Which is the best Robot for kids?

Miko 3 Ridiculously smart and seriously fun robot for kids

Are you looking for fun and learning way to engage your kid then here is the solution Miko 3 Smart !

Miko is your new intelligent friend who can help your kids from math tutoring , language lessons to dance moves and jokes. It is AI based robot, who keep learning and understanding being with your kid.

Meet Miko 3 , Adya’s new buddy who is smart and fun friend to be with.

Unboxing video of Miko3

What comes inside the box?

  • Instruction manual
  • charging cable- You need to use 5V, 3A DC input (Type C USB connector). The charging time will depend upon the adapter, if a 5V, 3A (15 W) adapter is used then approximately 4 hours will be required to charge from 0 to 100%.

Features of Miko 3

  • Miko’s powerful AI technology adapts to the kids learning needs and behaviors, providing access to interactive education while consistently reinforcing other human connections within their life.
  • A super-rich app library loaded with games, challenges, and a wide range of interactive learning experiences. Miko brings the top premium kids’ content like Paramount, Lingokids, Kidoodle, Kidloland, Cosmic Kids and more.
  • With Max subscription, you get access to more than 50,000+ hours of new content experiences and 1,000+ experience types — games, puzzles, TV shows, coding lessons, yoga, and a range of STEM topics.
  • Designed with a more expansive touchscreen, it creates a healthy alternative to playtime on phones and tablets.
  • Equipped with a wide-angle HD camera and hi-tech sensors to map distance and edges, Miko moves all around the house.
  • The Miko connect feature allows Miko to keep kids and parents connected through video calls.
  • It can interact, tell stories and play games in 8 languages from around the world
  • Simply secure – It is a closed system with enhanced encryption that make sure that every byte of your personal data is protected.

How does Miko 3 works

1. Connect Miko 3 to Wifi.

2. Once connected, you get access to wonderful games & educational content.

3. Talk by saying ‘Hello Miko’. You can ask any question & Miko 3 is always ready with an answer!

4. You can also have knowledge based conversations with the robot.

5. Moreover, Miko 3 gets updated with new games and content every month for your child to have a wholesome fun & learning experience!

Parental control

  • It is connected with parental application that tracks your child learning through the time spent on Miko.
  • You can do video call to your kids through the application.
  • Your child data is safe -The data is end to end encrypted. They do not store/sell personally identified data on server or cloud. The parent is in full control of their child’s data.

My thoughts

  • Good for limited screen time without worrying what your kid is watching, as all the content is educational and as per child age.
  • Help those curios minds engage as they can ask as many questions as they want.
  • Created emotional connection with kid with its weird face expression.
  • I liked the Tidbits addition- An advanced AI feature for kids to have real educational and age appropriate conversations with topics such as health, environment, nature, history Geography and much more.

You can buy your Miko from Amazon

‘GET 10% OFF ON WEBSITE, USE CODE MOMSMIKO10″

For more reviews click here

‘This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by CindyD’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

“It’s my choice”- Impact and importance on life!

“It’s my choice”- Impact and importance on life!

We all have made many choices in our life, that have made us proud and sad at times. Today I would like to talk about my one choice that changed a lot in a better way with a roller-coaster ride. First let me share why I am writing this post today?

“This post is written for IT’S MY CHOICE Blog Train by Gleefulblogger & Wigglingpenin association with Vedix & Kerala Ayurveda

Before I share my choice let’s understand little more about it.

What is CHOICE ?

Choice is a chance when you have two or many options and you have to decide among all what’s the best for you. Let’s take very simple example from your life, when you were have to choose between different flavours of ice-cream and after waiting for a while you choose one. That’s your very first CHOICE as a kid.

But as you grow older these choices becomes more hard and options becomes less and you have to decide what would be the best for you as that can impact on your life.

CHOICES -Impact & Importance

Your every choice has a big impact on your life either in a good way or bad way. When you have to decide your subjects it sets a bigger goal for you in your life as whatever stream you choose your will join that profession.

So it is really important to make all your decisions with proper understanding of all the pros & cons as the results can be fruitful or bitter.

My Choice and why I am proud of it?

I choose to put myself before all the traditions and emotions that were holding me back trying to make happy all people around me.

