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All parents want what’s best for their kids. No matter how many parenting books you read, though, it might feel impossible to determine if you’re giving too much guidance or too little. Too far in either direction has the potential to diminish a child’s sense of independence and ability to self-motivate. These are some general rules that any parent can live by to ensure their child’s future is bright and promising.
It’s often tempting to focus on results rather than the work that went into them in this output-driven world. As a parent, it’s your job to pay attention to how hard your child is working, regardless of whether they succeed or fail.
Children are already going through enough with the growing pains of physical and mental development. It’s all the more important for them to be eating and sleeping at regular times. In a chaotic world, this regularity makes at least those simple things certain.
An overworked lifestyle is all too common in the modern professional world. If a child isn’t encouraged to dive into fun recreational and extracurricular activities, they’re sure to lose the passion for work done in the classroom. Hard work pairs best with hard play, providing kids a place to explore feelings and roles outside of their regular daily life.
Although it’s hard for any parent to do, you have to let your kids stumble and even fall sometimes. When a misstep can become a teachable experience, it’s probably in your child’s best interest to let them work it out on their own. It may be hard, but shielding your child from all negative experiences will only make it harder when they’re faced with adult-sized consequences later on in life.
It’s easy to tell your child that they did a good job at something, but sometimes praise has to go deeper than that in order to be effective. It can be as simple as noticing that she or he got an excellent grade in a subject they were struggling with, or it can be complimenting specific qualities of a project they completed.
Many young independent self-starters attend private schools, like the Delphian School. These types of schools can give your children even more responsibility, which teaches them to be a self-starter and will help them in their lives down the road.
Having the skill to be a self-starter pays off in education and careers. Use the above tips to help your children develop this valuable skill while they are young.
When your baby arrived, it was without a doubt one of the happiest times of your life. But while you’ve been busy getting adjusted to having your new little family member around the house, you may have given little thought to what will transpire once it’s time for your baby’s first road trip. To make sure things go smoothly, here are a few things you can do prior to hitting the road.
Before the big day arrives, make it a point to pack your car the night before your trip. Along with your stuff, always pack plenty of diapers, baby wipes, and other supplies you’ll need during the trip. By doing so, you won’t have to waste time during the morning trying to hurry around and get everything in its proper place, which can set the stage for your baby to be cranky during the excursion.
Since this will be your baby’s first road trip, the last thing you want is for your car to have mechanical issues once you are on the highway. To avoid this scenario, get your car checked over by your mechanic prior to your trip. One of the best things you can do is get a new set of Nissan tires for your vehicle since new tires will give you a smooth and safe ride as you and your baby cruise down the highway together.
If your road trip will be somewhat long, you should definitely plan some time to take some rest breaks along the way. While giving you a chance to stretch your legs, it will also let you and your baby get some fresh air, something to eat, and have the chance to have some quiet time together.
While your baby will naturally be great company during the ride, you may want to make it even more fun and relaxing by asking one of your best friends to come along for the ride. Not only will this give you someone else to help you out with your baby, but it will also allow you the chance to have some adult conversation during the road trip.
Your older kids may get restless. This would be the perfect time to pick up books and small games or dvds to pick up for the trip.
Even though you may be nervous about your baby’s first road trip, there’s no need to worry. If you have a friend with you, make plans well in advance, and know your car is in great shape, this road trip will be one you’ll always remember.
When it comes to your child’s birthday, you want everything on that special day to be absolutely perfect. Whether your child is a toddler, pre-teen, or is approaching adulthood, it’s still important to you that they realize just how much you love them on their special day. If you want to make your child’s next birthday one that will be memorable for years to come, try these fun tips.
An especially fun activity to do with younger kids is to use a balloon surprise to get their birthday off to a great start. To do so, wait until they have fallen asleep the night before their birthday. Once you’re sure the coast is clear, enter their room quietly and scatter balloons all around the room. Upon waking up the next morning, your child will have a room full of color.
You could start your child’s day off with cereal or eggs as they may normally start their day, or you can create something a little more unique and special for your child’s birthday. Something like kaiser buns with cream cheese and egg may be a great way to make the breakfast memorable. It’s delicious and will give them the energy they need for the day of festivities. Plus, you could make a tradition out of it so it’s something they look forward to each year.
If you plan on giving your child a birthday cake, then you can make the day more memorable by allowing them to decorate their cake. With so many types of frosting, sprinkles, and other goodies available, your child will have a blast creating the perfect cake for their party.
Instead of simply handing your child their birthday presents, do a treasure hunt for the gifts. By turning the gift-giving process into a game, you can add a level of fun and suspense by leaving clues inside and outside your home, turning it into a combination treasure/scavenger hunt. For added fun, put some physical activity challenges into the hunt, such as having them climb a small tree or something else to locate their gifts.
