Today, as I sit in my new apartment, a gleaming one with a cozier look and feel and enjoying the newest addition in my home, an LCD television.... I suddenly went through a phase every parent faces... the embarassing situation when you watch something on TV and realize that it's too late to switch the channel off when you see the look on your kid's face !!
I was having this rare time for myself, lazing around in the weekend watching an English movie(which was based on a true story) .... Frankly, I knew the story involved adultery, fraud and sex ... but since it was a late night one, I took a chance with the kids, only to realize the folly !! My elder one was just poking his nose around in the living room, trying to sneak in what particular movie he was asked to avoid !! I have to mention here that my first-born, who is turning 5 in three months time, is a fuzzy-logic kind of a kid with questions teeming constantly in his little brain. All his emotions, be it fear, excitement or a surprise are equally met with his constant-evolving brain. He makes sure he gets the answer for all his questions, and sometimes they tend to be a bit embarrassing.
You don't need to be a brain surgeon to understand the differences between raising a kid in the present day and in the past. Technology has advanced to such an extent, that sometimes it's just scary. All the information anyone needs is just a click away. Exposing your child to the computer has both it's pros and cons. For instance, on the other day, my kids were watching these Telugu nursery rhymes on youtube, and after a while, I caught my elder one opening another video altogether accidentally. ( his browsing skills are a bit amazing for a 4 yr old) . This made me realize the importance of my presence, while the kiddos browse around. But then, how often can I be with them ?? Will my presence only intimidate them as they grow, and turn out to be a hindrance for them to share what they want... instead of them sharing some intimate doubts with me??
Sometime ago, I actually watched an Oprah Winfrey show, where a famous gay footballer admitted his sexuality in the public. When asked by an elderly, seemingly conservative senior lady, about when he knew that he wasn't straight, his answer was a shocking one... He was just 5 yrs old when he knew he was gay !!
I just couldn't buy that, nor could any one of the spectators,....but why would that famous man lie anyway ??
The question now is, how soon is a present-day kid gaining knowledge about the taboo topic of sex ?? Is it OK for a school-going kid to get sex education soon enough? And when is it soon enough ?? As a parent of two sons, these questions sometimes drive me crazy !
Common knowledge is that raising a kid itself is a task, but sometimes I realize that having a girl is a more responsible thing. Not that I can just leave my sons in their own wayward way, but a girl makes you stay on your toes all day long, and am sure all the girl-child mommies might be nodding at this !!
I have a cousin who has a pre-teen daughter. She was relating an incident which was definitely a bit shocking to me. Her daughter had a slumber party for her 8th birthday, and one friend of hers was saying "Girl rule, Boys drool !!" ... Come on, give me a break ! This kid is just 8 years old, and she knows that boys drool ?? What does that mean to her little brain ?? Did she actually know the meaning or was she just mouthing those words she might have heard from someone older? She must be having the answer anyway, but it really haunts me until now. Well, frankly... how many of our generation people knew about boys drooling about the fairer sex ? Not until your teens atleast, but yeah,... the gen next kids are definitely something.
Coming back to the movie I was watching, there was this scene when the girl goes around in a slinky dress. My elder one, who is usually brimming with questions, just looked at me with a knowing look. The look on his face actually made me sleepless, which is why am writing this post at 2am on a weekend night. Why didn't he ask me anything ? What was going on his mind ? Maybe, am thinking too much. Or maybe, it's time I revisit my actions. I am not exactly saying that I would like my son to be illiterate about sex. It's an entirely natural process, which is definitely inevitable. But, I wouldn't like it to be this soon.
My contribution towards his worldly knowledge should be unbiased, and I would like to envision a future with a teenager trying to be super-cool with his mom,(whatever that means, hehe) instead of those awkward mom-kid situations. But yeah, am yet to fix the right time, where I can actually watch even my favourite serial (FRIENDS) with my sons not giving me that menaceful glance.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
In the pink of health !
Do you remember writing letters, predominantly starting with "In the pink of health" ? I do !!!! Health is so important for any living being that the first thing you ask anyone is "How are you?"
