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Lots of childhood memories get blurred as kids grow into adulthood. Lots of specifics regarding places you went or things you did as a family might get fuzzy. But there are some things your child will never forget, and will always be grateful for.

1. Physical affirmation. Hug your kids A LOT. Feeling your arms wrapped around them gives them a security that nothing else can replace. Even when they go through a “rebel” stage and seem to be rejecting your affection, make sure you continue offering it and let them reject it. They’re rebellion could reflect numerous things – they might just be trying to discover who they are as an individual and, in so doing, want a little distance, or them might be caving in to peer pressure and don’t want to appear too close to their parents. Either way, regardless of their external distance, they still draw great internal security from knowing that you want to hug them even when they reject it.

2. Spending time with you. It doesn’t really matter what you do. It might be just talking and laughing together, or doing chores, running errands, studying together, playing together or having family activities and outings. Time is precious, and our kids learn that very early on because they see us focusing so much time on different things, and they often get told “not now, I don’t have time.” Prioritizing time with our children is very important. It not only helps us get to know them and watch them grow up. It also tells them that THEY are important. Our kids should never feel like they need to compete with our computer (or whatever else drains so much of our time) for our attention. They need to be our priority, and they need to know that we WANT to spend time with them, even when it means sacrificing something else (in fact, it will ALWAYS mean sacrificing something else).

3. Being understood. Being a parent can be hard, but being a kid is tough too. They’re coping with a lot of new emotions and ideas, and make a lot of mistakes in the process of learning new things. It’s easy for kids to feel like grownups always know everything (not true) and kids are always messing up (not true either). Childhood is a beautiful reality, but a challenging one also. To help our kids recognize the beauty and overcome the challenges takes a lot of understanding. Remember that you were a child once also. When guiding your child, make sure they know that you understand them. This will bring them closer to you now, but also in the future when they will feel comfortable approaching you over important issues in their life.

4. Having family traditions. Family traditions play a key role in establishing your family identity. Your children will always remember the values and principles underlying your traditions, and will have great memories of all the moments you spent together. Many of your traditions might even get carried into your children’s future families. Traditions don’t just refer to holiday and birthday activities and treats – daily, weekly and monthly traditions are also important. Maybe you have a family night each week, or a cuddle spot where you read each night before bed. These are also traditions that work their way into your child’s heart and become “home”.

5. Homemade… anything. Whether it’s a birthday cake, hand written note, or DIY gift, your child will greatly appreciate the things you personally make for them. Whether they’re expensive or not doesn’t matter; they’re irreplaceable. Even if you aren’t crafty or the cake is a little gloppy, your child will feel loved in a special way because you took the time to do something for them and you made something with them alone in mind.

6. Family meals. Don’t forget to eat together as a family. Yes, it means rearranging your schedule to make sure everyone coincides at home at the same time for either lunch or dinner, and your kids might balk at having to give up certain activities to be able to have family time, but in the long run, they’ll appreciate it. Being together for lunch or dinner helps anchor you as a family. It’s a reminder that your unity as a family is important, even more important than passing events, fun as they may be. Years later, your children will still remember all that you talked and laughed about during your family meals, and the many essential lessons they learned from that time.

7. Celebrating successes. Make sure you celebrate your child’s successes. They will always feel a special fulfillment knowing that you were proud of them. For a child, knowing that your parents are happy with you means a lot and goes a long way in helping you establish a healthy self-esteem. Make sure you give your child that opportunity and security. It could be simply saying “great job” when they finish their chores or taking them out for some one-on-one time for a special accomplishment, or making a surprise dessert to congratulate them for something.

8. Knowing that you love them as they are. Even when they’re not successful. Even when they’re not behaving. It’s important for them to know that THEY are enough. Take the time to let you know how much you love hearing them sing (not because they have a great voice or won a prize – just because they are singing), or how much you love watching them play soccer (again, regardless of how talented they are or not). Yes, you celebrate their successes, but you don’t love them because they’re successful. You love them just because they’re them.

Think back to your own childhood. What else do you remember well that you are grateful for? Add whatever comes to mind to you list of what you want to pass on to your kids!

Source: http://eyesonheaven.net/8-things-child-will-always-grateful/#.U5WBtnK1aRY&_a5y_p=1812487

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 "When you make your expectations clear from the time your children are toddlers, they internalize those expectations and begin to expect the same thing from themselves," says Sharon K. Hall, PhD, author of Raising Kids in the 21st Century. In other words, since kids are naturally inclined to want to please their parents, they'll try to behave in the way that you've taught them to. In fact, experts say that kids as young as 18 months are empathetic and responsive to their parents' expectations.

Even better news: Teaching self-discipline to a young child isn't as daunting as it sounds. "If you focus on the essentials starting at around age 2, your child will catch on faster, resist less, and ultimately behave better," says Robert Brooks, PhD, coauthor of Raising a Self-Disciplined Child.

These four essentials will help you raise a kid who can keep her own behavior in check.

  Set Firm Rules -- and Expect Respect

  Kids who believe they can do anything they feel like doing, and get whatever they want, tend to be the ones who act out by whining or throwing a tantrum when their demands aren't met. "Children who understand that there are well-defined boundaries learn how to self-regulate and to respect limits," says Hal Runkel, family therapist and author of ScreamFree Parenting.

Tell them why. You don't have to give your children elaborate explanations for why you expect certain behaviors from them. But if your child understands that there are simple reasons for your rules, he'll realize they aren't arbitrary and will be more likely to comply. Tell him, for example, "You need to go to bed at eight o'clock because your body needs a lot of sleep to stay strong and healthy." Or "You have to put away your toys so we'll know where to find them next time you want to play."

Offer lots of praise. "Whether it's making the bed, helping set the table, or letting his sister play with his blocks, make sure you reinforce rule-following by celebrating your child's successes," says Larry J. Koenig, PhD, author of Smart Discipline. Say, "It's great that you remembered the rule to make your bed. I'm so proud when you behave like a big boy!" or, "You were so polite to say 'please' when you asked me for that crayon. Good job!"

