Top 10 Habits That Can Help You Lose Weight

Trying to get your weight under control can be a difficult task. We all know the importance of diet and exercise when trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight but there are also other little things that you could do to help this along.

Below is a list of 10 habits that you can start to incorporate into your daily life to help with your weight loss goals.

1. Start your day with Breakfast

Credit: pickpik.com

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it’s important in maintaining a healthy body weight. After a long night’s rest, your body needs the fuel to get your metabolism going and provide energy for the rest of the day.

By eating breakfast, it helps to kick start your metabolism and reduces hunger throughout the day, therefore decreasing the likelihood of overeating and making poor food choices for lunch. Furthermore, people who eat breakfast regularly have better vitamin and mineral levels in their bodies and also eat fewer calories from fatty foods.

2. Eat Regularly

Many people know that small, frequent meals are absolutely the way to go when trying to lose some pounds. But why? Because when we go longer than 3 hours without eating, our levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise. High cortisol levels signal the body to store fat in the abdominal region. Keep in mind too that people who skip meals have the highest cortisol levels! When you eat small, frequent meals, the body becomes more efficient at keeping cortisol levels low, which helps both men and women to reduce belly fat.

3. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day

Credit: Shutterstock

Exercise does not need to be strenuous to be effective; consistency is more important than difficulty. Even regular light exercise improves mood and controls appetite. Start with just 10 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week, which can include vigorous activities like jogging or jumping rope or more gentle workouts, like walking briskly or leisurely swimming. As you become more fit, you can include strengthening exercises and interval training for even more health benefits.

4. Eat Slowly

If you scarf down your meals, you are probably overeating because of it. It takes a while for our brains to get the message that we’re full. So if we eat too quickly, we will actually eat past fullness. Hence, the trick is to teach yourself to eat slowly. You will feel fuller on lesser amounts of food.

Another trick is to eat a sensible serving without eating seconds right away. A good rule of thumb is to use a moderate plate, and not have food stacked up high. If you are still a little hungry, wait for at least 20 minutes before eating any more. Often so, you will find that your feelings of hunger have already dissipated by then.

5. Eat real and raw food & avoid processed food

Eat mainly whole, unprocessed foods, including fruits, veggies and whole grains. Whole, natural foods, such as apples, steel-cut oatmeal, broccoli, salads and brown rice are low-density foods. This means that they take up a lot of room in your stomach because they contain lots of fibre, which are low-calorie hunger satisfiers.

However, high-density foods or processed foods are the opposite, and food products like butter, oil, candy, or ice-cream fall under this category. Eating mostly low-density foods is the easiest way to keep your weight in check without feeling like you’re depriving yourself.

6. Avoid late-night snacking

Credit: iStock

Try your best to avoid caving in to those nagging late-night hunger pangs. Even if you really need to munch on something, go for
healthy alternatives
 like nuts instead.

7. Getting Enough Sleep

By ‘enough’, we mean 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. During sleep, the body and mind undergo a reparation process, where they are readied for the next day. Going without adequate amounts of sleep won’t just leave you feeling tired and irritable, it can actually be dangerous, both to yourself and to others.

It can also seriously cause a deterioration in your quality of life. Sleeping less than six hours a night for an extended period of time has been shown to increase hunger and appetite, particularly
for high carbohydrate foods that promote excessive insulin secretion, which leads to body fat storage.

8. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Most fruits and vegetables are low in fat and calories and high in fibre, making them ideal in diets targeting weight loss.. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fibre, and other substances that are important for good health. The fibre and water in vegetables and fruits fill you up way more efficiently and also help to keep you fuller for longer.

9. Hydration

Drink more water! Water has no calories and fills you up while keeping your metabolism going.
Drinking enough water
 is a vital part of any conditioning programme because it keeps your body functioning through homeostasis.

Water aids every aspect of bodily function as well. Start adopting this positive habit by keeping a water bottle with you at all times, or by having a cold jug of water in your fridge. If you find the taste of plain water too bland,
infuse your water
 with slices of various fruits and vegetables, like lemon and cucumber,to give your water a slight burst of flavour.

10. Plan your meal

As the saying goes – ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. Planning meals ahead will greatly help your dieting efforts. There are several reasons why. First, planning ahead keeps you conscious of your eating habits, and keeps you motivated towards your goal.

Second, it makes it easier to follow through when you are not faced with the need to make a choice during the moment. Often we make unhealthy choices when hungry. If you plan ahead you are better equipped to make the right, wholesome meal choice. Third, planning ahead ensures that your diet stays within the ideal calorie range you need to be in order to lose weight.

The habits we adopt become who we are. If you were to build healthy habits and stick with them long enough so that they become second to you, then being healthy would become effortless, as it is now integrated as part of your daily routine. Habits tend to stick around for the long term and are usually hard to break once in place, so if you were to successfully integrate these 10 habits mentioned above, you would be on your way to ensuring a lifelong, healthy lifestyle. Making small changes can make huge differences.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB
.

Read more:

5 Tips To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

Partner Stories
Keibubapaan
Soothing relief for muscle aches and pain
Child
Sick Children Can Be A Handful, But Not With These Tips!
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
#StayHome And Have Fun With The Friso® Gold x Lazada 11.11 Moo-Possible Campaign
Formula
Life skills for children: Teach your kids these important life skills
Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Boost Your Child’s Nutrient Absorption With These 6 Smart Ways

Nutrient absorption – parents often stumble upon this phrase especially when it comes to child health and development. This is when the body digests molecules, minerals and other nutrients from food into the cavity of the upper intestine
1
.

But, why is the absorption of nutrients so important?

Without proper nutrient absorption, this could potentially lead to various health problems. This could include intestinal failure in children which happens when the small intestine is unable to properly soak up the nutrients, vitamins or water from their diet
2
. Additionally, malabsorption can also happen in your child when their body cannot absorb the nutrients into their digestive system
3
.

So, here are six ways you can improve your child’s absorption of nutrients:

1. Add healthy fats to your child’s meals

Not all fats are bad. In fact, fats are a crucial substance within a child’s early childhood or infancy period as it support their neurological development and brain functions
4
. According Milner and Allison (1999) in The Journal of Nutrition Volume 129, fats supplies essential fatty acids and assists in the absorption of key vitamins A, D, E and Ks
5
, which all require fats to be absorbed!

However, parents must be wary when adding fats to your child’s meals – KidsHealth recommends dedicating one-third of their meals to fat. To keep their fat intake within the right range, try serving more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish and low-fat dairy products as these are naturally low in fat
6
.

Alternatively, when cooking their meals try to roast instead of frying as frying food actually adds more fat to the meal – remember, too much fat can also lead to unhealthy weight gain which can lead to health complications later in life
7
.

2. Know the right food pairings

Just because one substance is able to boost nutrient absorption does not mean you should load up your child’s plate with just that. When preparing your child’s meals, pay close attention to what you pair together. Children should be eating a balanced diet to ensure they get an adequate amount of nutrients from different food groups
8
 as the body itself cannot churn out all the essential vitamins on its own.

Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health states that half of a child’s plate should be colourful vegetables and fruits, while the other half should be whole grains, as well as healthy protein
9
. Some quick tips based on their Kid’s Healthy Eating Plate Guide include choosing whole or sliced fruit, minimally processed whole grains, plant-based protein options, limiting red meat and using healthy oils from plants such as extra virgin olive oil.

3. Teach them to chew slower

This is an interesting tip you may not have known – chewing properly can actually aid in smoother digestion and nutrient absorption
10
! Basically, chewing properly means eating slower to ensure you break down your food better. So, just practice the art of chewing with your child and they will surely adopt it into a habit.

The science behind this is that when you chew your food properly, digestive enzymes are released in the stomach that allows it to break down the food for your body to convert it into energy
11
. Also, with thorough food chewing, the mouth releases more saliva that is packed with these digestive enzymes and in turn, improves the digestive process.

We know, sometimes it may be hard to get a hungry child to eat slower, so try rewarding them after every meal where they chew properly.

4. Stay away from sugar

You have heard this one before – sugars are bad. According to the American Heart Association, children below the ages of two should have no sugar at all, while those aged between two and 18 should only have less than 25 grams of sugar per day
12
.

However, simple sugars that are found in nutritious foods such as fruits or vegetables are good and support overall growth
13
. It is the bad sugars you need to look out for. The bad sugars are known as “refined sugars” which are added sugars in items including candy or soda
14
. These sugars contain no nutrients and are usually high in calories which can decrease nutrient absorption due to intestinal irritation or damage
15
.

5. Cut processed foods

Processed food are food items that have been refined from its original form
16
 such as processing fruit into a breakfast bar, canned food and fast food. These foods usually contain added sugars which we know does not benefit a child’s growth.

Additionally, certain processed foods contain high amounts of salt and fat to enhance flavour, as well as increase their shelf life
17
. The fat types in these foods are mostly saturated fat, which have less to little benefit
18
.

However, not all processed foods should be avoided. Items such as milk need to be processed and pasteurised to remove harmful bacteria
19
. Just be wary of the food labels when grocery shopping to check the nutritional information.

6. Supplement their diet with Mamil D-Gest Pro+

Good intestinal health supports nutrient absorption – that’s a fact. This is because one of the main functions for a gut is to absorb nutrients from food into the body
20
.

