Recently a survey is done by Flipkart over the fathers of our country. Close to 1700 fathers of different cities (metro and tier two both) have been surveyed and the results are really welcoming. First, let me tell you what was the purpose of the survey. It was done to know on the ground level how much today’s Indian fathers are involved in raising their kids. And contrary to the set image of Indian fathers, today’s fathers are really inspiring. They are productivity playing their parenting duties. As per the results of the survey, fathers in Bengaluru were found to be most active, doing 91% of activities with their children. On the other side, fathers in Hyderabad contributed the least, with only 20%.  A couple of other findings of this survey are: Close to 80% fathers attend school activities regularly and half of them wouldn’t mind being stay-at-home dads. 58% of the fathers had become more patient. Around 27% quit cigarettes and 22% gave up drinking. Isn’t it a great n...

Yesterday my husband and I were arguing over some topic. We started it when Vibhu, our boy, was asleep. We thought it was the best time as our 3-year-old was sleeping and he would not be able to witness the tiff. However, during our little-heated discussion, he woke up. He came to us in the next room and sat next to his father. When we were silent for few minutes, he said  "Baat karo aap log, mai baitha hoo yahi.." We both burst into laughter. So, we continued our argument. And when I raised my voice a tone above, Vibhu interrupted me saying "Mumma, Papa ki baat mano.."  Strangely, he took it absolutely positive. Most of the posts on the topic "Is It Right To Fight In Front Of Your Child" state that argument in front of kids is a big NO NO. It emotionally damages them. They feel scared when they find their role models, their parents, fighting with each other. Kids who witness anger, heated emotions and battles between their parents, are most likely to ...

It was very happening last week. We, a family of three, were in our hometown to attend two family wedding bashes. We landed there with heavy suitcases and carry bags as each of us was carrying multiple pairs of shoes and party attires to look perfect during different ceremonies. The whole weekend went well with meeting those family members whom I never met before, at least not face to face. Then I also met with a few of my childhood friends whom my last face to face interaction was some 15 years ago. Yes, 15 years!! However, for half of the week, I was the craziest mother of the crowd. The reason is obviously my 3-year-old. You see, this was the first time we had been brave enough (crazy enough?) to bring our son with us to a big event like a wedding. Normally he is a kind of person who stays silent among strangers. No matter how flamboyant he remains at home, his shyness covers him when he is out. He usually stays calm and only wishes to get carried. I and my husband had the same ...

Today I am going to admit of what many parenting experts may consider wrong. I am an unashamed briber of my son and my husband also does that without thinking much about it. My son is not much fussy about eating but many times I say "Finish your plate and you'll get a Dairy Milk." Then happens when he is not ready to be quite while combing his hair, we use this bribing trick, "Once your hair are done, you'll get my cell phone."  I know the army of parenting gurus can be judgmental and they would criticize me that I am extrinsically rewarding my son. Rather than giving him intrinsic benefits, I am taking a wrong step of rewarding him based on his acts. To which I would say "Is that really so bad?" Sometimes kids are non-compliant, non-cooperative, who not only don't know what's good for them, they even don't go with what their parents think is good for them. For example, tooth brushing, getting homework done, sitting quietly, not j...

Giving a gift to your special ones is something that should not be a chore. It must come from your heart. Making someone feel special is more than enough reason to make you give more. It tells the receiver that you were thinking about them. Three, the most important men in my life are my father, my husband and my son. For three of them, I thoughtfully juggle my mind and finally select the best gift. Buying gift for my father and for my son has always been easy for me. For the little master, being a mother, I can buy things that I pretty well know He Wants and I Want for Him. So that's always my call. For my father, I have a long list of items that he longed for in his life but due to other important family expenses, he couldn't buy them. He was the sole earning person of the family and being a responsible father and husband, he always gave his wishes least importance. He is an ideal father, I must say. So when needed, I pick one such item from that "wish list" a...

