Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child?

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So, you are at supermarket billing counter with bags to carry and a child in tow, and the little one cranks up a ruckus for another bar of chocolate. You reason with the little one but your child wants to have none of it. He is stomping his feet and screaming.  He’s throwing a tantrum! You are an embarrassed parent, trying to deal with the situation at hand. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the world of parenting with young children. These tiny ones are individuals with a mind of their own. Disciplining them and teaching them right from wrong at an early age goes a long way.

Here are tips to deal with your child’s tantrums:

Gently explain to your child why they should not make a fuss. Reason with them and get them to understand what happens if they do something, or don’t do something. Older children are mature enough to understand the situation if spoken to gently.

Be firm and authoritative. Do not shout or get aggressive with your child. They are prone to rebel and do exactly the opposite of what they are supposed to do. Instead, be firm and authoritative. They should know they cannot take their parents for granted.

Do not go back on your word. Once you are firm and state something, do not go back on your word. For example, if you tell your child that he cannot have the bar of chocolate, but later give in because he is crying, your child will know that they can get what they want if they fuss a little bit more.

Keep things light, and make it look like a game you’re playing with the child. For example, if your child refuses to wear the seat belt, tell him that it’s a game, and the person who keeps the seat belt on till they reach the destination wins.

In some cases, when all the above tactics fail, then parents can resort to the reward method. Tell your fussy child that if she eats her dinner, she gets to watch her favorite cartoon, or get some dessert. This approach should be used sparingly and not be made a habit.

Disciplining is tough but essential. The method and approach varies considering different styles of parenting. Ensure a balanced disciplining method as a part of the child’s growing up years, and watch how they will turn out into bright and shiny youngsters!

Super Foods that Build Immunity

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It is widely known that the type of food children eat influences their physical health, emotional health and mental health. It affects behavior, ability to learn, memory power. Eating right and ensuring a balanced diet goes a long way in the overall development of the child. Here’s a quick list of the super foods that build immunity for children as well as adults.

Fruits and Veggies

Fruits are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Fruits like berries are rich in antioxidants and bananas are rich in potassium. Whole fruits are a good source of fiber hence wholesome fruits are better than juices, as they retain fiber which helps with digestion. Best time to eat fruits – Anytime!

All vegetables are good and come with their own source of nutrition. Include a portion of veggies every day that will provide Vitamin A, C, E and minerals. Green leafy vegetables and vegetables of all colours are extremely healthy.

Milk, Yoghurt and Cheese

Milk should be consumed everyday as sufficient calcium and protein helps keep bones and teeth strong. Milk is rich in calcium and a serving of one or two glasses of milk per day is essential. Lactose intolerant children can be given soy milk.

Yoghurt and cheese are great sources of protein and calcium. Yogurt helps smooth the digestion process and cheese provides a rich source of Vitamin A, B12 and riboflavin. One serving a day is great, and children love cheese!

Image Courtesy: http://www.letsgohealthy.org/305/super-foods-that-strengthen-your-immune-system-immunity-boosters/

Eggs and Fish

Eggs help the body absorb calcium and retain them. A great source of protein, eggs are rich in Vitamin D. They are wholesome and help children stay well fed and satisfied for longer periods of time. Best time to eat eggs is for breakfast, although eggs can be eaten anytime of the day.

Fish is rich in Omega-3 essential fatty acids and are crucial to brain and eye development. You can give your children salmon and other sea foods such as shrimp and scallops which are also rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Nuts

Nuts provide essential healthy fats which are important for the growth and development of kids. Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios and Walnuts are great sources fat. Walnuts are essential brain food for your child’s brain development. Best time to eat nuts – Anytime!  Encourage your child to eat well and eat healthy. It goes a long way in building up immunity, and a healthy way of life in the years to come.

 

 

Finding the Right Child Care Option – Aloha Mind Math

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For most working parents, finding the right care for their child is a quite a challenge, considering they need to leave their children in the best hands while away at work. With various childcare options that are available these days, parents can breathe a sigh of relief and ensure they find a safe and reliable child care facility. Here are some of the options parents can consider:

Crèches/ Day Care Centers

A popular option for most parents, day care centers offer various facilities for children across different age groups. A day care is considered a safe option as children not only interact with kids their age but also are watched well in an almost home like environment. Kids have play time, nap time and feeding time and follow a disciplined schedule. Most big cities have day care centers which are usually open between 8am and 8 pm on weekdays. In metros, daycare centers may offer extended hours and some may even be open for 24 hours to cater to the growing number of parents working night shifts.