Hence, the focus on your child’s gut health is imperative – the good bacteria (probiotics) within the gut needs to be nurtured and supported by prebiotics
21
 for them to properly absorb nutrients to ensure the ability of the body’s crucial functions.

Mamil® D-GestPro+ can help with boosting your child’s gut health. It is an affordable, yet beneficial choice for parents- it is sucrose-free and contains a prebiotic mix that supports gut health for children aged up to nine-years-old.

Mamil® D-GestPro+’s formulation contains:

A unique prebiotic mixture: It is formulated with a unique Oligosaccharide mixture GOS/IcFOS (9:1) that increases good bacteria and helps maintain a healthy gut flora.

Milk from grass-fed cows: It is sourced from cows that are predominantly grass fed, which means it is high in protein, calcium and vitamin D.

DHA*: This is a key component that is essential for your child’s growth and brain development.

**Mamil® Step 3 contains 96mg DHA content based 3 servings per day

Remember, without good gut health, it could lead to poor nutrient absorption which could hinder their growth and development. So, boost your child’s intestinal environment with Mamil® D-GestPro+ today.

Need more information on Mamil® D-GestPro+? Visit Dumex Mamil’s
website
!

References

1
Nutrient absorption | List of High Impact Articles | PPts | Journals. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.imedpub.com/scholarly/nutrient-absorption-journals-articles-ppts-list.php

2
Pediatric Intestinal Failure | Children’s National Hospital. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://childrensnational.org/visit/conditions-and-treatments/stomach-digestion-gi/intestinal-failure

3
(2015, November 21). Malabsorption – HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Malabsorption.aspx

4
Milner, J.,Allison, R. (1999). Role of Dietary Fat in Child Nutrition and Development …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/129/11/2094/4721978

5
Role of Dietary Fat in Child Nutrition and Development …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/129/11/2094/4721978

6
Fats (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fat.html

7
Helping Your Child Who is Overweight | NIDDK. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/helping-your-child-who-is-overweight

8
(2016, December 1). The Importance of Healthy Early Eating Habits. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/the-importance-of-healthy-early-eating-habits/

9
Kid’s Healthy Eating Plate | The Nutrition …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/kids-healthy-eating-plate/

10
(2018, October 22). Health Expert Luke Coutinho Tells Us To Chew Your Food …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.ndtv.com/health/health-expert-luke-coutinho-tells-us-to-chew-food-slowly-know-why-is-it-important-for-your-health-1935480

11
(2018, October 22). Health Expert Luke Coutinho Tells Us To Chew Your Food …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.ndtv.com/health/health-expert-luke-coutinho-tells-us-to-chew-food-slowly-know-why-is-it-important-for-your-health-1935480

12
Sugar Recommendation Healthy Kids and Teens Infographic …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/sugar-recommendation-healthy-kids-and-teens-infographic

13
Carbohydrates and Sugar (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sugar.html

14
Carbohydrates and Sugar (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sugar.html

15
(2016, August 2). Added sugars drive nutrient and energy deficit in … – NCBI. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4975866/

16
(2019, March 29). 8 ways to avoid processed food – Children’s Health. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/8-ways-to-avoid-processed-food

17
(2019, October 29). Up to two-thirds of packaged foods too high in fat, sugar and …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2019/10/29/Up-to-two-thirds-of-packaged-foods-too-high-in-fat-sugar-and-salt-JRC

18
Types of Fat – Harvard TH Chan School of …. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/

19
Eating processed foods – NHS. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/what-are-processed-foods/

20
Prebiotics, probiotics and your health – Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/prebiotics-probiotics-and-your-health/art-20390058

21
Prebiotics, probiotics and your health – Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/prebiotics-probiotics-and-your-health/art-20390058

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Relief from pregnancy nausea: Have you tried these remedies?

Mummies, if you are suffering from morning sickness and
vomiting during pregnancy
, you might be wondering why it’s all happening, and if there is any relief from pregnancy nausea. We feel you. The urge to throw up frequently is one of the most miserable, ickiest feelings ever.

However, nausea during pregnancy is very common and completely normal. And if it makes you feel any better, throwing up may be a sign that your pregnancy hormones are working perfectly fine.

What causes nausea during pregnancy?

Nausea during pregnancy is caused by high levels of pregnancy hormones. It shows that the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in particular, is being produced in large quantities.

hCG is the hormone which makes sure that the baby gets adequate nourishment from your body, especially in the early weeks.

Other hormones that can contribute to nausea during pregnancy are oestrogen, and stress hormones like cortisol. The deficiency of certain nutrients like vitamin B6, may be another cause of this condition.

The good news is that, pregnancy nausea does not harm the baby. Most mums start feeling better after their first trimester (around week 12-14). A few however, experience symptoms into the second trimester. An unfortunate few have nausea throughout their pregnancy.

Some mums experience an extreme form of pregnancy nausea called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), where they struggle to keep down even water. This condition can cause dehydration and loss of weight and leave you malnourished, so it’s best to seek medical attention immediately.

Relief from pregnancy nausea: Self-care tips

Mummies, suffering from nausea might seem like a rather bleak way of starting your pregnancy journey, but fret not. These simple lifestyle changes and self-care tips might help you in getting relief from pregnancy nausea:

Eat small, frequent meals

An empty stomach can make nausea worse, so make sure you have your meals early, and on time. It is also advisable to avoid large meals, which can make the tummy feel full, and opt for small, frequent meals instead.

Eat slowly and take your time to chew your food.

Choose foods properly

Avoid foods or smells that can make you sick. Also avoid oily, fatty and spicy food.

Choose food which is high in protein and carbohydrates, low in fat and easy to digest.  Bananas, rice, crackers, applesauce and toast are some good options.

Salty foods are also known to be helpful, and so are foods that contain ginger.

Drink plenty of water and fluids.

As with food, taking small sips of fluid throughout the day might prove helpful. Aim for 6-8 cups of non-caffeinated fluids daily. Avoid drinks that are too cold or sweet.

Avoid alcohol. It is bad for the baby and bad for morning sickness.

Get plenty of sleep and rest.

Tiredness can make nausea worse. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Even better if you can take short naps in between.

Avoid rushing and getting out of bed too quickly.

No stress

Stress can make your symptoms a lot worse. If you feel too stressed out, try to cut down on your workload. Take some time out to relax and de-stress every day. Meditation might help you relax and get rid of negative thoughts.

Don’t smoke, and stay away from second-hand smoke

Apart from increasing the chances of nausea, smoking during pregnancy affects you and your baby’s health before, during, and after your baby is born.

Smoking can cause premature birth and certain birth defects. It is also a risk factor of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The same holds true for mummies who are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy. They have an increased chance of having a stillbirth, a low birthweight baby, a baby with birth defects, and other complications of pregnancy.

Breathe fresh air

Make sure that your room is well-ventilated. Find time to take outdoor walks. Walking and being on the move is also good exercise that is great for blood circulation.

Try these natural remedies

Try having ginger drinks. You can boil fresh ginger slices to make ginger tea that is caffeine-free and safe to drink. Another refreshing beverage, especially if you don’t like the strong taste of ginger, is to drink ginger ale.

Suck on energy sweets or peppermints. They are also great at refreshing your mouth and getting rid of that sick feeling.
Partner Stories
Becoming a Parent For the First Time
Preparing for a Newborn? Don’t Forget to Shop For These 3 Items
Menjadi ibu bapa
What to Expect After A C-Section And Speed Up Scar Healing
Menjadi ibu bapa
How to Improve the Appearance of a C-Section Scar Quickly
Menjadi ibu bapa
Mums, Here's Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Many pregnant mums often crave for sour food, and maybe part of the reason is that sour food can reduce nausea. Aside from citric fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit and berries, you can also try eating preserved foods like pickles and jams.

Acupressure

Some mummies swear by alternative methods like acupressure.

There is a special acupressure point located on your wrist that can help alleviate nausea. Called the “inner gate,” it can be found around one and a half inches up your wrist. Locate the spot between the two bones, and press down hard on the nerve for at least two minutes.

You could also buy a “sea sickness band” from a pharmacy, and wear it on your wrist. It stimulates the same acupressure point that helps to reduce nausea.

Vitamin B6 might help

A little extra vitamin B6 has been shown to reduce morning sickness symptoms in some patients.

Scientists don’t know exactly why B6 has an effect on nausea, but it could be related to the way it breaks down amino acids and helps produce neurotransmitters. It also stimulates the production of red blood cells, which is very important for the health of the baby.

Eggs, meat, whole grains and nuts are some food rich in Vitamin B6. The vitamin can also be taken in supplement form.

Do note that high doses of Vitamin B6 are harmful to your baby. So don’t take more than 200 mg a day, and always consult a doctor before taking supplements during pregnancy.

Relief from pregnancy nausea: Medical treatment options

Mums, if the above self-help measures and lifestyle changes don’t help, and if the vomiting continues to be severe, you might want to consult your doctor for anti-sickness medication.

If you have hyperemesis gravidarum, you may need to be treated with intravenous (IV) fluids and anti-nausea medications in the hospital.

Do note that, moderate to severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can also cause dehydration and electrolyte (such as sodium or potassium) imbalance.

There are a number of prescription medications that are safe to take during pregnancy for nausea and vomiting. Avoid taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements during pregnancy, as these may have undesirable side-effects.

