ParentsWorld July 2022

Helping children choose new-age career pathways

The mind-boggling array of career pathways available to 21st century youth has made career and vocation planning a more complex endeavour than in the past. Confronted with a diverse multiliplicity of choices, parents and youth have to match aptitudes with career preferences, writes Poornima Dilip, Cynthia John & Ramya Sakthivel The explosion of career choices in the digital age has made it exciting, but also difficult for India’s 12 million secondary school-leavers and 37 million university students to choose between new career pathways and vocations. Two decades ago, choosing a career wasn’t as complicated and complex. Most school-leavers chose careers in engineering, medicine, law, defence and government service. However, after the historic liberalisation and deregulation of the Indian economy in 1991, annual rates of economic growth doubled and suddenly a slew of new vocation options such as fashion design, events management, biotech, health and fitness, among others, became available to school and college leavers. Simultaneously, the ICT (information communication technologies), internet and social media revolutions opened up exciting and unimaginable career options powered by emerging technologies. And now after the Covid-19 pandemic popularised wfh (work from home) and gig employment, another slew of futuristic professional and vocational options have presented themselves. Yet even as there’s a career choice bonanza in the 21st century, there’s limited awareness among Indian parents and school/college-leavers about new-age fast-track professions. A study conducted in 2019 by Delhi-based career counseling company Mindler Education Pvt. Ltd (estb.2015), found that 93 percent of students in the age group 14-21 are aware of just seven career streams — engineering, medicine, law, finance, design, computer applications and business management. Likewise, surveys targeting parents have revealed similar lack of awareness about careers, learning pathways, and fast-track progression and prospects in 21st century industries. Moreover, within India’s strongly patriarchal society, parents continue to greatly influence, if not dictate their children’s career choices. A 2015 Linkedin survey says that 82 percent of Indian parents are very involved in deciding their children’s vocations. “Though Indian parents and students are becoming aware that numerous career choices are available these days, most of them don’t have any information about the education qualifications required and growth and rapid advancement prospects in new-age careers. Therefore, it’s important to first research unconventional career options and match them with their children’s interests, aptitudes and competencies. With the employment scene evolving continuously, parents play a very important role in enabling children to choose aptitudinally-appropriate careers,” says Prateek Bhargava, a business management postgraduate of the blue-chip Indian School of Business, Hyderabad and MDI, Gurgaon, and founder-CEO of Mindler Education Pvt. Ltd. This new-age company offers career counseling services in 250 schools in India, the Middle East and South-east Asia. Bhargava advises parents to be receptive and supportive of children’s interest in new-age careers and vocations. “The ten most popular vocations of today didn’t exist ten years ago. So when children express interest in new-age unconventional vocations, it’s the duty of parents to help children discover, explore and evaluate them. Interest, passion and…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

How to respond to children’s tantrums & meltdowns

Your child is having a meltdown in the supermarket. In tough parenting moments, here’s what you can do

You walk into a room. You are going to play a game. Your competitors? Other parents.

There will only be one winner.

Your aim is to survive.

No, we’re not talking about Squid Game but Channel 9’s show Parental Guidance, which […]

Pet care and grooming professionals

While the pet healthcare and food industries are growing steadily behind the scenes, pet grooming salons or parlours have become increasingly visible in the country’s metropolitan cities For the country’s growing number of animal rights activists and household pet lovers, new opportunities have emerged to combine their pleasure — love of pet animals — with business. According to Euromonitor International, a London-based transnational market research agency, the population of pet dogs and cats in India numbered almost 18.5 million in 2018, a number that is expected to grow considerably in the near future. Consequently a host of vocations and professions have begun to take wing in the fledgling but promising pet healthcare and grooming businesses. The estimated revenue of the Indian pet foods, healthcare and grooming industry will rise to Rs.2,400 crore by end 2022. While the pet healthcare and food industries are growing steadily behind the scenes, pet grooming salons or parlours have become increasingly visible in the country’s metros, especially Delhi and Mumbai. The multiplying number of pet salons in the metros and tier I cities has opened up opportunities for a high-potential career choice for animal lovers. Pet grooming services are mostly availed for dogs, especially long-haired breeds, and can include basic services such as bathing, hair drying, eye cleaning, teeth brushing, nail care and hair trimming or complex hair styles such as the ‘lion cut’, the ‘teddy bear cut’, the ‘lamb cut’, etc. Additional services include manicures, herbal hair colouring, dematting, deshedding, anti-tick treatments, hydro cleaning and nail painting, perfuming, aromatherapy and massage. “Proficient groomers are expected to offer both routine and show grooming services, for pet and show dogs respectively, and to be able to cater to felines. People are now more open to spending on their pets due to increased education and exposure, and pets are now regarded as members of the family and not just guards of home spaces,” says Sanjeev Kumar, the country’s premier pet care entrepreneur. Kumar gave up his career with HDFC Bank in 2005 to pursue his passion for pet grooming and was joined by his teacher wife, Preeti. He promotes his pet care business under the name of Scoopy Scrub and owns 12 salons in Delhi, and has licensed 13 franchisees in Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Dehradun, Vijayawada, Secunderabad, Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore. A mere love of animals though, is not enough to make a career in pet grooming. A diploma programme will facilitate entry into pet salons and also empower aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own salons or businesses. Until recently, Indian pet care professionals were obliged to travel overseas to acquire certified qualifications — mainly to Singapore which is a more budget-friendly option, compared with pet care academies in Europe or the US. However, now several pet lovers and entrepreneurs have promoted training schools in India. Among them: Fuzzy Wuzzy Pet Grooming School and the Shevar Grooming School, Bangalore; Whiskers & Tails, Mumbai; and Scoopy Scrub, New Delhi, which offer basic and advanced pet grooming…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

