Are you a super parent?

or

Yet another victim of the ‘parenting guilt trap’?

In a typical middle-class family, if both parents work, they are able to financially provide for their children. They can manage the expensive schools, fancy events, elaborate holidays and thus scrape just about enough to keep up with the demands of the high-profile socialite classes. However, if both parents work, who is supposed to raise kids? Working moms aren’t very popular amongst the righteous parenting groups. They fail to attend to all PTMs and struggle during the regular mom networking get-togethers.

Stated is just an illustration of the diabolical confusion parenting these days brings along. Rules seem to be ever changing. We grew up in an environment where it was rather normal for parents to scold or even slap the kids around. Now however, even raising the voice beyond a certain optimal level is frowned upon. We can no longer expect our children to help; on the contrary, they ought to be given space and ought to be provided with complete services and devotion. After all, they have sooo much to manage. It is inhumane to expect them to pitch in and help keep up the place.

While there is conspicuous chatter about children’s overwhelming lives and competition and emotional well-being … what about the parents’ mental health???

The invisible nobodies

Why isn’t anybody asking about how we are coping? Grandparents love their grand children and shower them with gifts and lovely anecdotes. However, when it comes to their own kids, i.e. the current parents, the older generation is super critical and nitpicky. We weren’t good enough as kids and now we are failing as parents. Neither of the two generations cares enough to at least acknowledge the woes of parents today. We are the ones trying to understand our kid’s emotional and social needs, while at the same time valiantly fighting the scars of our childhood. We are learning the changing rules, forced to adapt at an unbelievable pace and yet when it comes to appreciating the work, even a thank you note seems way too much.

Damning competition

As if the world isn’t difficult enough already, we stupid parents have further complicated things by getting into an unsaid competition. We are trying to be super parents and, in this race, ridiculously fighting for the top spot. That might entail horrifying shopping bills on stuff like Legos or the latest sneakers or following a super chill / super cool parenting strategy of allowing it all.  What we’ve forgotten is that there cannot possibly be a “Super Parent”. This ideal person simply does not exist and thus wouldn’t it make more sense to exit this addictive spiral of self-loathing and head towards a more accepting life of a parent who is trying to learn with every passing day?

In an encapsulation, kindly consider this monologue a humble appeal to parents all around. Let’s just normalize the whole concept of raising kids and while we might not have the power to control any outside forces that impact, let’s be reasonable and stop competing with each other. In other words, instead of judging all parents around you and showering the lot with critical raised eyebrows, try and attempt a more understanding smile, thus leading to a breathable environment for parents all around.

Let tears flow … the power of CRYING!

We are all meant to be strong; crying is a sign of weakness.  The world we live in is ruthless and any sign of weakness will be taken as a failure and used against us.

This thought terrifies, especially when it comes to our kids. We don’t want our children to be fragile. As a parent, we want our kids to be equipped to face the harsh tones of life and thus are often tempted to advocate the idea of ‘no tears’. Boys don’t cry and these days, cause girls are as strong as boys, they shouldn’t cry either. While the idea of gender equality is a welcoming thought, the notion of banning tears is a problem that ought to be dealt with.

Let your mind & heart detox … Crying HEALS!!

Crying is a natural phenomenon, which a human is expected to perform. In fact, there is something medically wrong with those, who cannot shed tears. This exercise of shedding tears is imperative for both body & mind and is not necessarily in response to a negative emotion. Often, we cry because we are happy; tears can reflect ecstasy, achievement and fulfillment. The stated however doesn’t undermine the importance of tears as an expression of grief. Often these tears, help cope with the toughest conundrums and face the hardships life puts us through.

Emotional & Physical Benefits of Crying

  • Crying releases toxins – Crying helps release a lot of harmful toxins from the eyes and thus enables natural cleansing. Tears lubricate the eyes and help relieve stress.
  • Helps fight pain and initiate self-soothing – By allowing us to release our emotions, we ease pain. Both psychologically and physically, when we cry, we allow ourselves to start the process of healing. This emotional outburst improves our brain temperatures and helps us cool down and restart.
  • Crying is a vent – It is not always possible to express in words. Tears act as a powerful mode of communication in such cases. It is often said that tears are words, expressed by the heart. Especially in the case of children, when they are not able to process their emotions, crying helps balance it out.  

Create a Safe Space

As a parent or a partner, create an embracing environment. Those whom you love should be able to come to you and express themselves in any manner possible. Rather than creating rules of idealistic behaviour, offer a comforting safe space in your embrace, where they can express, even through tears. Help by initiating the process of healing – promote healthy relationships through open verbal & non verbal communication.  

