Who says men do not wash clothes?

Who says men do not wash their clothes. Look at the politicians, the actors, celebrities, and why go far you would find offices and perhaps every home with men who wash dirty linen in public.
Now that I have got your attention with my opening line let me take you to the main topic of discussion and let me share some alarming findings of a recently conducted survey that reports that
78% of girls in India agree that they should learn Laundry as they will have to do it when they grow up.
65% of married men in India agree that their children replicate their behavior at home
So how can the men of this country rest easy when their mothers and sisters are subjected to such a raw  deal and caged in the belief that 81% of married men in India agree that their daughters must learn household chores and knowing the fact that
76% of married men in India believe that not helping with Laundry at home still makes them a great role model for their children as a result 2 out of every 3 children think that washing clothes is a mothers job and 2 out of every 3 children think that household work is a mothers job.
These men are being insensitive to the rights of their daughters as they are proving to be poor role models for their children.
At the same time they are depriving themselves of the opportunity to spend some quality time with their family.
When I say this I am pointing towards the opportunity lost by so many men in this country.
Take for instance a boy who has his room littered with dirty clothes .his argument could be that he has no time to do the laundry or it’s his mother’s job to do the laundry. However when he decides to watch a match on his mobile, or laptop then he gets nagged for not paying attention on his studies. Instead he could multitask by dedicating portion of his time as laundry time. This could be on days when he wants to see the match. He could put all the dirty clothes in the washing machine and as he oversees the laundry being done he could watch the match or chit chat with friends and no one would complain about him wasting time. A cleaner room would be the added bonus.
For the ever so busy men spending time with wife and children as they do laundry together could be the key to spending some quality family time together that could go a long way if used properly. You could device a picnic around this activity where there could be food and drinks after you do a good job together.




“I am joining the Ariel #ShareTheLoad campaign at BlogAdda and blogging about the prejudice related to household chores being passed on to the next generation.”

Know your rights and survive

It is said that if you do not speak up and in support of your neighbor when he is being subjected to a crime then you are next in queue so be ready to be subjected to the same treatment.

However when it comes to an act of Sexual violence the victim seldom speaks up. She invariably keeps mum and this silence lets the offender get away scot free.

So

1) Speak up and report the incident for it is not just a crime against an individual but against society at large. It is wrong to have been subjected to such an act and equally wrong to keep mum.

I know that people gossip, they also point fingers but then there are those who would stand in your support. Take the incident of the Nirbhaya rape case it united not just the entire city but the entire country in support of the victim and against the offender.

Public opinion is changing and help and support can be extended only to those who ask for it.

Take for instance the law about sexual violence has been modified to make it easier for the victim to file a complaint.

As against earlier times when a victim of sexual violence had to visit the police station that was the closest to where the offense occurred, now a days she can have a FIR lodged by visiting any police station she chooses. She can also use email or call up to report the matter.

On her behalf and with her consent , a friend ,a witness or a member of the family can also file a complaint. In such cases she would need to visit the police station and lodge the FIR later.

2)

Hiding a crime and not speaking up is an offense akin to supporting a criminal. By doing so you are only encouraging the criminal to repeat the crime and they become fearless that no action would be taken. Even the victim is always under risk of becoming a repeat victim of the crime. So it is important to register a complaint with the authorities and initiate legal action.

3) By taking legal action you are not just helping nab a criminal but also protecting other women from becoming victim to the same offender.

It mobilizes public opinion in favor of the victim and against the offenders. Every time an offender is nabbed and punished it breaks the morale of other offenders and future would be delinquents. It instills a fear of the law and makes the streets and the cities a bit more safer for every women and girls out there.

