Parenting

52 Weeks saving money challenge in India with your children

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on March 22, 2018 13

I believe saving money is great.

Earning is better.When you do both, its best.

Saving and earning are two sides of your coin.If one or the other is missing in your personal finance plan, it’s not good.Following your gut feeling should not be your only plan for financial freedom.

3 Things I like about saving money with children:

They learn the value of money.It’s not easy to earn.

It’s fun when the family participates.It helps build up excitement.

Its easier to be frugal when no one cribs.

How to do the challenge?

Save 10 rupees the first week.

20 rupees 2nd week

30 rupees 3rd week

Increase the amount by 10 every week

At the end of 52 weeks, you have 13640 rupees!

This 52-week challenge started in 2013 through a Facebook group called “Kassondra’s 52-Week Money Challenge”. It was created by personal finance enthusiast Kassondra Perry-Moreland.

The 52 weeks helps make saving a habit for people who don’t like saving.It’s also good for budget planning.

If I don’t have that much amount to save every week ?

Since the greatest amount you have to keep aside is 520 rupees , I am sure you will do it.

But if you feel its difficult, just break it up by 7 days If you save roughly 75 rupees per day the last week then you are good to go!This might not look like a lot, but over time you can increase the amount and see your nest egg grow.

Money management is not taught in any school or college.Most of the world’s problem is because of too many expenses and too little money.

Want to buy something expensive?

Calculate how much you have to save.How much time you have.Start a Recurrent Deposit in the bank.Don’t want the hassle of going to the bank?Use a piggy bank.

52 Week money saving challenge is more fun when you do it as a family

Want to do the challenge?Click to download the 52-week money saving challenge checklist (no opt in required).

What will you buy after saving money for 52 weeks?Will you reinvest or go on a shopping spree?

Whatever you do,its going to be very useful.I have also shared other methods of saving money,the way we do it as a family.You can save this image on your pinterest board.Tick off each item as it happens.

10 Simple Money Saving Tips from a Middle Class Doctor mommy in India

1)Savings account with three to six months emergency fund
2)Insurance with death benefits only is a must .The other kind has higher premium.
3)Health insurance
3)PPF
4)NPS both tier 1 and 2
5)Fixed deposit
6)Mutual fund one or two at most.If you are already NPS tier 2
7)Sukanya Samriddhi
8)No personal debts .Pay them off quickly
9)No credit card debts
10)Extra source of earnings.

Let me know in the comments below.

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Childhood obesity :What happens to your baby’s body(part 4)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on March 1, 2018 13

When I write about children’s health issues my hubby (he is a Pediatrician and a pediatric nutritionist ) helps me with all the research.

This time while writing the #Daily chatter challenge he suggested I start writing about childhood obesity.

The last 10 days of festivities and good food made writing about healthy diet difficult.

But now when we are taking a break before Diwali it’s going to be easier to write healthy.

While eating during festivals if you don’t want to lose the results of all your hard work ,it’s important to practice moderation.

Now with Bijoya Dashami sweets ,Lakshmi pujo and Kali pujo/Diwali all coming up in line we need a game plan.

How to Practice healthy even while feasting.

Enjoy the goodies but don’t go crazy.
Drink plenty of water.
Cucumbers throughout the day Lighter meals
Avoid deep-fried .Opt for grilled ,pan-fried and tandoori items
Go light on the added cream,cheese and frills that all fast food restaurant offer.
It’s better to avoid buffets because you always over eat.
Eat a healthy breakfast
Catch up on exercises.
Meditate
While going for Bijoya carry a tiffin box .Shamelessly stuff it with all the extra sweets you would like to eat but is more than your daily limits.Take it home .Enjoy 1 treat each day.

If it was eat ,eat, eat and occasionally pray during the last few days.

Now before Diwali it should be

Sleep,Pray ,exercise, eat in moderation.

Why discuss childhood obesity with festival food?

Because children learn from us ,adults. When they see us eating without control,they think it’s okay.

But it’s never a good idea to have bad food habits.

What they learn in childhood ,will affect their health as children and adults.

The saddest part is children can have the same health problems that adults do with obesity.

It’s important we know what the children have to undergo .That way we can make better choices for us and them.

So what are the symptoms that indicate excessive weight to be a medical problem?

