Month: April 2019

Family Bonding this Summer

Posted on by amelioadmin

We lead busy lives. What with work, household chores, taking care of loved ones and social obligations. Not to mention the kids are busy with school and after-school classes, which makes it hard to find time to spend together as a family. But now that the summer holidays are here, and the kids are out of school, you can finally plan activities to bring the family together.

Here are some ways to unplug and connect as a family.

  • Get outdoors: Plan a hike or a visit to a nearby park.  The kids can help with packing a picnic before you set off. Your family will get some fresh air, you can spot interesting flora and fauna with your kids, and everyone can just relax and be.
  • Holiday mode: Save up your vacation days from work for the summer when your kids are free. Go on a trip as a family to a hill station or a beach destination, whatever suits your fancy and budget. Maybe, even plan a road trip. What a great way to create great memories as a family!
  • Be present: We are always looking at screens – be it our phone, tablet, computer or television. Unplug from tech once a week as a family. Switch off the Wi-Fi for the day, and just spend time together. Talk, read together, eat together – you will be amazed what you may learn about yourself and your family members.
  • Get involved: Let the family get involved in running the house. Set up a chore wheel and let everyone at home take turns doing basic household tasks. Why not spend an afternoon baking together, and an evening gardening? These are activities that the entire family can participate in.
  • Learn together: Pick an activity or sport that you can all learn or play together. Maybe you can attend yoga classes as a family, or take a language class. If you have a particular interest like chess or knitting, you could teach your kids. This is a great way to bond and learn something new.
  • Bring out the board games: Schedule family board game night a couple of times a week. Scrabble, Monopoly, Life – the options are endless and you can find a game that every member of the family can play. There will be much laughter and friendly competition!
  • Explore your surroundings: Play tourist in your own city with your family this summer. Check out art exhibitions, try out new restaurants, visit the local museums – it will be a fun way to learn more about the place you live in, and spend time as a family.

All it takes is spending time together to bond as a family. This summer make it a point to prioritize your family, and the rest will fall into place.

Is Your Child Summer Camp Ready?

Posted on by amelioadmin

It’s normal to be apprehensive about being in a different environment and trying new things. Especially for kids, since they thrive on routine. Summer camp will be an amazing experience for your child, but it will also involve being around grown-ups they aren’t used to, making new friends, and trying activities they’ve never attempted before. So, if your child is heading to summer camp for the first time, here are some things you can do to make the transition easier.

Communication is key

Talk to your child, it always helps! Ask them how they feel about going to camp. Listen to what they have to say, and address their anxieties. Tell your child about all the activities that they will get to try at camp, and get them excited about trying something new. If they get to choose activities, discuss the pros and cons of each and help with the decision-making process.

Involve them

If your child is going to learn to swim at camp, they will need a swimsuit, swim cap etc. If tennis is the activity of choice they might need a new racquet or cap. Taking your kid shopping before camp starts to pick up all the necessary supplies, is a great way to get them enthusiastic about attending. They can help choose items, and will look forward to using them at camp – making them forget their anxieties.

Label their stuff

A day at camp is jam packed with activities. From painting classes and robotics, to theatre and photography, the kids will be moving from one class to the next, and in the process their stuff – water bottles, towels, art supplies – can get misplaced or forgotten. Make sure that your child’s things are labeled with their name. This way they won’t lose their things, and there won’t be unnecessary arguments and fights over water bottles and pencil boxes.

Know their surroundings

If it is permitted, take your child to camp a day before so that they can familiarize themselves with their surroundings. Introduce them to the camp facilitators and counselors, so that they know whom they can approach in case of any issues. If they have anxieties, say for example, about using the toilet in a new place, let them see where it is and get used to the idea. Letting them explore the camp will allow them to get over many fears.

Inform about health issues

If your child has to take medication, or has allergies and needs to stay away from certain foods, please inform the camp director and teachers ahead of time. Speak about any medical conditions like asthma or diabetes that your child might have with the camp-in-charge, so that they can take the necessary steps to make sure that your child is looked after. Also, tell your child that the camp facilitators know about their health issue, and that they can approach them if there is a problem.

There will be some teething issues during the initial couple of days while your child gets used to summer camp, but pretty soon they will find their place and have a terrific summer.

Travelling with a Toddler

Posted on by amelioadmin

Does the thought of travelling with your young child fill you with dread? We don’t blame you. Who wants to be stuck on a long journey with a bored and restless child? God forbid that they throw a temper tantrum mid-flight! Then again, think of the holiday destination and the great time your family will have once you get there. Here are some tips to help make your travel experience with your child as pain-free as possible.

