August 7, 2020 - Raising World Children

Cropped shot of three happy students talking on the street

5 Things You Should Encourage Your Child to Try in College

You want your daughter or son to gain more than a degree. As you try to ensure your child receives a well-rounded education, you need to make sure they’re taking on new experiences. Check out this list.

Here are the five things that your child could enjoy while in college. Encourage them to try one or more of these suggestions. Any of these activities could be perfect for your daughter or son.

1. A Part-Time Job

If your child hasn’t worked a job before, now would be the time for you to possibly suggest it. Have them check with their school. Know that there likely are jobs that will work with their class schedule. If you two can’t locate the desired position on campus, you still have options.

Popular part-time jobs for your kid to consider are bartending or waiting tables. Retailers likely have schedules conducive to your child’s classload, too. Finally, think about companies that hire people with their major. Even if the business only wants to give your child an unpaid internship, realize that the experience could be very valuable for them.

2. Studying Abroad

When you encourage them to broaden their horizons through travel, you will create a more experienced and well-rounded adult. Your daughter or son will better value different cultures. Add their coursework into their travels, and you have even more reason to facilitate this activity. Also, your kid will create magical memories to carry with them through their life. If you’re worried about paying for this, you can locate financial assistance.

For those of you who are worried about their safety, understand that every year college students take off for study abroad programs. Say your child wants to study in Canada. You can utilize the services of a credentialed company whose goal is to prepare your kid for success.

3. New Friendships

Also, encourage your child to meet a lot of new people from various walks of life. Let them know that college is a wonderful time to forge new friendships. Remind them that adults of all ages, too, can become new friends.

Make sure they are getting to know their professors beyond their coursework. Some instructors will invite their class out for a happy hour. If your kid is 21, then you should be okay with this. Be certain that your child is establishing relationships with the right people in their major of study to facilitate internships and to serve as references for their post-college job application materials.

Your daughter or son also should be networking within various organizations on campus and in their community.

4. Fraternities and Sororities

Have you and your child ever discussed the benefits of joining a Greek organization on campus? Did you know that some of the most successful people in the world belong to fraternities and sororities? Brad Pitt, Carrie Underwood, Matthew McConaughey, and the late Dr. Maya Angelou are a few names that might ring a bell for you.

If you’re worried about their grades slipping, know this. Pretty much all of your Greek organizations require certain academic standards. While a pledge and before being initiated, your child will have to attend designated studying sessions to make sure their grades won’t take. Not only will your kid have to maintain certain grades, but you also might appreciate that they have to participate in various community service projects.

5. Volunteering

Fraternities and sororities aren’t the only organizations where your child can volunteer for causes. Usually, in their major, your kid has clubs they can join. All across campus, too, you should know they have opportunities.

Ask them to go into their school’s student activity center. Tell them to see what needs there are. In the community where your daughter or son’s school is located, there also should be opportunities for you two to consider.

Five Great Ideas for Your College-Age Kid

Any of these aforementioned suggestions could be perfect for your child. Why don’t you send this over to them to see what they think? Remind them it’s important to gain more than their degree.

Best wishes to your child’s success. Go with one or more of these recommendations to help steer them in the right direction. Don’t give up until you find something they will enjoy.

Making a Home Tactile-Friendly for Autistic and Sensory-Sensitive Children

If you have any children with autism or other conditions that make them at risk for sensory overload, you need to make your home as beneficial to them as possible. With some mindful resetting, your home can become a source of comfort for everyone who lives there. These are some of the things we recommend doing to make your home more tactile-friendly.

Offer Different Sensations

Having different sensations to touch can help make children with autism more at-ease. Having a variety of wall tiles and textures is a natural design for many homes, as it wouldn’t be a very compelling design if everything looked and felt the same. You should notice which tactile sensations your child is most drawn-to and find ways to include as many as possible.

Adjust the Bathroom

The bathroom can be one of the least-inviting places for autistic individuals, thanks to how hard its surfaces are, as well as risks for getting hurt. You can modify your child’s bathroom so that they don’t feel so intimidated by it. For instance, you can introduce safety measures so floors are less-slippery and they have an easier time getting in and out of the bathtub. You can also use things like cushions on toilet seats and super-soft towels to help them feel soothed in the bathroom.