Now let’s talk about the decision I am happy and proud . It was when after my delivery , when I decided to stay with my husband to take care of my newborn without any elderly support as they were not able to stay with us ( personal issues).

This was a big decision as being first time parents we know the journey would not be easy for us, but this journey prove to be the best learning experience. I was learning everyday to take care of my baby and everything, this DO IT ON YOUR OWN situation boosted my confidence to handle everything .

What I gained !!

Home Baker & Blogger

I started baking to beat the postpartum depression and it worked as a therapy for me, Meanwhile started writing down the parenting experiences and this started my BLOGGING JOURNEY.

You can check my healthy bakes Check all healthy bakes and recipes here .

Cloth Diapering & Baby wearing ambassador

I researched about cloth diapering and baby wearing that was one of the best choices too. As they made my life easier and they were eco-friendly, as it was not so popular at that time my learning helped me understanding and by this I was able to help many other new parents who have the same doubts.

Today when I think about that decision,I feel that if I have chosen to go to my parents place. I wouldn’t get the chance to know my capabilities to handle such situation. As we get support we will never try to find new ways to get out of the situation.

Finally, all my experience made me realise it’s always good to take a decision for you and work on it. It might be hard at that time but you would be proud that you did what you felt right for you.

Golden City of Rajasthan – Jaisalmer

After our 2 nights stay in Shekhawati Region we headed towards biggest district of Rajasthan, The Golden City – Jaisalmer.

Most of us know it is situated in the heart of Thar Desert. It got its name Golden City due to the yellow color sandstone architecture.

It’s around 9 hrs drive, 522 KM from Mandawa via NH 11.

Mandawa to Jaisalmer

We stopped @ Motel Haveli Resort for b/f and total bill was Rs 200 for veg sandwich, poha and tea. It’s a big place with stay options as well, washroom were clean and place was also clean. Food was ‘Ok’ took some time to come.

There are very less places to stop on this route so come prepared with snacks. For lunch we could not find any good place on the map then suddenly we came across a place called Hotel Shiv Villas. We asked them to pack some aloo pyaz parathas for lunch as we don’t want to waste time rather eat it while driving.

After this we directly stopped in Jaisalmer. We reached I think late afternoon.

We had planned 3 nights in Jaisalmer, I feel 3 nights are good if you want to see everything and visit Longewala.

On the first day we didn’t do much as we were little tired driving 522 KM, so we checked in into this small beautiful Boutique hotel – Garh Meera.

It’s new property, still work pending due to Covid they couldn’t complete the work. Their kitchen was also closed at that time.

It has a wonderful view of Jaisalmer Fort from the roof, which was obstructed (little bit) by a construction on the building in the front.

On this day after some relaxation we went to visit the nearby local market. We booked this place only for 1 day and rest 2 days @ Jaisalmer Marriot. After b/f we left to check in to Marriot. But our room was not ready, so we went to see original Handicraft place.

For Jaisalmer sightseeing we had booked one very experienced guide Mr. Harish Giri Ji. He is really informative and very good human being.

Mr. Harish helped us in doing all the bookings i.e.  city tour, desert safari package, taxi service etc.

So, on our second day of Golden city tour, Harish Ji took us to one genuine place to see some of most beautiful Rajasthani handicraft items.

We can definitely see the price difference as we have visited few shops before coming to this place and this place as huge price difference (it was way cheaper).

Harish ji is working as a volunteer in the co-operative place which provides ways to earn to the  women living in desert area and keep the real hand craft art alive in this machine era.

You can check the place on Instagram with name Jaisalmerhandicrafts. This shop has amazing products. This was the first time ever we did shop on our trip/holiday. Usually we buy some fridge magnets only.

After this we had some lunch/snacks at a local shop and then headed towards – Kuldhara.

Kuldhara is a haunted village which is 50 min drive i.e. 27 Km around from the main city. Roads are good, there is a diversion which is a single road but in decent condition which takes you to the village.

This village and some adjacent villages were abandoned over night for unknown reasons. As per local stories some say it was due to the persecution of Salim Singh minister of Jaisalmer state.

Before abandon Kuldhara was inhabited by ‘Paliwal Brahmins’ and it is said that they were very prosperous.

It is very fascinating to visit this village and listen to all the stories, now we can only see few feet walls of all the houses and nothing else.