Giving your child a birthday letter will be something they are sure to cherish as they get older. When writing this letter to your child, don’t hold back on highlighting those special moments from the past year. Whether you tell them how proud you are of the grades they got in school, how they handled a particularly stressful situation, or how much it means to you to see them growing up to be a fantastic person, it’s a sure bet this letter will become a treasured possession. If your child doesn’t know how to read yet, this is an amazing opportunity to read it to them to be even more personal.
Whether you do one of these activities or all of them, your child’s birthday will be more memorable than you ever thought possible!
In most folktales, science never plays a role. The characters’ problems take place because they don’t understand the world around them. Understanding the world means thinking like a scientist. Scientists analyze events; they look for cause and effect. And they make changes to prevent repeating mistakes. A scientific attitude can make the
difference between being frightened and feeling confident. A scientific approach to life enables people to learn and adapt, rather than live in fear. Perhaps, science could be used as a solution to some folktale problems.
In the original folktales, Chicken Little felt something land on her head and became frightened that the sky was falling. Goldilocks became frightened when the Three Bears found her sleeping in their house, after she had eaten their porridge and broken their furniture. The Three Little Pigs were afraid that the Big Bad Wolf planned to eat them.
What if Chicken Little did an experiment to find out if the sky was falling? What if Goldilocks knew how to repair the things she broke? What if the Three Little Pigs knew how to build wolf-proof houses? And better yet, what if they knew how to make good use of all that huffing and puffing?
Do you ever wonder how folktales would come out differently if the protagonists knew some scientific principles?
Chicken Little thought the sky was falling because an acorn fell on her head. Her friends all went to tell the king this scary story. But on the way to the King’s palace, Foxy Woxy caught them and tricked them – because they didn’t know about foxes or how to avoid their foxy tricks. But what if Chicken Little was a scientist? What if her friend Henny Penny liked to do experiments? What if their other friends, Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey did experiments, too? And what if they discovered how gravity works? Could they use their new knowledge to defeat Foxy Woxy? Would Chicken Little become the next Sir Isaac Newton?
Goldilocks walked into the Three Bears’ home while they were out for a walk. She ate their porridge. She broke their furniture, and then she slept in one of their beds. She’s just a child. Maybe she didn’t know better. But what if she knew how to cool the hot porridge? What if she knew how to use a screwdriver to repair the chair she broke? What if she left the Three Bears’ home better than she found it? And best-of-all, what if she could help Baby Bear with a problem, when the bears came back from their walk?
Knowing how to use the six simple machines can make a real difference in the quality of life.
Goldilocks could become a welcome guest in the Three Bears’ home.
In the original version of The Three Little Pigs, only one pig knows how to build a wolf-proof house. Suppose all three of the little pigs had been to architecture school and all three built safe sturdy wolf-proof homes? Then, when the wolf came by and did his huffing and puffing, he couldn’t blow any of their houses down. Still, none of the three pigs could go out of their houses, because without walls and a roof to protect them, the wolf could eat them. In this situation, safe houses aren’t enough. The pigs still need more science. Now we have three
hungry pigs and one hungry wolf. And none of them are going anywhere to solve their mutual problem. But there’s still all that huffing and puffing to deal with. That huffing and puffing has to be good for something. Can our story characters use the huffing and puffing to make food for them all to eat? Can it enable them
all to become friends?
Often the solutions in the original stories are violent. Violence is not something we want to teach our children. Violence is not a good solution to life’s problems. Wolves shouldn’t get to trap foolish animals, just because they made a mistake and thought the sky was falling. Goldilocks shouldn’t be chased away from the Three Bears’ home as if she was a criminal. And that hungry wolf shouldn’t become stew for the three little pigs to eat. Peaceful solutions for these problems do exist. Science can provide us with answers.
Chicken Little and her friends can discover how gravity works.
Goldilocks can learn to use the six simple machines to fix what she breaks.
The Three Little Pigs can figure out that what seems to be a problem is often just a resource out of place. That huffing and puffing can be used to grind wheat and feed them all. I’ve created a series of Science Folktales. All of them have peaceful, productive solutions. And readers can learn some scientific principles as they watch the
characters solve their problems in ways that benefit everybody. A scientific attitude prevents the need for violence, and opens up new peaceful solutions to once scary problems. You can probably think of folktales that you would like to see have happy endings, solutions that are mutually beneficial for all the characters.
Chicken Little Investigates
Huff…Puff…Grind! The 3 Little Pigs Get Smart
Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! The Real Magic of the Beans (a retelling of Jack and the
Beanstalk)
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines
Little Red, The Detective (a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood)
And soon to be published:
The Fairest of the All (a retelling of Snow White)
Saving the Gingerbread House (A retelling of Hansel and Gretel)
Is That the Wrong Egg? (A retelling of The Ugly Duckling)
Lois’s Books Are Here on Amazon
Summer is upon us. This means we are all looking for books to help our kids raise their level of mindfulness via books. This diverse reading challenge around mindfulness provides you not just with ONE book but each book is a part of a series of books that all empower children to be mindful, empathetic, kind, confident and build a strong value system while providing a global view.