Your doctor can recommend a safe option for you based on the severity of your symptoms.

The doctor is most likely to recommend an anti-sickness medicine, called an antiemetic, that is safe to use in pregnancy. They might make you feel drowsy though (do check with your doctor on the side-effects).

Antiemetics are usually given out as tablets to be swallowed. But if you can’t keep them down, you might need  an injection or suppository to stop the vomiting.

Relief from pregnancy nausea: When to seek urgent medical attention

Mums, remember to seek medical attention immediately if you:

have very dark-coloured urine or have not had a pee in more than 8 hours

are unable to keep food or fluids down for 24 hours

feel severely weak, dizzy or faint when standing up

have tummy (abdominal) pain

have pain or blood when you pee

have lost weight

These can be signs of dehydration or a urine infection.

Also READ: KKH gynae charges all pregnant mums should know

(Source:
NHS
,
MayoClinic
)

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Melbourne, the One-Stop Destination for Events All Year-Round

As one of the most popular destinations for exhibitions, sporting events, art shows, musicals and more – head on over to Melbourne, Australia for a slew of your favourite fix of exciting and impressive events that will inspire, captivate and be the highlight of your visit.

Known for its world-class infrastructure and arts and culture scene, Melbourne does not disappoint being host to these spectacular events that add flair to the city and its regions. Be prepared to be mesmerised by these experiences, which makes Melbourne all the livelier.

& Juliet

(
26 February 2023 onwards)

This is Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, shaken, stirred and spectacularly remixed. The award-winning
& Juliet
 has debuted in Melbourne for its Australian premiere in February 2023 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre. What if the ending we all know so well, was just the beginning and Juliet chose her own fate?

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
 (24 March – 2 April 2023)

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2015

Melbourne is the undisputed culinary capital of Australia, with its food and wine scene defined by the pursuit of creativity, quality and imagination. The 2023 World’s Longest Lunch is headlined by Alla Wolf-Tasker, founder of Lake House in Daylesford, one of Australia’s pioneering luxury regional restaurants, while the new sibling event, World’s Longest Brunch, is all about Melbourne’s café and patisserie culture for 2023, led by Natalie Paull, owner and chef of Melbourne cult favourite Beatrix Bakes.

World’s Longest Lunch 2023
(24 March 2023)

World’s Longest Brunch 2023
(25 March 2023)

Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix

(30 March – 2 April 2023)

Be part of the excitement and experience the heart-pumping adrenaline that can only be found at Formula 1®. Explore the world-famous Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit and take in electrifying live performances and entertainment.

Alexander McQueen

(
until 16 April 2023)

Organised by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV),
Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse
 is the first major Australian exhibition to explore the work of this boundary-pushing fashion designer.

Showcasing more than 60 looks drawn from LACMA’s holdings of important works by McQueen, the Melbourne presentation also features more than 50 looks by McQueen from the NGV Collection, as well as key loans from designer Katy England’s personal archive, making this Australian-exclusive presentation especially rich and comprehensive.

Offering an unprecedented insight into the mind of this seminal designer, McQueen’s work is presented alongside more than 80 historical artworks including painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts and works on paper from the collections of LACMA and NGV, that reveal the myriad reference points that influenced his designs.

The juxtaposition of garments and artworks highlights McQueen’s creative process and capacity for storytelling, as well as offering audiences an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of his artistic legacy and the nature of inspiration.

Alexander McQueen
 features examples from some of the designer’s earliest and most acclaimed collections, including the poetic The Widows of Culloden (autumn-winter 2006–2007), which both take inspiration from McQueen’s ancestry and Scottish history. The exhibition also features commissioned headpieces by Los Angeles-based artist and designer Michael Schmidt, as well as garments originally owned by McQueen’s muses Isabella Blow and Annabelle Neilson.

RONE. Time

(
until 23 April 2023
)

Melbourne artist Rone reveals his most ambitious building takeover to date with the unveiling of
Time
, an extraordinary and transportive immersive installation comprising eleven transformed rooms across the hidden upper level and ballroom of Flinders Street Station.

Set in the long-abandoned third-floor wing of the station,
Time
 is a nostalgic love letter to mid-century Melbourne and a tribute to one of the city’s great icons. Created and developed across the past three years, this truly exceptional site-specific experience is Rone’s most ambitious project to date.

RISING Melbourne

(2-18 June 2023)

Melbourne’s flagship festival of eclectic arts and culture scene. Discover cutting-edge music and theatre from local and international talents, with immersive experiences set in iconic Melbourne venues in June 2023, kicking off with
Euphoria
, a film installation by Julian Rosefeldt.

Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi

(9 June – 8 October 2023)

The blockbuster Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® exhibition will feature more than 100 works by Pierre Bonnard, a leading 20th century French painter celebrated for his iridescent palette – presented within a contemporary scenography by award-winning architect and designer, India Mahdavi. The paintings of Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) depict intimate domestic interiors, natural landscapes and urban scenes with subtlety, wit and a sensuous approach to colour and light.

To create the exhibition’s scenography, the NGV has commissioned the celebrated Paris-based architect and designer India Mahdavi. Described by The New Yorker as a ‘virtuoso of colour’ and ‘possessor of perfect chromatic pitch’, and winner of Designer of the Year at the 2023 Wallpaper* Design Awards, Mahdavi will envelop Pierre Bonnard’s works in an environment that complements Bonnard’s distinct use of colour and texture, and evokes the wistful domestic intimacy for which his paintings are renowned.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

(20 July – 20 August 2023)

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ will take place from 20 July – 20 August 2023, with a total of 64 matches being held over 32 days in 10 iconic venues, including Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

(from August 2023)

The spectacular returns to Melbourne. After celebrating stellar reviews and a sold-out premiere season in Melbourne,
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
 will now return to the iconic Regent Theatre from August 2023. Melbourne audiences could not get enough of this spectacular production.

With an exhilarating line-up of events all-year round, there is always something refreshing for visitors to Melbourne catered to suit all traveller types.

For more details, log on to
www.visitmelbourne.com

Partner Stories
Drypers
Things To Consider When Picking A Diaper For Your Baby
Parenting
Mum Shares A Trick On How She Feeds Her Child Supplements And It Will BLOW Your Mind
Kanak-Kanak
Jangan Abaikan Tumbesaran Anak Yang Lebih Besar, Mereka Juga Perlukan Nutrisi Yang Cukup!
Penyusuan & Pemakanan
Apa Yang Anda Perlu Tahu Tentang Logam Berat Dalam Makanan Bayi: Ini Fakta
Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Dear Parents, These Are 7 Signs Your Kids Need More Child Discipline

Parents try their best to discipline their child when they misbehave, but sometimes everything can be a bit too much. So they make compromises and unnecessary rewards to make things easier. But kids need a good child discipline. We can’t just let everything go because we’re tired, or frustrated.

Child Discipline In Your Home

As a parent, you know you can’t let kids get used to making small demands. Left unchecked, these small demands get bigger and before you know it, you’ve already lost control. That is why kids need discipline.

“All parents want the best for their children and are concerned with fostering their
self-esteem
,” said parent educator Nancy Samalin. “But when children tune us out, refuse to do what we want, defy or ignore us, it is normal to become annoyed and frustrated.”

Samalin, author of
Loving Without Spoiling And 100 Other Timeless Tips for Raising Terrific Kids
, drives home her point in her next remark:
“Without meaning to, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of overindulging and not setting limits.”

To help parents figure out when kids need more discipline, Samalin warns parents of several signs to watch out for.

7 Signs Kids Need Child Discipline (or more of it)

1. Your child has a sense of entitlement

Balancing between making a loving home and a disciplined home is a struggle. Sure, parents want to take care of their children to the best of their abilities. Of course, they want to provide for their needs and wants.

But do it all the time and you set up children’s expectations. The problem is when they start to expect too much while forgetting to be grateful. They become entitled, first to you, then to everyone else.

What you can do:

Show and tell your your children that it isn’t about them, or you, or anyone. Things don’t revolve around them. When kids need discipline, it should be rational and factual.

Tell them to be grateful. As an exercise, you can help them write a list of things they are thankful for. You can also help them write thank-you notes to people they’re thankful for. Helping them develop a sense of appreciation and gratitude helps them realise they aren’t the center of the universe. The world is bigger than them.

Make them do work in the house and thank them afterwards. Doesn’t it feel good to be thanked?

2. Your child can’t take “no” for an answer

This is a pretty dangerous mindset for a child to adopt very early. Left unchecked, you’re setting up your child to become an abuser who won’t take “no” for an answer later in life.

What you can do:

Your kids should realize what no mean, so don’t settle for just “no” every time. Make them understand why you’re saying no and why it’s important. You can start course-correcting them by making them understand what the “no” entails.

3. Your child lacks compassion, empathy, and kindness

One of the most important things about being human is empathy and compassion. We are social beings, and we make each other better by reaching out and helping each other. When your child doesn’t have this sense of belonging and compassion, they lose the chance to make healthy long-term relationships.

What you can do:

“Whenever a child does something helpful, caring, cooperative, or shows improvement, let them know you’ve noticed and give words of appreciation,” Samalin said.

You can say, “Thanks, Joey, I like the way you helped Amy put away her toys.” Or “Jesse, I was impressed with the way you solved your homework problem.” A little positive acknowledgement goes a long way.

