The SuperMom CookBook By Madhuri Iyer: Get Your Free Copy Now! Giveaway

I know I know I know....as a mommy, making your little one eat is one of the biggest and I literally mean BIGGEST challenges ever, especially because it is not like those new baby or toddler year challenges that you know shall pass off in a year or two..

Making your child eat healthy, ensuring she will eat healthy and coming up with new, healthy, delicious, interesting, easy, visually appealing, sneaked in un-favoured ingredients and ensuring the ingredients are actually available in your local area can be a daunting experience, one that can go on and on for years!!!

My older one is going to be 8 next month, but ask me about my struggles of making her eat...she DOES NOT !!!! And its something I know that almost all moms face.

So when the PR team of The SuperMom COOKBOOK by Madhuri Iyer approached me to know if I would be interested in checking out the book, the answer was a strong and excited YES! What mom would not want a cookbook that can actually be made use of at home with ingredients you can easily get in an Indian kitchen?

The team was sweet enough to send me FOUR extra copies for giveaway, so that means I will be sharing the yummy goodness with four other lovely mommies out there :)

About The Book

What I loved about the cookbook is that it introduces traditional recipes for kids from all over India. So, it has something from Maharashtra, as well as something from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Bengal, Rajasthan, the Parsi community and more...it is truly a unique mix of cuisines meant for kids that I have not found in other cookbooks for kids yet.

The book is divided into the following categories:

The Travel Travails Of Being A Mommy With A Toddler And Child On Board!

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I have always prided myself on not being a judgmental woman who looks at another mommy with a young baby and sniffs her nose. Ya, well maybe, as a very young woman when I was not yet married, I may have thought that babies on a flight is like disaster you have no way of running away from, unless you choose to don a beautiful parachute and do a quick check out that wonderful door that looks out at some gorgeous view from up above….no, nah, I always knew that babies on a flight were more than just a handful, but even then I was never judging.

I can say I am a pro now when it comes to traveling with my daughters. Well, I was okay when I had just one kid. It was way easier, the luggage was lesser, and I could give her my undivided attention, which also works a lot (sometimes at least, is what I tell myself!).

But add to the picture another baby, double the luggage, crazy crowds at the airport, no one around to help really (unless you want to pay exorbitant prices for some ground handlers as charged specifically by different airlines), this mamma becomes quite a mess.

 

I have never really been scared of traveling alone with my children, but I guess I'm not the one who has to be, as I can almost always see it in the face of the other passengers (please add a devilish grin here from my end...hoohaahaa!)

I just returned last night from an almost 2 month long trip I took with my kids...it's the first ever time I have been out for so long, that too with kids....whoa! And it was an experience, most of the experience happening, yes, as you guessed, at the airports, and in the flight. My daughters are 7 years and 20 months and I literally carried our entire home with me....so you can imagine the kind of luggage I had...I can very proudly say that I beat EVERY single other passenger to being the one who carried the biggest and most amount of luggage......of course not to mention that I was insanelyyyyyy over limit....I am in fact sure now that the baggage allowance regulations have come into practice because of amazing mommies like me...how would airlines have otherwise made this added income if not for us?

When I Lose My Mind Over Everything: Is Having A Perceptive Child An Issue?

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If you have been dropping over often here, you would know that I have two darling lovely little daughters, my precious monkeys as I love to call them, and they are truly truly my world and my everything. The older one is 7 and the younger one is 1 and the best part is that they even share their birthday...wow....I couldn't have asked for a better day in the whole year.....

Even though I love them the most and above anything else, there are of course times that I get exasperated. I am a full time mommy, with two full time jobs to manage as well, and I have been lucky enough to get the opportunity to manage my work option - work from home most of the time and head out only if absolutely unavoidable, that too at some very convenient times.

While that is a plus, it also has its negatives. I work mainly from my home, but the fact that I also have to simultaneously care for both my children is something that kills me through the day. It has taken a toll on my health, my happiness, my social skills, my peace of mind and almost everything. It is really difficult, trying to be a single parent to my kids most of the week and managing office and home too. I don't want to do it, but I have to and I know I will.

I know I lose my mind, but yes, I don't share it with anyone. I don't express my concerns and my worries, I don't shout or nag, I just shut down myself and stop interacting - just the bare basics that are required while I go about my everyday work.

The Sobo Spree: Call To All Moms And Kids On May 30th Mumbai

It's vacation time and I know just HOW hard it is to keep those little ones entertained....takes away all waking hours of the day just to imagine and create a full day of fun and interest and entertainment and learning....quite a task!!!

The summer vacations are also months when you have some really cool exhibitions, classes and activity weekends that cater to kids of all age groups. And it's really heartening to see other mommies come out and bring forth such activities.

So it was quite interesting when this mommy wrote to me, inviting me for this wonderful kiddie exhibition that she is planning to hold this summer vacation in Mumbai.

Date And Timing: 30th May Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm

Donkey Donkey Donkey: Whoooops !!!!!

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So the younger one has been speaking and I mean, really really speaking a lot - quite a sudden leap from how much she was speaking when she was 18 months to how much she is speaking now at 21 months....

She picks up any and every word and language and keeps on saying them on repeat mode.. So it could be a poem, a song, a laugh word, a regular come here kind of thing, objects, people, and even, yes, DONKEY....

No....wasn't me...I didn't use the word. It wasn't me who said it in front of her. Nope.....The 'other' parent used to call her 'donkey' baby just out of fun, and it was mentioned multiple times (by moi) that it would come back one day, from that very same 'donkey' baby.