Follow rules yourself. "Hanging your coat in the closet when you get home, putting your dirty dishes in the sink, not screaming when you're frustrated ... doing these things will show children that just as they have rules to follow, so do you," says Judy Arnall, author of Discipline Without Distress. "When kids see you behaving well, they'll want to do the same."

Cultivate a conscience. If a young child feels bad when he hasn't followed your rule, don't immediately try to minimize his discomfort. Feeling a bit of guilt is an essential part of learning to determine right from wrong. "Use it as a teaching opportunity," suggests Dr. Hall. "Say, 'I know you're feeling bad. We all make mistakes, but we try to learn how to act next time.'"

  Build Problem-Solving Skills

  One of the major reasons children behave badly is because they feel frustrated and powerless. "When you give children the tools they need to figure things out on their own, they will behave better because they'll be better equipped to take care of themselves and won't come screaming to you or act out every time they encounter a challenge," says Dr. Brooks.

Let kids make decisions. Give children the opportunity to make choices as soon as they're old enough to understand. Ask, "Do you want to wear your Elmo pajamas or your nightgown?" "Which snack do you want to take to school, an apple or a cheese stick?" Once kids can manage these small decisions, take it up a notch: If your child is fighting with her sister, for example, instead of yelling "Don't do that!" or giving her a time-out, Dr. Brooks suggests asking: "How can you handle this differently?" You may be surprised at the way she will come up with solutions.

Encourage a "try, try again" attitude. "Sure, it's a lot quicker for you to do everything for them, but it's important to let preschoolers practice and succeed without your intervention -- whether it's tying their shoes, putting away toys, or sorting socks in the laundry," says Donna M. Genett, PhD, author of Help Your Kids Get It Done Right at Home and at School!

Make them think things out. Stretch your child's cognitive skills by challenging him to find answers for himself. For example, when your child asks a question about how to do something, respond with a question of your own: "What do you think you should do?" Such a response will eventually give him confidence in his own ability to figure things out.

  Help Kids Practice Patience

  No one likes to wait, especially young kids. "Developmentally and neurologically it's difficult because children survive by letting their needs be known immediately," says Michael Osit, EdD, author of Generation Text: Raising Well-Adjusted Kids in the Age of Instant Everything. "That's why it's especially important for parents to start teaching patience in the toddler years. You want your kids to develop tolerance for the feeling of impatience, which is often unpleasant, so they won't misbehave or act impulsively when faced with that feeling in the future.

Make them wait. Don't always drop everything as soon as your child asks for something. "Allow your child to feel the unpleasantness of waiting because it's a great change agent," says Dr. Osit. By not giving him the juice immediately, for example, you'll help him get practice in managing his impatience.

Tell them what they're feeling. Toddlers aren't able to express their frustration at having to wait for things, but you can help by labeling their emotions and offering praise when they demonstrate patience. If your preschooler has to wait his turn, you might say: "I know it's tough to just stand here. But you're doing a terrific job. You're being patient, and that's great!" "When you validate your child's struggle with something, it's more likely he'll try harder," says Dr. Brooks.

Engage in activities that promote patience. Encourage your child to do things that don't offer immediate results, like block building and puzzle solving, or planting a flower seed and watching it grow over time. "Make sure they're not only playing with high-tech gadgets that offer instant press-of-a-button results," suggests Dr. Osit.

  Put an Emphasis on Empathy

  How many times have you had to referee a blowup because your preschooler took a friend's toy or refused to share with her sister? "Children are born believing that the world revolves around them," says Steven E. Curtis, PhD., author of Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior. "So the sooner you help them understand that everybody has feelings and emotions, the less likely they'll be to behave in ways that annoy or hurt other people."

Celebrate your child's acts of kindness. "In general, it's best to find natural opportunities to teach empathy," says Lisa Aaron, MD, child psychiatrist with Westchester Jewish Community services, in White Plains, New York. "Any time your child shows regard for someone else, you should reinforce her inclination with a simple narrative. For example, if you see your preschooler covering her doll with a blanket, say, 'it was so kind of you to make sure that your dolly is warm and cozy. She must have been very cold.'"

Ask, don't tell. You can't explain empathy to a toddler, but you can begin to get her thinking about other people's feelings. "Kids this age won't understand lectures, but if you pose questions to them you can raise their awareness level," says Dr. Curtis. For instance, if your child won't let her friend play with her stuffed animals, ask, "How do you think Emma-Rose feels when you won't share your things with her?"

Help them read body language. Being able to interpret gestures and facial expressions is one of the basic ways that we develop empathy. Give your toddler pointers: "See how Aunt Margaret looked when you shared your cookie with her. Did you notice that she was smiling? You made her feel so good." Your child may not fully understand at first, but when she does, she'll be clued in to other people's reactions -- and better able to notice how her own behavior can affect others.

  Finally, a word of caution: You aren't going to be able to teach your children to discipline themselves overnight. No doubt there will be times when they misbehave, no matter how hard you've tried to prevent it. "They are kids, after all

  Source: http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/behavioral/get-a-well-behaved-kid/?page=5

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Flight attendants are frequently in the air so they know a thing or two more than you when it comes to travelling with babies. Here are some things they wish you knew and understood.

Safety: This comes first. Everyone loves a cute and playful child, but if he starts running around the plane throwing about things and disturbing other passengers, there can be consequences for him and your entire family.

No milk: Most airlines don’t stock milk. So remember to carry your own bottle and formula to feed the toddler.

Follow the rules: If your kid has to potty just when the plane is about to take off, an exception is not going to be made for you. Keep a plan B ready. A diaper is a good substitute. Whatever is your plan, you cannot flout the seatbelt sign.

Treat attendants with respect: They are also doing their day jobs. They are not onboard to entertain your child and clean up his mess. Make sure you treat them with respect and do as they tell you.

With these simple tips, flying with a toddler can be fun – both for the mother and the flight attendants.