Talk to them

Start talking to your child about the forthcoming trip a few days before you leave. Show them pictures of trains and planes, and read stories about travelling – there are tons of children’s books available on the subject. Tell them what to expect on the journey, and try role-playing to get them used to the idea of wearing a seatbelt and sitting in their own seat. Even if they don’t understand everything you are saying, some of it will get through.

Timing is everything

You know your child best. What time of the day do they start getting cranky, around naptime? Try to book a flight or train that works with your child’s schedule. If possible, book a window seat so your child can look out the window and have some space. Give your family plenty of time to get to the airport or station, and go through all the security measures. This way you can avoid rushing around at the last moment. Though families with children are asked to board first, it might be a good idea to board with your young child at the end, so they aren’t stuck in their seats getting restless while others board.

Snacks, snacks, snacks

We cannot stress enough the importance of carrying plenty of snacks for the journey. Fruits, dry fruits, crackers, finger sandwiches, crunchy snacks—take more rather than less of your child’s favourite eats. This way you can ward off a hunger-related meltdown, the little ones are kept occupied eating and their tummies are happy. Remember that during the flight the change in pressure can bother your child’s ear, save a lollipop or a juice box for that time.

Activity Packs

Put together a bag of colouring books, crayons, puzzles and games that will keep your child entertained en route. Once your child is seated and buckled in give it to them. They will be excited to open the bag of new stuff and the activities will keep them engaged. As a last resort, take a tablet filled with child-friendly apps and shows. Don’t forget to pack toddler headphones, so that the other passengers aren’t subjected to noisy cartoons.

Be prepared

Pack extra clothing for your child in your hand luggage in case of accidents. If your toddler has a favourite stuffed animal or blanket, make sure to take that along. This will be a soothing presence for your child, especially if they want to nap. Take zip lock bags to store away soiled clothes and carry basic medicines. It always helps to be prepared when travelling with a toddler!

You don’t have to give up on travelling just because you have a child. They are only so small for a short amount of time and it’s normal for them to be tired and cranky sometimes. Stay calm, and think of the holiday that awaits at the end of the journey. Bon Voyage!

Healthy treats to beat the heat

Posted on by amelioadmin

Summer treats shouldn’t only mean dripping ice cream cones and glasses of sugary lemonade. Neither is particularly healthy, and on a long, hot afternoon the last thing you want is your child on a sugar-high and bouncing off the walls. On the other hand, the thought of making time-consuming, nutritious snacks for your kids on a searing day isn’t appealing either. But don’t worry! Because, we’ve got you covered with these easy-to-make healthy summer snacks.

Yum Yoghurt!

Curd or yoghurt is a summer staple. It cools the body, and is filled with much-needed nutrients. A great way to get your kids to eat yoghurt is by making frozen yoghurt bark. There are tons of easy recipes online like this. Start by taking some Greek yoghurt or hung curd, mix in honey and spread the mixture on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or foil. Have your kids pick from toppings like chopped berries, coconut shavings, dried fruits, and nuts and sprinkle it over the curd. Place the tray in the freezer till the yoghurt bark is completely frozen. Remove, break the bark into pieces and enjoy!

Icy Popsicles

ice-2219574_1920A cold popsicle is a great way to beat the heat. It is healthier than an ice cream, can be made at home and you can experiment with flavours. You can try combinations like coconut water and berries, yoghurt and mango, or even watermelon and mint. Once you make the mixture, pour it in to the Popsicle molds and freeze. You can easily get the molds online, and there are plenty of recipes available, click here for some. This is a cool, delicious treat your kids (and you) can savour on a summer evening.

Great Granolas!

Summer holidays call for tons of outings with the kids – taking them to activities, ferrying them to play dates, etc. Children as we know get hungry often and it’s always a good idea to have snacks handy while out and about. An easy and healthy treat to carry are granola bars. The problem is that most store-brought granola bars are high on sugar. Luckily, they aren’t hard to make at home! All you need is rolled oats, a sweetener like date syrup or honey, a binding agent like almond butter or plain butter, and toppings such as dry fruits, nuts and chocolate chips. There are tons of foolproof recipes online you can follow like this, and this. The granola bars can be stored for up to a few days.

Grazing Platter

Even the most ordinary ingredients when presented in a fun and special way will instantly appeal to kids. This is where snack or grazing platters come in. Take a large bright coloured plate and fill it with healthy foods, and place little bowls for the dips. You can include apple wedges to dip in peanut butter, carrot and cucumber slices to go with a yoghurt-based dip, and boiled egg with pita bread and hummus. The options are endless! You could also cut the fruits and veggies in fun shapes for added kid-appeal. This makes for an ideal play date snack, where the kids can try new combinations of food and eat together.

With these snack ideas you won’t be spending hours in the kitchen, and they are easy enough recipes for the children to help with. Moreover, your kids are guaranteed a delicious snack that is nutrition dense. What’s not to love!