Problems with breathing and respiration

What doe the child complain?

*Snoring, gasping ,daytime sleepiness,morning headache

*Shortness of breath,night-time or exercise cough

Medical condition :Asthma,Obstructive sleep apnea

Gastrointestinal problems:

Complaints :Irregular bowel movements

GERD

Binge eating,night-time snacking

Gall bladder diseases

Fatty liver

Eating disorders

Hormonal or Endocrine problems:

Type 2 Diabetes

Menstrual irregularities,Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Others: joint pains involving knees ,feet ,skin changes

When children are overweight ,certain guidelines help detect whether their growth in height, will help control the problem.

System assessment is important for timely referral to specialists .

When I was a child the last thing in my mind, during Durga Pujo was controlled diet.

Nowadays everyone is more aware.

Teach your children healthy choices so,they can enjoy good food without feeling guilty .They are smart .They will understand.

As parents you have the power in your hand.

Did you make healthy choices while feasting?

Comment below to let me know .

I am taking part in the #ubc #blogboost .This is day 11 post

Ultimate blogging challenge with Blogchatter #DailyChatter

From the Childhood obesity series:

If baby is a picky eater blame yourself:Healthy eating habits in children (part 1)

Picky eater : When you need to worry(part 2)

Childhood obesity :The control is in your hand(part 3)

Read my Ultimate guide to feeding your preschooler

Childhood obesity :The control is in your hand

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on February 26, 2018 9

When I was researching data about childhood obesity my hubby was doing an ecourse on pediatric nutrition. Sharing notes ,we realized childhood obesity like adult obesity ,doesn’t only depend on food.

Food choices are important

Amount of food is important.

But another thing which was staring us in the eye was lifestyle.

If you have read about the two hit theory regarding adult disease in my post

Mommy blame yourself.

You will understand the second trigger most is often lifestyle.

Childhood obesity important to be addressed because it’s a health hazard . When we teach our children to embrace their bodies and stop obsession with their weight and how they look .It’s important to be clear about healthy body image.

Just like focusing on how they look doesn’t help Not giving attention to the cause of the issue has lifetime implication.Obesity is unfortunately not a physical disease.It’s a psychological problem.Parents need to have a long hard look at themselves

Causes of childhood obesity is multiple and multifactorial.

Broad classification is possible if you insist on it.

2 major divisions

Exogenous :Environment ;lifestyle and psychosocial .Definitely more common

Genetic susceptibility
Endogenous :Endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism ,Prader -Willi syndrome ,single gene diseases (congenital leptin deficiency :leptin is your satiety hormone.

This sounds good while writing a paper.Definitely not useful while treating the problem.

Viruses ,gut microbes,excessive stress (second hit) are all under investigation.

Most promising results are with the reversible causes of obesity

They include :

Circadian rhythm
Sleep medications
Stress
Psychosocial
Sedentary behaviour
Lack of physical exercise
Dietary behaviour

Currently these are the focus of treatment as well as hocus pocus.

When children are obese in childhood their fat cells become fat.Even when they lose weight or fat from theses cells.The size of the cell remains the same.

Makes these children prone to weight gain.

From one year of age ,there is a difference in the rate of adipocyte development in obese and non obese children.

Problems and complications:

Snoring,daytime drowsiness
headache
Shortness of breathing
Binge eating
Limb or join pain
polyuria
menstrual irregularities .

When you gave birth ,you signed up for a lifelong battle.That to teach her /him to be healthy, wealthy and wise.

So if you are not at your best, weight wise,it’s important you take a look in th mirror.Make an action plan for yourself before you talk to your child.

I am taking part in Ultimate blogging challenge with Blogchatter

#DailyChatter

UBC day 7

If baby is a picky eater blame yourself:Healthy eating habits in children (part 1)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on February 23, 2018 37

You can’t make your child eat healthy!Your child likes only junk food.

You are worried about childhood obesity.What your child eats will not only help in developing their physical and mental health ,but also influence their health as adults.This is a problem which is more complex than just tempting him/ her with new recipes.

Healthy eating habits in children :How mothers can help

Did you know it’s not just what your child eats now, that’s to blame.It’s also your diet, during pregnancy,breastfeeding

and afterwards.

In this case, moms have all the power, to change the baby’s food choices.

