ParentsWorld November 2018

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November 2018
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Adolescence

Teen suicides act now!

India is facing a teen suicide crisis with an increasing number of vulnerable adolescents and young adults finding it difficult to cope with the burden of parental expectations, peer pressure, demands of an exam-focused education system and breakdown of traditional family structures – Arundhati Nath

On September 12 an 18-year-old student of IIT-Guwahati hanged herself in […]

Cover Story

Raising male children in the #MeToo era

With #metoo stories dominating print and television headlines and the social media during the past two months, the role of parents in educating male children about women’s rights and freedoms, mutual consent, and practising gender equality from early age, has begun —even if belatedly — to receive academic interest and attention – Sruthy Susan Ullas

A year […]

Leisure & Travel

The enduring charm of Sri Lanka

With one of the richest treasure troves of natural and man-made wonders and a history dating back to the dawn of civilisation, despite a civil insurgency and tsunami damage, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has recovered and is booming again

The pearl on the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka (pop.21 million) is perhaps one […]

Letter from the Managing Editor

Letter from Managing Editor

On July 5, the globally respected London-based weekly The Economist (estb.1843) featured a cover story titled ‘How India is failing its women’. The feature detailed that women’s participation in contemporary India’s workforce is lower than in any G20 country except Saudi Arabia, and contributes only one-sixth of GDP. A week earlier on June 28, a […]

Mailbox

Alarming child mental health crisis

Your cover story on the alarming incidence of mental illnesses among children of all ages was an eye opener (PW October). In the majority of Indian households, the issue of mental health is swept under the carpet with family members hoping the problem will go away with the passage of time. As parents, we need […]

News Bytes

Excessive mobile phone usage affects memory of teens

Teens who talk excessively on the mobile phone and hold their phones close up to their right ear, score poorly in some memory tests, says a study (July) conducted by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland.
The results suggest that memory impairment might be a side-effect of radiation from overuse of mobile phones. […]

Early Childhood

Attempting baby routines

Cynthia John

Babies thrive on routine,” said the you-can’t-survive-without-it book that a friend presented me on her first visit to see my baby.

But baby doesn’t seem to understand that verity. She thrives on upsetting my routine and chortling gleefully at my puffy sleepless eyes. Everyone coos it’s cute but I know she is secretly laughing at […]

Middle Years

Boost your child’s cognitive capability

With the school year well on its way and the Feb-March exam season not far away, most children are likely to experience stress and pressure coping with homework, project completion, and exam preparation. This is an apposite time to stimulate and reenergise their cognitive capabilities and improve concentration and retention through innovative strategies. K.P. Malini […]

Ask the Doctor

Treating head Lice and Nits

There is an outbreak of head lice in my daughter’s class. She and some of her friends were sent home from school because of this contagion. I am very careful with my daughter’s hair care routine — she has shoulder length hair. My husband has advised that we cut her hair but I know it […]

Ask your Counselor

Anger management, childhood depression & problem-solving

I recently got so mad at my children for incessantly playing computer games that I flung their Sony Play Station 4 against the wall. My husband believes I have trouble with anger management. But this is the first time that I have had such an outburst. Is there any way I can make up and […]

Interview

“There’s a fine line between being a friend and parent”

In an interview with Dipta Joshi, Neerja Birla, chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, discusses the critical importance of shedding stigma about mental health issues and her struggle to balance home and work duties

Neerja Birla is the hands-on chairperson of the Aditya Birla Education Trust which runs the Aditya Birla World Academy and The […]

Careers Watch

Great opportunities in horticulture boom

For professionally qualified horticulturists there are wide-ranging work options which offer handsome remuneration

With an annual growth rate of 30-35 percent, India’s high potential horticulture industry is belatedly blooming and is poised for a great leap forward with the opening up of foreign markets post the new World Trade Organisation accords and revolutionary advances in greenhouse […]

School Profile

Paul George Global School, Delhi

Sited on a modern 2.1-acre campus in the heart of South Delhi, the CBSE-affiliated Paul George Global School (PGGS, estb. 2015) has quickly earned a reputation for providing a rigorous academic programme supplemented by a rich menu of extra-curricular and sports activities to enable all-round development of students. Affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary […]

Fun with Words

Exchanging Unpleasantries

Dysphemism, the opposite of euphemism, can result in some rude awakenings – Roopa Banerjee

Most of us are aware of ‘euphemism’ but how many of us can claim to be familiar with its sibling ‘dysphemism’? Euphemism is a polite way of saying something unpleasant while dysphemism is the exact opposite. It is a figure of speech where […]

Health & Nutrition

Importance of minerals in Family Diets

The general perception is that a nutritious diet should comprise foods rich in proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins. There’s a tendency to ignore all-important minerals while planning family meals as they are mistakenly believed to be insignificant.

However, minerals are essential nutrients critical for healthy functioning of the human body. For instance, when a human body is […]

Health & Nutrition

Delicious desi chutneys

Indian chutneys use herbs and spices which are nutritious, aid digestion, and help to detox. Unlike readymade spreads and dips laden with salt, preservatives, added colours and flavours, home-made chutneys use natural ingredients rich in vitamins and minerals. They are a great accompaniment to any meal. Here are some offbeat chutney recipes, writes Parvathy Menon

Radish […]

Parents Corner

Child safety basics

PW invited parents of GD Goenka World School, Sohna Road, to share their ideas on promoting and ensuring child safety

“Safety and security of my sons Nakul (class VII) and Kunal (class V) is top priority especially when they are home alone. We have shared the contacts of all our close friends and relatives on their […]