And it has !!! So now, the younger miss suddenly gets up on her tiny toes, puckers up her mouth, smiles with those twinkly eyes and says - DONKEY DONKEY DONKEY DONKEY DONKEY!!! And yes, it's definitely not restricted to the 'inside' of the home. So you can imagine....

I have started the damage control, but let me tell you, at the present, it is wayyyy beyond control....so let's see how we fare on that....

And till then, well, let me get used to those looks......!!!

- Debolina Raja Gupta

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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in
Save it for our children' - MJ

Happy Parenting!!!! Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

Happy Mother's Day Gift From McCain: A Sweet Surprise

 

A few days before Mother's Day I received a mail from McCain, telling me about a surprise gift they wanted to send me. It was quite cute and I thought the gesture was very sweet.

I have tried out McCain products earlier and my kids especially love the smileys and the french fries that they have. My personal favorite is the chilli garlic potato bites that is deliciously spicy and flavorful.

As promised, the package arrived right the day before Mother's Day.

Look at that...isn't it thoughtful? A beautiful Mother's Day card and a bunch of goodies hand delivered right at my door step.....It certainly made me feel special. The goody bag contained 3 variants of the McCain fryables, and guess what they were! French Fries, Smileys and Chilli Garlic Potato Bites...What?? Wow :)

Announcing The Jabong.com Mother's Day Collab Winner

Hi beautiful dears,

Thanks a lot for stopping by and for taking the time to come over and comment. I loved reading through what you had to say and it brought a smile going through your thoughts :)

The winner for the Mother's Day collab with Jabong.com has been contacted bty the Jabong team and the prize has been sent. As I don't mention names on the blog, I'll refrain now as well. If you're the winner, you already know it.

And in case you did not get it this time, do keep coming back for more giveaways and contests :)

- Debolina Raja Gupta
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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in
Save it for our children' - MJ

Happy Parenting!!!! Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

This Mother's Day, Celebrate With Jabong.Com Giveaway!

As a kid, I always loved coming home to my mother's smell of cotton sarees. Her sarees were always soft and beautiful, with an alluring smell of their own, one that made me feel comforted, secure, happy, and most importantly, at home...

As I grew up, I did not pay so much attention to that smell of the cotton saree anymore, and life as a Delhi youngster was more about catching the latest trends. And eventually, I moved on and moved away from the city. But one thing remained etched in my mind - my love for traditional cotton sarees, coupled with ethnic jewelery and ethnic fashion.

So when Jabong.com asked me to do a giveaway in honour of Mother's Day, what could be better than to ask my readers how their mother's sense of style has given them inspiration for their own style today.....

There is really no rule to enter the giveaway, but just a few basic steps.

You - My Daughters - Go And Conquer That World

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You

My lovely you...you two
Don't shut your eyes to dream that dream
Open up to the world you have in front of you
And embrace it each day with a new smile, with a new you...

You...
No matter what name anyone calls you by
No matter what anyone says you can or cannot do..
You....
You know and so do I
That there is nothing you cannot achieve
That you can get up on your tip toes and touch the sky
And who knows...maybe beyond?

You.....
For whom I shall gladly give away my wings...
But I would rather you found yours to fly....
To take you where your heart desires
Even if your mind says stop, wait, listen and think...
Even if you are worried what they may say
Your heart and your wings will keep you in good stead....
I promise..

Mamma, Why Is It Just A 'Man' Made World?

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I pride myself in the fact that my 7 year old is growing up to be such a thinker and observer. Well, it is indeed a blessing and sometimes a curse too, especially when I don't  want her to understand something but she still perceives it.

The other day we were snuggling up and having our nightly routine of good night chit chat, what she fondly calls as GNCC :) It's a time of the day I really look forward to, and unless I am out, I don't miss it for anything.

She was telling me about some things she had learned in class about natural things and man-made things, and that is when she asked me - 'Mamma, why do they call it man-made? Did no woman ever make anything? Or do people think that women can't make anything? Why can't people call it 'human' made instead of 'man' made?'

Growing Up Advice? How Do I Tell You Ever....

 

And I have two amazing angels!!!!! 

Some days back I got a call from a brand that wanted me to be a part of a new campaign they are coming up with. They wanted me to be part of a video shoot, where I was required to share what I would do as a mother that would empower my children and make them feel stronger.

The catch was that I had only a few seconds to share my ‘advice’ or ‘suggestion.’

I politely refused for certain personal reasons, especially as I am not fond of coming in front of the camera at all, but the other point was – I did not know what to say.

What do I say to my daughter, or my daughters, given that the younger one too will suddenly grow up and understand the world more and more?

I honestly do not know.

Toys And Games Are Useless Says The New Nahar Amrit Shakti Ad: A Shame !!

So this is what you can hold up as one of the worst cases of advertising - where all morals and values are thrown in the bin or to the wind, and whatever you know is true and correct is artfully hidden away behind glossy shams. Go on, check out the image up here once more.

Before we go on, let me warn you that I am going to be in my rudest and spewing venom left right and center best, so if you do have a problem with that, please come back later for a different post (no apologies). And if you are from the Nahar group or the geniuses who created this ad, go on to read knowing fully well that you are going to hate and abuse me and feel free to share your criticism in the comments - I'd love to see what you have to say to justify what you created.

Now coming back to the post ....... 

