Let's Grow

Being a mother of two young kids gives me enough opportunity to get multiple views on kids’ related issues. The current and very hot topic these days is traditional system of schooling vs.playway / modern system. Pro traditional system group has got a point that after completing their plus two ,would these kids be able to compete with the time tested traditional syllabus which no doubt helps them in sailing through the competitive exams like medical and engg? According to this group the ultimate goal of achieving success in these two career streams is possible only through traditional system of studies. One of weird reason I have heard from this group is that our kids have so much of energy that it becomes difficult to handle them if they are sitting idle, it’s good that they give so much home work that kids don’t get time to mess around! Schools following playway method of teaching, give emphasis to experiential learning. They prepare a kid to face the real challenges o

Perfectly Organized homes can become a reality with a little planning, consistent effort and proper execution. Once your basic plans falls in place it takes hardly one hour everyday to run all the functions smoothly.   Basic plan preparation takes some extensive thought process, which may require 6-7 days of yours, but the outcome is productive and is going to make your life so hassle free that putting in these many efforts is quite worth. Basic plan has to be customized (as one plan can’t fit for all) to be effective, and only your involvement at every level can make it successful. This article will be navigating you through basic guidelines and you can make changes as per your requirements First of all you have to decide in which category your dwelling place fits in. is it   a) An apartment, b) A standalone kind of house /row house Apartment style of living doesn’t require outdoors to be taken care of in general, which is not the case with row houses, accordingly time and days

If you will hit me with a stick, I ’ ll also hit you with this bat ” this was my older one of 6 while playing with his friend. It took me a while to accept that it was really my son ’ s voice, I was in a shock as we had never ever raised a hand on him or his younger brother of 4 & we had always taught him that in our house hitting was absolutely not acceptable and he had also imbibed the learning quite well, then what was so provocative today that he was responding in this violent manner; it was very very essential for me to understand his point of view ,I was required to sit with him and talk about the matter…. But mamma it was he who first hit me, should be just sitting and letting him hit me, without any action? ” Now there was a need for me to do some thinking; this was learning for me as well, as I had fed him only half the lesson, I had taught him that hitting was not good. It was OK till the time he was following this in the secure environment of our home as everybody w

lazing around reading favorite columns in newspaper, long chats with husband and kids, are some of the luxuries I look forward to on weekends. Sometimes I just wonder will I enjoy my Sundays during my retirement (yes retirement phase comes in housewives life cycle also and they need lots of psychological preparation to get ready for the phase) as much as I do now, will I miss my days of organized chaos or at that time everyday will be like a holiday and I will just wish for something meaningful to do. Whenever I look any old age person, I just try to feel what kind of emotions they are going through .is there a feeling of fulfillment or a wish that god would have given them more time! It also amazes me that after managing everything from A to Z in the house, how it feels to handle over everything to next generation. From being the sole decision maker in everything to just let others take the reigns! It is indeed a huge change in a person’s life and retirement phase does require

Is somebody interested in producing good quality programs, with decent language and basic moral values for our future generation? Or parents have no choice except to let their 3-4 year olds watch whatever is available on kids’ channels. Adding to the woes is the low standard of the language these programs are being dubbed in. In most of the programs the lead cartoon character is shown either equipped with unbelievable super-powers or has an alien friend with extraordinary gadgets, without which he /she is a person with below average academic record, poor physical strength and extremely unpopular amongst his/her friends. The protagonists are also shown making fun of elders, disobeying them and hitting each other, sometimes a four year old is shown to be interested in women twice or thrice his age; the list of these kinds of examples is endless. Sometimes one just wonders, where good quality, educational, inspirational programs of good old Doordarshan days have gone, which used to have s

I just loved the ten “child commandments to parents” given to my kindergarten kid the other day by his teacher. It was indeed the crux of good parenting in a sweet lil capsule. May be it will stir a part of your soul as well as it did, mine. Happy parenting! 1) My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection when I draw a picture. 2) My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please don’t expect me to see the things the way you do. 3) Please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world. 4) Please don’t scold me for my inquisitiveness. 5) Treat me as you would like to be treated. 6) I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do. 7) I need your encouragement to grow. 8) Please don’t compare me to my siblings or friends. 9) Please set a good example for me to follow I enjoy learning. 10) Shower me with praise and see the enhanced level of my performance. (Original source: The speaking tree, the times of India)

There is a clear difference in planned career graphs and non planned ones. I analyzed some of the people's careers in close acquaintances, and it was evident that those who were quite clear about their choices from an early age were on the right career track at the right time, whereas those who thought about the options at the last moment clearly missed the bus and had to be content with whatever was available!  Now here comes the responsibility of the parents, no doubt we should not pressurize or impose our thoughts on the children but it is our duty as parents to expose them to the various career choice available and the ways to achieve them.  Creating a regular discussion forum kind of ritual in the family in which children can discuss their career choices, inclinations and plans with their parents would be amazing to start with. This will enhance the communication between the parents and the children and the parents will be able to arrange the information required in a much bet

Keeping pace with my two lil’ kids’ various appointments, managing my workshops’ activities, along with the family responsibilities, relationships, social networking, home management(bills deadlines, groceries refilling, cleaning and maintenance, handling maids & their tantrums….phew!!).it really some times gets overwhelming on your nerves.  Following are some of the thinkers, which help me in maintaining my sanity, and in making multitasking much easier.  A) Being without words (no mental dialogues too) for some time during the day does wonders, just try to vacate your mind of any thoughts for 10 min. and you will feel the rejuvenating effect.  B) Try to live in the present moment, consciously clap or tap if you notice that mental thoughts are taking you either to your past or to your future.  C) Write a list of your sweet memories (eg: your baby’s first recognition smile) try to recall any one of them when feeling down, this will magically cheer you up instantly

Life can be so active and fruitfully busy even at eighty, was hard to believe, till I met this vivacious, loving Marathi and Art teacher. No, she was not teaching to a group of toddlers or teenagers, she was surrounded by a group of ladies in their mid thirties or forties At an age when one just counts days with monotonous routine, that lady was remarkably different. She had started classes for middle-aged women with a thought of giving some feeling of self worth to them. She was running the classes for free so that money didn’t become hindrance in taking out time for them. Create some self worth, don’t limit yourself to kitchen only, learn and spread your knowledge to others were some of the loving advices given to the class. Her face lit up with joy when one student told her how much satisfied she felt after spending one hour with her colors, for which she was never able to take time out. “I will also teach you how you can convert this hobby in business opportunity, half of my day is