send a reassuring message. It may even be helpful to find and read picture books that talk about separation and that goodbyes aren’t forever.
  • Practice separating. Practice leaving your child at home with a caregiver for a short period of time. As time goes on, you can extend the time you are away before returning home.
  • Ease the separation. Leave your child with their favorite stuffed animal or toy.
  • Prepare an activity. Engage your child in a fun activity when the caregiver arrives or ask the daycare teacher to have an activity ready as soon as you drop your child off.
  • Make your goodbye short. Whenever you leave your child or drop them off, keep the goodbye brief. If you act anxious or keep returning for just one more hug or kiss, you may unnecessarily worry your child
  • Follow through on your promise. It’s important that you return when you promised to return as this helps your child build confidence and trust.
  • Aim for consistency. Kids like consistency, so try to schedule the same caregiver whenever possible, so your child feels more comfortable when you leave. Develop a brief, consistent routine for when you leave to create a familiar transition from being with you to being without you.
  • Attention: When separating, give your child full attention, be loving, and provide affection. Then say good-bye quickly despite their antics or cries for you to stay.

Additional tips for older children

Although separation anxiety tends to lower during adolescence, teens can experience it too. it is necessary to make sure an older child still feels safe and emotionally well to start being independent or it can resurface in untimely situations. . Here are some additional tips to help your adolescent child:

  • Acknowledge their fears. Let them know you’re there for them and that uneasy feelings are natural parts of adolescence.
  • Praise them for doing something they are anxious about.
  • Gently encourage, don’t force, them to do things that make them anxious.
  • Wait until your child is anxious before stepping in to help.
  • Remind your child of times when they were initially afraid but still managed to do something.

Paternity leave- a necessity India needs.

In India women are given the paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for working women under the new maternity benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 ,which was passed by the Rajya Sabha in the year August 2016,has now also been approved by the Lok Sabha in the same year ,March 2017.

Women are given maternity leave but what about men, the father of the new born, don’t they need any leave? Do they not wish to be with their new born and be helpful to their families, they too have responsibility towards their family right? Many parents have raised their concern regarding not getting leaves during their child birth and this is actually a growing concern ,if women can get maternity leave then even the father’s should also get their paternity leave .

The maternity leave policy was started back then in 1961,the Maternity benefits act ,by which women got different benefits, facilities and perks, but what about the father , there was nothing sort of paternity leave, and in a country like India where family is considered utmost important , its necessary to provide both maternity and paternity leave.

In 1991 the central government ,under the central civil services (leave) rule 551(A) introduced some provisions for paternity leave like a central government male employee can take leave up to 15 days to take care of child and wife with less than two children.

Paternity leave is sanctioned for the government employees, but there is no law that mandates private sectors when it comes to paternity leave. Therefore, it is decision made by by the individual companies themselves.

Its important for all the sectors to grant these type of leaves , therefore Three years ago in 2017, After the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act happened, there was a new bill proposed, known as The Paternity Benefit Bill. Rajeev Satav, an MP from Maharashtra, stood up for the benefits of fathers of newborn babies.

The Objective of the Bill is “Child care is the joint responsibility of both parents. They must devote time to the newborn to ensure its proper well-being,” said Congress MP Mr. Rajeev Satav.

This new bill states that all workers, both in unorganized and private sectors, should get paternity leave of fifteen days, which is also extendable up to three months. One of the most important features is that it emphasized the equal parental benefits for mothers and fathers. The paternity leave will also allow the mother to get some much-needed support from their husbands and the fathers of their children, both during and after childbirth.

Currently, the Central employees who fall under the All India and Central Civil Services Rules, are all allowed to take a paid fifteen-day paternity leave. This puts India in the top fourteen countries with the highest maternity leave. By providing fifteen days of paid paternity leave to all sectors, India will among the top thirteen countries that provide the highest paternity leave, alongside other benefits.

It is high time the idea of Parental became commonplace so that it can well resonate with the needs of working families today.

One of our Indian cricketer and former captain Mr. Kohli took paternity leave and it was a national news ,even Mark Zuckerberg and Prince William took paternity leave ,but why did this become such a big news only in India

There should be no discrimination says the society ,but what about granting paternity leave ,when women can get maternity leave ,then even the father of child has right to get leave and share responsibilities with mother and support her during and after child birth. The new born needs both of the parents ,its a joint responsibility and they must devote their time to the new born to ensure proper well being .So I think paternity leave should be granted to everyone either government or private sector employee.