Crying is better than being numb. Only a heart that experiences pain, sheds tears. If we force our kids to completely shut off this strong expression of emotions, we are training them to be robots. Can you imagine the life of a person who does not feel or even worse, is not allowed to express? Tears are a powerful communication tool … embrace the strength of crying.

Scorecard versus Real Life – The Marks Mystery

Newspapers right now are flooded with pictures of students who have managed to score more than 90% in their class X or XII board exams. All schools and coaching institutes are advertising their scholars. After all, these educational setups are the ones preparing the next generation of leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs for us. God forbid if somebody scored less than 80%, the world might just end now. Wonder what Rancho from 3 Idiots has to say about this.

Do you remember your friends from school who aced in grade 10th?

Go down memory lane; even dig out a school photo if you have one. Now open Facebook or Instagram and see how many of those faces you recognize in your vast list of long-lost friends. Though their faces might be completely unrecognizable now, I am sure you remember a few.

The weirdly tall fellow who was always trying to hide in his corner desk cramped towards the wall. That pretty petite girl who was undoubtedly the class princess and object of envy. And of course, the teacher’s pets, who always thrived to secure top positions and never failed to answer any question. While you were still figuring out the question, they promptly raised their hands to answer. Exams were a battle for them and winning was the only option. Girls with long braids and boys with ruptured teenage voices, clinging on to their books, cramming it all up to ensure perfect scores.

Where are these academic geniuses in life now???

The evident ‘Hypocrisy’!!!

We talk about street smart and discuss the value of life skills. We act like the most open minded, intellectually qualified modern parents, who totally understand the relevance of true – deeper learning. As and when it suits us, we even blame the current education system and bring out all that needs to be changed or challenged. We claim to fully acknowledge the pertinence of practical growth and exposure in life.

But, while we love advertising our revolutionary beliefs, the true reflection of intelligence is still the school board exam SCORECARD.

We are the famous aunties and neighbours who pester kids about their marks in the board examinations. In fact, for a lot of parents, marksheets are currently their profile pics. We talk about an all-inclusive education system and yet when it comes to selecting a school, we go by the adverts promoting an age-old rotten rote learning system. Once the scores are released, we track down all the kids and find out their performance in board examinations. After all, marks in class 10th and 12th are the only true reflection of a child’s intelligence. If you do not remember the year Hitler attacked Jews or when the French Revolution reached villages, you are definitely doomed for life. Don’t you agree??

Truly skip the rat race!

If possible, for your child’s sake, make an honest effort and opt out of this silly competition. Life is a lesson we are still learning. There is a long way to go and how we prepare our kids today, will decide the outcome. Practical education ought to be the focus. Let them experience life beyond school books and tuition. Let them explore, make mistakes and gather pieces to start afresh! These marks will be forgotten, but the scars of this undue pressure won’t fade easily. Each child is special and full of possibilities. Ensure that there’s enough scope to experiment and weave a life worth living!

Personality Development: Discovering Your Best Self

Personality development is all about growing and improving yourself for an even happier and successful life. It’s how we connect with others, tackle challenges, and see the world around us. When you work on developing your personality, you not only boost your self-confidence but also create a more fulfilling life experience.

Getting to Know Personality Development

So, what is personality? It’s a mix of traits you’re born with and the habits you build over time. While our genetics play a part, our life experiences, the people we meet, and the choices we make shape who we become. Personality development is all about polishing these elements to help you become a well-rounded person.

Key Ingredients of Personality Development                  

A strong personality isn’t just about being the life of the party; it includes several important qualities that help us grow.

  • Self-Awareness: Knowing yourself is the first step! By understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and feelings, you can make those conscious choices to improve and grow.
  • Confidence and Self-Esteem: Being confident makes you more respected and trustworthy. Building confidence comes from accepting yourself, feeling capable, and maintaining a positive attitude.
  • Effective Communication: Being able to express yourself and actively listen is key to forming great relationships. Good communication isn’t just about words; it’s also about body language and the tone you use.
  • Emotional Intelligence: It’s all about managing your feelings and understanding others. Empathy, patience, and resilience can enhance your interactions with people.
  • Adaptability and Open-Mindedness: A flexible personality welcomes change and is eager for new experiences. Being adaptable helps you grow in both personal and work settings.
  • Self-Discipline and Responsibility: Owning your actions and having a disciplined routine can lead to success. Being responsible earns you trust and respect from others.