My twin daughters get teased for being plump. Help!

My twin girls (8) are somewhat plump but not overweight. Yet people make fun of their physique. I feel bad when I see them hurt by rude comments of extended family members and friends. Do I need to change our family’s daily diet? — Harika Reddy, Hyderabad Awareness of the problem is a problem half-solved. If you believe your daily meals are unhealthy, please change them. You could switch to eating more vegetables and fruits, reduce junk food intake and limit portion at meal times. As far as bullying or taunts, instruct your twins not to take them seriously. Most important, you need to encourage them to exercise and focus on physical fitness. Enrol them in sports training and/or outdoor activities. To prevent childhood obesity, this is the right time to set dietary and physical fitness routines. There is no need to feel bad or guilty about making healthy lifestyle changes. My daughter is not as forward as her peers. For instance when her teacher asks children to volunteer for an activity, she doesn’t raise her hand as fast as others and gets left out. Please advise. — Pari Shirodkar, Mumbai Some children are inherently introverted and others are extroverts. I suggest you speak to her teacher and ask her help to draw your daughter out. You could also encourage her to speak up when she wants to volunteer for a project. It’s important to explain that if she doesn’t express herself she might lose great opportunities to showcase her talents and skills. However, most important, be kind and give her time, especially because children are returning to in-person schooling after two years of pandemic education lockdown. My sister’s 14-year-old daughter has been witness to her parents’ turbulent marriage. Her father is an abusive alcoholic. She hates the very idea of marriage and insists that she will never marry. Will this unhealthy perception about marriage remain with her? — Anxious aunt, Delhi Contrary to popular perception, childhood trauma takes a long time to heal. She needs the counsel of a professional child psychologist to overcome this trauma. Over time, the healing will happen, but it can’t be forced. Also at the age of 14, it’s premature to discuss marriage. As she grows into adulthood she will have experiences that will change her perceptions about life and marriage. Right now, focus on getting her professional help. My six-year-old son loves to go to school. He is not hyperactive but I think classes are too boring and hence he tends to talk to others. His teachers believe he is hyperactive and want me to get him assessed for ADHD. Please advise. —Vaibhavi Sood, Bengaluru Too often, parents and teachers wrongly diagnose hyperactivity or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) for active and energetic children. Merely because a child is talkative or distracted, doesn’t mean he has ADHD. If the teacher insists, there is no harm in getting him assessed by a paediatrician or therapist for ADHD symptoms. It is always better to rule…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Off the beaten track in Tamil Nadu

