Palak Vyas

Few things to keep in mind before you go on that much awaited trip with your baby:<ul><li>Before the trip- Check with your paediatrician for any immunisations or vaccination to eliminate any risk of dreadful diseases and to keep safe from unwanted sickness.</li><li>On the flight- If you are travelling by air, consider a rear facing seat, book a seat that has bassinet.</li><li>At the hotel- Check safety, example: railings and proper locks.</li><li>Keep them entertained.</li><li>Use mosquito repellents or sprays.</li><li>Be prepared with snacks and fluids.</li><li>Take extra clothing and stock of diaper.</li><li>Take your child’s favourite items which your child associates with sleep.</li><li>Take along their favourite toys.</li><li>Try not to take trips that are longer than 6 hours.</li><li>Keep first aid kit handy.</li><li>Try to plan stops along the way that are safe, not isolated and that allow you to walk around.</li><li>Consider scheduling trips around your child’s sleep time.</li></ul>

Travelling with a baby can be pretty tricky and tiring. The key here is to maintain patience all along.

Tips for travelling with a child 

Ravina Sewani

Kids tend to swallow many items including toys, buttons, coins, earrings, rings, paper clips, game pieces, needles, pins, tacks, toothpicks, screws, button batteries, magnets, and nails. Most objects that children swallow are harmless, and pass through the digestive system without any problem. Do not force your child to vomit in any case, this might worsen the situation. Objects that become stuck in the oesophagus, stomach or intestines may need to be removed. Two things are especially dangerous: button batteries and magnets. <ul><li>When you notice that your child has swallowed a button battery, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance immediately. Do not induce vomiting. If a button battery is swallowed and gets stuck in the oesophagus, it can burn through the tissue in just two hours, causing severe injury or death.</li><li>Magnets can be dangerous too, especially if two or more are swallowed. If your child has swallowed two magnets, they can damage the intestines. In this case, go to your nearest hospital emergency department.</li><li>If your child is older than 1 year, you can give 2 teaspoons of honey every 10 minutes until you get to the hospital to try to prevent injury. Once the object reaches the stomach, the situation becomes less serious.</li></ul> Call for medical help if your child has:<ul><li>Has trouble swallowing food</li><li>Has excessive drooling along with blood</li><li>Has pain in the chest or neck</li><li>Has coughing</li><li>Has fever</li><li>Refuses food</li><li>Has vomiting</li><li>Passes blood in the stool</li><li>If your child is coughing or is having difficulty breathing, the object may be in their airway or lungs. You should call an ambulance immediately if your child is having trouble breathing.</li></ul> Treatment in the hospital:<ul><li>In hospital, a doctor or nurse will ask what your child has swallowed. An X-ray may be done if the swallowed object is made of material that shows up on an X-ray, or if your child has worrying symptoms.</li><li>If doctors are unable to see a swallowed object on an X-ray and your child has no worrying symptoms, it is OK to take your child home.</li></ul> Swallow test:<ul><li>If your child has swallowed something small and shows no signs of trouble, the doctor will first suggest them to drink water. If water passes down easily, the doctor will then recommend trying a piece of bread. (Enzymes in saliva will help dissolve the bread if it sticks.) If either of these causes any problems, the doctor will then proceed for the treatment.</li><li>If the object gets stuck between the mouth and throat, the doctor may try to get it out with tools through the mouth (endoscopically). Your child might be given medication to make them sleepy before the procedure. Another alternative is to give drugs that relax the muscles so that the swallowed object can pass into the stomach.</li><li>If the object is large, sharp, or dangerous and has moved into the stomach, the doctor will try to take the object out through the mouth. If that doesn't work, X-ray results are analysed to track the object’s movement. The doctor may recommend an operation to remove the item if it’s sharp and doesn’t seem to be making its way out of their body, or might damage their intestines.</li></ul> Plastic Wrap:If your child has swallowed a plastic wrap, don’t worry as it will be thrown out in the stools within a day or two. You can give bananas to your child as they are known to aid smooth movement of the bowel. Watch for nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, if present consult paediatrician.But next time, take very good care so that your baby doesn't swallow anything abnormal. When the child has swallowed poison:A poison is any harmful substance that is inhaled, injected, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Swallowing of the poison always requires medical treatment hence call for medical help as soon as you suspect your child of having swallowed a poison. Signs and symptoms of poisoning may include:<ul><li>Burns or redness around the mouth and lips</li><li>Breath that smells like chemicals</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Difficulty breathing</li><li>Drowsiness</li><li>Confusion or other altered mental status</li><li>Having seizures</li></ul> If you suspect poisoning, be alert for clues such as empty pill bottles or packages, scattered pills, and burns, stains and odors on the child or nearby objects. Take the following actions until help arrives:<ul><li>Swallowed poison: Remove anything remaining in your child’s mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container's label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning.</li><li>Poison on the skin: Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to 20 minutes in a shower.</li><li>Poison in the eye: Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.</li><li>Inhaled poison: Get your child into fresh air as soon as possible.</li><li>Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing.</li></ul>