Social media is no longer a time-pass thing engaging only those who have leisure time after work. I know many people who are running their businesses on social media only making it a professional engagement too. They endorse their skills, products and business offerings here. For instance, many of the mommies I am in touch with are mommy-bloggers who use social media to promote their blogs. This has also become a profession for many of them who get paid for their blogs’ content and promotion. Social media also brings many other paid opportunities for people who have the desired kind of talent in them. My changed view about social platforms encouraged me to develop my social wings too. My raising social wings made me join Instagram recently. I followed many on Insta, mostly the fellow mothers, who are already popular Insta mothers. Honestly, I am a bit not set in posting my updates on this new platform as I am used to of posting my thoughts in clearly stated textual form inste...

कल शाम मैं अपने ३ साल के बेटे विभू के साथ खेल रही थी. दिवाली के बाद जले हुए दिए इकट्ठा करके वो अक्सर ही खेलता है तो कल मैं भी शामिल हो गई उसके खेल में. मैंने दियो से एक के ऊपर एक रख कर ऊंचा सा एक आकर बनाया और और अपने बेटे से कहा "देखो..मैंने टेम्पल (मंदिर) बना दिया.." मेरा बेटा खुश हुआ उसे देख कर फिर कुछ सोच कर उसने सबसे सामने वाला दिया अपने जगह से हटा दिया और अपने पीछे रख लिया. मैं समझने की कोशिश ही कर रही थी कि ऐसा क्यों किआ उसने, उसने उत्सुकता से बोला "मम्मा.. अब मैं टेम्पल के अंदर आ गया.. अब पंडित जी मेरी शादी करवा देंगे.." मैं तो सन्न हो गई एकदम. ३ साल का बालक और शादी की बातें. फिर मैंने उससे पूछा " पंडित जी शादी करवाते है क्या?" मेरे बेटे ने सर हिलाते हुए जवाब दिया "हाँ .. पंडित जी शादी करवाते है और फिर वापस अपने घर चले जाते है.." मुझे हसीं आ गई उसकी बात पर. फिर मैंने सोचा इससे पता करती हूँ कि शादी के बारे में इसे किसने बताया. क्यूकि आज तक मैंने उससे शादी के बारे में कोई बात नहीं की. और मेरा बेटा सीधे पंडित जी तक पहुंच गया तो मैं अधीर ह...

In India, we don’t just celebrate a festival, we actually celebrate our customs, rituals and relations. The importance we secure for our relations is known around the world. One of our relation-glorifying festivals is "Bhai Dooj". As the name suggests, this is also a festival that marks the undying bond of affection between the brother and his sister similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. Quite like the numerous other Indian festivals, Bhai Dooj is also a commemoration of family bonds and social attachments celebrated on the second day after Diwali. On the day of Bhai dooj, sisters pray for the long life and well-being of their brothers. It is believed by Hindus that on the day of Bhai dooj Lord Yama (the God of Death) visits his sister Yami (river Yamuna) who puts Tilak (an auspicious mark) on her brother’s forehead and prays for his long life. Being overwhelmed at the sister’s deed Lord Yama blesses all the brothers who visit their sisters on this day. The ritu...

Hi all, The most memorable day of my life is here again. Yes, it's my son's birthday on coming Saturday, 9th of September. I am busy in planning and making this day special for my 3-year-old. As a mother, I want to do so many things on his birthday. But you know, we all end up following a negotiated plan which suits every in the family. So considering my husband, the guests and the birthday boy, here is my birthday plan : 1. Celebration at home: Last two years, we celebrated my son's birthday in a near by hotel with taking a party hall for 4-5 hours. But this time I am going to arrange everything at home. Although my flat is quite small. But you know the dialog "Dil Me Jagah Honi chahiye.." and I have that so much. So this time party at home. 2. Smaller Cake: This time we have cut down our guest list. So only 2 KG cake and some sweets from a famous East Delhi sweet shop. The theme of cake is "Jungle Book". So it would be having a lion, a handing ...

Vibhu is so SMART..

Papa also makes STORIES..

Vibhu is so intelligent..

Vibhu is so unexpected and can give you RIDES like anything..

Don't mess with Vibhu..Ever..

Such a clever boy Vibhu is..

Vibhu & Papa fighting for TV..

Vibhu is a big LIAR..

It was Papa's birthday yesterday..

Vibhu loves to copy Papa..

TV is not only Papa's territory now.. Vibhu also is in there..