The only state of India to host the Western and Eastern Ghats culminating in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu boasts five Unesco World Heritage sites and a southern tip plunging into the sea at the point of confluence of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean Contrary to popular opinion, Ooty, Kodaikanal and the neighbouring Union territory of Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry) are not the only holiday/vacation options that the south-eastern seaboard state of Tamil Nadu (pop. 81.5 million) has to offer people in search of rest, recreation and infotainment. It also boasts — perhaps not enough — five Unesco World Heritage sites and a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and is the only state in India to host the Western and Eastern Ghats, culminating in the Nilgiri mountains. With an impressive 1,076-km-long coastline, its southern tip plunging into the sea is the point of confluence of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Therefore, instead of vaunted Ooty, you could take off to the undiscovered climes like the hill station of Valparai, 107 km from Coimbatore, or instead of just passing through Salem, you could venture a mere 30 km to the pleasant hill resort of Yercaud or discover that Rameswaram is much more than its reputation of a pilgrim town. Valparai Nestled within terraced tea gardens on the slopes of the Anamallai Hills range, skirting the Anamallai Tiger Reserve and the Indira Gandhi National Park, unhurried and relatively unknown Valparai (pop. 70,600) is easily accessible in 160 minutes by road from Coimbatore via Pollachi. The smooth tarred road has 40 hairpin bends. Enroute is the Aliyar Dam, a huge water body and the contiguous Aliyar Park, equipped with an aquarium, a small theme park, and a well-maintained garden — an ideal picnic stop. As the road curves around the Indira Gandhi National Park, a keen eye may spot huge lion-tailed black-faced macaques, langur monkeys, the Nilgiri Tahr deer or even a herd of elephants. And then, as the disparate greenery on hill slopes is replaced by rows of neat tea bushes, Valparai emerges, quiet and secluded. Among the pleasures of this tranquil retreat is soaking in the beauty of the Anamalai Range, experiencing sunrise and sunsets from vantage points, embarking on night safaris for close encounters with leopards, black panthers, gaurs and elephants or bird watching treks in the surrounding areas. Tours are arranged by most hotels and homestay managements. Excursions ex Valparai. A recommended day excursion is to the Athirapally Falls between the Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary and Eravikulam National Park. It’s a scenic two-hour drive (67 km) from Valparai through lush forest with enchantingly diverse flora and fauna and melodious bird sounds, and along the way is the Sholayar Dam, the second deepest in Asia. Set aside a day to visit the foot of the waterfall. Just 65 kms from Valparai, tucked deep within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is the beautiful hideaway of Topslip. Here, the state government offers residential accommodation in lodges and tree…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Drop a hint with foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is usually used at the beginning of a story and helps readers build up expectations about forthcoming outcomes, writes Roopa Banerjee Foreshadowing is a literary device used by writers to convey a hint of what is to come later in a narrative. It is usually used at the beginning of a story, and arouses reader expectations about forthcoming outcomes. Foreshadowing is done in several ways — through dialogues of characters or plot settings. Sometimes, the chapter title gives indication and intimation of what’s to follow. If done rightly, foreshadowing can add drama to a story and considerably increase readers’ expectation and enhance the reading experience. But foreshadowing can be mistaken for other literary devices such as red herring and Chekhov’s gun. A red herring is a hint that is devised to confuse the audience while foreshadowing is a true hint of what is to come in the future. Likewise, Chekhov’s Gun refers to an unspoken agreement that a writer won’t make “false promises” to a reader by introducing elements that are unexplained. And if she does draw readers attention to something, she will eventually reveal why it’s worth noticing. On the other hand foreshadowing is about insinuations that aren’t false promises. The opposite of foreshadowing is side shadowing, the practice of including scenes with no relevance to the plot. Writers often use motifs and symbols to create foreshadowing. Dialogues such as “I have a strong feeling this will lead to no good”, is usually a forecast of something ominous. Symbols such as blood and weapons forecast dreadful happenings. Storm clouds, broken mirrors, and settings of graveyards are some other examples of foreshadowing. Book titles are popularly used for foreshadowing. Two excellent examples: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie and As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. Also in Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare uses foreshadowing when Romeo says “Come, death, and welcome. Juliet wills it so.” Juliet also has a vision of Romeo: “As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.” This intense foreshadowing of the lovers’ deaths emphasises that they are confined by their destinies. In Macbeth too Shakespeare uses this device skilfully. For example, when the witches first meet Macbeth, they hint that he will be king someday, but they don’t indicate that he will achieve his ambition by murdering Duncan. George Orwell’s Animal Farm also makes heavy use of foreshadowing. Each chapter foretells an event that is to happen in the next. For example, Napoleon’s decision to execute other animals is foreshadowed in Chapter 1, when Old Major says: “You young porkers who are sitting in front of me, every one of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year.” Likewise in Great Expectations, Charles Dickens uses descriptions of the weather to forecast the sad turn Pip’s story will take: “So furious had been the gusts, that high buildings in town had had the lead stripped off their roofs; and in the country, trees had been torn up, and…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Helping children combat body shaming

