“Sometimes we are moms who do too much because we have children who do too little. Make it your goal to work yourself out of a job. If a child can use a cell phone, they can run a washing machine.” – Unknown
It’s very common to see a mother multitasking between caring for her kids, cooking, cleaning, doing the dishes, folding the laundry and keeping her home organized and functional. And for a working mother, whether working from home or office, these tasks seems double. When I read the word ‘Multitasking’, I often think that the ‘M’ is put there for a MOTHER!
If a mother had to make a resume for herself, she wouldn’t even have to mention ‘Multitasking’ in her skill set. It’s just something that comes naturally to you, the day you become a mother.
It’s been a Hard Time for Most Moms
The pandemic has taken a huge toll on so many mothers’ health – physically, mentally and emotionally. Losing loved ones, job cuts, financial crisis, families separated, lack of medical support, schools suspended, etc. – we have seen it all and more in the past two years. Additionally, with the entire family being home 24/7, home chores seemed to have scaled new heights for all mothers. Also, mothers working from home seemed to clock in for 24 hour shifts, without being able to clock out.
The past two years have taught us numerous things – patience, resilience, the importance of good health and self-care, the value of a simple meal, the respect for basic necessities, the need to reach out to loved ones and ask for help and more. It has also taught most mothers one very important lesson – to make our children self-reliant from a young age and not wait until they are older. Yes, we NEED to start them young!
Starting the Kids Young
Getting kids to help with chores around the house is a great way to instill in them discipline and time management; it also teaches them to be self-sufficient, independent and supportive. Training kids to do their own chores and help with chores around the house should start when they are young. Most parents make the mistake of waiting until the kids are older; by then kids have their own personalities, mood swings and other adolescent problems.
If you’re a mom guilty of doing too much because your kids do too little, remember, it’s never too late to get your kids to start with doing their own chores at the least.
Getting the Kids to become Mom’s Assistants
Start off with some easy and doable chores for young kids like
Get them to put their toys back in place
Teach them to put their dirty clothes/uniform in the laundry basket
Get them to wash their own plate or cup
Get them to put their shoes in the shoe rack
Train them to make their own simple breakfast – cereal with milk, peanut butter sandwich, cheese sandwich, Nutella sandwich, fruit salad
Getting kids to do their own work will increase their self-confidence; every task completed will feel like an accomplishment and they will take pride in doing other tasks assigned to them.
Training Mom’s not-so-little Helpers
Once the kids have achieved the feat of doing their own chores, they can move on to assisting their parents in
Tidying up the room and making their bed
Folding their own laundry
Organizing their wardrobe/closet
Gardening – mowing, trimming the grass, watering the plants
Cleaning – sweeping, moping, vacuuming, doing the dishes
Carrying the groceries
Chores for older kids to do with or without adult supervision
Cook breakfast – eggs, pancakes, crepes, grilled sandwiches, etc.
Make milkshakes, smoothies and breakfast bowls
Assist with meal preps – chop veggies for salad or stir-fry, shape meatballs or cutlets, prepare marinades or dressings
Assist in baking cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc.
While training kids to help around the house, parents can pick and choose from various chores, as they best know and understand the nature and ability of their child.
A 5-year-old may be able to make his own bed, while another may be able to make himself a sandwich. Chores mustn’t be assigned to kids to make them feel competitive. Kids must be given tasks to do around the house with the intention of making them independent and teaching them to be supportive to their family.
Remember, a responsible child always grows up to become a self-sufficient and pro-active adult. And as a bonus, mommy get some FREE-time or ME-time too!
Yayyy, it’s the first of the month…so it’s time for some FREE reads!
We have teamed up with other authors to offer our books (eBooks version) for FREE to download on the first of every month. Also, all of my indie books will be available for FREE…so do check them out!
How to grab your FREE copy:-
All our eBook versions will be available for download on the first day of each month.
To download, you need an Amazon account and the free Kindle app installed on your tab/phone/computer.
25 thought leaders from around the world come together to bring you the first step in antiracism education. 35 easy to read chapters that are broken into sections that create mindfulness around -Understanding the Multicultural Family, Building Acceptance, Difficult Conversations, Language Learning, Celebrating Diversity.
Expand your horizons by Raising YOUR Global Mindset with real life stories and strategies written for the multicultural parent, by the multicultural parent.
How to Raise Confident Multicultural Children is an insightful parents’ guidebook to raising a confident, bilingual, and multicultural child. It includes practical tips and ideas from diverse professionals of mixed ethnic backgrounds who are bilingual/trilingual/multilingual themselves. The reader will find full chapter contributions by by Dr. Ute Limacher-Riebold, Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, Dr. Mary-Pat O’Malley-Keighran, Rita Rosenback, Lisa Ferland, Brian Vassallo, Tamara Yousry, Yui Mikuriya, Elisavet Arkolaki.
The Toolbox for Multilingual Families is aimed at parents who are raising their children with more than one language, and are looking for activities to foster their children’s understanding, speaking, reading and writing skills in all their languages, no matter if they acquired them from birth or added them later on.
The authors have selected 123 activities and games for 0-15+ year olds and adults – that can easily be adapted to different languages, to all levels of fluency, and are suitable for two or more people. The descriptions are short and easy to follow. The activities and games in this Toolbox don’t involve electronic devices and only those in the reading and writing section require a minimum of tools (paper, pen, glue etc.)
Multi-award winnnig author Aditi Wardhan Singh, an Indian American writes about challenges every parent faces in our ever evolving world. Aditi has put together her best work from years of writing about growth mindest that is positive and culturally aware.
Royal Dragonfly Winner in Parenting Books Top 10 Finalist in Global Author Academy Academy Awards
The greatest gift you can give a child is a confident identity.
A young girl reflects on her memories of a summer spent by the seaside with Grandma. Through art and painting, she gets to express various emotions while processing her feelings in an empowering and creative way. Young readers will delight at the charming watercolor paintings and will take a trip down memory lane where thoughts and emotions are expressed in color. The story ends on a positive note, with the promise of coming back at Grandma’s.
Download in English – click here Bilingual Albanian and English – click here Bilingual Czech and English – click here Bilingual French and English – click here Bilingual German and English – click here Bilingual Greek and English – click here Bilingual Italian and English – click here Bilingual Polish and English – click here Bilingual Brazilian Portuguese and English – click here Bilingual European Portuguese and English – click here Bilingual Russian and English – click here Bilingual Spanish and English – click here
Cousins Forever
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.
Download in English – click here Bilingual Chinese and English – click here Bilingual Danish and English – click here Bilingual Dutch and English – click here Bilingual French and English – click here Bilingual German and English – click here Bilingual Greek and English – click here Bilingual Italian and English – click here Bilingual Japanese and English – click here Bilingual Korean and English – click here Bilingual Maltese and English – click here Bilingual Brazilian Portuguese and English – click here Bilingual European Portuguese and English – click here Bilingual Russian and English – click here Bilingual Spanish and English – click here Bilingual Turkish and English – click here
The Children of Slowville Book 1: Bilingual (English & French)
Two stories with hand-painted watercolour illustrations about nature, animals, friendship, kindness, diversity for children aged 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
First story “Day out at the Farm”: The children are going to visit the local farm today and they will soon see that Suzy, the farmer, has a very busy job!
Second story “Mrs Rose and Her Pigeon”: Mrs Rose knows the children very well, she regularly meets them at the old people’s home where she’s a resident. Today, the children come to cook and eat with the residents, but something unusual will happen…
“The Children of Slowville” is a series of bilingual books (English / French) with beautiful values to share with our children: respect for nature, kindness to others and compassion for animals. Book 1 – download it here. Book 2 – download it here.
Qui a pondu l’œuf? (Exploring Nature) (French Edition)
Find out what animals lay eggs in this entertaining picture book for toddlers, pre-schoolers, and early readers! Kids will love guessing which animal laid each egg as you read this book together! Download the French edition here.
There it is! A bilingual search and find book
Kids learn languages easily through play, games and fun challenges.
Ideal for bilingual or expat families, language teachers (both English and French/German teachers) and children learning a second language.
◆ A book they will pick over and over again as it has many things to discover. Over 160 words in each language improves their vocabulary and helps with language acquisition.
◆ Real-life images of objects they see in their everyday life encourages them to join the conversation and develop their communication skills.
Learning English and French/German through play is possible with a search and find book full of fun topics: home, food, animals, colours, numbers, clothes, instruments, toys and many more! Bilingual French and English – click here Bilingual German and English – click here
Happy within
Happy within is a children’s book that will help children from around the world learn, appreciate self-love and embrace diversity.
The message of the book is to help provide children with the support and confidence to be happy with themselves and within their own skin. No matter where in the world they are from, whether the race, the background, etc. The book includes a diverse range of characters with the message that we should all love ourselves and support one another to be the best we can be.
