Life skills - A must

Teaching a child life skills is not only important in self care but also helps him in developing self esteem, confidence, socializing, independent thinking and reasoning.

There are certain skills which need to be inculcated at the very beginning of a child’s life and some as they grow. These skills are in cooperated from home and may be not at school. Being an Indian household, every family and religion have different ways of teaching these skills.

I have listed few life skills which I, as an adult and a mother have instilled in my son’s daily routine. Of course, there would be many more which might be taught at different levels. I strongly believe that none of the house chores should be gender specific.  Washing utensils or basic sewing can be done by anybody.

Little Angel (2 – 3 years old)

Ø  Puts his toys away with assistance.

Ø  Puts his soiled clothes in a basket, with little help from me.

Ø  Folds big sized napkins with assistance.

Ø  Assist in dining table setting like     laying the big sized cutlery – plates,   spoon, Bowls, napkin.

Ø Help him hold spoon / fork while   having meals on his own.

Ø Takes more time to complete his food   in the plate.

Ø  Brushes his teeth, washes and wipes his face with assistance. 

Cute devils (4 – 5 years old)

      

Ø  Basic house chores – laying / clearing the table before / after meals respectively, dusting the reachable places.

Ø  Knows his full name, home address and contact number (mobile / Landline) to be able to reach in case of emergency.

Ø  Placing all toys / games in places without any assistance.

Ø  Brushes teeth, washes face, combs hair and has bath on his own.

Ø  Independently folds medium sized clothes.

Ø  Segregates and piles up different categories of clothes.

Ø  Uses child friendly knife and Cuts veggies like Okra, carrots, cucumber with assistance.

Ø  With little help, he peels fruits / veggies using child friendly peeler.

Ø   Identifies currency denominations and its uses.

Ø  Selects his own clothes and basic understanding of
combinations to wear.

Adventurous (6 – 8 years old)

Ø  By now, he voluntarily helps in most of the house chores.

Ø  Enjoys chopping veggies using a blunt          knife.

Ø  Understands the concept of mixing and stirring while cooking.

Ø  Makes simple food like sandwich on his   own.

Ø  Sorts and puts away basic grocery items.

Ø  In an Indian household, he serves meals to the guests (with assistance)

Ø  Starts moving around independently, in known places like building compound.

Ø  Uses dustpan, broom and mopes the floor by him.

Ø  Prepares his birthday party guest list.

Ø  Selects his story books.

Ø  With little help, packs his school bag.

Ø  Tells time (with assistance)

Responsible (9 – 10 years old)

Ø  He starts getting independent with chores like crossing the road.

Ø  Takes care of his personal hygiene without being      told.

     Ø  Goes to a store and makes basic  purchases.

     Ø  Plans his meals with preferences.

     Ø  Uses microwave with assistance.

     Ø  Enjoys packing / unpacking his suitcase before/ after  travelling.         Ø  Looks after younger friends and cousins.

     Ø  Writes letter / post cards to family members.

     Ø   With little help, wraps gifts.

 ** This information chart is compiled with my own experiences and experiments. It varies as per every child’s need and development. It does not constitute a standardized research.

Valentine's Day special

While you always plan to spoil / pamper your spouse; do not forget the little ones! Celebrate Valentine's day simple but with a style.

Here are the ways to show love and make the day special :-

• Make homemade valentine cards.
  
  
  
• Buy inexpensive / small gifts like a heart shaped key-chain or his favorite chocolate.
  
  
  
• Make fun and memorable food like – A berry delicious smoothies or a heart shaped cake.
  
  
  
• Make heart shaped decor and decorate the house with the same.
  
  
  
•  Sign up for a parent – child activity or a dance session.
  
  
  
•  Go for a lunch / dinner date at his favorite restaurant.
  
  
  
• Plan a child friendly movie date at the nearest theater.
  
  
  
•  Watch Valentine day special movies like “life is beautiful” or “beauty and the beast” at home and of course with pop corn.
  
  
  
•  Wear matching clothes and have a photo shoot.
  
  
  
• Relish the red colored food.
  
  
  
  
• Read love - themed stories like “ A hug is for holding me”.
  
  
  
• Celebrate by pampering with a head and foot massage.
  
  
  
• Encourage the Random act of kindness by giving food to the needy or leave a thank you note to any of the community helpers.
  
  
  

MY TAKE ON BEING A MOM TO A SINGLE CHILD

“Beta, it’s time to have a second baby” was one of the statement I used to hear few years back (and of course I do have to listen to it now but rarely) Statements like these can never be argued or carried forward as a conversation but here are my thoughts (or I wish I could reply back to those aunties) :

•     “Siblings are great companions” - I do have siblings and we bond very well. We, the grownups, are busy with our careers, family and life; we seldom meet. I know they will always be there for me when needed but when I actually need them, they are pre committed which I will not say is wrong.  21^st century kids are so independent that they will make friends quickly.
•         “Beta, you have a good family support” - yes I do have super support from my husband, mother in law, my mom and all others. But this is no reason to have a second child. At the end, I am the mother and I am responsible for everything. I can take their help but cannot be depended on them.
  
•      “By God’s grace, family is financially good.” -  I am very glad that family is financially strong and can afford many kids but that is not the reason why I am not having a second child. Beside education, there are many other expenses like after school activities, Holiday trips, Birthday Parties and the list goes on which demand not only finances but devoted time. I rather have one child and give him best of everything.
  
•     “Having a second child, increases the bond between husband and wife” : Really?  After having our child, we already spend very less time with each other as during the day we are busy with work and when he is free in the evening/ night, I am busy with my son’s classes and homework.  So in case if we have another child, We won’t see each other for days :)
  
  

I am confident that PN Jr.  will grow as an independent, obedient and caring Human. Few people believe that a single child tends to grow stubborn and self centered. There are families who have 3 to 4 children and yet are very stubborn. So it’s totally on one’s nature how he grows to be.

I might face the following challenges:

•   Inculcating sharing habits.
•   Taking care of the younger ones.
• Assuring safety while I play with other kids.

 But, all of these would have to be managed and implemented whether I have 1 or more children.

At the end, all I can say is..

 A mother to a single child is a happy mom who makes sure that her family too is always happy.