Avoid Risky Situation

Touching things can help to relax children with autism, but it can also mean that an accident is liable to occur when you least expect it. Depending on your child’s level of awareness, you might need to put certain items out of their reach. Curiosity about something like a glass vase could lead to a major mishap. You shouldn’t be restricting them from engaging their senses, but you should make sure they’re able to do so without any risky scenarios playing out.

Find Out What They Like

Some autistic children may love sitting on corduroy couches, while others not be able to stand such a sensation for even a moment. There’s no way to know exactly what your child will be able to handle, but the best thing to do is to listen and pay attention. They might have discomfort with certain materials but not be able to articulate it. Watch for their reactions and do whatever you possibly can to make things more bearable for them.

Children with autism and similar condition can become very overwhelmed and uncomfortable by materials common to many households. It’s important to understand what your child can and cannot tolerate. Through these efforts, they can feel much more relaxed and be better able to cope.

Your Kids Are Lying – How to Instill the Value of Truth in Children

Since the time my kids can understand words I have been emphasizing to them the importance of being truthful. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have cited to them by various examples and stories how it is very bad to lie. But what do you do when you find your kids lying?

Still the fact remains, we all lie, most of us anyway.

Before any of us say on oath they don’t lie I would like to remind of all the number of times you have assured people “I’m on my way”, all the while lounging on your couch. See what I mean.

Now comes the question of how to instill in kids the value of truth. How to distinguish between “fibbing” and “lying”.

Noteworthy is the difference between the two. Upon observation I feel for kids there seem to be a line between the two which blurs and disappear as they grow up. The innocent things like “I’m not sleepy”, “I did not fight” all fall under the “fibbing” heading. Kids start telling these lies as soon as they are old enough to comprehend not being truthful is an option too.

“Lying” is the more serious version that can actually cause harm to themselves and others. Something kids try to perfect so that a parent or guardian might not see through it. When a droopy two year old says they are not sleepy at all, it is cute.

On the other hand when I confronted my six year old about some fighting in school, she innocently asked me “May I please lie today?”. When I asked why she wants to lie she replied she doesn’t want to tell the truth and get scolded.

In her innocence she gave herself away but it is just a matter of time when she will decide for herself. Truth or not.

This brings us to the issue of ingraining in our kids’ value system the significance of truth. This is one of the essential ways to help them build on happiness.

“THREE THINGS CANNOT BE HIDDEN: THE SUN, THE MOON, AND THE TRUTH- Buddha”

As enticing and as easy lying can be, it still cannot replace the truth.

What do you do when you find kids lying? How do you help them?

I will back this up by an example, a personal experience. Something that made me question “How much honesty is actually enough?” I have stood up for people who meant a lot to me. Gave them information that was to protect them but in the end those same people choose not to believe me and I was termed as the bad guy.

Till date I have no regret about not being believed but I regret how gullible people can be. Kids lying is just another way of what they themselves would believe. Maybe your honesty doesn’t matter people just believe what they want to. It takes will power to confront any uncomfortable truth.

So does it diminish the value of truth? Do you stop looking out for people who matter?

No to both and this is what a disheartened child needs to understand if faced with such a case. Nothing replaces honesty and a good heart.

Truth might be troubled but it cannot be defeated.

All the Harry Potter fans can still recall the outrage they felt when Harry was branded a liar and made to write “I must not tell lies.” How with each sting that Potter felt you wanted to somehow reach into the book and rectify the injustice being meted.

This taught us to stand against injustice even if it meant standing alone.

People would stoop down to lying to settle scores or assassinate your character to get back at you. Standing against such tirades and standing with dignity is the only way that I can teach my kids to fight back. Eventually the lies either die out or get exposed.

Lying to self is the worst form.

The best lie I tell myself is “I don’t need to write this, I will remember”. All I remember is telling myself this.

So it’s best to not lie to own self.