Converted into a tourist spot and there is an entry fee which is Rs 20 pp and Rs 50 per vehicle.

After spending some time here max 30 min as it was hot and there is not much to see, we left for desert safari.

Ours booking was done by Harish Ji and it’s called – Desert Safari Camp Sam Sand Dunes, you can find it on Instagram as well – @desertsafarisamsanddunes

One thing I would suggest to everyone is either stay in the camp or reach little early to properly enjoy the desert.

We reached just on time to have enough time to enjoy the dune bashing by open Mahindra Thar and enjoy sun set in the desert.

After taking lot of pics we headed back to the camp on camels. It was quite thrilling going up and down on a camel. Few times I thought we will fall ?

Back at the camp we had High tea with some snacks post high tea. There was a live folk music and dance performance. We really liked the performance all the talented artists.

After all the enjoyment and fun filled day. We ended the day with a good dinner at the camp and then drive back to the city.

While driving back had amazing experience, watching clear sky full of stars & cold breeze.

This ends our 2nd day in Golden City Jaisalmer. Stay tuned for our last day in Jaisalmer.

click here to know full details of this 10 day Rajasthan road trip .

Harish Ji’s contact details –

Company name – Jaisalmer Tour Guide

Website – http://www.jaisalmertourguide.com/#services

Instagram – @jaisalmertourguide

Cell # 9414761153 & 7014396051

Day 2 in Jaipur also knows as Pink City of India

Day 2 in Jaipur Pink City of India

After exploring the magnificent forts of Jaipur we started our second day after heavy b/f. For this day we have planned to visit the Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Amer Fort & Jal Mahal.

We started with Jantar Mantar as it’s totally open space with no shade, so if it’s hot then we have to bear the heat. In Jantar Mantar there are more than 15 astronomical instruments which were built by Sawai Jai Singh 2.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Worlds Largest working Sun Dial

Jantar Mantar is situated right beside City Palace and Hawa Mahal. The instruments created here allowed the astrologers to see the astronomical positions of different planets and stars with naked eyes. This was built by the king as he has keen interest in astrology, he used all the knowledge while constructing the Pink City.

There is a sun dials which tells the local time in which we need to add I think 38 min to get the IST. The biggest sun dial(vrihat Samrat yantra) in world shows the time to a precision of a second.

Witnessing all this live was an amazing experience and to know this all was created 200+ years ago by our astrologers and craftsman. Overall time spent here was maximum 1 hour. Ticket price is Rs 50 pp and car parking is of Rs 80.

From here we went to City Palace which is situated right next to it. Ticket price is Rs 200 pp. There are other tickets as well like the one where you can visit it at night and then there is package in which you can even visit the place where the current royal family lives, as I remember the price of this ticket was Rs 3000 +.

City Palace Jaipur

City Palace was created at the same time as the Pink city itself. It consists of Museum and a part where the royal family lives. This palace houses many courtyards, buildings and pavilions and the most prominent are Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.

There are many entry points to the palace, one is reserved for Royal Family i.e. Tripolia gate. Visitors can enter via Udai Pol and one other.

Mubarak Mahal was built as a guest house for foreign guests which is now converted to a museum. Chandra Mahal is one of the oldest building in the palace and has several floors.

Then there is a place which was used as a Diwan-e-khas, it’s an open hall which is now used by royal family to celebrate important festivals. There are 2 big Silver vessels kept on either side and these vessels hold the Guinness World Record as well.

City Palace Jaipur
Silver Vessel

These vessels are the largest silver vessels with height of 5.2 ft weighing 340 Ks and has a capacity of around 4000 liters. These vessels are used by the king Sawai Madho Singh 2 to carry Ganga Jal when he went to London for some function/play.

Another special thing about these vessels are they are created without any joint or soldering. It was a wonderful experience knowing our history and seeing how skillful our artisan were. We spent around 1.30 hr here.

From here we went straight to Amer(Amber) Palace. This is situated in the Amer town and was build by Man Singh and later by Sawai Jai Singh. It situated on the foot of Jaigarh Fort. Ticket price is Rs 100 pp and parking charges for car is Rs 50.

Amer Jaipur

There are many options to reach the palace one of which is your own vehicle. There are electric vehicles which will take you right inside the palace and charges Rs 80 pp after your own vehicle this is the most economical and affordable option.