It is a positive children’s book teaching them to be proud of themselves, proud of who they are and of their uniqueness. Only through self-love and believing in oneself it is possible to be happy within. Bilingual French and English – click here Bilingual German and English – click here Bilingual Italian and English – click here Bilingual Japanese and English – click here Bilingual Brazilian Portuguese and English – click here Bilingual Spanish and English – click here
Fly, Little Bird! – Flieg, kleiner Vogel!: Bilingual Children’s Picture Book in English-German with Pics to Color
The little bird loves the sky. He tries to fly but can never fly up more than a few feet. He is too afraid. So he watches the other birds fly into the sky and leave him. But then something strange happens… Read how the shy little bird overcomes his fears.
Here’s what makes this book special:
Each line is both in English and German
The story is simple and suitable for early age learning
Introduces concepts of problem-solving, cooperation, and teamwork.
All the illustrations are original, creative and super fun
Plus, there are EXTRA PAGES for coloring and drawing at the end of the book
Amelie at Grandma’s – Η Αμελί πάει στη γιαγιά: Children’s Picture Book English-Greek (Bilingual Edition)
A well-written and beautifully illustrated bilingual children’s book in English and Greek, written by Agatha Rodi, a Greek author, and columnist at The National Herald.
Amelie at Grandma’s is a children’s book in English and Greek that captures a young girl’s trip to her grandma’s village and the sights and sounds that fascinate her. Amelie gets fully occupied with the activities happening there. She enjoys being with the chickens, roosters and pigs, the trees, and the birds. She is impressed with the beautiful flowers, enjoys eating homemade biscuits and cupcakes, and loves feeding the crumbs that fall to the birds. She enthusiastically does a bit of gardening and carries the essence of the village in her keepsake box when she leaves.
Perfect for all children ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and up depending on their level in the target language. Most suitable for Pre-K, grade 1, grade, 2, grade 3. Download it here.
Me enseñaste a querer: You Taught Me Love (Spanish Edition) (Colección Con AMOR)
There’s nothing quite like the love a mother and child share.
This bedtime story for kids ages 3-7 can be enjoyed with a parent or grandparent over and over again. The perfect gift for new parents, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or a birthday.
After reading this book with their daughters, mothers often buy it for their own moms—spreading gratitude and love across all generations. Download it here.
Zac el Zorrillo aprende a pedir perdón: Punk the Skunk Learns to Say Sorry (Spanish Edition)
Punk the Skunk liked to tease. Normally, his teasing was harmless. But what happens when his teasing goes too far?
For a child, recognizing mistakes can be hard. Saying I’m sorry can be even harder. Help your child learn this valuable social skill with Punk the Skunk. Parents, counselors, and teachers will love that the valuable life lessons in this book are taught in such a fun way that kids won’t even realize they’re learning.
It’s never too early to talk about these important social skills: Showing empathy Dealing with bullying Being a true friend Recognizing when you’ve done something wrong Saying sorry Forgiving others when they’ve apologized Forgiving yourself when you’ve made a mistake
Caleb el Castor calma su ansiedad: Brave the Beaver Has the Worry Warts (Spanish Edition)
A calming story for bedtime, the classroom, or therapy to help children understand their worries and calm their anxious minds. For ages 3-9, preschool to second grade.
Brave can’t help but worry. But when he worries too much, his heart races and his stomach aches. When it gets really bad . . . POP! . . . the worry warts start popping up too!
What’s a brave beaver to do? Can Brave set aside his fears to save a friend who is in trouble? Download it here.
Serafina Soars
Serafina is a Eurasian Eagle owl – one of the largest birds in the world. However, she is very shy; One day the sound of music encourages her to take a flight from her cozy den. This one flight makes her want more…and soon she is discovering magical wonders of her native southern Spain she had never known. Serafina Soars is sure to captivate young nature lovers and inspire shy children to take flight themselves.
Download it here. Download Serafin Vuela in Spanish here.
What Is Your Favorite Color? / ¿Cuál Es Tu Color Favorito?
What Is Your Favorite Color? is a bilingual English-Spanish book intended not only to teach ten colors in both languages, but also to show children that everything around us has color. It aims to engage them in their daily environment and help them discover our colorful world. Download it here.
DLee’s Shapely Imagination: A Bilingual Story
DLee’s Shapely Imagination is a book written by Award-Winning Author, Diana Lee Santamaria. It features the characters DLee and her cat Mr. Mustache. This is a bright, bold and engaging story that teaches children shapes, the uniqueness of each, in a fun and playful way. Written as a bilingual book with the English and Spanish translations on the same page, this is a whimsical story with vibrant illustrations and rhyme. Download it here.
Omar, al jaguar: (Nuestra Fauna) (Spanish Edition)
Winner of the Moonbeam Awards (Conservation category), International Book Awards (Educational category), and KidsShelf Books cover award, this is a story that encourages us to embrace diversity and care for our environment. Omar, is a lonely jaguar looking for friends to play with. He encounters some animals that invite him to be their friend but he refuses because he thinks these buddies don’t look like him. Thus, they are not fit to play together. Later on, he realizes that they have more in common than he thinks and that being different can be an advantage after all. Download it here.
Courageous History Makers: 11 Women from Latin America Who Changed the World
Courageous History Makers: 11 Women from Latin America who changed the World highlights 11 women from Latin America who excelled in science, sports, the arts, journalism, politics and more. Some notable women featured include Mexican painter Frida Khalo, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Rigoberta Menchu, Grammy-winning musical icon Celia Cruz, and renowned pilot Hermelinda Urvina. The true biographical stories of these outstanding women are presented in rhyming verses. Additional educational resources are offered at the end of the book, including a bibliography reference page. .Recommended for children ages 5-8, grades K-3rd. Download it here.
Unicornio Jazz: Spanish Version
This is the Spanish version of Unicorn Jazz based on the original Unicorn Jazz. This is a delightful unicornio book for Spanish book for learners, spanish book for kids, baby spanish books. Download it here.
La Orquídea de Aurora (Spanish Edition)
Aurora, a beloved mom to four young children, is determined to create memories with them in her childhood home in Rincon, Puerto Rico. One year, she plants an orchid with her children and spends the summer teaching them to tend to it in the hopes that it would grow into the beautiful plant she knew it could. As the days, weeks, months, and even years pass, Aurora teaches her children patience as they wait for the flowers to bloom. This heart-warming tale based on a true story shows how the thoughtful guidance of a loving mother could teach patience while leaving a lasting and beautiful impact on those around her. Download it here.
This is a great opportunity to grab these wonderful books promoting multilinguism and have your kids read some fun and interesting books too. Don’t forget to share this with your family, friends, neighbors, WhatsApp groups, Facebook friends, etc.
If you are a teacher or educator, feel free to share our books with your students.
Also, it would be GREAT if you can leave a REVIEW on Amazon post reading the books. Your review can put a smile to an author’s face or make them write better.
Don’t forget to grab our SCREEN FREE ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR CREATIVE THINKERS FOR YOUR KIDDOS , Before your leave ….
Ramadan, the blessed and most beautiful time of the year for Muslims is here. But do you realize the difference this lockdown period makes to Muslims around the world?
A month…whenMuslims all around the world fast from sunrise to sunset. A month…when the whole family comes together for the ritual breaking of the fast called ‘Futoor’ (Arabic) or ‘Iftar’ (Urdu). A month…when mosques all around the globe are full of worshippers. A month…when most Muslim households are lit in the early hours of the morning, to take the pre-dawn meal called ‘Suhoor’ (Arabic) or ‘Sehri’ (Urdu).
Ramadan 2020 was unlike any other Ramadan ever! Most countries were in lockdown due to the Corona virus pandemic, so mosques were closed and gatherings were not allowed. It was perhaps the first time in the lifetime of billions of Muslims that they did not go to the mosques to pray. Late night congregational prayers called ‘Taraweeh’, which takes place only in the month of Ramadan, were not being held. Community Iftars at the mosque were cancelled. Public gatherings were banned. And a year later, with the entire world facing a surge in Covid cases, we are back to square one. And let me tell you why all of this makes a big difference to the Muslims observing Ramadan around the globe.
Taraweeh Prayers – when the community comes together!
When I got married and began going for the Taraweeh prayers with my husband’s family, I remember it was at the mosque where I met most of the in-law’s friends, and their daughters and daughter-in-laws. After the prayer was over, we would meet and greet each other in the mosque compound. Some of the ladies I met were those who I would meet or see only once a year…during the Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan.
