Okay, I hope I am not the only one who is fed up about reading or watching ‘news’ clips about a chubby Mrs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Where have the good old days gone when expectant mothers were allowed to go fat and stay that way until they settled into motherhood; in fact there was a time when mothers were ‘expected’ to be chubby and cuddly and cute? » Continue reading ““Take a bow Mrs Rai Bachchan””

What a sweet coincidence, Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday coinciding with some very pertinent disclosures from the International cricketing scene.

A detailed, well-written and candid account on how the intense media scrutiny, punishing schedules, crazy travel and extended time spent away from loved ones have pushed many a talented player to the edge. » Continue reading ““Pushed to the brink” Mumbai Mirror, ToI, 24 April 2012”

Despite the ever-increasing heat, I love summers in Mumbai for its bright yellow-blooms.

Let me explain – even today, despite the concrete jungle that Mumbai has become, one can spot pockets where these gorgeous desi-laburnum tress are in full bloom and whenever I pass one it makes me smile and feel all bright and cheery.  It’s amazing how just watching the bright yellow blossoms can switch my mood from grumpy to happy in a jiffy. » Continue reading “The Laburnum”

As part of the counsellor training we are told to be empathic and not sympathetic; empathy allows us to stand at the periphery of the client’s problem and help in an objective manner whereas sympathy results in us getting deep into the problem yourself thereby unable to help the client help himself; sympathy in our profession is self-defeating !

However, this case in question is such that getting involved is not even a choice anymore!! » Continue reading ““baby Afreen loses her 3-day battle?” various Indian new agencies !!April 12”

I can’t recall the newspaper in which I read an article that spoke about children (especially girls) as young as 8 watching their weight and waistlines?!!

Looking good and being beautiful has never been this critical? So much so that it’s plaguing ‘childhood’.

With media continuously telling us how we should look, dress and feel and behave, things are slowly getting out of hand; the gap between fiction and reality is thinning.  And parents and kids alike and falling into this trap.

While we as adults have the maturity thus the choice to accept and reject norms and trends, as guardians of minor children, we need to assess whether we are taking this responsibility seriously or not? » Continue reading ““Are we flogging our children towards a breakdown?””

A very pertinent read following a case where 6 teenaged girls, tired of poverty, taunts ran away from their homes.

Every generation will tell you how they feel that kids “today” are growing up way faster than the previous ones and its true; better nutrition, exposure to mass communication and increase in urbanisation and consumption behaviour has lead to children maturing faster than before. » Continue reading ““Is your child depressed?” Mumbai Mirror, ToI, 26 Mar 12”

Are smart-phones and the IPAD hurting your love relationships?? Absurd right, cause the main purpose of technology was to bring us closer?! But it seems that ‘addiction’ to these gadgets is becoming a grave concern especially where marriages and love is concerned.

The economist carries an interesting read on this http://www.economist.com/node/21549904 » Continue reading “Are modern communication tools ‘disconnecting’ your relationships?”

Hello everyone, a reader was kind enough to share an article that resonated with my blog this women’s day; published in the Economist in Nov 11, it makes for a very interesting read.

http://www.economist.com/node/21539925

What is says in a nutshell is that raising kids cannot be the sole responsibility of the mother; the father, family, friends even society and the Government needs to create an environment which is conducive not just to child-rearing but also allows women to self –actualise and grow in their choice of careers and vocation.

The situation in Finland has been described in great detail and is worth emulating.

Happy reading and do revert with your comments.

Hey, so its Women’s day today; don’t worry, am not going to talk about how every day is our day and why should there be a hoopla around one day dedicated to women.

I’m instead going to focus on a syndrome that has impacted the current urban mothers group – THE SUPERWOMAN SYNDROME.

The current crop of 30-45 year old mothers, especially those who choose to work or have had careers before motherhood either suffer from the ‘super-women’ syndrome or are flogging themselves to get there.  » Continue reading “Women’s day”

Reading about someone taking their own life is bad enough, but when you read about a parent killing their dependent children before taking their own lives, it leaves you cold and wondering?

Wondering as to the extreme state of mind of this person and wondering, above all “could this tragedy been averted’?

Mumbai city has seen a few of these cases which is actually the main reason for my blog today!  » Continue reading “13 Feb 12, Wednesday: Mumbai Mirror “Teacher kills sons before committing suicide””