Buy them via the links provided or find them at your local library. You can even make a request to your local librarian or add a book request on your library’s website.
Read through the books and track the books via this handy pdf to keep track of all your summer reading. Make sure to download our Holiday Activity guide for reading comprehension activities that go along with ANY book list.
by Srividhya Venkat
On Sundays, Varun has his karate lesson, and his sister Varsha heads to dance school with their grandfather. One weekend, Varun reluctantly accompanies his sister to her lesson. Bored of waiting, he peeks into the classroom, and almost immediately, he is fascinated by the rhythm and grace of bharatanatyam, a dance from India that Varsha is learning to perfect. Varun tries a few moves at home in secret because…well, boys don’t dance, do they? His grandfather is not so sure. Will Thatha be able to convince Varun to dance in his footsteps?
Bentley the hippo has a dream to go to the moon. As his journey begins, he runs into a silly monkey, Jaxon, who thinks throwing bananas is sharing. Bentley’s goal is to inspire children to do better, be kinder, accept and respect each other regardless of size, color, shape, gender or religion; and to help those that face other difficulties and challenges. Without “preaching” Bentley teaches children valuable lessons. Bentley’s bubbly personality inspires children to be curious as to what will happen next in this 5-book series. Get ready to fall in love with Bentley.
by Stacy C. Bauer
Cami and Wyatt love their screen time. Watching movies and playing games on their tablets is so much fun! But are they missing out on other things? And are their family and friends feeling ignored? Screen time addicts of ALL AGES will find this book relatable and funny. Parents in particular will appreciate the gentle suggestions that inspire and empower kids to power down. Join Cami and Wyatt in the third book of the Cami Kangaroo and Wyatt Too series, as they try to break this bad habit and find their way back to the real world.
Check out all the Cami and Wyatt Too Books
Do you wish your child could be more responsible with money?
Kass budgets her money carefully and expects her brother Joey to do the same. But Joey spends every dollar he earns. When he realizes he hasn’t saved enough money to pay for something he’s been dreaming about, Joey must either learn to budget or risk giving up his dream.
A Boy, A Budget, and a Dream helps teach financial literacy and money management to children ages 4-8 in a fun and easy to comprehend way!
Hanuman Chalisa was composed by Sage Tulsidas in the 16th century in Awadhi language. (that’s over 400 years ago). Hanuman is a devotee of Lord Rama and one of the well-known characters in the Hindu epic “Ramayana”. Hanuman is Hindu’s original super hero, the monkey god. Hanuman Chalisa holds a special place and importance in the Hindu religion as it highlights Hanuman’s unique qualities. There are forty verses praising Hanuman, each line has been translated by The Jai Jais for children to easily understand. Chanting the Chalisa creates positive energy and vibrations. Children who recite the Chalisa, will be filled with wisdom and strength. Sometimes children try to do things that can be challenging or tricky, and can cause them to become sad or frustrated. Praying to Hanuman can help children accomplish difficult tasks. He can bring peace and happiness to their minds, and achieve well being.
From the series – The Jai Jais Legend Series
by Katrina Liu
“I love BOBA!” is a colorful rhyming picture book inspired by the author, Katrina Liu’s, love of boba. With the bubble tea craze happening worldwide, it’s hard to believe that there isn’t a children’s book out there that celebrates this spectacular drink! This 36 page picture book features whimsical and fun illustrations that include so many amazing reasons why boba is so great! As if you need a book to convince you!
Cousins Forever is a beautifully written and illustrated book that captures the special relationship that cousins share. When one of the two families moves abroad, the two cousins do not let the distance come between them. They talk often about their friends, animals, different seasons, and outdoor activities, via video chat. With new words and languages being part of their everyday life, the two girls come up with a fun, painting game, the “Word Swap”.
A lovely tribute to the unique friendship of cousins. Parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents can share this book with little ones who are just beginning the lifelong journey as cousins together. Close friends are family also, so if you don’t have an extended family, your child’s best friend may also be referred to as a cousin. Available in 18 languages.
Check out all the Other multilingual books by Elisavet
What is so special about Mr. Fuzzby? He can’t possibly be a better best friend than Little Cat… right? Is Little Cat being LEFT OUT?
Little Cat sets out on a mission to learn what makes Mr. Fuzzby tick. But what she discovers about true friendship will surprise children and parents alike!
Friendships can be tricky, help your child see them in a new way! If your child has ever struggled with disappointing friendships or feeling LEFT OUT, then this book is for you both! Help your child identify behaviors of good friends, ways they can be even better friends, and that no one ever has to FEEL LEFT OUT!
