Category: Parenting

I was curious to know how much of the gender roles had shifted within the family systems during these turbulent times… interacts with Siddhi Jain.

Motherhood is at a time the wonderful and stressful period of every woman’s life. But the point is only after their stressful period passes away, mothers can understand how wonderful was it. For screenwriter and filmmaker Anu Singh Choudhary, the question that led to the Audible Original series ‘Mad Mommas’ was: ‘Have the gender roles within families really shifted during these turbulent times?’ She has recently written the series which captures the lives of four working mothers caught up in the work-life balancing act.

Choudhary the author of ‘Neela Scarf’ (collection of short stories), ‘Mamma Ki Diary’ (memoir) and ‘Bhali Ladkiyaan, Buri Ladkiyaan’ (novel), says it was curiosity around gender roles in the pandemic’s context that led her to hear experiences of women around her. Some of these narratives and experiences are, she says, strung together as this relatable and humorous audio series.

Set in Gurugram and Delhi in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘Mad Mommas’ touches on the bittersweet realities of four women who are in different stages of motherhood. It is narrated by famed TV journalist and RJ Richa Anirudh.

The story is told from the point of view of a successful TV anchor, Niyati Ahuja Sabharwal, who has just become a mother, as she tries to navigate through marriage, kids, family and the ongoing pandemic. Her life is intertwined with that of three other mothers: a stay-at-home Mum who gave up her practice as a Doctor to raise her kids; a psychotherapist and mother of a teen who is specialist on Mommy counselling and a grandmother (Niyati’s mother) who is a health and discipline freak.

Choudhary has also co-written the blockbuster web-series ‘Aarya’, and is currently writing its subsequent season. She will also be speaking at this year’s Jaipur Literature Festival and is in conversation with journalist Vijai Trivedi’s Hindi book, ‘Sangham Sharanam Gachchami’, on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Excerpts from the interview :

Women have carried out the dual responsibility of work and home. How have you tried to capture that in ‘Mad Mommas’?

Anu: We have followed women’s stories and tried to be honest about it. The title ‘Mad Mommas was conceived and created during Covid-19 times. There were several stories, both personal and otherwise, that were being shared in popular media about how this was a monumental period in the lives of people working from home and the responsibility of taking care had fallen on both men and women.

I was curious to know how much of the gender roles had shifted within the family systems during these turbulent times. I reached out to mothers of all ages to see how they were coping with Covid-19 while balancing work, home, children and elderly parents.

While it had been appalling, and even sometimes heartwarming to see that men were sometimes sharing responsibilities of the household work, there had been several instances where it was presumed that women would juggle as effortlessly as they have always done. A lot of women ended up working more and more, because children were home. There were stories of relationships crumbling and challenges women were faced with. Those stories became part of the series.

The protagonist is a TV journalist. When a young mother is at a crucial point in her career, now also has to be very careful about the pandemic, how does she cope? All these questions and concerns made their way into the story.

The pandemic has disproportionately affected women. There is a social pattern and many women have been pushed back into the four walls of the household. What are your thoughts on this?

Anu: When there is a catastrophe, calamity or challenge that pushes the world into transition, one hopes that it will bring about some positive change, especially for women. Look at stories from conflict-ridden zones, and you’d find women and children are the one suffering the most. The pandemic was affecting mental and physical health across, but one change that I saw was that women were coming together as part of support groups as spaces of sharing stories, advice and information. Several women entrepreneurs also got some business ideas from these networks. This watershed moment has also given us some interesting ideas. If anything that has happened, it has made women and female friendships more resilient.

What are your thoughts on the medium of audio for storytelling?

Anu: I write for a variety of formats, but I really enjoy writing for this format, and also listening to audio because it’s intimate, because I can easily spend an hour with my headphones while walking, driving or travelling. I’m not tiring my eyes, yet I’m getting an immersive experience as being part of the audience. I, personally, also find the audio medium very viable because I don’t have to carry heavy books or tire my eyes, yet I’m getting the gratification.