Steps to Boost Your Personality

Improving your personality requires some consistent effort and a bit of self-reflection. Here are some friendly tips to help you on your journey:

Begin by cultivating a positive mind set. A cheerful perspective brings in opportunities and helps you grow. Focus on finding solutions instead of getting bogged down by problems. Alongside it is imperative to work on your Communication Skills. Get involved in conversations, practice public speaking, and work on your body language to become a more effective communicator. The stated can be enabled by expanding your knowledge base. Never stop learning! Reading, taking courses, or trying new experiences not only boosts your confidence but also keeps you adaptable. The stated can be seamlessly managed with the help of Conversation Club.  The experienced trainers at Conversation Club help you work on your communication skills and knowledge base thereby enabling overall personality development.

Additionally, embrace empathy and work on your social Skills. Try to see things from others’ perspectives. Engaging in active listening and showing kindness enhances your social interactions. Working on physical and mental well-being is also imperative. Healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and being mindful contribute to an energetic and balanced personality. As the next step set goals and try to stay motivated. Create personal and professional goals to give yourself direction. Staying motivated and taking small, consistent steps will help you reach your dreams. And of course, quite importantly embrace feedback and persistently target self-improvement. Constructive criticism is a treasure trove of insights. Being open to feedback and focusing on the areas where you can improve leads to growth.

Remember, little steps taken consistently can lead to big changes. Enjoy the journey of personality development with Conversation Club … it’s truly rewarding!

Content Credits: Drishikha Makkar (drishikhamakkar.12@gmail.com)

Understanding the vital role of Body Language in everyday Communication

Do you know that as per studies, verbal communication i.e. your words only have about 7% influence in shaping the communication, the remaining 93% is governed by your facial expressions, head nods, eyeball movements etc. Be it evading contact or fidgety leg movement, the way you physically conduct yourself determines the impact of your message.

While a handful are consciously aware of the stated fact, most of us tend to overlook the pertinence of body language these days. Simply put body language is a non-verbal form of communication expressed through facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, head movements, handshakes, smiles and more. In other words, it plays a vital role in personality development i.e. how we convey emotions, build connections and influence others. As they say, your body speaks even when your lips don’t move. When something is clearly so critical, it is only but logical that we delve into pertinent aspects of non-verbal communication.

Smile: A Natural Anti-Aging Elixir

Have you ever come across this beautiful quote by Dalai Lama?
“A simple smile. That’s the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.”

Isn’t that so true? A smile has this amazing ability to change someone’s mood in an instant. It’s like a little spark that can light up not just your face but also the hearts of those around you, no matter how you look, a genuine smile makes you look Gorgeous!!!
I still remember the day I went for my first scan after years of trying to conceive. My heart was pounding with hope, but in a cruel twist of fate, my joy was shattered – it was an Ectopic pregnancy. The news hit me like a storm, leaving me in a state of shock and panic. Tears welled up in my eyes, and fear gripped my heart as the doctor declared my surgery an emergency.

Amidst the chaos, my doctor walked in with a warm-reassuring smile and said “We will surely try our best to help you take a baby Home”. Her smile wasn’t just an expression – it was a life line, soothing my mind and giving me the strength to face what lay ahead.

The Power of a Nod

A nod is a powerful yet often misunderstood element of body language. It can speak volumes without uttering a word, but it’s meaning shifts across cultures. In my experience as an expat, people in Kerela nod a lot – almost as if their heads are dancing to an unspoken rhythm of agreement. On the other hand, in many Middle Eastern countries, nodding is used sparingly. They believe excessive nodding dilutes the message, adding too much water to a strong cup of tea. For them a well-placed nod is like a punctuation mark, used just enough to emphasize but not so much that it blurs the intent. Funny, isn’t it?

I remember the school canteen man who had a unique way of nodding. Every time we placed an order, he would bob his head in a way that left us utterly confused – was that a Yes or a No, or just a random movement? We would stand there, awkwardly waiting for confirmation, only to see our order magically appear a few minutes later. It was like an unspoken language we never fully cracked.
Gestures can be misinterpreted. What seems like a simple nod in one culture can leave people second-guessing in another. Whether it’s a subtle tilt or an enthusiastic bow, the meaning of a nod isn’t always universal. Sometimes, it’s a handshake of the head; other times it’s just a mystery.  