Paternity leave- a necessity India needs.

In India women are given the paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for working women under the new maternity benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 ,which was passed by the Rajya Sabha in the year August 2016,has now also been approved by the Lok Sabha in the same year ,March 2017.

Women are given maternity leave but what about men, the father of the new born, don’t they need any leave? Do they not wish to be with their new born and be helpful to their families, they too have responsibility towards their family right? Many parents have raised their concern regarding not getting leaves during their child birth and this is actually a growing concern ,if women can get maternity leave then even the father’s should also get their paternity leave .

The maternity leave policy was started back then in 1961,the Maternity benefits act ,by which women got different benefits, facilities and perks, but what about the father , there was nothing sort of paternity leave, and in a country like India where family is considered utmost important , its necessary to provide both maternity and paternity leave.

In 1991 the central government ,under the central civil services (leave) rule 551(A) introduced some provisions for paternity leave like a central government male employee can take leave up to 15 days to take care of child and wife with less than two children.

Paternity leave is sanctioned for the government employees, but there is no law that mandates private sectors when it comes to paternity leave. Therefore, it is decision made by by the individual companies themselves.

Its important for all the sectors to grant these type of leaves , therefore Three years ago in 2017, After the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act happened, there was a new bill proposed, known as The Paternity Benefit Bill. Rajeev Satav, an MP from Maharashtra, stood up for the benefits of fathers of newborn babies.

The Objective of the Bill is “Child care is the joint responsibility of both parents. They must devote time to the newborn to ensure its proper well-being,” said Congress MP Mr. Rajeev Satav.

This new bill states that all workers, both in unorganized and private sectors, should get paternity leave of fifteen days, which is also extendable up to three months. One of the most important features is that it emphasized the equal parental benefits for mothers and fathers. The paternity leave will also allow the mother to get some much-needed support from their husbands and the fathers of their children, both during and after childbirth.

Currently, the Central employees who fall under the All India and Central Civil Services Rules, are all allowed to take a paid fifteen-day paternity leave. This puts India in the top fourteen countries with the highest maternity leave. By providing fifteen days of paid paternity leave to all sectors, India will among the top thirteen countries that provide the highest paternity leave, alongside other benefits.

It is high time the idea of Parental became commonplace so that it can well resonate with the needs of working families today.

One of our Indian cricketer and former captain Mr. Kohli took paternity leave and it was a national news ,even Mark Zuckerberg and Prince William took paternity leave ,but why did this become such a big news only in India

There should be no discrimination says the society ,but what about granting paternity leave ,when women can get maternity leave ,then even the father of child has right to get leave and share responsibilities with mother and support her during and after child birth. The new born needs both of the parents ,its a joint responsibility and they must devote their time to the new born to ensure proper well being .So I think paternity leave should be granted to everyone either government or private sector employee.

Crores of students, teachers and parents from India and abroad to participate

 Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ today announced the commencement of the registration process of the fourth edition of Prime Minister’s Interaction Programme with school students, teachers and parents – Pariksha Pe Charcha 2021 through his social media platform.

Pariksha Pe Charcha is a much-awaited annual event where the Prime Minister responds to questions related to examination stress and related areas posed by students in his uniquely engaging style in a live programme. Shri Pokhriyal informed that this time the programme will be held virtually. He further stated that questions related to dealing with examination stress from school students of class 9 to 12 will be invited through MyGov platform and selected questions will be featured in the programme. He also informed that school students, teachers and parents from all across the country are to be selected through an online creative writing competition designed specifically for them on MyGov platform. There are different topics assigned for students, parents and teachers in the contest. The applicants can also pose their questions on this platform. The selected participants will be participating in the programme online from their respective State and UT headquarters and will be presented with a special PPC kit (Pariksha Pe Charcha kit). The portal for online creative writing competition will remain open till 14thMarch 2021, he added.

 

 

Click here to access the link of the portal: https://innovateindia.mygov.in/ppc-2021/

Topics for creative writing competition on MyGov

For Students

Topic 1: Exams are like festivals, celebrate them

Activity: Draw a scene depicting a festival around your favourite subject.

Topic 2: India Is Incredible, Travel and Explore

Activity: Imagine your friend visits your city for three days. What memories would you create for him or her in each of the following categories?

