Self-Growth of Parents - Is it required?

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Hello fellow Parents,

I hope you are having a good time while raising kids!

In my previous post, I had shared about the importance of aliveness while parenting and bringing aliveness in relationships in various ways. One major aspect that was part of my previous blog was Self-growth. Is it required or not, while you are totally occupied and absorbed in parenting your kids?

Self-growth or personal growth includes attaining understanding about yourself, your strengths and weakness, and the ways in which you try to achieve your full potential. It also includes- 

-acquiring new skills and habits, 

-letting go of such habits or thought the process that dis-empower you or adversely influence your effectiveness

- embracing a new way of life that invites happiness and abundance for you and people that matter to you.

Parenting versus Self-Growth

Which one would you choose- Parenting or Self-growth or both?

With so much to do while raising kids, is thinking about Self-growth means being selfish? At times, 24 hours seem to be less to take care of kids, manage the household chores, grocery shopping, school visits, home assignments, bill payments, and whatnot. The stay at home parent or working parent, both finds it difficult to breathe and take a break. Amid this, thinking about your own self sounds crazy, isn't it?

In addition, you would agree that parenting and managing home leaves lesser time for personal time or pursuing some interest. That brings in tiredness, dip in self-esteem, disconnect with the friends, separated with real-world developments and may sometimes lead to hopelessness.

While feeling empty within, can we really contribute much to the lives of our kids and family? 

We are no doubt, working hard to make things possible for the family but deep down in heart, there is a certain desire to do something for ourselves. Non-fulfillment of the same causes low self-esteem, depression,  guilt, and sadness, especially when the better half is not even aware of what you are feeling like and you are under the burden of your own created feelings.

That is where SELF GROWTH can change the whole scenario. Your attention to your existence and your development charges you up with hope, energy, and assertiveness. In several ways, when you actually work for your personal growth, it shows up in your presence, your behavior, and definitely in your family environment. Believe me, that inspires your kids too!

The Inspiring Wedding speech of Shashi in the movie- "English Vinglish"

"English Vinglish" is my favorite movie wherein the lead character, Shashi ( actress Sridevi) is dealing with a lot- lack of empathy from husband, no recognition of her contribution, callous attitude of her daughter, struggle to carry forward her hobby of making sweets.

As she is not able to speak the English language, her own family ridicules her and makes fun of her. But with grit, she manages to come out of her situation when she visits the USA for her niece's wedding. Here, she learns the language and delivers wedding speech in English, which is a real inspiration for all.

Sharing with you video of her speech-

Her speech holds inspiration for anyone who feels undervalued and ignored. That is the time to be your own guide and bounce back with confidence. I can relate to her speech in the video as at some point in time, I was surrounded by sadness and no hope for a bright future. I picked myself up started writing and then blogging and now I am leading a team of content writers successfully. This happened when I decided to take a stand for my personal development.

Self-Growth of Parents-  How?

As humans, we have a huge scope of personal development, going beyond our barriers, our old school of thought, and embracing a new approach to life. At a human level, we are prone to procrastination, regrets, hopelessness, lack of confidence, self-doubt, and preconceived notions. That affects our parenting style with limited contribution to the quality of life of our family.

However, once we tread on the path of personal growth, we open up the doors to several new things for ourselves and our kids. So, how to achieve personal growth?

Writing Journal

Front Portable PU Leather Soft Cover with Elastic Closure Lined A6 Notebook

Writing about what made your day beautiful infuses positivism and happiness. Write about your happy moments and the person you would like to thank for the act of kindness.

Pursue a hobby

Indulge in something that you enjoy like gardening, dance, knitting, etc., that enhances your skill and provides you an opportunity to feel content.

Connect with positive people

Meet the people who lift you up, inspire you, help you when you feel low, and enjoy with you. Stay connected to attract the positive flow of thoughts within you.

Discover yourself

Check what makes you happy, what triggers you, whatever that stops you, or scares you. Observe the reason behind and the impact. Meditate to know more about yourself and to calm your self. You can simply download an app for meditation.

Read a lot

Read motivational books or you may listen to a book if you feel less time in hand for reading. Download AUDIBLE or any similar reading app in your device and listen to great thinkers, authors and motivational speakers to broaden your vision for life.

Likewise, discover other ways to support yourself, upgrade yourself, and witness the transformed human in you, the delightful parent for your kids, and inspiring family members!

Related post-

Bringing aliveness in parenting and relationships

Bringing Aliveness in Parenting and Relationships

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Hi,

In my last post, I shared about feeling aliveness and its impact on you and on the people you care for. Let us take it a level deeper and discover what can make you and me feel alive. How we can include aliveness in our everyday relationships as well as parenting.

Discover the secret to feel aliveness while parenting!

