Monthly Archives: November 2011
The Trouble with Raising Disciplined Children
I was 8 years old when we moved to a big city. As my sister and I went down to the park in the evening and began to make friends, we got to know a 6-year-old boy. After a few … Continue reading
When Do You Stop Being a Parent?
No matter how much you love your child, this question would definitely have crossed your mind if you’ve been a parent for a few years. There will be days when your child drives you up-the-wall, round-the-bend, over-the-top crazy, and unbidden, … Continue reading
Give Your Child the Gift of Distance
He was 13 when I first met him, a boy suffering from both shyness and acne. I tried to draw him out in conversation. He was polite, but not forthcoming. After we’d met a few times, he became friendly in … Continue reading
Setting Fear Aside to Parent from Love
I was going through a messy divorce, and lived in daily fear that my daughter would be ‘snatched’ from me. I don’t think this fear had any basis in reality, but fears are often like that – they come from … Continue reading
Are You Parenting from Love or its Opposite?
For much of my life, I thought that the opposite of ‘love’ was ‘hate’. And then, I discovered that these two words were opposites only in English grammar quizzes. Love is an energizing force – it gives you the energy … Continue reading
Why Your Child ‘Listens’ to You Sometimes
The complete title of this post is: Why Your Child Listens to You Sometimes and How to Ensure This Happens More Often. 🙂 I must clarify that the word ‘listen’ in the title has been used according to your definition … Continue reading
Getting a Perspective on Your Child’s Misbehavior
A man got on a bus with three children. They must have been about 11, 7, and 5. All of them found seats. The children were noisy and boisterous. They insisted on shouting and jumping around the bus whenever it … Continue reading
Communicating With Your Child in an Impossible Situation
“Umm – Vinita, can I speak with you privately?” I was teaching a course on fashion, and one of my students walked up to me at the end of class. (This wasn’t in India, where it is not done to … Continue reading
How Your Child Feels About You
Many years ago, I was talking to a friend about my daughter: “I can’t tell you how much I love her – she means so much to me…” (as if any other parent feels less about their child! The Romeo-Juliet … Continue reading
Knowing Your Child
Here’s a scenario you would have lived through as a parent: Your friend has called to invite you over for a meal. “What will the little one eat?” they ask. “She eats most things, but is particularly fond of spinach, … Continue reading