Break the toxic cycle
Your cover story ‘Ensuring boys don’t transform into brutes’ (PW May) is a thought-provoking feature on gender equality and the role of parents in raising good boys.
In Indian society, where traditional notions of patriarchy are ingrained in boys and girls from a young age, it’s difficult to break the cycle of toxic masculinity. Parents have to make special efforts to encourage conversations about gender roles and dismantle stereotypes to nurture empathy and compassion in male children. Also, providing positive male role models and creating safe spaces where boys can express their feelings without judgment can help reprogram societal norms that perpetuate violence and aggression in males.
Aisha Ibrahim
Bengaluru
Set strict digital curfews
Your Health & Nutrition essay ‘Preventing accumulating sleep debt’ (PW May) raises awareness about an important issue – that of growing sleep deprivation in children. I believe the main cause of children losing sleep is excessive digital screen time that children are exposed to, particularly in the hours leading up to bedtime. The use of electronic devices provides constant stimulation which keeps children mentally alert when their bodies need rest, making it harder for them to fall and remain asleep.
Parents need to be uncompromising when it comes to restricting children’s screen time. We need to set strict digital time curfews and promote alternative relaxing bedtime routines.
Garima Kapoor
Gurugram
Valuable guide
As always, your well-written Leisure & Travel section featuring Sri Lanka (PW May) was an interesting read.
Punita Malhotra has seamlessly blended cultural insights, natural beauty, and adventure, making it a valuable guide for potential travellers. Loved the recommendation of a scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella, passing through lush tea plantations and misty mountains. Sri Lanka has surely made it to my bucket list!
Kashish Sharma
Mumbai
Proactive digital mentors
Your Early Childhood Essay ‘Gen Beta: Raising second-generation digital natives’ (PW May) is a must-read for parents as it empowers them to become proactive digital mentors to guide children to lead a balanced life.
Child psychologist Akanksha Pandey while acknowledging the unique strengths of Generation Beta, rightly raises the potential pitfalls of overexposure to technology. She provides excellent suggestions to nurture children’s emotional intelligence and offline social skills. Thanks.
Vinny Datta
Pune
Necessity not luxury
Your PW Focus essay ‘You first, parenting second: The importance of self-care’ (PW May) offers a refreshing perspective on the often-overlooked aspect of parenting self-care. In a society where parents are expected to be selfless caregivers, parenting coach Rahul Shah provides a timely reminder to parents to prioritise their own physical and mental well-being. Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. By dedicating time to personal well-being, parents can recharge, reduce stress, and enhance their emotional resilience. This will improve and enhance their parenting.
Moreover, Shah has done well to highlight the importance of modelling self-care behaviour to children. When parents demonstrate the value of self-care, they teach children to recognize and respect their own needs,
Sylvia Banerjee
Kolkata
Brilliant justification
Your Special Essay ‘Should you be checking your kid’s phone?’ (PW May) is a must-read for parents. I have a teenage son and I must admit this question has popped up more than once in my mind.
Author Joanne Orlando has brilliantly justified the need for parents to know what content their children are accessing online, including apps, websites, and social media platforms.
This proactive approach helps in identifying potential risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and online predators. Her emphasis on open communication as a form of dialogue that fosters trust and helps children understand the reason behind restrictions, is a major takeaway.
Priya Kanwar
Mumbai