When I was pregnant I wouldn’t eat chicken for the entire 9 months. I had nausea throughout my pregnancy and hated cooking.The smell of jeera ,garam masala made me want to puke.

But I still enjoyed fish ,eggs and mutton .As long as I didn’t cook them.

Veggies and fruits were always a large part of my diet .So was milk.

When I ate to keep healthy, I always remembered that these nutrients were building my baby one cell at a time.

Most of the child’s health and Immunity depends on food.But there was one more important reason to eat healthy.

What exactly does the mother’s diet do?

It does 3 important things

#Builds the flesh and blood baby

#Builds the immunity of the baby

#Builds the baby’s food choices.

Most attention is paid to the first two.Because they are unquestionably important .

What’s not discussed is the 3rd one.

Mommy’s complain of baby’s being picky eaters.But you have to recap ,what you loved having ,when you were pregnant.That’s how you can handle the picky eater baby now!

Sounds weird right?

How can a mother build a baby’s healthy taste in food ?

You have 2 full-proof tools, in your mommy tool box.Both are free .

#1 Choose healthy eating options during pregnancy

Your child develops her palate or food preferences in the womb.

Food odours are due to certain chemical components.

These compounds specially those with strong distinctive smell and taste ,are detected in the amniotic fluid.Garlic, cumin,other spices have distinctive chemicals which brand the amniotic fluids.

The developing baby swallows amniotic fluids in the womb.

Sense of taste and smell is functional during fetal life

Helps develop the food preferences after birth.

The mother’s diet is an interesting way of, building up food tastes in the unborn baby.

It’s one of the most important way to prepare the infant’s solid food choices later in life.

#2 Your breast milk and your food choices

After birth of baby ,what you eat as a mommy ,flavours the breast milk.

If you want your baby to have healthy eating habits,you must eat healthy .Include a variety of nutritious food in your diet.It is the best way to make your baby learn healthy eating ,even when breastfeeding

Prenatal and early postnatal flavor exposure helps baby develop his/her food preferences.

The child enjoys the different flavors in solid food more enthusiastically ,when complementary feed is started.

So mommy eat well.Before during and after pregnancy.

What did you eat most often when you were pregnant?

Did you eat junk food ?

Feeding your preschooler:Ultimate guide

Mother and child

16 Secret Study Tips from a Bookworm Doctor Mommy #MMM56

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on February 19, 2018 16

My daughter is going to be six.So we don’t have exam schedules yet.What we do have is daily schedules.I always believed that learning is fun if done right.That’s my experience.

I hated pre-exam revisions.

It is boring reading from the same book over and over again.But unfortunately, we have to read the textbook.

Thats when I learned a trick!

I used to try learning about a particular topic from different books.Not only the textbook but similar books.I went through several such workbooks and tutorial resource throughout the year.But I always dedicated some time every day for revising my textbook.Which by the end of the year ended up color-coded, bookmarked, washi taped, Sticky noted and covered with pretty floral covers.

Ye, I loved decorating my books which didn’t need the obligatory brown paper cover!

I sincerely believed that the love I felt for my books was reflected back.I have an interesting capacity for speed reading and finding stuff which needs to be remembered.

Thats one habit you must develop too if you want to do well in exams.Speed read during revision.

Quick Super Exam Tips

Mark the topics you keep forgetting.
The topics you seem to make the most mistakes with.
The topics which make you bored.

They are the ones which will trip you.

Make a list, notes, diagrams with labels.Then stick them using double-sided foam tapes.

Make pretty charts and stick them at the front of your notebooks.
Next to your wash basin.
Your bedroom mirror anywhere it will catch your eye.

On the books, I didn’t like so much I wrote: ” I love you “!Guess what ?the subject replied “I love you too” and I did well!

My 5 point checklist to do well

1)If you are a science student practice maths everyday.No excuses.Do as much as you can, but a minimum of one hour every day throughout the year.

2)Make a plan for revision:

For 3 weeks before exams.For the week before the exam.The day before a particular subject.
For your languages read books by good authors, to learn about how to make your writing flow easily.
Practice writing with a timer.

3) Always do mock test papers on a timer.I used to do a lot of mock tests.I solved the parts which were being done in the class.That way it was an interesting and quick way to solve many papers.