We already know the absence of aliveness brings a certain way of living that is deprived of enthusiasm, spirit, and connection with our present. On the other hand, bringing aliveness can create a whole new world of happiness, hope, high spirits and connection with the present day. So, what all can help us to feel alive and live our life fully?

Here are certain important aspects which I consider bring forth ALIVENESS-

Physical and mental well-being

Workout regularly to keep your mind and body energized.

Regular workouts, walk, running, playing sports or yoga create good health and positive body image. In addition, regular physical workout of any nature enhances stamina, strength, and flexibility. This, in turn, gives you the confidence to perform tasks that you love without hindrance and promotes mental well-being.

Zeblaze VIBE 5 Smart Watch
 
Creativity

Participating in creative fields like art, painting, dramatics, dance, musical instruments, singing, etc., help you to express yourself. The uninhibited self-expression through creativity makes you feel alive and happy.

Love and care

Creating Aliveness in everyday routine through love and care.

Being loved and cared for brings that level of satisfaction which cannot be compared to anything else. Such an event arises when you are deeply connected to your parents and other close relationships, communicating, sharing and listening as well. Spending time with loved ones and developing a calm environment at home makes way for aliveness in parenting and relationships.

Read- Magic of a Hug

Self-growth

Being committed to your own growth, enhancing skills and learning new activity that falls outside your comfort zone definitely invites lots of enthusiasm in life. Reading books on varied subjects is another way to contribute to your learning journey. 

The continuous effort to grow and nurture yourself to witness self-development in yourself is key to feel fulfillment and contentment. The purpose is to keep your brain activated and engaged in different areas of interest. That brings liveliness in everyday routine.

Make peace with past

Yes, that is one important thing as humans we need to incorporate in our minds. Our imagination goes wary. Either caught up in past incidents or fearful of the future, we seldom enjoy what is available right here and now. 
By prompting our mind to focus on the present moment that we are witnessing, we can be available to people around us and experience aliveness. Therefore, let bygones be bygones. Live the moment as it comes.

Must read:

Importance of creating aliveness while parenting

Importance of Creating Aliveness while Parenting

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Hello everyone, 

Lately, I have been working on the possibility of creating aliveness in everyday life. In younger times, we engaged in creativity, laugh, tease, play, dance and act in many more ways that created a lively atmosphere in our life. However, as we grow older, responsibility, accountability, tight schedules, etc., etc., take over our once lively persona. 

                                                                    

Is the absence of aliveness bad?

It is though it is not apparent to us. The absence of aliveness deprives us of the element of feeling enthusiasm and hope at times. Emotions of stress, pain, self-doubt, fear, resignation, and indifference take over our everyday existence. That translates into our family atmosphere as well. We exist, work, sleep and perform tasks necessary for survival. However, that is not the reason we are blessed with the life of a human.

Absence of aliveness in our own being manifests in relationships; especially affects our kids. Carrying the emotional baggage of past erodes the aliveness and happiness of today. You cease to exist in present or count your blessings. Again, the same vibes surround your family and kids.

What is ALIVENESS?

                               

Being in the moment is being alive!

Alive means having a life, not dead. Going as per Dictionary. com, here is a clear meaning of what does it mean by 'alive'?

                                           

                               

   So, being alive is not only being in existence, it refers to a state of being active, being exuberant, vibrant and full of energy. That comes when one is fully immersed in the present and available for what is happening right now. Such existence does not have the shadow of past or fear of the future, only being present to the ongoing moment.

Check this quote on ALIVENESS:

What is the Importance of Creating Aliveness while Parenting?

As a human when you feel alive, vibrant and full of energy, it generates in the whole environment. The people surrounding you like your spouse, parents or children receive the same energy and respond with equal zest.

Situation 1- Response coming from your past culminating into anger towards kids.

Imagine a situation, wherein you are exhausted and loaded with official work. You enter your home with this mind frame when you kid hugs you. However, since being not available in present, as your mind is still stressed out, you respond with anger/ frustration. The result is the family atmosphere gets disturbed and your kids drift away from you.

                                           

Situation 2: Creating aliveness while parenting

On the other hand, while feeling alive and being in the present, you can respond to the same situation calmly, thereby retaining pleasantness. Consequently, the kids will connect with you freely and you will be able to enjoy a happy environment after a hectic day.

Here are highlights of Creating Aliveness while Parenting:

1. Being available here and now as a person

2. Past baggage kept aside

3. Responding to the present situation 

            

4. Inspiring the environment to experience present

5. Ensure many happy moments for family

6. Connecting with kids at an elevated level

7. Ensuring the vibrant persona of kids

8. Teaching the kids to be alive at any given moment

9. Happy and optimistic family

We will discover more on Aliveness on next blog post, let me know your views and feedback on what I shared today. Let me know how you felt when you practiced aliveness while raising kids.