It was almost like seeing someone’s growth curve once a year – some came back the next year married, some with babies, some kids grew into teenagers, and some women came back with more wrinkles than the previous year. It was always wonderful to catch a glimpse and smile back at someone, who you would see for just one month in a year. Indians, Pakistanis, Kuwaitis, Americans, British, Sri Lankans, Egyptians, Turkish, Filipinos, Somalis…it was such a great feeling to see them all come together under one roof for the same purpose – to worship God!
Community Iftars at the local Mosque
Another thing that is so relevant to the month of Ramadan is the community Iftar (breaking of the fast) at the local mosque. Most mosques conduct daily or weekly community Iftars, which are sponsored by local businesses, organizations, charities or families. People assemble at the mosque and sit in rows, with food laid out in front of them. And this is a great test for patience!
A typical Iftar meal consists of some dates, fruits, buttermilk or sharbat, savory fritters (Pakodas), chickpea salad (Chana Chaat), dumplings in yogurt (Dahi Wade), soup and a rice dish with gravy. More than the adults, its the children who look forward enthusiastically to community Iftars. For the kids, the Iftar meal box is equivalent to a ‘surprise bag’; they just can’t wait to see which fruit is inside, what flavor juice did they get, and if the snack given on that day is their favorite or not.
At the time of dusk, the Maghrib prayer is called, and everyone breaks their fast with dates and water first. After breaking the fast, people stand in congregation to pray. Such Iftars are a great way of teaching the kids and youth community work – they learn to serve food to all, give out water, clean up after, and tidy up the mosque before leaving.
Iftars for family, friends and neighbors – a time to bond over food!
Ramadan is a time of togetherness – a time to eat together and a time to pray together. Most people look forward to meeting their near and dear ones over Iftar gatherings. Family, friends, neighbors – all invite you over in turns and then it’s your turn to invite them over for Iftar! Every Iftar gathering has a variety of foods and some specialties too.
Also, Iftar gatherings are most loved by women because it gives them a break from their own kitchen. Imagine the happiness of not cooking and just being served delicious food…it’s a priceless feeling! Unfortunately, most women must have forgotten what this feels like because the pandemic has left them with no other option but to cook and serve, due to the ban on all gatherings.
Realizing the TRUE ESSENCE during Lockdown
Congregational prayers, community Iftars, family gatherings – Muslims around the world may be missing it all BUT the one thing the pandemic has taught us – is to be grateful for what we have, no matter what situation we are in!
When Ramadan was approaching last year, most Muslims were dwelling in the thoughts of how it would be? Initially, there was a feeling of sadness as most of us knew that we may me missing out on a lot of the usual Ramadan activities and rituals that we grew up doing. Yet, no one would have imagined it to be so different…so much better actually!
Due to the complete lockdown, people were working from home, and children were off from school as well. This gave people more time to read and reflect upon the Holy Quran, to increase their prayers, to collectively do acts of worship with their immediate family members. Suddenly, everyone had so much more time on hand to do a multitude of acts of good deeds, versus the usual being stuck in traffic, trying to get home in time for breaking the fast, having lack of time and sleep, long working hours while fasting, etc.
Being in isolation and away from the distractions of the world helps one realize the true essence and importance of what they have. It teaches us to be grateful for our blessings and assess our needs over our wants. And this is why we often say “Alhumdullilah”, which translates to ‘Praise be to God’ or ‘Thank God’. We must be thankful to God at all times because we may not know what is in store for us or what is good for us. But God’s plans are always better and we must have trust in what God wills for us.
This year once again, most Muslims around the world will experience a Ramadan in lockdown. But they shall look forward to entering this blessed month with the HOPE of increased time for worship and more opportunities to gain multiple rewards. In sha Allah!
“I dream of a day when people will be judged, not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” – Martin Luther King Jr
Here are books you can read with your children inspired by the life of MLK Junior
📚Build a diverse library for diverse dialogue within your local community by recommending books to your local library.✊🏾
Tall or short, big or small, skinny or plump…every child is unique! Some children love to read, while others love to sing or dance. Some children wear glasses, while some may talk with an accent. Some children love to socialize and mingle, while others love their own space and privacy.
Every child comes with their own set of character traits and individuality, and they must be appreciated for being different yet the same. What matters is the content of their character.
Here’s a book list to inspire self-confidence in children:
It’s OK to be Different
*Gold Award Winner, Literary Titan
It’s OK to be Different written by Sharon Purtill and illustrated by Sujata Saha presents individuality. Everything about it is inspiring. Children will enjoy the fun and clever rhymes, as they are drawn in by the bright and cheerful illustrations. It is one of those books that both children and adults can enjoy, as it delivers the perfect message to young readers.
This story has effectively imparted an ever important lesson that individuality should be celebrated and not shunned. It encourages kids to accept and befriend those who are different from themselves. Showing young children that they don’t have to look alike or enjoy doing the same activities to be kind to one another.
When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates
Martin Luther King Jr. led the American Civil Rights Movement. But do you know what he was like as a child? From roller skating to playing football and basketball, Martin was a fun-loving child. This playful story of his childhood will help young readers connect with a historic figure and will inspire them to want to achieve greatness.
ONE LOVE
Adapted from one of Bob Marley’s most beloved songs, One Love brings the joyful spirit and unforgettable lyrics of his music to life for a new generation. Readers will delight in dancing to the beat and feeling the positive groove of change when one girl enlists her community to help transform her neighborhood for the better. Adapted by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s first child, and gorgeously illustrated by Vanessa Newton, this heart-warming picture book offers an upbeat testament to the amazing things that can happen when we all get together with one love in our hearts.
I HAVE A DREAM
From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: “My father’s dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing “I Have a Dream” speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us—those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone.”
On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King gave one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation’s history. His words, paired with Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson’s magnificent paintings, make for a picture book certain to be treasured by children and adults alike. The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation’s past.
The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts
One small act of kindness can change the world. From esteemed bullying expert and author of The Invisible Boy, Trudy Ludwig and Little Elliot illustrator Mike Curato comes a tale as simple–and simply inspiring–as the golden rule.
When one child reaches out in friendship to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community. One kind act begets another, small good deeds make way for bigger ones, and eventually the whole neighborhood comes together to build something much greater than the sum of its parts.
As Trudy says in the final line of the book: “Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE.”
Civil Rights Then and Now
This civil rights book for kids is simultaneously a guide for parents and educators who worry about broaching the topics of racism, discrimination, and prejudice. Civil Rights Then and Now: A Timeline of the Fight for Equality in America presents the reader with facts, biographies, and landmark supreme court cases in an easily digestible manner and within a historical context. The minor editorializing helps to guide readers to understand the events that have shaped the United States and then challenges them to become advocates for change. From the embarrassing origins of Slavery to the modern struggle against systemic and overt oppression, this book will spark conversations about subjects that we can no longer afford to ignore.
I am BRAVE
The littlest readers can learn about Martin Luther King, Jr., in this board book version of the New York Times bestselling Ordinary People Change the World biography.
This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great—the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. In this new board book format, the very youngest readers can learn about one of America’s icons in the series’ signature lively, conversational way. The short text focuses on drawing inspiration from these iconic heroes, and includes an interactive element and factual tidbits that young kids will be able to connect with. This volume tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr., the civil rights leader
Read this story of Aarav who comes home one day wondering why he looks different. See how science, culture and concept enable this child being raised on the borders of multiple cultures to see himself and those around him in a new light.
The Sparkling Series books for global kids is geared to empower kids aged 5-10. Perfect for boys, girls, early readers and elementary school students. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers alike. Diversify your library with this award-winning children’s book that talks about body positivity and inclusion.
Hair loss can be super embarrassing for many, be it through natural causes, cancer or alopecia. It is wonderful that there are so many books today that help build confidence and empathy within children, about being body positive in a variety of ways.
September was Alopecia Awareness month and we were honored to come across these books that not only raise awareness about hair loss and how it feels, but also help kids build empathy and inclusion within, for those who may be suffering.
Click on some of our favorite hair loss book covers to explore this condition with your kids –
NOWHERE HAIR
The little girl in NOWHERE HAIR knows two things: Her mom’s hair is not on her head anymore, so therefore it must be somewhere around the house. After searching the obvious places, the story reveals that her mother, although going through cancer treatment, is still silly, attentive, happy and yes, sometimes very tired and cranky. She learns that she didn’t cause the cancer, can’t catch it, and that Mommy still is very much up for the job of mothering. For any parent or grandparent, NOWHERE HAIR offers a comfortable platform to explain something that is inherently very difficult.