Source: http://parentsindia.com/toddler/tips-for-flying-with-toddlers

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While there is no magic wand for nipping sibling rivalry in the bud, there are a few strategies to try that can help short-circuit a huge amount of noise — and help you teach your kids valuable lessons about family life at the same time. Ultimately, getting your kids to stop fighting takes touch of ingenuity, a generous dose of authority, and a commitment to consistency.  Here are six smart ways to keep the fighting to a minimum.

1. Spend Time With Each Child Individually.

All too often, a bickering war starts because one child sees another getting something he/she doesn’t get, especially when it comes to time spent with a parent. The “slighted” child doesn’t even have to really WANT what’s being handed out; it’s the perceived preference (“Mom likes you best”) they find intolerable. You can short-circuit this nasty green-eyed monster effectively, and prevent the start of bickering, by making an effort to provide opportunities for each of them to participate with you in something they find enjoyable.

  2. Refuse to Play the Blame Game

It’s a classic scenario: something spills or breaks, someone takes a spill or gets hurt, and the screaming starts. When we go to investigate, what’s the first thing we hear? “I didn’t do it!” or “It’s not my fault!” or “She started it!”…or any of a hundred variations on the “blame game.” But there are magical words you can say in this melee that will virtually stop it in its tracks. Those words? “I don’t care who’s to blame. No one is in trouble.  I just need to know what happened.”

3. Pay Attention to What Goes In.

All parents would love to have kids who treat each other kindly — who don’t belittle each other, call each other vicious names, poke holes in each other’s dreams, or deliberately break each other’s toys — but they end up being happy if they keep the “little monsters” from killing each other! Part of the dilemma, of course, is that kids are learning boundaries (and pushing them!), and they have a lot of growing-up to do before nicely finished, evolved personalities come out. But another answer lies in what you feed them.

  4. Make House Rules Hold…For Everyone

Speaking of what will or won’t fly in your house, don’t hesitate to make it clear (with appropriate consequences) that some things simply will not be tolerated in your home. Teasing a sibling can be fun and good-natured if both sides understand limits; taunting a sibling to the point of tears is neither fun nor acceptable. Letting kids fight it out can be a reasonable strategy if it’s a minor skirmish between brothers who are always roughhousing anyway…but it’s not if a much bigger kid is “letting loose” on a small, defenseless one.

  5. Keep Idle Hands Busy

Kids can often become whiny or argumentative simply because they’re bored. In situations where kids are forced to sit still, wear uncomfortable clothing, or be confined for long periods of time–such as a long car trip or rainy day–sooner or later, their patience wears thin and tears and complaints can follow. Working with your children’s lower threshold for frustration is key.  It is a good idea to have high expectations for your kids, but it is also important to remember that they are still just kids, and plan accordingly.

  6. Employ Creative Corrections

In our house most infractions are dealt with on the Naughty Stool (thank you Super Nanny!)  But when it comes to two kids who are fighting, sometime drastic times call for drastic measures.  We have found the best method to getting our kids to stop bickering is to put them on time-out together, facing each other and holding hands.  They are not allowed to fight or bicker or they get another minute added to their time, and they don’t get to come off, even if their time is up, until they can apologize to each other and get along.

Source: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2014/06/27/get-your-kids-to-stop-fighting/

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Take care of your baby’s hair and scalp from the start to gift him a healthy mane for life.

As a rule of the thumb, hair loss in children was earlier understood to be related to nutritional deficiency. But today, sedentary lifestyle is emerging as a major reason. Hair is said to be the barometer of health. A slight deviation from a ‘health status’ reflects in hair shedding. However in infants, different hair ailments can erupt which can have varied reasons. And one of the most common baby hair problems that can be seen is diffused hair fall and hair loss.

As young ones are always known to be fussy eaters, this habit can cause certain nutritional deficiencies, leading to hair fall. Anemia, the deficiency of iron, at times can be detected through hair loss in a toddler. Under this condition, the hair become weak and can fall with the slightest agitation. This is known as Telogen Effluvium.

For hair to be healthy, your baby should not only have a good level of haemoglobin, but serum ferritin (a ubiquitous intracellular protein that stores iron and releases it in a controlled fashion) should also be beyond 70. Generally, when a child starts looking pale and gets tired easily, it should signal parents to start giving him an iron-rich diet. The diet should be inclusive of dates, figs, jaggery and fruits such as apples and pomegranate. Hair look dull and lack luster due to anaemia. And stunted hair growth is commonly seen in such cases.

Similar symptoms can be also seen in toddlers with protein deficiencies. In extreme conditions, a toddler can develop brittle hair that can be crushed between fingers. However, this is a rare condition. In order to avoid any protein deficiency, make sure that your baby consumes milk and milk products on a regular basis.

Deficiencies of minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium and selenium are also known to cause hair loss in toddlers, which is often due to insufficient water intake. Instead of consuming aerated beverages, children should be encouraged to have natural fruit juices, coconut water as it is an excellent source of minerals.

Apart from diffused hair loss, toddlers can, at times, have hair loss in patches. The patches can be circumscribed with regular margins with glossy appearance, indicative of Alopecia Areata or can be dirty looking with stubs and irregular margins with excessive scaling, which indicative of Tinea Capitis. Sometimes, one can also see patchy hair loss in children due to Trichotillomania.

Alopecia Aerate is seen in children after an attack of viral fever or immunization. It is considered as an autoimmune disorder which is known to be fast spreading and unstructured in nature. Many a times, home remedies are suggested which can spoil the outcome of the condition. Therefore, one should refrain from applying any irritants such as onion juice or garlic paste, which can burn the scalp and cause permanent scarring. Consulting a doctor is the best solution.

Source: http://parentsindia.com/baby/common-baby-hair-problems

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You might love to shop till you drop, but when it comes to shopping with children, your toddler might drop a lot sooner than you’d like. After hanging out in the dressing room, waiting at the cash register, and sitting in a stroller looking at the bottom half of mannequins, your tot may (rightfully) get tired of the mall. So, it’s time to tweak your shopping routine.

