Indoor Play Ideas for Kids - 2

Pillalni manam chese panulloo entha involve chesthee antha happy feel avuthaaru ani anipisthundhi naaku coz i saw this with both my kids P and A,

Roti / chapathi dough chesthuntee extra pindi kalipi isthee play doh laagaa aadukuntaaru... and play doh aithee dry ayyi chinna chinna pieces laagaa raalipoothundhi adhee goduma pindi aithee vallaki mana pani loo involve chesaamu ani anna feeling and clean up easy :)

doodle board is one mess free playing device... pen thoo akkada ikkada raasthaaru ani bhayam vesthundhi but doodle board aithee clean up emi undadhu and hours of fun.... shapes draw cheyyi, animals draw cheyyi ilaa edhooti cheppi draw cheyyinchachhu...

magnetic letters.... kitchen loo fridge ki pettestheee manam vanta chesukunetappudu they can play with those... 2 sets teesukuntee we can teach them small spellings...

tub time.... warm water fill chesi(to avoid catching up cold) tub loo chinna glasses or bowls istheee (with instructions that they should not spill water out) entha aadathaaroo water thooo... tub time toys unte inka cheppakkarledhu bayataki rammanna raaru :)

youtube looo bollani videos untaayi.... naaku calls avi emanna unappudu I start a video and ask him to see... oka video play avunthuntee pakkana related videos list vasthundhi kadhaaa andhuloo i ask him to click on the next one once this is done... i have been doing this since he is 2 and 1/2 years old... laptop manchigaa handle chesthee next time laptop activity time untundhi else undadhu ani cheppi 2 - 3 times cheppamu so he handles it well.... online kids educational  /games sites untaayi... limited time with adult monitoring aadinchachhu appudappudu...  For m yson ki aithee recent gaa oka month back his dad installed windows 8 with a child login account / id... so if he is using the laptop he has to login with his id and open IE and all.... we thought him step by step instructions... so now he knows how to start the lappy, login and browse.... youtube avi thanee pettukuntaadu... weekly naaku mail vasthundhi about his online activity...

Paper work, drawing/sketching/painting/writing  Generally we stock up lot of papers at home... office loo one side printed and left at printer type papers anamaata... so that we are not wasting fresh ones... Pravar likes to draw and color like anything (Sree can tell about this :P) so we ask him to use those... crayons, color pencils are for only paper ani clear gaa cheppamu...

inka kids ki emi istamooo daanini batti we can buy stuff for them... kitchen set, animals set, tools set, blocks ilaaa.... even puzzles loo bollu varieties dorukuthaayi... board puzzles, peg puzzles, jigsaw puzzles... even dollar shop loo koodaa dorukuntaayi... they are nice way to develop creativity in kids....

smart phone applications unte we can install apps for them and let them play... i nstall mostly educational cum entertaining apps so that he will learn something playing... chaduvu stressful gaa undadhu ilaa chesthee ani naa feeling... but any electronic device has to be given on time basis... just for 10 - 15 mins a day antheee...

story books looneee early readers, first books alaa untaayi ekkuva bommalu takkuva text thoo... these will help them get intrested in reading... india loo cross word is one awesome place for books... US loo cheppakkarledhu there are many stores... library loo koodaa bollu books dorukuthaayi kadhaaa....

going for walks together is refreshing for them as well as us... manam emi chesthunna vallaki details cheppi chesthee they will understand the process and they know the value of the work we are doing... like vanta chesetappudu veggies cut chesthunaamu, taalimpu vesthunaamu alaa annee chepthee they will feel happy that we are involving them in the process... :).

Courtesy:  Poornima

Indoor Play Ideas for Kids - 1

My both kids r 7 yrs apart ... so it'S a complete different thing to keep them busy together........but till now I never had any problem in this issue.

Right from beginning, I always take time to play with them, but I encourage them to keep themselves busy on their own and with each other too.

Our activities depend on weather and schedule of the day...