Have a look at this ad here - the one that a lot of people on social media are talking about, especially as it caught their attention on billboards (And let me tell you it didn't catch their attention for any 'good' or 'wow' reasons but for the fact that the ad is in such poor taste) and they were left wondering just what prompted the promoters and so-called 'ad gurus' to come up with something like this.

According to the ad makers in this particular case, your child simply does not need any more toys or games in his or her life. No, not any more. That is, if you choose to take up residence at Nahar's Amrit Shakti, a 'plush' residential colony in Mumbai's Andheri area. The ad also claims that doing so will 'Let Life Begin.' Wow !!! Clap you all please....

Instead of games and toys, your child needs to be 'placed' on a golf course, complete with grown up attire and attitude, and forget that there is indeed a magical and beautiful and extremely essential world called 'CHILDHOOD.' No ladies and gentlemen, if you want your child's life to

AppyStore.In - The Fun Way To Keep Your Little Ones Happy!

These days we are all on a screen.......glued to it, literally. Reading, writing, working, listening, creating - you name it, we do it all on the screen. Go on, Google me up and you will know what I mean.....

Some time back I was contacted by this interesting team that wanted me to check out a new website targeted at toddlers and young kids. Before I proceed, this is not a sponsored post, I have not been paid to write this and nor am I in any way associated with the team...That out of the way, let me tell you what this is about.

If you've been visiting here often, you'll know I have two very cute little monkey babies at home. Well, one is a toddler and the other is a young child. And as they are both babies of the electronic generation, they do know their way around a screen. Which makes it even more difficult for me as a mommy.

No place is safe for our babies any more, and that includes the big bad world of the internet and the wi-fi. I absolutely do not allow my babies any screen time where I am not sitting right next to them and they are watching something. You just have to be doubly sure.

This is exactly the though that made me wonder why should I recommend an online site for kids? Don't we already have enough content overload that needs monitoring? Don't our kids already browse so much that we find it difficult to keep a tab? Then why more?

I decided it would make sense to check out the site first and then decide.

Managing Anger In My 18 Month Old

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Do babies get angry? Well, of course they do. Our babies are humans too, albeit tiny ones, and they go through pretty much all the emotions that we face, the only difference is maybe they don't always know how to express it.

We have two girls in our home - one is a 7 year old and the other is 18 months old. Our daughters love playing with each other, fighting off each other, wanting to be together all the time and want their own space too - yes, even the younger one at 18 months!

By now, I know how to manage most of the emotions my 7 year old faces. But figuring that out with an 18 month old can be quite tricky, especially as the triggers can be random and very sudden. What may anger my 18 month old today may seem funny to her tomorrow. What can scare her today can anger her tomorrow. What she loves playing today can seem frustrating tomorrow and anger her.

So much going on!

So how do I manage? Here's how:

My Little Body Book By Shruti Singhal And Q&A With Author

Few weeks back I was contacted by the PR team of a book titled My Little Body Book By Shruti Singhal. They asked me if I would like to read the book and talk about it with my readers.

I have always tried to find out ways in which we can share information with children about how they can keep themselves safe, in terms of physical abuse. So this mail came as a good way to connect more on the topic. The PR team sent me a copy of the book and I immediately sat with my 7 year old daughter to help her go through the content.

Details About The Book

• The book is in hardcover.
• It is really small in terms of the number of pages.
• The font is big and very easy to read for younger kids, even as young as 4. 
• Every page is filled with colourful and cute illustrations that will immediately attract kids.
• The book is written in an easy to understand format that slightly older kids, aged 6 and above, can understand on their own.
• Priced at INR 225 and published by Zubaan Books and supported by Pearl Academy

My Take On The Book

The book is realllyyy cute. In fact, I think this is exactly the way you should make a book if your target audience is kids and the message is something as important as keeping your body safe from others.

When I opened the book with my daughter, she immediately loved the illustrations and the many colourful sketches that were inside. She could understand almost all that was in the book, but there were a few new words she didn't know and which were very crucial for this understanding. You will see later in the author Q&A where I pose this question.

In these times, keeping our kids safe is a very difficult and scary thought, especially with so many child offenders present in society. Statistics have revealed time and again that in most cases, it is not a stranger but a known person to the child who is the offender. I know for a fact that this is true, that these things do happen, and it is something we as parents and as adults should watch out for.

Personalised Baby And Kids Product At MyDoodlez.Com: Online Shopping Review

A few weeks back I got this mail from the team at MyDoodlez.com asking me if I would be interested in trying out anything from their website and talking about it here with you all. To be honest, I am not really an online buyer, and even when I do shop online, its mostly books (actually, make it always books!). So I was a little apprehensive, whether or not it would be a good idea.

But the lovely team assured me that I should definitely try it once. They were kind enough to tell me that it was one option I should try at least once, and if I didn't like it I could always provide them the feedback. Reading this, you may initially think this is a sponsored post, but I assure you it isn't. And though it has been some time that they contacted me and I got the product, I took my time to talk about it. You will see why, later in the post.

I went on their site and I must say they do have a huge range of products. So before I tell you exactly what I got from them, let me tell you a little more about the brand.

The Room Of Many Colours By Ruskin Bond: Want To Read Wednesdays

My daughter has not really been enjoying this as much as I thought she would, but she is trying :)

The Room Of Many Colours by Ruskin Bond is a delightful collection of stories by the amazing writer.