First and foremost, taking a toddler mall shopping works best if you keep it short and sweet — leave the marathon adventure for a day when you have a willing partner or sitter to stay home with your tot. And, stick to these key shopping-with-children strategies:

·         Team up. Taking your toddler mall shopping is much more fun when you make it a social event, so buddy up with a mom friend to share the adventure (and challenges) of shopping with children. Not only do you have someone to ask how that lip gloss looks, but you can also take turns checking out the sales racks and trying on clothes while your mall-mate watches the wee one

·         Bring the good stroller. An umbrella stroller is fine for quick errands, but for a couple hours of shopping with children, you want the real deal. A big, sturdy full-size stroller gives you a place to stash your purchases, plus the roomy ride provides a comfy spot for your mall munchkin to snuggle up in.

·         Break up a toddler mall trip. Small segments of browsing, separated by a snack at the food court, a run through the indoor playground, or a ride on the carousel can extend your shopping day and your toddler’s willingness to wait while you shop. And all that activity may even tucker him out, so he’ll be more than ready to take a snooze while you peruse.

·         Find 15 minutes of fun. Most malls have play areas where kids can blow off steam, but if your mall is lacking in that department, here’s another idea: Hit the bookstore when your tyke needs a break. Spend a chunk of time with Madeline or Curious George. Also, some children’s clothing stores have playground-like amenities, so it’s worth stopping in for a brief romp (even if your cutie’s closet is fully stocked). If you're not going to buy anything for your little one, make it clear before you stop by the children's section (just as you would at the toy store with your toddler).

·         Choose the right shopping time. This may take some trial and error. Some tots do better shopping first thing in the morning, when they’re completely rested and the mall is quiet. But a toddler mall outing at naptime may make sense if your child sleeps soundly as soon as the stroller starts moving. In that case, consider yourself lucky, and shop in peace while your sidekick sleeps.

·         Skip the big sales. Crowds and chaos may not deter a bargain-hunter like yourself, but bringing with a lot of fuss may be too frantic for easily overwhelmed tykes. Plus, strollers are harder to maneuver when stores are clogged with shoppers and littered with clearance merchandise. So save the mega-sales for a solo shopping day.

So  Source: http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/kids-day-out/toddler-mall-trips.aspx

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If you have ever been to a restaurant and saw kids running around, yelling, making messes at the table, or generally misbehaving, you understand the importance of kids learning “restaurant manners” in addition to their regular table manners.  

  Out of control children not only annoy other customers of the restaurant but can be a danger to themselves, to the servers, and to other patrons. While there is no guarantee that a child won’t act up while out, it is more likely that they will behave appropriately if they are taught so to do.  With a few preparations and a bit of planning, your child will have a good chance of showing their best behavior when eating out.

  Prepare Them

Your child should be told that you will be going out to eat at least a week in advance.  During that week, be sure to practice good table manners with your child at all meals.  The day before the planned trip, remind your child again that you are going out to eat and why you are doing so.  

  It is at this point that you can discuss the menu with your child and see if s/he will select her/his meal before you get to the restaurant.  The day of the meal out, again, you should remind your child about when you are going out and that they must select a meal before leaving for the restaurant.  

  On the way to the restaurant, remind your child about your expectations for behavior and the rules for eating out.  The point of this is not to build so much excitement in your child that they are going to be out of control when you get to the restaurant.  You are just reminding them of how special eating out is and that you want them to do their best.

  Schedule It Right

If you plan a trip to a restaurant before nap, right before bed, or later than normal meal time, you are setting yourself up for a disaster.  Even though your child may be excited about eating out, that excitement will soon fade if s/he is overly tired or overly hungry.  Give your kids the best chance to show off her/his ability to handle dinner out by scheduling your dinner out at a time where your child is at her/his best.

  Scheduling your dinner out with an arrival time between 4 pm and 5 pm on weekdays is also a good idea. During this time, restaurants are usually quiet at this time, there is little wait time between being seated and getting your food, and you should be able to be seated very quickly.

  You should have some idea of what you want to order before sitting down or at least know what your child would like to eat.  Most restaurants have their menus available online so you can preview it before actually arriving at the restaurant.

  Table Manners are a Given

Children who are expected to use proper table manners at home will most likely use them out of habit when eating at a restaurant.  You simply cannot expect any child to have table manners when you are eating out if they are not expected to use their manners every time they sit down to a meal.

  Although all children need reminding, if manners are the norm, your child will use them most of the time whether at home or at a restaurant.  At the very least, children should be expected to eat with utensils, chew quietly, not to play with their food or table items, and only speak when there is no food in their mouths.

  In order for young children to be able to handle using utensils, parents should have a set of child sized utensils available when they are eating out.  Children tend to mimic what they see so, as an adult, you need to use your manners at the table and be a good example for your child.

  Handling Tantrums

Even the best laid plans and the best prepared children can have an off day or an off moment and a tantrum can begin.  Ideally, children should be taught early on that tantrums are not acceptable nor will having a tantrum sway a parent into do what the child wants.

  If a tantrum begins, take the child outside or to the front hallway so they can settle themselves down before returning to the table.  Anything you tell your child you are going to do, such as leave the restaurant whether you are done or not, you must be willing to do in order for your words to have meaning to your child.

Idle threats and an unlimited amount of chances to improve behavior will simply teach the child that they can get away with whatever they want 

  Bust Boredom Quickly

Expecting your child to sit quietly with nothing to do while the adults at the table talk is unrealistic.  While many restaurants provide crayons and coloring pages, parents should come to the restaurant well-armed with quiet activities kids can do on their own.

  Books, handheld games either without sound or with earphones, and drawing pads are all things children can do on their own while waiting for their meal.  It must be understood, however, that once the meals arrive, all activities are put away in order to focus on eating.  By planning ahead and having quiet activities that will keep your child busy, you are setting them up for success.

  Eating out as a family is an activity that is fun for everyone – as long as there are clear behavioral expectations and opportunities for children to show that they have mastered the skills needed to eat out in a restaurant.  Parents can insure their child’s success by preparing them well, letting them know the acceptable boundaries, and warding off trouble as early as possible.  

With these safeguards in place, your child will be welcomed at any restaurant and may even be complimented by other patrons on their manners and behavior.

