Games are a remarkable source of entertainment. Be it offline or online, they offer an avenue for children to immerse themselves in interactive and captivating experiences and thus, they have been popular among kids and adults alike.

One such game which gained huge popularity in the past 3 years was Among Us.  It was one of the most played games during the Covid Lockdown period. 

The game has a very simple interface and can be played with much ease. The players are basically working together as astronauts, but some of them are imposters. The ultimate aim is to find these imposters and eliminate them.  

The game has a cartoonish art style However, it is important for parents to consider a few factors when determining the appropriateness of Among Us for their children:

1.   Online Game

Among Us is an online multiplayer game, which allows users to play with others even if they are in different corners of the world. This allows interaction with strangers.

What to do: Make your child aware of online safety measures and encourage them not to share any personal details like Name, Address, Number, etc. with a stranger.

2.   Unmoderated Chat

The voting between the game is done via an unregulated chat box, which means that children could be exposed to inappropriate language.

What to do: You can turn on the “Censor Chat” feature.

3.   Graphic Animations

One thing to keep in mind is the shocking kill animations, which occur when you get eliminated by one of the Imposters. Even though these are in a cartoonish style, it can be graphic for a lot of people.

What to do: Use your own discretion to judge whether or not your child would be comfortable playing the game.

4.   Time Management

Just like any other game, children can spend hours and hours hooked to their screens playing Among Us too.

What to do: Set up a definite screen time usage for your child.

5.   In-App Purchases

While most of the game is free, there are some paid add-ons to the player’s characters.

What to do: Ensure that your child does not spend any unnecessary money on these. Do not feed in your payment information on the app.

The Eye-Opening Truth: To Get Your Kids to Listen, Start by Listening to Them. 

Why Listening to Your Children Makes All the Difference in Their World?

There is a Turkish Proverb that says, “If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.”

As parents, we often strive to communicate effectively with our children, but do we truly listen to them? Parenting can be hard and there is no proper guidebook to go about it, but active listening is the most important tool that we have in our arsenal to build a better bond with them.

What is it?

Active listening is fully engaging and understanding what your child says. It goes beyond simply hearing words and focuses on being present, attentive, and empathetic in the conversation. It is vital to unlock better communication with your kids. 

Let us imagine ourselves in a real-life scenario to get a better understanding of this-

“Imagine your child coming home from school looking downcast. You notice she seems upset and when you ask about her day, she reveals her struggles with making friends. She feels lonely and often plays alone during the break.”

What can you do?

By actively listening and acknowledging your child’s emotions, you create a space for them to express themselves. Encourage them to open up more about what has happened in school and affirm their feelings are valid. Without any interruptions, tune in to what they are trying to say. Assure them that things would start to get better soon. You can even share your own personal experiences, if you have any, to let your child feel safer and more comfortable.

Here are some key elements of active listening:

1. Pay attention! 

Your undivided attention is a precious gift to your child. Show them that they have your full presence, put away distractions, make eye contact, and actively engage in the conversation.

2. Validating your Child’s emotions

It is natural for your children to feel something and it's crucial for you to validate their emotions without judgment. Let your child know that you understand and accept their feelings, creating a safe space for them to express themselves authentically.

3. Ask Questions 

Encourage your child to delve deeper into their thoughts and feelings by asking open-ended questions. These questions spark meaningful conversations, allowing your child to express themselves more fully.

4. Non-verbal cues

Non-verbal cues can speak volumes. Maintain eye contact, nod your head, and use facial expressions to convey your attentiveness and interest. These cues assure your child that you are fully engaged in what they are saying.

5. Avoid interruptions

Patience is key. Give your child the space to express themselves without interruptions.Allow them to finish speaking before responding, showing respect for their voice and thoughts.

6. Respond rather than react

Take a moment to pause, understand, and choose your words wisely when interacting with your child. Empathy is a powerful tool in active listening.  Your thoughtful response promotes effective communication and strengthens your parent-child bond.

Why is it Important?

• Validation and Emotional Support:
  Actively listening to your child's thoughts and feelings provides validation support, boosting their self-esteem and overall emotional well-being. Notably, studies conducted by the Yale Parenting Center have shown that active listening fosters emotional intelligence and helps children regulate their emotions effectively.

• Enhancing Language and Communication Skills:
  By actively listening, you encourage your child to express themselves, which helps develop their vocabulary and enhances their communication abilities. 

• Building Empathy and Understanding:
  Active listening teaches your child empathy and understanding, promoting compassion and nurturing healthy relationships with others.

In conclusion, active listening is not just a valuable tool for effective communication with our children, but it is also a powerful means to strengthen the parent-child bond and nurture their overall well-being. By prioritizing active listening, we empower them to become effective communicators. Through this reciprocal process, we build trust, understanding, and cooperation, creating a harmonious and respectful parent-child relationship where both parties feel heard and valued. So let's start by listening and watch how it transforms the way we communicate with our kids!