Kids tend to swallow many items including toys, buttons, coins, earrings, rings, paper clips, game pieces, needles, pins, tacks, toothpicks, screws, button batteries, magnets, and nails.

Swallowing abnormal things

<ul><li>Normally babies stop wetting beds when they are 2 or 2.5 years old. And if any child is wetting beds even after 2.5 years, the parent can wait till 5 years.</li><li>If bed wetting continues after 5 years, then in the beginning, the doctor will usually give them behavioural treatment and by following that most of the problems get solved.</li><li>But if the child continues to urinate in bed at 6 or 7 years also, then the parent should consult a specialist and do as per doctor’s advice.</li><li>If the family has a history of such a condition, there are more chances for the child to have this problem.</li></ul> As per the behavioural treatment given by the doctor:1. The child should not be given any fluids or liquids after 6 PM including sweet drinks, water, lassi, soda, buttermilk, milk etc.2. The child should be asked to urinate just before bed and even after sleeping, the parent is supposed to take the child to the toilet after 1- 2 hours. <ul><li>Urinating in bed is a combination of both physiological and psychological issue.</li><li>Child should be made mentally strong by counselling and talking to them. They should be asked to wash their undergarments or bed-sheets which they had spoilt. By doing this, they will feel conscious and stay aware about it.</li><li>You can appreciate your child by putting star-marks in the calendar for the nights (s)he didn’t wet the bed. The child can be asked to use the affirmations like “I won’t urinate in bed tonight” for 20 times.</li><li>If the problem continues even after these efforts, the doctors might suggest an alternative treatment.</li></ul>

Urinating in bed can be avoided by not giving fluids before bed but sometimes it has underlying psychological reasons as well.

