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Tag: Family

  • Balancing Work and Family: Strategies for Every Parent

    Balancing Work and Family: Strategies for Every Parent

    An Indian working mother cooking in the kitchen while helping her child with homework, laptop open on the table — showing multitasking in a middle-class In

    You know, finding that sweet spot between work and family it’s like trying to keep dal from spilling over on a high flame one second it’s all good, next second, chaos. Most Indian parents, whether in small towns or cities, are constantly playing this juggle. Wake up, make tea, check school group messages, get to office work, then again back to homework and dinner prep it just keeps going.

    A friend of mine, Shweta from Indore, once told me how her day starts with her younger one throwing a tantrum and ends with replying to office mails half-sleeping on the sofa. And honestly, that’s a regular scene in many households, right? Even if you’re in a government job or working from home, it doesn’t get easier the load just shifts shape.

    Why It Feels So Tough for Indian Parents

    Let’s be real in India, parenting is not just about raising children. You also have to manage extended family, attend functions, help in-laws, and sometimes, even deal with nosy neighbours who’ll ask why your kid wasn’t seen in the evening tuition.

    In foreign countries, there’s daycare, there’s a clear “me-time” culture. Here, even if you close the door for a work call, someone will knock and say “aunty is on video call, come say hi.” On top of that, long work hours and commuting add another layer of stress.

    As per a 2024 Family study (can’t recall the exact name), nearly 60% of Indian working parents feel they’re always short on time. Women especially feel double-burdened — working full-time while also managing the house full-time. No wonder many feel exhausted by midweek itself.

    Okay, So What Actually Helps? (No Fancy Tips, Just What Works)

    Let me share a few things I’ve seen or tried myself that actually made life a bit smoother. Nothing dramatic — just small changes that reduce stress.

    1. Don’t Try to Be Perfect, Just Be Present

    Stop chasing the ideal “Instagram mom or dad” dream. Cook what’s quick and healthy, even if it’s upma four days in a row. Forget matching socks or perfect lunchbox notes. Kids don’t mind, trust me.

    Also, learn to say no. To extra projects. To that cousin’s second birthday party across town. To late-night office calls. Your time is limited protect it.

    2. Make Loose Plans Instead of Tight Schedules

    Take 20 minutes every Sunday evening. Note down basic things:

    • Office deadlines
    • School events
    • Grocery stuff
    • Any family commitments

    Use the fridge door or even an old diary. You don’t need a fancy planner. Keep space for sudden things too like power cuts or a sick child. Flexibility is the key, not a rigid timetable.

    3. Divide the Load – Even Kids Can Help

    Don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask your partner to help with bedtime routines. Teach your kids how to arrange their school bags or clean their plates. It takes time, but soon they’ll get used to it.

    Your in-laws can pitch in too — maybe watch over kids during a call or help fold laundry. The more people share, the lighter it gets.

    4. Use Small Breaks to Connect, Not Just Scroll

    Even 10 minutes matter.Family Sit together during evening tea, crack a few jokes, watch a silly video, or just lie down with your kid and chat. It’s not about how long it’s about how “present” you are in those moments.

    Sometimes, I just sit with my daughter while she paints and I sip chai. That’s our quiet time, no gadgets, no stress.

    5. Take Care of Yourself Too (You’re Also a Person, Not Just a Parent)

    Honestly, if you’re always tired and cranky, the whole house feels it. So sneak in small self-care things:

    • A five-minute walk alone
    • Listening to an old song you like
    • Talking to a friend about anything except kids or work

    Also, shut off your work chat groups during dinner. Your boss won’t remember the email delay, but your child will remember that bedtime story you skipped.

    6. For Work-from-Home Folks – Set Some Signals

    People at home often think “you’re always available.” So try this: when working, wear proper clothes (at least the top half), and set a signal like keeping your laptop on a mat or tying your hair a certain way. These visual clues help others take your work time seriously.

    I know a friend who ties a scarf on her chair when it’s there, the kids know “Mumma is busy right now.”

    Final Word: It’s Not About Balance, It’s About Adjusting

    Let’s not fool ourselves there’s no magic formula. Some days you’ll forget the homework, other days, you’ll burn the sabzi. It happens.

    But the heart of it is this: if your child feels loved and heard, and you’re not completely drained, you’re doing a great job. Kids don’t care about spotless floors they remember the laughter after dinner, the random hugs, and those funny moments when the power went out and you all sat with candles.

    So take a breath. Pour that tea. You’re handling more than you know.

    Related Articles:
    If you’re into this kind of content, here’s more: Balancing Work and Parenting: Tips for Modern Parents
    Before you go, here’s another good one: Parenting Tips That Actually Reduce Screen Time

  • How to Build a Healthy Routine for Your Family

    How to Build a Healthy Routine for Your Family

    Family living room with a child

    Let’s be real for a minute some days, family life feels like a circus. One child is crying because their socks don’t match, another can’t find their homework, and your chai has gone cold… again. In between all this, expecting a perfect routine? Arrey bhai, that’s like asking for rain in April!