4)Talk to your seniors who have done well.This has helped me a lot too.

5)Never miss your practical classes.

6)Make small bulleted notes for quick memorizing for long topics.

7)It’s best if you divide an answer into broad headings and then jot down 3 to 5 important points.Teachers love well designed and well-written answers.The easier it is for your teacher to scan your answer the better scoring it is for you.Also, scannable answers often score more due to part marking.I know this because I am a teacher too!

8)Practice your diagrams regularly.Check for line diagram /flowcharts, graphs you can make to accompany your answers.Sometimes making a chart or a table at the beginning of an answer helps us write a detailed answer with very little trouble.

9)Never skip your meals or stay up awake before your exam.

10)Never discuss your paper with friends who insist on telling you all about why your answers are wrong.It’s better to discuss with your teacher or parents.

11)It’s better to memorize after understanding.

Memory is registration,retention,recall.Here are my 6 tips for a great memory.

In order for you to recall your subject in the stressful exam-hall, you need to read with total concentration.
Make it a mindfulness exercise.
Concentrate while reading.
Jot down the points, which struck you while reading, quickly in a notebook.
Then scan it once again.
Find the points you missed which are important.Write them down in red.Now understand.Your brain is sharing signals with each of its cells, neurons, and dendrites.Making connections for association and retention.The same little information may be stored as a picture, a sound a smell or a feeling It will depend on the topic under study though.Recall will be helped by all these senses.So always try to understand what your topic is talking about.

12)Eat, drink and sleep on time.

13)Read a good storybook for 15 minutes before going to bed.This is needed for your brain to unwind.

14)Your study room: Make it study friendly and clutter free

A powder blue room helps you focus.
A window view of plants, trees or a garden will help you be mindful.
If that’s not possible have a picture of trees or a calm green nature picture in front of you with a few potted plants.
Have your books arranged, subject wise.Write their names with permanent marker on the spine for easy retrieval.File your extra sheets with all notes in folders and reference books of the same topic segregated.The less you search for stuff during studying, more productive you will be.

15)Just having your tuition teacher visit you will not make you automatically proficient. You need to design your own study and revision schedule.

16)[bctt tweet=”Take responsibility for your dreams and they will come true #Healthwealthbridge” username=”misra_amrita”].

With love from a Doctor Mommy who dreamt and studied a lot!Best wishes.

Get the Examinations study tips Cheat sheet here !

Monday Mommy Moments 56:16 Secret Study tips from a Bokkworm Doctor mommy — Monday Mommy Moments 56:16 Secret Study tips from a Bookworm Doctor mommy

Writing this for #MondayMommyMoments.Easily my favorite topic this side of teaching!

You may like this too:

Indian Education System ; Hard Truths You Must Hear (Very unpopular part 1)

Coping with Exam stress

How to make children stop watching TV during exams

10 Mommy Wisdoms

Power of Family and Education

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How to continue breast-feeding when working

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 21, 2018 8

Can you continue breast-feeding when working

This question worries all women wHo want to have a baby and still not give up a great career.

In today’s world where women are working hard to break glass ceilings, you are faced with difficult choices.

Some people don’t have this choice. Losing an income is not an option. Baby care requires money.
The most difficult one is when you are breastfeeding.

If your baby is more than 6 months old then ,weaning starts .You have less of a worry.
But what about if baby is 2 months 3 months 4 or 5 months.

In today’s fast paced life even babies are hurried.
Government benefits for women are better.But corporate India gives you a maximum of 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.

Whatever the mother’s emotion, those who are working face the tough choice of giving up their job (often economically not possible) or weaning their babies off breast milk prematurely.

Rarely women may have sympathetic bosses with exceptional maternity benefits and enjoy bonding with their little ones for the first 6 month of life with no worry.
More often that’s not the case.
Corporate India looses women in the middle and top management positions because moms really can’t choose between a baby and climbing the career ladder.
Men surprisingly never have to face this particular choice.
Recently I read an article where a woman in a senior place in a bank talks about fertility leave and maternity benefits ,she had enjoyed in a top multinational bank in India.

My top 5 wishes for moms who want to work and take care of their babies.

Work from home option
Flexible working hours
Child care leaves without losing out on promotions and increments
Creche at workplaces (Even fathers will be benefitted)

Since these wishes will need some time to be fulfilled .

