How to choose toys for children

Whenever we think of buying a new toy for our young one, we fall into a dilemma, thinking what is best for him or her. Budget is another aspect we consider. These days there are thousands of verities of toys in the market and are equally expensive. We can consider a few things before shopping for toys.
Price: Toys always need not be expensive. Kids like toys that excite them and keep them busy. The most expensive toys sometimes can be boring for the kids. If a child is given a simple handmade paper ball, he or she will be more than happy to play with it. Also, toys have a short life for a child. If the toys are expensive, then the money will be wasted.
Safety: Safety is the first and the most important factor one need to consider while buying toys. The toy should be safe enough for the child to play freely. For example: Avoid stuffed toys that have buttons or marbles in place of eyes and nose. There is a risk of kids removing or pulling them off and putting them into the mouth. Make sure the stuffed toys are washable and the fabric used is of good quality.
When buying battery operated toys, see that the battery case is tightly closed or secured with a screw so that the child does not get in contact with the batteries.
Make sure the paint on the painted toys, the crayons and the play dough are non-toxic.
Avoid toys with sharp ends, rough edges and loose strings or threads. When buying toy guns, bow and arrow or darts, make sure the tips are not pointed.
Electric toys that come along with electrical plug-in devices should not be handled by the kids alone. Parent’s or elder’s supervision is a must for such toys.
Metallic toys or games which are mainly kept outdoors, should be properly painted with rust free paints.
As the baby’s ears are delicate and still developing, be careful while choosing musical and noisy toys. Sometimes rattles and squeaky toys make loud sounds that can damage the baby’s ear drum. Try to keep the baby away from the electronic toys that have loud music or sounds.
Avoid marbles, coins, balls, and games with balls that are too small in size as there is a risk of the kids putting them in the mouth. These things can prove to be chocking and hazardous.
Right toys for right age: All the standard toys have the age group mentioned for that particular toy. These age groups are decided keeping in mind the aspects like safety, physical development and mental development of the child. Hence it will be wise enough the buy age appropriate toys for the kids. For example: A toddler cannot find interest in fixing a puzzle or a doll house or a play gun. Similarly a pre-schooler will find it boring to play with squeaky toys and rattles or even brain games and video games for that matter.
Along with the safety measures, it is equally important to keep the toys clean and hygienic. Most of the toys are washable. Hence keep washing the toys with a mild detergent, rinse well and dry well before handling them back to the kids to play with it. Soft toys can be washed in the washing machine.
Along with all these things to keep in mind, it is always important for the parents, elders or teachers to keep a watchful eye on the kids when they are on the move.
And for all the kids around…….Happy childhood and happy playing.

Stay Cool During Summer

Summer is in a full swing. Which means its time for us to change our kids' diet plan to beat the summer heat and stay cool. Its extremely vital for us to keep a watch on kids health during summer. Along with summer the vacations are also on. Hence children tend to get out in hot sun to play or for their extra curricular activities like dance classes, summer camps, sports, coaching, picnics, trips, etc. Below tips can be of some help to protect the children from the side effects of summer.

1. Keeping the kids hydrated is the most important step to be taken. Make sure the child carries a bottle of plain water every where he or she goes.
2. While playing in the sun, serve them with  good amount of fluids like fresh fruit juice, nimbu pani, butter milk, tender coconut water, etc at regular intervals.
3. Cover their skin with good amount of sunscreen lotion before stepping out in the sun. This will protect the skin from extreme exposure to direct sun and avoids sun burns.
4. Serve them good amount of fresh fruits and vegetables as between the meal snacks. This will help in keeping their body hydrated and cool. Fruits like apples, watermelon, melon, grapes, etc and veggies like cucumber, radish, etc can be served as they contain lot of fluids in them.
5. Avoid heavy, oily, spicy, junk food and aerated drinks as they are not easily digested and can make the kids irritable.
6. See to it that you child wears light coloured, light weighed,loose fitting, cotton clothes during this season. This will help to keep their bodies cool and comfortable.
7. Give them a nice warm water bath soon after they come back from their outdoor activities. A few drops of dettol can be added to the water as this will wash away the germs and sweat and gives a fresh feeling.

Hope these tips will be useful. And for all the kids there, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!

-Deepa Burli

Heart Touching Story - The Father & son

Sharing a beautiful touching story :
An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son.
Suddenly a crow perched on their window.
The Father asked his Son, "What is this?"

The Son replied "It is a crow".

After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, "What is this?"

The Son said "Father, I have just now told you "It's a crow".
After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time, What is this?"

At this time some ex-pression of irritation was felt in the Son's tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. "It's a crow, a crow"
A little after, the Father again asked his Son the 4th time, "What is this?"
This time the Son shouted at his Father, "Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT
IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?"

A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the
following words were written in the diary :-

"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and
I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child".
While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this", the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.

Lesson to learn from This Story:
If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents.
From today say this aloud,
"I want to see my parents Happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.

They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today".