Eyes Speak Louder

Jonathan Bryan’s book “Eye Can Write” is a testament to the incredible power of the eyes. Despite being unable to move or speak due to a severe disability, he expressed his thoughts emotions and dreams solely through eye movements. It’s fascinating how much we communicate without words- sometimes a single gaze can say more than a thousand sentences.

Let’s think about it: when a stranger stares at you for too long, it sends a shiver down your spine, triggering a mix of fear and confusion. On the other hand, a teacher in a classroom relies on eye contact to gauge attentiveness. If even one student keeps looking away, it can be frustrating, almost like talking to a wall. Similarly, a receptionist handling patient’s queries must maintain proper eye contact- too little might seem indifferent, too much could make you perplexed.

The eyes don’t just see, they speak. A fleeting glance can express nervousness, a lingering gaze can build trust and a sharp stare can intimidate. In every interaction, from personal conversations to professional encounters, eye contact plays a crucial role in shaping perception. Jonathan Bryan’s story proves that even without speech or movement, one can still connect deeply with the world – through the language of the eyes.

Content Credits: Huda Tasneem (hudatasneem1991@gmail.com)

Telltale signs of Mental Anxiety in kids

Parenting has never been easy, I mean this is the one game where the rules seem to change every day. Today you shouldn’t be too easy on kids – tomorrow you are not supposed to discipline them too much. The task has been complicated as it is, but the overwhelming infusion of gadgets and social media protocols together make it close to impossible. Understanding the kids these days now equates to a snowball’s chance in hell.

How is then one supposed to decipher their tantrums and mood emoticons? How is a parent supposed to know if the child is irritated because that is how teenagers behave these days or is it on account of mental anxiety? As a parent how can one try and understand the kid who refuses to communicate? Is there a key to understanding the problems at least? If not the solution, is there a way to know the symptoms of mental anxiety among kids?

Possible signs of anxiety and depression in children

  • Social anxiety – It has been observed that often kids, on account of their insecurities, tend to be more comfortable in a shell. The idea of meeting anybody new or talking in a group makes them uncomfortable. However, instead of accepting and discussing this discomfort, the child resorts to evasion tactics like rude behavior and seclusion. Even a simple social event like perhaps attending a family dinner is tackled like a war. Thousands of made up issues like ‘I don’t have a decent dress’ or ‘your family is irritating’ echo around the house. Tension escalates in the hours leading up to the event. Frantic outbursts and teary conversations on random topics define the mood.
  • Physical indications of mental anxiety – Believe it or not, unexpressed uneasiness takes the physical route of expression. If you notice a sudden change in eating habits or signs of overeating or excessive reduction in diet, know that your child is perhaps in a psychological conundrum. Likewise, a disturbed sleeping schedule reeks of mental troubles. Cases of depression have been reported where the child slept for more than 15 hours a day and still seemed tired. In extreme cases, anxiety also led to complaints of feeling sick or constant itchiness.  Constant restlessness – Urge to move every few seconds is yet another physical indication of anxiety.
  • Complete shutdown – If the only communication in the past few days has been in the form of slammed doors and cryptic WhatsApp messages, the child is clearly battling an inner panic. However, instead of talking about it or even accepting it, is resorting to evasive techniques. Instead of just observing these demonstrations as rudeness, try to peel the layers and look inside the trauma.

There could be many reasons leading to the above mentioned situations. Teenagers could be dealing with their changing appearances or could be victims of bullying. Death of a close one or an unexpected tiff with a close friend, reasons may vary. However, the problem of anxiety in kids is quite serious and in severe cases could also lead to self-harm and thus needs to be addressed. Kids might hide their true feelings behind a brattish attitude and thus establishing a strong communication channel is the foremost step.

Don’t let AI cripple your kid

Be it a simple mathematical calculation, an English assignment for school or for that matter the captions for a reel they are editing, children these days are simply unable to operate without the artificial intelligence tools.

Try an experiment to understand better.

Give your child a small writing task, could be a letter or even a text message in English, without the help of any online tool or search engine. Just leave your kid with a pen and a notebook and check the results. Even a basic task like the stated will turn into a mammoth challenge. Now let your child be in the room with a mobile or ipad or a laptop and try the same exercise. You will have your answer in minutes. Thanks to programs like Chat GPT, all answers are readily available.

Don’t confuse gadget friendliness with intelligence

My uneducated maid’s three year old daughter (doesn’t go to school) is able to operate smartphone seamlessly. She is able to scroll through reels and even save selected ones in playlist. Does this mean she is super intelligent?

