Before guiding your child towards the spiritual path, accept it in your life first. Children can feel when parents fake something. So it is important to be completely true to what you believe in before nurturing your child’s spiritual side. Developing spirituality is a lifelong journey towards self-discovery. What is spirituality?The dictionary defines it as being concerned about the human soul and spirit as opposed to physical and material things. It does not matter in which religion you believe. It is important to believe in the energy that is greater than us. Spirituality is developing life values like gratitude, compassion, sharing, acceptance, faith, etc. Being spiritual is respecting life, respecting the rights of others, and appreciating the environment. For example, teaching ‘sharing’ to children is important; be it sharing their toys with other children or sharing their time and energy with elderly people. It is important to let our children know how these actions make other people feel good. Not to mention when we help others, we are truly helping ourselves. Spiritual kids are happier and healthier and have a better sense of values and morals.Spiritual well being leads to fewer chances of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Spiritual well being also leads to emotional well being in children. There is no particular age when you can start instilling spirituality in your children. You can teach your babies and toddlers too. At this age, they might not understand it mentally but they will feel the energies, vibrations, and love and will know that this is a state of being. Here are a few ways to nurture your child spiritually:<ol><li>Set an intention:&nbsp;First thing in the morning have everyone in your family set their intention for the day. Have your children state their intention, for example, their intention for the day could be something like: I intend to be mindful in school today, or I intend to have a happy day.&nbsp;At the end of the day, ask them if their day turned out as they intended it to. If not, ask them where it went off track and what they could have done differently.</li><li>Gratitude journal: Make it a habit that everyone in the family writes down at least one thing they are grateful for every day in the evening. It can be anything from being happy for being alive to thanking another family member for something they have done for them. Alternatively, if you as a family eat dinner together, have everyone at the dinner table state what they are grateful for.</li><li>Guided visualisation: Children are visual learners so guided visualisations or meditations work great. Guided visualisations can create healthily, thought-provoking images to transform negativity into positive affirmations. Guided visualisations provide relief from stress and anxiety, decrease panic attacks, boost self-esteem, and provides opportunities for children to connect with themselves on deeper levels. Guided visualisations are best to use before bed so as to calm your baby down and put them in the space to have good dreams.</li><li>Martial Arts:&nbsp;As odd as this sounds, martial arts actually emphasises self-control, respect, and compassion. Apart from teaching self-control and discipline, martial arts boosts self-esteem and confidence, it provides a tool to channel anger. It is also a great exercise</li><li>Yoga:&nbsp;Yoga brings about inner peace, is a good way to increase children’s awareness of their own bodies, aids their sense of balance. It also reduces stress and lowers anxiety levels in children.</li><li>Arts and Crafts:&nbsp;Arts and crafts provide children with the opportunity of being creative and use their imagination. Hence, art and craft is great way to explore spirituality. Art also helps children in expressing their deepest feelings for which they don’t have the words to say out loud. Children tell the truth through their art.</li><li>Explore nature: Exploring nature helps in self-discovery. You can teach several aspects of life using the elements of nature. For example, you can teach your children about transformation by talking about butterflies; teach them about the interconnectedness of life by talking about ecosystems while hiking in the forest; teach them about conservation by picking up trash wherever you are; take them for stargazing. There are endless ways to teach children about the universe and its place in it through the exploration of nature.</li><li>Community Service: Volunteering for a community service project can provide children with a broader understanding of how they fit in the world. It helps them develop compassion and empathy for others and find gratitude that their own circumstances are different from others.</li><li>Encourage your child to share his or her dreams with you: By showing a genuine interest in your child’s dreams, the child will learn to value them. Encouragement to share will build their self-confidence and in turn create an optimistic and cheerful approach to life. By encouraging a child to share aspirations we are ultimately supporting them in believing and achieving them.</li><li>Listen to your child with full attention and concentration: When children try to communicate but aren’t heard and honoured, they try to guard their feelings over time and keep to themselves most of the time. Take time out to sit and listen to your child’s joys, achievements, frustrations, and dreams.</li></ol>

Children can feel when parents fake something. So it is important to be completely true to what you believe in before nurturing your child’s spiritual side. 

Nurturing your child's Spirituality

Spirituality keeps one grounded and helps an individual live an emotionally and mentally content life.