Amer Jaipur
Electric vehicle

There is one main attraction here to reach the top is elephants, but they are there till 11 AM only after that you have rest of the options till 5 PM.

From down to the full tour it will be around 3 Km of walk. The fort is laid out in 4 levels starting from Diwan-e-aam which was used for public celebration, Diwan-e-khas used by King and his special council, Sheesh Mahal and finally the Sukh Niwas.

Amer Palace Jaipur

This palace and Jaigarh fort are situated in one complex as there is a passage which connects both and was used in case of war. This enables royal family to shift to the Fort which is situated on a height and much more secure.

Amber Palace

In Jalebi chowk there is Ganesh pol/gate which is very beautiful. It leads us to the private palace of the Maharaja. Beside this gate there are steps which directly leads to the temple of ‘Sila Devi’ which was worshipped by the Maharajas.

Going up from here comes the Diwan-e-aam, this was used to address common public. Going further up comes the third level. This is the courtyard where the Maharaja his queens and attendants used to live. There are rooms for all.

There is a ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and a beautiful garden as well in this courtyard.

Sheesh Mahal and beautiful garden in front of it

Final courtyard is where the queens used to live. The king had 12 queens, so he constructed 12 rooms and there is a staircase which is connected to the Maharaj’s room, but the queens are not allowed to go up.

All the rooms open to a common area which has a Baradari in the middle. It is said that if any queen does some mistake then the king gives them the punishment and make them sit in this baradari which is then covered by curtains and the queen will do some hard work like ‘Chakki peesna’.

In front of this Palace situated a lake know as Maota Lake and in middle of it situated a garden also known as Kesar kyari(garden) and as informed it was built to harvest Kesar.

Amer Jaipur
Kesar Kyari

In the Amer town situated Jhodha Bai ki Haveli which is not maintained at all and no once can access it, we can only see it from the Palace or the Fort.

After this we stopped on the way to click some pics of Jal Mahal. It is situated in the middle of the lake ‘Man Sagar’

Jal Mahal Jaipur

It is said that it was given on lease to someone big company to renovate it and make hotel in it like what we have in Udaipur. Someone said that there is a stay on the construction/renovation.

Jal Mahal Jaipur

This Mahal is a 5 storied building of which 2-3 floors remain submerged all the time and when the lake is full 4 floors are submerged. The situation on the shore is not good, so much of garbage was present in the water that it was stinking.

This ends our second and final day in the Pink city. From here we went to the less explored region of Rajasthan which houses some of the most beautiful Havelis.

Patrika Gate Jaipur
Patrika Gate

Do check my next blog for more details about this place.

How to explain importance of Immunity to kids

Immunity building in our kids is an important aspect we parents work on as children are growing up. The steps we take should begin at an early age. Children also need to understand what it is all about.

It is obvious that their little minds are curious to know, why we need to work on building immunity. My daughter is going to be 4 years old and she has started asking questions and we try to explain her in the simplest way possible of building immunity while indoors.

How to explain kids in simplest way, importance of Immunity.

  • Be Open– Answer their questions in the best possible way you can. Educate them with love and kindness. They will be curious to understand how nutrition and immunity works.
  • Interaction– Talk to them about it and how being healthy is important.
  • Balanced diet– Importance of eating healthy food that makes them strong. Including fruits, milk with a supplement like PediaSure that has 37 essential nutrients for complete and balanced diet and dry fruits.
  • Hand wash– Washing hands is one important habit inside or outside home. We taught our daughter how to wash her hands properly like rubbing individual fingers, b/w fingers and from clean back side as well.
  • Wash hands before and after eating food, after play, etc.
  • Quick learner– Kids are quick learners and they understand easily if you are open with them. Give them age-appropriate information so they have the right information from you.

Just like we want to protect our children from diseases, it is important we also protect them from wrong or incomplete information. We must answer their questions to the best of our ability.

These are some really simple ways you can teach kids the importance of immunity and how we can inculcate clean habits. Staying healthy and taking proper precaution is the only way to stay safe from infections.

The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not reflect the views of any brand. Any omissions or errors at the author’s end does not assume any liability or responsibility on any party mentioned in the blog.