Urination in bed

Mustafa Lokhandwala

Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don't devote much time or energy into meeting children's basic needs. These parents may be neglectful but it's not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child's physical or emotional needs consistently. These children receive little guidance, discipline, and nurturing from their parents. And oftentimes kids are left to raise themselves and make decisions — big and small — on their own. Many parents can identify with being stressed, overworked, and tired. You know what we mean: when things get out of control, you might brush off your child for a few minutes of quiet and lonely. Characteristics Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is a considerably new parenting style that does away with hand-holding and guiding the children. It lets them learn by themselves.To better understand what uninvolved parenting consists of, it can be helpful to look at some of the key characteristics of this parenting style. <ol><li>Emotional Detachment –&nbsp;Such parents think that their duty is limited to providing food and shelter, and no other needs such as connecting with their children emotionally. They do not feel the need to ask their kids about their daily activities, or even take care of them when the children feel emotionally down. They avoid any conflicts.</li><li>Too Occupied in Their Own Life -&nbsp;Uninvolved parents feel the pressure of the world and are generally busy with their issues. They may be too occupied in solving their problems and concerned about their lives that they may have the least interest in their child’s life.</li><li>Inappropriate Supervision -&nbsp;Sometimes parents may adopt either of the extreme approaches: they may either be too lenient towards their kid and may not know what he may be doing, or they may be too strict that they may restrict their kid’s social involvement.</li><li>Fewer Feelings –&nbsp;Parent Show little warmth, love, and affection towards their children. Such parents may not express their love towards their kids by hugging, kissing or by any other ways. They may have an indifferent attitude towards their child.</li><li>Less Involvement in child activities -&nbsp;Because of a lack of affection, uninvolved parents aren’t interested in their child’s schoolwork, activities, or events. They might skip their sports games or fail to show up for school meetings.</li><li>Abuse and Drug addicted -&nbsp;If parents are addicted to alcohol, drugs or other abusive substances then they fail in their responsibilities. Parents with substance abuse affect a child’s growth as they do not involve themselves with their children. In some cases, if parents lose their jobs, and come under financial constraints, then kids may have to drop out of school, or lack nutrition, among other things.</li></ol> &nbsp;Effects on Children Uninvolved parenting style may affect a child in more than one way, and some of the effects of neglectful parenting on a child may include the following:<ul><li>A child&nbsp;may feel lost and directionless.</li><li>The child may&nbsp;struggle to find his identity&nbsp;and may often be&nbsp;too timid.</li><li>Increased risk of&nbsp;substance abuse.</li><li>Lack of affection and attention can lead to&nbsp;low self-esteem.</li><li>Have difficulty in social gathering due to&nbsp;lack of social skills.</li><li>More likely to have symptoms of&nbsp;depression.</li><li>Poor academic performance due to&nbsp;mental tolerance.</li></ul> Pros of Uninvolved Parenting Uninvolved parents typically lack a discipline style. So, unless a child's behaviour affects them, these parents don't usually offer any type of correction. They allow the child to act how they want. And these parents don't get upset when their child performs poorly in school or with other activities. Cons of Uninvolved ParentingGiving excessive leniency may have significant negative consequences. Let’s see what the drawbacks of uninvolved parenting are: Lack of Confidence -&nbsp;Parents gives children the confidence to face the challenges. Unfortunately, children raised through uninvolved parenting lack this confidence and bravery. They usually have low self-esteem and are consequently uncertain about their own ability to face and deal with different situations. The absence of parental support and love also makes them feel insecure, thus making them worried over the smallest of things.Low self-esteem-&nbsp;One major disadvantage of uninvolved parenting is that these children don’t develop an emotional connection with their uninvolved parent. A lack of affection and attention at a young age can lead to low self-esteem or emotional neediness in other relationships.Mentally Stressed -&nbsp;In the absence of love and nurturing from the parent, these children may not learn the value of time. They might spend too much time watching television or playing online games.Social Skills -&nbsp;Children of uninvolved parents may have difficulties with social interactions outside the home because parents rarely communicate or engage their children.Emotional imbalance -&nbsp;Children who do not have limits set on their behaviour can have difficulty regulating their emotions, especially when their needs are not met.

Uninvolved parents tend to have little knowledge of what their children are doing. There tend to be few rules. Children may not receive much guidance, nurturing, and parental attention.