Nurturing your childs Spirituality

It's time to get creative and know that your children will remember the fun, no matter what you end up doing.&nbsp; <ul><li>Balloon Balloon:</li></ul>Kids love balloons so wake them to lots of balloons. Stand over the bed and shower them with a laundry basket full of balloons and pieces of curled ribbon. Or scatter balloons in their room after they've fallen asleep the night before so they wake up to a sea of colour.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/birthday-balloons-in-room-2.jpg_image_1637134022133.jpg" width="309" style="cursor: nesw-resize;"> <ul><li>Make a Paper Crown:</li></ul>Decorative paper, scissors, and a small piece of tape are all you need to craft a cute crown for your birthday king or queen. Sticking with the royal theme, let your child choose a title or name they'd like to be called for the day.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/papercrown-main.jpg_image_1637134039436.jpg" width="310" style=""> <ul><li>Dress in their Favourite Colour:</li></ul>Favourite colours are a big deal to kids. The whole family dressing in their favourite colour is a beautiful sight to smile for them.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/photo-1511348547654-09ef00c65feb.jfif_image_1637142205348.jfif" width="312" style=""> <ul><li>Let them Decorate the Cake:</li></ul>Make a cake or buy one and allow your child to do the decoration. They can include their older siblings and do the teamwork. Provide them with chocolate chips, icing sugar, colourful gems, whipped cream. They would enjoy it so much.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/toddler-decorating-cake.jpg_image_1637134398150.jpg" width="313" style=""> <ul><li>Treasure Hunt:</li></ul>Play treasure hunt with them. You can hide their gifts in different places and leave clues for them to search for it. It's always fun to figure out riddles and clues.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/1155287281-1024x700.jpg_image_1637134817639.jpg" width="312" style=""> <ul><li>Watch their Favourite Movie:</li></ul>Kids love to watch their favourite movie again and again. Fix some time and all the family and friends&nbsp;can have a small get-together followed by a movie night. You all can book a mini theatre and have more fun.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/homes_outdoor_theaters_02474.jpg-df9a7-1226x0-c-default.jpg_image_1637135064640.jpg" width="313"><ul><li>Size Them Up:</li></ul>Each year, mark their height on the wall, take their hand-prints or take a photo in the same spot so you can see how much they grow and change each year.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/74e1c2f084a4a242417979fab7d0f59a.jpg_image_1637138211985.jpg" width="105" style=""><img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/img_1974.jpg_image_1637138084741.jpg" width="212" style=""> <ul><li>Gift Hamper:</li></ul>Give a birthday gift hamper with all the little things the child has ever asked for once in a while, like some small toy, pencil, stopwatch, globe or some book of their favourite character. Sometimes picking up little things they told you once makes them happier and they feel heard and very special.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/adobestock_85273473.jpeg_image_1637141848847.jpeg" width="309" style=""><ul><li>Decorate with Pictures:</li></ul>Fill a wall or a sheet of poster board with some of your favourite photos of the birthday kid from birth to present day, or just from the past year.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/birthday-party-decoration-500x500.jpeg_image_1637138745386.jpeg" width="307" style=""><ul><li>Write and Give Letters:</li></ul>Write an annual birthday letter to your child highlighting special moments and milestones from the year. You can also write letters to your child throughout the year and gift them together on his birthday. The letters may have funny interesting incidents and events. There are so many fun things you can do together with your child to make their birthday special. And enjoy to the fullest.<img src="https://bee-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/image/1200-173940516-child-giving-card.jpg_image_1637139010443.jpg" width="306"> Shower them with lots and lots of Love.

It's time to get creative and know that your children will remember the fun, no matter what you end up doing. Start with creative decorations, balloons, gifts, cake designs, and party games.