Here is a list of the stories that are included in this collection:

1. a long walk with granny
2. animals on the track
3. a tiger in the house
4. the playing fields of simla
5. the wind on haunted hill
6. riding through the flames
7. a rupee goes a long way
8. the flute player
9. the night the roof blew off
10. faraway places
11. the tree lover
12. how far is the river?
13. the haunted bicycle

How To Potty Train Your Baby: How I Potty Trained My 15 Month Old

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The one query I see on most parenting sites and forums is how to train your baby for the potty! Moms are petrified and worried and really really curious to know how to train the baby in basic bathroom routines.

When I had my first baby, I must say I was really clueless. I honestly felt that keeping my baby in the diaper was a good alternative than trying to run with her to the bathroom at odd hours all the time. Of course I wasn't well aware in the tricks and tips then! That said, my first born was potty trained by the time she was going to be 2 years....which is not something I am happy about now, seeing that I could have done better.

With my second born, it was wayyyyyy easier. In fact, she was potty trained by the time she was 15 months old. And no, it did not involve any special tricks or apps (surprisingly, most mommies these days are taking the help of a so-called popular potty training app, which I feel is more work than just training your baby yourself!) and I did not even have to push my baby for it.

To keep it simple, in case you too are readying to get your baby potty trained, you may read through the rest of the article. It worked out really well for me, and I hope it works out for you too :)

When Is The Best Time To Start Potty Training Baby?

What may be the best time for another baby may not be the best time for your's! That's the first thing

How Your Baby's Bath Time Is So Much More Powerful Than Just Cleansing Time

As a mom you know that the time you spend playing, interacting and bonding with your babies can have a significant effect on them for a lifetime. This is especially true during the first three years of your toddler’s life when their tiny brain starts developing. Ever noticed how the simplest gestures like singing a lullaby or holding your baby in your arms evokes happy emotions from your baby? This is because as soon as they are born they use their sense of sight, smell, touch and sound to learn about their environment. The nurturing that you provide during everyday rituals have a profound impact on your baby's reactions and development.

One of the daily rituals that you may not even realize is a great learning opportunity for your baby is bath time, and your interaction with your baby during bath time is key to this learning.  The bath is a place where touch and smell contributes to your baby’s development. For example, simply talking back and forth with baby during bath time can help with language development, or playing music during bath time can stimulate memory. Bath time, therefore, is so much more than a time to just to clean your baby.

As a baby care expert, Johnson & Johnson India is now advancing new research that explores the science behind happy, healthy baby development. The research shows that the time you spend with your baby during bath time can be more than a time to connect and bond. It can be an opportunity to

Paddington Giveaway Mail

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Thank you mommies for the answers you sent :) I have already informed you via email and you should be receiving your gift in a couple of days! Thanks again for taking out time...

- Debolina Raja Gupta

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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in
Save it for our children' - MJ
Happy Parenting!!!!

Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

Want To Read Wednesdays !!!!

 
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On my main book blog (The Book Worm) I've been sharing a lot about the various books I read and like. It's high time I shared about some amazing kiddie books too..... My older daughter, who is now 7, has a huge personal library at home that include some really amazing books. We've been fortunate enough to be able to get these books for her, and I'm really happy she has cultivated a love of reading the way she has. My younger one, who is all of 1, is already turning out into a reader too....and loves books a lot (guess she wouldn't know any other way, given her mommy and sister's love of reading) ;)

Starting this Wednesday, I will be sharing one book from my daughter's collection.....Wednesdays will be given to share the info about the book so that in case you are looking for a book for your little one, you can read the same and decide....

For today, let's start with a very cute and uncommonly named book called Mr. Stink by David Walliams and Illustrated by Quentin Blake.

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Chloe is just about the loneliest girl in the world. But then she meets Mr. Stink, the local tramp. Yes,

Answer These Quick Questions And Get Your Paddington Goodies !

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Hi mommies,

So....the big question is - did you watch Paddington the movie yet??? Have you taken your kid to watch the adventures of this extremely adorable and cuddlesome bear? I went with my daughter the first day itself.....and whoa!!! A review is up soon......

So even before we get on to reviews and how me and my daughter loved the movie, here's a quick Q&A for you all.....just a fun one based on the movie.....the correct answers could get you some quick Paddington merchandise :)

2 winners will be chosen at random. So what do you need to do? Here's what:

1. Join the blog (doesn't cost anything but just a click right? you can join through any of the two options given at the home page - through google or networked blogs, whatever suits you) :)
2. Answer the small Q&A that I will share below - share the answers in the comment box or send them to me on my email deborummy(at)gmail(dot)com
3. Also remember to please share your email id in the comments...(this is only to notify you in case you win the merchandise)

That's all...super easy....and now, here's the questions you need to answer:

• Where did PADDINGTON grow up?
• What is his bear name?
• What must each bear always keep incase of an emergency?
• Where do the Browns stay in London and how did Mr.Brown help Paddington uncover the information he required?
• What is Nicole Kidmans code name in the film?
• What is Nicole Kidmans fathers name in the film?
• His signature wardrobe pieces?
• PADDINGTON taught you the true value of ?
• Which famous author is behind the PADDINGTON series?
• Your thoughts on the film and would you look forward to a sequel ?

That's it.....share your answers with me in the comments below or send them to me via mail. Winners will be announced on the 2nd of Feb 2015.

You can also check out some more interesting info on Paddington by clicking the social media pages here: On FACEBOOK On TWITTER On INSTAGRAM

- Debolina Raja Gupta

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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in
Save it for our children' - MJ

Happy Parenting!!!! Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

Paddington The Family Bear Is Coming To A Theater Near You On 16th Jan 2015

 

If you have a little one at home you're probably already familiar with the adventures, or should I say, mis-adventures of a bear called Paddington. For years this cute little darling has enthralled kids and parents alike, and my daughter is no exception.