Florence & Vatican City

Florence & Vatican City

After all the thrill to catch the train experiencing Paris evening traffic and finally finding that it is cancelled, we reached Florence. Do ready my previous blog about the journey here.

View from train

This blog is about a day in Florence, don’t be shocked I know its way… way… to less and a day in Vatican which is a country.

After reaching the Florence station which is called as ‘Firenze Santa Maria Novella’ we tried to figure out how to reach our guest house ‘Affittacamere Benedetta’. It was Just 1 Km walking and 10 min via Tram, there is stop just outside the main station and the stop to get down is next one named ‘Porta Al Prato’ and from there it is around 300 mts.

We got little confused due to Google Maps directions and took us some time and few calls to reach there but we finally managed to reach.

It’s a small guest house which I think has around 4 rooms and our room was the last one and was quite specious or say huge as per normal room standards we have seen in India. It has all the basic facilities and as the owner did not provide any b/f he has arranged some ready to eat stuff which was complimentary ? and such a nice gesture.

Even though room was big but there was only one source of natural light and that was also covered with heavy grill and room was very dimly lit. Over all only drawback in this room was the bathroom and light, light I have already mentioned and bathroom was way too small. Just to compare we use to have bigger bathroom in our flat in Mumbai.

As we travelled for more than 10 hrs. (Bus + Train), so we decided to take some rest and then go out to explore. As this place is in the city so it is near to all the tourist places and market. He suggested one place to eat and that was good and not too costly was not a tourist trap.

Our luck was not that great as first we missed to book the ticket for the Dome which is top of Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. It has specific timing and slots as it’s a small space on the top and as per the pics the view is Amazing. Other thing that happened that day was rain.

As soon as we reach the main area of the Cathedral it started raining and we didn’t have any umbrella or rain coat, so after taking shelter in front of some shop for some time we finally return to our guest house and it continued to rain for rest of the day.

So, in all we stayed in our room and didn’t see much in Florence ☹ but what ever we saw was beautiful and we need to go again to explore more.

Next morning, we had a train to catch to reach Rome. Rome was 2-day trip and my brother in law and his family also joined us there. This was the first time we had planned something together and it was fun with all the kids.

They were supposed to come by evening, and we reached in the morning. Here we have booked an Airbnb. It was a 1 BHK flat with 2 beds, sofa, kitchen with utensils a washing machine etc. It was a good place with few drawbacks. This place was little far from the center, but tram/bus station was near by.

After taking the keys of the flat and fresh up we stepped out to go to Vatican via Bus. In Paris and here as well there is one good thing about the bus is there is space to park your stroller.

It was amazing seeing live what we have seen only in TV. Once again, we missed the opportunity to book the fast access tickets and on the spot were way to high to visit the museum and basilica ☹. For Basilica there was a huge line to enter and with my little one it was quite difficult to stand in one place for that long.

So, guys do book your tickets early and be there on time as everything work as per slots.

There were so many people that I was afraid to handle her alone otherwise we could have thought of standing one by one. So finally, we just clicked pics from outside and had some snacks at one of the local stalls then went back as my brother in law was about to reach the flat and we only had 1 key.

Rest of the day we spent with family chitchatting and relaxing as we were meeting after a long time.

This is how our first day ends in Rome.

Stay tuned for last 3 days of our trip, in which we covered Rome, Venice & Amsterdam.

I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa. You can read my other articles for this #MyFriendAlexa campaign here #forbabynmommyblogs.

Money management with parenting

How to manage money when you have a new member in family

Welcome new member of family

As you become parents and start a new life with your little one, you start learning many things.

One of it is money management as little bundle of joy comes with a lot of expenses. Starting from their daily needs to new wardrobe and all the needed items for taking care of the little one plus mother’s health.

It all starts the day you get pregnant from doctors visit and daily appointments to your delivery with a little one in your hand and beyond. You need to plan a lot to take care of not spending too much on extra expenses.

Let’s talk about how we can take care of not spending too much.

Choosing the right doctor and hospital

As new parents you try to search for the best doctor and facility for your pregnancy. Most of the high end hospitals comes with high packages, so you need to search and talk to your relatives and friends for suggestions. And choose the best doctor with good experience and needed facilities for delivery. Just make sure the hospital is clean and tidy with all needed facilities for your and your baby.

