Deciding what’s for dinner (or breakfast, lunch, or snack) has never been more challenging. With childhood obesity, diabetes, and other food-related ailments in the news almost daily, you may wonder what you can feed your kids. The simple truth is, if you stock your pantry and fridge mostly with healthy options, you won’t have to think about it as much …

The most desired possession that we would like to give our future citizen is not knowledge or information, it is to make them trained intellect. Which would enable them to adjust themselves in this fast changing world in which we are living today. The school is the only place where an organised effort can be made to ensure a continuous flow …

A long weekend, no birthdays coming up, bored children jumping with nervous energy. Does this sound familiar? No reason for you to be stuck in the rut, here’s how you can have a blast with your children at home. The best part about organising these activities is that it helps you realise your child’s varied interests and potential. Therefore, if …

Aditi is barely eight years old. But lately she’s put on more weight than many children her age. It’s a cause of worry to her parents, both of whom were overweight as children. They have cut down on her food intake though it’s rather difficult to get her to follow her new diet. For years of being fed large amounts …

One of my favourite family pictures is that of my father astride a black stallion with me as a young child, sitting with him. The picture was taken during a visit to a hill station. What is very evident from the photograph is my adoring face looking up at my father from layers of jackets and blankets packed around me. …

Your daughter scarfs down peanut butter sandwiches on weekends, but the ones she totes to school come home uneaten. Your son adores snacking on baby carrots but begs you to pack Pringles in his lunch box. What gives? To young students, school lunch is less about food than about socializing. “The cafeteria is one of the first places they experience …

Children growing in self-esteem manifest many changes: they look more grown-up, more in control of themselves, more poised and self-confident. Generally, they seem more outgoing, even walk straighter with their heads up instead of looking at the floor. Relationships with peers often improve markedly, and so does their school work. Telling children the signs of growth you deserve in them …

I remember being spanked, but I don’t remember for what. The lessons were lost. My teacher was blissfully unaware that you cannot teach any lesson by spanking. What she did manage to teach is that it is acceptable to be a bully if you are bigger. And I always fantasied about becoming big – bigger than him – and beating …

Children with low self-esteem are usually anger to relate but fear being able to relate successfully. Since failure is most threatening to them, be positive and success-oriented in your approach. As I mentioned before, one of my usual approaches in relating to a new child in tutoring or therapy is to have ready a series of nonthreatening questions in neutral …

Shreya is a mother of two young kids. She successfully juggles her career with household chores and exclusive time for her kids. Then there’s Neha, whose 16-year-old daughter’s dance and coaching classes and long PTA meetings ensure she’s always on the go. A mother and a grandmother, Parvati is usually busy with her social work. No matter what the age …