There is something called conscience, your own moral sense of right and wrong. I cannot be with my kids all the time but I can teach them to call a spade a spade. Understanding the gravity of any given situation and tackling it accordingly saves a lot of grief and resentment. You don’t want your kids lying any time.

Running away from any failure does not make it go away. Dealing with issues is the way forward. Acknowledging your own shortcomings makes us better equipped to tackle life.

The subject of lies and truth can have many narratives, my point here is taking those small steps on a daily basis that can help build our kids characters.

We do lie. “Is the dress good?’-yes

“Am I looking fat?”- absolutely not

I don’t mind this little fibbing if it makes someone’s day. Also please lie to me if I ask these very questions.

What matters is to not make lying part of our character, to get out of taking accountability. Teach kids lying at times can play with other’s lives. It can cause pain.

“Truth can be replaced only by truth itself and this is the absolute truth.”

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Evolution of Gender Roles in Celebrations like Rakhshabandhan

Every year as the Rakhi day (Rakshabandhan) approaches, I get wistful about tying a pretty little thread around my baby brother’s wrist. I think fondly of all those past celebrations of this Indian festival shared with my little brother.

This day holds a gentle place in the hearts of those who share it and the magic to take them flying through time to to their shared a childhood. A gesture or moment they may share or maybe pass as tradition to their own children.

If you see the #RakhiThali you will see there are no traditional laddoos but chocolate. As kids don’t prefer laddos or Indian sweets too much and #Rakhshabandhan is pretty much their day, I add a chocolate or dessert they love to the thali.

Same way, as with changing times, Rakhi is no more the traditional sister ties thread to brother celebration anymore. It’s a celebration of the sibling bond, between boys, girls, girls and boys. When we were young, we didn’t just tie #rakhi to our sibling, it would be tying to cousins and friends who are like that. Safe to say with times, this too has changed.

Both my kids tie Rakhi to each other and exchange gifts. It’s a celebration of their LOVE for each other. They PROMISE to care for each other, fight and make up 😁 and be there no matter what.

In fact, if you see the origin stories of Rakshabandhan or Rakhi, you will see it has always been a feminist celebration where the thread of protection Rakhi, tied to the brother is what protects him. Also, in most all stories, the Rakhi has been used by women to get what they want or desire by a promise needed for the safety of their loved ones.

Rakshabandhan – An Indian Festival For Siblings

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Rakshabandhan Celebration

This festival thus inspires bravery and fondness among those who celebrate it. I remember when I was small we used to create our very own Rakhis and mail them from Kuwait to India to all our cousins. Today, with the very many options available online and shipping being so expensive online stores come to the rescue and we just pick our favorite designs and have them shipped to our beloved family members.

In our home, I tie it to my son and my daughter ties it to her father and brother. My husband’s sisters from India mail him their Rakhis and I decorate a Thali with flowers, sweets, diya and the Rakhis. On any occasion decorating these is my favorite thing to do.

We bathe and celebrate early morning. After prayer, the brother sits and the sister puts Tika on the forehead, does Aarti of the brother (circles the plate around the brother’s face) and then ties the Rakhi and feeds him the sweet. The brother then, irrespective of his age takes blessings of his sister for a long, prosperous and protected life!

Ideally, the brother gifts the sister whatever she wishes on this day. But as commercialization and gender equality has crept in parents often gift both the brother and sister with presents to ensure they both feel celebrated! My kids love partaking in all the rituals and enjoy their gifts.

We have even added a tradition that they have to buy a gifts for each other under $10 and they are not allowed to tell each other what it is. It has added a great element to it.

And then as any festival in India, there is a lavish meal of Indian delicacies. I usually make any meal celebrating the brother and sister with whatever dishes they most enjoy.

What I love the most about our festivals is the colors and small traditions. Today morning, my daughter and I planned the day, including the menu. Spent the morning cooking together, the kids decorated the thali while we listened to hymns. Then we chatted with family back home and after the ceremony had a lovely meal.