Choosing a right Health Insurance

As you know now a days medical cost is getting costlier every year. So one should decide early about there mediclame i.e. health insurance which covers maternity expense. Usually one would not get maternity benefit immediately after taking the policy as there is waiting period of 2 to 4 years depending on the provider.

This will save you a fortune on your delivery bill.

Vaccination

Doctor would recommend you take all vaccination for your baby. You can choose the required one only. Also they might suggest to take pain less one which cost higher, but their is not much difference with normal one. Your kid will cry for some time and then will forget about it and will be normal. Just try not to touch that place for a day or so.

Also if you are not going abroad then you can double check the brand and price as this also tends to increase the vaccination cost.

Cloth diapers

Switch to cloth diapers is the best way to save money and environment. You can buy diapers in lot or when they are at a discount. It would last long for three years and can be reused or sold again after your baby is diaper free. One diper can fit different size, so as your baby grows you don’t need to buy a new one, just adjust the same and you are good to go.

New baby clothes

My princess

We often do this mistake of buying a full wardrobe for your newborn in excitement. But the fact is most of the time we kept them covered in a blanket or rompers. And all the relatives and friends gift clothes too. So buying few sets and getting some preloved from cousins is also good. As the preloved clothes are best for newborn as the fabric is really soft with regular use. This way you can save a lot. 

New baby shoes.

Now this one is really important, we can skip buying shoes for new baby until they are able to walk or stand on their own. Most of the time babies are wearing rompers so they don’t require shoes. When they learn to stand then only you would need proper shoes as before that most of the time they are in your lap, bedding or stroller.

Baby gear

Hi

Being a new parent we tend to buy many things like rocker, walker, stroller and most of the time it’s used rarely so think twice about what you really need for the baby. If you are living in a place where you can rarely use strollers, baby carrier is a better option and you can always check some pre-loved options as these items are not used at times and people give it in lesser price as pre-loved.

Initially we have also used a pre loved stroller to make sure she sits in it and get use to it. Then only we bought a new one and that too which can be used for longer period.

Pre-loved options

This is one really easy way to cut of your high expenses. Most of the baby items are rarely used and parents give you in less price. So when your are planning to buy costly items for baby, don’t forget to check pre-loved groups for better deals.

These Small small saving can helps you save a lot and keep your budget stable.

I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa. You can read my other articles for this #MyFriendAlexa campaign here #forbabynmommyblogs

Neev Literature Festival

Reading books is the best habit for all kids from any age. It’s an activity that gives you immense pleasure with great knowledge, if you have read a book you can remember it for life as it stays in your memory. Reading not only gives you knowledge, but it has many benefits attached to it. … Continue reading “Neev Literature Festival”

Reading books is the best habit for all kids from any age. It’s an activity that gives you immense pleasure with great knowledge, if you have read a book you can remember it for life as it stays in your memory.

Reading not only gives you knowledge, but it has many benefits attached to it. Nowadays technology has a really bad effect and now book reading is replaced by phones and tabs.

I would like to share some benefits of reading books and how Neev Literature Festival is celebrating the love of reading and introducing it to children.

Children enjoying book reading at Neev literature Festival

 

Benefits of reading

  • Gives you knowledge

The most important benefit of reading is it gives you knowledge, the more you read different books of different subjects, the more you gain knowledge of the particular subject with all details.

  • Improves memory.

Improves memory, when you read a book it stays in your memory and you can recall all the pictures and incidents of the story.

 

  • Exercise for brain-

It’s an exercise for your brain and hence it keeps you brain healthy and active.

 

  • Stress Booster-

Is a mental stress booster, it helps in releasing stress, you can read your favorite books when you are stressed and it helps you relax.

  • Improves Vocabulary-

Helps in improving vocabulary, the more you read you come to know new words and phrases.

  • Improves Writing Skills-

It improves writing skills, when you read different books from different authors you are learning new ways of writing. It helps you write in a better way.

  • Helps in Sharing-

Reading helps in sharing your thoughts. When you read more you can explain more and in a better way, what you feel about any particular subject.

  • Better Sleep-

It’s a nice sleep activity, it helps you sleep better.

  • Cost Effective-

Low cost and easy to carry, books are not so costly and easy to carry with you. You don’t need active internet connection or costly devices for reading books.

The most important benefit is reading has a lot more benefits, from gaining knowledge to health.