Reading stories
Watching books ( this we always do together )
Building blocks ( Lego, Wooden blocks ..they enjoy more when I too do with them)
Painting
Drawing
Games 
Sports at home ( jumping from sofa, judo, running - catching, lifting, Kissie attack , pillow fight 
Crafts
Household work ( I keep it strictly playful )
Organising their rooms ( part of time with mumma, we work and talk together )
Watching a movie together 
Library 
Walks
Cycling 
Baking or cooking 
Puzzles
Doing small experiments 
I let them give me ideas in my works 
Watching albums together and mentioning incidents related to it
Talking abt their and our childhood ( thsi we do very often )
making preparations for festivals

I don't play with my kids to ' entertain them ' or to ''keep them busy''....I enjoy playing with them.......... It'S like taking break form my own work......... so there is no specific time.. My kids enjoy doing ' anything' with me ... so till now it was never a 'issue to tackle' for me.

In the process of leading a social life of a grown up individual, we forget the child in us................every one of us has a child within.

Just wake up the child in u... and u will enjoy it... 

But I know it's not so easy as said, my husband too feels bored to play with kids..............he normally exchanges ....he happily does household chores and lets me play with kids...

But I will say try it... it'S all about changing ur own thinking. 

Courtesy:  Sunitha

Some facts about motherhood to new mommy to be....

Gals,

sharing my experiences...just so that first time mommies will be prepared with what to expect :)....

1. As soon as the baby is born, .the whole focus will be on the baby..so 9 months of pampering from your family members will vanish ....and sometimes this becomes the cause of post partum depression...actually there is nothing that you can do about it..but just prepare yourself for this... :)

2. Lack of sleep ....just forget getting sleep for straight 4-6hrs for atleast next 6 months.....you will have to sleep in installments ...just get used to it...until if you are lucky enough to have a baby who loves sleeping

3. your house will be in mess...dont worry too much about it...this is part and parcel of motherhood...you will have to learn to overlook few things for atleast first few months and once you are active enough to bring back your home into shape

4. Like your house..your body will also go through lot of change...again you should be prepared for this....give yourself atleast 6 months to think about exercising or healthy dieting....till then just focus on your baby..

5. Breast Feeding - most of us opt for breast feeding and this is the best thing that we can give for our child...in the past TIAns have given very good tips to increase breast milk ...try to follow them...other than all that...remember for BFing...you need to have lot of patience....just as BFing is new for you, for your child too its new thing to latch ...it takest atleast 4-6 weeks for baby to learn proper latching and once baby learns latching, your milk flow will grow too....dont be overwhelmed in the beginning itself...it takes time..give your best for atleast first 2 months ...even after 2 months you feel your milk is not enough then switch to formula...and REMEMBER THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DEPRESSED IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO BF YOUR BABY ...remember you have done your best....and never be ashamed that you are not able BF your baby....like no two human beings are same..this too is natural tendency for which you cant do anything...

6. dont buy too much of NB(new born) size clothes and diapers... they outgrow that size really fast...and there are times when we end up using some clothes just once or not even once (I had that problem where loads and loads of NB, 1-3 months were just given away before she wore them, Sreya was a summer baby and clothes I got from US did not go on well with her, so my personal advice is NB clothes should be born according to season in the place where one lives and based on kid's needs -- sree) ....same goes with NB size diapers....so buy limited stuff in each size...they really outgrow very fast

7. Absentmindedness.... for new mothers ...bcos at a time 10 things go around in our brain due to which we easily loose focus and keep forgetting things...also lack of sleep adds up to our already heated brains....so again try to organize stuff by writing up things...for example what to keep in diaper bag whenever you go out..make a list of that and ask your hubby to check ...you can divide your work...

8. for first 1-2 months its better you hubby sleeps separately in another room..this i am telling with experience....bcos one of you need good sleep so that he can help you during the day...if both parents lack sleep then both will be irritable...if you have your parents for help...do the same with them...let your mother sleep in another room so that she can give enough time for your baby during day time and you can get some sleep during day....

9. if your hubby doesnt know cooking..this is the time he should start learning how to cook :) ....teach him cooking some easy meals while you are preggie...thats going to be really helpful for you....