Few tips for breastfeeding moms who work:

Ideally infants should be exclusively breast-fed till 6 months of age.
EBF or exclusive breast-feeding means only mommy milk.No juice, water, nothing.
I am writing about this, because I was a mom who had to leave her 2 month old to join work (I had very little maternity benefit as I was a temp then).

I share the following tips to help you and your baby .If you face a challenge of continuing breast-feeding while working,take heart there are ways.

Top tips to breastfeed even after joining work:

1) Invest in a good automatic breast pump. The manual one is not so great.Use a breast pump to express your breast milk.

Before joining work practice expressing milk at home .Leave child with caregiver for short trials to gradually adjust baby to bottle .

Continue breast-feeding at other times.That acts as a good stimuli for a great milk flow.

Relax,listen to music ,eat healthy.Don’t forget the right amount calorie and nutrient supplementation. (Will be writing about this)

2) You can refrigerate at temperature of 4 to 8 degree Celsius in baby safe sterile feeding bottle .Express and store in the amount that your baby takes per feed.

3) 1 hour before each feed place the bottle in a water bath.This helps the milk come to normal temp.Breast milk if heated in a microwave will get curdled.So no heating.

4) You can the ask your family member or care giver, whoever is taking care of baby ,to feed your baby every time she cries for feed.Its better to be baby led than forceful feeding.

5) Remember to train them to always wash hands with an antiseptic hand wash, before feeding baby.

6) Always throw away residual milk after feed.

7) Don’t reuse bottle after a feed.Only used sterile bottles for every feed.

How to clean the feeding bottle?

Separate all parts of the feeding bottle.
Feeding bottles should be sterilized in a microwave .You can also use a steam sterilizer or steam it over a stove top.

Ideally feeding bottles should be of food grade glassware microwave safe,BPA free .

Never add excessive cleaning solution.One drop in 5 litre of water.More than this there will be detergent residue which is bad for the baby.

If not able to sterilize bottle immediately after a feed follow 3 steps:

Throw away the residual milk.
Rinse thoroughly under running water .
This gets rid of the milk smell and the residual milk.
Following, up with clean water.
Sterilize it when you have time.

Feeding kit ,my favourites:

1)My favourite bottles are Chicco glass feeding bottles .

2)The Philips Avent Single Electric Comfort Breast Pump (*affiliate link) was a thoughtful gift from my sister

3)Steam sterilizer

Always sit comfortably with a good back support while expressing milk.

Don’t forget breast care and hygiene .

Moisturize nipple (Use Nipcare) after every feed or expression helps prevents drying and cracks

Tell me your experience. .What’s your opinion about women having to choose between baby and career.

How can we help break this glass ceiling?

This is a part #Dailychatter Day 3 theblogchatter.com

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Disclaimer:

This article is meant to help and inform.Always consult your doctor for personalized recommendation.

Parenting

3 Things I like about saving money with children:

How to do the challenge?

If I don’t have that much amount to save every week ?

10 Simple Money Saving Tips from a Middle Class Doctor mommy in India

Featured post

Sharing is good Karma!

How to Practice healthy even while feasting.

Why discuss childhood obesity with festival food?

So what are the symptoms that indicate excessive weight to be a medical problem?

Problems with breathing and respiration

Gastrointestinal problems:

Hormonal or Endocrine problems:

Others: joint pains involving knees ,feet ,skin changes

From the Childhood obesity series:

Sharing is good Karma!

Broad classification is possible if you insist on it.

They include :

Problems and complications:

Sharing is good Karma!

What exactly does the mother’s diet do?

How can a mother build a baby’s healthy taste in food ?

Sharing is good Karma!

Quick Super Exam Tips

My 5 point checklist to do well

2)Make a plan for revision:

Get the Examinations study tips Cheat sheet here !

RULES OF LINKY:

Sharing is good Karma!

Can you continue breast-feeding when working

My top 5 wishes for moms who want to work and take care of their babies.

Few tips for breastfeeding moms who work:

Top tips to breastfeed even after joining work:

How to clean the feeding bottle?

If not able to sterilize bottle immediately after a feed follow 3 steps:

Feeding kit ,my favourites:

Sharing is good Karma!

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