  Source: http://www.lovingyourchild.com/2013/05/how-to-teach-your-kids-restaurant-manners/

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What can we do to ensure that our children are of high moral fiber?

To actually get there, we first need to understand what are the factors that influence moral reasoning.

(1) Personality:

An open personality and an ability to make friends will help your child understand the nuances of society’s common thoughts that kids who are not well entrenched in society, struggle to find their anchors.

Kids with a richer social life are exposed to others perspectives. This exposure combined with open mindedness helps your kid derive moral insights from the conversations that they are a part of.

In contrast if your kid has difficulty adapting to new experiences or are closed minded, they are less likely to be interested in other people’s moral ideas and justifications.

(2) Child-rearing practices:

The way we bring up our children has a huge impact of our child’s moral fiber. Parents who tell stories with moral implications, engage in moral discussions, encourage pro social behavior have morally well adjusted children.

We as parents need to create a supportive atmosphere by listening sensitively to our children and by presenting higher level of reasoning. In contrast threats, lectures and sarcastic remarks as parents end will lead to weakening of moral reasoning in our children.

(3) Schooling:

Years of schooling moulds your child in more ways than one. Moral reasoning take a firm root in early adolescence and emerging adulthood. Higher education also has a huge impact on moral reasoning as your teenager is now exposed to a varied set of people and maybe even different political and cultural groups.

In fact there is a lot of research which indicates that open discussions of opinions across a diverse group of people tend to make young adults advanced in moral reasoning.

Source: http://www.lovingyourchild.com

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Healthy eating is crucial during the growth and development of young kids, and balanced nutrition can sharpen children’s mind, improve their energy levels and maintain normal weight.

All parents want their children to be as healthy as they can be. By encouraging and developing healthy eating habits early, you can make a make a huge impact on your child’s lifelong relation with food.

Early childhood is the ideal time to start teaching about healthy habits. Here are some of the healthy hints, to encourage healthy eating habits in your children.

Educate yourself on healthy eating

This is the first and foremost step to inculcate healthy eating habits in your child. You can teach your child healthy eating only if you know what eating healthily means. Know more about foods and their nutrient content.

Get rid of junk food in your home

You can’t eat when it is not there, and the same goes with the children. Simply, don’t have junk food in your house. You can’t stop your kids eating chips at their friend’s house, but you are in charge of foods that enter your home. Instead, fill your kitchen cupboards with healthier options, like fruits, sweetened yogurt, whole grain options and peanuts.

Go food shopping with your kids

Talk to your children about healthy vegetables and fruits. Knowledge of the foods that they are eating can encourage healthy eating habits in them. To show your child healthy eating choices, take them food shopping, and let them pick different types of foods from the shelves.

Together, compare products and look for those that are healthy and environmentally responsible. Make a game out of picking different colors of vegetables and fruits.

Have regular family meals

Establish a daily eating schedule for your family. Eating together not just helps in family bonding, but also allows children to imitate what adults eat. Keep family meals pleasant, positive and interactive.

Avoid making any comments on the amount or type of your food your child eats. Avoid watching TV or newspaper while having meals. Instead, indulge in positive conversation with your child and ask them about their day at school or their planned activity for the day.

  Start with small portion sizes

Offer your child small, easy-to-eat amounts to make eating easy and more enjoyable. Do not insist your child to clean out his plate. Your child will stop when he has had enough.

Use small, colorful bowls or plate for your child to eat with. If you will constantly pressurize your child in eating more or trying new foods, it will just reduce your child’s acceptance to eat new or different foods.

Involve them in cooking food

This is a great opportunity to teach your child about healthy foods. Get your child involved in meal preparation. Give them a chance to select the menu for the lunch or dinner.

Select age-appropriate activities for your kids, and let them have fun in the kitchen. Your kids can involve in peeling potato or cucumber, washing veggies and fruits, or frying eggs.

Avoid irregular snacking

Another important tip is to set up a regular snack and meal time. Most children do well with three meals and two or three snacks a day. Regular scheduled meal and snack times help your child learn structure for eating.

Do not let your child snack one hour before dinner or lunch, as it will spoil his hunger. And if he does have something, pick light and healthier options, such as baby carrots with yogurt dip or apple slices.

Be a role model

As a parent, you can influence your child’s eating habits. Children are great imitators, so they pick up eating habits from their mom and dad. To inculcate healthy eating habits in their children, the parents should set a role model.

If your kids see you constantly snacking on unhealthy foods, they will assume that this normal. So, by making healthy food choices for yourself, make sure you are sending a right food message.

Source: http://www.lovingyourchild.com/2013/09/how-to-inculcate-good-eating-habits-with-your-kids/

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Friendship is one of the most integral as well as critical phase of childhood. Your child’s emotional self is development is massively influenced by the kind of friends he has or does not have.

Because the children are very vulnerable at this young stage, it is important for them to mingle with kids belonging to their age group and also have the right kind of company.

Positive experience in friendship has the potential to help a child’s personality bloom a while the opposite can wound his self esteem, sociability and confidence. And if your child is overly shy, it is your responsibility to help him come out of his cocoon and make friends.

#1 Befriend Your Child

You are a hands on parent and that is great news for your child! However child psychologists always recommend that parents should always maintain a bit of camaraderie with their kids.

For instance, you can ask your child about his/her day, and if he/she has had any conversations with his classmates, what are his views on friendship or if something he watched on TV has influenced him.

This way, the child would gradually learn how to indulge in a friendly conversation and would easily mix with other kids.

#2 Play Evenings At Home

If your child already has friends, encourage him to have a playdate at home. However, make sure that the playdates are for a brief span of time, else it would interfere in other important routines like his study time, eating time and sleeping time.

If he still does not have friends, you can initiate introducing him to a couple of kids from neighborhood. You also get engaged in their playdates initially in case they feel shy to interact.

#3 Make Him Sign Up For A Group Class

An invigorating group class like dance, aerobics, swimming etc will help a great deal in honing your child’s social skills. The group class is usually filled with motivating talks, music and lots of kids of your child’s age group.