There are also a couple of ways you can teach kids how to be compassionate, like in this
Huffington Post’s list
.

Kids need discipline, but when do you know that what you’ve given is not enough?

4. Your child lacks conscience and guilt

Some children have an acute sense of guilt. Meanwhile, some others don’t. When kids don’t feel guilt, it’s an indicator of their refusal to take responsibility for their actions. They lack conscience and guilt because they think they’ve done nothing wrong. It’s a tricky problem since it’s mostly an internal problem. (And for some kids, a sign of a much more
difficult problem
.)

What you can do:

Teaching kids a
healthy dose of guilt
 is important. Show them the consequences of their actions on other people. Tell them how others feel and let them see another person’s point of view. However, you shouldn’t make them feel like there’s something wrong with them.

“Talk about your feelings,” Samalin said. “But do not attack your child or tell her all the things that are wrong with him or her.”

Better yet, enforce the consequences of their actions. If they don’t feel guilty, they should experience losing something in exchange for doing something wrong. It’s not about making them miserable but teaching them the difference between right and wrong and holding them accountable for their choices.

5. Your child doesn’t care about how other people feel

Your child not caring about other people or how they feel is a sign they’re selfish. They need to learn that everyone is just as important as they are.

What you can do:

Again, your child needs to see that not everything is about them.
Partner Stories
Ages & Stages
Discover the Signs and Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance in Children
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Achieve Better Lactation Results with Philips Avent Breast Pumps
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Breaking Norms: Should Breastfeeding Stimulation Only Be Done Naturally?
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
How to Raise Healthy & Happy Children, 5 Easy Tips All Parents Must Know

“When you are furious at your child, use ‘I,’ not ‘you’ phrases,” Samalin says. “It’s much better to say ‘I’m mad’ than, ‘You’re bad.’”

When your child does something that made you feel bad but he/she doesn’t care for it, you can say: “I get mad when you are late and haven’t called.” Or “I won’t be spoken to like that,”  “I am irate at the sight of this room,” or  “I’m leaving this room, so I can calm down.”

You can also teach them about charity. If you’re making a donation, take them along, so they can see what other people suffer from, and suggest ways they can help.

6. Your child blames others for their misdeeds

This is when they can’t take responsibility for their actions. This need to wash their hands of any responsibility for misdeeds can evolve into something malicious. They may start lying and manipulating people into getting out of trouble, and it may continue without you noticing it.

What you can do:

You don’t have to fight them and insist they take responsibility all the time. Actually, you can teach them about what sort of things they’re responsible or accountable for. You can accomplish this by making responsibility “tangible.”

“Write a note or make a sign for your child,” Samalin said. “Children always read your notes and may even write you back!”

Samalin gave the following example: “Dear Jo, just a reminder. Here is what has to be done before TV today. Clean clothes hung in closet. Dishes washed and dried. Dog fed and walked. [Thanks] for your help. Love, Mom.”

7. Your child is too demanding

Is your child too whiny about something they want? Are they so specific about it? And consistent? Well, your child could be demanding. And overly so.

What you can do:

“For kids who struggle with who’s in control, giving them the opportunity to make a choice helps them to feel some control — although not too much,” Samalin said.

So give them choices. Kids need discipline when it comes to their choices. Ask them if they prefer their eggs scrambled or sunny side up. Give them a choice between reading or playing during their free time. It’s important for the both of you two know who’s in control of the schedule and when things need to get down. Your child needs to know that everyone has needs, and everyone has a say about what they want or need.

Be there when your kids need child discipline

It’s understandable to give your kids what they need and what they want. But what they need to have psychologically is important as well. It’s not just about what they want at the moment, or what they need physically. You have to keep in mind what they need in the future to become well-adjusted adults, a child discipline.

When your kids need child discipline, it’s important that you show compassion as well, so you won’t go overboard. Discipline isn’t about
you
. It’s about teaching kids to become the best adults they can be later on in life.

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
 theAsianparent Malaysia website
.

Read more:

What is infant potty training and how do you do it?

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Celebrate International Chocolate Day with Irresistible Desserts from Pavilion KL

Rich, creamy, decadent and delicious – these are some of the words to describe chocolate, one of the greatest culinary inventions known to humankind! To celebrate this iconic treat, we’re counting down our favourite chocolate indulgences at Pavilion KL to celebrate International Chocolate Day (and potentially make your mouth water!).

Whether you prefer dark, white, milk, with or without nuts, these are our top chocolate picks you simply have to try!

Chocoholic’s dream!

dipndip’s pancake and caramel cheesecake bars

If you’re a certified chocolate lover but haven’t tried
dipndip
, you’re missing out! This chocolate specialty café is known for its range of chocolate desserts – from chocolate waffles, pancakes, crepes, to a good ol’ cup of hot chocolate. It is definitely a must-visit for all the chocoholics out there!

Located on Level 7 of Pavilion KL, dipndip chocolate café offers a stunning view of bustling Bukit Bintang while you enjoy your chocolate treats in the breezy outdoor seating area.

If you need some cool air conditioning while you indulge, dipndip also has an indoor dining space furnished with plush cushioned chairs and sofas, making it a cosy and relaxing spot for a romantic date or friendly gathering.

Location:
 dipndip, Level 7, Pavilion KL

Holy crepe!

Midnight Chocolate from Vanilla Mille Crepe

Do you love eating chocolate cakes so much that a single-layer just won’t do? Tantalise your taste buds with a chocolate mille crepe cake from
Vanille Mille Crepe
!

 The word ‘mille’ translates as ‘a thousand’ in French, implying the many layers that go into making a crepe cake.
Enjoy this incredible cake and find each layer filled with exquisite chocolate cream that will keep you coming back for more!

Location:
Vanille Mille Crepe, Level 6, Pavilion KL

It is ice cream o’clock!

Godiva’s sinfully delicious soft serve

Come along to
Godiva
 and swoon over the incredibly smooth and creamy soft-serve ice cream! Each serving is paired with a crisp waffle cone with its rim dipped in chocolate and praline almonds.

 Available in three sinfully delicious flavours—Vanilla White Chocolate Soft Serve, Twist Chocolate Soft Serve, and Dark Chocolate Soft Serve—these ice creams will definitely intensify your passion for chocolate.

Location:
Godiva, Level 2, Pavilion KL

Choco-mess

Quivo’s Oreo Chocolate Brownie Tower

If you’re looking for a dessert to top off a great meal, look no further than Mediterranean restaurant
Quivo!
 Their impressive Oreo Chocolate brownie tower is a definite must-try, featuring a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two layers of heavenly brownies – so glorious!

If you’re up for trying something different, go for the Melanzane Al Cioccolato, a chocolate-coated roasted eggplant (yes, you read that right!) with a chocolate sauce that creates a fudgy and moist chocolate cake! It’s absolutely worth trying for all chocolate aficionados out there.

Location:
Quivo, Level 3, Pavilion KL

It’s just like (chocolate) heaven

Harriston’s Signature Chocolate Fondue (left) and Ruby Chocolate Fondue (right)
Partner Stories
Parenting
10 Things Mummies Do To Have Calm And Happy Babies
Pertandingan & promosi
Tawaran Sah Hanya Pada 11.11 Sahaja! Beli Friso Gold & Bawa Pulang Hadiah Edisi Terhad & Peluang Untuk Memenangi Baucar Pelancongan ke Belanda!
#PendidikanKewangan
Adakah Anda Membuat Pelaburan Yang Tepat? 4 Bidang Pelaburan Yang Perlu Diketahui Sebagai Ibu Bapa
Perkembangan kanak-kanak
Mums, could you be giving your child too much without knowing it?

Have you ever had a dessert so good that you leave nothing behind? This is what happens when you eat at Harriston’s Chocolatier Signature Cafe, and try their Chocolate fondue!

 Filled with a colourful selection of dipping fruits and snacks and an edible chocolate bowl (yum!) filled with goodies like pretzels, strawberries, apricots, praline, macaroons, and mixed berries dipped in a choice of dark, milk or ruby chocolate dipping sauce. You’ll definitely polish this dessert off, no problem.

Location:
Harriston Chocolatier Cafe, Level 3, Pavilion KL

I knew you were truffle when you walked in

D’Empire’s  chocolate hazelnut truffle

Take your taste buds on a sweet chocolatey, yet truffly savoury excursion with
 D’Empire
’s  chocolate hazelnut truffle! The balanced combination of dark chocolate and truffle topped with rich vanilla ice cream is definitely drool-worthy! It is the perfect finish to a delectable steak dinner!

Location:
D’Empire, Level 6, Pavilion KL

Chocolatier extraordinaire

Maison’s Valrhona Chocolate Fondant

Like the best romantic entanglements, a good chocolate fondant is hot and intense, and totally swoon-worthy!
Maison
’s Valrhona Chocolate Fondant is a decadent melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece, crafted using Valrhona 70% chocolate for an intense chocolate flavour, paired with creamy Madagascar vanilla gelato and a tangy cherry compote to create the perfect dessert.

Location:
 Maison, Level 2, Pavilion KL

Le Chocolat!

(From left) Macaron Chocolate, Chocolate Craquant Cake and Eclaire Chocolate

Indulge in luxurious French desserts and chocolate at
PAUL.
 This French patisserie has perfected its desserts and pastries! Try their selection of delectable chocolate eclairs, scrumptious tartlets, gigantic macarons and sinful cakes – it’s every chocolate lover’s dream!