My Hair Went on Vacation
This story is about Rosie, who lives in Chicago. Within three weeks she lost all of her hair and asked, “Where did it go?” Rosie loved to rock the bald, without even skipping a beat. She happily wore sunscreen—not even a hat!—in the summer heat. At bedtime, Rosie would tell her own stories with a smile on her face. She’d imagine her hair going on magical adventures all over the place. From a young age, Rosie loved herself and was not phased by her look, So her mother decided to share her spirit to teach others through this book. Come on this adventure with a confident bald girl, Who tells us ”Bald is beautiful!” as she smiles with a twirl. We hope this book can inspire you to love others as they are, And to love yourself every day, whether your hair is near or far.
The Girl With No Hair: A Story About Alopecia Areata
Kelly looks back at her years of learning to live with alopecia areata, a disease which causes hair loss. This light-hearted story follows her from diagnosis as a small child, to coping with the social and emotional implications of her condition, to gaining the understanding and acceptance of her peers and teachers.
Who Are You?: Ella the Enchanted Princess
In a beautiful kingdom, hidden beyond the Enchanted Forest, lived a young princess named Ella. She was different from other princesses, Ella had no hair. She often tries to hide her head with scarves and headbands and doesn’t like looking into mirrors. Ella always dreams of one day exploring beyond the majestic doors of the castle. However, to do that, she must pass through the Grand Hall, but there are so many dreaded mirrors on the walls. These mirrors are the guardians of the castle, and will not let anyone pass unless they are recognized.
Join Ella on her first adventure through the Grand Hall! Why don’t the mirrors know Ella, and what will she have to do to leave her room and explore?
Mum, where is your hair?
Join a curious child search here, there and everywhere, for their mother’s hair. Every page is an illustration of an imaginative adventure, taking the child on a fun journey to realise that their mother’s hair loss is nothing to fear.
The rhyming magical storyline features fairies, animals, mermaids, and pirates. The colorful illustrations and repetitive sentences are perfect to be read aloud or with children, allowing the audience to quickly become absorbed and familiar with the sentences.
Dad’s Bald Head
Pete’s dad has very little hair to comb. And what he does have looks a bit, shall we say, scraggly? Every day Pete tries to help him neaten it, but every day the hairs pop right back up. Well, this dad has had enough! One day while shaving, Dad just keeps . . . on . . . going. He shaves off every single one of those scrawny, scraggly hairs.
Pete isn’t sure what to think of his new, bald Dad. He looks like an egg, or a kickball. Not a Dad. As Pete’s parents help him to embrace this shiny, new, bald head, young readers will recognize the challenge of dealing with changes, big and small, in their own lives.
Shreya’s Very Own Style
“Shreya’s Very Own Style” is a story about self-love and acceptance. Though Shreya is a champion on the soccer field, the coolest scientist at her school and dances like a star, she just can’t seem to figure out how else to style her hair. After all, how would she explain the patches on her head with no hair at all?
The monotheistic religion of Islam is built upon five pillars and these pillars are the basic duties of a Muslim. Just like every country has a set Constitution and every organization has it’s own Code of Conduct, Islam too has a set of prescribed duties that prepare a Muslim to obey God in all affairs of their life.
The five pillars are namely, Declaration of Faith (Shahadah), Prayer (Salah), Charity (Zakat), Fasting (Sawm) and Hajj (Pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah). Fasting is the 4th pillar of Islam and is observed in the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims follow a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycle of the moon. A new lunar month begins with a crescent (new moon). Similar to the solar calendar, the lunar calendar has 12 months too. The months of a lunar calendar consist of 29 or 30 days. Therefore, Muslims fast for 29 or 30 days in Ramadan.
Significance of this Blessed Month
Ramadan is the month in which Allah (God in Arabic) sent the Holy Quran from the heavens to the earth. The last messenger, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) received the first revelation of the Quran, while he was meditating in the Cave of Hira situated in Mount Nur (Saudi Arabia). In the year 610, during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan, Angel Jibrail (Gabriel) appeared to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in his full angelic form and said, “Iqra! (Read)”
The Prophet informed him that he did not know how to read or write. Angel Jibrail (Gabriel) then asked Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to repeat the verses after him. “Read in and with the Name of your Lord, Who has created. Created human from a clot clinging to the wall of the womb. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who has taught human by the pen. He has taught human that which he knew not.”(Surah Al-Alaq: Verses 1-5, Holy Quran) These revelations from Allah went on to form the Holy Quran.
Another significance of Ramadan is that all the previous scriptures were revealed in this month. Dawud (David) received the Zabur (Psalms), Musa (Moses) received the Tawrah (Torah) and Isa (Jesus) received the Injil (Gospel/Bible) during this month. All the previous scriptures carried the same monotheistic message – to believe inOne God.
Blessings of Ramadan
“The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, and clear proofs for the guidance and Criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights the Crescent on the first night of the month of Ramadan should fast that month.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: Verse 185, Holy Quran)
The month of Ramadan is a great favor from Allah. It is a month of goodness and wonderful blessings.
Ramadan is a month of Patience. Fasting helps us to protect our desires and develop discipline. We learn to suppress our hunger and anger. Fasting strengthens our character and makes us more patient.
Ramadan is a month of Sympathy. God gives us the opportunity to feel what the less fortunate people feel and go through. Fasting teaches us the value of food, importance of sharing and teaches us not to be greedy.
Ramadan is a month of Giving. It teaches us to be sympathetic towards the less fortunate and encourages us to give charity. Rewards for all good deeds, however small or big, are multiplied in the month of Ramadan.
The gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. Even the devils are chained up this month, making man responsible for his own actions. Hence, this month gives us a good opportunity for Self-reflection.
Ramadan is a month of Forgiveness. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever observes fasting during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s reward (not to show off), then all his past sins will be forgiven.” – (Bukhari)
The Holy Night of Laylat-ul-Qadr, also know as the Night of Power, is a single night worth a thousand months of reward. This night falls among the last days of Ramadan and it is on this night that the Holy Quran was revealed. Any good deeds or acts performed on this night is equivalent to the reward for a thousand months. There are many acts of worship (prayer, remembrance of God, charity, supplications, etc.) that a person can do on this day to maximize their reward and blessings.
Lost In Space is a perfect mix of sci-fi, adventure and drama all packed into one series. This web-series follows the adventures of the Robinson family, whose spaceship gets lost in space and lands on an unknown planet. Will, Judy and Penny, the three Robinson siblings along with their parents dare to take on the unpredictable environment, aliens, robots and other conniving survivors on the unknown planet. Lost In Space is an absolutely addictive series, so don’t forget to keep that popcorn ready. Definitely a family binge-watch! Watch Season 1 and 2 on Netflix.
Raising Dion
Raising Dion is the story of a single-mother Nicole and her son Dion, who begins to display some superhero powers. Nicole, who is slowly coping with the loss of her husband Mark, now has a new task of figuring out where and how Dion got his superpowers. She along with Mark’s best friend Pat, are on a mission to uncover the truth. Dion goes on to explore his magical powers and realizes all doesn’t seem to be how it is. An interesting web-series and a must-watch for little kids! Watch Season 1 on Netflix.
The Unlisted
Unlisted is an Australian drama web-series that follows the story of identical twins – Dhruv and Kal. A secret government organization plans to control and track Australian students by implanting them with electronic chips. The Twins uncover this dark truth and set out on a journey to save themselves and others like them, who form the mysterious Infinity group. Unlisted should definitely be on your list if you like an exhilarating watch, which keeps you on the edge of your seat. Watch Season 1 on Netflix.
Gortimer Gibbon’s Life On Normal Street
Gortimer Gibbon’s is the story of Gortimer and his two bestfriends, Mel and Ranger. Together the three friends go about on an adventurous journey in the ordinary suburb of Normal Street. This web-series filled with lost fables, ghost stories and magical adventures makes a fun watch for children of all ages. Watch Season 1 and 2 on Amazon Prime Video.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
This web-series chronicles the tale of three orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, who are on a mission to investigate the tragic and mysterious death of their parents. Count Olaf, their evil guardian is out to get his hands on the Baudelaires’ inheritance. In this quest of Good v/s Evil, the three Baudelaire children must outsmart Olaf and overcome many trials. The series is based on the best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler). Watch Season 1, 2 and 3 on Netflix.
IF you enjoyed our recommendations, you will certainly enjoy our children’s book. “Why do I look different? ” , the answer many mothers get asked.
The world’s largest democracy India, recently underwent the process of electing their new government and thus, political debates seem to be the favorite past-time of the season. We have all become way too familiar with terms like Liberals, Conservatives, Nationalists, Socialists, Right Wing, Left Wing, etc. Most developed countries are undergoing elections or are in a transition-phase. It is more important now than ever that we focus on raising responsible citizens.
Unfortunately, the system of gaining votes by banishing the opposition, ridiculing women and name-calling is what makes these developed countries seem to be on the contrary.