When kids are working together in a group towards a common objective, they tend to interact and mingle among themselves better. So, while your child gets a good physical activity, he is having fun with friends as well.

#4 What’s For Lunch?

Lunch hour is the most effective time for children to bond each other. This is because they not only share their food with each other, but also talk about their likes and dislikes, the episodes of their favorite kids show, their hobbies and what all their mothers can cook well!

Ensure that your child always carries an interesting lunch box with lip smacking food. Sending the food dishes he dislikes or not buying a Tiffin box of his choice will make him feel embarrassed in front of his fellow mates. 

#5 Include Him In Social Gatherings

If your child is an introvert and refuses to socialize on his own, you can take him along with you in your parties and social gatherings. Help him to interact and play with the kids of your friends.

In family gatherings, observe how he behaves and gets along with the cousins of his age group. All these factors will help him become more open to meeting new people and being friendly to them.

#6 Respect His Space Too

Alright, you might be under the impression that your little one is too young to have his own space! But, the fact is that as a parent, you must respect his opinions, decisions (of course if they are in his best interests!) and views whenever he shares them with you.

Also, if he himself has made friends and wishes to visit them or speak to them on the phone, do not scold or humiliate him. It certainly does not mean you encourage indisciplined and rebellious behavior on his part. Simply try to handle him with an iron hand, covered with a velvet glove!

#7 Avoid Being Pushy

Do not get impatient if your child refuses to go out with other kids or talk to them. Remember, not all fingers of our palm are of the same size. Similarly, understand that your child has his own nature, personality and would take his own time to get friendly with other children.

Never pass a cutting remark on his social skills or the number of friends he has. You have no idea how sabotaging that remark could prove to be for your child’s emotional well being.

#8 Pets Can Be Great Pals

Pets are angels without wings! With their unconditional love and an aura filled with positive energy, your pets at times make the most lovable and loyal friends. How about taming a little, adorable puppy or a cute cat with harmless looks?

If your child is fascinated by water, go get a mini aquarium for your house. Encourage your child to play and talk to the pets, and his friendship skills will improve largely.

#9 Guide Him During Sour Experiences

Children can be unbelievably sensitive and vulnerable to experiences and comments, both good and bad. It is very common for your child to go through such sour experiences with his friends. Misunderstandings and fights usually happen quite frequently most of the time on trivial matters.

However, some children can be nasty, even at this young age and at times your child can unknowingly get involved in such a company. So if he has got hurt because of someone, let him talk it out with you. Assure him, that no matter how shameful or embarrassing the issue is for him, he can share anything and everything with you.

Source: http://www.lovingyourchild.com/2013/12/tips-to-help-your-child-make-friends-easily/

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Many parents loose their sleep when it comes to soothing their baby to bed. We advise you to go by your instinct. Moreover, the onus of putting the baby to sleep should not always be on the mother. Share your responsibilities and take turns; it’s a way of ensuring that the baby sleeps even if one of the parents isn’t around.

Make Daytime lively: By not letting your baby sleep during the daytime ensures that he becomes cranky by the time it is night and sleeps easily. Rather, make the days lively and let him take a nap. Help him understand the difference between day and night.

Time the Sleep: Set his body clock by scheduling the sleep timing. Start looking at clues such as yawning and staring at the wall. Your infant will give you enough signs if he wants to take a nap now. “The baby will not be interested in doing anything – be it feeding or playing or might just become cranky – if he wants to sleep,” informs Dr Kejriwal.

Bedtime Ritual: A baby can see and hear you, though in fragments. Therefore, set a bedtime ritual for him so that he gets subtle hints that now is the time for him to sleep. You can give him a massage or a bath before kissing him good night. Whatever ritual you follow, make sure it’s short and simple.

Soothe Once you are through with the bedtime routine, soothe him by either walking him, cuddling with him on the bed, putting him on a rocker, or even giving him a pacifier. You can also sing out to him or make him hear some soft music. All such activities will help you soothe the infant, which can sometimes even put him to sleep. However, don’t forget to feed him before he falls asleep.

DO IT NOT:

• Don’t switch off the fans and the air-conditioners during summers.

Even the newborns feel the heat.

• Do not use very soft bedding as there is danger of suffocation.

• Don’t make your baby cry if you want to put him to bed. It is just a myth and don’t fall for it.

• Don’t allow him to fall asleep during a nursing session.

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It's normal for toddlers to hit when they become frustrated. But children should learn not to hit while they're young so that when they get older they won't hit anybody. Below are clear instructions on how to teach your child not to hit.

Talk with your child. If you ever see or notice your child hitting anyone, including an adult or someone they hate, it's time to take some action. Calmly sit down with your child and make it clear to them that hitting anyone is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Be strict and firm, but use gentle and kind wording. Never scream at your childOH YOU ARE SUCH A BAD PERSON, YOU HIT SOMEONE! This may make your child think that he/she is a terrible person for hitting someone. It's the behavior you are against, not the child.

If you've had a talk with your child about hitting before, but he/she is still doing it, it's definitely time to take some action. This time, be more stricter than before, and tell your child that if his/her hitting doesn't stop, he/she will be punished in his/her room for a day. Tell him/her the more he/she hits, the more stricter you'll be and the more angrier you will feel and that there will be more punishments.

Stick with your boundaries. You are doing this for the well - being of your child, and if you give your child attention and reward him/her for his/her hitting behaviour, then the bad behaviour will never end.

Be clear and consistent. Stick with your boundaries.

Remember, you hate the behavior, not the child.

Keep in mind, your child might be hitting other people for a reason.

Below are the reasons of why your child could be hitting others:

·         Frustration

·         Anger

·         To Get Attention

·         Just hitting to be mean

Consider speaking to your child's pediatrician to see what is going on.

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"Have you hugged your kid today?" There are some good reasons behind it.

Babies, who aren’t touched or spoken to affectionately, not only fail to thrive, but in extreme circumstances, even die. All humans need love, affection and communication. This is particularly true of children who develop and grow quickly. They simply don't thrive without touch and communication.

Touch lowers blood pressure, creates a sense of belonging, is understood as love and promotes growth on a number of levels.