So when I told her that Paddington was ready to step out of her books and come alive on the big screen, she was super excited. Of course I am going to take her to experience this wonderful adventure. And going by the looks of it, so should you..... :)

ABOUT THE MOVIE

The icon of children's literature, Paddington the bear, will make his way into India in January of 2015.

PictureWorks is proud to announce the release of the forthcoming family entertainer PADDINGTON in India on January 16th, 2015. PADDINGTON is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children's stories by British author Michael Bond. A Heyday Films and
STUDIOCANAL production, PADDINGTON is directed by the twice BAFTA- nominated Paul King and produced by multiple award-winning David Heyman (GRAVITY, the HARRY POTTER series fame).

Traveling Alone With Both My Kids For The First Time: A Few Practical Tips That Helped

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So recently I traveled with my 1 year old and my 7 year old. We have traveled with our baby earlier, but it was always me and my hubby managing both of them. This time it was going to be just me, and I must say I had some reservations initially, but then decided what the heck....it was an airport and a flight and wouldn't be so difficult after all.

I will also add that I traveled during the Diwali holidays and the airport at Mumbai was crazily crowded. Too many people, every one had excess baggage, huge queues at the boarding pass counters and too much noise and crowd. Enough to bug even an adult, and my younger one is anyways not  fond of strangers at all, and is going through a severe separation anxiety case for the past almost 4-5 months now!

So here's a few things I did that did help me and even though it was a little difficult, it was still manageable.

New Age Indian Parenting: The Rules of Discipline And More

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I think we can rightfully call ourselves the new age parents of India, right?

Of course there have been many more parents before us, and every new generation is a new breed of parents on its own.

What I mean here is that, given the tremendous amount of change in attitude and tactics of parenting that has happened in India in the last few years, those of us who are parents at this stage are surely way different than how our parents were.

In most cases that is.

I am not writing this article as a good or bad style of parenting. All styles of parenting are good, as long as the underlying thought is the benefit and well-being of the child. What I am trying to say, however, is that, just as life has changed tremendously from how it was for the past generation, so has our way of parenting.

When I think of myself as a parent today and think back to those times when I was a kid myself, I can instantly see the difference.

Let's begin with some looking back then....

My brother and I grew up in a nuclear family, and ours was a simple middle class family.

5 Easy Ways To Switch Your Baby To Solids

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The first 6 months in your baby's life are the months where nothing but your feed should provide the nutrition. Of course, in those situations where baby is not getting enough for whatever reasons, a discussion with your baby's doctor will tell you which formula milk you can give baby.

Once your baby crosses the important 6 month mark, it's time to move into mushier and messier territory. Yes, introducing your baby to solids is actually as much messy as it's fun. But I'm sure you're gonna love the phase as much as your baby, who will have a lot on her palate now!

Before you move on to introducing your baby to solids, you need to make sure that your baby is ready for the transition.

How Will I Know If My Baby Is Ready For Solids?

Most babies are ready by the 6th month to move on to the grown-up world of food, albeit with baby steps. For some babies, it may be even a little earlier. Here are some common signs that will tell you that your little one is ready to move on to solids:

Stop Breast Feeding...Now?

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I have been working in the parenting related world for quite some years now. While that was not how I started writing my parenting blog, it sure was the way I got to lots of other parenting related forums and sites.

Of course being a parent and loving kids generally is a main reason that got me in this field. And this is also one of the reasons why I have had so many disagreements, even arguments, with so many parents over the years.

Of course every parent has a different approach to bringing up kids. And I truly respect and understand that.

But the underlying thought needs to be the best interest of the child, keeping in mind its health and love and care – right?

Maybe sometimes wrong.

Who Enjoys Those Kids' Sessions - Your Child or You?

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Recently I walked into the Crossword bookstore in the mall next to my home on a weekend. It was just by chance as my daughter was looking for something in stationery that we couldn’t find at Staples (which is a big stationery store, just in case). So there was this nook where about 3-4 kids were sitting on the carpeted floor, surrounding a woman who seemed to be handing out some craft materials.

Of course we had to go and take a look immediately. It turned out there was a weekend activity session for kids that would be conducted each weekend and anyone was free to walk in. That particular day happened to be Harry Potter’s birthday (and if any of you has been on my book blog, you would know that this is one series I really tried reading, but gave up after the first book – I think it is best left to my daughter to read when she grows up a bit). So it was going to be a story telling and interactive session about Harry Potter and there was also going to be a cake cutting. Quite interesting!

I deposited my daughter with the lady and strolled through the aisles with my baby in the stroller. It was then that I heard a young voice protesting – ‘No Mamma!!!!’

I turned to look at the origin of the voice.

Teaching Our Little One The Pocket Money Concept

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Now that my daughter was about to turn a cute 7, I decided it was time to start her pocket money initiation. Of course I didn’t get anything as a kid, and I always make faces at her, telling her she gets so much more than me, to which she always gives me a cute smile, now a toothless smile too!

So coming back to pocket money, I knew I wanted to start her on the concept, but wasn’t sure how to begin. Of late, I realised she was getting smarter about money, and was understanding more about saving and talking money before buying something.

I was already preparing her to understand about simple finances, and what are her needs and wants, which is something she is also learning in her Grade II Business Studies class…hahaha…..business studies at age 7, not bad.

