The central and state governments have released guidelines on the installation of CCTV cameras in daycare centres, preschools, and primary schools as well as the provisions for parents to have access to live feeds.
While the transition from childcare institutions to family-based and alternate care is a long road, there are endless opportunities of growth for young children, provided they are nurtured in the caring environment of a loving family.
The problem arises when instead of observing our child’s individual growth and progress and seeking help if needed, we compare our child to either his siblings or other children and judge him for being different.
People feel that parenting workshops or classes are taken only by those who are struggling with parenting. But tell me, we know that we should be happy, but are we happy every single day? Doesn't a small hello or a cute message from a friend serve as motivation to be happy?
New age parents deal with umpteen pressures and trepidations every day. Which side should you choose – should you be a friend or a parent? What is safe – helicopter or tiger parenting?
The child is not damaged or broken so nothing needs to be fixed. Maybe we are bit broken as human beings that we struggle to accept children who do not fit into the neat grooves we design for them.
Owing to some of Neil's pretty pink and purple onesies, and his pierced ears, we've had quite a few strangers remark "Aww, she's so cute!" - and we have absolutely no problem with that!
We need to let go. We need to accept the fact that we are not super-parents and can probably not fix everything that is broken. A few cracks add to the character.
Ignore rage and you just might find yourself summoned to the police station in the middle of the night. Like Safeena's parents in Gully Boy.
Earth Day: That this brave young girl, Greta Thunberg, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for climate activism, is simply a testimony to the fact that you can make your voice heard, and make a difference, no matter how young you are.
Times have changed. As our generation have now become parents, the formality in relationships has reduced considerably. Social conventions are far more casual. My children call most of our friends and family by their first names. They chill and hang out with us as part of a whole group.
In the absence of their parents’ attentive involvement, our children are more vulnerable to seeking approval from their peers which can come at the cost of high-risk behaviour for acceptance.
If I had to think about babies, I would say that the music is a lot more important than the lyrics because when they are really young they are not paying attention to the words. All that they need is a good melody.
“When we let the children fling balloons on a man hurrying home or a woman walking down the street, we are telling them that it is acceptable to disrespect their personal space, and completely disregard their consent.”
As the child grows up, we should tailor these activities and exposure to suit the child's age, with different pursuits such as exposure to gardening, nature, painting, pets and animals. This makes a child aware of what is out there in the world, and begins to sensitise the child as well.
Should we burst their bubble of childhood innocence and insist that they pursue a career that guarantees them money? Or should we encourage them to follow their passions and let the money sort itself out?
How much is too much and how much can we monitor? While some argue that AI-driven devices can inculcate good behaviour in children, others counter-argue that they may tend to express rude behaviour akin to bullying.
It is the growth mindset and grit that will determine children’s success in life. From us, they learn that adversity is an invitation to rise above and not give up. They also learn that life is not a sprint, but a marathon.
You do this for you and for your wife so that you get a little change from being parents all the time. I mean, on vacation, you'll continue to be parents - change diapers, put him to sleep, feed him at all hours (you brave mommies you) and keep looking at every little thing he does…but you get to do that in a place away from home.
With some parents worried over special needs children scoring better than their own in exams, because they were using scribes, it's time to question the true definition of success and inclusivity.
Parents and children go through immense stress for a few years. One parent maintained it's like being in a tunnel. You don't know if there is light at the other end and even if there is, will you get to the other side?
Raising financially savvy children can prepare them for the real world. Since a majority of mothers tend to handle household finances, they can ensure they include the child in the financial planning.
Progressive schools around the world are adopting new approaches to education. These include stress on concept learning, self-directed research, analytical thinking, cross-platform skills, collaborative effort and so on.
If your child is falling behind in class, it can affect his self-confidence and self-esteem, leading to possible depression. There are simple measures that can help your child deal with the situation.
By attending office calls during family time, you are sending the message that they are less important. The best part of childhood is the time you spend together.