10. never compare your baby with another baby of same age...specially milestones....every kid learns in his or her own pace...have patience...

11. keep camera/handycam handy to capture your baby's moments....nowadays with mobiles it has bcome lot more easy to capture pics...enni tensions unna never forget to take pics......these moments will never come back again...

Courtesy:  Swathi T.

Shopping/Getting Ready For Newborn

For Baby

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Car seat (try to buy the carseat which has weight limit upto 20lb...later you can buy the new one once the baby outgrows)

Stroller (either full travel system or just car seat with snap and go stroller to which you can attach car seat)

Bassinet/crib (bassinet is useful only upto baby is 15lbs...crib is for longer use)

Swing (very very helpful  to make the baby sleep)

Bouncer (very helpful)

Boppy Pillow (cheapest deal in walmart...helpful during first 3 months if you plan to breastfeed)

Diaper Pail 

Bath tub for baby (if your mom or you can do it on the lap then no need i guess)

Neck headrest (useful during first 2-3 months)

aveeno shampoo and baby wash - unscented (most recommended) or whatever brand of your choice.

almond oil / olive oil for baby massage

Baby wipes - wet wipes, unscented

Newborn Diapers one set (buy a smaller packet like 100ct. as some babies outgrow the size very fast)

Baby grooming set ( i bought nail clippers and hair brush thats all..not the whole kit)

Baby thick blanket

Baby receiving blankets (2-3)

Baby hooded towel (3 is enough)

Diaper rash cream - decitin

Onesies (8-10)

Full size body suits ( 8-10 if winter baby)

Caps (5-6)

Mittens (5-6 pairs)

Socks (5-6 pairs)

Rubber pad for diaper change ( i got it from india)

Small wash clothes like kerchiefs 5-6 (useful for while kids burp to clean their mouth)

small boots for baby (2-3 pairs)

Baby bottles (if breastfeeding ..just for emergency you can buy 1-2 )

Bottle warmer & drying rack (better buy from walmart so that if u r not using bottles you can return it)

Johnsons Baby Powder (first i didnt use it fearing allergies..but later when i started using it my baby loved it..she used to feel fresh and touchwood she didnt had any issue with it)

Hand Sanitizers 

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For Moms

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Feeding Bras

Nipple cream - lanolin

Breast pads - disposable

Diaper bag 

Feeding maxi/nighties

Adding to above list :-

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2396768 (very useful for cleaning tongue and gums).

Initially the baby's mouth would be sooooo small but after a month of so, getting this cleanser into the mouth would be easy.

Courtesy:  Swathi

Sex Education for Kids - When and How

Was reading a book Ashtavakra by Yandamoori and came across this written piece and wanted to share with you guys..

There are too many myths/objections/suggestions as to sex education in India or maybe else where too... strangely in a nation where speaking about sex in public is considered grossly offensive/derogatory majority are sexual crimes and the population shoots sky high!! 

More than anything, it is curiosity that leads to queries about opposite gender.. it can happen as early as a toddler when they get to learn, understand and ask about everything and anything.. how do we answer, where do we begin is the biggest query a parent of today's might face and found a lovely input which I would replicate.

The way of inquisitiveness swamps the child at the age of 9 to 13.  He wants to know how things are made, stars, watches, babies, etc.  There are two questions linked up together - when to tell and what to tell? 

When a little girl for the first time sees the organ of her younger brother, it is very natural that she should ask what little strange thing is. But this is by no means a sexual question but rather a scientific question.  What to tell and where to stop depends on the age of the child.

- Oswald Schwarz on Sex Education

My views

Like this put in simple words here.. like that is an innocent question here as to what it is, we need not really get into a biology lecture to the kid but just explain them to the point, tell them without making any fuss about it and tell them it is their private part and that a boy/girl or a man/woman are made differently and it is their private part.  This conversations most likely happen in a bathroom setting when the kid is getting bathed or when they see the siblings or other kids of opposite gender, do not rush it up, hush it up.. answer it as coolly as possible and leave it at that.