With relatable, child-like animal characters and comical illustrations, “Little Cat Feels Left Out” will engage and elate even the youngest of readers. Be prepared to read it again… and again!
Check out the The Little Cat Feelings Series
David is having a rough day…but his emotions are no match for his older sister Lily, who swoops in to save the day with some super skills! When Lily observes her brother feeling frustrated, sad, and irritable, she quickly shows him some helpful tips and tricks to help him feel better. And though David might not feel like jumping up and down for joy at that very minute, he soon learns that an improved mood is just a few actions away. Will Lily’s super skills be enough to save the day?
Fred’s new adventure takes you on a trip deep into the mangrove forests of Australia. While taking in all the beauty of this new habitat, Fred discovers that the forest is at risk and needs immediate help. How will Fred and his friends save the mangroves? Join the adventure and find out what they learn about the mangrove forests.
From the series – Fred the Super Series
Jeff is a very successful person. He runs his own company called Amazon. Amazon helps people buy and sell anything using the computer and internet. So, how did Jeff become successful? What is one value that has helped him? BEING CURIOUS!
Jeff likes to read, ask questions and observe the world around him. He discovers new things every day and every day he works to help makes peoples’ lives easier. We always teach children about remarkable people of the past. But what about those in the present? What can children learn from them?
Little Kids’ Big Lessons series focuses on successful, inspirational people of today, and highlights a key value that has helped each one of them achieve their success. The first book of the series is about Jeffrey P. Bezos, founder of Amazon.
From the series – Little Kids’ Big Lessons Series
by Nikita Gupta
Joselyn and Amit are children that belong to two worlds, and two different but beautiful cultures. Growing up, they could choose to assimilate into American culture completely, or they could choose to embrace their multicultural heritage. They both decide to celebrate the richness of their multicultural (Indian and American) identities. This book is a celebration of culture and multicultural identity through food from chicken nuggets and chicken pakora, to cheese curds and paneer tikka, etc. Find yourself immersed in a delightful children’s book that explores the gift of being a masala or a multicultural child, all while you enjoy learning some Hindi and English too. I love masala me is a simple story that encourages children not to shun being different but to love it. In today’s diverse and divisive climate, self-love, acceptance, and inclusion are of the utmost importance, and what better way to convey this message than through food.
by Aditi Wardhan Singh
Empathy comes from knowledge.
Caleb, a new neighbor, joins a Diwali themed play date. Will Riya and her friends be able to make Caleb feel comfortable?
Explore Diwali, Christmas Hanukkah , similarities and differences. Find out how cultures around the world sparkle in different ways. Enjoy this fun story that takes you around the world, written by multi-award winning Author Aditi Wardhan Children.
The Sparkling Me Series books are ideal for elementary aged kids, preschoolers and teachers. Conversation starters, a Diya making activity and a resource guide come with this book.
Check out all the books in the Sparkling Me Series
References:-
www.goodreads.com
www.amazon.com
www.googlebooks.com
Are you planning on traveling with your family this summer? Do you need easy tips for the same? There are a number of things you will need to do in order to make the trip a safe and easy one. These handy tips will keep you fully up to speed so that you can get there in a hurry. Keep them in mind as you plan your next fun-filled family summer vacation trip. Here are easy tips to traveling with family.
The world loves to snack, so what better way is there to celebrate diversity than food? From European chocolate goodies to spicy nuts or savory meat snacks, here are 10 popular snacks around the world, from 10 different countries.
South African’s love to munch on J&M Biltong, a type of beef jerky but different. It’s made from a variety of meats including beef, ostrich, and wildebeest. The centuries-old method of massaging the meat cuts with vinegar and spices, then drying it naturally makes for a tasty snack.
The Dutch are fond of Stroopwafels, a cookie version of the breakfast waffle. They were first made and sold only by bakers in the South Hollan city of Gouda during the 1800s. You’ll find them everywhere in the Netherlands today. They’re made by pressing two thin layers of dough in a waffle iron and then filled with a caramel syrup sandwich style.
The tiny country of Switzerland is famous worldwide for more than its chocolate, but one snack you’ll only find inside Swiss borders is the Migros Appenzeller Biberli, a soft-baked gingerbread cookie filled with marzipan (alone filling). Once only baked for holidays, they can be bought at Migros, the nation’s largest supermarket chain all year long. Best of all, since the chain is a co-op, they’re baked by locals.
Arnott’s Tim Tams are recognized all across the planet, but they were first made by the Huntington bakery in Sydney, Australia, and the Aussies consume 45 million of them every year. Tim Tams are made of two chocolate malt biscuits with a cream filling and covered in more chocolate. Get them in dark chocolate, white chocolate, mint, and caramel.
The Scots relish their teatime, and all across Scotland, you’ll find Tunnock’s Teacakes – tiny cookies topped with a dollop of meringue and dipped in chocolate. The teacakes are the invention of the company’s CFO, Boyd Tunnuck who first made them in 1960. However, the Tunnock Bakery has been a Scottish legend since 1890.