With two kids at home, health is just a very important issue and the most-discussed one in our house. In fact, the most common topic among two moms would be a healthy baby and the various measures they take respectively for their babies.
With this, I would like to share some useful health tips for a healthy baby and a healthier you.
---> Germs, germs go away
With an infant still feeding on bottles, be sure to wash the milk bottles as soon as they drink from it. A mild soap is the best solution, followed with a sterilising routine.(Boiling them for 5-10 mins). And one more unheard tip?? Keep the sterilised bottles in the freezer until use. It's the most difficult place for germs to settle in.
---> The three-second rule.
Did you know that food dropped on the floor is still edible if it's picked within 3 seconds of the fall?? The food droppings is a very common sight in the houses of toddlers. They tend to have this uncanny habit of spilling anything and everything. But, this rule applies only if the floor is neat, and also the kids hands. You can't expect a food to be germ-free if your hands arent. Keep a soap-free sanitiser always at reach. The best way to kill germs. But please don't over-do it. As they say, too much of anything is good for nothing.
---> The right dosage
Feeding time battles are best fought with the kids favourite food popping up constantly on their plate. For instance, both my sons are major egg-fans and love to eat it daily. But a kid's weekly egg intake shouldn't be more than 3. Solution?? I divide a single egg into two. That way, they are getting 3 eggs per week, and they are happy too. Such small things should be regulated by a mom herself. Just browse through some popular kids food websites, and try to indulge them in the best foods, without actually spoiling their little tummies.
---> Leftovers and guilt trips
Eating healthy is a very important factor for a hale and healthy living. And it should start from childhood itself. The risk of an obese child turning into an obese adult is definitely more. Parents should develop the art of eating nutritious and wholesome foods, through which one can ensure healthy offsprings too. Stale food is never an option for kids, in fact...not for anyone. Did you know that food starts to degenerate as soon as you have cooked it?? So, think twice before you feed yesterday's leftover to your child. The little tummy definitely deserves much better!!
---> Cough cough !!!
Always be very careful while feeding small foods like grapes, nuts etc to your little ones. The risk of choking over smaller foods is definitely more, and the very thought is just very scary for any mom. It's best to avoid such things, but if you really want your kid to get their nourishement through nuts, please grind/blend them. Dont wait for a kid to choke on it and then take a first-aid measure pertaining to it. It isn't really worth it.
---> I love sugar, what do you like?
Some kids tend to overdo sugary foods in their daily intake. Honestly, my younger son is one such kid. He loves anything in the sweeter portion. That just tends to give him instant energy and he shows it by his constant jumping and running around. Well, I still have to work on balancing his daily food intake, blending enough veggies along with his sweetened meals. Any suggestions mommies ??
---> First-aid
A first-aid kit is a must-have in any house. Not only for the little members. But also, for the adults too. But yeah, when travel is an issue, the first-aid kit should be the first one to be on the packing list. A basic paracetamol would first help a parent survive any sudden illness in their child. And of course, moms know best about band-aids too. Kids, with their constant activity, tend to get more hurt in any given day. Adhesive bandages are the best solutions to be infection-free.
---> Weathering the changes.
Children are mostly prone to weather changes, and so do their health. Parents should be extremely careful during the FLU seasons, and should take proper measures for them. A FLU shot at the right time will help your home be free of the unnecessary colds and the nighttime coughs. Always make a note of all the vaccinations your child needs to get, and be sure to get them too. After all, prevention is better than cure !!
---> The right choice !
Kids exposed to activities like swimming pools tend to get infections easily, because most of the disease-causing germs are spread through water only. Moms should be extremely careful and should choose the right kind of place a child should go in for his extra-curricular activities. Make sure of the health measures taken by the club you send your child to.
---> Do I know you?
Another important tip !! You have to advise the little ones not to accept any kind of food from strangers. Its better to be paranoid than be dead.
And of course, to say the least, a mommy's health is very important issue too. An issue not to be neglected, an issue not to be taken lightly. Take care of yourself properly, so that your family has a good example to fall upon. You will definitely find a healthier home with a healthier you!!!