May the torch of knowledge be always be with you and keep giving you the strength to protect yourself from any harm that may be lurking out there.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”

We are all with you

Women of all ages have been subjected to sexual abuse and sexual violence. They have been victimized by men of all ages. Young girls especially tender young  girls are the most susceptible victims and even they are not spared from the humiliating experience of sexual violence. The violence often takes a tragic turn resulting in grievous injuries and also death. They are too innocent to understand the nature and enormity of the crime of which they are the victim. The offenders in these cases are often the neighbors, people known to them or even complete strangers. This makes it very important for the mothers to keep a sharp eye on their young ones. They can educate them not to allow strangers or people known to them to touch them inappropriately. In case of such an incident taking place they should immediately bring it to the knowledge of the mother who in turn should

report it to the police. If this is not done then there is a great chance the girl may be subjected to sexual abuse again and again. Usually such offenders threaten the young girls of further physical harm if they report the incident to their parents. They should be assured that confiding of such acts would protect them from further victimization.

The next lot to suffer is the girls of school and college going age. They when subjected to sexual abuse and violence keep silent fearing disgrace and shame and are afraid that they would become an outcast in the society. They should not keep silent due to fear  but report the matter at once without delay to their mother and family so that they in turn can report the crime to the police and also file a FIR to prevent the offender from repeating his shameful acts.

Women of any other age are not spared from this humiliation of sexual abuse and violence. There was a time when the victims had no support and could not confide in anybody.Today this has changed with law coming to protect the victims of such acts.Now

It has become very easy to report such crimes of sexual violence and abuse at the nearest police station and the presence of a lady police officer gives them the support and confidence to narrate. This reporting can be done by even a parent a friend or a witness.There is the option of reporting either in person or via phone and email.The women today are assured that they can report such crimes and expect legal aid to fight their cases.Today they have the assurance that they will get justice and bring the offender before the law. It is imperative that the women should not keep quiet but speak up for getting justice.This will not only protect the innocent children and girls and this will also result in other victims to come forward and report such offenses to get deliverance from such people and get justice.

Amnesty International has launched the #KnowYourRights campaign, which is a people’s rights educational program aimed at informing people of their basic rights via free educational modules on digital and physical media because knowing one’s rights gives one the confidence to take action. This will act as a morale booster and give women the power to protect themselves and if victimized then appeal for justice.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”

Protecting your baby's soft skin

The biggest concern for all the parents is how to keep their little ones happy. The most common cause of their unhappiness is discomfort due to rough and dry skin. Baby's skin is the largest and most valuable organ. The exposure to the sun, heat, pollution, dirt and chemical soaps make their skin rough and dry. The skin of a baby is very soft so dip a washcloth in soapy water and use it gently to wash baby's scalp with a baby shampoo.

 To clean the faces do use a moisturized cotton ball and gently dab with it. Once the skin is dry apply baby lotion immediately to seal in the moisture and prevent dry skin.

 Make sure to purchase products for babies which are fragrance free and also use tear free shampoos, bath gels and lotions,be watchful of the baby's reaction in case it is allergic. Always keep the baby skin protected. Its always a good idea to sprinkle a small amount of powder on the baby's bottom.

Always avoid perfumed, and deodorant soaps which are harsh for the child’s skin when a toddler. Baby soaps are the best.

In winters the dry weather can harm the baby's skin so give them lots of water to stay hydrated during the cold, dry months.

Dress the baby in layers year round so one can easily change them into proper clothing to shield them from sunlight, heat and cold. Always skip fragrant laundry detergents that might irritate baby's skin.

Diaper changing routine is often a nightmare for babies and one will find them crying during that time. Change child's diaper frequently, wiping gently but thoroughly each time with baby wipes. Dab diaper cream or put warm water on baby's bottom, gently pat dry. Wait a few moments to air dry so moisture doesn’t lead to irritating diaper rash. To avoid this bad experience I always prefer Pampers.
“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”
Pampers are safe and a high - quality product for the baby's safety. At Pampers and P&G, more than 700 scientists and professionals work with leading health experts - such as pediatric dermatologists - to ensure that Pampers products meet all safety and regulatory requirements around the world. Pampers evaluates all ingredients in the final product to confirm their actual use is within the safe range for both consumers and the environment. They conduct extensive testing to allow mums to experience their products in real-life situations and adhere to the highest industry standards for safety, performance and quality.