So we all want our children to thrive and excel, but most of all, we want them to feel happy and secure. What, then, is a good rule of thumb on how often to hug your children?

We can see by the above examples that talking to your child is equally important. In the first three years of life, a child's brain triples in size.

Some astounding statistics:

1.    Children from talkative families are likely to hear 30 million more words by the time they are three. 2.    The more words they are exposed to by age three, the better they score on cognitive tests. 3.    These same children score higher in third grade reading readiness tests.

4.    Talking to your children builds their trust, healthier relationships and social skills.

There are a number of activities that can kill these two birds with one stone:

1.    Start right from the beginning. Read and sing to them while in utero and rub your belly.

2.    From birth, hold and cuddle them while reading them a book, then discuss it.

3.    Play games that incorporate words and physical contact.

4.    Rock and sing to them.

5.    Play identity games like naming body parts and family members.

6.    Don't be afraid to read the classics or scriptures to them. Though you believe they may not comprehend, they are being exposed to those millions of words that will enrich their future vocabularies and make them better students.

7.    Just sit and talk to them about your day, touching them often.

8.    Utilize older siblings, grandparents and other family members to supplement these activities when you are swamped.

9.    Even when children are older, find at least a few moments each day for a one-on-one chat.

We all want happy and successful children. Make opportunities to hold them and talk to them. Start and the habit will develop and then it will become second nature. Your successful adult children will thank you for it later.

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Times have changed. Nowadays teenagers have access to the entire planet ... in their pocket. There are a myriad of social media sites children can access, putting them in touch with random people with similar interests from all over the world. Make sure that you are involved in the digital life of your children. Your presence in their digital world has become just as important as your presence in their physical world.

Follow, like, friend or subscribe to your digital child

For some reason, individuals can forget who they are behind a keyboard. The next time you follow, like, friend, subscribe to or whatever the next trend may be, ensure that your child is on that list. Often times, children forget that they have parents in the digital world because their parents are usually absent.

I am a firm believer in freedom and am not suggesting that you attach a digital leash to your child. As you show your face in one social media platform, if desired, they can quickly move to another that you are unfamiliar with. My only suggestion is to be there for your children. You would never neglect your child in the physical world so why would you neglect him in his digital world?

A secret life

Would you like to know what your child is tweeting, snap chatting or sending out with Vine? What you see might surprise you. I was shocked when I first looked up a few teenagers that I am familiar with. I thought one thing about their lives and realized that they had entire different personalities online — personalities that I would not normally choose to associate with in the physical world. There were things they choose to reveal to an online world which they would never say or do in the physical world.

Remind your child that you are present and the things she puts online can be easily accessed, even if she tries to “block” you. What a teen puts online is permanent and can be a means of embarrassment to her in her adult years.

Keep up to date on the latest trends in social media

Social media sites will come and go. What is cool and popular today can be easily forgotten tomorrow. Do a Google search on social media trends every now and then. Talk to your kids and ask them what social media sites are cool. Check the browser history and see which sites are most frequented by members of your family. Knowing what websites your children are going to is like knowing the friends that they spend the most time with.

The endless amount of possibilities that exist for your child to permanently embarrass himself can be extremely overwhelming. You can only do so much. Joseph Smith, an American religious leader, was once asked by a legislative member how he was able to govern a large religious organization with such order, he responded “I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.”

We cannot be the watchdog all the time. Eventually our children will have to spread their wings and leave the nest. They will make their own decisions. Our job is to teach them the lessons that we have learned, hope they take our advice and have a safe productive life after their first flight.

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5 tips from the experts to teach your child to sleep alone

Establish a Bedtime Routine

Bath, brush, change into PJs and then bedtime stories. An established and predictive bedtime routine decreases the child’s anxiety towards bedtime. When they feel secure about going to bed then it is easier to help them feel calm about sleeping alone.

Give them a sense of security

Sleeping alone is not a child’s play. If they have any fears or doubts, do your best to alleviate them. If they are scared of the dark, leave a small night lamp on, if they are scared of under the bed monsters, check under the bed with them to assure them, if they want their favorite blankie then keep it with them

Take it slow

Parents can start with being in the room with the child till he or she sleeps. Once they start sleeping then you can put them to bed and go away after 30 mins and tell them you will be back to check on them after 5 minutes. Keep your promise but keep increasing the intervals till the time the child is comfortably sleeping in the interval.

Be Consistent

More likely than not the child will return to your bed during night in the first few weeks. Be patient and gentle but take them back to their bed consistently without much interaction. If you give in once the child will make it a habit.

Reward Good Behavior

Every time the child spends the night in their bed without any crying do give them a positive reinforcement like a sticker or increase their play time by 15 minutes.

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31 Iron Rich Foods for Babies, Toddlers and Kids

  Iron is responsible for the production of red blood cells, in turn helping in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Iron provides hemoglobin which is the protein found in red blood cells.

Iron deficiency or low hemoglobin can lead to growth deficiencies and behavioral issues in babies and kids.

Babies in the age range of 0-6 months need 0.27 mg/day, 7-12 months need 11 mg / day, 7 mg/day for 1-3 years, 10 mg/day for 4-8 years and so on.

Below given are the iron rich foods that can be made a part of baby’s diet above 6 months.

Please note foods like soya bean, ground nuts etc should be given only after 1 year as it cause allergy in babies.

  1.     METHI / FENUGREEK LEAVES : Methi / fenugreek leaves / uluva is enriched with iron and can be introduced in the form of methi parathas, methi dal etc. I think it’s easily available in grocery shops too.

2.     BROCCOLI: Broccoli with tomato helps to release the iron content in the broccoli. You can also give broccoli in the form of broccoli-tomato soup, broccoli cheese mash etc.

If your baby is interested in finger foods, broccoli stir fry is an apt choice.

3.     PALAK / SPINACH / KIRAI: I can say Palak / Spinach is the easily available form of iron. Spinach can also be provided to babies in the form of spinach soup, spinach dal, curries etc.