Development doesn’t necessarily only represent a huge infrastructure, tall buildings, swanky metros, huge shopping malls, big universities and out-of-the-world touristic hotspots.
Development of a nation needs to start at a grass-root level, with each individual.
Development begins in the mind first. Development lies in humanity, and is reflected in compassion, empathy and acceptance. If most so-called ‘developed countries’ had to go by these parameters of development, they would come out to be as the most under-developed nations. Unfortunately, we seem to have lost humanity and empathy for our fellow citizens, on a national and global level.
Collective Reform on the “Me First” Attitude
Unfortunately, this is where our system has failed us. Instead of making us think at a community level, each one of us is busy thinking at an individual level. Personal gains and benefits is what seem to matter the most.
Believe it or not, this ‘Me First’ thinking needs to be uprooted, for the betterment of our society. For it begins at our homes, where we teach our kids to look out for themselves first before others.
This thinking is further fueled by competitiveness at school and eventually turns into a mentality, which is very hard to break free from. And by the time we are done with school and college and ready to take up a job, we are told that now we will know about how hard and cruel this world is. Do we even realize that we are training ourselves to become that ‘hard and cruel’ part that we are always warned about?
We tend to begin most new phases of our lives with sheer competitiveness and selfishness. Competition over GPA, over who is getting more perks at work, over whose baby begins walking first, over whose food tastes betters and the list can go on.
Why can’t we just celebrate these milestones and achievements without comparing it to someone else? Why can’t we just take pride in that moment and be grateful for what we have achieved? Why do we have to out-do someone else or put someone down to make ourselves feel better? Does self-worth always have to come at someone else’s expense?
What was once just a thought process then gets imbibed into us and becomes a mentality. This eccentric mentality then lives with us forever and very few people are fortunate enough to break away from it. We get so used to thriving on others failures that we forget to cherish our own joys. And this is exactly what is happening all around us and this is why we see a huge rise in relationship instability, financial instability, depression, anxiety, bullying, substance abuse and other social and mental problems.
Raising Responsible Citizens
We need to start with mentoring the younger generation to uplift each other and look out for one another. A few ways how we can train our children to become more compassionate towards others are:-
Sharing is Caring
As toddlers and pre-schoolers, we need to emphasize to our little ones the importance of sharing and what better way to start than by sharing toys. This may be extremely hard for the child but eventually he/she will be able to shake off this feeling.
Children should be taught to share with their friends and classmates at school. Water, snacks, school supplies or notes…what they share doesn’t matter. What matters is that they don’t hold on to things only for themselves and open up their hands (and hearts) to others.
The one thing every child can never have enough of is toys. So if your child insists on hoarding toys, teach him/her to give away one old toy for every new one they get. They can give it away in charity or give it to a friend. The emphasis here should be on sharing and NOT on parting away with something.
Fiscal Responsibility
If you give your child pocket money, ensure to also educate them about budgeting, saving and caring. Teach them to spend within their limit, to save some for later and to give a part of it towards charity. This way we are training them to grow up to become responsible and compassionate adults. Allow them to give some charity themselves to the homeless, less fortunate, community helpers, etc.
Be a Helping Hand
Every now and then, send some food to your neighbors and ask your children to give it to them. This is one of the best ways for a child to learn how to share first-hand.
While trying to raise our kids well and teach them empathy, we are in turn bettering ourselves too. Every act of teaching someone to be good OR do a good deed is in fact a starting point for us, towards improving ourselves. And anything done habitually can turn a thought into a thought-process. So why not make it a POSITIVE one!
Before building and developing the infrastructure and economy of a country, we need to start developing its’ citizens first.
And the best way to go forth is by focusing on building character. Tolerance, acceptance, compassion, respect, humanity, empathy are just to name a few of the characteristics that need to be imbibed into people.
For this is where, the true success of development lies!
Do you notice yourself getting more and more impatient with your children?
Human nature is such that we are always craving for more. In our teen years, we are constantly craving for freedom. In the 20’s, we look forward to having fun, getting a good job, buying the newest gadget and more. When we reach our 30’s, we think of traveling, marriage and buying a house.
So this vicious circle of always wanting more never stops. Growing older doesn’t necessary help this process BUT growing wiser definitely helps put things into perspective.
Accept it or deny it but one of the most important reasons we get married is to procreate. A few honeymoons later, everyone begins to think of having children. One of the biggest mistakes most adults make today is listing ‘Having Children’ in their checklist of duties to do. Oh and believe it or not, some of us can’t wait to put a ‘tick’ on that box.
Children are truly a blessing of God and as their parents it is our duty to nurture them with love and care. During pregnancy, we tend to be very cautious and take care of every little detail of our daily routine. We do everything that would NOT harm the baby. And when the baby enters this world, we become even more careful and protective and do everything to care for this little being, who is totally dependent on us.
But as parenthood progresses, we tend to take our blessings for granted. We are overcome with impatience and feel pressured by our changing lifestyle. The journey of a happy couple to new parents and then to being responsible and hands-on parents can be a bumpy one sometimes. In the quest to be perfect parents, we often want to be in control of everything and that is when things seem to fall apart.
Real Reasons Behind the Growing Impatience with Our Kids
We lose patience easily and become extremely intolerant towards our kids. We begin to expect them to behave like adults, forgetting that they are still children because they are not so little anymore.
Some reasons why parents tend to be overly intolerant or impatient towards their children are:-
• Multitasking
We often want to have control of everything happening around us and prefer to multitask than to delegate. Women especially are known to be great at multitasking but how good are we at managing the stress that comes with it. In the quest of controlling everything, we tend to be intolerant and neglectful towards our children and tend to respond to them only after our work is completed.
• Marital Issues
In most marital problems and arguments, it is an innocent child who bears the brunt. We need to vent out our frustration somewhere, and children can be those soft targets. The age and maturity of a child doesn’t matter. Whether it is a small child or a teenager, the effect of our anger and anguish is always negative.
During a heated argument, we don’t raise our hands on our spouse because that would be physical abuse and no one wants to be accounted for domestic violence. Instead, we lose our cool on the kids and raise our hands on them (because no one looks at this as child abuse).
• Financial Stress
The slowing economy, job cuts and inflation can put pressure on any household. This in turn leads to making us impatient and agitated, and we tend to lose our mind at the kids more often, when things get out of control at home. If you sit back and think about it, children are not affected by these socio-economic factors because they don’t have an understanding of it, and at the end of the day they are only being what they are…children!
• Work-Home Balance
Trying to maintain a work-home balance can be very taxing, when there are children and/or other family members involved. Finding a good helper, a caring nanny or the right daycare can be very challenging for most parents.
Long working hours and work-related stress takes a toll on most individuals. Worked-up individuals then carry forward their frustrations and agitations to their family. Parents either tend to snap at their children or ignore them completely, while trying to deal with their daily problems.
• Competitive Nature
Parents these days are very competitive and want their children to excel in all aspects of life (which is not ideally possible!) We tend to overlook one very important thing – whether our child is enjoying the learning process or not.
Structured learning post-school hours can in fact bore a child and make him less interested in learning newer things because anything monotonous is never appealing. We need to start letting our kids plan their learning and play time according to how or what they feel that day.
Of course that doesn’t mean we let them play with gadgets all day. We can help them with their choices and steer them in the right direction, which will empower them to make correct decisions as adults.
• Phone Anxiety/Gadget Addiction
We have gotten so used to sliding, swiping and switching from one page to another that we think we can use this flipping technique to shoo away our kids too. Children need care, attention and time and we cannot just slide them off like a notification on the phone. As parents, we need to pull the plug on gadget addiction and re-focus on our children.
• Selfishness
Some parents refuse to let go off their pre-parenthood lifestyle for their own selfish reasons. They arrange for play dates to get their children off their back, enroll them in back-to-back classes to have less of them to deal with, spend the weekend shopping or dining with friends (while the kids are back home).
The fear of losing out on fun with friends often makes parents neglect their kids over the weekend, which in reality is a time for family-bonding. Striking a good balance between having a social life and spending time with family is important. Choosing the former over the latter can have devastating effects on our children.
We must remember that our negative behavior towards children can have very damaging effects on them. It can result in:
Let’s hope to make a few changes in our lifestyle and re-think our priorities. In a few years, when our children have gone away to acquire an education or for better work prospects, we will be left longing for them.
Let’s not make them long for our genuine love and affection as children. NOW is the time to spend their best years being there for them, so that when they go away, they have a reason to come back. NOW is the time to listen to them, so that when they grow up and need advice, they know where to look for it.
The best use we can make of our love and time is to INVEST it in our CHILDREN!
“Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.” – Leonardo Da Vinci
Every subject in school cannot be a favorite. I used to enjoy Social Science and Biology in school. Particularly, learning about the geographical demographics of a place, maps, climates, old civilizations, etc. Perhaps, this is why I signed up for classes in Anthropology, Human Behaviors and Astronomy at University. They were such fun, interesting and interactive classes. Apart for Art, learning about different cultures fascinated me. Learning about human psychological behaviors intrigued me. But I totally detested Math in school, I think I still do!
At different stages of school, I aspired to be a Social Sciences teacher, a criminal lawyer, an archaeologist, a fashion designer, a graphic designer. To think of it now, I was always role-playing in my mind and learning a new subject enthusiastically.
There was a time I was so intrigued by space (Oh I still am) that I wanted to be an astronaut. But going away from family sounded a bit too hard so I thought of being an astronomer. Unfortunately, it would require a lot of Math, and Math was never my best friend.
The only time I enjoyed learning Math was at University because the level of Math in American universities is equivalent to primary and elementary school Math of the Indian system. I got perfect scores in Math at university because I was great at Venn diagrams and pie-charts (no, seriously!) Today, as adults we know that trigonometry and algebra formulas are not going to help get a job, pay the rent, find a spouse or for that matter even catch a mouse!
On the other hand, my daughter enjoys learning Science and loves to solve Math problems. But she isn’t too fond of the Social Sciences. Sometimes I wonder how is that possible? Then I remind myself that she isn’t me and I’m not her. She is an extension of me but an individual in herself. She has the right to choose what she likes and develop her interests based on her own choices.
Making Learning Fun
So I try to make the ‘non-favorite’ subjects fun for here and try to teach her through story-telling, visuals and real-life examples. I tell her to relate what she learns, to what she has seen or experienced.
For instance, once she was confused when she was learning about ‘Terrestrial Plants’ growing in different regions. So I told her to remember the pine cones and coniferous trees she saw in Chicago (cold/hilly region), to think of the banyan and mango trees she plays around at the park in Mumbai (plains), to think of the rubber and coconut trees in the backyard of our house in Florida (hot and damp region), and not to forget the date palms and cactus that she sees here in Kuwait (desert region).
The next time she was learning about ‘Aquatic Plants’, she told me that floating plants are like duckweed that we saw in Bali, fixed plants are like the lotus we saw in Sri Lanka and underwater plants are like the plants we saw when we went snorkeling at Peanut Island in Florida. Instantly, I knew that she was learning and not just memorizing. She was reasoning and coming up with answers for herself.
Personally, I think this kind of learning is a bigger achievement than just getting good grades or a perfect score on a test. Integrating learning with experiences and memories will definitely help retain the information longer or forever.
Memorizing without understanding, and studying without the desire of learning will always make learning seem like a task. We must always reiterate to our kids that they should study to learn, and not just to remember until the next test or exam.
We should teach our children that learning is a journey and not a computerized input-output process. With so many living robots all around, we need to strive hard to nurture the human mind and heart, so that this world will be a better place for them to live in. A deeper understanding of what we learn will also help us become more compassionate towards each other and our environment.
Today, I enjoy the process of learning new things even more. One of the reasons why learning is still fun is probably because my parents never forced their aspirations on me or steered me in a way that didn’t interest me. I am indeed grateful to them for letting me make my educational and personal decisions.
The Progression of Learning
As life progresses and our thought process changes (or we get wiser), our interests change too. Currently, Nutritional Science and Religion interests me. A few years later, it may well be something else. So we must remember that learning is not limited to schools, universities and institutions. Learning can take place anywhere and anytime. Just like evolution, learning is an ongoing process so we might as well make it fun for our children and ourselves.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
These are such powerful words that capture the true essence of learning. We must remember that the best part about learning is that the knowledge we acquire solely belongs to us and no one can take it away.
Diwali, Christmas, Eid, Holi, Navroz, Lohri, Onam, Pongal and the list can just go on. Festivals are a very important part of the Indian culture. If festivals are the heart of India, festive sweets are like their soul. Festive sweets are like food for the soul because they are not only irresistibly delectable but also have a ton of emotions and memories attached to them.
You can never get over your childhood favorite ‘sheer khurma’ made by Grandma on Eid. And the Diwali aura around the mithai/sweet shops at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. The aroma of ‘Christmas cake’ that fills the streets in December. And the irresistible smell of ‘hot jalebis’ during Holi.
And the irresistible smell of ‘hot jalebis’ during Holi.Taste and aroma are well-known to transport us back in time, to some of the best memories we have lived. In India, any happy occasion calls for sweets. Whether a baby is born, a marriage is fixed, a new job or promotion is acquired, or a cricket match is won, “Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye!” is how most Indians bring in a celebration.
“Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye” literally translates to “Let’s have something sweet!” but the translation doesn’t really do justice to the essence of this phrase.
Traditional Indian Sweets
Gujiya is a sweet deep-fried dumpling made with a stuffing of coconut or semolina and dried fruits. These are especially made during Diwali, Holi and Christmas.
Besan Ladoos are gram flour balls made with ghee, sugar and nuts. They are made for most festive and religious occasions. Ladoos are childrens’ all-time favorites.
Coconut Barfi is a dense sweet made of coconut, condensed milk, sugar and cardamom powder. They are very popular during Diwali and Christmas.
Kala Khand is a dense sweet made out of cottage cheese, solidified milk and sugar. They are widely consumed during festive and wedding occasions.
Cham Cham is a traditional Bengali sweet made with flour, sugar, lemon juice and coconut. They come in a variety of colors like light pink, light yellow or white. Cham Chams find their fans in most kids because of their colorful appearance.
Kaju Pista Rolls are cylindrical rolls made out of cashew and pistachio. They have the texture of play-dough and are green on the inside (pistachio dough) and white on the outside (cashew dough). Most Indian festivals are incomplete without these famous nutty rolls.
Gulab Jamun is the Indian version of doughnut balls. Deep fried and then dipped in sugar syrup, this sweet is indulged upon on any given happy occasion. Gulab Jamun is almost every Indians’ favorite dessert.
Sheer Khurma is a special vermicelli pudding, prepared on the festival of Eid by Muslim households. The main ingredients of this dish are vermicelli, milk, sugar, cardamom powder and dried fruits and nuts. No Eid celebration is ever complete without the family-favorite Sheer Khurma.
Shahi Tukda is a rich and decadent bread pudding made with fried bread slices, condensed milk, cardamom, saffron and dried fruits. Shahi Tukda is synonymous with wedding and festive celebrations, and is also a Ramadan and Eid staple.
Meethi Seviyaan or sweet vermicelli is made by combining vermicelli, sugar, ghee, cardamom and dried fruits. This simple dessert is a Ramadan and Eid favorite too.
Badam Kheer, also known as Phirni and Payasam is a simple rice pudding made with broken rice, milk, almonds, raisins and cardamom. It is a commonly made during Diwali, Ramadan, Eid, Pongal, Onam and other Indian festivals.
Rose Cookies or Achu Murukku are fried cookies shaped like rose petals. These crunchy cookies are lightly sweet and absolutely irresistible. They are very popular during Christmas.
Kalkals are bits of sweet fried dough, which are shaped as tiny curls or shells. Crunchy outside and chewy inside, these heavenly bites are a Christmas favorite.
MarzipanFruits are made with almond meal and sugar and come in various fruit shapes and colors. This traditional Christmas dessert is a favorite of kids and adults alike.
Fruit Cake is made with dried fruits like raisins, cherries, plums, currants or sultanas, soaked in fruit juice and then added to flour, sugar, butter and eggs. Christmas can never be complete without this cake, which is also famously known as Christmas Cake.
Stress, anxiety and depression are terms that were not really heard of until a decade ago. The word ‘stress’ was used in a very generalized way to express being tired of something or doing something.
Today, we know ‘STRESS’ as the root of most ailments in the world. Yet, we as humans allow it to permeate into our daily lives. Living stress free is the ultimate goal!
Self Assessment With Gratitude
Do you wonder why the people around you are always agitated? Do you pause to think why your kids seem so perturbed?
‘YOU’ could possibly be the reason of their behavior. Our mood swings, our anxiety over trivial issues, our anger are all seen, felt and reflected.
Most of us are guilty of that but isn’t it a little unrealistic to expect others around us to be positive and happy? Now really, if you’re having a bad day and have not managed to smile all day, would you really blame your spouse for not being there or not talking two sweet words to you, while YOU are sulking and drowning yourself in negativity.
SOLUTION : Kick starting our day with a positive and clear mind will make us and the people around us feel joyful and content. Showing gratitude to our spouse and children will make their entire day. Learning to let go off small issues to maintain peace in our relationships, goes a long way. We can pray, meditate, listen to some soothing music, practice yoga or take a walk to keep all those cynical thoughts at bay (or rather away!)