Uninvolved Parenting

Juhi Mishra

You can homeschool your child via different approaches. To start with, there can be different approaches one may take. The way/approach majorly depends on the requirement and suitability of the parent and hence the planning may be done. Approach #1:<ul><li>Taking the child out of a regular school and start educating them at home without any affiliation with a School or Board. This way the children may learn in an independent manner and won’t have to follow a particular curriculum. The homeschooler family gets to explore all the resources, methods and content nationally and internationally.</li><li>Later, with the progress, the family may choose a Board which is suitable for the child(ren) to appear for their 10th examination and accordingly, they may be introduced to the curriculum.</li><li>This kind of set-up fit suits the children who are in elementary or middle school years. For children who are close to the 10th grade and have to sit for their board exam as well, one might want to look at other approaches since there is less time in hand.</li></ul>Approach #2:<ul><li>Some schools allow parents to enrol their children as a private student. In this approach, parents can choose to teach their children at home but have to follow the curriculum and examination process of the school.</li><li>In this approach, Parents have to personally approach the schools, that have affiliation with the Board they prefer (IB, SSC, IGCSE, NIOS etc.). In this case the homeschooler family will have to follow the standardised curriculum adopted by the school (they have enrolled into).</li></ul> Apart from the approaches, one may start with the following pointers:<ol><li>Understand the legalities involved</li><li>Locate homeschoolers nearby, in your city</li><li>Explore homeschooling methods/approaches</li><li>Design a plan suitable for your child</li><li>Attend book fairs, conferences and events</li><li>Spot your support network</li></ol>

The decision of homeschooling a child is a major one and needs to be taken in the light of researching all the pros and cons, legalities and challenges that come with the step.

Homeschooling your child

The generation gap between kids and their parents:&nbsp;We can’t expect a five-year-old to understand you, so obviously, it is you who has to understand and make changes to bridge the gap. <ul><li>Always listen to your child carefully. Make him/her feel heard. Unless you listen to them, how else would you understand them?</li><li>Take an interest in their daily activities.</li><li>Involve them in your life.</li><li>Respect them and their decisions.</li><li>Love them unconditionally.</li><li>Don’t be judgemental.</li><li>Do not label them.</li><li>Accept and respect the differences.</li><li>We all have been brought up in different backgrounds and cultures. Our belief systems have been conditioned as per our surroundings, so to bring any change in it is a difficult task for anyone. It is not easy to accommodate people with different mindset and ideologies. So give time. And take time. The more you try and accept them, the easier it becomes to bridge the gap.</li></ul> The generation gap between kids and their grandparents:&nbsp;Most of the time, this is not a big issue as grandparents always show love and pamper their grandchildren when they are young. But in some cases, when the grandparents are strict and opinionated, this situation may arise. In other cases, the child may feel that the grandparents are not approachable due to their age difference. What you can do is:<ul><li>Encourage communication between the younger and older generations.</li><li>Give grandchildren and grandparents opportunities to learn new skills and methods of doing things together like gardening or reciting prayers. The child can teach mobile operations to their grandparents.</li><li>Encourage children to accept people of all ages.</li><li>Teach your children to respect their elders and their opinions.</li><li>Engage them in fun activities like storytelling and reading books.</li></ul>

The generation gap not only exists between parents and children but also between grandparents and grandchildren too.

Bridging The Generation Gap

Samiksha Choithani

<ul><li>Being a parent if you are keen to prepare your child for natural disasters, it is great!! Such occurrences are stressful and traumatic. Most of the events are such that we tend to forget a lot of things and sometimes even children or little negligence can have a significant impact on the lives of little ones. Hence, it is pertinent to prepare them for natural disasters and its after effects.</li><li>Plan in advance: National Climate Departments usually inform before the natural calamity is about to occur, which gives enough time to prepare for the calamity. Create an emergency plan with the family – like keeping a bag stuffed with salt, passport and first aid ready. It can be anything that is essential for survival, keep it ready and train your child to pick it in case of a natural disaster.</li><li>Train them to be safe: If you are living in a flat or an apartment, train your children to use the staircase in case of fire or earthquake. In case of earthquake train them to hide below a wooden table instead of jumping from the window or running around.</li><li>Stay near your kids: If you are informed about the natural calamity, keep your children around.&nbsp;Children get insecure about being left alone and getting separated from their parents/family. During natural disaster and after that, try to keep your children physically close to you.</li><li>Read about Natural Disasters: Even if the national agencies do not inform, you can prepare your child for natural disasters by reading books that explain about natural disasters and dealing with them.</li><li>Patience is a must: If you are affected by the natural disaster, try to be sensitive with your children. Instead of getting impatient about the situation, talk to them for a while as they too are into a trauma and need your help to come out of it.</li></ul>

Natural disasters affect one and all. It is advisable to be best prepared.