Thanks for reading my post, have a good day!

Related post-

Bringing Aliveness in Parenting and Relationships

Importance of festivals for kids

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The importance of festivals can be reinforced in positive ways.

It is time to enjoy and celebrate festivals. Many of us like the festive season and enjoy the rituals attached to them. While others like the idea of getting holidays because of festivals and enjoy the break from their daily schedule. Our kids also enjoy the festive season and look forward to breaking from school and studies.

However, the kids hardly understand the importance of these festivals. Why these festivals are celebrated?

Ways to educate about the importance of festivals for kids

1. There is a mythological story or a significant historical event behind these celebrations. In the absence of awareness in this regard, the enjoyment of these festivals is incomplete. Many times, kids enquire about the historical aspects of the festivals. Making them aware of the past will surely help them to enjoy their present. 

2. Encourage them to participate in preparations such as rangoli making, singing prayers, decorations, making sweets, etc., so that they can understand the culture and enjoy with awareness.

3. Nowadays, many comic books are available that revolve around mythological stories and tell about the reasons for the celebration of a particular festival. Reading these history-based storybooks serves many purposes at the same time. 

It not only helps kids to learn about their history but also provides them the essential moral values. The moral of the story helps the kids to understand human values.

                                                                       

Kids portraying the role of Lord Rama and Sita

4. Stage plays, dance-dramas, and festive events are organized during the festival season. It is a great opportunity to indulge the kids in festive colors and local flavors. Indian festivals like Diwali and Dussehra are celebrated with great pomp and show drawing a huge crowd across the country. In fact, people from other countries also come over to witness.

5. Another way to guide about festivals is by way of cartoons. There are available many cartoon films/videos based on the lives of different mythological heroes, which may provide the answers to many questions of the children. The kids would love to watch these cartoon films and get to know about their past.

6. Often schools organize activities or events related to festivals that involve role-playing, poem recitation, decorations, etc. Inspire your kids to participate and help them out.

7. Send wishes and gift baskets to extended family and friends across the country or globe. Involve kids in choosing online greeting cards, gifts, or sending their handmade cards. Those ways they would learn to stay connected with loved ones at festivals.

Awareness about history is an important aspect of the education of kids. It helps them to differentiate between wrong and right, good and bad, and the pros and cons of various things that come up in life. Therefore,  the above ways are perfect to teach the importance of festivals for kids.

Share your ideas or views in this regard, looking forward to your inputs...


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7 Signs and Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies in Kids

                                                                    
                                                                          

Does your child suffer from a nutritional deficiency?

Nutritional deficiencies have become a common problem among kids, these days. Surprisingly, even normal-looking children have nutritional deficiencies. You may not know about this unless your child starts showing signs and symptoms. Learning about these symptoms will help you to keep your child healthy. 

Top 7 signs and symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies in kids

Here are 7 signs of nutritional deficiencies in children that will help you to know what more can be included in your child's diet for wholesome nutrition:

1. Restlessness

                                                                 

Being hyperactive can be a sign of nutritional deficiency in the child.

Restlessness in kids may be considered a good sign by parents. However, hyperactive kids suffer from poor digestion. As a result, their body is unable to absorb most of the nutrients. Research has revealed that the use of food colors is one of the major causes of restlessness in kids. So avoid adding artificial food colors to your child’s food. Also, avoid giving processed food to the child.

Solution - Add healthy foods that aid in digestion to your child’s diet such as buttermilk, yogurt, and papaya. 

                          Related post- Health Benefits of Curd for Kids

2. Pain in Legs

Calcium deficiency is often obvious in children during bedtime. The body of your child slows down this time. The nutritional deficiency will make your child anxious and she will find it hard to fall asleep. Your child will also experience growing pain in the legs.

Solution – Add calcium-rich foods to your child’s diet such as spinach, yogurt, milk, and cottage cheese.

3. Crowded Teeth

                                                                 

Crowded teeth are a symptom of nutrition deficiency in a child.

Scientific studies have revealed that the crowding of teeth is mainly a result of nutritional deficiency. Moreover, mothers who did not pay attention to their nutrition during pregnancy also experience crowded teeth problems in their children.

Solution - Add traditional food into your child’s diet such as carbohydrates, rich fats, and animal protein. Pregnant ladies should also focus on having a nutritional diet.

4. Muscle Weakness and Cramps

Children need ample Vitamin D for healthier bones and muscles. Insufficient Vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness. It can also increase your child's vulnerability to bone fractures and cramps. General weakness is also a sign of vitamin D deficiency.

Solution - Adding grain products, egg yolks, mushrooms, and fish to your child’s diet will help.