You may have noticed that Cashew Nuts are often used in Indian cuisine either as a garnish or made into a paste to use in curries. But for snacking, the nuts are coated with a mix of Indian chili and other spices. You can get them from roadside stands or in markets packaged as Hot & Spicy Cashews by the Laxmi company.
Iceland
Skyr, a low-fat dairy product is proof that Icelanders like to snack healthy. Similar to Greek yogurt, it has probiotic milk cultures native to Iceland. It comes in cups and in yogurt-familiar flavors like strawberry, blueberry, and vanilla.
Japan
In Japan, Onigiri Rice Balls are stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in seaweed. These treats are sold at 7-Elevens across Japan and are as common as the U.S. Slurpee. The fillings include salmon, chicken, turnip wasabi, and grilled beef kalbi. Store managers manage the inventory so that the snacks all always fresh. Go on for more snacks around the world.
A snack called Honey Butter Chips became wildly popular on the Korean Peninsula in 2014, so much so they became hard to find. Competitors jumped on the bandwagon for the sweet and salty snack market and came up with honey mustard flavored Nongshim Sumi Chips. The tangy and sweet wavy potato chips quickly outsold Honey Butter Chips. They’re sold in Korean convenience stores.
Those who are fans of Flaming Hot Cheetos will love Takis, their Mexican cousin. Takis are even hotter and crunchier and come in varieties such as Lime and Salsa Brava and Hot Chili Pepper. They’re sold in convenience stores and supermarkets all around Mexico and are super cheap at only five pesos which is equal to about 28 cents.
When traveling in the Caribbean you will be sure to make a stop in Jamaica and this wonderful island country has a great deal to offer as far as cuisine. The most popular Jamaican snacks are Chanchitas Banana Chips and jerk seasoning. This take on a traditional snack can be great for the waist line as the bananas and plantains they come from are all natural.
Of course, the best way to enjoy these tastes of the world is by traveling to the country they’re native to. But thanks to the Internet and worldwide shipping, some of these popular snacks can be enjoyed right at home.
I am so glad I was lucky enough to grab an ARC copy from the author. What a treat! Milo the Albino Dino is a MUST read for EVERY SINGLE CHILD who may think they are different, which is, let’s face it, us all. It is so important for kids to learn early how to be kind and empathetic. To stand with those who may need us, just because they may be alone. Also, that every single kid has their own unique qualities. This is such a heart warming tale, my kids had me read and re-read it to them multiple times. Thank you to the author for sharing this with us.
With colorful illustrations and vivid story telling, this book is a beautiful addition to any library.
At RaisingWorldChildren.com, we believe in building diversity and inclusion early and we are proud to support the message of this book to reach as far and wide as we can.
No child should ever feel that they are different just because of how they look. It is so essential that every kid knows that they have unique qualities that make them stand out from the crowd by their character and not how they look. Our favorite part of the book HAS to be when Milo uses his best quality to help his friends in the simplest way possible.
Every person can be helpful to others, no matter the age, or stage. A truly remarkable story for every kid!
It would be ideal for any elementary aged kid 3-10.
Milo is having a tough time at school. The other kids won’t play with him because he’s an Albino. The longer this goes on, the sadder and lonelier he feels.
When he tells his mom what’s going on at school, she suggests he find a new friend like him. Soon, Milo is on an adventure of a lifetime searching for another Albino dinosaur. After learning about his journey, a few friends join him and discover what genuine friendship, kindness, and acceptance means.
Milo the Albino Dino teaches young children about awareness and acceptance. This book teaches children how a first impression doesn’t represent who a person is on the inside and how to form friendships without bias.
*The book includes a bonus interactive section at the end.
**It’s perfect for children between the ages of 3 and 8 years and recommended by teachers for home-schooling.
Getting kids involved with volunteering can be easy. You just need to show them how they can make a difference.
Below are four tips to get your kids into it.
Get your kids to start volunteering by showing them how many needs others have. Tell them about the homeless and those who don’t have food on their tables. Share stories about children their ages who don’t have the same kinds of advantages as they do, or tell them about the elderly who are lonely in nursing homes. The more you help your kids understand the needs of others, the more willing they will be to volunteer.
The best way to get your kids involved in volunteering is to do it together as a family. Go to the nursing home to visit those who are sad and lonely or pack up bags of food for those in need. Do yard work at someone’s house or find another project that you can tackle as a family. It will feel nice to do something good together.
When you want to get your kids interested in volunteering, you need to find a way for them to feel useful doing it. If your kids enjoy writing or drawing, then get them to volunteer by sending cards or letters to those who are lonely. Check out various charities to see what kind of help they need. Figure out what your kids can do best and get them involved with the right charity so that they will feel good about their contribution.