Creative Birthday Celebration Ideas for Children

Your child's birthday is special not just for your child but for you as well. Try keeping it minimal but yet full of memories.﻿

How to play truth or dare with children and family: The rules are simple:<ul><li>Players take turns to be asked “Truth or Dare.”</li><li>The player chooses to either tell the truth when asked a question or carry out a dare.</li><li>A question or dare is then selected, and the player either answers the question or does the dare.</li><li>Afterwards, the next player takes their turn, and so on.</li><li>There are no winners and the game ends when players have had enough.</li></ul> <h4>30 Truth Questions for Truth or Dare Challenge for Children</h4> <h5>Q1: What would you do if your mother gives you 100 Rs?</h5><h6>You can come to know what is on a child's mind regarding money.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q2: If you are given some clay, what would you carve out of it?</h5><h6>You can come to know about the creativity and thought processes of the child.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q3: Whom do you watch TV with?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the child is watching television alone or with adults around.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q4: Can you count 1 to 20 backwards?</h5><h6>You can come to know what is concentration power and awareness in a child.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q5: Magic show, circus, zoo or cartoon - what will you choose?</h5><h6>You can come to know the child’s present mood or simply his/her liking towards mystery, connectivity with nature or if (s)he desires to be in his/her own space.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q6: What is your favourite body part on yourself?</h5><h6>You can come to know a child's inclination towards beauty or not and what is important to them. Beauty or functionality.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q7: Have you ever cheated to win a game?</h5><h6>You can come to know whether the child is fearless to confess or feels guilty about cheating.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q8: Do you like writing letters and numbers?</h5><h6>You can come to know whether the child in their early childhood, gets pressured by the academics.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q9: Which word did you hear the most this week?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the child is listening to a lot of NOs or being exposed to some word (s)he should not be.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q10: Where do you like to spend your time?</h5><h6>You can identify the people who make him/her feel secure.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q11: How do you help your mother at home?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the child is involved in household chores and if (s)he is given enough opportunities for the development of life skills, survival skills, fine motor and gross motor skills.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q12: Have you ever stayed at your friend’s place to study but played instead?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the study circles are fruitful and if appropriate activities are happening during study circles.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q13: What do you address your house-help?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the child is respectful towards people, be it of any strata.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q14: Do you like it when your clothes are neatly stacked or when they are kept in a pile?</h5><h6>You can identify the aesthetic sense and orderliness in the child.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q15: Which game do you enjoy playing with your parents?</h5><h6>You can come to know Why the child likes the particular game if that's because of the parent involved, use of touch sense, outdoor or indoor game.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q16: What is the most creative thing you did this week?</h5><h6>You can identify things the child finds creative, also is (s)he getting enough opportunities of creativity.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q17: Do you hide your favourite toys when you don’t want to share them?</h5><h6>You can come to know whether the child has a possessive attitude or not.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q18: If you are given some clay, what would you carve out of it?</h5><h6>You can come to know about the creativity and thought processes of the child.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q19: Which is your favourite movie?</h5><h6>You can come to know about what the child relates to in life, some game, sport, action, emotion, etc.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q20: Which vegetable do you like the most and why?</h5><h6>You can come to know about the senses used by the child and whether s/he likes the taste, presentation, smell or likes the person who makes the dish, etc.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q21:What do you love drawing/painting?</h5><h6>You can understand the observation and the likes of the child.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q22: Have you ever missed washing hands after using the toilet?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the child is health-conscious or has a careless attitude towards hygiene.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q23: Have you ever used momma’s lipstick secretly?</h5><h6>You can come to know opinions about beauty and a child's inclination towards a specific gender.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q24: What are three things you would change about your mother?</h5><h6>You can know about the things that the child likes about his friends’ mothers and things he dislikes about his mother. You can also know their internal idea of mother.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q25: Do you sneak snacks when the mother is not looking?</h5><h6>You can come to know whether the child fears the mother to ask for snacks or not.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q26: Have you ever made your class teacher upset?</h5><h6>You can come to know whether the Child is observant and aware of people’s emotions around.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q27: What is the last story your father/mother narrated to you?</h5><h6>You can come to know if the parents narrate stories.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q28: What did you have in your last meal?</h5><h6>You can come to know about the memory of the child and if they pay attention to their meals.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q29: Do you like writing letters and numbers?</h5><h6>You can come to know whether the child in their early childhood, gets pressured by the academics.</h6><h5> </h5><h5>Q30: Name a famous person that you would like to be friends with.</h5><h6>You can come to know about child’s perception of people, if they believe in what they see and if they get easily influenced.</h6> Keep it light, keep it silly, and remember, everyone, is supposed to be having fun.

Truth challenge is perfect for a family game night. You and your child will learn exciting new things from each other! The classic Truth and Dare Challenge game is easy to play.

Best Truth Challenge Questions to Do With Children

Truth or Dare Challenge is one of the all-time classic party games and a great way to get to know your children better in fun ways.