4.     AMARANTH: Amaranth is another leafy vegetable which can be an excellent source of iron.

5.     DILLS: It’s said to be an excellent source of iron which can be provided in the form of soups or a garnish/tadka in curries.

6.     MINT / PUDINA: Mint / pudina can be used to make chutneys and provided along with rotis, sandwiches etc.

7.     RAJGIRA: An excellent source of the adequate iron required for a human body. Rajgira ladoos are an excellent way of providing iron to your babies and toddlers

8.     SPRING ONION: In the form of soups / stir fries or as garnish in rice

9.     RADISH LEAVES: The leaves of radish shouldn’t be discarded and I have eaten curries with it which tastes awesome. It’s a sure shot way for intake of iron.

10.  MUSTARD LEAVES: Mustard leaves famous for the sarson ka saag dish is enriched with iron. It can also be given in the form of soups.

11.  COWPEAS LEAVES / COWPEAS: Cowpeas/leaves can be cooked in the form of curries / stir fries which are an excellent source of iron

12.  CAULIFLOWER: Can be provided in the form of curries, mashes etc.

13.  CORIANDER LEAVES: Can be used in the form of chutney, gravies for chicken, fish, vegetables etc.

14.  MORINGA LEAVES: Moringa or drum stick leaves in the form of curries or stir fries or soup are excellent sources of iron.

15.  LIVER: Liver of chicken can be cooked and given to toddlers. Excellent in iron, it helps to increase the hemoglobin levels. You can use pepper powder instead of the chilli powder to reduce the spice levels.

16.  FISH: An excellent source of iron, fish can be steamed, fried or curried as required.

17.  EGGS: Eggs are an easy way to give iron to babies on an everyday basis.

18.  UNPOLISHED RICE BRAN / BROWN RICE: Give brown rice or the unpolished rice bran to babies and kids in the form of kanji/ gruel

19.  BAJRA: Can be used to make rotis or ladoos

20.  RAGI: To be provided in the form of porridges, rotis, dosas, idlis etc

21.  CHAWLI/LONG BEANS: Best served in the form of curries / dry form

22.  PEAS: Fresh / Frozen peas can be served in the form of stir fries, curries, pulav etc

23.  SOYABEAN: Soya bean can be introduced in the form of curries. Soya flour can be mixed with wheat flour to make nutritious rotis. Make sure your baby is above 1 year to give soya as it can cause allergy.

24.  LENTILS: Any lentils like masoor dal, split pea, chana dal all are rich in iron.

25.  DRY FRUITS: A trail mix or a handful of dry fruits(almonds, raisins,dates,figs, walnuts etc) can provide the adequate iron required for a baby. You can also use it powdered to be mixed in the milk for babies

26.  GROUND NUTS: Excellent source of iron which is easily available

27.  ROASTED CHANA: Roasted Chana in the form of evening snacks is an excellent option for toddlers and kids for intake of required iron

28.  RICE FLAKES: Rice flakes or poha or flattened rice can impart the required amount of iron in your baby’s diet

29.  JAGGERY: Replace sugar in your baby’s porridge or kheer with jaggery and the natural source of iron is thus included in your baby’s food

30.  BEETROOT: Beetroot is always known for its unique property of increasing blood supply. Beetroot can be provided in the form of beetroot soups or beetroot rice

31.  OATS: Yes Oats is an ideal source of giving iron to your baby in the form of porridges , kheer etc.

  Some of the iron rich Indian foods:  Thepla, Besan Ladoo, Peanut Ladoo, Beet-carrot tomato soup, Multigrain and vegetable parathas, Cooked sprouted legumes.

  Source : http://www.bumpsnbaby.com/31-iron-rich-foods-babies-toddlers-kids/

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How to teach your child to use the internet

The information highway is a great resource for school age children to obtain information for a variety of school related and personal issues. No matter what they are looking for, your children will find it on the Internet, but it’s important they know how to look for the things they need to know.

The Internet is just a vast open portal that can be overwhelming for young children when looking for things to do online, the younger your children are the more supervision they will need, not that this is much different than what most parents do anyway.

Preschool Children of the preschool age should always go online with a family member or adult caregiver. Generally children of this age don’t have the critical thinking skills to be online alone. As you go online with your preschoolers slowly explain every move you are making while you are connecting to the Internet.

“Here is the internet icon that we click to open the Internet, then we click our user name and sign in. Wow, look at that, we’re online.”

Explain to your child how the search engine works to find all the web sites that you are interested in using. “Now, let’s find some fun websites, we click here in this search box and type in “preschool games”, look at all those websites we can go to, to have some fun and learn

Main points to address:

Supervise children online consistently.

Explain how the search engines work to find information.

Slowly explain every step you are taking with your child.

Grades K-6th When your children are looking for information for school and other projects, the Internet can be a great resource. Explain to your child that not every website has accurate content so they should always double check the information they find online for accuracy. Have your child note the type of website it is, is it an entertainment website (which could have purposely misleading information), a media site, or a retail website. They should also back up the information they find on websites with reference CD’s, books or other similar web sites.

Establish house rules for your child’s safety. It’s very important children understand the concerns and real dangers of giving out their real name on a web site or through personal e-mails. House rules should include, the time a child can spend online, the type of websites they are allowed to visit, the type of information they can provide to websites and chat rooms, and the type of chat rooms they are allowed to use.

You should also check the websites your child visits, not as a nosey parent but as a precautionary parent. You can do so by looking at your temporary Internet files or the history files on your Internet Browser.

To review your temporary files using Internet Explorer complete the following steps

While in Internet Explorer click Tools and then select Internet Options.

Once the window pops up click on the General tab, click Settings under the Browsing History or Temporary Internet Files.

On the Internet Files window find View Files and click it. The window that pops up will show every website ever browsed from that computer.

Main points to address:

Regularly review the websites your children view by going to the Internet temporary files on your computer.

Establish house rules for this age group.

If you allow them to have their own e-mail address, be sure to set parental control filters so adult content or Spam cannot get through your child’s mailbox.

Source: http://www.teachkidshow.com/teach-your-child-how-to-use-the-internet/