‘Mad Mommas’ is a 8-episode series, now available for free for Audible.in members.

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Children always look up to parents for comfort, love, support and direction. They want to be like us, do what we do and learn the most from us as they notice every little thing…Sameera speaks with Puja Gupta.

Actress Sameera is very active in social media and she never fails to delight us on her through it. Now lets have a sneak-peek into her parenting world. The mom-of-two believes in the power of both parents sharing equal responsibility when it comes to raising their children and understanding how it shapes their personality, growth and development.

Today, more and more parents believe in the importance of being equally involved and Sameera vouches for the positive impact on their holistic development.

“In our household, we ensure we contribute equally to our kids’ well-being, meet their needs and spend quality time with them. Kids are very observant and just by watching us; they imbibe social, cognitive and behavioural values that groom them as human beings. As parents, it’s important to be good role models and through our actions, bring out the best in our little ones!” shared Sameera.

As an outspoken mom, Sameera has always gone the extra mile when it comes to lending her voice on important topics, be it motherhood, ageing or family connections. The celebrity recently took to Instagram to open up about equal parenting, and how it goes a long way in bringing up children in a loving environment.

Children always look up to parents for comfort, love, support and direction. They want to be like us, do what we do and learn the most from us as they notice every little thing. This means, we as parents have a responsibility to teach them important values like teamwork, togetherness, love, kindness and respect by parenting as equals.

Equal involvement from both parents shows the child that sharing is caring. “When we take turns to drop the children to school or their classes, our children learn that they are never alone. If either one of us is unavailable, the other one takes up that responsibility, demonstrating to our children how important it is to have the other’s back,” shared Sameera.

“The other thing kids learn from equal parenting is how crucial teamwork is to success. The family is one soul, which works together as a team – these principles prepare our children for life’s challenges,” she added.

As children grow up, we shape them in the best of our values and hope that they carry them forward along with their own learning experiences. “Your kids will come to appreciate your teachings and help them when they grow up. However, I truly believe that with equal parenting, we are preparing our children to become kind-hearted and responsible adults who can conquer any situation in their lives.”

Joining the Pampers #ItTakes2 movement in support of equal parenting, Sameera penned a lovely caption which read, “I loved this ‘It Takes 2’ video because the new generation of parenting wherein the dads of today feel so connected, and want to participate in all aspects of the journey is something that really resonated with me, and I wanted to share this with you. Right from day 1, Akshai, my husband has been such an integral part of Hans and Nyra’s birth! He is an amazing hands-on hubby and a super father! I thought changing diapers would be challenging initially, but Pampers has made it such a breeze for both my baby and me. Nothing gives me more joy than being with Akshai and both my kids in the most beautiful phase of my life, Motherhood.”

“For us, #ItTakes2 to raise and nurture a child and it is important for a father to be an equal partner contributing towards his child’s growth and development. I am also proud to be joining hands with Pampers in its vision of caring for the healthy, happy development of every baby,” she said.

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Restrict social events assemblies and even gathering at student canteens and the practice of sharing food…writes Siddhi Jain.

With the commencement of nationwide vaccination drive and the falling numbers of active Covid-19 cases, the government has decided to slowly allow schools to re-open. Starting in phases the schools are first re-opening for the students of the 10th and 12th standard and will then be applied to the junior classes.

Subsequently it is essential that precautions for prevention of further spread are taken as seriously as before, the numbers might be dipping but the virus is still lingering and we have to take all possible measures to curb its spread.

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With children being one of the most vulnerable category, extra precautions need to be taken by the school authorities, teachers, parents of the students and the students themselves. Basic facts like social distancing, wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene need to be taught and demonstrated to them as the new norms of living.