Make volunteering as a family a regular thing. You can set a good example to your kids by being willing to give some of your time. Find the right charity to give to, such as Give 2 Kids, and work with it as often as possible. Get your whole family involved and have some fun volunteering. Make it a tradition to go out for ice cream afterward or do something else fun together, so that volunteer days will be a good time with your family.
Get your kids involved in volunteering, and they will feel good about themselves. Your whole family can make a difference for those in need. Find the right charity and start giving back.
Colourism, it’s complicated. There are blurred lines, or perhaps blurred shades would be more appropriate. So, allow me to start with its dictionary definition.
(US colorism)
“Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group”
Added to the Oxford Dictionary in June 2015
Those with darker skin experience prejudice or discrimination, while the fair skinned individuals enjoy a form of ‘white supremacy’. Colonialism and white supremacy are long gone but they left behind a dark obsession – the obsession for fairer skin, which plagues the minds of millions daily. In the non-white world, ‘fair skin equals beautiful’ is the widespread belief. The two terms in the Indian community are, in fact, interchangeably used.
One question that is often asked: what gave birth to colourism? Can we really just put the entire blame on colonialism? I don’t believe so. I believe colourism planted its seed from the time when the Aryan race (fair skinned & light eyed ) invaded India a few thousand years ago, pushing the Dravidians down south. Fair skin then became associated with power and wealth. Add to this the Indian caste and class system, and then colonialism and you get a notion so deeply embedded in the mindset generation after generation that only a mass revolution can reverse it.
It’s now become an omnipresent notion and this is how it still prevails:
‘Don’t go out in the sun, you’ll turn kaali (black).’
‘You shouldn’t wear black if you have dark skin.’
‘You’re pretty for a ‘dark’ girl.’
‘You should apply my homemade body scrub to help ‘improve’ your colour.’
‘Have you tried the fairness cream? It’s really good!’
Following George Floyd’s death in 2020 and global protests against racism and colourism, big brands such as Unilever acknowledged their social responsibility and changed the name of their iconic ‘Fair & Lovely’ cream to ‘Glow & Lovely’. Prior to that, for nearly 4 decades, advertisements of various fairness creams went as far as to say ‘use the cream to attract the man of your dreams’. May I add, Glow & Lovely is still endorsed by a very fair Bollywood actress, as though dark skin is incapable of glowing. So, the name change is really just a terrible attempt at fulfilling their social responsibility.
Dreaming of fairer skin is out in the open. No more a secret! No more shameful. In fact, dark skin is seen as undesirable. The way society sees it, if there are so many remedies to attain fairer skin, why wouldn’t you take advantage of them? Result: the cream ends up as an essential item in the shopping basket of millions.
Make no mistake, though. It is predominantly females who are expected to strive for fairness. Tall, dark and handsome. These traits make men highly desirable. The equivalent for women is ‘fair and lovely’. Ironically, it’s the tall, ‘dark’ and handsome men who settle for nothing less than ‘fair’ female partners.
This dichotomy has given birth to sexism in colourism, to engrained complexes en masse in women. Yes, fairness creams exist for men too. However, for the vast majority of them, ‘improving’ their colour is mostly a cosmetic desire. For women, it becomes implicitly necessary. Because if they don’t, they will ‘struggle to find suitable partners’ is what millions are told every year.
Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade, I discovered that the concept of skin whitening through creams and lotions is prevalent there too. Mostly for females, of course. ‘White skin covers seven flaws’ is a popular proverb every Japanese woman is familiar with. This proverb is passed down from one generation to the next in a hushed manner. Colour is not discussed as brusquely, as it is in India, however skin whitening products from a company called Bihaku were available extensively (until recently). In fact, it didn’t just stop at face creams. Whitening body lotions and soap bars were sold with the face cream.
In 2016, I came across a similar Snail Extract Whitening Cream in Thailand, readily available in every corner shop. Again, for women.
What’s important now is not when and where colourism started, but how and why did the notion become sexist, for pretty much the entire non-white world? Women go through immense pressure to strive for fair skin. Sexism in colourism is a double whammy for women.
Did I mention colourism is complicated? Turns out, it is…only for women in most communities where colourism is prevalent. Yet another ‘ism’ for women to fight as though other ‘isms’ weren’t enough.
Is that fair? Pun very much intended!
A computer science engineer by way of background, my passion is writing. This passion emerged a few years ago, when I noticed the lack of representation in children’s books, driving me to launch the Dev and Ollie series of picture books. The books have been very well received in schools and libraries all over the world. I was awarded the Asian Women of achievement award for Arts & Culture in 2016, and invited by Her Majesty to Buckingham Palace for the UK-India Year of Culture in 2017. Last year, triggered by the BLM movement, I started writing my memoir based on my journey through colourism from the age of six. I have just completed the 1st draft of The Black Rose, and am immersed in the laborious task of editing. To instigate change, I am prepared to take the risk of exposing myself to the world. You can connect with me – Insta: @theblackrose.book |FB: @theblackrosebook
Starting a family or expanding one is a big decision. If you’re choosing to adopt a child, though, you may find that the decision requires even more thought than you had imagined. If you’re wondering if you’re ready to adopt, you’ll want to ask yourself the five questions below.