Location:
PAUL, Level 2, Pavilion KL & Ground Floor, Intermark Mall

For dining recommendations, shoppers can contact Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s VIP Dining Concierge at 03 2118-8835. Happy (chocolate) feasting!

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Are You Making The Right Investments? 4 Important Investment Areas For Parents

Don’t you wish there was an instruction manual for parenting? Daily child care is enough of a challenge, and then there’s the future to worry about!

How much do I need to save for my child’s college years? What are the best
investments
 for retirement? What will happen to them when I’m gone?

These are questions all parents ask, but there is no playbook, no step-by-step guide because everyone’s situation is a little different. In this article, we discuss some
investment
 tips to help alleviate your financial worries.

What Should I be Investing For?

It all begins with setting
investment
 goals. These are, of course, personal, and will vary from parent to parent. Only you can answer this question, but some common goals that parents often pursue include their child’s university fees, their retirement, what they plan to leave behind for their child, and for the general uncertainties of the future.

Investments can be done in a myriad of ways and different types of
investments
 serve different purposes. It all depends on your
investment
 needs and risk appetite. We look at how parents can use investments to save for some of the common goals in the following examples.

1. University fees

Saving for university tops the list of concerns among Asian parents, as we put a high value on education. Unfortunately, higher education also comes with a matching high price tag.

What can you invest in then? One example could be bonds.

Bonds are basically an IOU between you (the lender) and corporations or governments (the borrower). When you buy a bond and invest money into it, the borrower will pay you back the full invested sum on a certain date, called the maturity date.

Bond maturities can range from 1 to 10 years or longer. Buying a bond that has a maturity date that coincides with the future lump sum cash outlay required for your child’s university fees is one option for parents. Consider this as savings tucked away upfront for the future.

A bond also offers the additional benefits of paying a regular income at fixed intervals throughout the life of the bond. These regular payouts can help you pay for your other ongoing
financial
 commitments in the meantime.

2. Retirement

Many of today’s parents want to free their children from the large
financial
 burden of supporting them through their retirement. As such, more parents are looking at ensuring they have enough for their twilight years.

If this is you, you could look at investing in equities that pay dividends. Commonly referred to as “stocks” or “shares”, equities allow you to invest in a company by buying shares of that company in the stock market.

When we hear the word “stocks”, we might think of the necessity to buy and sell when the time is just right. And while you can trade stocks like that and profit from doing so, you would also need time, information, and an appetite for risk.

But often as parents, you might not have time to monitor stocks so closely. In this case, look at buying stocks for the long-term instead and focus on blue-chip stocks that typically pay out steady dividends. Blue chips refer to well established companies with stable earnings. Investing in blue-chip stocks is a strategy that could pay off in the long run and make for a happy retirement.

3. Legacy

What will you leave behind? Many parents want to leave their children with a legacy endowment to give them a headstart in life.

If you have the means, you could invest in real estate with the aim of leaving it behind for your loved ones. What’s more, this
investment
 can offer additional benefits. Just by having an additional property, you could:

Rent it out to provide you with additional income in the years that you don’t need to live in it.

Sell it later if the value of your property becomes favourable or if you need the money.

Put it to your own use later; as a starter home for when your child starts their own family, or as a more cost-efficient home when you become empty nesters. Your children can also inherit real estate when you pass away.

— and you don’t even have to physically own a property to get these diversification benefits.

You could instead choose to invest in a
Real Estate Investment Trust
 (REIT) — a real estate-specific fund — and take advantage of the real estate market without committing a large sum on a second home.

4. Life’s Uncertainties

Other than those large goals mentioned above, there are still many more reasons to invest. If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that life will throw us many unexpected difficulties — illness, a death in the family, job loss etc.

As parents, we want to protect our family from what we can’t foresee. Insurance products cater to some of these needs, but you can also build a nest egg through
investments
. And for those of you who are not familiar with
investment
 products, mutual funds can be a good option.

Mutual funds offer plenty of choices and are a good choice for new investors for the following reasons:

Affordable
: The required initial and subsequent outlays are often small, though they can also be as big as you want..

Flexible
: With mutual funds, your money doesn’t have to be tied up for long periods of time; you can opt out should the need arise (though there are fees to consider), which makes it ideal for use as a fund for unexpected events.

Managed With Expertise
: You don’t need encyclopedic knowledge about markets. Often, you can choose the amount of risk you’re comfortable with and then sit back and let the experts do their job.

Ultimately, there is no single investment that can answer all your
financial
 needs as a parent. Finding the right mix of
investments
 to cater to your family’s goals is the key.

There might not be an instruction manual for parenting or for what to invest in as parents, but
financial
 advisors and
various resources
 that are available can help you find the answers you are looking for. Do bear in mind though that all investments carry risk. No matter how “safe”, there is no such thing as a truly safe investment.

Want to know more about making
financial
 investments? Have an Eastpring Unit Trust Consultant get in touch with you to discuss your
investment
 objectives.

Ada isu keibubapaan yang buat anda risau? Jom baca artikel atau tanya dan dapat terus jawapan dalam app theAsianparent kami! Download
 theAsianparent Community
 di
iOS
 dan
Android
 sekarang!


'I was a stay-at-home dad, and it was awful. It was also the best thing I ever did'

The stay-at-home dad is a rare creature, rarely spotted in the wild. He is an icon to be emulated, and a dirty secret to be ashamed of. He’s a bit of a mystery. For starters, there are precious few of us stay-at-home dads (SAHDs let’s call them). And unlike our counterpart SAHMs and WAHMs, we don’t talk about the experience much. We don’t do brunch with other SAHDs, publish daddy blogs or hold seminars. And yet, over the years as a stay-at-home dad, I learned many things that need to be shared. You may disagree or not believe me. But you need to hear it.

I learned that male privilege at home exists, and it’s going strong even in this age of women empowerment and #metoo. As a SAHD, my eyes were opened to the fact that women are being kept down, excluded from the work force, and treated unfairly. I also learned how to put an infant to sleep, kiss boo-boos, and toilet train toddlers. And after five years of SAHD-ness, I’ve come to the conclusion that many dads are missing out on the very best part of life.

Image: © Vincent Sales

Lesson #1: Get ready to be judged

There is no faster way to end a conversation than by answering the question “What do you do?” with “I’m a stay-at-home dad.” You will be met with a chorus of crickets. “Oh…” they will say and pretend to be interested in their phone. A man who doesn’t bring home the bacon is not a man at all. He is someone to be ashamed of, a leprous dog.

Of course, everyone pretends to be happy about it. “You’re so good with the kids,” they might say, but behind their eyes, the question will be there. It’s always the 800-pound gorilla in the room.
How do you pay for the bills?
 Unfairly, they will assume there is some sort of trust fund from my father. For the record, there is no trust fund.

The real answer is, “It’s my wife, dummy!”

When I quit my job in 2012, my wife had two jobs and two nice little side businesses. Anyone who knows her knows she is a strong and capable woman. Bringing home the bacon was in good hands.

You lazy bum
, they will think next.
You worthless freeloader.

I believe in work, and I quit my job for a different kind of work. No, not taking care of the kids, though that is work too. I quit my job to write a book. My wife and I made this decision together. It may never make us wealthy, but I wanted my kids to know me as who I am: a writer, not some advertising schmuck who makes oh-so-clever campaigns for social media. And I wanted to see my kids more than just on weekends.

Did that answer your question? Good. Now judge away. It’s something we do regularly to mums. All. The. Time.

Is she a stay-at-home mum? Poor thing.

Does she work? She must be a horrible mum.

Another day at the office for a stay-at-home dad

Lesson #2: Male privilege at home

If you’re an alpha male sort of dude who thinks bringing home the bacon gives him license to demand a warm meal served by his sex minx of a wife when he arrives at his clean, spotless home, you’ve got another thing coming, buddy. Your “rough” day at work is nothing compared to what stay-at-home moms go through, and I experienced this first-hand.

A typical day may contain:

The little bastards waking up at the crack of dawn

Breakfast, which you prepare while uncaffeinnated

The little one willfully pouring his milk onto the table (you know, just because)

Homework cramming for the middle child (because everyone forgot about him last night)

Tantrum #2, 3, and 4 from the toddler while the big kids are at school

Guilt because tantrum #4 escalated and you shouted

Danger and excitement as the middle child ran across the street when you picked him up

Actual fisticuffs, and biting

Homework, meal planning, budgeting

Poop

How was your day, honey?

So don’t even start on how you need undisturbed rest, or how you have a big day tomorrow.

Many men believe that provider status exempts them from diaper duties or household chores. (And some wives enable this behaviour because their husbands “work so hard.”) This kind of male privilege at home is commonplace, rampant even.

But believe me, men, you’ve got it easy.
 I’ve been on both sides, and, sure, having a successful career isn’t easy, but there is no contest.

Consider the fact that to cope with motherhood, women’s brains actually undergo significant changes. It has been found that their
brains shrink (for the better) when they get pregnant
. And later on,
hormonal changes
 help them to cope with the massive changes that motherhood brings.