Set Realistic Goals
Most students and their parents dread that time of the year when the exams and results are declared. Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and anxiousness takes over. Then comes the D-Day and what happens after that? Doesn’t life just go on? Unfortunately, these days we also get to hear of people ending their lives over not meeting their family’s or their own expectations. Sadly, peer pressure is taking a huge toll on children and adults alike. Years ago, when I was going down in the elevator with my neighbor’s high school goer, I asked him what he plans to do after his high school. With a dejected look he said, “I am very passionate about cricket and want to play cricket for India. But my father has said that I should only think of engineering and nothing else.”
I was really sad to see his despair. That day I promised myself that when I become a parent, I would let my child follow their passion and always support them in their choices within reason. I really wish that all parents could understand their children’s feelings, goals and aspirations better.
SOLUTION : We are seeing a generation who are coercing themselves to go beyond what is achievable. That doesn’t mean we should not aim higher or aspire for the better. But we should also learn to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them. We need to focus on giving our cent-percent and stop worrying about the outcome and result.
Step Out of The Rat Race Of Life
A few months ago an Indian movie called ‘Hindi Medium’ had released. The movie was based upon a metropolitan couple, who did not have a great command over the English language but wished to send their daughter to an elite International school. They wanted her to be everything they were not. The movie further depicts their dejection and the turmoil they go through, to ensure a guaranteed admission of their child into a prestigious school. It was a great movie but I thought it was a little far-fetched. To my surprise (rather shock!) when I came to India for a vacation, I realized that the issue addressed in this movie was actually a reality. Conversations with friends and family pointed out to one common thing, i.e the competition is way too much.
Children attend school all day and have numerous classes planned out for the remaining hours for the whole week. Do you think kindergartners really need to attend extra classes for general knowledge, football, swimming, etc.
As if this wasn’t appalling enough, I had a friend tell me that she is going crazy trying to get an admission form for her 8 month old son. I asked her why is she fussing over school so soon. It seems like the norm to apply for kindergarten admission is when you are pregnant or just deliver your child (believe me, I was as surprised as you are reading this!) Fast forward to two weeks later, when I met her she seemed relaxed and content. She finally acquired an admission form from the school she plans to send her child to. He starts school in 2020!! I rest my case.
SOLUTION : Back in our day, we attended school and everything else was learned, absorbed or picked up from our daily lives. We increased our general knowledge by reading newspapers and encyclopedias. Swimming meant time to go to the beach. Most activities were unstructured and that was the best part about it. Today, even learning a new sport or language feels like an ADDED STRESS to the child because it has to revolve around his/her and the parents’ busy schedules.
Remember We Are Being Watched
As adults we stress over finding the right partner, getting married, paying the bills, having kids, raising kids, getting a high-salary job, making the perfect house and so much more. We need to realize that habitually stressing over something might be rubbing off on our kids and the people around us too.
Unknowingly, this may affect our kids and they might imbibe it into their subconscious. The repercussion of this is that they will grow to be adults with a low self-esteem, no self-worth, have anger and anxiety issues, and will be dismissive of life. Every parent in this world only wishes the best for their child. Pressurizing kids to overachieve might seem what’s right for now but it actually does not enable them to be self starters.
SOLUTION : The focus needs to be on encouraging and appreciating our children for their efforts, for pushing them towards self-learning, for teaching them to rise above every shortcoming and to accept failures as a part of life and move ahead. We need to stop cushioning them and allow them to fail or fall back in a few of their endeavors. And unless we lead the way, how else would they learn to take responsibility?
A few marks up or down or a few thousands here or there, will not matter in shaping us to who we become eventually. Scoring a 100% or raking in a six-figure salary CANNOT guarantee a stress-free happy life.
Being content and grateful with what we have and being confident of ourselves, while accepting our flaws, will definitely make us appreciate our lives more.
Stop the fuss, eliminate the stress and enjoy the adrenaline rush of this wonderful roller-coaster called LIFE. For we can all get on this ride only ONCE! And if you’re still not satisfied, then remember that ‘stressed’ read backwards is ‘desserts’. So go grab a bite or a whole cake…whatever makes you feel better!!
Minali Bajaj-Syed is an Indian, born and settled in Kuwait. Having lived in Kuwait, India and the United States, She has had the opportunity to experience a diverse set of cultures. She thus, considers herself a global citizen. She is always learning, evolving and trying to spread some positivism. On most days, she is a mother to two kids and a food blogger on Instagram @cinnamon_cardamom
Living a healthy lifestyle goes way beyond clean eating and exercising. You may cut down on the carbs and increase the proteins, you may increase your greens, you may incorporate super foods into your diet, you may workout in the gym or do yoga BUT have you made any changes in your life to keep your body free of toxins and chemicals?
There was a time we would all worry about how safe our drinking water was. Today, after all the technology advancements, we can be assured that the water we are consuming is purified and filtered, and free of most germs and chemicals. But really how safe is the purified water in your or your kids’ water bottles?
If you look around and notice, you will see that most people carry PLASTIC water bottles. Be it to the gym, for a walk, to work or to school, plastic bottles is what you see everywhere. Our exposure to plastic has drastically increased in the past few decades.
Overuse of plastic is not limited to plastic bags only anymore. Disposable plates, spoons and cups, snack boxes, water bottles, food storage boxes, toiletries, makeup, toys and many other items made of plastic, have all become a part of our daily life.
Cumulative use and exposure to so much plastic can cause adverse effects on our health and lives. Let’s not forget, it is a huge threat to our environment and planet too!
Research indicates that almost all plastics may release chemicals if they are heated, scratched or overused. You may have seen that a few baby and kids products made of plastic come with a ‘BPA-free’ tag. BPA (bis-phenol) is a weak synthetic estrogen that can be found in most hard plastics.
BPA can be found in water bottles, sippy-cups, tin foods, baby formula can linings, cashier receipts, toys and more. Over exposure to this hormone-disrupting chemical can lead to anxiety, hyperactivity, depression, breast cancer and infertility. Unfortunately, BPA is present in almost all toys today and these toys are NOT ‘BPA-free’ unless mentioned. Apart from BPA, plastic may contain other harmful toxins and carcinogens too.
Being convenient and economical, it is almost impossible to avoid all plastic products. The least we can do is try to use it minimally and use other substitutes in place of plastic. A few small changes in our daily lives will go a long way in living a healthy and clean lifestyle.
1. Store water in glass bottles at home instead of plastic. (pretty bottles, win win!) 2. Replace all gym/school plastic water bottles with stainless steel bottles. 3. Avoid canned foods and try to use fresh foods if available. 4. Replace your plastic crockery/cutlery with glass or stainless steel. Your child does not need that cute Dora/Spiderman plastic plate and cup. Teach them young about the ill-effects of plastic on their health. 5. Store food and leftovers in glass containers. It is easier to re-heat it in the same glass container. PLEASE DO NOT cook or re-heat in plastic containers. 6. Try to use disposable paper plates and cups instead of plastic disposables. 7. Use ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles, sippy cups, toys and other baby products. 8. Please DO NOT boil your baby’s plastic bottles in hot water to sterilize them. You are only exposing them to more toxins by doing this. 9. Try to replace plastic feeding bottles with glass feeding bottles. 10. Avoid handling cashier receipts. You do not need to take that restaurant or grocery bill home. Please ensure your KIDS do not touch these receipts. 11. Try to introduce wooden blocks and toys to your children in place of the plastic toys.
The least we can do to protect our health and environment is to make these small lifestyle changes. Also, it is our responsibility to teach our children the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. If we start them young, this thought will become a habit, and they will grow up to become health conscious and responsible adults. Wishing you all good health and happiness always!
Minali Bajaj-Syed is an Indian, born and settled in Kuwait. Having lived in Kuwait, India and the United States, She has had the opportunity to experience a diverse set of cultures. She thus, considers herself a global citizen. She is always learning, evolving and trying to spread some positivism. On most days, she is a mother to two kids and a food blogger on Instagram @cinnamon_cardamom.
Girgian is a traditional 3-day Middle-Eastern festival, which is celebrated on the 13th, 14th and 15th night of Ramadan, depending on the day it is a full moon. This day marks the end of half-Ramadan and is celebrated to reward children for fasting and to encourage them to fast every Ramadan.
Girgian is known by different names in different parts of the Middle-Eastern world. In Kuwait and Saudi Arabia it is known as ‘Girgian’ or ‘Gergeaan’, as ‘Garangao’ in Qatar, ‘Gargaaon’ in Bahrain, ‘Garangasho’ in Oman, ‘Mageena Karkiaan’ in Iraq and ‘Hag Allah’ in UAE.
