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9 Foods That Should Be a Part of Your Growing Child's Diet
Healthy food is the fuel that a growing child needs for his overall development. But getting a toddler to eat nutritious foods is easier said than done. If you are a parent to a toddler, we know that getting him to eat those fresh florets of broccoli sitting on his plate must be preceded by repeated episodes of his meltdowns! But we also know that you don’t give up that easily, and you shouldn't! In his toddler years, your child will grow at a rapid rate. To make sure he stays energetic and healthy, get him into the habit of healthy eating as early as you can! Here’s a list of foods that will ensure your child grows healthier and stronger and falls ill less often!
9 Foods You Should Include in Your Child’s Diet
We have classified these healthy and tasty foods into three categories: foods for brain development, foods for boosting immunity, and foods for weight gain. Read on to learn more about what these superfoods can do for your little one!
Foods for Brain Development
1. Eggs
Eggs are a rich source of essential nutrients that are tied to brain health. Eggs can meet your child's requirements of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and lutein - all of which can improve his concentration power. Choline, a micronutrient found in concentrated amounts in egg yolk, can help in the proper functioning of the brain and regulate mood and memory. Including one egg in your toddler’s daily diet can make his mind works wonders. You can give this versatile food in boiled or poached form. You can also give him scrambled eggs, if he likes - he will get ample protein from eggs in this form too!
2. Whole Grains
Whole grain foods contain fibre, Vitamin E, and omega-3s. While fibre can keep your child satiated, Vitamin E and omega-3s can assist in his brain development. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for the brain as it improves cognitive function. Eating whole grains is one of the easiest ways to derive the maximum benefits of this vitamin. Some whole grain foods that you can include in your child’s diet include whole-grain bread, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, etc.
In case you’re short on time (or ideas) Timios Zookers would prove to be a great alternative. Timios Zookers are bite-sized snacks made with whole grains like ragi, wheat, and oats and come in really cute shapes that kids love. This healthy snack sans artificial colour and preservatives can even support in his overall growth too!
3. Dairy Products
Milk and other dairy products like yoghurt and cottage cheese assist in brain development of children. Dairy foods, besides offering calcium in high amounts, can also provide a child with protein and B-vitamins, both of which are essential for the growth of the brain tissue. Dairy foods are also high in fat, which is vital for brain health. They keep brain cells in a healthier condition, ensuring that they are able to send and receive information. So whether your child makes a face or wrinkles his nose, make sure he drinks a glass of milk daily. Along with milk, you can even include yoghurt, cheese, or paneer in his diet.
Foods for Building Immunity
4. Berries
Bright and juicy berries pack in Vitamin C, which is crucial for immune strength. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries contain Vitamin C and flavonoids in high amounts, which can protect cells against injuries. So, why not fill your little one’s plate with natures best candy! If he refuses to eat plain berries, add them to his bowl of yoghurt or in smoothies. A sneaky way to get him to eat berries is by luring him to eat healthy energy bars. Timios Berry Bars are made with dates, oats, strawberries, cranberries, honey, and rice crispies. They contain no artificial colour or preservatives. On days, when you have no time to make a wholesome snack for your child, give him a Timios Berry Bar. It will provide him with the energy he needs till his next meal and it tastes ‘berry’ delicious too!
5. Yoghurt
We are well aware that probiotics (or healthy bacteria) in yoghurt keep the digestive system healthy. But not many of us know that they also help the body fight minor infections and illnesses. Yes, that’s true - by eating yoghurt, your curious explorer can fight cold and flu, and ear infections too! You can give him a bowl of fresh (preferably homemade) yoghurt, every alternate day. It packs in calcium and protein, which can also strengthen his bones and keep him full for long. In his toddler years, when your child’s immune strength is still developing, offer him nutritious foods like yoghurt, berries, and Vitamin C-rich foods to boost his immune strength.
6. Carrots
These bright orange and tasty root veggies are dense in beta-carotene, a nutrient which is converted into Vitamin A by the body. Vitamin A helps protect and maintain the mucous membrane, the first line of defence of our bodies, thus making it harder for the bacteria to attack or enter our systems. To work this immunity-boosting food into your child’s diet, you could steam or boil carrot sticks and serve them with a yummy yoghurt dip!
Foods for Weight Gain
7. Fruits, Dry Fruits & Nuts
Fruits like bananas and pears are dense in calories. Bananas contain potassium and fibre and pears are rich in Vitamin C, iron, and dietary fibre. They are also extremely versatile so whether you choose to make banana pancakes, fritters, or a creamy smoothie, you’ll have no trouble incorporating this super-fruit into your child’s diet. Pears can be mashed into a puree for younger kids or they can be sliced and fed to slightly older kids.
Other than fruits, dry fruits and nuts too help in weight gain. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, raisins, cashew nuts, etc., can be added to your child’s diet. If your little one is too small to eat them, you can powder these tasty nuts and add it to your child’s glass of milk or add it to cereals. Fancy giving something tasty and different to your kiddo? Try Timios Mini Oaty Bites! Timios Mini Oaty Bites are made with dates, almonds, and cashew nuts, oats, berries, honey, malt extract - all of nature’s goodness! These Mini Oaty Bites are tasty plus healthy, and will melt easily in your child’s mouth – so let him enjoy a handful!
8. Cheese
While your child may demand unhealthy foods like fried foods and sweets, you know that giving in on a daily basis will have a negative impact on his health! To help your child gain healthy weight, include high-calorie foods in his diet. What do we mean by high-calorie foods? Cheese is a high-fat and high-calorie food, but it also offers other nutrients like Vitamin D and calcium. A cheese cube or sliced cheese with fruit makes for a healthy snack for your child. Better yet, add grated cheese to his parathas or sandwiches, and watch him have his meals with delight!
9. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter has gained popularity in the last few years and we can see why. It is packed with healthy oils and fats that every growing child needs. It is also a good source of antioxidants and thiamin. The antioxidants can protect your child’s nervous membrane and thiamin can help the brain utilize glucose to keep functioning. Peanut butter can help him gain weight and improve his cognitive function. Slather on the nutritious nut butter on toast, bread slices, or whole grain crackers and you have a creamy, healthy snack your little one will relish! If your child has a peanut allergy, substitute it with almond butter or hazelnut butter, they too are a healthy source of fats!
These are some nutritious foods that children should eat in their growing years. Apart from these foods, there are a plethora of foods you can choose from – everything natural is at your disposal! Here’s a tip - fill his plate with healthy and colourful foods and get creative with shapes - he will be more than willing to eat them! Read more
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Home Remedies for Bee Stings that Will Help You Combat Its Effects
Do you always tend to shoo away a bee when it seems to be hovering around you? If the answer is yes, you may simply be increasing your chances of getting stung by it. Honey bees are more likely to sting when they feel endangered. Flapping your arms at the bee may send aggressive signals to it, prompting it to sting. In most situations, holding still may encourage the honey bee to meander and fly away. Occasionally a bee sting can cause severe complications especially if someone is allergic to the sting’s venom. But mostly bee stings merely result in some discomfort. Home remedies can be real life-savers in times like these.
How to Remove the Bee Stinger Embedded in Your Skin?
In an instance of a bee sting, first and foremost check the sting site. In case the bee stinger is stuck in the skin, try and get rid of it by cleaning the skin area with gauze. You can also try scraping it gently using a fingernail or a set of tweezers. Refrain from squeezing the stinger out by hand or pinching it as it can inject the venom deeper into the skin. It often takes only mere seconds for the damaging poison to enter the body. Taking out the stinger along with its venom sac embedded in the skin may prevent any further irritation. Next, clean the spot with water and antiseptic soap. Pat dry and apply some calamine lotion or ice the area to reduce the swelling and itching.
How to Treat Bee Stings Naturally?
Home remedies can help ease the symptoms of a bee sting. You can try the following therapies:
1. Honey
The antiseptic properties of honey can aid in healing the wound and lessening the inflammation and itching.
How to Use It
Rub a small amount of honey on the bee sting spot for it to wield its way effectively into the infection. Conceal with a bandage loosely tied and leave it on for an hour or so.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can be one of the potent natural remedies for bee sting itch as it has anti-itching qualities.
How to Use It
Apply diluted apple cider vinegar on the are you were stung to stave off the adverse effects of a bee sting. You can also soak a clean cloth or bandage in the vinegar and place it on the puncture site.
3. Baking Soda
Baking Soda can be another good option for curing bee sores naturally as it has disinfectant abilities.
How to Use It
Make a paste by mixing some water in baking soda. Smear a dense layer of the paste on the bee bite location to neutralise the hostile symptoms of a bee sting. Leave it on for about 15 minutes. Reapply as required.
4. Essential Oils
They yield therapeutic and medicinal properties and can be an excellent natural remedy for bee tingles. Essential oils that can be used to treat bee stings may include:
Tea Tree Oil - It can effectively soothe the burning, redness and itchiness that frequently accompanies a bee bite.
Lavender Essential Oil - It can not only disinfect the wound but also calm the stinging and pain of a bee puncture.
Witch Hazel - It is a powerful astringent owing to the high content of tannins present in its leaves. It can purify the skin of bacteria and calm inflammation.
How to Use It
The lavender essential oil can be used undiluted. Applying it neat can help in taking away the burning and stinging sensation almost right away. Dilute tea tree oil by mixing it with any carrier oils like olive or coconut oil before dabbing a few drops onto the sting spot. You can put on witch hazel directly on the troubled area to get relief from itching and inflammation.
5. Toothpaste
Alkaline white toothpaste is believed to help nullify the acidic bee tingle thus lessening swelling and pain. Do not use coloured gel or whitening toothpaste.
How to Use It
Blob a bit of the toothpaste on the concerned area to alleviate the pain.
6. Papaya
It contains an enzyme called papain which is supposed to support the breaking down of the protein that produces itching and pain.
How to Use It
Just smear a chunk of the fruit on the sting place and leave it on for about 30 minutes or so.
7. Aloe Vera
It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic abilities which can hasten the healing process and soothe the irritating manifestations of a sting.
How to Use it
Split open a leaf of an Aloe Vera plant and extract the gel. Spread the gel on the sting area and allow it to dry.
8. Ice
Ice can numb the pain and decrease the swelling thus bringing immediate respite. An ice compress may be very convenient to apply in the occurrence of a bee sting on eyes, lips or hands.
How to Use it
Drop some ice cubes in a thin, clean cloth and tie it to make a compress. Hold the cold pack onto the bothered spot for about 10 to 15 minutes. Reapply regularly until swelling and pain reduce. You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables or a cold-water bottle.
Tips to Remember
Some useful tips to bear in mind while dealing with honey bees can be:
In case you encounter bees flying about you, try and stay calm. Cover your vulnerable body parts like nose, mouth and unhurriedly walk away from the place.
Avoid hitting and whacking at bees which may incite them to attack you as a way of self-defence.
Refrain from rubbing the disturbed area vigorously as it can heighten the chances of infection and worsen the wound.
While eating out in the open, keep food containers covered to avoid attracting insects like wasps and bees.
In case you are wearing any jewellery on the sting location, immediately take it off as it may be tough to remove it later after the swelling.
Consider seeking professional help to remove any beehives around your house as a precautionary measure.
If a bee strikes on your arm or leg, elevating that particular body part may help mitigate the symptoms.
You can also manage mild bee sting symptoms by using over-the-counter medicines like hydrocortisone creams, Benadryl, ibuprofen that can help diminish swelling, redness and pain.
FAQs
Some of the frequently asked questions are:
1. What Symptoms Will I Experience when A Bee Stings Me?
Different people can experience varying symptoms ranging from brief pain and distress to severe allergic reactions. Common minor signs include a sharp burning ache, red bump with a tiny white spot in the middle, itching and inflammation at the sting spot. Minor symptoms usually disappear within a few days. Moderate symptoms may take around a week to resolve.
2. When to See A Doctor?
Most bee stings get cured without treatment. However, in case you get stung several times, it can result in complications or even prove life-threatening.
Moreover, bee stings can trigger a severe reaction in people who are allergic. If swelling spreads to other body parts like tongue, throat, it may indicate a grave bee sting allergic reaction. Other signs may consist of an increased pulse rate, hives, nausea, vomiting, pale skin, dizziness, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing or an anaphylactic shock. In such instances, refer to a doctor right away. Also, if you get a bee sting swelling on the eyelid, see a doctor immediately due to the sensitivity of the location.
3. What Happens if You Don't Get A Bee Stinger Out?
When a bee stings, its stinger often shoots into the skin. The stinger has a sack of toxic venom which can negatively impact the body. The longer the stinger remains, the more poison may enter into the body causing pain and swelling. If you don’t get the bee stinger out, the deadly venom can get released into the body which may lead to allergic reactions or even cause death.
4. Is it Normal for A Bee Sting to Itch A Week Later?
It is best to seek medical help if a bee sting continues to itch a week later to avert any probable worries.
The bottom line is, bee stings are no fun and are painful. Home based remedies can relieve mild discomfort. However severe reactions may warrant immediate medical assistance. Hence, it is essential that you can recognise signs of a severe allergic reaction.
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Top 12 High Fibre Foods for Kids
Fibre is what keeps stomachs running and digestive systems working. If your child is facing bouts of constipation, chances are that she's running low on fibre. Hydration and fibre, together combined, are what constitute a healthy digestive system. Keep reading to learn about fibre-rich foods for kids and everything else to know about it.
Why Encourage Fibre in Your Child's Diet?
If you're thinking why bother adding more fiber to your child's diet, you'd be glad to know that for starters, it may prevent diabetes since it's filling. Fibre makes the digestive tract work better and treats constipation which will make life much easier for you since you don't have to wake up to the cries of your toddler in the middle of the night.
What is Daily Recommended Fiber Intake?
The National Institute of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases recommends children between one and eight years old should consume between 14 to 31 grams of fibre a day. There are plenty of fibre-rich foods in the aisle of your grocery stores and we'll discuss them below.
As a rule of thumb, if you're planning to calculate fibre intake, just take your kid's current age and add 5 grams of fibre to it. That's their total fibre intake according to their age.
Can You Give Your Kid Too Much Fiber?
Too much of anything good becomes too bad and you'll quickly realize that adding too much fibre to your kid's diet will cause pain, bloating and very many trips to the bathroom. Technically speaking, fibre is a non-digestible carbohydrate and improves bowel regularity in the human body. Constipation also happens if your child consumes too much fibre and too little water, so make sure they're staying hydrated throughout the day for enhanced digestion. Pair fibre with glasses of water to make sure that the proteins, vitamins, and minerals, in foods are absorbed properly. Fibre intake should come from different food-sources for optimal health and growth.
High Fibre Rich Foods for Children
Kids are picky eaters and carefully selecting the appropriate foods for them becomes a chore for many. If you're scratching your head wondering how to get them to consume the recommended dose of fibre, you'll be glad to know some foods to stock up on, that they'll happily eat.
1. Oatmeal
Mornings and oatmeal go hand-in-hand. One cup ofcooked oatmeal gives you up to 4 grams of fibre. Make it your child's favourite go-to recipe by throwing in some sliced walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup and raisins.
2. Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! One apple delivers up to 3.6 grams of fibre and you can spruce things up by adding some peanut butter on top which brings another 1.6 grams of fibre - a combo your kid simply can't resist.
3. Popcorn
Low in calories and uber-healthy, three cups of popped popcorn gives you 2 grams of fibre.
4. Bananas
High in potassium and fibre, one medium banana packs 3.1 grams of fibre.
5. Whole-Grain Bread
Whole-grain bread give you an average fibre intake of 2 grams for every slice. Some may give you 3 grams depending on the brand but when you pair it with some peanut butter and jelly, you further boost your child's fibre intake.
6. Berries
Berries are good for the brain and the stomach. Pack up some blueberries for lunch and throw in a mix of raspberries and strawberries. 1/2 cup of raspberries gives 4 grams of fibre while blueberries and strawberries of the same quantity deliver 1.8 grams and 1.5 grams of fibre, respectively.
7. Whole-Grain Pasta
It's good to eat some pasta from time to time since it packs 2 grams of fibre for every 1/2 cup.
8. Pears
Pears make for filling fruit bowls and school lunches. A medium pear (with skin intact) brings approximately 5.5 grams of fibre.
9. Sweet Potatoes
High in protein, fibre and other heart-healthy nutrients, you get exactly 3.8 grams of fibre in a medium-sized one of those. Swap out those greasy french fries with some healthy baked sweet potatoes and maybe even serve them mashed for your next Thanksgiving.
10. Carrots
High in vitamin A plus fibre, half-a-cup of carrots gives one 2.9 grams of fibre when you top it with some cinnamon for scoring some extra brownie points with the kids.
11. Green Peas
Green peas are a good source of protein plus fibre. Give your kids 1/2 a cup of cooked green peas daily in their salads and sandwiches to up their fibre intake by 4.4 grams a day!
12. Corn
1/2 cup cooked corn delivers up to 1.8 grams of fibre. There. You have a fibre-rich source. Fun fact: Corn is good for your eyes too as it contains lutein and zeaxanthin. Eye health plus digestive health - isn't that a win-win?
How to Add Fiber to Your Kid's Diet?
If you're adding healthy snacks or anything that comes packaged on the aisle of store shelves, it's always a good idea to check the nutrition label and see how much fibre per serving of the number of the servings in the container it packs. Other fibre-rich food sources include graham crackers, Brussels sprouts, figs, brown rice, applesauce, oranges, pistachio nuts, rye bread and pecans.
Here are some recipes you can try to add fibre to your kid's diet-
1. Chickpea Salad Wraps
Salads and chickpeas make for a filling fibre combination. Give it a shot.
2. Lentil Salad
Stock up on black beans, plump cherry tomatoes, salt, vinegar, chopped basil and garlic. Whip them up together into a salad and you've got one of the best high fibre recipes for toddlers.
3. Kale and Farro Salmon Salad
Salad is loaded with heart-healthy Omega-3s and Kale's good for the eyes. Both of them are high sources of fibre and if your kid's in the mood for fish and salad, give this a go. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a finish.
4. Marinated Tempeh Salad
We're going gung-ho on salads, we know. Tempeh salads bundled with diced sweet potatoes gives kids their full fibre intake with just half-a-serving! Think about it. Sizzling tempeh, piping hot potatoes and an ocean of veggies surrounding them - doesn't that make your heart skip a beat?
Keep your kid's diet healthy, varied and make sure they get their daily dose of fruits and vegetables (with nuts and seeds included). Don't forget to throw in a bit of carb at the end of the day and we're sure they'll easily meet their daily fibre intake. Try to avoid high-calorific or carbonated beverages since they deliver empty calories and little to no fibre. Fruit and vegetable juices are a healthier and viable option if your kids love to drink a lot.
It's no magic, you have to eat to get your fibre. Make mealtimes fun for young ones, keep distractions to a minimum and literally socialize at the dinner table. When eating becomes fun and fun equates to eating, you'll see your kids reaching out for those carrot sticks in no time!
Also Read: Calcium Foods for Children Read more
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How to Maintain a Pregnancy Journal to Capture All Important Memories?
After becoming a parent, you will inevitably want to go down memory lane and remember the beautiful journey of nine months. So, maintaining a pregnancy journal is certainly a good idea, a way to remember what it felt like the first time you saw the baby in a sonogram, the first time your baby kicked, the moment you picked a name, etc. Keep reading to know how to maintain the perfect journal!
What Is a Pregnancy Journal?
A pregnancy journal is a keepsake of your very special memories throughout the journey of becoming a mother. It is a special book that not only preserves your memories to reminisce on later but also helps you better handle stress, keep track of your baby’s health and its growth, and help you form a special bond with your baby.
Importance of a Pregnancy Journal
Pregnancy is a time when you enjoy every moment, regardless of being annoyed by the symptoms you are struggling with. The excitement of announcing your pregnancy, choosing the name, the first ultrasound, the heartbeat, the first kick, and everything you have felt during those times. A pregnancy journal is a great way of remembering all of the moments.
When you write down your thoughts, the process helps in developing an attachment with the baby. As a bonus, when the baby grows up, you’ll be able to share all the details. Pregnancy can sometimes feel like it’s going on forever, thanks to the several uncomfortable symptoms you may be experiencing when you are going through it.
But it’s not going to last forever, and it’s going to feel like a blurry memory once you experience the excitement the baby brings with birth. That’s the reason maintaining a pregnancy journal is a wise idea. Besides, numerous studies find journaling to be beneficial for your mental health.
How to Pick the Best Pregnancy Journal?
With thousands of options available in stores and on the internet, it can be quite overwhelming to try and choose one pregnancy journal. So, here are some tips on what to look for in the journal you pick.
1. Size
Some days you might want to write just a couple of short sentences in your journal, but other days you might want to write a long letter to your future self or your baby. You might want to stick to a collection of photos or stickers. You might even want to doodle or sketch a lot. Therefore, it is good to choose a pregnancy journal that is substantially sized in terms of dimensions and the number of pages.
2. Sturdiness
The pregnancy journal is something you will use through your 9 months of pregnancy and then preserve for possibly the rest of your life. This warrants the book to be put together well and with good quality components. So, pick a journal that’ll last.
3. Prompts
There is a range of options, from a journal with lots of prompts to a journal with little to no prompts. Whether it is your first pregnancy and your first pregnancy journal, or if you have already maintained one in the past, you should choose a journal that provides the right amount of guidance for your documentation. This guidance could include writing prompts, checklists, activities, places to insert photos, etc.
4. Information
Most pregnancy journals offer prompts, guides, and activities to some level. Some of them go as far as giving you all the information you’ll need as a first-timer, such as expected milestones, nutritional advice, what to expect from your newborn baby, tips to handle sleep deprivation, etc.
Keeping the above factors in mind might help buy the right journal for you. Alternatively, you could make your pregnancy journal using a black notebook. The same factors discussed above help with how to create a pregnancy journal.
What to Write in the Pregnancy Journal?
What you write in your pregnancy journal is completely up to you. Each mother fills up the pregnancy journal in her way. There are plenty of moments, emotions, and landmarks you’re going to want to remember. The following points might help with letting the writing come naturally.
1. Don’t Shy Away From Details
Weekly updates on what you’ve been doing, a possible surprise birthday shower, or about the song that makes your baby kick, work, family functions – write it all. You don’t have to focus on just the pregnancy. Try to capture what your life is like during this period of pregnancy.
2. Doctor’s Appointments
Every doctor’s appointment is high in emotions for the to-be mother and father. Make a note of what you felt during these times – like when you first heard the baby’s heartbeat, the first time you watched the baby move. You can even add details of medical reports or pictures of parts of them.
3. Write About Your Symptoms
Whether you had morning sickness before leaving to work, you had been falling asleep at odd hours, or experiencing indigestion after certain meals, write everything down in the journal. One day, you might read it with your pregnant daughter, who might find it interesting to compare her experiences with yours.
4. Write Honestly
It’s important to write from the heart. The pregnancy journal should be a reflection of all your experiences, both positive and negative. Excitement and joy are part of the experiences, but so are doubts and fears. Writing about your negative experiences or feelings could help you deal with them and get past them easier.
5. Be Yourself
Write the way you think - honestly and friendly. It doesn’t matter if it’s not neat or grammatically correct. Just remember that this pregnancy memory book is one that you might often look back into in the years to come to relive the story of your pregnancy.
6. Save Things Within The Book
Sticking things such as scan photos, receipts for baby outfits, cards or notes you received, etc., is a great way to document more about the pregnancy. Every time you think of a little keepsake, stick it in the journal.
Best Pregnancy Journal Prompts and Ideas
A great pregnancy journal would help you learn, reflect, vent, and remember the transformational experience you went through during pregnancy. Here are some prompts and ideas to get you through times you might experience a writer's block.
Discovery: Every person has their own story about the time they found out they were pregnant. Planned pregnancy or not, write down all the details. Write how you found out, where you were when you found out, how you told your partner, etc.
Special Milestones: Pregnancy is full of big moments like when you heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time when you found out if it was a boy or a girl or your parents’ reaction to finding out you were pregnant. Make a note of these moments, along with the dates, so you can one day reminisce about these moments with your partner or your child.
Self-realization: Every mother inevitably learns things about herself and what she needs as she prepares for the baby’s arrival. Be sure to write down these learnings.
Symptoms: Whether you have a good memory or not, it is usually difficult to remember the details of symptoms you experience and the time and date of their occurrence. Writing these down in your journal will be useful the next time you visit your doctor, as you can easily fill him in by referring to your notes.
Gratitude: Write regularly about things and people you are grateful for and why you are grateful for them. A weekly pregnancy journal entry is a good habit to develop.
Unwarranted Feelings: Sometimes, during pregnancy, you feel a flood of emotions for no apparent reason. Whether they are happy emotions or sad, writing these down might help you feel lighter about them.
Books: It is great to list names of books you read during pregnancy. You may even want to write down little passages or quotes that moved you.
Music: Music is known to have a profound effect on a baby in the womb. The baby listens to the music you listen to and feels the way you feel. Several mothers claim that their newborn baby recognizes music they listened to while in their mother’s womb. So, it’s good to keep track of the music you listen to often.
Ultrasound: Photos from your ultrasounds are precious keepsakes that you can insert or glue to your pregnancy journal.
Bump Photos: Save regular photos of your growing pregnancy bump in your journal. It might even be interesting to stick them alongside the corresponding ultrasound scan image so you can see the external and internal growth side-by-side.
Doctor’s Appointments: It is almost essential to write down your doctor’s appointments and what you learned at each one. The feelings experienced during doctor’s appointments are usually strong but partly forgotten because they are not written down.
Baby Names: Starting with your first shortlist of names, all the way until you decide on the final one, write down the process. You might find it interesting or even funny when you look back at it.
Doodle: Feelings can be expressed through art as much as they can through words, if not more. So, irrespective of whether you consider yourself a good artist or not, draw, sketch or doodle what you feel like in your journal.
Advice: Throughout pregnancy, and in fact throughout motherhood, you will receive a lot of advice from friends and family. Note down a few of the best and worst advice you receive.
Make It Your Own: Personalize your journal as much as possible by coloring things in, using stickers, etc.
Maintaining a pregnancy journal is a wonderful experience for a pregnant mother, and there are many ways to go about it. From choosing the right kind of journal for you to what you fill it with, your options are plenty. Irrespective of how you choose to do it, it’s going to be the most special collection of feelings and memories that you are going to cherish for the rest of your life.
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Being a Stay-at-home Mom is a Thankless Job! Shilpa Shetty Echoes What Many Of Us Feel...
Our day begins at – or before – sunrise, and there’s no telling when we will get to hit the bed again. Come morning, there are millions of chores to be completed, and all of them are time-bound. And this series of chores and tasks continues throughout the day, often with little help. After all, many people assume that you should be able to manage just fine, as you are anyway “going to be staying at home all day”… Recently, Bollywood mom Shilpa Shetty shared her honest thoughts about the life of a stay-at-home-mom. It might come as a surprise to you – what does a celeb know about all this, right? – but trust us when we say her thoughts are spot on!
Looking after the baby and giving them a bath. Packing tiffin boxes. Serving breakfast to the entire family. Cleaning, dusting, planning the other meals of the day, changing diapers, putting the little baby to sleep, and being on call for every family member in case they need us. A stay-at-home-mom undoubtedly has an immensely taxing job, and while we see it as a labour of love, we cannot deny one important fact. A stay-at-home-mom also has one of the most thankless jobs ever.
Shilpa Shetty, mommy to a five-year-old son, Viaan, has continued to work after motherhood. Even though she is not part of mainstream cinema anymore, she works with her husband at their production house. And in this, Shilpa says, she has been fortunate. The struggles that stay-at-home-moms face in our society can become overwhelming.
The Struggles Faced By Stay-at-home-Moms
There’s no doubt that every kind of mom lives with struggle – the struggle against time, rest and being without stress. While working moms have a struggle to balance their work and family life, the challenges that stay-at-home moms face are very real too. Shilpa recently shared just why she thinks a stay-at-home-mom has one of the greatest - but also the most thankless - jobs ever.
1. No Breaks, No Salary & Constant Overwork
When you’re a stay-at-home-mom, you get no break from parenting! You have to be as hands-on as possible and hiring external help is often seen as a sign of ‘incompetence’ – even when you’re clearly overworked and exhausted! And as for pay, many of us don’t even get acknowledgment for the stress we go through all day, as we “stayed at home and rested”.
Shilpa says, “If you are a homemaker, it’s even more than a full-time job. In job, you have breaks and you can switch-off. Here, it’s a thankless job. You are underpaid and overworked!”
2. Judgment by Society
Society always judges. And if you stay at home, you have to be prepared for constant scrutiny, advice and recommendations. Working moms get judged a lot too – so this really seems to be a social evil we cannot get rid of!
Shilpa shared why she faces the brunt of judgment even more just because she is a celebrity. People assume she is not as hands-on a mother. “It’s not anybody’s business to comment on what I do or don’t do as a mother. People think of me as an actress first, and then maybe, a mother. For me, being a mother comes first. I do what’s best for my child and I also take advice from others.
I don’t judge people, but I know that people judge me for my clothes, for the person I am, for being a celebrity.”
3. Pressure of Multi-tasking
As a stay-at-home-mom, you need to be involved in everything – right from household chores to baby-care chores to looking after family members. There can be no downtime. Working moms also have to do a lot of multi-tasking as they have the added pressure of the workplace. But a stay-at-home’s multi-tasking can get very rigorous too, and what’s worse? It often remains ignored and overlooked.
Shilpa says, “Women are doing everything and anything. I can even go to the extent of saying that they are doing it better than men. There isn’t anything that we are not capable of doing. We are multi-faceted personalities and are able to multi-task much better than men.
We look after our family. We take care of our in laws, children, our husbands, which is a full-time job in itself...”
Shilpa Shetty might come across as a vivacious, beautiful celebrity who has got it all together. It might be very easy to assume that parenting is secondary to her. But look, how quick we are to judge! Shilpa does everything that any mother would do for her child. She does her best to keep Viaan occupied in extra-curricular activities. She also makes sure he eats healthy and that his development is spot-on. Yes, while some of us have help from family members, maids and nannies, the rest of us have to toil alone. But even so, there are things that every mother (and ONLY a mother) does for her baby - she shares love, she shares time, she shares ideals to grow up following.
Source:
https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-shilpa-shetty-kundra-to-pooja-bedi-celeb-mums-on-being-judged-for-their-parenting-2453257
https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/shilpa-shetty-being-a-stay-at-home-mom-is-a-thankless-job/story-dQSKYTDBHSzHnxkmiPwdLK.html Read more
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