Recently, while surfing the internet, I discovered that Action for Children’s Environments (ACE), an NGO and a charitable trust which works towards creating safe, healthy, all-encompassing and resilient living environments for children and young people, is calling on teachers across India to take at least one lesson outdoors on Thursday, October 12, 2017, as a part of the global Outdoor Classroom Day campaign. Continue reading Want Your Child To Learn How To Learn? Go Outdoors!
All posts by Anupama Dalmia
Raising a child who is not homophobic
The other day we were at a social gathering and my friend’s 8-year-old child came trotting to us. Her innocent inquisitiveness brought an awkward silence into the room which had been bustling with chatter all this while.
“Mummy, Ria said that one of her friends has two fathers and not one mother and one father. How is that possible? Isn’t that funny?” Continue reading Raising a child who is not homophobic
7 tips to keep your child safe this Diwali
It’s that time of the year! Diwali is around the corner and every household is bustling with enthusiasm. Preparations for the “Festival of Lights” are on in full swing. It’s heart-warming to witness the manner in which the kids are also getting involved with equal fervour. Diwali is indisputably one of the most celebrated festivals in India and it signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Continue reading 7 tips to keep your child safe this Diwali
A Letter To My Daughter On International Girl Child Day
Dear Daughter,
Today is International Girl Child Day and this day always evokes myriads of emotions within me. As you grow, you will comprehend the significance of this day in the world that we dwell in but this letter is not just about this one day. This note is, in fact, going to be an aide memoire for me and if I ever try to enforce my beliefs and opinions on you, this will hopefully serve as a reminder for me to back off and let you be. Continue reading A Letter To My Daughter On International Girl Child Day
Beauty does not lie in the eyes of the beholder
The alarm kept ringing unremittingly but Reeti woke up from her deep slumber only after her mother’s squawk reached her ears. She shot a hasty glance at the clock while she dived towards the bathroom to freshen up. She was late for office again and she knew she would have to face her mother’s wrath as this had become a routine off late. Continue reading Beauty does not lie in the eyes of the beholder
Book Excerpt: Shadow in the Mirror – Deepti Menon
Excerpt:
The door opened and her aunt bustled in. An air of expectation hung about her, tempered by an aura of anxiety that surprised Kavita. “Kavita, child, please don’t let your heart rule your head!” Her aunt seemed to be actually pleading with her. Kavita nodded mechanically as she looked at the older woman’s lined face. Wasn’t this her future being decided?
Continue reading Book Excerpt: Shadow in the Mirror – Deepti Menon
Are we worth it?
Bhavya traversed down the memory lane as the classic patriotic numbers played out one after the other in her locality. The reminiscences of her humming these songs along with her friends in their school bus brought the rare authentic curve on her lips. She recollected how she used to wait ardently to gorge on the delectable laddoos offered by her school on the occasion of Independence Day post the flag hoisting event. Her heart yearned for those idyllic days. Continue reading Are we worth it?
The Illusion
“I would like to conclude by reiterating that a person’s sexuality is neither a choice nor a syndrome. Just because we cannot understand something which is uncommon, it cannot be declared unnatural. It is as natural as your sexual orientation or mine. It’s about time we educate ourselves and initiate open dialogues about this subject to raise awareness. Please join us and be a part of our movement. Every voice matters!”
It takes a village to raise my child
The baby yowled again. She sighed! She wanted to prepare dinner and was already running late with her chores. But the impish 21 months old would not allow her to perform any task and bawled the moment she turned towards the stove. She tried all the tricks to keep the toddler occupied but when nothing worked, she was left with no choice but to hold the tiny tot in one hand and cook.
A letter to a Mom from her Toddler
Dear Mom,
It seems like I gave you a very hard time today like I do on most days perhaps, as I can sense by your exhausted and flustered state. I am sorry but I did not mean to do so. I know there are times when you are at your wits end because you are unable to figure out the reason for my tantrum or outburst. But trust me Mom, that during such times, even I have no clue about the cause of my tears or feeling of distress. Continue reading A letter to a Mom from her Toddler