So there were a few things we did to make her understand the concept of money:

10 Things You Can Do While Breastfeeding: Say YES To YOU

 
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Yes so it's the breastfeeding week (NO, it doesn't mean you have to breastfeed your baby this week! It means you have to breastfeed your baby for 6 MONTHS exclusively right from birth!) :)

Last year I talked a lot lot lot about breastfeeding, through the entire week, but this time, I think I will talk a little less and give all you mums out there to do some quiet time and spend it with your baby instead - breastfeeding.

I have been off feeding for the past 2 months now (my younger one stopped at 10 months) and there is no plan to have a 3rd one...so yes, I am off that...

But let me tell you that I am super proud of myself, as I am one of those moms who EXCLUSIVELY fed the kids on myself for the first 6 months of life - not even a drop of water, no matter who says what, including family (yes, some of them can still be quite the cave people when it comes to facts about breastfeeding!)

While I was feeding, unlike what so many people told me, I found time to do a lot of stuff! I started back on my work once my younger one turned 2 months, but as now I have 2 kids at home, I don't want to leave them with a maid, plus managing schedules with work is also a hassle, especially in a city like Mumbai. So I have thankfully managed to get that cushy position where I can do all my work the way I was earlier doing, but can now do it only from home.....Yes, I am really lucky!!!

There was so much to do while my younger one was much younger....and I knew I couldn't afford to not do anything at all for all of those feeding sessions. So, I did do a lot.....

But one thing I would like to remind you again is that though it is easy, having a phone close to your baby is not good, as it creates a lot of radiation. So try and opt for the other options as much as possible!

10 Things I Did While Breastfeeding :)

Are You Giving Your Baby YOU? World Breastfeeding Week 2014

How many times have you asked yourself what is best for your baby? The moment your pregnancy is confirmed, the first thought that comes to your mind is 'I hope this is good for my baby.'

This is one of the biggest truths of motherhood - putting your baby before you, anything that you do posing the question about how it will affect your baby. And once your baby is born, your world is only about getting the BEST for the little one.

As a mother, one of the first BEST that you can give your child, almost soon after your baby is born, is YOU.

Did you know that the best source of nutrition for your baby is breastmilk?


I have always been an advocator of breastfeeding. And so it was that when Johnsons Baby India got in touch with me, I readily wanted to share all the information they gave. This is one brand that has, for ages now, talked about the importance of breastfeeding. And irrespective of whether you use their products or not, this is something that makes me like them that extra bit more :)

You Are An Unfair Mamma! - Balancing The Love Meter

 

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Yes, so this is one aspect of motherhood I was always worried about - how would I love my second baby as much as I love my first born?

Sounds bad? Or unfair?

If you are a second time mommy, I'm guessing you've already been down this road. If you are mommy to a single child, you probably are wondering what's the big deal...unless you plan to have a second one (or get to know that it's on the cards, by accident!) ;)

One of the biggest reasons why I wasn't ready for a second baby was precisely this...I was never sure how I would be able to love another baby as much as I love my first born. My life was absolutely fun and perfect, and being a mother was actually a lot of fun, not something I dreaded or that made me alter my life. In fact, I had started enjoying so much with my daughter, who is more of a friend now than just a daughter, that I was worried the baby would come between us and take up my time.

PDA And Kids: How Much Is Too Much, Or Too Less, Rather!

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When it comes to PDA, there are already various censors going around that do not encourage the same. If you have kid(s) at home, then one of the strongest censor is probably sitting right next to you, right now!

PDA, or the lack of it, is a conversation that hubby and I engage in almost ever so often. It is something that we both are aware of, and no matter how much we tried to include bits of it in our everyday life (or some point in life after having kids!), it just doesn't seem to work out.

Our older daughter is soon going to be 7, but let her see mommy and daddy hold hands and that big drop of tear will trickle down almost instantly, though she will try to hide it and go and be sad in her room. It doesn't help that I know everything she does and every mood she goes through...

So, if my holding hands with hubby makes her sad, it can't immediately make me feel happy, right?

And it's been a constant struggle since we can remember.

I guess in some ways it is to the fact that I was always overly involved with my daughter ever since she was born. But that is what you generally do with a baby, right? I couldn't spend a moment without her being in it, and that remains true, even to this day.

Are We Together Only Because Of The Kids?

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No, I am not thinking of leaving, and neither is my hubby.

I was reading a lovely post today on an American site about how the writer was listening to a divorce account of a man who was about 70, and the reason he gave for the divorce is that now that the kids are grown, the couple have nothing in common.

The author wondered about this and related it to his own marriage (he has 2 kids and 1 is on the way), and of course I could not help myself think of it either.

It is true that in every couple's life, children bring a change that you can never have imagined. And this change is both good, and bad. That's the truth, and there's no sugar coating it.

My hubby and I have known each other for a decade, and have been married for 8 of those years. The first 2 years of knowing each other before we got married was just about us. And we were sure it would always remain like that.

Till we had kids.

Weaning My Little One: Diary of A New Mum

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When I had my first born, weaning was something we had a really really hard time with. Maybe it was because we were first time parents, and there was so much information and advice coming in from so many places that we got confused.

I exclusively fed my baby for the first six months, we no formula or anything. Once she was 6 months, we started giving her solids little by little. I was feeding her till she was 2 years, but then had to suddenly stop as I developed some infection.

