Nidhis.daily.blog

Tag: parenting

  • Half-empty Nest

    A couple being by themselves once the children move out is commonly termed Empty Nest. & this usually happens once the children are 20 years or older and have moved out for college or career. But these days younger parents could be facing a half-empty nest with kids even as young as 10 years.

    As the child approaches middle school and starts building a network of friendship and hobbies, she is away from home for more than half the day. Moreover she has started making her own decisions for trivial matters of clothing, feeding and the like so interactions with parents are limited in this sense too.


    For material things like food, money and complex social situations, she may still need you; the parent; and your role as a provider gets fulfilled therein. But you may start missing the hugs and kisses, the series of ‘why questions’ & the silly jokes, pillow fights as there is no room for it!

    On my own!

    Staying in the moment and cherishing time with your child is the best parenting experience one can provide. Afterall this mid-life half-empty next would only make the parent stronger for what comes a decade later – a fully empty nest ☹

  • To die or to live?!

    We know how much we love our kids as parents, right to the moon and back. We say we would die for them!

    What if I asked you to be braver and live for them? Be a stronger you by exercising everyday for them? Be a calmer you by meditating for them? Stay cleaner from food and drugs for them?

    Strong foundations for future

    Now that’s the courage if you love your kids and wish to be there for them in their growing years. Alive, kicking and being able to keep pace with the generation’s choices. Leave a legacy not a liability!

  • Parenting from a distance

    Raising kids the way we were raised? Or raising kids for the future of tomorrow? A quirky conundrum every set of parent faces.

    Raising them or rising ourselves

    How about choosing a middle ground – being the eyes, ears for your kid but letting them think and speak for themselves. Let them be on their own, judge for themselves and even commit their own mistakes. As long as they don’t hurt themselves badly, I think we all owe ourselves the lessons we (l)earn!

  • Does parenting have a gender?

    Father, mother.

    Mom, dad.

    Amma, Appa.

    These are all terms referring to a role of a caregiver to their offspring. Then does it matter whether it’s a male or female caregiver who rocks the cradle?

    In fact a balanced, well thought of and meaningful partnership results in a rounded kid as both parents bring their experiences, knowledge and wisdom to the child. Societal norms may shape this but normalising raising one’s offspring is a family and human issue. After all it takes a village to raise a kid.

  • Positive parenting

    Is it best to guide your children every step of the way? Make sure they are perfectly dolled up for all spheres of life? Is it a parenting failure if the kid doesn’t excel in either academics, sports or fine arts? How much pressure is too much pressure?

    Or are you a lazy, chilled out parent who let’s the kid be? One who isn’t worried about grades and excellence but rather focused on the learning experience? Isn’t this a cover for your inadequacy to multi-task?

    Leading the way

    All these myriad questions come to every first time parent as the child starts schooling. Till then it’s you and your kid but now it’s a bunch of other kids and their parents too! Comparisions and contrasts are but natural. Making you wonder if your parenting style is too lenient or too strict!

    And there is no golden answer. It’s what fits your family, your circumstances, your equation with your partner and so on. So stay on the course you’ve chosen, just keep your eyes and ears peeled for learning what’s happening in your kid’s world! 😇

  • Who doesn’t want a trophy kid

    So the kid comes back from school and is recollecting his day over meal. When I asked about the highlight of the school today, he mentioned fellow classmates getting trophies and certificates for great performances in sports.

    He ended it by saying why don’t I get such trophies. And it left me a bit surprised that a 7 year old is defining his sense of achievement openly. Happy I was to hear him understand and appreciate someone’s achievements and wish to emulate the same. At the same time sad I was that the kid felt small about himself.

    So I reminded him of his acts of kindness from a day before. He was on his best behavior leading a younger kid – hosting, engaging and trying to connect with him. To me his being kind, social and adjusting is the biggest trophy any parent can ever get.