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

5 Steps to keep your baby’s skin sof

5 Steps to keep your baby’s skin soft

My house was filled with happiness on birth of my niece. She looked like a little angel. She looked cute, adorable and soft. Elders were busy advising as to what is right for the little baby saying that the skin of the new born is very soft and sensitive. So it is very important to keep the baby's skin hydrated by bathing it in warm water for only three to five minutes. Never let the baby sit or play for long in soapy water. Always apply a lotion or moisturizer immediately after bath while the skin is still wet and then pat dry instead of rubbing were some of the things highlighted by the ladies of the house. 

Till the age of 3 the child's skin is very delicate and soft and needs a special care. Factors such as cold, wind, sun, dry air and pollution makes their skin rough and thus irritating them and the skin is sometimes prone to red blotches. Our first concern is to keep the baby’s skin soft, flexible and comfortable throughout the day and night. It should be just fun and no tears for the baby. We must use only skin care products that are specially formulated for a baby's skin, which are hypoallergenic and tested under the supervision of dermatologists and pediatricians.

 After baby’s daily bath time we must carefully moisturize the entire body and face using a moisturizing cream and body lotion. We should warm the products with the tips of our fingers so that the baby won’t be surprised by the temperature of the cream and accept it easily. The baby enjoys the gentle massage with moisturizing products and massaging oils until it has fully penetrated the skin. It is very relaxing and nourishing for the skin. 

It is very important to check the area behind the child's ears on regular basis as this area is often overlooked and prone to rashes and dryness. Baby's lips and exposed area's should not be overlooked. Always cover the baby's head, nose, throat, ears and hands with a soft scarf to protect them from cold and chilly air during winters.

 It is also important to keep the baby clean and dry. So we only rely on pampers as nappy area is vulnerable to infection and rashes. Should change your baby's nappy either just before or right after each feed, after every bowel movement, before putting them to bed and when they wake up after a long sleep. It may also be worth putting a fresh nappy on them just before setting off for an outing. We have been using pampers for the kids in the family as Pampers takes on the responsibility of ensuring that all its products are safe - for every baby. Pampers makes the baby wrapped in the softest and caressed in comfort.#SoftestForBabySkin

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

Our Journey to protect her heart

When I first saw her I knew that she was special and the one for me. Her lovely looks and her sweet smile had me transfixed. I chose to marry her because I wanted to spend my life with her and I made a vow to myself that I would take great care of her so that she never lost her smile. She was always very health conscious and took great care of herself. She used to go for walks and actively played badminton to keep herself fit.

We got married and started a life that was full of love,fun and hectic activity. A newly married life involved lots of parties and eating food that was not always healthy. We started relishing the wrong kind of foods and soon this began to take a toll on our health.In a few years time my wife started gaining weight. In the beginning this weight gain was not much apparent but slowly her dress sizes began to increase. She started keeping away from activities that required physical exertion. Not that she was shying away from any of her household duties. It is just that she never seem to have the time and energy left for herself. Now she was a dutiful wife, a daughter in law, and a mother and each role was being played to the hilt by her. However when it came to looking after her self something was missing. I realized that she was no longer going for her morning walks. As that time had been taken up by getting the kids ready for school. The evening time in which she used to play badminton was now being used for cooking the family dinner which she so painstakingly prepared to keep the entire families likes and dislikes in mind she also took great care to incorporate the healthiest of ingredients to make every meal not just tasty but also as nutritious and healthy as possible.

One day when we came back from the market we found that the lift was not working and we had to take the stairs to reach our first floor flat. We started climbing the stairs and I found my wife to be soon out of breath. We stopped for a while and then resumed our climbing the stairs again.