Some ways kids can build life lessons those is by

1. Buying gifts for each other under a given amount.
2. Make cards for each other.
3. Cooking the meal together as a family, setting up the table fancy – the day of.
4. Help decorating the traditional thali together.
5. Listen to stories and talk about all the wonderful reasons they love each other.

Happy Rakhshabandhan to all celebrating!! Wishing all sibling and loved ones a bond that only grows with time…

This is the first year when I got a rakhi too. My little one said, “Mama, you do so much. I promise to take care of you too. ” #heartmelting !!

You can check out my other posts on how this tradition has evolved over time and how we can make it more meaningful for kids in THIS generation.

Do share your silly stories of your siblings with us.

Origin Stories of the Festival of Rakshabandhan

Did you know the Origin Stories of the Festival of Rakshabandhan? During our cultural storytelling celebrating this year in our parents group, I read out the below stories and thought it would be nice for us all to share the same with our little ones.

Rakshabandhan – An Indian Festival For Siblings

Indrani and Indra

Raksha Bandhan originated from ancient times when Indrani had tied a thread, which was given to her by Lord Vishnu, around her husband Lord Indra’s wrist to protect him from demons during a war between the Gods (devatas) and demons (danavas). So, it was not always around brother and sister.

Laxmi and Bali

Another mythological story is that links the festival with demon king Bali and Goddess Lakshmi. According to the legends, Goddess Lashmi’s husband Lord Vishnu was asked by demon king Bali to live in his palace, which she was against. So she tied a thread on Bali’s wrist and made him her brother. When Bali asked her what she wanted in return for the Rakhi, she asked him to free her husband from staying in his palace, which he granted.

Santoshi Maa

It is said that the two sons of Lord Ganesha namely, Shubh and Labh were frustrated that they had no sister. They asked for a sister from their father who finally obliged to their sister on the intervention of saint Narada. This is how Lord Ganesha created Santoshi Maa through the divine flames and the two sons of Lord Ganesha got their sister for the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Yama and the Yamuna

Another legend says that the death God, Yama did not visit his sister Yamuna for a period of 12 years who ultimately became very sad. On the advice of Ganga, Yama went to meet his sister Yamuna who has very happy and performed hospitality of her brother, Yama. This made the Yama delighted who asked Yamuna for a gift. She expressed her desire to see her brother again and again. Hearing this, Yama made his sister, Yamuna immortal so that he could see her again and again.

Draupadi & Krishna:

Draupadi and Krishna are siblings in the epic, the Mahabharata. This is one of Krishna’s many lives. As the story goes, Krishna cut his finger while handling sugarcane. Krishna’s wife, Queen Rukmini, sent someone to get bandages. However, Draupadi saw the incident, and she cut off part of her saree and tied it around his finger to stop the bleeding. Krishna then promised to help her out when she needed it. Several years later, some men try to undress Draupadi in public, by unraveling her saree. Krishna is there and sees this. Krishna uses his magic to make Draupadi’s saree never ending, so that she would not have to be disrobed in front of everyone.

Rani Karnavati & Humayun

The most important story of the dedication of a brother’s promise is of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Humayun once visited Mewar with his troops, when Rani Karnavati, who ruled the region at the time, asked for his help. Her kingdom of Mewar had been attacked twice by Bahadur Shah and as her only hope she sent a letter with a Rakhi to Humayun asking him for his help. Humayun, who was between a military campaign at the time he received the letter, left everything to protect her.

Roxana & King Porus:

Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 BCE. His wife Roxana was worried about his safety. She sent King Porus, the king of the Pauravas, a rakhi, and asked him not to hurt her husband on the battlefield. During the Battle of the Hydaspes River, King Porus saw the rakhi on his wrist. This reminded him of his promise to Roxana. He then stopped himself from attacking Alexander. Porus lost the battle, but he won Alexander’s respect and honor. Alexander reinstated Porus as a governor of his own kingdom. He also allowed him to rule over last to the south-east of his kingdom.

Origin Stories of the Festival of Rakshabandhan

Cherish the bond between siblings this Rakhi with out children’s book How Our Skin Sparkles. Meet Aarav and Sharvi, two siblings who trouble each other as much as they love spending time and learning together.⭐️

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