  • Places to See: (Word Limit: 500 Words)
  • Food to Relish: (Word Limit: 500 Words)
  • Experiences to remember: (Word Limit: 500 Words)

Topic 3: As One Journey Ends, Another Begins

Activity: Describe the most memorable experiences of your school life in not more than 1500 words

Topic 4: Aspire, Not to Be, but to Do

Activity: If there was no restriction on resources or opportunities, what would you do for society and why? Submit a write up in not more than 1500 words

Topic 5: Be Grateful

Activity: Write ‘Gratitude Cards’ for those whom you are grateful to in not more than 500 words

For Teachers

Topic: Online Education System – Its benefits and how it can be improved further.

Activity: Write an essay on the topic in about 1500 words

For Parents

Topic 1: Your Words Make Your Child’s World – Encourage, As You Have Always Done

Activity: Write a story about the vision you share with your child for his or her future. Let your child write the first sentence. Then you write the next and so on. (Word Limit: 1500 Words)

Topic 2: Be Your Child’s Friend—Keep Depression Away

Activity: Write a postcard to your child and let him or her know why they are special. (Word Limit: 100 Words)

 

*****


The effects of video games on a child’s behaviour

Video gaming has become a popular activity for people of all ages. Many children and adolescents spend large amounts of time playing them, although no one should have more than two hours total of screen time in a day. Video gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry, bringing in more money than movies and DVDs combined. Video games have become very sophisticated and realistic and some games connect to the Internet, which allow children and adolescents to play online with unknown adults and peers.

While some games have educational content, many of the most popular games emphasize negative themes. They promote the killing of people or animals, the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, criminal behavior, disrespect for the law and other authority figures, sexual exploitation and violence towards women, racial, sexual and gender stereotypes, and foul language obscenities and obscene gestures. Examples of video games not acceptable for children because they have these themes include the popular ones Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, and Mortal Kombat.

There is growing research on the effects of video games on children. Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become immune or numb to the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence. Studies have also shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the impact on children. Children and adolescents can become overly involved and even obsessed with video games, leading to poor social skills, time away from family time, school work and other hobbies, lower grades, reading less, exercising less, becoming overweight, and having aggressive thoughts and behaviors.

So how can you, as a parent, protect your child against these types of video games? First, you can check the Entertainment Software Rating Board ratings to learn about the game’s content. Every video game will actually have a label on the front to tell you what type of game it is. If it says M for mature, it’s not for your child.

Play the video games with your child to experience the game’s content and know exactly what your child is playing. Set clear rules about the game’s content for both playing time in and outside of your home. Strongly warn your children about the potential serious dangers of Internet contacts and relationships while playing online. There are a lot of online predators that will look for children specifically playing video games and this can lead to them meeting in real life. Finally, remember that you are a role model for your child. Make sure the video games you play as an adult are ones that you would want your child to play.

If you are concerned as a parent that your child is spending too much time playing video games or your child starts becoming obsessed with aggressive or violent video games, make sure you set some limits. You’re not allowed to play games for one hour after all the homework is done and encourage your child to participate in other activities so they’re not drawn to those video games. By being aware of what games are out there, you can help your child make appropriate decisions about gaming no matter where your child plays.

Parents

Growing up, our relationship with our parents is less complex. They are the first best friends that we have. We talk to them about everything, and they listen to us. We look up to them and want to be like them when we grow up.

 But after growing up, we realize our parents are not perfect. They make mistakes too. Well, that is not a bad thing because nobody is perfect. A lot of us then stay angry at our parents for being normal humans. We blame them for everything without realizing that they have a life of their own. Yes, we are their children, and they love us. But that does not mean they should stop living their lives. Our parents provide us with necessities, and they work hard to do it. They sacrifice their dreams to fulfill ours. But a lot of us do not give them the respect or the credit that we should. 

Growing up, parents would appreciate us for every small achievement. Now they don’t say much. We can sense they are happy but have trouble expressing it. We need to understand that it is hard for parents to express their feelings of love towards us once we grow up. It is mainly because their parents were not so expressive towards them.

Here are a few ways that can help fix your relationship with your parents:

If parents have trouble expressing their love, we can express it to them instead. If we can tell our friends, we love them on a daily basis. So, why not do the same with the people raising us?