    But listen, routine doesn’t mean military discipline. It’s not about waking up at 6:01 sharp and eating lauki every Wednesday. A proper family routine is more like a gentle rhythm — something that brings balance, not pressure.

    Even if your life feels a bit all over the place, you can still build a routine that feels good. Not like a timetable stuck on the fridge, but like a flow — something that makes everyone’s day smoother, a little less stressful, and a lot more connected.

    Why Routines Actually Help (More Than We Think)

    Now you must’ve noticed this — kids behave better when they know what’s coming next. When they’re sure that after lunch it’s nap time or after play it’s homework, their mind relaxes. Even we adults feel settled when the day has some kind of order.

    A routine acts like a backbone. You don’t always see it, but it holds everything together. It helps in:

    • Reducing those small everyday fights (like “When will you stop watching TV?”)
    • Teaching kids small habits without scolding again and again
    • Making sure everyone eats, sleeps, and moves properly
    • Giving you a bit of breathing space too, not just running behind everyone

    Honestly, even a small thing like sitting together for 10 minutes in the evening can bring peace. It’s not about fancy planners — it’s about creating pockets of calm.

    So, How Do You Build That Kind of Routine?

    1. Don’t Try to Fix Everything in One Day

    Let’s not jump like we’re fixing the whole country in one go. Start with one messy area — maybe mornings are full of shouting, or bedtime takes forever.

    Try these kinds of small jugaads:

    • Make a picture-based checklist for younger kids — they see, they do
    • Prep the school tiffins or uniforms at night itself — saves morning drama
    • Begin bedtime 30 minutes earlier, slowly-slowly

    Think of it like planting a neem tree — slow to grow, but strong roots.

    2. Involve the Whole Family (Even the Little Ones)

    Routine doesn’t work if it’s just top-down orders. Sit with your kids, even if they’re 3 or 13, and ask — “What should we do differently?” You’ll be surprised, they have ideas!

    Let it be a small family meeting:

    • What time feels too rushed?
    • What helps you feel calm before school?
    • Where can we add some fun or breathing space?

    Write it down on a page, stick it on the fridge. Not a chart, just a reminder of your “family rhythm”.

    3. Use Anchor Points Instead of a Full Schedule

    Forget scheduling every minute. Just fix a few points in the day that are always the same — like telephone poles that hold the wires.

    For example:

    • Morning ritual: A quick good-morning hug, chai or milk, a small chat
    • After-school pause: No phone, just sit and eat a snack together quietly
    • Dinner time: Eat together, even if it’s roti-subzi or just dal-chawal
    • Bedtime: Change into night clothes, light story or talk, cuddle

    These become emotional signals, not just time-pass. Kids begin to feel, this is my safe zone.

    4. Add Health Habits Slowly – Not Forcefully

    Now don’t dump a yoga routine, water bottles, and karela juice on Day 1. Ease these things into life like you’d add salt to sabzi — little at a time.

    • Do a 5-minute family stretch before school, nothing fancy
    • Keep steel bottles filled with water on the table — easy to reach
    • Have 30 minutes screen-free time before bed (light music, talking, drawing)
    • After dinner, do a 10-minute team-clean of the house — everyone helps a little
    • On Sundays, plan the week’s meals roughly together — saves guessing later

    Make it fun, like Dadi’s way of slipping haldi into every meal without announcing it.

    5. Don’t Stress on Bad Days — They Happen

    Some days will go completely out of control. One child falls sick, the other throws a tantrum, and you forget your own phone charger. It’s normal.

    Having a routine doesn’t mean every day will go perfectly. It just means you bounce back faster.

    So if dinner happens in front of the TV sometimes, or bedtime is skipped — don’t scold yourself. Try again tomorrow. That’s all.

    Different Ages, Different Needs — Adjust Accordingly

    For Toddlers & Preschool Kids:

    1. Meals and naps at roughly same time daily
    2. Wind-down cues like bath → story → light lullaby
    3. Teach cleanup as a game — “Let’s park all toys!”

    For School-Age Kids:

    • Use pictures or short lists for getting ready
    • Set a time for both homework and play
    • Keep small responsibilities — like setting plates, folding napkins

    For Tweens & Teenagers:

    • Let them manage wake-up and getting ready (with gentle nudges)
    • One hour daily for studies without screen
    • Let them choose one evening chore — water plants, sweep, anything
    • Talk once a day — not to lecture, just to listen

    When It All Starts Flowing Like a River

    A good routine isn’t a straight line — it’s more like a flowing river. It bends around stones, flows fast some days, slow on others.

    It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up. It’s about making small changes that slowly shape your family’s day. Over time, these routines turn into memories — like evening chai on the balcony, bedtime stories that become family favourites, or cleaning together on Sundays while old songs play.

    And when the day feels too messy to manage, take a breath. Tomorrow is another chance. No big deal.