We often hear grownups say things like kids today are so intelligent. Look at how comfortable they are with technology. Well of course they are comfortable with smartphones, Bluetooth speakers and laptops; these are akin to toys for them. Children now days are more exposed to gadgets than books. In an average Indian household, at any given time, the number of gadgets on a table will exceed the number of books or newspapers. So if they can operate the keypad efficiently or have exceptionally developed online surfing skills, it doesn’t qualify as an adequate indicator of intelligence.

AI is hampering creativity

If a few clicks can get you all the answers, why bother? Google, Siri, Alexa know it all. Why think … let’s just ask them!

This is the typical mindset of a child these days. Easily available information is making life easier but at the same time, it is restricting the thought process. Rather than thinking about the situation, kids are merely relying on automated system generated responses. Small things like reading a map / chart on the metro station to check the train route seem impossible; they’d rather check the phone for next station details. A child’s creative growth is being largely hampered in the process. Resultantly, practical life skills like problem solving and abstract thinking are taking a major hit!

AI is promoting an emotionally challenged generation

Since the kids are no longer used to the idea of understanding things and preparing for adequate responses, their ability to perceive situations and accordingly manage circumstances is largely being challenged. Owing to the nuclear family structures and working parents, most of the time these days is spent with AI tools, which leads to emotional development issues and creates problems like social anxiety. The dependence on texting is so much that rather than speaking with a person, they rely on emojis to convey the message.

Provide the needed Learning Environment

AI has caused way too much dependence on technology. This excessive technical engagement, coupled with reduced human interaction, is impacting the child’s intellectual and psychological growth. They thus need an environment where they are encouraged to think and express in words. A schema like ‘Conversation Club’, which is driven by emphasis on the art of communication is the need of the hour!

Communication Skills & Academic Excellence

‘Envisage’, ‘social contract’, ‘resplendent’, ‘grievances’, ‘hoarding’… these are just a few words from the very first chapter of the history book grade IX. We’ve all heard our children crib about the complex and boring chapters. We have witnessed their struggles with learning. We have seen them cram up the material and often wondered about the fruitfulness of this exercise. I mean if kids have to memorize those hefty books and not remember a word after the day of the exam, what is the point of it all??

What if the child doesn’t have to memorize it all? What if instead of just trying to remember each and every word of the sentence, they understood the idea covered in the chapter and phrased the answer in their own words. Wouldn’t this understanding of the concept enable long term benefits in terms of academic success?

The stated is just one of the many benefits of improved communication skills in the life of students.

Communication skills for students – See your child blossom!!

  • Better understanding of the scholarly curriculum – As elaborated above, the most critical aspect of enhanced language skills is the apparent ease of learning. Kids who understand the language better are not forced to robotically cram up the lessons. Owing to the evolved communication skills, they comprehend and thus enjoy better understanding and retention.
  • Increased class participation – Being able to comprehend and rephrase in their own words allows kids to ask questions and clearly answer when asked. A grasp of the English language brings clarity and thus enables two way communication between the educator and learner. Comprehension of the concept being taught thus paves the way for enhancement of the oral communication skills.
  • Emergence as a group leader – The one who has a tighter grip on the subject is naturally awarded the central chair in group discussions and class projects. Other students display natural confidence in the kid who is able to explain and thus the opportunities to lead and stand out, naturally follow.
  • Improved performance in written exams – Clarity of the subject and fluent written expression help frame better answers and thus the desired scores. Improved written communication skills further enable structured answers to meet the examiner’s criterion.
  • Overall confidence and life skills – Together the stated facets reap confidence in a child. The verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication ensure a learned and confident approach towards all kinds of academic and non-academic situations. Being able to express allows seamless exchange of ideas amongst teachers and students and parents and children.
  • Enhanced personal relationships ­– The ability to express helps form the desired bonds with other students. Kids face a lot of social issues on account of broken communication. Over dependence on gadgets and AI has fractured their ability to maintain real world relationships and this is where Conversation Club mends the broken bridges.

Working on communication skills is akin to watering the roots of the plant. It is a regular process and with the right guidance and supervision, fruits of success can be reaped. At Conversation Club, we provide a customized curriculum for students wherein the nuances of communication skills are carefully clubbed with academic concepts and thus learning among students is largely promoted.

Communication Skills – The Essential Ingredient of Life

What are soft skills?

Definition – personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Communication skills are an important element of the soft skills.