The first thing you need to understand is that adoption is typically a lengthy process. It’s entirely possible that your adoption could be finalized in just a few months, but it’s just as likely that you may spend years working on this process. You need to know how soon you are willing to adopt and how long you’re willing to wait before you get started.
You also need to ask yourself what kind of adoption you want. Are you looking at a domestic private adoption? If so, you’ll need to look at the financial impacts and wait times. Does an international adoption make more sense? If so, look into the requirements from various countries. You may even want to think about adopting from foster care, which tends to require a serious training commitment as well as the ability to comply with specific state standards.
Think about what you’re looking for in child adoption. Are you looking to adopt your first child? Are you looking to bring another child into your family? What are your feelings about adopting a child with disabilities? What about a sibling group? These are all questions you’ll eventually need to answer, so it’s good to start formulating your response now. The more open you are to different types of children, the faster your adoption process is likely to go.
Adoption can be expensive, especially if you choose a private adoption. How much money are you willing to put into this process? It’s not just a matter of agency fees that you’ll need to think about. The cost of legal fees, preparing your home for a child, and even potentially supporting a birth mother can all play a role in your adoption. As such, you need to think about what you can realistically afford to do.
Finally, take a look at your life today. What are you willing to change? Are you willing to give up your free time? Are you willing to give up a room in your home? Can you change your work schedule? What are you willing to do to put the child first and what are the things you can’t change? These are tough questions, but they must be answered. You can’t wait until you’ve invited a child into your home to figure out the specifics.
When you adopt a child from another culture into your home, you need to remember that you will need to unlearn and relearn many concepts around life. Cultural background and heritage has a HUGE impact on the growth of a child. Will you take the time to learn and make exceptions to the child’s needs? Will you take the time to diversify your outlook and help your child understand themselves better? Will you expose them to the culture they came from and the one they are in, equally?
Adopting is rewarding, but it is never simple. Be prepared to answer some tough questions and to think a great deal about what adoption means to you. Only after you can come up with honest answers will you know whether or not you are ready to adopt.
Keeping your family healthy and free from germs is a crucial thing to consider, especially when cold and flu season hits. When flu bites one member of the family, all the other family members also get affected. Even after the flu has vacated from the room, there are always other germs they leave behind that you should worry of. Some of the bacteria that lurk in uncooked meats can easily cause severe illness, especially to vulnerable babies. Therefore, you should ensure to follow these tips to keep your family healthy post a sickness and head off the virus and bacteria for long:
Every time you pay a visit to your paediatrician, they will always remind you of your child’s vaccine. To keep your family healthy, you and your partner also need to be vaccinated. This is because there are some diseases, when contracted by one member of the family, it ends up affecting the whole family. Therefore, apart from giving your children a vaccine, you and your partner need it too. For example, you may be getting the flu every year, but you have not yet reached a Tdap vaccine. This vaccine usually protects against diseases such as diphtheria and tetanus. This vaccine is essential because sometimes whooping cough is not a severe illness for adults, but it can be dangerous for babies who get seriously sick.
Regular hand washing is usually one of the best ways to stop germs from spreading. Therefore, you should ensure that you get your child up to the sink, especially at critical times like when there is an outbreak of a particular disease. Also, before eating or going to the playroom, which is a faster way of spreading germs through kids because they share their food and toys. After coming from the playroom, after sneezing or using a potty, you should ensure they wash their hands properly. Even a baby can get used to hand-washing basics by watching you regularly washing your hands and wiping them off. This will enable the child to follow these simple steps when they grow up and instruct his/her younger siblings to follow the same direction. As an adult, you should not forget to wash your hands too because it is as important as cleaning the baby’s hand.
As a parent, you always work hard to teach your kid the importance of sharing and taking turns on the playgrounds. However, there are a few exceptions to consider when it comes to germ prevention. Therefore, you should explain to the kids that there are certain things they should keep to themselves. It would help if you told your child that something like toothbrushes and combs is not to be shared but are only for personal use. These will allow them to stop spreading germs.
Diseases such as foodborne diseases are usually an unpleasant disease, though generally not dangerous. It can be hazardous for babies whose immune systems are not fully developed to fight back the disease. This is why you should always pay attention to food safety when you are in the kitchen. Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before preparing any food in the kitchen, especially when handling foods like fish, eggs, and raw meat. Also, keep multiple cutting boards in the kitchen. An important part of kitchen cleanliness is making sure you use clean water in your home. You can buy a reverse osmosis water filter to help give you peace of mind that your family is using clean water every time.
