One of the best things you can do for your children is have a dog around the house. I know getting a pet is a momentous decision. And I wrote a post about when not to get a dog home, dismayed as I was with the behaviour of many pet owners. But, if you can … Read More →
Before I take off reminiscing the pristine days of our childhood where we spent more time playing than being indoors, let me also point to a reality. In the India of my childhood and early youth, there was no internet, no addictive electronic devices, gadgets or games that we could be engrossed in for hours. … Read More →
It’s almost been a month-long break here on Rachna says I have been very sluggish on this blog, and my kids are complaining. I promise to post more here in this year, starting with this post. I can’t step into the New Year without reflecting on the past year. I do that pretty often, BTW … Read More →
I was recently watching ‘Koffee with Karan’ show featuring Kajol and Ajay Devgn. Yes, I watch stuff like this sometimes. The episode was pretty enjoyable to watch especially due to how candid Ajay was about his wife, relationships in general and his career. I remember him from a long time ago when I was in … Read More →
The only thing certain about life is death. Yet we are hit with a ferocity when it actually stares us in the face. It shakes us in a way nothing else in our lives does. My two clearest memories of seeing death up, close and personal were that of my maternal grandmother’s (nani) when I … Read More →
As a parent, I am often overtly moralistic. Pravachan (Lecture) commonly come out of my mouth at the drop of a hat. With a teen and an almost teen, can you really blame me? When I am not playing a referee without a whistle, I am trying to instill some good old fashioned sanskaar (culture) … Read More →
Three months ago, I stopped writing my monthly gratitude post that I had been writing regularly and diligently for more than a year. It’s not that I don’t believe in gratitude anymore. I still do. I still sit down for a few minutes every single day to dwell upon what I am grateful for on … Read More →
As a mom of a teen and a tween on the threshold of teenage, I am very certain that this is one of the most challenging parenting phases for me as a parent. While I’ve been by and large a democratic parent, lending ear to my children’s concerns and even seeking out their views, it was … Read More →
Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan is a festival that symbolizes the celebration of sibling love and mutual respect. When I was a little kid, I remember how we would all dress up well and wait to tie rakhi on the wrist of our younger brother. He would patiently sit through the entire ritual that started with … Read More →
I can imagine my sister having a smile on her face and my kids rolling their eyes when they see the title of this post. In my family, everyone calls me a strict mom. My sister who considers herself more lenient used to tell my niece (who I fiercely love) when she was younger that … Read More →