Category: Hacks

Keeping Your Kids Healthy During the Rainy Season

Posted on by amelioadmin

As the rainy season brings a much-needed respite from the seemingly never-ending heat, it also brings increased humidity and a few challenges! Whether it’s those wet umbrellas, soppy shoes, damp walls, soaked clothes or moisture in the air – these can all lead to a host of fungal and bacterial growth in and around your house. Young children can also be more susceptible to falling ill during this time.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your little ones protected, happy and healthy:

* The rainy season brings with it several waterborne diseases like typhoid. Boil or filter your water before use.

* Cover all water containers, these become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which can carry dengue and malaria.

* Increase your little one’s intake of hot beverages and soups, to avoid throat problems.

* Avoid oily, take-away foods if possible and enjoy fresh homemade meals, rich in Vitamin C. Add a pinch of turmeric and cardamom powder to your child’s milk, this helps increase immunity. Every morning you can give them two leaves of tulsi, which contains anti-inflammatory properties.

* Make use of the time indoors and organize some fun activities or have a board game night!

* Dress your little ones comfortably – soft and light clothing for the humidity during the day and add an extra layer of clothing with full sleeves to keep them warm in the nights.

* Wetness and dampness increase the chances of infections. Have your little ones change out of wet clothes immediately if they get caught in the rain.

* Change your baby’s nappies more frequently. Prolonged wetness could result in diaper rashes or fungal infections.

* Fever, body ache and sneezing are classic symptoms of typical seasonal-induced illnesses and could even indicate the onset of viral infections. Contact your paediatrician right away and take the measures necessary to combat the illness in its nascent stage.

Don’t forget to keep warm and dry. By taking a few cautious steps, you and your little ones can enjoy the rainy, breezy weather together – guilt-free!

Building Immunity with Food During COVID-19

Posted on by amelioadmin

It’s important to ensure that your little ones eat a balanced diet filled with essential nutrients in order for them to build up their immunity and help their bodies fight off infection. We know that it’s not easy, especially since the festival season is just kicking in! When possible, limit access to highly processed foods that are high in calories but low in nutrition and try to introduce nutrient rich foods. There are a number of healthy but tasty recipes that you can try out at home!

Here are some key immune-boosting nutrients:

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin D
  • Selenium
  • Beta Carotene
  • Protein

Getting these essential nutrients in doesn’t have to be a tough task!

Vegetable Pulao is a simple meal that you probably make at home already, which has a variety of ingredients with a high level of nutrients:

Green peas are rich in heart healthy nutrients like Vitamins A, B1, B6 and C. They are also rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids which help in improving immunity. Besides, they are also an excellent source of protein, with 8gms in one cup of peas.

Green beans are low in sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol, and is a great source of protein and Vitamins A, B6, C and K. They may also support heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation.

Carrots are a particularly good source of beta carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants, are weight-loss-friendly food and have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health.

Paneer is a great source of protein, Selenium, Vitamin B6, B12, Calcium and Zinc. Studies have linked calcium and other components of dairy to reduced weight and easier weight maintenance, especially when combined with exercise.

Preparing meals with ginger, garlic and turmeric have had a long history of boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.

Pre and post-playtime snacks can be a nutrition bar or a fruit smoothie or yoghurt with berries that can provide daily requirements of immunity boosting nutrients. A handful of mixed nuts are the easiest to snack on too.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

Celebrating Independence Day!

Posted on by amelioadmin

August 15th, Independence Day, is a landmark day for our country, and no one can contest that it’s important for our kids to understand the significance of the day. Yes, you could go about it by informing them about the history of the day, but is that enough?

Here are some fun classroom activities to help kids understand the relevance of the day and learn more about their country.

  1. Show the kids images and photographs of the various freedom fighters. Let each child come dressed as a particular freedom fighter and have them say a short note about the person they are dressed as. The kids could discuss and learn more about these iconic Indians.
  2. Watch a patriotic movie together (that is age-appropriate, obviously), and learn a little bit about our country’s history together. You could talk about the movie after and see what the kids felt and learned from the film.
  3. We are a country that’s rich in culture. There are particular languages, dance forms, arts, textiles and foods that are special to each region. Why not have each child represent a state or region and have them come dressed in that area’s attire, and perform a dance or art form that is synonymous to that area? Are there well-known authors or poets who are from that state? Have the children read out excerpts by them.
  4. Let the kids get creative making Indian flags – they could use bits of paper to make a collage flag or even create the flag using coloured grains.  Why stop with flags, you could have the kids draw, design or craft the national animal, national bird, and even the national flower, using interesting materials.
  5. Ask parents and people in the community to share more about their culture, the food they eat and the language they speak with the kids. Set up an Independence Day buffet or picnic. Have the kids bring in a food that the state or region their family is known for. This way the kids will get to taste and explore a range of flavours and learn more about each other.
  6. Plan a cleanup drive or a plant-a-tree drive for Independence Day and teach your kids the concept of giving back to society. Let them learn the importance of keeping their country green and clean by planting trees and cleaning up their surroundings.