Emergency situation with children: Natural disaster

Like adults children also start exploring their behaviour at different ages. But like adults, children don’t have words to express their emotions; they are just discovering different ways of behaviour in order to influence people. So tantrums are just method of expressing feelings for children, all we need to do is try and understand what is happening around them. Tantrums cannot be totally avoided but of course can be controlled. Take the following steps to cope with your child's tantrum issues: <ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Ensure the child is not stressed – if the child is tired, hungry or stressed he/she may experience tantrums.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Identify the sources that lead to tantrums, for e.g. If your child is experiencing tantrums when you are involved in a conversation, try to hold it for a moment and listen, in case you are avoiding it might trigger and lead to a frustrated behaviour. Next, time when you have a long family conversation, ensure you have a book to read or some colouring assignment for a child to keep them busy.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Distract your child and don’t try to be rebellious when the child is experiencing tantrums. Just try to change the environment or start a new activity.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Just try and talk about the feeling, encourage them to name the feeling. For example if the child throws a toy, ask them why did they throw? It wasn’t working? What could have been done? And what could be the consequences of throwing it?</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Keep calm, take time (a minute) to control yourself first before reacting to the situation. If you get angry, situation can be hard both for you and your child.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Be consistent in your approach, if you give a phone to child during meals when the child experiences tantrums and sometimes you don’t, things can get worse.</li></ul> Note: Once the child turns 5, tantrums may considerably reduce as they develop an understanding of consequences of their behaviour. You can explain them immediately or at night in the form of a story.&nbsp;

A child is bound to throw a tantrum because who else if not the child. This does not mean the tantrums can not be tamed.

Dealing with Toddler Tantrums

You can consider the following points while handling and dealing with a child whose loved one has died in the family: <ul><li>Talk straight and precise but with care and compassion. For example, if you want to disclose that the child’s grandpa has died, tell them, “I have some bad news for you, your grandpa died yesterday night due to a heart attack”. Take a pause; let the child understand what it means.</li><li>On hearing such news, different kids may have different reactions. Some children go silent, some might ask questions, and some might even start crying. Be sure to stay around and in case you can’t be around, hand over your child to someone close to him/her like. Give them warm hugs and cuddle with them if they feel like it. Give them some time.</li><li>If your child is old enough to understand, you can explain to him/her the reason behind the death; for example, if grandpa died due to a heart attack, explain that people can die of physical illness. When their heart stops working, they can die.</li><li>Prepare your child beforehand about things that are about to happen. For example, prepare them for funerals, burials, and people coming for prayers and condolences. Let them know what they can expect for a few days in the family and the house.</li><li>Talk about rituals and what happens during that ritual. How are people going to greet or what they might say, “My condolences or I am sorry for your loss are a few polite words people may say. We should thank them for coming”.</li><li>Give them time to heal from the loss, and during that time, stay around and make them comfortable to express themselves in whatever ways they want.</li><li>Help your child feel better by remembering the dead loved one and their happy stories.</li><li>Make your child realise that death is irreversible; people don’t come back once they die. But we can always cherish their memories.</li><li>To explain the concept of death, take some examples from nature’s cycle. Please show them some dead butterfly on the porch or some dead plant and explain how this dead animal or plant can’t take any food or water. Likewise, tell them that dead people can’t breathe, can’t take food or water, and they won’t be around us anymore.</li><li>Do not try to protect your child from pain. Tell them the truth. When you explain it clearly, with care and compassion, they learn to deal with it gradually.</li><li>If you feel that your child is not coping after your many efforts, you can take them to a counsellor, who can certainly help your child.</li></ul>

Such times can be very difficult with a little one around. It is important to take their feelings into consideration.

homeschooling parenting concerns

Parenting issues are a part of the everyday parenting journey. Following article(s) might help you with your concern(s).