I am a mom of two girls. I remember like it was yesterday when I brought my firstborn to home seven years ago, not having much clue about the journey ahead. Nothing I read or learned from people could prepare me for the real experience. To experience motherhood in its glory, you have to live it. It is an adventure that stretches you beyond your comprehension.  When I see moms of boys and their challenges, I can’t help but wonder if raising one gender is easier or tougher than the other. I consulted moms who have kids of both genders, and what I could conclude was there are equal challenges when it comes to raising both girls and boys and it changes according to different parenting seasons, ages and their personalities. (If you have a different opinion, do share in the comments below. I am curious!) Boys are usually more…

A mom’s life can be a constant wish to see her children all grown up, and at the same time cry over how they grew up so fast. We want them to do things on their own, but at the same time miss it when they longer need us.  We all want to raise independent children, there’s no doubt about it. But I have noticed that sometimes I tend to do certain tasks for them long after they are grown enough to do it on their own.  Teaching independence and letting them take control over their activities doesn’t mean you are neglecting them. In fact, teaching independence and important life skills is one of the best gifts we can give our children.  WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR A CHILD TO BE INDEPENDENT? Teaching a child to be independent is important because it teaches them to think for themselves, be self-reliant and…

So often we underestimate what kids can do. If we can withstand some messiness and slow work kids can be amazing helpers in our home.  Not only being helpful, research by Marty Rossmann, emeritus associate professor of family education at the University of Minnesota, shows that involving children in household chores from a young age can have a positive impact later in life.  Her study also shows that the age at which a child starts participating in household tasks has an impact on their success later in life.  The earlier they start, the better.  WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KIDS DOING CHORES? They learn to be independent Parents are not going to be around for lifelong. So they need to know how to take care of themselves without the constant help from a parent. They learn to be responsible By involving kids in household chores, they learn that it is…

We want to raise kids who are equipped to face the harsh realities of the world. We may not be able to control every aspect of our children’s lives and solve every problem for them. And even if we can, it is not recommended. Instead, we are capable of giving them life skills to cope with the problems that come their way. We can give them the tools, let them do the work. WHY SHOULD WE TEACH LIFE SKILLS TO CHILDREN? Many parents, especially helicopter parents, have the tendency to control all the situations and outcomes in their children’s lives. Such children grow up to be less confident about facing the challenges in life.  What we need is to raise independent, confident and self-sufficient kids who have the ability to think for themselves and solve the problems they have to face in life.  And how can you, as a mother,…

Being a parent is a lifetime job. You never stop being a parent. Even when your kids have left your nest, you think about them and worry about them.  Anyone can become a parent, but to be a good parent you need to acquire certain parenting skills and develop good qualities.  But don’t worry. No matter how further along you are on your parenting journey, you can still become a good parent. We all are ‘work in progress’ and there is always something we can do to bring about a change. So, what makes good parenting? As a parent, our duty is to help children develop into happy, independent and thriving adults. They must feel loved and know how to care for others.  Being a good parent doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. No matter how hard you try, you cannot be a perfect parent. There are always bad…

Screen time for kids is a hot topic among parents.  Today, we have different kinds of screens to deal with, unlike in the ’80s where we only had television.  And that’s a challenge for today’s parents. Technology has transformed so much of our lives. It is an integral part of our life and there’s no doubt that its significance will only increase in the future.  So it is necessary that our kids learn how to use technology. But the question is where to draw the line? In this article, you will learn The appropriate age for children to start using screens and how often should they have screen time How can we raise children without screen addiction?  How to raise happy kids who care about the world and whose heads are not always bent down? Let’s dive right in. SCREEN TIME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILDREN BY AGE Screen time means the amount…