Lesson #3: There is no such thing as woman’s work

When I was a kid, the girls were taught to cook and bake and sew. Meanwhile the boys built things out of wood and metal. So in my early days as a stay-at-home dad I was at a distinct disadvantage. Once again, it was male privilege at work — men handing off the chores they didn’t want to do to women — and it was just stupid.

Eventually, I learned there are only two things I cannot do as a man: give birth to a child and breastfeed. For everything else, I took the same attitude I do with fixing my gaming PC:
everything is knowable. With the right tools and the right knowledge, I can do anything.

Martha Stewart has got nothing on me. I’ve learned how to cut up a whole chicken, and cook a few dishes. I masterminded our home decor. I’ve learned the full lyrics to
Princess Sofia
, and some
Trolls
 songs. My kids and I have engineered pillow forts, and constructed cardboard Iron Man armor.

Other men will say that they have no “maternal instincts,” that they can’t do the things their wife does. Men don’t have it in them, they say. I call BS. Last time I checked, I still had my dangly bits, and I figured it out. It never felt unnatural.
Have they ever tried?
Partner Stories
Parenting
Looking for Fun Family Bonding Activities? Why Not Combine the Power of Play and Creative Problem-Solving with LEGO bricks?
Parenting
Spend Wisely When Shopping For Your Baby
Parenting
5 Fun Ways to Teach Your Children About Giving Back During the Holiday Season
Parenting
Mum Shares A Trick On How She Feeds Her Child Supplements And It Will BLOW Your Mind

Lesson #4: The parenting trap

When I finished writing the book, it came time for me to go back to work. Inadvertently, I found myself in the same position that many mums find themselves in.

After five years of being a SAHD, I had basically torpedoed my career. My professional network was gone; we had all moved on to other things. Many of my skills were outdated. A headhunter, after some initial enthusiasm, saw a five-year gap in my work experience and ran for the hills.

Meanwhile, I had grown incompatible with corporate culture. I needed to be home early to have dinner with the kids. I needed flexibility for parent-teacher meetings. And I didn’t want to give up my SAHD life.

I used to think our society was equal and forward-thinking. I turned a blind eye to my female co-workers disappearing after they got married or gave birth. And I didn’t realise that they didn’t come back — if they wanted to — because they couldn’t. We wouldn’t let them.

A simple example:
Maternity leave in Singapore
 is 12 or 16 weeks. That means you have just three or four months to return to work and basically pretend your three- to four-month old baby doesn’t exist while you’re there. Or you can give up your career and become a SAHM. It’s a tough decision to make. And it’s not fair. We can do better, humans.

Lesson #5: Dads belong at home too

A stay-at-home dad is seen as a sad thing in worn out shorts and a wifebeater. But nothing is farther from the truth.

First off, kids need their dad. Recently, research has begun to show that
children benefit from a father who plays an active role in raising them
. “Engaged fathers” have a positive impact on the development of  — surprise! —infants and toddlers. And they play a uniquely significant role with their teenage daughters, preventing “early and unrestricted sexual behaviour.”

It’s not just about the kids either. When you’re a SAHD, your wife is free to be a more fully-realized person. My wife likes to work. There was never a question of whether I would “let her” work. She was always going to. That’s the woman I married. She’s a mother, yes, but she is also so much more. I like to think I contributed to some of that by being a SAHD.

Macho men like to be in charge. What, I ask you, is more macho than being in charge of your children’s well-being? Or being the champion of your wife’s aspirations? It’s okay, I’ll wait for your answer.

When you’re a SAHD, you will be a more fully-realized person too. It’s not easy, or glamorous, not even remotely cool. But I live for it. I didn’t have children just to have them raised by nannies. I wanted the whole experience. And you know what? Yes, work and human endeavour are important. But fatherhood is the best part of life. Let’s not pretend otherwise.

The times are changing

These days, more fathers are taking an active role in raising their kids, and it warms my heart.This generation’s fathers are far more hands-on and engaged than previous generations. And who knows? Maybe male privilege at home is coming to an end.

Of course, bills have to be paid, and bacon has to be brought home. The house has to be cleaned and the kids have to be watered and fed. But why do we delineate these roles according to sex? Thankfully, in these modern times, couples have many ways to find solutions to answering all of their family’s needs — for starters, try telecommuting, having multiple revenue streams, or entrepreneurship.

At the end of the day, if you find yourself with the option of being a stay-at-home dad or a work-from-home dad, you should consider yourself lucky.

I trace the beginning of my life as a SAHD to when my first son was a day old. He was struggling to maintain his temperature and needed kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact). My wife was out of it at the time and couldn’t. (Years later, we figured out she was going through postpartum depression.) So instead of forcing her to do it, or asking someone else to do it, I tore off my shirt and held my son to my ripped chest and chiseled abs.

We sat there for I don’t know how long, just touching. He slept, as newborns do. I listened to his breathing as my own chest rose and fell.

“Papa’s here,” I told him. And I’ve been here ever since.

ALSO READ:
When dads stay at home

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


"I caught my husband cheating on me... with our maid!"

“When my husband and I first hired *Maria as our helper, we thought that we had picked the best person for our children, and for our home.

Our 3 kids were super attached to her, and our not-so-friendly dog was warmed up to her too.

She was a great helper- patient, meticulous and hardworking. I never had to reprimand her or teach her things a second time. We even passed her a spare iPhone because we trusted and loved her like one of our own.

Looking back now, I should have known something was up the day I was in desperate need for a massage, and asked my husband to rub my back and shoulders.

He told me that Maria gave the best massages, and I asked him how he knew. I shrugged it off when he said that she had told him about it. I know I sound stupid for saying this but I trusted her and didn’t think that she could ever try to seduce my husband of 17 years (who was 20 years her senior).

After a year working with us, I noticed she started soaking herself in perfume even when she was at home, doing her chores. And it usually only happened in the evenings (the time he would come home from work). They hardly spoke, but I would catch her secretly looking at him, and entering the kitchen to ‘clean up’ whenever he went in to get something.

I asked my husband if he had observed her unusual behaviour, but he brushed it off, telling me that I was looking too much into it. We didn’t have much sex that year either, but I dismissed it as him being stressed at work (he had just gotten a promotion, and had his hip practically attached to his laptop).

One night, when he stepped into the shower, I did something that I told myself I’d never do – I checked his phone. It was just this instinctive feeling in the pit of my stomach that made me do it. And I thank God for giving me that moment of doubt. This was a life-changing moment for me.

At first, everything looked fine. His messages were from his colleagues, friends, boss and me. Though I felt relieved, there was still a lingering feeling of uneasiness. I took a deep breath and opened his photo gallery… and my jaw dropped!

To my horror, there were hundreds (and I am not exaggerating) of photos of Maria in lingerie, posing suggestively. MY LINGERIE! As I scrolled through the photos, it felt like multiple stabs to my heart. Telling myself to hold it all together, I reached out for my phone and snapped a few of these pictures as evidence (in case he were to delete them).

Filled with rage (the hurt had not set in yet), I stormed out of my room and barged into Maria’s room to confront her with my husband’s phone. She denied it at first, but was left speechless when I showed her the photos. She kept apologising but I didn’t want apologies, I wanted to erase it all from my mind! I wanted her out of my house, away from my kids and I wanted the same from him too.

My husband soon came in and asked why I was yelling. I told him to get out of the house because I never wanted to see him again. Seeing his phone in my hand, he figured what had transpired, and told me to move into our room so we could talk.

I composed myself and started spewing out the endless stream of questions I wanted answered.

How long had this been going on for? How did they hook up? Where did they have sex? Were the kids aware of this? Did he use protection? Why did he not think of me and our kids?

He admitted to it (of course he had to), giving the lamest excuse in the books. Due to my late nights at work, he took comfort in *Maria because she would stay up late to listen to him, and comfort him whenever he had a rotten day at work.

He blamed me for not sexually satisfying him. To add more salt to my wounded heart, he had the nerve to tell me that she was willing to satisfy him whenever he wanted, in whatever way he wanted. How sick of a man and father could he be?

I was hurt, needless to say. I felt betrayed and humiliated. How could the man that I loved for the past 17 years say this? I couldn’t recognise him anymore. How did he turn into this dirty little monster? I told him I wanted a divorce, and to my surprise, he said he had been thinking about it for the past few months himself.

I packed my stuff and told our kids that we would be heading to their grandma’s place to stay for the night. I was not ready to explain the details, nor did I want them to hate their father. This was between him and me. I simply told them that grandma was missing them, and we should visit.

When we got there, I told my mum everything. I cried like I had never cried before. She was supportive and gave me the best advice.

“Do what is right for you and the kids. This is not the time to think about him. He did what he wanted to, and never thought about what his actions would do to his loving family. He broke you. And your home. So now you have to pick yourself up and fix it.”

I focused on those precious words and got a hold of myself- for my children. They needed their mother, strong and functional. They didn’t deserve this.

A week later, I informed them of my decision to divorce (they were 10, 12 and 16 at that time), but I never told them the real reason. I said that mummy and daddy had differences that we could not solve decided that
g
oing our separate ways
 was best.