With two kids at home, health is just a very important issue and the most-discussed one in our house. In fact, the most common topic among two moms would be a healthy baby and the various measures they take respectively for their babies.
With this, I would like to share some useful health tips for a healthy baby and a healthier you.
---> Germs, germs go away
With an infant still feeding on bottles, be sure to wash the milk bottles as soon as they drink from it. A mild soap is the best solution, followed with a sterilising routine.(Boiling them for 5-10 mins). And one more unheard tip?? Keep the sterilised bottles in the freezer until use. It's the most difficult place for germs to settle in.
---> The three-second rule.
Did you know that food dropped on the floor is still edible if it's picked within 3 seconds of the fall?? The food droppings is a very common sight in the houses of toddlers. They tend to have this uncanny habit of spilling anything and everything. But, this rule applies only if the floor is neat, and also the kids hands. You can't expect a food to be germ-free if your hands arent. Keep a soap-free sanitiser always at reach. The best way to kill germs. But please don't over-do it. As they say, too much of anything is good for nothing.
---> The right dosage
Feeding time battles are best fought with the kids favourite food popping up constantly on their plate. For instance, both my sons are major egg-fans and love to eat it daily. But a kid's weekly egg intake shouldn't be more than 3. Solution?? I divide a single egg into two. That way, they are getting 3 eggs per week, and they are happy too. Such small things should be regulated by a mom herself. Just browse through some popular kids food websites, and try to indulge them in the best foods, without actually spoiling their little tummies.
---> Leftovers and guilt trips
Eating healthy is a very important factor for a hale and healthy living. And it should start from childhood itself. The risk of an obese child turning into an obese adult is definitely more. Parents should develop the art of eating nutritious and wholesome foods, through which one can ensure healthy offsprings too. Stale food is never an option for kids, in fact...not for anyone. Did you know that food starts to degenerate as soon as you have cooked it?? So, think twice before you feed yesterday's leftover to your child. The little tummy definitely deserves much better!!
---> Cough cough !!!
Always be very careful while feeding small foods like grapes, nuts etc to your little ones. The risk of choking over smaller foods is definitely more, and the very thought is just very scary for any mom. It's best to avoid such things, but if you really want your kid to get their nourishement through nuts, please grind/blend them. Dont wait for a kid to choke on it and then take a first-aid measure pertaining to it. It isn't really worth it.
---> I love sugar, what do you like?
Some kids tend to overdo sugary foods in their daily intake. Honestly, my younger son is one such kid. He loves anything in the sweeter portion. That just tends to give him instant energy and he shows it by his constant jumping and running around. Well, I still have to work on balancing his daily food intake, blending enough veggies along with his sweetened meals. Any suggestions mommies ??
---> First-aid
A first-aid kit is a must-have in any house. Not only for the little members. But also, for the adults too. But yeah, when travel is an issue, the first-aid kit should be the first one to be on the packing list. A basic paracetamol would first help a parent survive any sudden illness in their child. And of course, moms know best about band-aids too. Kids, with their constant activity, tend to get more hurt in any given day. Adhesive bandages are the best solutions to be infection-free.
---> Weathering the changes.
Children are mostly prone to weather changes, and so do their health. Parents should be extremely careful during the FLU seasons, and should take proper measures for them. A FLU shot at the right time will help your home be free of the unnecessary colds and the nighttime coughs. Always make a note of all the vaccinations your child needs to get, and be sure to get them too. After all, prevention is better than cure !!
---> The right choice !
Kids exposed to activities like swimming pools tend to get infections easily, because most of the disease-causing germs are spread through water only. Moms should be extremely careful and should choose the right kind of place a child should go in for his extra-curricular activities. Make sure of the health measures taken by the club you send your child to.
---> Do I know you?
Another important tip !! You have to advise the little ones not to accept any kind of food from strangers. Its better to be paranoid than be dead.
And of course, to say the least, a mommy's health is very important issue too. An issue not to be neglected, an issue not to be taken lightly. Take care of yourself properly, so that your family has a good example to fall upon. You will definitely find a healthier home with a healthier you!!!
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