Maternalink

The new Indian parent: Laadla beta always comes first

While Americans worry about their children being too spoiled, we Indians can think of no greater life achievement than to raise a laadla beta of whom we expect nothing -- except to come first class first.

Baby Falak and sex education: The missing link

Two year old Falak, bruised and burned, is an unwanted child. Our children desperately need sex education so they don't end up facing those kinds of terrible situations. But who's listening?

Should we stop calling our daughters pretty?

How often do you call little girls "pretty"? It's pretty natural. But is it just driving home the wrong message in a country which already ranks number five in the list of nations demanding plastic surgery?

Say it loud, say it proud: I am not a Tiger Mom

Amy Chua's label has now become a badge of honour for upper middle-class, over-educated parents intent on raising super-achieving kids. It's no more than an excuse to cling to an outdated, narrow definition excuse.

Save the family ritual, each family needs one

It doesn't have to be complicated or educational or improve your IQ. But every family needs a family ritual. Kavitha Rao discovered hers in an old-fashioned board game. What's your family ritual?

Does your child really need that iPhone?

Everyone complains their children are getting more and more materialistic. But your kids don't want iPhones and designer jeans just because they see ads. They want them because they see you.

Baby Bores: Four types of super-moms that drive everyone mad

Little Ria walked for the first time today. Little Aaryan did potty in the potty. Be it on Facebook or over dinner, these women just can't stop talking about their spawn. Kavitha Rao offers a handy guide to boring super-moms.

Overworked granny: The working woman's unpaid nanny

The rise of women in the workplace has been enabled not by society, company policy or even the "new" Indian husband. It has been subsidized instead by an overworked, exhausted but dutiful grandmother.

The toxic cult of the good mother

In the land of Bharat Mata, we are fanatically devoted to the image of the ever-smiling mommy martyr. God forbid we should acknowledge that parenting can be hard, exhausting, or even just plain boring.

No kids allowed: Is India ready for child-free zones?

Kid-free zones are the last thing you'd expect in India where everyone is expected to worship at the temple of the child. But one mother says it might not be such a bad idea. Unless it's carried too far.