Needless to say sunshine and exercise are cornerstones of healthy living. Make sure you get lots of Vitamin D and supplement your life with good food and exercise.
Health is the first thing one should always consider in a family; therefore, follow the above steps to keep your family healthy.
Sierra Powell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Writing. When she’s not writing, she loves to cook, sew, and go hiking with her dogs.
During those first few years of life, toddlers learn important skills such as language, cognition, motor skills, social skills, and imagination. With the right toys, parents can help their youngsters have tons of fun, while they learn those valuable skills. Here are a few toys to help your toddler have a healthy brain development.
Packed in simple carrying cases, this bundle is full of learning fun. While one case is filled with the letters of the alphabet, the other includes numbers 1-10 along with 10 cookies to encourage counting. Toddlers will learn numbers, letters, and spelling with these cases.
Children’s big building blocks are a great way for toddlers to learn several skills while having tons of fun. These big, soft blocks give children a safe toy that will allow them to use their imagination to create anything they can think up. Big building blocks teach imagination, problem-solving, motor skills, and self-expression.
This activity desk is full of learning opportunities for kids between the ages of 3-6 years old. With over 160 vocabulary words, more than 20 songs, and over 30 activities, children are sure to learn a lot from this educational toy. This desk teaches animals, numbers, people, letters, and so much more. There are four different learning modes including an easel and drawing board.
With 25 different food items ranging in five different colors, this is the perfect toy to teach toddlers about colors. Youngsters will enjoy learning to sort the correct colors into different baskets while learning the name for each food item.
The LeapFrog Number Lovin’ Oven includes an interactive oven, skillet, spatula, plates, a baking tray, and an assortment of play food. This oven teaches children sharing, numbers, songs, and counting. Children from ages 2-5 years old can enjoy imaginative cooking play with a clicking timer and real sizzling sounds on the stove.
Toddlers are endlessly curious and constantly ready to learn something new, which makes educational toys a great way to aid in healthy brain development. According to Playground Professionals, there are six main benefits to educational toys including better concentration, higher IQ’s, better creativity, social skills, heightened senses, and the development of problem-solving skills. Every moment is a learning opportunity for a toddler. Go on and incorporate these toys to your child’s play time and help toddlers have a healthy brain development.
Holi, the ‘Festival of Colors’ is coming soon, marking the arrival of Spring! A world of colors and life lessons can be found in this two-day celebration. Making this celebration of Holi more meaningful with children’s books, is a great way to help kids build on self growth.
Holi in Northern India is celebrated to mark the advent of spring, when the flowers beginning to bloom. The many colors in the air reflect the bloom around you too.
The meaning of Holi has it’s origins in two stories. And both carry a lot of meaning for most Hindu families, specially to strengthen the bond between couples. One is of the love of Radhna Krishna, whose love is eternal and renowned for being full of naughtiness. The other is the story of Prahlad, whose demon father time and again forced him to renounce his love for Lord Vishnu and pray to him as God.
Go on an adventure with Maya, Neel and their cute little partner, Chintu the squirrel, as they learn all about this famous Indian festival of colors including the story behind Holi, the colorful Holi markets, the incredible fun of playing Holi, the delicious Holi food and drinks and even about some unique ways of celebrating throughout the country.
How do you explore the concepts of Holi with your kids in a fun & engaging way? In our latest book, we provide you easy ways for you to do just this!
Other than the usual RECIPES, GAMES, PUZZLES, etc., this book also explores these 6 sub-concepts of Holi:
This book is part of the series From The Toddler Diaries, a series of illustrated books which celebrates the spectrum of Indian festivals as experienced by a toddler. Presented in poetry and color, ‘From The Toddler Diaries’ is designed to drape parents and children in vivid hues of India’s cultural fabric. The inspiration behind this collection comes from an appreciation of a child’s clarity in perception, which is magical in its simplicity.
The Jai Jais bring the ancient tale to life with magical and modern illustrations which engage children around ages 5-8 years and beyond. This is a great story for all children to learn about the Hindu festival, and a great teaching resource for schools.
Idu and Adu are eager to try the soft, sugar soaked Gulab Jamuns that Mama has made for guests, but they have strict instructions wait. But of course, it is really hard to stay away from such deliciousness and soon the Gulab Jamuns are all gone. What will they serve the guests? This light-hearted, fun story will have kids laughing, reading, counting and yes, asking for Gulab Jamuns to cook or devour.
Siblings Mintoo and Chintoo are busy gathering flowers to make into colorful powders to toss during the festival. And when at last the big day comes, they gather with their friends, family, and neighbors for a vibrant celebration of fresh starts, friendship, forgiveness, and, of course, fun!
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Using the origin story of Holi, this beautiful story of Krishna asking his mother why he looks different is a wonderful metaphor of understanding the how important the many colors of the world in rainbows, flowers and people are essential to accept for children. A must read to teach kids about kindness and confidence.
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