Also I liked a quote by E.F. Griffith

As far as sex education goes, i see two main difficulties.  first, sexuality is more than pure biology and less than pure spirituality, but a unique combination of both ethics and aesthetics.  Religion must come under consideration and sex education must fit sex into the whole pattern of our life.  Can this be done?  How and by whom?

My views

I guess first as a parent we need to get rid of our own inhibitions talking or thinking about it and then proceed to tell the kid than to impact him/her knowingly or unknowingly.  Like say if we look back into our own lives and think for a while as to when our inquisitiveness began, how it was satisfied, when and how we got to know, it might in a way help understand our own kid's feelings towards things in general.  It is primarily the curiosity about the unknown and if it is answered properly, they would not really venture into other means of getting to know, which might not always be right, the influences there might be at that point, the barrier that we might create unknowingly about asking such questions would lead them to go ask others/friends/peers who are equally unaware or mis-informed on un-necessarily informed.  So, I personally think that a very open relationship, the trust to turn to the parents for anything and the feeling that they would not be ridiculed, scolded, hushed up should be built.

For a wholesome personality development, it is essentially that we provide answers or provide means to get answers by themselves when to do what is the key.

Some tips for lactation

There have been quite a few personal requests for translation of a Telugu post on lactation tips by Swapna, I have been a bit busy.. err.. let me honest, lazy to do so but on a simple request my buddies pitched in to help... both of them did it at the same time more or less, so just leaving them both in.....

TELUGU POST

1) Have millet (bajri) flour porridge.  have two glsses of warm water first thing in the morning. then take 1 tbsp of bajri flour and roast it 

   in ghee. add 1/2 cup of milk and let it cook. add sugar to taste and have it. this will help in increasing the supply.

2) have walnuts for snack. It'll help in baby's brain development.

3) take two glasses of water and have gondh laddoo (http://www.vegbowl.in/2011/05/gaund-ke-laddu-panjiri.html) and a glass milk. this will really help in boosting the supply.

4) Use fenugreek seeds/ Fenugreek leaves in cooking. soak some seeds in water overnight and take it in the morning. or you can take powder too.

5) Use lots of garlic in food.

6) have dry ginger powder with ghee in first bite of rice.

7) have barley water (cook barley in water till soft. filter and drink that water). you can start this when you are pregnant.

8) have bread/rusk with milk. have atleast two slices twice a day.

9) have a glass of warm water 10 mins before feeding or sip while feeding. this will help with letdown.

10) have curries made of tindora (ivy gourd), lauki (bottle gourd), fenugreek leaves, spinach, ridge gourd, snake gourd, carrots, asparagus.

11) use lot of urad dal (black gram) in seasonings.

12) have oats and almonds mixed in cereal once a day

13) you can also have oats with milk

14) try skin to skin with baby (kangaroo care). will help in increasing the supply.

15) think about baby all the time. keep a positive feeling that you can feed the baby.

16) place few cloves of garlic in fresh cooked rice. eat after 10 mins



If the baby stops latching all of a sudden check for these

1) eggs in your diet in any form

2) any new perfumes/deo

3) onions in diet  

Harsha

1)Drink 2 glasses of luke warm water as soon as u wake up in the morning..Then have Bajri Powder Kheer:Mix 1 tbs of Bajra powder and roast it in ghee till 

the raw flavor is gone the stir in 1/2 cup of warm mix and cook it reaches the Kheer consistency and have it...Sometimes the milk supply increases so much in 

that case try not to eat the Bajra kheer for 2-3 days n then start having it.

2)Walnuts Increase the baby's memory power so have them as a snack when u feel hungry.

3)eat 1 Gondh Ladoo and drink a glass of milk..drink 2 glasses of water before eating this laddoo

4)Both fenugreek seeds n fenugreek leaves help in milk production..If u dont have time to soak the fenugreek seeds,jst take the seeds directly and drink 

water,jst like how u take a tablet.

5)Use garlic as in cooking much as u can.

6)Mix some dry ginger pwoder and ghee in the 1st spoon of rice u eat.