While calling students back to schools has been allowed by the government, in interest of the safety and health of children the schools must practice:

Hybrid school model — this is a combination of distance/virtual learning and in-person/traditional form of schooling. This involves limiting the number of students that will come to school in one go so that social distancing can be practiced effectively

School authorities to make sure that the building is clean and hygienic — Surfaces and objects (eg. desks and tables) need to be wiped with disinfectant regularly

Promote regular and thorough hand-washing with the children and put sanitizing hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace

Teach the children the essence of practicing respiratory hygiene and using a mask to cover the face and the nose

Restrict social events assemblies and even gathering at student canteens and the practice of sharing food

Mandatory thermal screening, no person with slightest of symptoms like fever, cough to be allowed in the premised and should be recommended immediate self-isolation

Inputs from MS Kanwar, Senior Consultant, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi)

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Is it good or bad? Since generations, Indians were influenced by Amar Chitra Katha. Now HarperCollins India and Amar Chitra Katha have announced a new collaboration to publish “a first-time adaptation of popular ACK comics into a narrative format for young children” …. writes Siddhi Jain from Asian Lite News, the best newspaper for international Indians from London 

Publishing house HarperCollins India and Amar Chitra Katha have announced a new collaboration to publish “a first-time adaptation of popular ACK comics into a narrative format for young children”.

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The said collaboration will “bring the beautiful folktales of India from our iconic comic books into an exciting new format for younger readers,” said Preeti Vyas, President and CEO of Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd, adding, “Since our comic books are typically read by children in the 8-14 age group, we believe that these early chapter books will help us take these engaging stories to a younger age group, and open up our treasure trove of stories to a new audience.”

This series, put together meticulously by the writers at Amar Chitra Katha, brings together some of the greatest folktales in the ACK catalogue. Each book in the series is adapted from the original Amar Chitra Katha comics and aims to bring the reader closer to the thoughts and traditions that make up our country’s identity, said a joint statement.

Tina Narang, Publisher, HarperCollins Children’s Books, remarked, “Amar Chitra Katha has such a strong history of publishing for children, generations have grown up reading ACK comics. So, we are delighted to present a first-time adaptation of these popular comics into a narrative format for young children. We are launching this new initiative with the Amar Chitra Katha Folktales Collection.”

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Ace shuttler Sania Mirza says she has always been very particular about the skincare products she uses. “But it’s definitely way more now that I’m a mother,” she reveals.

“I wouldn’t want to think twice before hugging or kissing my son Izhaan and that’s why I only trust the best,” says Sania, who has been featured in a new digital campaign by Clovia for its skincare range, Clovia Botaniqa which is especially for mothers.

The campaign launched with a video starring Sania, where the young mom shares her personal journey post motherhood. Sania says that motherhood is a beautiful phase but there are many physical changes that take place in a woman’s life post-pregnancy. The adept sportswoman has had to contend with acne, uneven skin tone and blemishes post-partum. Being around a newborn baby, it is essential that any products that she uses to address these challenges be natural, safe and chemical-free.

The latest Clovia Botaniqa range includes varied options in products such as oils, body butter, face washes, and face masks, to shampoos, conditioners, and serums. Carefully curated for the needs of new moms, the range offers solutions for problems faced during and post-pregnancy, such as hair-fall, tired/dull skin, stretch marks, dryness, acne as well as stress.

Talking about the new range, Neha Kant, Founder, Clovia said: “Regular skincare routine isn’t always easy, especially for new moms, who find their priorities change post motherhood. Driving with this insight, Clovia launched a digital campaign featuring the ace tennis player with an aim to encourage women/mothers in their efforts to look after themselves.”

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“Children are often exposed to devices from birth – even just observing their parents, so it’s never too soon to talk about online safety.”…writes Puja Gupta.

Over the last 12 months most of us have spent more time online than ever before. In particular, young people have moved beyond using the internet just to connect with friends or research a school assignment.

The internet has become a lifeline and there have been times where young people have spent the majority of their day online during homeschooling.

While we are fortunate to live in a time where a global pandemic means minimal interruption to education, Safer Internet Day is an opportunity to reflect on what we can do to create a better online world for young people.

Amber Hawkes, Head of Safety, Facebook Asia Pacific shared with IANSlife how parents can navigate online safety of and for their young ones.

She said: “It can feel overwhelming trying to navigate the ever-changing world of online safety with kids. But the most important thing we can do is to start a dialogue and keep open channels of communication.”