Say a prayer to God, "I will serve my old parents in the BEST way. I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.
Some of the Inspiring Quotes which tell not to give up in life so you can learn something from these Quotes
1) Never expect things to happen..
struggle and make them happen.
never expect yourself to be given a good valuecreate a value of your own
2) If a drop of water falls in lake there is no identity.But if it falls on a leaf of lotus it shine like a pearl. So choose the best place where you would shine..
3) Falling down is not defeat...defeat is when your refuse to get up...
4) Ship is always safe at shore... but it is not built for it
5) When you are successful your well wishers know who you are and when you are unsuccessful you know who your well wishers are
6) "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world
7) "Even the word 'IMPOSSIBLE' says 'I M POSSIBLE' "
8) Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference.
God Bless You All,
Thanks,
Deepa

Mother

AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!


I am a Mother

The officer at the Driving License counter asked the lady "What is your occupation?" The woman seeking renewal of her license seemed to be puzzled. So the officer said "Ma'am, are you employed, have your own business or........
The woman replied "Oh, yes!! I have a full time occupation. I am a mother"
Officer: "We don't have 'mother' as an option for occupation. I will write it down as 'Housewife'. That takes care of all questions."

This had happened long ago, and was forgotten. Years later when I went to get my license, the Public Relations Officer was a somewhat pompous.woman.
"Your occupation?" she asked in a rather authoritative tone. I just had an inspiration and replied "I am a researcher in the field of Child Development, Nutrition and Inter-personal Relationships" The lady officer stared at me in amazement. I calmly repeated my statement and she wrote it down verbatim. Then, unable to conceal her curiosity, she politely asked "What exactly do you do in your profession, Ma'am?"

 I was feeling good about having described my occupation so calmly and confidently. So I replied "My research projects have been going on for a number of years (Mothers never retire!!). My research is conducted in the laboratory as well as in the field. I have two bosses. (One is God and the other is my entire family). I have received two honours in this field.(A son and a daughter) My topic is considered to be the most difficult part of sociology.(All moms will agree!!). I have to work more than 14 hours every day. Sometimes even 24 hours are not enough and the challenges are tougher than many other professions. My compensation is in terms of mental satisfaction rather than money.
   
I could see that the officer was thoroughly impressed. After completing the licensing formalities, she came to the door to see me off.
This new viewpoint about my occupation made me feel much better on my way back home. I was welcomed by my 5 year old research assistant at the door. My new project(my 6 month old baby) was energetically practicing her 'music'.
I had earned a small victory over the Governmental red tape today. I was no longer 'merely a mother', instead I was now a highly placed functionary in a service vital for mankind -Motherhood!!

'Mother' - Isn't it a great title. Fit to be added to the nameplate on the door!! By this standard, grandmothers deserve to be called Senior Research Officers, and Great Grandmothers qualify as 'Research Directors'. Aunts and other ladies of that age group can be called 'Research Facilitators'. Please share this with all mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, all ladies currently holding posts like didi-tai-chachi-mami-mausi-bua ...... They will all shower you with blessings and life will be happier.

All husbands, fathers, please note. This is a must read for all

Skin care regimen for teens

Skin care regimen should be started from teen age. This helps in a long run to prevent formation of wrinkles and helps to retain the glow of skin as age advances. Here are few tips for teen skin care
• Use sun screen lotion when you go outdoors. Protecting skin from UV radiations helps to prevent skin cancer and formation of wrinkles. UV radiations cause early aging of skin. Sunscreen lotion protects your skin from all these.
• Do not use soap to wash your facial skin. Use mild face wash which is suitable for your skin type. Besan flour (yellow gram flour) or Green gram flour can be used to clean your facial skin.
• Remove your make up before going to bed.
• Apply moisturizer daily to face and also to your body skin.
• Do not forget to apply face pack once in a week (Don’t go for facials). A mixture of cucumber juice and besan flour make an excellent face mask for teen skin.
• Eat well balanced nutritious food
• Add green vegetables and fruits to your diet.
• Say no to junk food.
• Drink plenty of fresh clean water. This helps in moisturizing your skin from inside.
• Practice yoga and meditation daily. These reduce stress and increase glow of skin, memory power and helps you to achieve your goal. Do not forget beauty and brains are wonderful combo.

Always do Good

 This is worth reading.....Do Good & it will SURELY come back to you .....

A woman baked bread for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passerby.

She kept the extra bread on the Window-sill, for whosoever would take it away.

Every day, a hunch-back came and took away the bread. Instead of expressing gratitude,

he muttered the following words as he went his way:

"The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!"

This went on, day after day. Every day, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and uttered the words: "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!"

The woman felt irritated. "Not a word of gratitude," she said to herself...

"Everyday this hunch-back utters this jingle! What does he mean?

"One day, out of desperation, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunch-back," she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the bread she prepared for him! As she was about to place it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she said.

Immediately she threw the bread into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window-sill.

As usual, the hunch-back came, picked up the bread and muttered the words:

"The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!"

The hunch-back proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman. Everyday, as the woman placed the bread on the window-sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him.. She prayed for his safe return.

That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway.. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom, it's a miracle I'm here. While I was but a mile away, I was so hungry that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunch-back passed by. I begged of him for a small part of his food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole bread. "As he gave it to me, he said, "This is what I eat everyday: today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!"

"As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale and red. She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned bread that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life!

It was then that she realized the significance of the words: "The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!"

Do good and don't ever stop doing good, even if it's not appreciated at that time.