May we teach our children to value the freedom they have, appreciate the diversity of our country and learn from our history.

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!

Angry at your toddler? Ask yourself this

Posted on by sridevi

 

Ask yourself just one questionI know better. But I still have those moments with my 5-year old. For instance, she sometimes plays with her food and resists eating what is on her plate. I am usually very patient but there are days when I lose it.

And immediately after, I feel a huge sense of remorse and guilt. So I make it up to her, and explain to her why I got upset, and what I really meant, and after an additional 10 minutes spent undoing that moment’s damage, we move on.

I have often wondered why I get angry at all and here is what I have learnt.

When I see my daughter resisting her food, I subconsciously extrapolate this act of hers far into her future. So while my daughter is playing with her food, I am creating an image of her as a fussy eater through school and college. I am already worrying about her future calorific intake and how I will be judged as a parent. While she is innocently playing with her fork, I am shifting blame and guilt in my mind and making up a set of strategies to “fix this forever”. And all my imagined failures as a parent and anxieties of the future make me explode. All this while my child is desultorily flicking the peas on her plate.

This was a startling revelation, and as I spoke about this with other moms, I realised that this is exactly the reason that most of us moms get angry with our children.

  1. We predict (and worse, assign) characteristics for our children based on their momentary behaviours. Eg: Child disliking parathas at dinner is interpreted as her being a very fussy eater.
  2. We subconsciously judge the “predicted behaviour” of the child and react to that behaviour now. For example, when our children say rude things to us, we immediately worry that our children will become brusque and arrogant teenagers and feel the need to set that right immediately.

Our children live in the NOW. But we don’t. We constantly think and worry about the future in ways that we don’t even realise.

So the next time your child’s behaviour gets your back up, ask yourself this:

Am I most worried that this behaviour will become a habit in the future?

If the answer is yes, drink some water, calm down and tell yourself to forget about the future. Get back to the moment and look at that gorgeous child of yours who is reveling in the NOW. And then, you can calmly deal with what is in front of you. In that moment.

Five Parent-Saving Weekend Activities

Posted on by sridevi

Why does every weekend activity with our children conclude with a big hole in your pocket? Don’t you wish there were something fun to do with kids that didn’t cost money? Well, there is hope. Here are some fun weekend activities to do with your child that’s a lot of fun, and involve no spends! Read on, there are no catches!

  1. Adopt a tree

Go for a walk with your child (preferably early in the morning) and look for trees that are beginning to flower and bear fruit. Some examples are cotton trees, neem trees or mango trees. Have your child give that tree a name and identity, and observe the leaves, flowers, and birds. Take pictures and keep visiting that tree every few days. Your child will find it fascinating to watch how they change and flower. A sure-shot winner of an activity!

  1. Create a bird bath and bird feeder

All you need to do is take two plates – leave some grains on one and fill up some water on the other. Leave them in your garden or balcony and watch as the feathered friends flock up to your doorstep to enjoy the party. And oh yeah, your kids will be glued to the place anticipating their arrival.

  1. Plan a treasure hunt

A good friend showed me this super hit activity. Take a few small squares of paper, and draw the rough images of things around your house on each of the paper squares. Some examples are a chair, a painting, a lamp etc. Keep the first clue with you. Go to the place you have indicated on your first clue and hide the paper square with the second clue. Go to the place indicated on your second clue and hide the third. Keep doing this till you exhaust all the paper squares. On the last place, hide a small gift. Kids feel like little detectives and have such an exciting time playing this game. If they are older, you can even write the clues out. Warning, this activity may be a bit too much fun!

  1. A letter to themselves

Have your children draw something or write something, and put it in an envelope. Take them to the post office and have them post the letter to themselves. They love looking for the mail and expecting the letter to come back to them.

  1. Quench some thirst

Involve your child in preparing some fresh buttermilk. Allow your little one to add in the ingredients and do the stirring. Take the buttermilk in a jug, take some disposable cups, and head outside. Have your child offer a glass of buttermilk to thirsty passers-by. This is such a useful thing to do for our community in the summer, and makes your child feel so proud of himself!

And if you have any fun things that you have tried and works, share them with us so we can share them with everyone. After all, we’re a “parent-ship” and we look out for each other!