PW invited parents of Somnath International School, Kodinar (Gujarat) to share insights on how they help their children fight body shaming Some years back my daughter Riya (class VIII) related an incident involving her close school friend who was body shamed for being overweight. I realised the time was ripe to raise her awareness and dispel fears about body negativity/shaming. Over the years, we have taught Riya that physical attributes don’t matter in life as much as intelligence or character and therefore, never judge others by their looks. By being critical of ourselves and others, we send out wrong signals that body shaming is acceptable practice. Today Riya strongly empathises and stands up for victims of body shaming. — Raziya Sulthana, graduate teacher, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gir Somnath, Kodinar With body shaming cases on the rise, it is our duty to sensitise children and safeguard their mental well-being from its harmful impact. To begin with, it’s absolutely essential that as parents we must avoid being critical of our children’s physical characteristics. Or of other people. Over the years, we have successfully taught our son Saket (class VI) to respect and nurture a healthy body to enable him to compete in all school events and activities, and above all never compare himself with other children. We have also taught him to respond appropriately to body shamers. — Anshul Sharma, primary teacher, Somnath International School, Kodinar Recently body shamed in school for being thin and dark, my daughter Vaibhavi (class VIII) suffered anxiety and hated going to school. It was difficult to understand her school aversion till the day I found out from her school friends. I started counselling her. First to accept herself as she is. Second. To understand that body shamers are immature. Third. To focus majorly on her strengths. I later requested her teachers to counsel her body shamers. Now she has the confidence to handle any adversity. — Sreevidya Pillai, secondary coordinator and educator, Somnath International School, Kodinar We often engage in healthy conversations with our son Arnav (class I) about body negativity/shaming taking great care to avoid being critical of ourselves or others and complimenting him all the while. Through our storytelling-style conversations, we have taught him to respond appropriately to body shamers and bullies. and instantly report such incidents, if any, to his school authorities. We believe talking about body shaming has boosted his confidence.” — Priya Singh, postgraduate teacher, Somnath International School, Kodinar

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Protecting children from common colds

-Dr. (Major) K. Gopinath My son has just started in-person schooling. But with the onset of the monsoon, he is catching colds frequently. What precautions should he take? — Hitika Ravi, Hyderabad With the reopening of schools and onset of monsoons, common cold infections among children are on the rise. Symptoms include mild fever, rhinorrhea, watery eyes, sore throat, and nasal blocks. Here are some things you can do to alleviate common cold infections: Use paracetamol syrup (weight appropriate dosage) for fever and headaches Keep him well-hydrated and serve small frequent meals Avoid use of over-the-counter colds medication Provide warm humidified air Use saline nasal drops to relieve nasal block For sore throat, try sips of lukewarm water If the fever is persistent, and he is not feeding well or suffering ear pain, consult a pediatrician Also, make sure you follow these precautions: Encourage him to wash hands with soap and water frequently. Use hand sanitizer when hand wash is not possible Instruct him to avoid touching his eyes, mouth and nose Don’t send him to school until he recovers fully Provide a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to boost the immune system My four-year-old son is very fussy about food. He hates eating fruits and vegetables. Please advise. — Rakshita Selvam, Chennai “My child is not eating enough” — is the most common complaint of parents. Mostly, it’s because a parent is never satisfied with her child’s food intake even if it’s nutritionally adequate. Please understand that a child is an independent individual with a mind of his own. If he is healthy, assume that he is eating right and enough. All you need to do is provide a balanced diet, adhere to fixed meal timing and encourage him to eat on his own without spoon-feeding. Force feeding will predispose him to poor food habits and lifestyle diseases in the long run. Nevertheless if you still feel your child is not eating well, consult a pediatrician. My six-year-old daughter is very active and healthy. She eats well too, but is underweight — 16 kgs. Is this a matter of concern? — Ridhima Barker, Mumbai If your daughter is active and healthy, even if she is underweight, you don’t need to worry. Every child is unique and even siblings have different growth patterns. You can include calorie rich foods such as bananas, dry fruits, kheer (made of jaggery and rice), paneer and cheese and ghee in her daily diet. Also encourage her to play outdoors at least for an hour to stimulate appetite. If there is no improvement in her weight after making dietary changes, then we need to investigate her for worm infestation, anemia or any organic causes of low weight. My three-year-old daughter develops red rashes on her skin when she is exposed to sunlight for a long time. I use cold creams to soothe her skin and the rashes usually go away in a day or two. Is this normal? — Neelam Gupta, Delhi…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Rising number of parents switching to Green Purchasing