That was one really bad time, not so much for me, as for my baby. She was 2 years old, and she needed me a lot for her feeds then, and somehow, she was not able to adjust to the fact that I stopped feeding her. It was a really tough time, with her refusing to take any bottle at all, and only begging for a feed. We had a really difficult time getting her back on track.

So, when I had my second baby, I was pretty sure that I would wean her off earlier, and in a way that would be smooth for her.

10 Ways Of How We Are Active Hands-On Parents To Our 6-Year Old

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As parents, both me and my hubby were very sure from the very beginning that we wanted to be hands-on parents.

While work and other commitments do end up taking a toll on us, especially after the arrival of the new baby, we have made it a point to ensure that though it may not be as much as it was earlier, we still give enough time to our first born, and are there with her for most of her interests and activities.

Things of course change when there is a new baby in the house. The demands and need are different, and your temper and crankiness level, not to mention the tiredness and stress levels, shoot up the roof. But that is really no reason to ignore your elder child, or make them feel as if now they are no longer the special ones, as a baby has arrived.

In fact, just the opposite.

While initial few months were difficult for me to constantly be with my elder daughter, now that the younger one is 10 months old, things are great! In fact, I spend a lot of one on one time with her, and also together with the younger one.

There is so much we do together, or if the baby wants to stay home and not participate, one of us is always with the older one.

My Mommy Highlight of The Day

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So I've been down with fever for some days now.

And while I knew this was coming, both my babies also ended up getting it from me. So it is that it is a house of me and my babies being down with fever and feeling sick the whole day...

Not a good feeling at all :(

My mommy highlight of the day - if you guessed it, I think you've been there too ;)

Yes...... keeping their fever down!

So that was it, my mommy highlight of today.....now back to resting for a bit for me, if the baby let's me that is...phew!!!!

- Debolina Raja Gupta

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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in
Save it for our children' - MJ

Happy Parenting!!!!

Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

My Mommy Highlight of The Day

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Heya,

Rains are here...and while I absolutely love this weather in Mumbai (winters are originally my fav, but since Mumbai doesn't get them, ever since I shifted here, my new fav is monsoon...)....there are reasons to worry too...the obvious being that my babies may tend to catch the viral or something.

I was just sitting and having my cuppa chai this evening, looking out at the swollen sea and hoping my younger one would sleep for just another 5-10 minutes. I managed to finish my cup without her waking up, and realised how happy that made me!

Well......we do have our small treasures, right?

So this was my mommy highlight of the day today. Of course they may be other highlights to the day, but as a mommy point of view, this was the one today :)

Cheerios !!! (and don't give much of those to kids - not healthy!)

- Debolina Raja Gupta

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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in
Save it for our children' - MJ

Happy Parenting!!!!

Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

Practice Before You Preach

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 So a few days back me and my daughter were having a conversation about why it is okay for me to do certain things while she is not allowed to do them. Oh yeah, I remember now, the discussion was about using 'bad words.'

 I explained that sometimes, grown ups 'can' do certain things because they were good as kids and didn't use those words then..... I know, one of the lamest reasons I could come up with at that time!

Anyways, my daughter told me that grown ups should teach good things to kids, but should also practice those good things themselves. For, if they ARE good things, we should obviously practice them. And if they ARE bad things, how do they turn when a grown up does them?

Toy Tasting With Yellow Giraffe ! Real Reviews of Toys by Real Moms....A Chat With Richa Dikshit From Yellow Giraffe

So I was quite impressed with the entire concept of the site Yellow Giraffe. It's quite the colourful site that has some really fun and educational toys available online.

This is essentially an online toy store, where you can pick the toys you want for your child and get them home.....

Recently, the team from Yellow Giraffe started an initiative that is all about toy reviews. Called Toy Tasting, it is a toy review channel on YouTube that features real reviews from real moms....

This is something that I feel all parents have been looking for. With retail shifting online, almost all sites have the same review for a product, and most of these are either paid reviews or written quickly by the staff themselves...None of these are real....

So in a quick chat with Richa Dikshit from the site, we talked about how the idea of Toy Tasting came about and what it actually is:

Why was this channel called Toy Tasting created?

The Yes World And The No World: Which One Does Your Child Inhabit?

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Whether you realise this or not, these are the two words you have been using most as a parent. And chances are, the word that you have used most out of these two is the dreaded 'NO.' Yes, right!

The 'No' syndrome hits all us parents almost as soon as the little bundle we brought home only that day starts to understand the world around. From 'No, don't put that in your mouth,' to 'No, don't throw it' to 'No more TV' 'No more playing' 'No we are NOT buying that' and much much much more...... every parent-child combo have their own scenarios, some unique and some extremely common.

I too have been using the NO button a lot with my elder one...And now that the younger one is 8 months old, she is getting her share of the NO too....it just doesn't go off unfortunately.

Johnson's Baby Share The Language of Love: Your Sharing, Their Smiles

It's that time again when you just cannot afford to not share the smiles..... It's the time to share, to bring in some much needed cheer and whoops of joy to those little ones out there who deserve every bit of it, but sadly, don't get much of it most of the time!

What is Johnson's Baby Share The Language of Love?

Share The Language of Love is an initiative by Johnson's Baby. It is an initiative that inspires moms and dads across various cities to come forward and share their child's used or even unused to an underpriviledged child, who would really need it. This is an extension Johnson's Baby's core philosophy of 'care.' To make the campaign a success like earlier, they have come together with Goonj, a well known NGO that does a lot in making sure the right thing reaches the right child or person. I have personally arranged a few contributions for Goonj in the past and know for sure that they are genuine (I do not generally associate with NGOs.)