I am glad to attend this Literature Festival organized by Neev Academy. Would like to share more about the event with you all, so that you can pin it for next year and make sure to attend this Festival.

Neev Academy Bangalore

Finally when I entered the campus, it was such a delightful experience and most noteworthy is to see the enthusiasm of all the kids attending the fest. The campus was full of colours and books, with the beautiful art exhibition.

Beautiful Art exhibition at Neev Literature Festival

The most interesting of all activities, that I enjoyed with my daughter was Book talk – reading session by Paro Anand. She was the keynote speaker at the Fest, her fearless and honest writings are inspired by her close association with kids and adults. Her stories have empowering effects on kids.

Book Reading by Mrs Paro Anand.

Her unique way of storytelling with songs and actions was making it a fun-filled learning. All the kids and parents enjoyed the reading and interactive session.

Book Reading by Shabnam Minwalla

Another interesting book reading session by Shabnam Minwalla reminded me the days of my childhood, when our Mom and Granny read us stories and we all sit around her hours lost in them.

Conversation between Children, Authors and adults .

This year they launched “Neev Children Book Awards” at Neev Literature Festival to recognize the outstanding writing in children’s literature. A wonderful series of conversation between children, authors and adults. The goal behind it was to recognize great children’s literature of all ages, growing readers for life and making reading part of every home.

These awards aim to promote and encourage high quality children’s literature from all over India.

The awards have three categories,

  • Picture book.
  • Young reader’s book.
  • Young adults book.

Awards nomination were open to all children’s titles, published in India or written by authors of Indian origin.

Big library at Neev Literature Festival

Beside that we had a chance to visit the big library from Neev Academy for all kids and parents. Where they can choose and read the books of their choice and interest.

Children and parents selecting books from library.

 

Neev literature Festival happens every year, if you have missed this year don’t forget to mark your dates for next year and celebrate your love for reading with them.

 

 

 

Abdominal muscles separation after pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful period of nine months where a life is growing inside your body. During this whole process of nine months, your body goes through several changes. Harmonal changes, food craving, mood swings, nausea, back pain, hair growth, skin color changes and one of the main changes of all is Abdomen separation. This … Continue reading “Abdominal muscles separation after pregnancy”

Pregnancy is a beautiful period of nine months where a life is growing inside your body. During this whole process of nine months, your body goes through several changes.

Harmonal changes, food craving, mood swings, nausea, back pain, hair growth, skin color changes and one of the main changes of all is Abdomen separation.

This is a natural process where your abdomen muscles expands and make space, for giving space to the growing uterus and let your baby grow in the uterus. This abdomen separation is also known as DIASTASIS RECTI, normally abdomen muscles get it back to normal position after baby is delivered.

But in some case gap remains and can be seen as a bulge in front.I really wished to know this information before my pregnancy, so that I might have taken proper measures to avoid chances of getting Diastasis Recti.

But came to know about this when I started exercise and yoga after few months of delivery. So I felt like sharing this with all my friends who are planning/going to be new moms and one who have their little ones too.

What is Diastasis Recti?

Abdomen muscles separation during pregnancy is technically known as Diastasis Recti, during pregnancy as baby grows in uterus it puts pressure on abdomen muscles.

Due to pregnancy hormones connective tissues are relax and soft, so the abdomen muscles separates without and damage or tearing and allow space for the growing uterus. Abdomen separation of muscles starts from third month of pregnancy and at times after delivery too, when the abdomen walls is weak and baby is also not there to support the abdomen muscles.

Symptoms of Diastasis Recti after pregnancy

  • You can experience lower back pain.
  • Pelvic pain.
  • Unable to control urine leakage during sneezing or coughing.
  • Protruding pregnancy like belly after pregnancy.

Factors that can cause abdomen separation more

  • Being overweight before or during pregnancy.
  • Poor postures while siting, standing, walking, carrying weight and even while sleeping during and after pregnancy.
  • Pregnancy with multiple twins.
  • Getting pregnant soon after first baby.
  • Not doing proper exercise.

How to know you have Diastasis Recti?