When I saw her stopping at very short intervals to catch her breath, a warning bell rang in my mind. A vision flashed before my eyes when she laughingly used to run up the stairs and not take the lift. This moment made me realize that I was not taking good care of her or she would not have come to such a state. I decided to take active measures to bring her back to her slim trim self and to bring back her loving smile which was now steadily turning into a frown.

Together we visited the site www.saffolalife.com and took the Weight-Heart Test. 

 

Upon seeing the results we were shocked that her BMI was way beyond the normal as she had put on a lot of weigh.

 

The site suggested two plans to get back to health.One was a walk plan and the other was a diet plan.

From that very moment I made a pledge that I would take her on a morning walk every day. I made it a point to play a game of badminton with her on weekends.As per the diet plan we worked out a diet chart for both of us and started following it. This was our plan to #ProtectHerHeart. I also started following a diet plan similar to hers to gave her company and also to stay fit. These efforts bore fruit and she started losing weight and in a few months she was back to her old self and I was also fitter and in a better shape.

 “I am joining the Saffolalife #ProtectHerHeart initiative and pledging my support to better heart health in Association with BlogAdda.”

Color me wild color me right

There are so many colors that would brighten up my home instantly however when it comes to buying paint for the home I find myself ignoring them for I do not know how they would look and feel in my house. Will they go with the sofa and curtains. Would my sofa fit in with the new color scheme? There are quite a few questions and very few definite answers till I buy and try the paint in my home.

To answer such predicaments the #PaintFinder from the Bed Bath & More has provided the best try before you buy solution that helps us see how a particular selection of paint is going to look in our homes

The Paint Finder 

The Theme Selector

The #PaintFinder is the best tool for people like me who want the best colors and combinations to be incorporated in their homes to enhance not just the visual appeal of the home but also the well being of its inhabitants.

For lost souls like me who are clueless about color combinations yet want to try all kinds of colors and themes in our homes the #PaintFinder from the Bed Bath & More offers a great tool to create the look that we want in our homes.It is the perfect solution to try paint colors without having to try them in our homes. This way a lot of time,wastage,heartburn and disappointment can be avoided.

I belong to the Do it Yourself or DIY generation who likes to try things first hand . So when it comes to finding the right theme and the right paint to realize the theme in our homes #PaintFinder from the Bed Bath & More is the one stop destination for all my needs.

For instance I am very inspired by the 5 elements and would love to incorporate the 5 elements or the 5 tatvas into my home as the balance of these 5 elements which are fire,air, earth, water ,space or ether is supposed to be beneficial for the mind ,body and complete development .Moreover since the entire universe and even the human body is made up of these 5 elements or tatvas (state of being) so balancing them at home is also important.

So based on this knowledge I would like to have my living room where I meet and spend time with guests use the colors Yellows, blues,greens,and beige. As these colors create a positive ambience and environment while meeting with the guests.

The green living room so that the relations between me and my visitors grow organically and naturally

The blue living room : Together we will beat away the blues!

 

I choose  blues to banish the the blues from my bedroom

For the Dining area I would use the color schemes and themes that incorporate the color pink ,greens and blues.

Incorporating Pink in the dining room ensure my family stays in the Pink of health

For the bedroom I would prefer a theme that uses pink as this color not just creates a relaxing atmosphere but is also considered to be auspicious.

 

The Pink bedrooms for bringing in auspiciousness 

Light blue and light green colors are also very good colors for the bedroom.

For the children's bedroom green is a good choice of color as it helps them study and concentrate better.

The use of green in the children's bedroom helps them concentrate,study and learn better

For the bathroom a white,black and the mix of the two can also be used even greys can  be used creatively in the bathroom

 The best part is whatever color's I and my family choose I would be able to control my painting costs and remain within my budget thanks to the Paint calculator and the product comparison feature of this website.

I confess that with the  #PaintFinder from the Bed Bath & More

and the use of themes I have got the liberty of  trying so many colors and buy only the ones that look the best in my home.

“I am participating in the #PaintFinder activity in Association with BlogAdda & Bed Bath & More“