Communication is the key to fix all relationships. We all get a gap in our relationship with our parents. That gap can only be erased by communicating with them.

Keeping the generation gap aside. We often get distant from our parents because they don’t approve of a few things. But, for that we need to understand where they are coming from. They are trying to accept our generation, but there will still be a few things they will not approve of. Instead of hating on them for it, we need to start understanding them.

We need to understand that they care for us. We sometimes tend to disagree with our parents but agree with our friends if they say the same thing. We need to understand that our parents care more about us than our friends ever would.

We all need to build a deeper relationship with our parents. We need to ask them about their day and tell them about ours. If they accept us with our flaws, we need to do the same with them. I know my parents don’t agree on a few things with me. Which is fine. It doesn’t have to come in the way of our relationship. We all have our ups and downs. Our relationship with our parents will only work when we are willing to make it work.

We say parents don’t understand us.

But do we understand them?

Don’t forget your roots, your Parents

Article by – Shishir Tripathi

Intern at Hariyali Foundation
In collaboration with
Educational News

When a child is born, the two happiest souls on the earth are the parents. It is a lovely creation of god and it is a part of their body. The child now grows up. Shouts in the afternoon, cries in the night and the parents, they are continuously engaged in handling the baby. After sometime child starts calling ‘mummy’ and ‘papa’, and listening this is a dream of every parent. Now as time passes by the kid starts going to school, then college, then the little child who is developed into an adult gets a job and finally gets married to someone.

But as it is general rule that time passes for everyone, for the child’s transformation into an adult and the younger parents getting older by each passing day. Initially it was the responsibility of the parents to take care of that innocent infant but in old age parents need attention from the children, they want someone to talk them, to listen them but unfortunately only few elderly people are lucky in true sense to have responsible children.

In India as people are following the west, the culture of living in a joint family is ending and now people want privacy. Privacy is so important for these grown up children that even their parents who made them enter the world become just a burden.

People in the name of being modern are leaving their parents all alone to agonize in their loneliness and old age. Human beings when become older certain physical and mental changes happen inside the body and let me tell you, which is all very natural. Everyone goes through the same phase and ha to go through the same phase. One can’t reverse the time; hence not even the ageing factor too. People send their parents to old age homes, so that their parents won’t disturb their private and married life.

Development is good, accepting the new trends and getting familiar with the current time is also good but leaving them all alone for agonizing with hunger and loneliness, who gave birth to you, taught you walking talking, eating and what not. In India many children leave their parents and get settled somewhere else and never comeback. Parents who were so happy that they’ve got such cute and lovely kid whom they’ll be making a good, responsible adult, are left with pain, sadness and tears.

There are many incidents to prove the same. Recently, one year back it was in news that an old woman jumped off from the terrace of her building. Everyone including his son and daughter in law were all, so sad. But after investigation and the CCTV footage it was revealed that the son himself dragged her mother upstairs and throws her away from the terrace as she was old and suffering from a disease. This is so painful to listen and read. The mother who carried him in her womb for 9 months facing all the pains and difficulties was killed by his son himself. Hearing and listening such incidents, shatter the heart.

The mind is compelled to think that how these so called civilized but uncultured and heartless children do such shameful acts against Humanity. Parents are the protective shield who prevent their children from landing into different types of problems.

The world will progress each day, each year, but an individual needs to stay grounded and humble towards his or her parents. Parents are the ones who spent their entire life in forming the future and the entire life of their children and this must not be forgotten. Parents and elderly are needed to be given proper respect and attention. The responsibility of taking care of their parents’ physical as well as mental health has to be taken by the children only.

Therefore it is time to meet and hug your parents and making themselves feel so good that yes, they are not alone. Their children are there beside them in this life of journey.

And each parent deserves all the happiness and respect from his children.


Remember readers.

Online classes results in Eyesight and Ear problems

Most of the students are now undertaking online classes due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. This is indeed a cause of worry for many parents because children spend extra hours on mobile phones and laptops. Experts also speak of the hazardous effects that digital classes can have on eyes of young children. Parents must take precautions and measures to ensure safety of the child’s eyes.

Needless to say, excessive usage of mobile phones, laptops or any other gadgets can affect children in many ways. This can be mental and physical. Eye strain is one amongst the most common problems. Some of its symptoms include excessive blinking, tearing, frequent rubbing of the eyes, dry eyes, headaches from eye strain and even tiredness. Parents must be extremely watchful and careful on how the child spends time online.Most of the classes, especially for children above class 8, goes on for long hours. Parents must cut short their time spent on video games, TV and other gadgets. Only a strict no works with most children!