Best Truth Challenge Questions to Play With Children

A few things said in haste messes up a child's brain and have a considerable impact psychologically, like low self-confidence, self-doubt, anxiety, depression, and so much more. Throughout your parenting journey, make sure you are not saying things or acting out in a way that could damage your child(ren) mentally. Sometimes parents are not aware that their actions affect their child(ren) negatively, and sometimes parents overlook it and justify their bad behaviour due to their stress. Here are a few practices which you should avoid telling your child(ren): Pick these up right now. I don't want you leaving a mess like that again.Instead, say:&nbsp;I don't like this mess you are leaving. Can you please clean this up when you have time? You should know better.Instead, say:&nbsp;It's OK not to know some things. Here, I will help you out. You're a bad kid.Instead, say:&nbsp;Can you tell me why you behaved/acted in such a way? I feel it wasn't right, is there anything you want to talk about? Or Else.&nbsp;Example: Eat dinner, or else you won't get your dessert.Instead, say:&nbsp;How about you take a healthy dinner quickly so that we can all enjoy dessert together?&nbsp; Stop being shy.Instead, say:&nbsp;You can come to say hi to your aunt when you are ready. You should set a good example for your brother.Instead, say:&nbsp;Your brother looks up to you; you're such a good role model. Wait until your father/mother gets home.Instead, say:&nbsp;You're grounded because you said a bad word. I will never forgive you.Instead, say:&nbsp;What you did was not acceptable, but we can look past it and move on if you think the next time. I'm ashamed of you.Instead, say:&nbsp;Although I feel bad about what you did, I love you for who you are. Don't worry; everything will be OK.Instead, say:&nbsp;Mom and Dad are always nearby, and we're going to set up a plan in case of emergency. Here, I'll do it.Instead, say:&nbsp;Let's do it together!" Don't cryInstead, say:&nbsp;I know you're sad, and it's OK to cry. It's OK to let out your emotions. Let me hug you. If you don't clean your room, you're going to be in big trouble.Instead, say:&nbsp;When your room is clean, then you may go out to play. Family finances aren't your business.Instead, say:&nbsp;Finances are how we make and manage money, and when you like, we will teach you what we know. I'm disappointed in you.Instead, say:&nbsp;I'm surprised and was not expecting this to occur. Come here, NOW.Instead, say:&nbsp;It's almost time to go. Do you want one minute or two? Because I said so.Instead, say:&nbsp;Explaining why you feel a certain way about something. We can't afford that.Instead, say:&nbsp;We're not going to buy that because we're saving our money for more important things. Don't talk to strangers.Instead, say:&nbsp;What would you do if a man you don't know offers you candy and a ride home? OR If anyone makes you feel sad, scared, or confused, you need to tell me right away. You should listen to adults.Instead, say:&nbsp;You need to listen to your parents. Don't be greedy!Instead, say:&nbsp;Would you please be kind and share your toys with your friend? Who taught you this? (about mischief)Instead, say:&nbsp;Why did you do that? Look at this lovely girl.Instead, say:&nbsp;I love you. You can do this too. I do everything for you.Instead, say:&nbsp;We do things for you because we love you, so please do for me. Do I have to tell you this 100 times?Instead, say:&nbsp;I've told you this before, but could you please. That's only for boys/girls.Instead:&nbsp;Say nothing at all. Try your best at raising gender-neutral children. You live under my roof, so you follow my rules.Instead, say:&nbsp;You know the household rules. Please stick to them. That's how I was raised.Instead, say:&nbsp;I don't think it's a good idea to do [ ]. Even my parents used to tell me that [ ]. You're just like your mother/father!Instead say:&nbsp;I’m not happy with [ ] because [ ]. I told you so.Instead, say:&nbsp;I'm sorry to hear about [ ] ... let this be a lesson. It's just a little white lie.Instead, explain to them that it's OK to use white lies to be polite and not hurt someone's feelings. Explain to them the fine line between lies and little white lies. Man up. / Be a man.Never disregard your son's feelings. Don't teach them that showing emotions is weak. To show emotions is only human. Why can't you be more like your sister?Instead, say:&nbsp;I don't quite like this behaviour of yours. Do you think we can work on it? If you loved me, you wouldn't do (this/that).Don't teach them that love needs to be proven all the time. Love comes without ifs and buts. I wish you'd never been born. / I hate you.No matter how angry you are, this is the worst thing to say. You would be scarring your child. Why can't you do anything right?Instead, say: What's the barrier? Is there anything I can help you with? I don't believe you.Instead, say: This comes as a shock for me. But I am sure you can tell me the whole thing. There's nothing to be afraid of.Instead, say:&nbsp;Everyone has their fair share of fears. We appreciate that you shared your feelings with us. We promise we will work on this together. You're lazy/stupid/selfish.Never label your child. Never. Your friends don't do that.Comparison will never bring any positive change. Accept your child for who they are and appreciate them. You should have done better.Praise them for their achievement. Do not over expect. You don't know what you're talking about. / You're too young to know what you want.Often children know what they want or how they feel. Saying this will show your distrust in their feelings. You'll never be able to do that.Instead, encourage and push your child to do better, of course, without any comparison. You're so fat/skinny, or You're going to get fat/skinny.Never attribute a child's identity to their looks. You make me so mad.Calm your anger down, and then talk to your child(ren).&nbsp;Instead, say:&nbsp;We will talk about this after a while when I am in the right state of my mind. Impact of such phrases on children:<ol><li>Antisocial behaviour</li><li>Poor resilience</li><li>Depression</li><li>Aggression</li><li>Lack of empathy</li><li>Difficulty in relationships</li><li>Self-doubt</li><li>Lack of self-confidence</li><li>Anxiety</li></ol>