Let us dive into a topic that might make some of you giggle, cringe, or even feel a little self-conscious: Body Hair! 

As we transition from pre-teens to teens and further into adulthood, we face many hormonal and physical changes. A part of these changes is the emergence of body hair. We find hair sprouting in places like our legs, underarms, or even the pubic area. Initially, it might feel overwhelming, but it is really just our body going through normal and natural changes.

Picture the body as a marvelous garden, and hair as the delicate flowers that bloom. It's part of our body's way of expressing itself. However, this seemingly normal change has been overshadowed by the unrealistic beauty standards in our society which young kids, especially girls feel like they need to abide by. Airbrushed images online have contributed to the notion of body hair being undesirable in females, hampering our self-esteem. 

Here are some facts about body hair that we ought to know: 

1. The amount and distribution of body hair are primarily determined by genetics. Different individuals have varying levels of hair growth, which is perfectly normal and unique to each person.

2. Hormones play a significant role in body hair growth. During puberty, the growth and distribution of body hair are influenced by androgens, which are male sex hormones present in both males and females. 

3. Body hair helps to regulate body temperature by providing insulation. It acts as a barrier against cold temperatures, helping to retain heat and keep the body warm.

4. Body hair is a remnant of our evolutionary past. It has evolved throughout human history and serves protective functions, such as shielding the skin from harmful UV radiation and providing a sensory response to touch.

5. Just like our height, eye color, or any other physical trait, body hair varies among individuals. Some may have more body hair, while others may have less. This diversity is what makes us beautifully unique.

Recognizing that our body hair is a natural part of who we are is essential. Embracing it with acceptance and self-love will foster a positive body image and is a vital aspect of self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Here are some situations and appropriate comebacks if someone comments about body hair:

A friend says, "You should shave your legs like everyone else." 

Just say: "I like my legs just the way they are, thank you!"

A classmate teases, "You have a moustache!" 

Just say: "I think it is perfectly normal. Thanks for noticing though!"

A classmate comments, "Why do you have hair on your arms?" 

Just say: "My body, my choice.”

An elder comments, “You still can’t grow a beard?”

Just say: “No and I don’t need to either!”

Body hair removal has become a norm for females which fosters a really unhealthy and uninclusive society for young and vulnerable girls. It is crucial to recognize that body hair is natural and varies among individuals. However, deciding to keep or remove hair will always be a personal choice.

Starting a conversation about hair removal and safe techniques can be a bit awkward but it is essential to talk about it. 

Some safe and easy ways to remove hair include:

1. Shaving

2. Trimming

3. Waxing

4. Hair Removal Creams

Building an inclusive and healthy ecosystem to accept and celebrate everybody in their natural and unique skin is the need of the hour. By challenging societal norms, providing education, and building a supportive community, we can develop a healthier relationship with our bodies. True beauty lies in embracing our true selves!

In a society that often glamorizes unrealistic beauty standards, it is crucial to understand the depths of body positivity and the importance of accepting our true selves. The pressure from society to conform to an "ideal" body can significantly affect how we feel about ourselves and our bodies. However, it's essential to understand that there is no one "normal" weight, and beauty exists in all shapes and sizes.

Body weight is often portrayed as an indicator of beauty or health, but it's essential to shift the focus away from arbitrary numbers on a scale. 

Weight is influenced by various factors such as 

• Genetics 

• Metabolism

• Muscle mass

• Age

• Height

• Medications

Understanding that body weight is not always under our control is an important lesson. It's important to remember that being healthy is not solely determined by a number on a scale but by overall well-being. For girls, the ideal body type is often depicted as slim and slender, with curves in all the “right” places. Whereas boys are expected to be fit, muscular, and tall. This is far from the true reality. Humans come in an array of body types and each one is as unique as the other. 

Some argue that the body positivity movement overlooks the serious health risks associated with obesity. However, this criticism fails to acknowledge how harmful it can be when people face stigma and experience shame regarding their weight. The goal is to counteract this stigma and create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Rather than fixating on weight as the sole indicator of health, it is imperative to emphasize on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management promote overall well-being. Emphasizing these habits can contribute to better health outcomes, regardless of our weight. 

Health at Every Size (HAES) is an important movement that has taken strides to encourage a healthy lifestyle with enjoyable physical activity and healthy eating. It emphasizes that health is not determined by weight or body size. It stands on the grounds that health is about feeling good physically, mentally, and emotionally, rather than focusing solely on weight or size.

Always keep in mind that health is a lifelong journey, and it's normal to have ups and downs. Be patient with yourself and celebrate the progress you make along the way. Your body weight does not define you, but your commitment to a healthy lifestyle and self-care does.