Communication skills in the life of a student!

Aman and Kriti are in the same grade and academically they are both decent students. In most of the subjects, they both score in the above average category and are usually ready with all answers. However, if you’ll ask teachers, Kriti will be the one they’d recognize in a batch of 40 students in the class. As for Aman, his report cards will reflect decent performance, but his participation in class and ability or rather the lack of ability to verbally express across various platforms ensures that he remains unnoticed. But how does it matter? He is a good student and will secure decent grades!

Well certainly he will perhaps score fine but his inability to effectively communicate will keep him hidden away from all opportunities. Despite being a hardworking student, he won’t be noticed or given a platform to perform even better because he is not able to display the knowledge that he has acquired by way of seamless communication.

Good communication is the bridge between confusion & clarity – Nat Turner

Communication skills in the life of a professional!

Who do you think will have a better chance at the interview, Aman or Kriti? Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario where both have completed the same courses from the same institution and have more or less similar mark sheets. As freshers, they are being considered for a profile that along with the technical skills, requires team work and reporting. Kriti, on account of the enhanced communication skills and exposure received as a student, will clearly outshine Aman and therefore her chances of bagging the job are higher.

Even if we consider a case where there are multiple opportunities and both get selected, the chances of Kriti working her way up the career ladder are much steeper. Any organization, irrespective of the industry or job profile, is seeking employees who can help integrate human resources and outshine as leaders. Honed soft skills, especially communication skills, help achieve the said objective.

Of all the life skills available to us, communication is perhaps the most empowering.” — Bret Morrison

Communication skills in relationships!

Relationships demand a lot of work and still many fail. While there are many reasons behind the troubles encountered by those in these failed relationship, a common denominator is the inability to express and understand each other. Communication isn’t just about saying, it is also about listening. In fact, an important element is the ability to listen and understand what the other person is trying to say. Additionally, one must be able to give appropriate words to the emotions they are going through and thus being proficient at the art of communication makes life much easier.

Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage of friendship, is conversation – Oscar Wilde

Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing – Rollo Reece May

Sow the seeds of a happy life with simple communication steps

Once upon a time, we lived in big joint families. There were uncles and aunts and brothers and sisters and relatives who were always visiting. To add to the equation, boundary walls of the houses were tiny enough to peek into the neighbor’s yard and engage in priceless chat sessions over a cup of tea.

Life now however is different. We’ve moved into nuclear setups and neither the uncles nor the aunts have time to visit. Cousins have moved to different states or countries and the houses have turned into buildings where we hardly know the family living next door.

Like any other change, this transition too has its pros and cons. There is independence, privacy, financial growth, etc., but there is also a little too much alone time – the overdose of seclusion. While these changed equations have impacted us all, the younger generation is facing some serious challenges. Kids are glued to their gadgets and their social skills have taken a major hit. No wonder, behavioral issues and problems like social anxiety & lack of confidence amongst kids are evident in every household.   

How to mend the broken bridge??

How do we establish the broken channel of communication? How do we prepare these youngsters to gear up for the world? The lost art of communication … how do we revive it??

  • Walk under the stars – start the tradition of post dinner walk with kids. These casual strolls have multiple benefits. Owing to gadget addiction, children these days are hardly engaging in any kind of physical activity. Moreover, too much screen time and life within closed walls are hampering the mental growth. These walks will ensure physical fitness and gradually, the time spent together will lead to discussions. Do not force your kids to talk, instead share anecdotes from your childhood. Eventually, they will open up and will start sharing their day.
  • Go old school – bring back the old board games from the storeroom; plan gadget free game evenings on the weekends. Clean the spider webs off the carom board, pull out the chess board, find a pack of cards, see if you can grab the box of monopoly; rather than talking about careers, marks and competitions, treat your kids with a stress free evening. Instead of lecturing about the overindulgence of mobile phones and upcoming exams, give them the option of an easy fun time.
  • Give the gift of a channel to express – most kids avoid any kind of verbal communication these days because they are hesitant. The lack of speaking opportunities has led to a silent generation that is way too scared of making mistakes. Help the young ones, overcome this hesitation, this social anxiety, this lack of confidence with the help of communication experts @ conversation club. They need an encouraging platform to express and to freely make mistakes. These crucial ingredients of expression are offered here at CC.

    Remember the most important rule – communication cannot be forced! You cannot just impose the rules when it comes to interacting. Help your child naturally open up; offer the space, comfort and guidance to express and engage.