At first, they questioned if we could just try and be a family, but soon asked nothing more when I told them that I would tell them the details when they got older.
Partner Stories
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
#StayHome And Have Fun With The Friso® Gold x Lazada 11.11 Moo-Possible Campaign
Education
Through The Lens of Star Students
Gaya Hidup
Ibu-Ibu Wajib Baca! Ini 5 Kebaikan Minuman Coklat Yang Anda Mungkin Tidak Tahu!
Keibubapaan
Resilience: How Your Parenting Style Can Help Nurture Your Child’s Resilience

*************************************

It’s been 4 years since my now ex-husband shattered all our dreams. Our plans to build a family, to travel the world, to give our kids everything they asked for. But I have no regrets. Zilch. Because I know had I stayed, I would have been leading an insecure life, even if I had forgiven him for that one incident.

*Maria left our home that night itself. I sent her back to the agency, and all I got was an apology with the reason that she was lonely and he was “a kind-hearted man”. My husband begged me to stay, tried to get my parents to convince me to take him back, but after digging up even more from our mutual friends, I found out that *Maria was not the only one he was intimate with.

My kids now know what happened that night that led to the divorce. They live with me and my parents, and see their father on the weekends. I choose not to restrict their time with him as I feel that they’re old enough to make their own decisions. I am not seeing anyone at the moment, and I’m not sure if I ever will. But I do know that my kids are all that I need in my life now.

I continue working hard to support my family, and we are doing great without him. We make it a point to spend dinner time together, sharing stories of our day, and we do normal things that normal families do. We are each other’s pillars and nothing can break the bond I have with my children.

To the women who have been through a similar horrific incident in their lives, moving on was the best thing you did – for you and for your kids. Good riddance, I say!”

*All names in this story have been changed to protect the identity of those involved

Read more:

"I had an abortion without telling my husband"

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Hugging and kissing your baby can make him smarter: Study

If you love holding your baby endlessly, here is more reason you should continue. It’s the doctor’s orders after all!

A
study
 from The University of British Columbia proves that the constant contact between infants and their caregivers can affect them on a molecular level.

When you hold your baby for a long time, you are actually changing their DNA. Yes, you read that right!

The study reveals that babies with less physical contact can end up distressed. In fact, lack of touch changes their molecular profile. And as a result, they remain biologically underdeveloped.

Holding your baby: Scientists say do it!

To work on this data, scientists studied 94 babies for four years.

Parents in the study were instructed to keep a journal about their baby’s behaviour. They noted their baby’s eating habits, sleeping patterns and even their crying. They also revealed exactly how often they physically consoled their baby.

After four years, the scientists checked the babies’ DNAs by swabbing their cheeks. This helped them examine “a biochemical modification called DNA methylation.” These are molecules that keep a track of maturation of active genes.

As expected, the results were astounding!

Yes! Holding your baby can help them grow faster

Kids who received less physical contact by their parents had a lower “epigenetic age.” This means that their molecular maturation was slow. The team also found that babies who were not held that often faced negative health implications at a cellular level.

Sarah Moore, lead author and a postdoctoral fellow on the case explained, “If further research confirms this initial finding, it will underscore the importance of providing physical contact, especially for distressed infants.”

This study published in the November issue of
Development and Psychopathology
, has come as a sweet reminder that holding your baby has more benefits that you think.

Although there are
studies
 that have proved that human touch can help babies grow and develop faster, this is the first to prove it on a molecular level. Naturally, this is great news for parents who love to cuddle and hold their babies.

But just in case you needed a reminder, here’s why hugging your child is the best gift you can give him.

5 scientific reasons you should hug your babies more often

In case you needed more scientific evidence to hug your babies, these are for you!

Touch makes them smarter.
 A recent
study
 by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, US, proves that babies who receive physical touch show “stronger brain response.”

Hugging helps them grow.
 A
study
 by the University of California proves that hugs release the hormones oxytocin. This hormone in turn pushes several other growth hormones such as insulin growth factor-I (IGF-1) and nerve growth factor (NGF).

It keeps them healthy.
 A 2013
study
 reveals that hugs make babies stronger. The oxytocin released by hugs lowers plasma levels of thyroid hormones as well as the level of cortisol.

Cuddling stops temper tantrums
: Hugs can also help you
control temper tantrums
 because they are emotional outbursts that kids cannot regulate. So hugging a child when he is throwing a tantrum releases oxytocin, reduces stress and calms him.

It makes them more resilient.
 A
study
 reveals that when a child is exposed to excessive stress, it can compromise his immune system and lower his memory power. So hugging your kids keeps their emotions elevated. That in turn helps them regulate their brains and makes them more resilient.

Incidentally, this research has not come as a shock to us parents. After all, we love cuddling our babies. We can always use one more reason to keep the hugs coming. So snuggle up!
Partner Stories
Baby
Premature Babies: What You Should Look Out for and What to Do?
Baby
What Is the New Standard of Gentle?

News source:
The University of British Columbia
,
Science Daily

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


5 Educational Kid’s Nursery Rhymes to Teach Your Children

What’s a fun way to teach your young children about animals, numbers and even about compassion? You’d need to find an easy-to-digest way of teaching that can be remembered and understood by the little ones. Even if they aren’t able to fully understand it yet, they’ll at least be able to remember it by heart. This is where children’s nursery rhymes come into the picture. And so here we’ve hand-picked five nursery rhyme songs that both you and your children will love.

1. Old Macdonald

“Old Macdonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O”. This classic nursery song has been sung countless times and is a beloved children’s song. Through the easy to follow lyrics, children are taught all about animals and the sounds they make. Additionally, this song allows the children to recognise and match specific animal sounds to their counterparts in a fun and singsongy manner.

2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, once I caught a fish alive”. If the previous song helped children learn about onomatopoeic sounds such as ‘moo’ and ‘woof’, this nursery rhyme song teaches children about numbers. Specifically, counting the numbers 1 to 10. Besides that, it can also help children to differentiate between left and right.

3. Hickory Dickory Dock

“Hickory dickory dock. The mouse went up the clock. The clock struck one. The mouse went down. Hickory dickory dock”. Quite similar to the previous song rhyme, this kid’s song aims to teach children about numbers with specific focus placed upon counting time. To make this song even more fun, each time an animal climbs up the clock, express their sound.

4. Baa Baa Black Sheep

“Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!”. Care to take a guess what this popular children’s song is all about? You guessed it; it’s about the joy of sharing for in the nursery song the sheep gives away all three bags of its wool. This song is perfect for introducing your children to the concept of being kind and compassionate towards others.
Partner Stories
Child
Sick Children Can Be A Handful, But Not With These Tips!
Child
Parents, Be in the Know With RSV Knowledge To Protect Your Babies
Child
Parents, Here’s How You Can Help Your Children with Asthma!
Ages & Stages
5 Ways to Help Boost Your Child’s Learning Potential

5. Itsy Bitsy Spider

“The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the water spout”. Out of the five nursery rhyme songs we’ve listed down, this is the shortest and simplest of all. What it teaches the children however is by no means a simple concept for them. Even for some adults this concept proves to be challenging. If you haven’t guessed it yet it’s the concept of persevering and never giving up towards a goal.

There you have it, our five chosen nursery rhymes, nursery songs or whatever you want to call them that aren’t just enjoyable to learn and sing along to but are also packed full with useful information and knowledge for the wee ones. Want to know what else is beneficial for children? A custom-made gift item from Printcious’ range of
personalised gifts for children
. Check it out today!

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious
.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


How to Help Your Child to Stop Bedwetting

Bedwetting, also known as secondary enuresis, is considered normal in children under the age of 5. However, by the age of 5 or 6, bedwetting is something they should have outgrown – and if they haven’t, it should be treated seriously.

It is more common in boys as compared to girls up to the age of 12, but as they grow up, they will be more likely to become dry at night.

So, what went wrong?

Credit: Freepik

Perhaps you would think that child should be blamed for bedwetting- maybe they are just lazy or timid to go to toilet at night.

Well, before you jump into such conclusion, there are actually more possibilities that you should consider:

1.  Overactive bladder

2.  Constipation

3.  Repeated awakenings

Repeated awakenings, however brief they can be, will disrupt the hormone vasopressin,  which is responsible to slow down the production of urine at night. The lack of vasopressin will cause kidneys to keep making urine during sleep.

4.  Genetic predisposition

It is found that there can be 40% chance the child will wet the bed and if two parents wet the bed there is a 75% chance the child will also wet the bed.

5.  Psychological factors

Credit: Freepik

More often than not, bedwetting is a cry for help that the child uses to achieve a certain goal or to maintain his psychological balance. It can happen when the child, who used to be the center of attention, suddenly lost this attention because of his new born brother.

Another psychological cause could be that the child wants to achieve a sense of superiority over the family. Through bedwetting, the child is unconsciously sending a message to his family that he still needs attention because he is not that old yet.

Stress from-divorce, sickness, abuse, neglect, or alcoholism-will cause the bedwetting. In this case, bedwetting is just an unconscious signal that home is not a safe place anymore. On top of that, when children try out new responsibilities or experience role transitions, such as entering school for the first time, life can be both unnerving and stressful to children, leading to bedwetting.

Besides bedwetting can also be a psychological response to trauma such as natural disaster, war, or even death in family.

What can I do?

Credit: Asia One

Bedwetting, if left unhandled, can pose rather serious effects on children. Feelings of social exclusion. Feelings of being different from others. Children may bottle up these feelings, without letting them to be known- unless they feel it is safe to share.