During the last two weeks, a few school children in the age group of 8-10 came to my clinic with complaints of dryness in their eyes and frequent blinking of eyes. Prolonged reading on the mobile screen and watching it from close range may result in this type of problems,” says G. Hanumantha Rao, an ophthalmologist, who runs his clinic on MVP Double Road. He suggests that a laptop or a desktop with a large screen should be preferred. It also ensures that proper viewing distance is maintained, at least to some extent.

“Prolonged use of earphones can result in noise-induced deafness. It can also cause tinnitus and the child may experience ringing sounds in the ear. Severe exposure may cause inability to hear certain frequencies. The problems depend on the duration and intensity of the sound,” says B. Ramachandra Rao, an ENT surgeon at the Government ENT Hospital in the city.

Are Parents able to do Work From Home?

Consider a 35 year old woman staying with her husband, 37 and her two children – aged 3 and 6 in Bangalore. She works as Project Manager in a top multinational corporation. Her husband is also working as a Project Manager, though of another firm. One of their child, aged 3, is starting with his kindergarten and demands for the utmost attention of his parents. And the other, aged 6, is starting her primary school. She has seen her parents working for most of the times and hence she is bit aware of managing herself.

Things were just going on as expected, until on 24th March, our Prime Minister called for a nation-wide lockdown. And then things just changed.

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Let me now give you a tour of how this woman spends her day. She wakes up to her alarm at 5:30 in the morning. Starting her day with 15 minutes meditation and yoga, she completely immerse herself in doing the household chores. Since the lockdown she has cancelled the maid, cook and nanny services. After her domestic work, she gets ready for the morning meeting with her team members and thus kick starts her 9 to 5 or rather whole day of work. But then wait, she has two children who also needs to get ready for their school. After attending a couple of meetings, she gets up, prepares her children, set up the desktops and login to their school webinar sessions. This continues till the work-chain is intervened by the lunch time. During the lunch hours, she needs to feed her younger one and at the same time, caters to the needs of her elder one. After that, they both go off to sleep and she resumes her work. Some days this workflow gets interrupted by unprecedented events such as poor internet connection, household emergencies and so on and so forth. Apparently as she described, the best time for her to work is about 2 hours in the afternoon and about 2-3 hours at night, when her children go to their beds.

Now this is just one instance. Apparently, this is what most parents are facing while they are working from home. Since the lockdown, they are not just a mom and an employee. Being a maid, a nanny, a mom, a cook, an advisor, a nurse, a repair-woman and a mediator, her life is not just only about being an employee. She is trying to manage everything, trying to subdue all the resistance and challenging all the obstacles on her path. While for others, Work From Home might be a boon or a blessing in disguise but for the parents, especially for a mother, it is a challenge, an everyday obstacle or rather, a bane. Managing her husband, her children, the household as well as her work has never been easy. For her, especially now, there is no distinct boundary between home and work. But the hardest fact of all is that, she was not prepared for this life-changing instrument.

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It is of utmost importance that the employers should take this scenario into consideration and by partnering up with Human Resource Team, they should implement policies which can elevate the motivation level of mothers. A few suggestions from my end would be to give them few extra hours each day, especially during the afternoon to attend to her children. To allow them to complete their work by 6 in the evening, so that they can spend the night-time with their children. Parents should be allowed to attend the business meetings with their children and they should not be embarrassed if something comes up in between work which needs their utmost attention. Parents are having a very hard time, juggling in between work and home and employers should be empathetic while dealing with their situations.

Employers should be all big ears while listening to the issues of the parents. They should have high emotional intelligence and should be empathetic enough to not judge them, but to provide them with empathetic solutions. If a parent says that today she will not be able to work for the entire team because her child is facing some issues, the employer should give her the benefit of doubt, trust her and cooperate with her. It is very important for the employer to keep an open mind and be receptive to the problems. They should understand it takes a lot of courage, especially for the female employees to express their problem, fearing that she will be seen as weak and might be displaced. At this moment, the employer should not despise her, but to communicate with her and provide her with the necessary arrangements.