Online safety conversations should become part of everyday life – just like conversations about ‘stranger danger’ or crossing the road, and they should start early, she suggested.

“Children are often exposed to devices from birth – even just observing their parents, so it’s never too soon to talk about online safety.”

Hawkes pointed out that as part of conversations about online safety, children should understand that access to devices and the internet comes with responsibility. They also have a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe online, she said.

A mother herself, Hawkes admitted that young people are more vulnerable online than others.

“My job at Facebook is to help keep them safe through our products and policies. Beyond the privacy, safety and security features that are available to all Facebook and Instagram users, we also have a number of additional protections in place to protect minors,” she stated.

Adding: “We require everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account on Facebook or Instagram, and in some countries the age limit may be higher. Our privacy and visibility settings are more restrictive for teens than adults. For example, on Facebook, messages sent to minors from adults who are not friends, or friends of friends, are filtered out of the minor’s inbox and sent straight to the spam folder.”

The Facebook Parent Portal and Instagram Parent’s Guide can help parents and caregivers and include details on how the apps work, tips on talking to your kids and advice from experts.

Hawkes shared her five top tips for keeping your kids safe online:

Stay involved in their digital world: Spend time with your kids online. If your kids like playing video games, sit with them while they’re doing this. If your teen is on Facebook or Instagram, have a discussion about friending or following them. Talk to them frequently about who they are connecting with and what they are sharing. Let them know they can come to you if they see or experience something online that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Use privacy and security settings: Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger have settings to give people control over what they share, who they share it with, what they see, and who can contact them. Many of these are turned on by default for minors, but you should run through the privacy and security settings regularly.

Set family rules: Agree as a family on the rules for using devices, accessing the internet and social media and be clear on the consequences for violating these rules. Depending on the age of your kids, you may talk about more serious consequences (such as legal consequences) of sharing certain types of content such as non-consensual intimate imagery.

Lead by example: If you set a rule like ‘no screen time after 8 p.m.’ or ‘no devices in the bedroom’ – you should try to follow this too.

Learn from your kids: Technology evolves constantly, and young people are fast adopters. If your kids start using a new app, ask them to show you how it works. It’s an opportunity to connect with your child, see what they are doing online and have a conversation about online safety. You should also do your own research on the app’s privacy, safety and security features.

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Kids in their formative years are inquisitive and highly adaptive to challenging situations, it is their zeal to learn something new that keeps them on their toes. When it comes to managerial skills, it’s not something which one can learn by memorising any theory or by just sticking to a time table. These skills are more extensive and vary from person to person upon their regular habits and schedules….writes Puja Gupta.

“This is why children in the age group of 6-12 years, are in their best state of mind to become great managers and reap the benefits of this solid life skill in their later years,” Speech Therapist and Audiology Specialist Swati Vijay tells IANSlife.

It is imperative for parents nowadays to inculcate early management skills in their children as in most of the nuclear families both parents are occupied with their professional work, notes the expert.

The little ones have to understand and be aware of their regular tasks; this can be something as simple as tidying up their cupboards, or just reaching their classes on time to major tasks such as completing their academic projects, and preparing for their exams.

To broadly sum it up, Vijay, who is also the Managing Director of Motion Kids, lists down major categories that parents must direct their focus on:

Behavioural management

This has far-reaching benefits for kids in terms of communication and their overall demeanour in a group setting. The nurturing of kids begins from their homes. So, it is very important for parents to keep a check on their daily engagement with people surrounding them such as the helping staff, their co-workers, neighbours and friends.

An important aspect to be addressed here is patience; behavioural management completely relies upon it. On a daily basis, an adult communicates with an average of 30-35 people, while a kid even though communicates with the similar number of people but on a day-to day basis is exposed to group settings more than the adults.

Rule of 7-38-55 can be an interesting concept to make your child understand the importance of behavioural management. The 7-38-55 rule is a concept concerning the communication of emotions. The rule states that 7 per cent of meaning is communicated through spoken word, 38 per cent through tone of voice, and 55 per cent through body language. Hence, due attention must be paid to all the three spheres for letting the kid develop confidence and ability to conduct themselves appropriately.