  • You can contact your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.
  • If you want to check at home then click here .
  • Lie down on the floor folding your knees at 45 degree and back and feet relaxed on floor. Now you have to check from ribs to pubic bones. Now stuck your chin to your chest and try placing your finger from rib bones to pubic bones. Step by step, you can feel gap of one,two or three and more fingers. It would feel soft at that place, if you cannot feel the gap, relax and try again after some time.
  • If the gap is less it can be cured with some regular home exercise, if the gap is more you need to check doctor for proper way to cure.

Can it be cured?

  • Yes it can be taken care with proper exercise routine as suggested by doctor.
  • Maintaining good posture before and after pregnancy.
  • Trying to maintain normal weight and taking healthy diet.
  • If you have Diastasis Recti from first pregnancy, try to recover with doctor help before planning next baby.
  • Sharing some exercise, I am following Click here.

I hope this information would be really helpful for all moms and can help getting your body back in shape.

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When to start reading to your baby?

When you become a mom, you have so many questions for your baby and one of the big questions is when should we start reading for your baby? Reading books to your little one is a good habit and it should be started as early as possible, if you remember everyone saying us during pregnancy … Continue reading “When to start reading to your baby?”

When you become a mom, you have so many questions for your baby and one of the big questions is when should we start reading for your baby?

Reading books to your little one is a good habit and it should be started as early as possible, if you remember everyone saying us during pregnancy we should start reading good books and listening nice music and shlokas. This was because your baby starts listening you from the womb.

Sharing few tips for reading to your child as per her age:

0-3 months your baby is small, not able to sit. You can hold your baby and read and talk to her, sing her rhymes.

3-6 months babies start looking at objects and can see & understand different shapes as well as pictures. They tend to touch different surfaces in order to explore and so you can use nice picture books with varying textures.

6-12 months babies start sitting alone and love to explore more. They will try to hold the book and most probably try to eat it too. Try getting colorful hardbound books with small words and pictures during this time.

1-2 year baby is now big enough to hold books and choose his/her favorite book from their mini library. They can now flip papers of her book and ask you to read. They would love to ask questions to you from the book and start recognizing the books’ pictures with objects and living beings around them and often would let you know what they saw in the book.

You can always try doing small activities with them, asking to bring the items shown in picture from objects around them. Match fruits and vegetables, animals and toys & so on.

3+ babies can ask you to tell a story that is there in the books and ask you many questions related to the story. You can start with numbers and letters recognizing and counting objects in the books. You can start with good habits books and books related to the school and family/ friends, as they would love to hear about the activities happening around them and enjoy creating their own stories.


How reading helps your baby

Reading books helps your baby recognize sounds and rhythm.

Reading is a fun activity that creates a bond with the baby and comforts him/her..

You can make a schedule for reading books at night or during the day.

Reading regularly to babies helps in improving language skills and they show interest in reading when they start preschool.

Reading with actions and singing attract them and they learn to show and let you know, how they feel, what they see and so on. It helps babies communicate better.

What kind of books to choose?

For babies you can choose cloth books and touch & feel books.

For toddler’s you can try books with different sounds and fold-outs, when they can see different surprises as they open the folds or press the object.

Toddlers start learning from their surrounding and show interest in the objects around them, so you can get them body parts books, fruits-vegetables books, animal story books.

Preschool kids love listening to rhymes and doing small activities while reading books. So you can get books of small stories with pictures.

Kids later start showing their interest in long stories and learning numbers and the alphabet so you can get story books and learning books.

I have a toddler and she loves reading books, and while I was searching for new books, I found about Neev academy and their Literature festival.

Neev academy is organizing a literature festival, which is happening in Bangalore on 28th and 29th of September. It is a children’s literature festival with the intention to celebrate books and the love of reading. The second day is open to all parents, students or anyone who loves to read.

Distinguished authors and speakers are coming in for various reading, writing, storytelling workshops and panel discussions. It would be great to be part of this festival and learn more from the authors and speakers.



I have one more good news for all of you, they are organizing Neev Book Awards 2018 for distinguished children’s literature.

They aim to recognize outstanding writing that leads to a fuller understanding of India, Indian lives and Indian stories. The nominated entries can be viewed at http://neevliteraturefestival.org/awards.

The best part is that it’s completely free. One can view the program  schedule on their website: http://neevliteraturefestival.org/

So, what are you waiting for? It’s a great way to introduce your child to the world of books and enjoy learning with fun.

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