A few things said in haste messes up a child's brain and have a considerable impact psychologically, like low self-confidence, self-doubt, anxiety and so on

Speaking Gently: Things you should never say to your child

A few things said in haste messes up a child’s brain and have a huge impact psychologically.

Things You Should Never Say to Your Child

Have you ever looked at the stars at night and wondered about what’s up there? Space is a big place with a lot to explore. At the centre of our solar system is the Sun. Around the Sun orbit eight planets, as well as stars, bits of dust, comets and meteoroids. We live in a spiral galaxy known as the Milky Way.Here are some interesting facts about the solar system that children should know. 1. The sun is far away from the Earth.2. Years ago, people thought that Earth was the centre of the universe.3. Most of the Solar System’s mass is contained in the sun.4. The inner planets are composed of rocks and metals.5. The outer planets are composed of gases.6. Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System.7. Most asteroids are found in a ring between Mars and Jupiter.8. The Sun is a star – it gives off light and heat and is made up of hot gas.9. Venus is the hottest planet in our Solar System.10. The asteroid belt is made up of rocks.11. Not everything in the Solar System orbits the Sun. The Moon, for example, revolves around the Earth.12. There are 8 planets that orbit the Sun.13. Our Galaxy is called the Milky Way and the Sun is one of the hundreds of billions of stars in the galaxy.14. Saturn’s rings are beautiful.15. Small asteroids regularly fall to Earth or burn up in the sky as glowing meteors.16. Sunlight takes around 8 minutes to reach earth.17. Jupiter has the biggest ocean on any planet.18. Venus has super-powerful winds.19. Spacecraft have visited every planet.20. Saturn has a hexagonal-shaped storm21. There are rocks found on planet Earth that came directly from Mars.&nbsp; A great way to get kids to remember these facts is by making them into flash cards that can be played with whenever curiosity strikes.

The solar system is fascinating. The sun, the planets, and countless smaller bodies fascinate us. If your child wants to know more about them, read on and enhance your child's knowledge.

21 must know facts about solar system for children

Our solar system is made up of the sun, the eight planets that orbit the sun, and countless smaller bodies such as asteroids, comets, and dwarf planets.

One of the most important ways to prevent SIDS is to place your baby to sleep on his/her back from the moment (s)he is born.

Why should babies sleep on their backs  

Most babies prefer sleeping on their stomachs but it is not safe. One of the most important ways to prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), is to place your baby to sleep on his/her back from the moment (s)he is born. Unless you have been advised otherwise for some medical reason by your doctor, make your child sleep on their back. Sleeping on the stomach or sideways results in overheating, re-breathing exhaled air, increasing the risk of SIDS. Even if the baby changes position during the night, gently put him/her on its back again whenever you notice it. Sleeping on the back also reduces nasal congestion.

why should babies sleep on their backs

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