One things is very important which should always be kept in mind – Parents, especially mothers, can sacrifice for their children and hence the employers must give the required amount of importance to them. Especially the importance that the hard-working parents deserve.

Source: https://hbr.org/2020/03/a-guide-for-working-from-home-parents

Graduates of WhatsApp University

My phone chimes with a notification sound, while the birds from the trees and skies chirp outside, my phone twitters me awake at 5:30 in the morning. My alarm is yet to wake me up but I turn it off nevertheless and reach for my device or ‘WhatsApp’ to be specific. It is now 5:45am, the Sun is not out yet but my mobile screen is brighter than ever. The world has entered my room bombarding me with wisdom and a flower wishing me good morning. It is demanding my attention, comments, jokes, wits, opinions and some fun emojis.

Continue reading “Graduates of WhatsApp University” →

The increasing trend of old age homes….

It is considered that taking care of the parents is the moral duty of the children. But in modern day the number and trend of old age homes are increasing day by day, which is not a good development.

Parents, who bring us to this world, who educated us, always tried their best to fulfill our dreams and demands, who always tried to keep us happy, made us what we are today, how can we simply leave them.

There are different reasons which lead to this rise in number of old age homes. The main reason is that people migrate from village to cities in order to get good education and jobs. It is easy for them to adjust in the new environment of cities but their parents don’t come with them because of the sentiments attached with that place. And when they don’t able to take care of them by themselves they have to take the shelter in the old age homes. The other reasons could be, some people don’t want to take care of their old parents who are suffering from chronic diseases and old parents who loose their motor functions due to old age, as they need intense care and their children started treating them as a burden and send them in old age homes.

Some send their parents to old age homes after marriage as their daughter-in-law want just to live with her husband and don’t want their in-laws to interfere in their life.

I know there are many other different reasons for this rising trend of old age homes, but we forgot one thing. As our parents grew old the same care and love they want as we wanted in our childhood from our parents. If then, they had simply leaved us like we are leaving them, because at that time surely they also had their social and personal life to live, then what do you think we were at the same place as we are now. Definitely not. It is because for them we are not a choice, we are their priority so why they are not our priority. It is true that we are busy in our life and if your parents are not well and if you don’t have the full time to spend time with them, hire them a nurse, spend time with them when you are free. They will feel better.

So love your parents as they have loved you or loving you. They need proper love, care and support as same you needed in your childhood which is possible in the home only. Always remember that they are your parents and it is your duty to takr care of them. So try to make them your priority,and not to make old age homes, a trend.

Effect of parent’s conflicts on children

We all know that due to parents conflicts children also suffer a lot. Then also it is necessary to know that how these conflicts are harmful for children so that these conflicts are properly addressed by parents or family.

Any home is not free from conflicts pr arguments and every children sees parents arguing with each other. According to researchers if children see that they calmly and positively solving their disagreements and problems then it doesn’t have any negative effect on children. Infact, children learn conflict resolution skills and also use them in their lives and relationships.

If conflicts are frequent and it involves verbal insults, raised voice or when parents become physically agressive or when they withdraw themselves from argument and give each other a silent treatment or when conflict seems to threaten the intactness of family then it will be harmful for children.

According to the research, children show distress when parents fight, from a very early age. Their reaction can include fear, anxiety and there are a high risk of variety of health problems like disturbed sleep, difficulty in paying attention, performing good in school and due to which they become aggressive or internalize it in the form of depression, anxiety, withdrawal and dysphoria.

In research, it is also shown that children having high conflict at their homes are more likely to have poor interpersonal skills, problem solving abilities and social competence. It also have s negative impact on the romantic relations in adoloscences and adulthood as high conflict relations of one couple can produce negative relationships in next generation too.

These conflicts also have a negative impact on the parenting style of parent due to which it become harmful for the children. Parents who are in high conflict relations are more involved in agression, shouting, hitting etc, which may harm children.

Children experience physiological reactions related to stress which may harm their brain development. Parental conflict also have a varietal impacts depending on the age, sex and temperament of the child. Sibling relationship, attachment to the parents and socioeconomic pressure also impact how child react to conflicts.

So it is very important to notice what are you doing and how are you behaving infront of the child. Try not to argue infront of the child and if you are arguing or sometimes it happens by mistake always show your child, how positively you are solving that. Children are very sensitive so try not to do such things in front of the child which hurt them or lead to a negative impact on their development.