Nannies/Baby Sitters

Nannies and baby sitters work well for mothers who need child care support for a few hours during the day when they are out on work. Enrolling with an agency for child care or contacting your local association will help find a nanny to help out with the baby. Alternatively post an Ad in the local magazine or papers for your requirement to find a reliable nanny. Interviewing the nanny and going by the previous work record and recommendation will go a long way in finding someone good and reliable.

Family

If you live in the same city as your parents, nothing can beat the comfort of being able to rely on a family member to look after the child. Usually one finds grandparents are flexible and happy enough to look after your child, whenever it is required. This is the best case scenario since you will be rest assured your child is in safe hands.

It is essential to consider all options before making the right choice for your child. Evaluate the various types of childcare available, quality and cost. After all, every parent wants the best care for their child at all times.

Tips for Single Parents – Aloha Mind Math

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Raising a child as a single parent can be a huge challenge despite the abundant joys and pleasures of parenting. Juggling between work, home and other things, raising a child can be a daunting task and a rather tough act to manage. However, there are many single parents all over the world managing the tight rope walk and doing a wonderful job of it. Here are useful tips and strategies that single parents can benefit from.

Find Reliable Child Care: Look for quality and reliable child care. There are options around this to suit your needs.  (1) A qualified caregiver who can provide stimulation in a safe environment such as home (2) Reputed crèches and day care centers which are open on working days and provide good services to care for the child. (3) Part-time nannies also are another option if it suits your routine and lifestyle. (4) A trusted family member to look after your child.

Define Rules: Define rules around the house and set expectations to your child. They should be aware of the rules and work by them. Train caregivers in your child’s life to ensure you’re providing consistent discipline even when you are at work. Avoid pampering your child with gifts and treats to make up for time spent away from them.

Familiarize Your Routine: Create a basic routine that you and your child can get used to everyday. Define appropriate mealtimes, bedtimes, and play times. Wake up at the same time in the morning and stick to it. Keeping up a predictable routine will help structure your day and help your child to know what to expect.

Chart Out Me-Time: Single parents often tend to ignore their own needs while juggling between various responsibilities. It is absolutely important that you are healthy, active and positive. Set aside some time for yourself, exercise, eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest. Set aside time to do things you enjoy alone or with close friends and family. If you are healthy and happy, it will translate to your child too.

Be Happy: Single parents often find themselves blaming the partner, situation or even themselves for the current state of affairs. Now that you are on your own, try to focus on the things that need attention and give your child the best you possibly can give. Don’t feel guilty and beat yourself up about the situation. Strive to create a positive environment for your child and yourself.

Find a Support Groups: Create a strong network of people who understand you and be your support. It is not possible for a single parent to do everything without burning out. Work out a carpool schedule with other parents. Join a support group for single parents or call on trusted loved ones, friends and neighbors for help when you need it.

Dealing with Teenagers – A Note to Parents

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It is no easy task dealing with the teenagers of today. Changing times and evolving generations present a whole new set of challenges when it comes to dealing with them. Parents would often notice a change in their teenager’s behavior, attitude and mindset. With a personality of their own, teenagers tend to become more independent and brash – thanks to their raging hormones!  Keep in mind that these changes are normal during the transition stage.

As a parent, be not just a disciplinarian, but also learn to play the roles of mentor, guide and friend to your teenager. Lay down ground rules and make them understand why they need to be in place. Ensure they follow rules and do their bit around the house when required. Let your teenager be aware that they can reach out to you when they need to talk to someone or lookup to for advice. By being a mentor and guide to your teenager, they are more likely to make the right choices in life.

By being involved, parents are likely to be more aware of what is happening in their teen’s life. Spend quality time getting to know more about them without judging them too much. Teens want parents in their lives but do not like the interference or enforcement. Parents need to be able to get the message across in a firm yet understanding way without upsetting them. It’s indeed a fine balance for parents to maintain.

Most importantly of all, treat your teenager with respect. Treat them like an adult and involve them in everyday decisions. Encourage them to pursue their interests and applaud them on their achievements.

Establishing a healthy balanced relationship is the ultimate goal for parents of teenagers, and this is possible if you approach them with understanding and friendship. Parents should remember to take on this new role with ease no matter how difficult it may seem at times. Eventually, your teenager will grow out of their teenage years to become smart young individuals.

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