The idea behind The Joy of Sharing

The entire idea is to create such a platform where children, no matter underprivileged, are given a chance to experience the joys of childhood, the joys of being a child. The campaign aims at sharing the articles that have been chosen by other parents with love, and will be able to bring a smile and a genuine happiness in the life of another child, to help them brighten up their lives from the everyday struggles. It will also help create a positive effect on the children who finally share their things with those who may not have a chance of owning it otherwise.

How did the campaign do in the past?

• The campaign first started in the year 2012 and in 2013, the articles received were double of what was originally received in the first year. 
• Johnson's had a 'Share The Language of Love' bus that travelled through 5 cities in 21 days. 
• Many retailers happily gave space to set up collection areas
• More than 250 collection centres were set up over 3 weekends across 12 cities

The campaign this year

• The collection centres are being set up in 14 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cuttack, Pune and more
• Collection drives will also begin in 170 residential societies in 5 cities

 How to locate your nearest collection centre

•  Give a missed call on 1800 267 6767 or 1800 267 2222- this will guide you to the nearest out of the 300 collection centres set up

 What happens to the items once you share them at the collection points?

3 Month Old Baby - What Your Baby's Doing Now: Diary Of A New Mum

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That little bundle you brought home is now officially an infant! Somebody is growing up with lots of love for sure :-)

You are already quite the adept mamma by now, but there are some things that may or may not be known, especially if you are a first time mum.

Also, with constant 'free advice' from family and friends and even strangers, there are a lot of doubts about what baby can and cannot do at this age.

A few milestones are out there for you to notice this month, but remember that all babies reach their milestone at their own pace, so unless your baby is reallllllllyyyyyyyyy taking a long time, there is not even a speck of worry that you should have. In any case, baby will have a monthly checkup so the doctor will be there to discuss with as well!

What your 3 month old baby will be doing:

The Richest and The Poorest

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Last night my elder daughter and me were chatting just before going to bed....we were both lying down together, our arms intertwined, and her little head on my heart, snuggled in my arms...

And then, she said something that made me look at her once again and kiss her with all my love....

She said..

'Mamma, a person may have lots and lots of money, but if they don't know how to love others and share, they are very poor. And a person who has very less money but has lots of love and knows how to share is the richest person on the earth...'

And I am the luckiest :-)

- Debolina Raja Gupta


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And like I always believe in and say:
'Heal the world we live in Save it for our children' - MJ Happy Parenting!!!! Be good to your little one, and to the millions of little ones out there who truly need every bit of love and compassion they can get.....Be a grown up...save the little ones.... Debolina Raja Gupta

25 Rules For Mothers of Daughters: Your Daughter And You

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It is undoubtedly the most amazing bond in the world...nothing beats it.....and I am lucky that I have it twice over! 

I came across these amazing lines online and had to had to share them here....so perfect they are, just how a mother daughter bond should be!!!!!

1. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

2. Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you…then let her be herself.

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle-gasp. She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet mr. right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own.

4. Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

What Not To Buy For Your Kids: 10 Things That Are Purely Marketing Gimmicks: Diary Of A New Mum

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The TV ads and the mega shopping sales and the many alerts from the countless shopping sites have only one agenda – to get you to buy!!!!!

As a new mom, and admit it, it has nothing to be a first time or new mom, and even those with more than one kid do this all the time (read, me, as well as you, yourself), we always end up getting sucked into these crazy marketing gimmicks that end up manipulating our brains. They tell us what is really really important for your babies and kids and you end up believing them, heart and mind and soul!

Recently, I even saw something on a baby site that told parents ‘to not be their baby’s toy themselves but to buy them some interesting toys for real.’ Okay, that was really marketing gone overboard and in your face.

With so much peer pressure and so much pressure from so many different quarters, it is very difficult indeed to figure out what your baby or growing child really needs and what can easily be ignored. As a parent, you do not want to leave out anything for your kid, you want to give them all there is that is the best, that will help them in achieving their milestones and help them in motor development and education and learning and stimulating their senses and what not.

Agreed.

But who says that buying all that there is out there will do that?

The ones who are selling it say, who else?

Most often than not, your instinct is the best guide to buying for your baby. Forget about what all the sites and stores are saying. If you think your baby needs it, go and get it right away. If you have the slightest of doubt, hold on.

Here are the 10 most commonly advertised or bought items that are actually not needed for your baby at all!

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8 Things That Being A Mommy Teaches You (Sometimes By Force I Admit)!: Diary of A New Mom

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Of course I am....don't judge me when I say this, and in the very same sentence, also say that sometimes, my daughters do driver me nuts alllllll through the day and night (the little one is in that stage where she has learned to roll on her tummy, so of course she has to do it in her sleep to and wake up and want to play and then cry!) how sweet :-)

So, coming back to the title of the post, this is something that we all learn, and if you are a mommy (dads, I won't say this is true for you, coz you just do it in your own sweet time and way, no matter if the baby is crying or fussy or what!), then you will relate to each one of the points I mention here...

Read on, and tell me if you actually feel this is true or not ;-)

1. Sleeping without sleeping

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Yes daddies, this mommy is actually sleeping!!! This is pretty much how we sleep the first one or one n half years of baby's arrival. A mother is timed in such a way that even before her baby actually wakes up, she will wake up and be ready as a samurai, to take on the challenge of the diaper, or the feed or just the rocking comfort...A mommy can do it all folks!