As parents, we should never underestimate children’s feeling about bedwetting, blame them for their bedwetting, or even feel unsure about how to help their child. Some of the ways that we can help them are:

a.  Bladder Training

Teach your child to control urinating during the day by postponing it, by gradually increasing the amount of time, to strengthen his bladder. However, before asking your child to practice retention control, you should always check with a doctor first.
Partner Stories
Child
Sick Children Can Be A Handful, But Not With These Tips!
Child
Parents, Be in the Know With RSV Knowledge To Protect Your Babies
Baby
Premature Babies: What You Should Look Out for and What to Do?
Child
Parents, Here’s How You Can Help Your Children with Asthma!

b. Night-lifting

Wake your child periodically throughout the night, walk your child to the bathroom to urinate, and then returning your child to bed. This helps to teach your child to make the habit of getting awake and empty his bladder during the night.

c.  Reward system

Child loves reward. So, give you child a star, a prize or an outing if he manages to achieve longer periods of dryness. And this motivational therapy proves to be effective for younger children.

d.  Limit caffeine and drinks before bed.

e.  Be honest with your child

Credit: Pexels

Punishment, criticizing, or teasing will only backfire. These will only make your child tense and anxious. Therefore, tell him honestly about what’s going on. Your child may be dismay about what to do with bedwetting because it’s the last thing he will ever do.

You can tell him that this may happen to a lot of his peers, though they never share it. Always reassure him that everything will turn out fine for him eventually.

f.  Start open communication with your child

Listen attentively to your child’s worries. Allow him to express his feelings and ask questions as well so that you can reassure him about any specific concerns he may have. However, don’t force him if he doesn’t want you to discuss his bedwetting issue with anyone else-except with your doctor. Respect his privacy so that he will slowly open up his heart to share with you his concerns.

Conclusion

Most of us will inevitably be tempted to think that bedwetting is something to be ashamed of. However, we always need to bear in mind that it’s part and parcel of growth. It may or may not have happened to us. So, just accept it with an open mind.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
 theAsianparent Malaysia website
.

Read more:

What is infant potty training and how do you do it?

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


Yoga Postures To Help You Calm Down

Stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression can occur to us at any time. It is very natural to happen when we are unable to cope with current events in our lives. Stress is a body’s response to the fight-or-flight mechanism when we are facing danger and as a result we release several hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

The release of these hormones will cause sweating, increasing blood pressure, and alertness. However, too frequent stress will lead to chronic psychological and physical illnesses. It is very important to be able to manage it and stay calm.

Exercise is one of the best tools for stress management. But exercise can be a bit hard for some people. Nevertheless, yoga offers convenience yet regulates a better blood flow to the organs and balances the hormone and maintains positivity in individuals. Yoga may also help in muscle strains and tensions, increasing alertness and concentration. This is why yoga is a very popular exercise that promotes calmness and relaxation to its practitioner. Moreover, yoga is also a tool in many psychotherapy treatments.

Yoga postures that you can easily do anywhere

Many studies have proven the benefits of yoga. An academic review published in 2012 summarised that by adapting yoga, it could help with mental health such as depression, anxiety, fatigue and stress while promoting physical fitness.

Yoga included asanas (exercise), pranayama (breathing techniques), relaxation and meditation techniques. There are varieties of yoga poses that you can easily do anywhere be it at your home or at your workplace. These are a few poses that you can try especially if you are a beginner:

1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

“Tada” means mountain. This pose requires the practitioner to stand steadily like a mountain. Yoga practitioners often start their practices with this pose. This pose plays a lot with muscles and may promote focus and improve posture.

Here the basic steps how to do it:

Stand on your feet, bring your toes closer but heels slightly apart. While gently breathing in, lift your toes and balance your weight on the heels. Then, while your heels bearing your weight, stretch upwards your chest, shoulders and arms.  Straight up your spine and your tailbone. Stay at this position for a few seconds and feel the stretch. Exhale gently.

2. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)

Vrikshasana gives the effect of grounding. This pose helps to improve balance and strength while imitating the posture of a tree. To start, position your right foot on your left thigh, while keeping your balance. Inhale while raising your hands upwards bringing your palm together. Keep your back straight and breathe in deeply. Exhale while slowly bringing down your arms and put your right foot on the floor. Redo this pose with your left leg.

3. Balasana (Child Pose)

Balasana or child’s pose is a kneeling pose which practices the sense of let go and surrender. This resting posture helps to stretch the spine and reduces the neck and  lower back pain. This pose is promoting a better blood flow to the internal organs.

Here’s how to do it:

This practice is the best if you could close your eyes and feel the stretch. In a kneeling position, sit on your heels. Place your head on the yoga mat and bring your hands to your side. Or, you could also stretch both of your hands forward. Breath gently while pressing your chest to your thighs. You can stay in this position for 1-3 minutes.

4. Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

The easy pose or sukhasana is a comfortable position that gives a centering effect. It allows meditation to help us connect with the spiritual side. Here’s how to start: Sit comfortably on your yoga mat, cross your legs with both legs tucked inside each other, and straight-up your spine. Inhale and exhale gently but deeply for 1-2 minutes to promote relaxation.

A few minutes of yoga is all that it takes

Stress, depression and anxiety could cost us our sanity and health. A few minutes of yoga can be the solution to this. An exercise like yoga not only stretches your back and strains your muscles, but it also promotes healthy blood circulation. As a result, it improves overall health and drives calmness and positivity in you. Hence, a better mental and physical health.

References:

Bussing, A. et.al. (2012). Effects of yoga on mental and physical health: A short summary of reviews. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012.
 https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/165410

Photo credit from freepik:

Partner Stories
Child
Sick Children Can Be A Handful, But Not With These Tips!
Child
Parents, Be in the Know With RSV Knowledge To Protect Your Babies
Uncategorized
Children Are Suffering From Diarrhoea: Here’s What You Can Do To Help Protect Your Child
Health
Do Not Take the Rotavirus Disease Lightly!

Easy pose:
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-woman-doing-sukhasana-exercise-side-view_3955325.htm#page=1&query=easy
 pose yoga&position=5

Child pose:
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/full-length-young-woman-sitting-child-pose-yoga-mat_7167875.htm#page=1&query=child
 pose yoga&position=30

Tree pose:
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/focused-woman-practicing-yoga-tree-pose_5275512.htm#page=1&query=tree
 pose yoga&position=21

Mountain pose:
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-yogi-attractive-woman-mountain-pose-white-loft-backgro_1282074.htm#page=2&query=mountain
 pose yoga&position=26

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!


31 Powerful baby girl names inspired by famous world leaders

It’s important in today’s world that your daughter understands the strength of a woman. Women are more encouraged to embrace their femininity than any other time in history, and as a result women are achieving amazing goals and feats.

Give your daughter a powerful, influential name that embraces the strength of a woman!

Your daughter will be a proud part of the wave of powerful, successful women. So, if you’re expecting a baby girl, why not give her a name that helps embrace her strong will and demands respect?

The names on this list are inspired by famous, and powerful female world leaders. Check out the collection of these commanding names for baby girls, and let us know your favourites:
Partner Stories
Breastfeeding & Nutrition
Why Parents Should Focus So Much On Early Growth In Their Kids
Kesihatan
Anak-Anak Menderita Kerana Ciri Birit: Guna Cara Ini Untuk Melindungi Si Manja
Kanak-Kanak
Mencari Aktiviti Keluarga Yang Seronok? Apa Kata Gabungkan Kuasa Bermain & Penyelesaian Masalah Kreatif Dengan LEGO?
Health
Why Is Childhood Immunisation Important?

Agatha
 Barbara: Former President of Malta

Alenka
 Bratusek: Prime Minister of Slovenia

Angela
 Merkel: Chancellor of Germany

Atifete
 Jahjaga: President of Kosovo

Beatrix
: Former Queen of the Netherlands

Cristina
 Fernandez de Kirchner: President of Argentina

Dalia
 Grybauskaite: President of Lithuania

Dilma
 Rousseff: President of Brazil

Doris
 Leuthard: Former President of the Swiss Federation

Elizabeth
 II: Queen of the United Kingdom

Ellen
 Johnson Sirleaf: President of Liberia

Helle
 Thorning-Schmidt: Prime Minister of Denmark

Isabel
 Perón: Former President of Argentina

Iveta
 Radicová: Former Prime Minister of Slovakia

Jóhanna
 Sigurdardóttir: Former Prime Minister of Iceland

Joyce
 Banda: President of Malawi

Julia
 Gillard: Former Prime Minister of Australia

Kamla
 Persad-Bissessar: Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago

Louise
 Lake-Tack: Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda

Margaret
 Thatcher: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Mary
 Robinson: Former President of Ireland

Margrethe
 II: Queen of Denmark

Park
 Geun-hye: President of South Korea

Pearlette
 Louisy: Governor-General of Saint Lucia

Portia
 Simpson Miller: Prime Minister of Jamaica

Quentin
 Bryce: Governor-General of Australia

Sheikh
Hasina
 Wajed: Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Sibel
 Siber:  Prime Minister of North Cyprus

Vaira
 Vike-Freiberga: Former President of Latvia

Violeta
 de Chamorro: Former President of Nicaragua

Yingluck
 Shinawatra: Prime Minister of Thailand

This list was originally posted by
She Knows

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download
 theAsianparent Community
 on
iOS
 or
Android
 now!