With the ravages of climate change, global warming, pollution and deforestation manifesting globally and impacting children’s physical and mental well-being, a growing number of parents are switching to consciously purchasing green eco-friendly products, writes Aruna Raghuram Upper middle class and elite parents spend a great deal on child care and nurturance — from infant care products, toys, and books to clothes, footwear and food. The Indian baby care products market is currently valued at an estimated $15 billion (Rs.118,950 crore) and is expected to grow to $40 billion by 2029. A 2019 survey by Prodege, a marketing and consumer rights platform, found that 65 percent of Indian parents spend up to Rs.700 per month on children’s toys. As parental spending on child care and nurturance is witnessing an upsurge, the probability of nexgen parents buying green products is also rising. In particular over the past decade and especially after outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, parents are becoming increasingly aware of the need to buy eco-friendly and sustainable products. With the ravages of pollution, climate change, global warming and deforestation manifesting globally and impacting children’s physical and mental well-being, a rising number of parents are switching to consciously purchasing green, eco-friendly products. According to the Consumer Intel Report 2021 of Vericast, a leading US-based marketing solutions company, millennial parents are switching to purchasing chemical free, organic products and want their children to come of age on a clean and green planet. The report reveals that 72 percent of millennial parents are more likely to be loyal to a brand or store that follows sustainable and ethical green practices; 63 percent are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products and 51-57 percent are more likely to buy from a company that offers sustainable products and uses organic or natural materials. Some popular child care products gone eco-friendly are cloth nappies (cf. synthetic), wooden/bamboo toys (plastic), non-toxic and biodegradable play mats (plastic), soft toys made from organic cotton (polyester), and biodegradable wipes. “Woke parents are becoming increasingly aware of the need to buy and use eco-friendly products which are safe for children and good for mother Earth. With pollution, climate change and destruction of natural habitats posing a grave risk to the future of the planet, parents have to do all they can to reduce the carbon footprint through their purchase decisions. Their mantra should be Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, and Refuse. Parents should refuse to buy things that are not needed to limit runaway consumption and consumerism,” says Divya Namboothiri, programme officer at ENVIS (Environmental Information System), a resource partner of the Ahmedabad-based Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) which focuses on educating the public about sustainable products and eco-labelling. According to Namboothiri, some eco-friendly products Indian parents should opt for include bamboo tooth brushes, organic soaps, steel tiffin boxes and water bottles, recycled paper books, cloth bags, and reusable copper straws. “For parents buying organic products is no longer an option, it should be the preferred choice, if they want their children…

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda

Natural ways to induce labour

There are many natural and organic ways of inducing labour which can be tried by pregnant women in consultation with her obstetrician, writes Mini P. The last trimester of pregnancy is filled with anxiety as women fret about labour induction and pain. Though most women usually deliver one/two weeks prior to or after their expected due date, some need help with inducing labour. Medically, labour induction is resorted to when a woman has crossed her due date, the foetus is too large or in danger of contracting lung or other infections. However there are many natural and organic ways of inducing labour which can be tried by pregnant women in consultation with her obstetrician. NB medical advice and supervision is required before trying out these natural ways of inducing labour. Sexual intercourse An expectant mother in the last trimester is unlikely to be in the mood for sex but it has its benefits. The prostaglandin in semen and the stimulating contraction of an orgasm hasten the onset of labour and start uterine contractions. Nipple stimulation Midwives have used this method for ages. Stimulating the nipples contracts the uterus and oxytocin production. Oxytocin is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract and the breast to eject milk. After childbirth too, nipple stimulation expels the placenta and prevents excessive bleeding. Exercise Following a light but regular exercise routine during the last trimester increases the chances of easy labour. It can also induce labour. Walking, squatting and swinging contract the uterus and jumpstart labour. But exercise is not recommended for all especially if there are pregnancy complications, or the doctor advises to the contrary. Mind relaxation Deep breathing and meditation can help de-stress and relax. Stress can stall labour pain, so get into a relaxed frame of mind to hasten childbirth. Use aroma oils and candles to create a calm and peaceful environment. Cumin tea In Latino cultures, midwives use cumin tea to induce labour. Add one teasopoon of cumin seeds to a cup of boiling water. After five minutes, drink it. A raw cube of potato or sugar/honey can be added to absorb the bitterness. Massage Some research studies have found that a massage can raise the body’s oxytocin — the hormone that triggers labour pain — level. Some massage therapists focus on certain body pressure points to prompt uterine contractions. However if you do decide to try prenatal massage, make sure to get your doctor’s prior approval.

Already a subscriber

Click here to log in and continue reading by entering your registered email address or subscribe now

Join with us in our mission to build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda