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15 Tasty Indian Food Recipes for a 1-Year-Old Baby
Food is an experience, and you may have observed your baby’s curiosity about different flavours and textures of foods, once he reaches 12 months of age. Babies this age like to taste food beyond simple purees. The worry is how to modify complex Indian recipes to suit their digestive system, so, it is essential that Indian foods are introduced in a simplified manner.
Indian Food Recipes for a 12-Month-Old Baby
Here are our hand-picked recipes, modified to suit the tummies of one-year-olds. Some of the best breakfast recipes for a one year-old Indian baby and, interesting South Indian baby food recipes for a one-year-old have been simplified to introduce babies to Indian dishes that they will enjoy.
Remember:
Milk can be dairy, breast milk, or formula. Be cautious of heating breast milk.
Create the Ingredients at home, if possible. Avoid buying canned products.
Do not use honey as a sweetener if your baby is not yet 12 months old.
1. Porridge
A favourite of many children, when made the right way, the liquid soft consistency is to consume.
A) Ragi Porridge
It is high in fibre and helps in bone density and muscle building.
Ingredients:
Ragi seeds: 3-4 tbsp.
Water
Milk + Jaggery or Curd + salt
How to Cook:
Wash sun dried ragi grains and soak them overnight.
Grind these with added water to make a gooey white paste.
Boil this with enough water.
Once it thickens switch off the flame, add some milk and jaggery for a sweet flavour.
Alternatively, once it cools, add curd and salt.
B) Rava Porridge
This is a good break from other types of porridge. It is sweet flavoured and easily digestible.
Ingredients:
Rava: 2 tbsp.
Water: ½ cup
Ghee: 1 or 2 tsp.
Jaggery: to taste
Milk
How to Cook:
Roast rava in ghee on a low flame; do not brown. Switch off when it is fragrant. Set aside.
Boil water and add the roasted rava slowly. Switch off as the mixture thickens and most of the water is absorbed.
After ten minutes, add jaggery and milk to the completely thickened upma. Add until it is porridge consistency.
2. Rice
Rice consumes the flavour of any ingredient easily and is easily digestible.
A) Sticky Banana Rice
One of the easiest dishes to swallow, you will be amazed at the speed at which it is consumed by your little one.
Ingredients:
Rice: 1 cup
Coconut milk (diluted): two cups
Jaggery: 1 tbsp.
Banana: 2 elachi or small bananas.
Thick coconut milk: 2 tbsp.
How to Cook:
Soak rice overnight in diluted coconut milk.
Pressure cook it with extra water.
Heat the thick coconut milk with jaggery and add the rice.
Squash bananas in a serving bowl and add the sweetened rice.
B) Kara Pongal
This is a good dish to introduce to your child's diet.
Ingredients:
Rice: 1 cup
Moong dal: ½ cup
Jeera: 1 tsp.
Ghee: 1 tsp.
Curry leaves: a few
Ginger: a large pinch
Pepper: for taste (optional)
Water- 5 cups
Salt: to taste
How to Cook:
Wash and soak the rice and moong dal for half an hour.
Heat ghee in a cooker and add jeera.
Add and Sauté ginger and curry leaves for a minute.
Add the rice-dal mixture and top it up with water.
Add pepper and salt.
Remove the curry leaves and mash the food before serving..
3. Soups
A flavoursome dish that can be consumed during sickness or even in between meals.
A) Tomato And Carrot Soup
A tangy dish full of vitamins
Ingredients:
Carrot: 1
Tomato: 1
Onion: 2 tbsp. (finely chopped)
Garlic: 1 small clove (finely chopped)
Butter: 1 tsp.
Cumin seeds: ¼ tsp.
Pepper powder: a pinch
Water: 1.5 cups
Salt
How to Cook:
Clean the vegetables thoroughly and dice them into small cubes.
Heat butter in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds
Sauté onions and garlic until translucent
Add carrot and tomato with enough water. Also, add salt and pepper.
Bring it to a boil
Pressure cook for three whistles on a medium flame
Grind and strain
If you do not wish to strain, remember to blanch the tomatoes and peel off the skin.
Serve it lukewarm.
B) Chicken Soup
Especially yummy when kids are down with a cold.
Ingredients:
Chicken: one breast piece shredded.
Onion: 1 small (finely chopped)
Vegetables (carrot, potato): 2 tbsp. (chopped)
Chicken stock/ water: 1 cup.
Butter: 2 tsp.
Salt
How to Cook:
Add butter in a pressure cooker and sauté the onions till translucent.
Add the chicken, along with veggies and water
Pressure cook for two whistles
Blend the cooled mixture and serve it luke warm.
4. Curries
These contain a burst of flavour; best served with Indian Bread or Rice.
A) Fish Curry
One of the better ways to introduce children to fish and spices.
Ingredients:
Coconut oil: 1 tbsp.
Large onion: 1 finely chopped
Garlic clove: 1 finely chopped
Ginger: 1 tsp. chopped finely
Tomatoes: 2 chopped finely
White meaty fish (avoid fish with tiny bones) with skin removed: 125 gm
Curd: 30 ml
Garam masala: 1 tsp.
Chilli powder or pepper powder to taste (Be cautious of chilli powder. Do not make it too spicy)
Water: 200ml
How to Cook:
Sauté onions, garlic and ginger in a frying pan until translucent.
Mix the pepper or chilli powder.
Add water and tomatoes and bring to a boil.
Let it simmer for a few minutes
Add the fish, then cover and cook for 2 minutes. Add the yoghurt and coriander, and cook for another couple of minutes.
Cook the rice and serve alongside your fish curry.
Add garam masala to taste.
Serve with optional tomato, onion and coriander salad.
B) Dal Curry
Dal is a good combination of carbs and proteins.
Ingredients:
Moong dal: ½ cup
Toor dal ½ cup
Turmeric: 1 tsp.
Ghee: 2 tsp.
Jeera: 1 tsp.
Water: 3 cups
Salt as per taste
How to Cook:
Wash the dal and add the turmeric and salt.
Pressure cook with 3 cups of water.
Temper jeera in ghee and add it to the dal
5. Egg Dishes
An egg is a good introduction to complex food.
A) Egg Bhurji
This is a good snack and can be served with rice.
Ingredients:
Eggs: 1
Pepper powder: a pinch
Milk: 3 tbsp. boiled
Cheese (grated): 1 tsp
Butter: ½ tsp.
Salt
How to Cook:
Beat the egg with milk.
Melt some butter and add the beaten egg. Stir the eggs continuously until scrambled.
Mix cheese, pepper, and salt.
Stir it evenly before switching off the flame.
B) Bread Omelette
The softness of the egg will reduce the dryness of the bread.
Ingredients:
Eggs: 1 (beaten)
Pepper powder: a pinch (optional)
Bread: 2 slices
Butter: 1 tsp.
Salt as per taste
How to Cook:
Cut the ends of the bread.
Beat an egg and add pepper and salt
Heat butter in a pan.
Dip the bread into the eggs, coat it evenly on both sides, and transfer it to the pan.
Cook on both sides until golden brown.
Repeat with the other bread.
6. Instant Dosa
Dosa's are the staple food of South Indian breakfast.
A) Rava Dosa
A version of dosa that needs no fermenting. You can add veggies as the baby gets used to it.
Ingredients:
Sooji/ Rava: ½ cup
Curd: ½ cup
Rice flour: ½ cup
Water: 3-4 cups
Jeera: 1 tsp.
Salt
Ghee
How to Cook:
Mix rava, rice flour, salt, and jeera.
Add curd carefully, as well as water in small amounts. Do not make it lumpy.
The consistency should be like thick buttermilk. Not thick, but not too thin.
Heat the pan well and spread the dosa batter outward to inward in a circle.
The dosa will have holes. Circle a teaspoon of ghee before closing the lid.
Remove when crisp.
B) Wheat Dosa
A better, softer way to introduce wheat to your little one's diet.
Ingredients:
Wheat flour: 2 cups
Rice flour: ¼ cup
Onion: 1 chopped finely
Ginger: 1 tbsp. chopped finely
Jeera: ½ tsp.
Water: 4 cups
Salt
Ghee
How to Cook:
Mix wheat flour, rice flour, cumin seeds, chopped onions, ginger, and salt.
Add some water and mix well. The batter is similar to the rava dosa.
Heat a non-stick pan and pour the batter outward to inward in a circle.
Cook until brown, before flipping.
7. Desserts
Rich in sugar, desserts give energy and uplifts mood.
A) Sweet Pongal
A South Indian must at every festival.
Ingredients:
Rice: ½ cup
Moong dal: 1 to 1.5 tbsp.
Jaggery: ½ cup
Salt: a pinch
Water: 2.5 cups
Cardamom Powder: ¼ tsp
Ghee - 4 tsp
Milk
How to Cook:
Melt the jaggery with ½ cup water and dissolve completely. Strain the liquid and set aside
Heat ghee and roast the moong dal for three minutes in a cooker. Mix washed rice and add water.
Pressure cook for four whistles.
Once the pressure wears off, add the jaggery water to the mixture, along with ghee, salt and cardamom powder. Add half a cup milk as the mixture thickens.
Cook it for few minutes, stirring regularly.
B) Naryal Or Elaneer Payasam
A unique sweet that’s best for the summers.
Ingredients:
Tender Coconut Water: 1 cup
Tender Coconut Pulp: 1 cup
Milk: 2 cups
Jaggery: 1/4 cup
Cardamom Powder: 1/2 tsp
How to Cook:
Beat the tender coconut pulp, add the tender water, and refrigerate.
Boil milk and jaggery until thick, and add the cardamom powder
Pour the milk into the tender coconut pulp and let it cool.
C) Arrowroot Pudding
A sweet way to keep constipation at bay!
Ingredients:
Arrowroot powder: ½ cup
Jaggery: 2 medium size
Cardamom powder: ¼ tsp
How to Cook:
Soak the arrowroot powder for ten minutes in water and drain the water, along with the dirt particles.
Add some water to make a thin paste.
Grind coconut milk, cardamom powder, and jaggery
Boil it in a pan. Add the arrowroot paste in small amounts, while continuously stirring.
Keep stirring, until the paste thickens to a custard consistency.
Brush ghee or butter in a deep plate and pour the mixture.
Let it cool.
You can always add or subtract ingredients according to your baby's taste, as these foods can be easily modified. Above all, do not cook with stress. Cook with love, joy and positivity. Babies sense it in the food, as much as they sense it in your arms.
Tips on Feeding Your One-Year-Old
1. Don’t Force-Feed Your Child
Kids at this age are just beginning to develop their sense of flavour and figuring out what they like or dislike. Encourage toddlers to eat, but don’t force-feed them anything they don’t like, no matter how nutritious. Try and look for alternatives or mask the ingredient in other foods.
2. Food Should Be Easy to Eat
Your one-year-old still carries the risk of choking on big chunks of food, so keep the food soft, in small pieces, and easily chewable.
3. Cool Down the Food Before Serving
Your child may begin to eat without considering how hot the food is, so test the temperature on yourself before feeding.
4. Avoid Adding Excess Salt, Fat, Spices, and Sugar
These ingredients may cause health issues in the long run, so only use how much is needed in the dish. Additionally, your child cannot handle as much spice as you can, so bear in mind his tastes when cooking.
5. Supervise Your Child During Mealtimes
Children at this age may insist on eating food by themselves, but don’t simply hand them the spoon and go about your chores. Make sure to stick around your child when he is eating to administer immediate help in case of choking, etc.
Also Read:
1 Year Baby Meal Plan
1 Year Old Baby Food Ideas Read more
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10 Fun Animal Games and Activities for Kids
Many young children are fascinated with animals, so if you have kids who are fond of animals, it may make things fun for them if you were to incorporate some animal games and activities into their daily lives. Not only will this be something that makes these more fun, but there can also be many learning opportunities that can arise from them.
10 Animal-themed Games and Activities for Children
Here are some ideas that can help you keep your animal-loving kids busy and happy.
1. Animal Charades
It’s like playing regular charades, and the rules are the same, except that everything should be animal themed.
What You Need
At least 4 players
How to Play
Split the players into two teams.
Each team will take turns in sending one person to act out the name of a movie, book or animal name. The books and movies should also be animal-themed.
The rest of the team will have to guess what is being acted out within a certain time limit. Based on the ages of the kids you are playing with, you can adjust the difficulty level.
2. Run, Rabbit, Run!
This outdoor game is best played with a group of children.
What You Need
Enough room to run
At least 10 kids
How to Play
Divide the group into two and name one half 'rabbits' and the other, 'foxes'. The rabbits will have to stand on one side, while the foxes spread themselves out around the play area.
The leader of the rabbits will have to take his brood out for a walk during which time the foxes will shout “run, rabbit, run!” and then give chase.
Whichever rabbit gets caught becomes a fox.
3. Who Am I?
This game is fun and helps kids get to know more about different animals.
What You Need
Animal pictures
Safety pins
How to Play
Stick an animal picture onto each child’s back without them finding out what animal they are.
To find out what animal they are, they will need to ask “yes” or “no” questions. e.g., "do I live in the ocean?"
4. Noah’s Arc
This is a fun animal sound game for children.
What You Need
Chits of paper with animal names written on each. Only two of each animal
Bowl
How to Play
The kids have to pick a chit to see what animal they are.
They must then try to find their partner by making the sounds of their particular animal.
5. Pin the Tail on the Donkey
One of the more popular party animal games for 6 year olds.
What You Need
A large picture of a donkey without a tail, stuck to a wall
A donkey 'tail' to be stuck onto the donkey
Blindfold
How to Play
Blindfold a child and have them try to pin the tail in the right place for the donkey.
All the children should get a turn.
Whoever pins the tail closest to the correct spot is the winner.
6. McDonald’s Farm
This is one of the simple and fun animal farm games for kids.
What You Need
Toy farm animals
A box or basket as the barn
How to Play
Before the kids come into the room, you should hide the animals around the room.
When they come in, ask them to find all the animals you hid.
Once all have been gathered, put them into the barn and sing 'old McDonald' while holding up the animal being sung about.
7. Animal Sounds
A great animal guessing game for toddlers.
What You Need
Sound clips of animal sounds
How to Play
You can play the sound clip of an animal making sounds and ask your toddler to guess what animal it is.
Alternatively, you can simply make the sounds yourself and have your little one join in.
8. Animal Scrap Book
One of the interesting wild animal activities for preschool kids is collecting information about the children’s favourite wildlife.
What You Will Need
A notebook or drawing book
Pictures of animals
Glue
Pens and pencils
How to Play
Have the kids pick out their favourite wild animals and gather some basic information on them, such as what type they are (feline, canine etc.), where they live and what they eat.
Any other additional information your child finds interesting can also be put in.
Your kids can swap books at the end and learn about the animals that everyone else likes too.
9. Animal Boogie
This game is fun and will have you and the kids laugh out loud.
What You Need
Animal flashcards
How To Play
Shuffle the animal cards and have the kids pick one.
Everyone will have to act like the animal that comes up. For example, scratch your head and hop around for 'monkey'.
10. Animal Jumble
This is one of the funnier animal puzzle games for kids.
What You Need
Sheets of paper
Pencils and erasers
Tape or glue
How to Play
Assign each child a different body part to draw of a any animal.
They can choose whichever animal they want, but they must not tell anyone else what they have chosen.
Once everyone is done with their drawings, stick them together and behold a strange animal created from their imaginations.
It should be a lot of fun coming up with a name for it.
Other than just teaching them about animals through different fun activities, you can also take them to volunteer at animal shelters, or you can always get them to help in putting together 'wish lists' for the animals. Shelters often have lists of things they need, like blankets, canned food, towels and other things. This also teaches your child compassion towards all living creatures.
Also Read:
Indoor and Outdoor Physical Activities for Children
Top Role Play Ideas for Kids
Fun Indoor Games for Children Read more
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Importance of a Balanced Diet - How It Can Enhance Your Health
A well-balanced diet consists of all the essential foods needed by our bodies for energy and nutrients for growth and repair. Here’s a refresher on why eating a balanced diet is important, and how diet and health are connected.
What Defines a Balanced Diet?
A balanced diet for good health by definition consists of different varieties of food that offer all the essential carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals that our body require for healthy functioning. Here are 5 ways in which a balanced diet benefits our body:
1. Growth and Development
The body is under a constant process of growth and repair. It needs nutrients in the form of protein, vitamins and minerals to form new cells. A balanced diet involves servings of fruits and vegetables, and lean protein from sources such as lean meats, nuts, and whole grains.
2. Weight Control
A well-balanced diet can also help in weight control in people who are overweight or people who are working to maintain a steady weight. Such a diet involves low-calorie foods that are dense in nutrients and fibre which satisfy hunger without the extra calories.
3. Supplies Energy
A calorie is a unit for energy obtained from foods. Foods with higher calories give you energy to stay alert and functioning all day. However, intake of more calories than what you need can cause weight gain.
4. Builds Immunity
Foods rich in Vitamins like A, C, E, selenium and potassium are essential for building a robust immune system that can fight off infections to keep you healthy.
5. Improves Mental Well-being
Along with making you strong and improving your immunity, balanced diets consisting of fish, high-quality meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables can boost mental health.
What are the Advantages of Having a Balanced Diet?
Choosing a balanced diet is the first step toward a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Vitamins and minerals are vital to maintaining healthy immunity and growth.
Healthy diets can protect the body from lifestyle related, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, skeletal problems and many types of cancer.
Balanced diets, along with fighting obesity, help maintain optimal body weight.
Why Is a Balanced Diet Important for Children?
Because children are continuously growing, a balanced diet which includes all the essential nutrients is vital for their development. Lack of it can lead to deficiency diseases, stunted growth and delayed milestones.
Their diet influences everything, from children's brain functions to behavioural patterns. It is also critical to prevent a number of childhood disorders such as obesity and diabetes.
Vitamins such as vitamin C are important for building immunity and formation of collagen which is a protein needed to make healthy bones, joints, skin and blood vessels. Vitamin B is essential for the energy cycle of the body along with build and repair.
Minerals such as calcium are critical for the development of bones, teeth and other functions of the body. Iodine is needed for brain development, concentration and learning ability. Zinc is needed for normal growth and development along with good immune functions.
The importance of a balanced diet for children can be seen in the contrast between healthy children who grow up getting all the nutrients, and children with deficiency disorders and stunted growth due to lack of nutritious food.
Importance of Balanced Diet During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are not only eating for the nourishment of their own bodies, but also for the growth and development for their babies. Because of this, their energy requirements (macronutrients) and requirements of vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) go up. For example, women’s energy requirement goes up by 240 calories per day during their second trimester and 453 calories per day during their third trimester to support fetal growth. Their requirement of iron is up by 975 milligrams to make all the extra blood needed to nourish the baby. A balanced diet consisting of lean meats, veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains, dairy and healthy fats contains all the essential nutrients needed to nourish the growing fetus.
What Constitutes a Balanced Diet?
At the core of a balanced diet are all the foods that give us the essential nutrients. They include:
1. Protein
Protein is required for the growth and repair of the body. It is abundantly found in animal products and less densely found in plant derivatives.
How It Helps
It is required for the growth of muscles, hair, to repair the body in case of injuries and any other physical processes.
How Much to Consume
The average requirement for women is 45g, and the average for men is 55.5g per day. This number applies to highly functional individuals who have days filled with activities.
Sources
Some of the rich sources include meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, pulses, soya products and nuts.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
These are essential to supply the body with nutrients that animal products fall short of.
How It Helps
Fruits and vegetables offer vitamins, minerals, fibre and some protein that are important for the body. They are needed to keep diseases at bay.
How Much to Consume
Recommended is at least 5 servings per day, with each serving consisting of different fruits and vegetables of different colour.
Sources
They can be had as snacks between meals for best absorption. Fruit juices and smoothies are also a great way to add them to the diet.
3. Dairy
Dairy products are derived from farm animals and involve milk, cheese, yoghurt etc.
How It Helps
Dairy products are rich in calcium, protein and good bacteria that improve our digestion. Calcium is needed to maintain healthy teeth and bones and for the development of the fetal skeleton in pregnant women.
How Much to Consume
The recommended intake of dairy products is three portions every day. Children and teens need more dairy as they are undergoing rapid growth.
Sources
Yoghurt, milk, fromage frais, cheese etc. are some of the main dairy products.
4. Carbohydrates
These are energy giving foods.
How It Helps
Carbohydrates are needed to release energy in our body throughout the day for our activities.
How Much to Consume
Carbohydrates should be taken with every meal.
Sources
Potatoes, whole wheat cereal, rice, whole wheat bread, nuts, beans, lentils.
5. Fatty Foods
Fatty foods are essential for many of the bodily functions.
How It Helps
Fats are essential to transport vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E and K through the body. Essential fatty acids are also important for the brain.
How Much to Consume
Fats should ideally make up about 35% of your total energy intake.
Sources
Dairy, nuts, grilled fish and lean meats.
How to Encourage Your Child to Eat a Balanced Diet
Be a role model for them. Children imitate adults, and when they see you eating healthy, they’re likely to follow.
Teach healthy eating habits early on in childhood and avoid fatty, addictive foods as much as you can.
Make healthy snacks and treats for them every day, such as whole grain crackers, sliced apples, carrot sticks, raisins etc.
Do not force them to eat what they dislike; instead, incentivise eating the disliked ones for a reward such as a snack they enjoy.
Get them involved in growing vegetables or fruits if you have space for it. They are more likely to want to eat something they have put effort into producing.
FAQs
1. What Are the Consequences of an Unbalanced Diet?
Unbalanced diets can cause malnutrition and deficiency diseases.
2. What If My Child Is a Picky Eater and Doesn't Eat Foods He Needs to Grow?
Make snacks out of foods he avoids that look delicious (and taste as well). Serve fruit smoothies with small portions of vegetables blended into it.
3. What If I Don't like Vegetables?
You can always pair groups of vegetables you don’t like along with the ones that you do in a serving and eat them together to ease your dislike.
Having a balanced diet is the ideal way to acquire all the vital nutrients your body needs, and is key to a healthy lifestyle.
Also Read :
Foods to Eat for Healthy Heart and Long Life
Reasons for Switching to Organic Foods
Health Benefits of Ghee Read more
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A Story to Her Learning Fobia & My Postpartum Depression
& Personal Solution to Make my Girl Happy.
I am a mother of 2 . A 4 year old girl child and a 5 months old boy baby.
A 4 year old who excelled in her studies till the date when her mother went into labor. Her mother helped her through out the pandemic online classes ,post class learning and homeworks with the baby bump.She was up to date and very active to the learnings from the school. She also excelled in the co-curricular activities too..
Even if she doesnt know how to perform or how to sing ,she used to try.
Days passed by where she was left along with her aunt ,when her mom went into labor. She was alone for the first time since birth from her mom. She was extremely happy for the news that she got a baby brother.
She eagerly waited to welcome the little boy home.She was all happy to the tiny little world she has been seeing since the pandemic. But situations started to change gradually. She was not allowed to touch the baby more often. She felt like an icecream in front of her. She dint get the attention from her mom since then. A daughter who had been pampered the whole 4 years was left alone to sleep, eat. She started to think ,the whole love and care was given to the little boy. She started to irritate the mom to seek her attension in all the possible ways. She became frustrated day by day. The 4 walls and 4 faces never was enough for her tantrums.
Mom who went through post delivery issues couldnt handle the girl. She had to shout at her at times, she had to beat her at times..Estrogen and progestrone levels kept the mood swings and anger to the peak.
Not knowing what to do , mom thought of a change of place could make a difference in the girl's attitude.
She never sang again ...She never learnt a song again ... she never danced.. she showed no interest in writing alphabets or numbers.
Depression ate up head. Anger , saddness and change of mood happens like the traffic signal. A small tiny problem seemed to be a tsunamic one for the mom. She kept beating the girl and she herself started to hate her. Nobody understands what she goes through... a psychic storm that run in her mind and head. At times she cant hold herself and she wants someone to listen to her..
Finally had to settle down with my girl.
Slowly she tried to adjust.. she understood that her brother is her baby.. she understood my hardtimes the way she could.. the lonely times we could spent together.. i made her understand both of them are equal and important to me. I made the younger one to sleep with her, touch her, i let her to make the baby sleep...
What i did was, i calmed down from being irritated. She was happy.. Only thing she wanted from me was to sleep with her. Read more
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World Day Against Child Labour – How you Can Save a Childhood
As you read this, your child is probably busy studying, playing with friends or relishing a snack. For millions of child labourers under the same sky, school or two square meals are only dreams. In the worldwide movement against child labour, the UN declared June 12 as the World Day Against Child Labour. Do spare a thought for how you too can help save childhoods from being lost forever.
As per recent global estimates, a distressing 120 million children who are 5-14 years of age are child labourers. World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, first started in 2002, is an initiative by the International Labour Organization. While the world has certainly seen progress in child protection and education, we are far from eradicating child labour. Children below 14 years still toil in establishments such as hotels, restaurants, garages, automobile workshops and as domestic help. What's worse is that child labour often magnifies into deeper problems like child trafficking and sexual abuse.
Reasons Child Labour Still Haunts Us
Poverty
Lack of employment for the parents
Lack of social protection by the government
Failure to ensure attendance in school
Failure to meet the minimum age for employment (14 years)
Poor education and teaching standards
Behavioural indifference
What You Can Do to End Child Labour
Annually on the World Day Against Child Labour, the ILO reviews the shortfall in achieving a world free of child labour. Impoverished parents often fail to educate their child who then has no option but to take any job he can find. Even though illiteracy, poverty and unemployment present a seemingly vicious cycle, pitching in to stop this malpractice is still possible.
Be a socially-responsible consumer
Many large corporates employ child labourers in their manufacturing units – something consumers should not encourage. Read up about the origin of products you purchase and steer clear of any brands that don't follow fair trade and workforce practices.
Associate with the local children's NGO or help-group
Whenever possible, get together with your kids and contribute to your local children's NGO or a larger group such as the Bachpan Bachao Andolan. Give financial aid, books or learning toys as well as time in teaching lessons. You never know which kid you may inspire to work hard and take up a decent job when older!
Charity begins at home
Employing a child below the minimum age of employment can land the employer in trouble – a rule that is often bent and taken lightly. If you find child labourers employed by your neighbour, the local grocery store or a garage, speak to the manager and tell him this is illegal.
Bring up your child with a sense of equality and fairness
Never let your child feel superior solely on account of higher financial or social standing. As moms, it is important to build empathy and equity in our children so they can grow up to be socially responsible citizens.
You are a lucky mom with a kid who's lucky to have you too. On this World Day Against Child Labour, take time out to reflect on the unlucky kids who spend the otherwise glorious childhood toiling for their bread. After all, all children deserve to be loved and cherished, not left to suffer in silence. Read more
Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
13 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
13 hours ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 hours ago
Q. dual marker test is for what purpose??
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
12 hours ago
A. The double marker test helps determine whether the unborn baby has any risk of developing neurological abnormalities or mental disorders
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a 7 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
How to cure constipation in Babies
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. Constipation in Babies less than 1 year is very common and more in formula fed babies and also when initially the semi solid food has been started after 6 months .
you can give bonnisan drops and some enzyme preparations in proper dose suggested by doctor angyd cow's milk should be avoided before 1 year of age . Medications are required but it shobuld be given only in medical supervision .
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
7 hours ago
Q. Hello, I'm a hypothyroidism patients consumes 25mg tab,
can I take apple cider vinegar?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. I don’t think so ACv is going to be a problem but it would be better that you check with your doctor because Apple cider vinegar has couple of side-effects also also which a lot of people are not aware about so do not take it without your doctors advice and consent
Mohammad amin has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts can i go for long trips with my 7 months old baby
Mohammad amin
Guardian of a 3 yr old boy
1 hour ago
A. if you are comfortable then go
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
3 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts plz suggest me medicine for toothache
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. A proper assessment is required here so regarding this it is vmore favourable to contact your local doctor and accordingly he will guide in a proper manner.
If any more queries you can tgake online consultation on the platform for a detailed discussion .
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