Emotional management

This is of the utmost importance in today’s times when each individual is resorting to their screens for comfort and entertainment, that we are ultimately forming a filter bubble around us. This may sound as something trivial, but even the adults today are unable to manage this situation which unknowingly strengthen their already formed opinions, and blocks their flexibility to intake new opinions. The young ones must always be taught to have an open mind, as it will be an important catalyst for their mental growth. The smooth inflow of new thoughts also gives kids strength to be agile in their approach.

The parents must also direct their attention towards making their children develop strong will power. Even though growing up, the parents are always very protective about their kids but a balance must also be maintained for preparing them well to cope up the challenging adult life. The kids must realize giving up or escaping should not be the go to options every time for a task out of their comfort zone. It is necessary to break the boundaries sometimes to grow.

Money management

Skills such as money management are acquired as the children grow. Money management from the early years can help kids gain financial confidence and prepare them to sustain within a budget. It is extremely important to help the kids understand the difference between discretionary and essential expenses. Savings of the present times are treasure for the future. The habit of saving must be taught to the children with the help of managing their pocket money; the skill to bargain also comes handy and lets them weigh in the value of different commodities. Money management since beginning also makes the children rethink about their demands from parents; they tend to become more reasonable as they grow up instead of adamant.

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Celebrity parents Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu are encouraging parents to be equally involved for their baby’s healthy and happy development, saying that the journey of parenting is even more rewarding when both play an equal role.

“Becoming a parent is a beautiful feeling and the journey is even more rewarding when both play an equal role. No dad-duty and mom-duty, just a profound sense of responsibility, love, and care for your baby,” says Soha, mother to little Innaya. The duo has collaborated with Pampers for their new campaign called ‘#ItTakes2’ that aims to spark a positive change and strengthen the movement in support of equal parenting.

Adding to it, a proud dad, Kunal says: “The journey of parenting starts even before you hold your little one for the first time. The day our little girl was born was a moment of pride for me as it was the day, I went from being a man to being a dad. I promised her that I, together with her mum, would raise her to be a strong, happy, and healthy girl.”

While equal parenting has a more profound impact on shaping a child’s life when both partners are involved throughout, a study by Nielsen reveals that 84 per cent of fathers in India believe that taking care of a baby is primarily a mother’s role.

However, in recent years, men have started playing a more nurturing role in parenting. In a joint study published by top Ivy League Colleges in London, researchers found that children, whose fathers were more engaged in the initial months, performed better in cognitive tests at two years of age.

The brand released a film, featuring Soha and Kunal, seeded with moments of realisation stressing the fact that while raising a baby is a beautiful journey, the involvement of both parents is important for a baby’s wholesome development.

Soha states:”Having walked this path with Kunal, I can confidently say that #ItTakes2 for a child’s complete growth and development. I am proud to join this movement by Pampers� and pledge for equal parenting. It is truly a reflection of the parenting beliefs we value most in our journey towards raising our little baby girl.”

Kunal added:”Taking the pledge for equal parenting by Pampers I believe that #ItTakes2 to raise your child to embrace the world and I would not trade that for anything. I also encourage fathers to take the pledge and not miss out on this beautiful journey.”

Abhishek Desai, Senior Director & Category Leader, Baby Care, P&G Indian Subcontinent shared:”Pampers holds a strong legacy of always being a confidence-boosting, spirit-lifting ally for parents, while ensuring the happy and healthy development of every baby. Thousands of dads today set an example of equal parenting in their own way. From changing diapers to feeding their little ones, they believe that #ItTakes2 for a baby’s wholesome growth. Equal parenting goes beyond sharing responsibilities as it has the power to have a lasting impact for generations by teaching invaluable lessons of teamwork, togetherness and equality. Through this campaign, the brand hopes to start a conversation to positively change the parenting paradigm and encourage more moms and dads to join the #ItTakes2 movement.”

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