Coming Soon – Happy’s Hairy Tale – The Corona Cut

I am delighted to share a little about my upcoming children’s ebook – Happy’s Hairy Tale – The Corona Cut.

This funny dog book encourages children to accept change and find good things in new situations. The book will help kids connect to the current world scenario and help them realize – change brings opportunity! It is an inspiring and funny bedtime read for kids between 5 – 10 years old.

Blurb – Happy, the dog, loves his fancy hairstyle and hates any kind of change in life. But then, Coronavirus happens, and life changes in many ways. Happy’s favorite dog parlor closes due to the pandemic lockdown, making him anxious about his locks.

Worse still, Dad suddenly decides to cut his hair at home! Happy thinks the experiment will fail and he resists the change. What will happen to Happy’s amazing hair? Will his friends laugh at his Corona Cut? This delightful tale is all about adapting to the ‘new normal’.

I am sure it will inspire and entertain the little readers. My kids are excited about the book since it is based on Happy, our dog. I hope to release it soon on my Amazon Author Central Page. I will need your support and best wishes.

Distance Learning vs Hybrid Model – What to choose?

As the new school session starts in the U.S. this Fall, my kids’ school district has opted for Hybrid learning model. Hybrid or blended learning integrates two days of in person classes with online education for rest of the school days.

There is a second option also for parents to proactively opt for full time digital or distance learning. Now, this is a difficult choice to make.

Messages are circulating on WhatsApp groups regarding what to choose.

I am writing this post to point out the facts so that it becomes easier for parents to choose whatever works for them. Every household is different and everyone has many things to consider before coming to a decision.

Pros and cons of distance learning:

• safety from the pandemic

• flexibility in studies

• more involvement from parents

• less peer pressure

Cons:

• too much screen time and less social interaction

no teacher present to supervise

self motivation to study which small kids lack

extra supervisory work for parents who would need to balance work, the household and child education

Pros and cons of hybrid learning:

• social interaction and activities

• quality education

• best of both the worlds – in person and online

• asynchronous learning and improved technology skills

Cons:

• fear for safety due to the pandemic during in person days

brand new learning model (may face logistical challenges in implementation)

confusing for parents, students and instructors (the district is dealing with a lot of questions as to how the model would be implemented)

big and steep learning curve for all

So, there you go parents! This to-the-point listing might help you in making your choice between the two models of learning for your child.

Go for whatever works for you and your family. All the best and take care.

(Image courtesy Google)

Small Things#11 – Magic in our neighborhood!

This Summer not only flowers but magic blossomed in our neighborhood.

Driveways got filled with chalk art and innocent secrets were shared. Every beetle was observed and ants ran for cover as little scientists scaled the grounds. Stories happened and games got invented! There were nasty fights, cuts and falls but all was forgotten.

There were songs sung in chorus and amazing dance moves! There were dirty hands, feet as well, and soaked muddy shoes. Round eyes laughed and ruddy cheeks sparkled as they got engaged in charming chatter.

I saw stars in their wild hair and music in the shrieks. Imaginary characters came to life and so much was make belief.

Yes, I saw it all from my brown chair…experiencing it all like lines of an old prayer.

Many many years back, I was a part of the magic… now, sadly, just an observer!

Small Things # 7 – Positive Reinforcement

I was pleasantly surprised to notice this paper in my son’s folder. See how the class teacher (Mrs Abrahamson, First Grade) has circled the best ‘S’ in the handwriting page instead of pointing out at not so good ones. What a small yet enormously effective way to reaffirm positive behavior! And what we do is the other way round – find faults and punish. Simply loved this and learnt from it!

Small Things # 6 – The Recipe of Lemon9

When my husband returned from office, the little one jumped around him in excitement and shared – “Vava (that’s what he calls his dada or big bro) made something today.”

“I made lemonade!,” declared the older one.

“Great job,” said their father. “And what are you going to make?,” he asked the little one.

“Lemon9, because Vava made Lemon8,” he lisped confidently!

Any ideas on the recipe of Lemon9? LOL!

Images courtesy Google

Small Thing#2 – Fidget Spinner, the sensational toy!

When my son told me about mighty Fidget Spinners, I stared at him dumbly. Later, I googled but found nothing great about the toy except that it acts as stress reliever. But kids (nephew, niece, neighbourhood kids… everyone) are raving about it this year! 

This latest toy fad has taken school going kids in US by the storm. And grown ups like me are clueless about these weird flashy things! They are just so ordinary.

We also received a letter from the Principal banning the toy from school premises because kids were acting crazy over it. 

I don’t know how Fidget Spinner people marketed this toy but they have certainly succeeded. After repeated request and good jobs, my son got his Fidget Spinner yesterday! And he was on top of the world. He promised to be the ‘nicest boy ever’ and carried it around like a precious treasure. Didn’t know Fidget Spinners were that effective! LOL!

Comic Relief

As they watched a movie in the theatre, little Avi fidgeted. “When will spiderman come?”, he asked. “Hush, he will come soon,” his mom whispered, making sure others watched in peace.

In the film, the dreaded biker’s gang was wrecking the town. And the heroine was murdered. Mom had teary eyes, when Avi interrupted again. “What about Spiderman?”, he asked. “Eat the popcorns, Spiderman will come at the end,” she tried to distract him. 

He ate for a while and began to play with the popcorns. While in the film, the hero was about to be killed and there was pin drop silence! Just then, to mom’s horror, the spidey fan vocalized loudly – 

Spiderman, Spiderman, 

Does whatever a spider can

Spins a web, any size,

Catches thieves just like flies, look out…

Embarassed, she scooped the little singer up and walked out of the theatre but the crowd cheered. The film was too intense, they needed comic relief!

(This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the amazing Priceless Joy. We are given a photo prompt and approximately 75-175 words with which to create our stories. This challenge is open to all who would like to participate. Thank you Sunayana for the image. Please CLICK HERE for more.)

Just a thought – Kids

I am not taking care of my kids, they are taking care of me – with unconditional love and positive spirit!

Image courtesy Google

Mission Tom the Turkey!

Tom the turkey was desperate🙁. He wanted to escape from being eaten during the Thanksgiving feast on November 24th😖. He sought refuge in a kindergarten class😓. The teacher, Miss E was very kind and asked the class to disguise him🤓. Little Adi had a plan and he disguised him as a spiderman with the help of his mom🕷.

Now, how would you disguise Tom the Turkey and save him from being eaten✍️️?  Tom may get recognised in the spiderman costume so we need many more ideas💡.

Help Tom the turkey and be a hero😇!

(Sketch courtesy Adiraj’s school project on disguising turkey)