7)Barley Water

8)Bread n Rusk,preferably bread with a glass of milk gives gud result..have atleast 2 slices of bread twice a day along with milk

9)Have a glass full of water atleast 10 mins before u start feeding the baby,if u dont have time just keep sipping the water while feeding the baby this 

helps in improving the milk supply

10)Use Tindora,lauki,fnugreek leaves,spinach,lady finger,turai(chinees okra) a lot in ur diet

11)Add lots of urad when u make tempering for the curries/dal

12)Make sure u have oats and almond mixed cereal atleast once a day

13)Combination of oats n milk together gives gud result..try this if u can

14)Hug ur baby often as that bonding helps in improving the supply

15)While feeding the baby think abt his/her future n how r u going to raise ur kid n all such thoughts also improves the supply

16)Chop garlic into small pieces n put on the steaming hot rice and cover it with a lid for 10 mins,wait n then eat them together.

Kavya

A special mention of thanks to a sweet buddy H for pitching in instantly in translating and also lovely Kavya for pitching in in spite of a heavy schedule and an infant to handle... love you ladies!!!

Love you girls!! you are rocking super moms....!!!

Schooling in India - A few more personal considerations

I do agree that education should not be stressful to kids... whatever they learn should go into their mind happily without pressure is what I feel... I try new ways to make things interesting for the kid and when he gets bored of one way I invent something new and keep his interest intact... 

Coming to SSC, CBSE and ICSE.

SSC is what I went to.... only studies and no play.... LKG to 10th, studies, studies... exams exams exams.

CBSE... central board.. mix of studies and some activities.... compared to SSC higher classes there is less syllabus.  Child should complete 3.5 years to get admitted into PP 1 in CBSE.....

ICSE... Interenational schools follow this... and its more of Montessori system is what I feel... teaching thru activities and all.... Indian mind set ki, competitive world ki I wasnt sure how kids will take it once they have to join the main stream after their 10th or +2.... also ekkuva emphasis will be on social and science ani vinnanu.... SSC, CBSE maths thoo compare chesthee ICSE is far back... I saw this practically when I was in inter... my ICSE classmates used to come to me for help with their mathematics.... 

konni international schools in hyd are coming up with IGBSE or something like that... entoo they are making their own curriculam mixing ICSE and CBSE for primary classes anta.... and kids / parents can choose which one to take up once they come to 7th class..... idhi koncham over anipinchindhi naaku..... 

Final gaa we have choosen CBSE for the kid..

- Poornima (Hyderabad)

Nenu koodaa SSC lone chadivaanu.. chaduvu thappa maro dhyaasa vundadu akkada..Playclass pillalatho alphabets raayisthaaru..adi koodaa English n telugu lo...chaalaa stress vuntundi..So I ruled it out

Ika Nellorelo naaku migilina options CBSE and XSEED.

XSEED ante syllabus SSC/CBSE/ICSE ki alignedgaa vuntundita..but they emphasize more on activity based learning..Montessori system lo laagaa annamaata..deeni gurinchi poorthi info ee link lo vundi http://www.xseed.in/

Naaku thelsina parents chaalaa mandini adigithe ee syllabus gurinchi positive feedback icchaaru..but still nenu decide chesukolekapothunnaanu between CBSE/XSEED

Memu pandu gaadini join chesina school lo Playclass, LKG and UKG matrame vundi..and akkadanthaa activity based learning ane concept ye follow avuthaaru..Playclass 1 yr lo vaalla syllabus identifying alphabets (large and small case), numbers (1 to 10) and 4 or 5 colors and shapes + Rhymes...Ivannee koodaa they learn thru visuals, games and other activities...writing emee vundadu..Ikkada playclass lo vaadi performance choosi vaadiki comfortablegaa vundi maaku nacchithe LKG and UKG koodaa ikkade continue chesi 1st class ki CBSE/XSEED vunna school lo join cheyyaalani anukuntunnamu. So daanikinko 3years time vundi kaabatti ippudu ekkuva alochinchatledu :)

- Keerthi (Nellore)



(Purely personal considerations which I posted for my personal reference and for any one else who might be interested or on the lookout like me)