Children sing traditional songs and go door to door collecting candies. Special Girgian events take place at the malls, parks and other areas of kids’ attraction. Private Girgian parties are organized and kids are treated to a lot of fun, gifts and candies. This festival has no origin in Islam and has no religious significance at all. It is purely a cultural tradition. The similarity of Girgian to Halloween ends at the candies and there is absolutely no room for horror.
Tracing back its ORIGIN…
The exact origin of Girgian is unknown but some historians suggest that this tradition dates back to the time when Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) grandson, Hasan Ibn Ali was born. To celebrate the birth of her new born, the Prophet’s daughter Fatima distributed colored sugar cubes to people, on the 15th of Ramadan. The kids of Medina then gathered around the Prophet’s house to congratulate them by singing “Qarrat Al Ain, Qarrat Al Ain” which translates to “Congratulations, Congratulations.”
Another theory suggests that Girgian is derived from the Arabic word ‘Qarqa’ah’, which is the sound of tin buckets filled with sweets clicking together. Candies surely seemed to be a kids’ favorite even back then!
Time to DRESS up!
Before the onset of Ramadan, the markets in the Gulf countries get filled with traditional Girgian dresses. The beautiful girly dresses known as ‘Daraa’ come in beautiful bright colors and have pretty borders, laces, trinkets and pompoms. Most of these dresses are made locally with colorful and kitsch fabrics sourced from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Each dress comes with a matching sling bag, which is used to collect the candies in. Boys usually wear a long white or beige robe known as the ‘Dishdasha’ and pair it with some fancy traditional waist coats and head gears. Watching these cute, dolled-up kids stroll all around is surely a delightful sight.
It’s CANDY time!
Chocolates, wafers, cookies, soft chewy candies, hard candies, marshmallows, lollipops, chewing gum, sugar coated nuts…did I miss anything? Markets and grocery stores all around the country are filled with these candies (in BULK!) Every store is competing with each other by discounting candies by the dozen. Girgian themed individual boxes, bags and baskets filled with candies are a huge hit with most kids. Also, they are easier to distribute or give away. Most corporates have also started giving away these candy favors to their employees, to mark the Girgian festival. Candies seem to become an adult-favorite too at this time of the year.
Lessons to learn…
We can surely learn a few life lessons from this wonderful Middle-Eastern tradition. • It is always a good idea to reward children for their efforts. This can go a long way in motivating them do better. • Celebrating small achievements will encourage us to look forward to bigger achievements. • Sharing our joys (and CANDIES) with others will make us happier.
Making celebrations fun and memorable is a good way of inculcating the traditional values into our children. They will carry it on forward and make it a part of their life.
Minali Bajaj-Syed is an Indian, born and settled in Kuwait. Having lived in Kuwait, India and the United States, She has had the opportunity to experience a diverse set of cultures. She thus, considers herself a global citizen. She is always learning, evolving and trying to spread some positivism. On most days, she is a mother to two kids and a food blogger on Instagram @cinnamon_cardamom.
A lot of us get ‘HANGRY’ when we are hungry, more so when fasting!
Did you know it is possible to fast and yet not be furious at the same time? Blame it on some wrong eating habits or wrong timing. But if we chose to eat right, fasting in the month of Ramadan can be done in a healthier manner.
A few healthy lifestyle changes and you are ready for the Hunger Games to begin!
In this age of many lavish choices, observing Ramadan has an additional ‘e’ attached and fasting leads to feasting. In the Arab World and Indian Subcontinent, an Iftar (breaking of the fast) is usually very grand and comprises of varieties of foods and desserts. It is like a ‘mini food-festival’ that takes place every day!
What is Ramadan?
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory and is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other four being, believing in one God, praying 5 times a day, giving charity and going to Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year to Muslims around the world because it is in this blessed month that the Holy Quran was revealed.
It is believed that when one fasts, it brings forth gratitude. This makes them realize the value and importance of food and water in their lives. Ideally the fasting person realizes how fortunate they are to be blessed with the basic necessities of life. In addition to this, fasting teaches self-control and strengthens the belief in God.
Turning to a Healthy Ramadan
A few years ago, an Iftar meal at our home would include traditional Ramadan dishes like Fruit Salad (loaded with 6-8 tbsp of sugar), Chickpeas/Chana Chaat, mini pizzas, loads of fried fritters like onion bhajiyas, potato and jalapeño pakodas, and yummy Bohri keema and cheese samosas.
In addition to this, there would be a few beverages like Vimto and Rose milk (all loaded with sugar) to replenish what we lost during the day. Sigh!! We enjoyed each and everything without any feeling of guilt.
I would always wonder, why was I feeling so lethargic and stuffed after the meal. Even praying after breaking the fast would feel like a task!
With time I realized small changes needed to be made towards a healthy and happy Ramadan.
Today, our Iftar is simpler. The fruit salad is made without any added sugar. Fruits have a lot of natural sugars and fibre to keep us going for the day. Fried foods like samosas or fritters are consumed once a week. We enjoy hearty soups and fresh sandwiches on most days. After breaking our fast, we feel so energetic and cheerful (v/s lethargic and moody like before.)
[bctt tweet=”A few changes can make Ramadan or any fasting days lighter and vigorous.” username=”contactrwc”]
Break Your Fast With Light Foods
When breaking the fast (Iftar/Futoor), avoid fried, spicy and gassy foods. Having these on an empty stomach will mess with your digestive system and result in acid reflux and gas. Rather, opt for soups, stews, sandwiches, baked and steamed foods.
Hydration is Must
Keep yourself hydrated with water/infused water, buttermilk/laban/lassi, milkshakes and fruit smoothies after breaking your fast. Avoid drinks with a high sugar content like rose syrup, Roohafza, Vimto, flavored drinks and sodas. It messes with your blood sugar levels and makes you uncomfortable.
During Iftar/Futoor Eat Healthy
Think dates, fresh fruits, fruit salad, veggie salad, smoothies. Fruits/Veggies rich in water content (watermelon, cucumbers) are excellent to keep your system cool and hydrated in the summer heat.
As per family tradition, if you have to serve samosas, spring rolls, cutlets, kebabs, and other heavy foods, try grilling them OR try air frying (an air fryer is a great investment for healthy eating). It is so much better than deep frying!
And if you really need to have some fried foods, then try to fry them in olive oil. It is much lighter on your gut. Plus, your guilt will be a little less too. It is absolutely OK to indulge sometimes NOT everyday. It’s okay to have your favorite fried foods or pizzas when you break your fast but once in a while. Even I do!
Have Complete Meals
Along with proteins (meat, poultry, fish, lentils, etc.) don’t forget to include carbs (rice, brown bread, roti/flatbread) in your food. Your carbs is where you’ll get your fuel (read: energy) for the day.
Don’t Eat Heavy Before Going For The Prayers
Try not to stuff your tummy before the night prayer. It will make you feel thirsty, heavy and nauseous during the prayers.
Before Dawn-Break Eat Foods Consciously
For the meal before dawn-break (Sehri/Suhoor), avoid fried foods and junk food because they will only make you feel thirstier the next day. Fruits, eggs, oats, porridge, yogurt are perfect to keep you fueled and full. Dried fruits and nuts will give you energy for the next day too.
Eat In Healthy Portions
Remember, don’t go overboard while eating at Iftar gatherings. Your tummy doesn’t know that you have been invited to eat. All it knows is that it needs some food and water upon breaking the fast. So why not give it something healthy!
Be the change! If your family has been following the tradition of eating heavy, fried, unhealthy foods when breaking the fast, try to introduce or suggest healthier food/cooking options. A healthy lifestyle will begin with YOU!
Remember a healthy household is a happier household!! Have a blessed Ramadan you all. Share your healthy Ramadan ideas in comments below.
Minali Bajaj-Syed is an Indian, born and settled in Kuwait. Having lived in Kuwait, India and the United States, She has had the opportunity to experience a diverse set of cultures. She thus, considers herself a global citizen. She is always learning, evolving and trying to spread some positivism. On most days, she is a mother to two kids and a food blogger on Instagram @cinnamon_cardamom.
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Minali Bajaj-Syed is an Indian, born and settled in Kuwait. Having lived in Kuwait, India and the United States, She has had the opportunity to experience a diverse set of cultures. She thus, considers herself a global citizen. She is always learning, evolving and trying to spread some positivism. On most days, she is a mother to two kids and a food blogger on Instagram @cinnamon_cardamom
Minali Bajaj-Syed is an Indian, born and settled in Kuwait. Having lived in Kuwait, India and the United States, She has had the opportunity to experience a diverse set of cultures. She thus, considers herself a global citizen. She is always learning, evolving and trying to spread some positivism. On most days, she is a mother to two kids and a food blogger on 