5. Delayed Speech

Delayed speech in children is generally related to B12 deficiency. Hence, it is important to add this nutrient to your child’s diet.

                                                                     

Only a healthy diet can cure a deficiency in nutrition.

Solution – Make sure your child has food rich in B12. The best sources include chicken, organ meats, shellfish, beef, chicken, fish, eggs, pork, and dairy. There are no grain or plant sources of B12.

6. Dryness in skin/hair

 Kids can face dryness in the skin as well as hair due to a deficiency of iron and fat-soluble Vitamins such as A, D, E, and K2. In order to overcome this deficiency, kids need to have supplements and foods rich in these vitamins.

Solution - Green leafy vegetables, carrots, cheese, almonds, fish, high fats dairy products, and cod liver oil can help in preventing dryness of skin and hair among children.

7. Mood swings

                                                             

Crankiness and moodiness is a strong indications of nutritional deficiency in a child.

Insufficient and improper nutrition not only affects physical health but also mental health. Mood swings, cranky behavior, and anxiety indicate that the child lacks fats like Omega 3.

Solution - Include Butter, nuts, and coconut oil in the diet to regulate the deficiency as well as mood swings in the child.

Conclusion- Nutritional deficiencies in kids

The above symptoms cannot be dismissed as minor issues. These and other signs such as obesity, lethargy, frequent cold, cough, etc., are clear indicators of bigger health issues that if not dealt with on time, may convert into bigger health problems. Therefore, re-consider the diet plan of your child so that she/ he gets wholesome nutrition and you may avoid nutritional deficiencies in kids.





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9 steps for better immunity of your child

Calcium rich food with better absorption

Quick stress busters for your children

Believe it or not even kids get stressed out. Even they face challenges and struggle which we parents need to look into and understand. The reasons for stress can be varied like-

Peer pressure
Bullying
Academics
Low grades in school
Parental pressure
Lack of a positive atmosphere at home
Sibling rivalry
Medical illness
Fears and insecurities, etc

How does stress affect children?

9 steps for better immunity of your kid

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The good health of children is of topmost importance for a parent. However, growing pollution, infections, and allergies, stress levels, etc take a toll on their immunity system. So what can be the possible solutions to bestow better immunity to your child from the beginning?  Read on steps to enhance the immunity of your kid-

                                                   

Ways to enhance Immunity of your kid

Breast milk for the baby: Breast-feed your baby from day one as in the initial few days;  mother's milk contains 'colostrum' which provides immunity to the baby from several diseases. Also, continue to feed her your milk as it has white blood cells as well as power-packed antibodies that enhance immunity. This initiative will not only protect your child from several infections, allergies, and critical diseases but also enhance her brainpower.

Sufficient sleeping time: While a baby requires 18 hours of sleep, a preschooler should get at least ten hours of sleep time. It is important to boost the immunity of kids from a very young age. Sleep deprivation otherwise may lead to several kinds of illnesses.

                                 Read more: Benefits of good sleep for kids

Fruits and vegetables: A child has better immunity if he consumes a healthy diet, which comprises of fruits and vegetables such as beans, carrots, oranges, lemons, papaya, strawberries, spinach, broccoli, and grapefruits. Such foods have immunity-enhancing phytonutrients that help the body to fight infections and diseases.

Include herbs in diet: Herbs such as basil leaves, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and ginseng contain antioxidant properties and boost the immunity of kids. Therefore, include these in the diet of children so that they safeguard the kids from general infections and ailments like cold, fever, flu, stomach problems to more serious issues such as diabetes, cancer, and degenerative diseases.                                       

Vitamin D: Let your child soak in the sunshine so that he/ she absorbs the goodness of Vitamin D. It would help him to stay fit and free from infections.

                                      Stretch Mark Removal by Amoils 

Cleanliness for immunity: Encourage kids to wash their hands with soap before and after mealtime to avoid infections. It's essential to wash hands frequently soon after playtime, pet care, after using the washroom, after coming from school, after sneezing, and so on. While traveling outside, carry disposable napkins, sanitizer, towel, and soap to maintain hygiene and keep the immunity level intact.

Exercise for immunity boost: An easy way to enhance the immunity of kids is to exercise and play actively with them such as aerobics, yoga, biking, football, basketball, etc.

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Avoid antibiotics: Avoid antibiotics as far as possible as frequent use will lower the immunity of kids and make bacteria resistant to antibiotics.


Avoid secondhand smoke: Secondhand smoke adversely affects the immunity of the kids as they inhale the smoke faster, which leads to the destruction of healthy cells in the body. The kids become more vulnerable to infections, bronchitis, neurological issues, etc.

So, take these 9 steps for better immunity of your kid and stay happy!

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