Pregyanam helps you achieve your pregnancy goals

Beginning of Motherhood – A Holistic Perspective

Book Name: Beginning of Motherhood – A Holistic Perspective

Genre: Self-help/Pregnancy/Motherhood

Author's Name: Dr. Rohit Dhingra (Co-founder of Pregayanam)

Publisher: Self-published

Shop Now , Kindle ebook

About the book:

An enlightening book, by an individual who has, through his experiences in life gained a piece of considerable knowledge in the field of Ayurveda and a modern understanding of health. After understanding how empowering true knowledge can be, he felt inspired and compelled to share his insights through this step-by-step guide on pregnancy. This book provides a unique opportunity for expecting women to gain information from the perspective of a parent as well as a health consultant.

The book will take you through:-

·       Well-organised Month-wise suggestions

·       Take your Nutritional supplements through diet

·       Garbhsanskar (Indian Practices+Modern Science)

·       Father’s role during pregnancy

  Delivery readiness:-

·       Know all about 18 Delivery positions

·       What to put in your delivery day kit

·       What are healthy birth practices

·       What are the signs of labour & and how to find comfort in labour

Post Delivery care:-

·       Diet & and lifestyle up to 6 months after delivery

·       Guide book on Baby care & Breastfeeding

·       Recipes of all types of food items to be taken

It is a treasure trove for curious individuals looking for authentic knowledge on pregnancy. The book would be a very useful tool for couples planning to conceive and individuals assisting others during pregnancy. The book covers diet, lifestyle tips and techniques, Ayurvedic medicines, natural effective remedies, delicious healthy recipes, water birthing and home births, pregnancy myths, pregnancy medication, and resources as well as tips for a healthier mind and lots more, all based on a holistic approach and the valued knowledge derived from traditional practices and modern science. A curated bank of knowledge is shared on all the phases of pregnancy to empower the reader on when to do what.

 Who the book is for?

For any expecting moms-to-be, or parents-to-be, looking forward to a holistic approach toward their pregnancy.

Author Radhika: Introduction about yourself, and what do you do?

Author Rohit: Dr.Rohit is basically a curious person. His curiosity for the world took him to Merchant Navy where for 10yrs he traveled through oceans and visited many countries. His inquiry into what is valuable to humans as a being and as a society led most of his journey as well as career choices. The idea of exploration, learning, and adventure excites him the most.

He is a practitioner of socially responsible living which is complimented through his informal education in Ayurveda and systemic study into developing human values. Dr.Rohit achieved his doctorate in Prenatal, Perinatal, and postpartum care and remains committed to practicing Indian traditional wisdom as he explores its miraculous gifts for pregnant couples.

Author Radhika: What inspired you to write "Beginnings of Motherhood"? Was there a personal experience or moment that sparked the idea for this book?

After Merchant Navy, Dr. Rohit co-founded Jamghat to work for the education, resettlement, and livelihood of street children in Delhi. He has been primarily involved in working with vulnerable groups of society for the past 20 years. He founded another organization, Advaya, to work to inculcate values in education like compassion, resilience, and considerate living.

In Dr. Rohit’s view, women are the cornerstone of the family. Hence, he founded Pregayanam - a pregnancy coaching service of support and care to empower her as she grows to be a mother. The team at Pregayanam is dedicated to pregnant couples who want a comfortable pregnancy and natural birthing. It is a healthcare service that provides hand-holding support on diet, lifestyle, and mental well-being. Unlike conventional birthing services, Pregayanam works with a couple (not only with the expectant) through wisdom derived from traditional Indian practices on care during pregnancy.

Author Radhika :What is Pregayanam? How "PEGAYANAM" is helping expecting couples?

Author Dr. Rohit: Pregyanam is inspired from word 'प्रज्ञान' which means 'किसी विषय या वस्तु का विशेष रूप से प्राप्त ज्ञान' i.e. specialised wisdom about a topic.

Pregyanam is a supplementary system of care and support for a family expecting to grow. The idea of Pregyanam was brought to life by families and couples who have benefited immensely from traditional wisdom, while they were pregnant. At Pregyanam, we embrace knowledge and Indian methods that are verifiable and can be practiced in an urban contemporary family.

We consider all the avenues of support that can be extended to a family that is going through pregnancy and we prioritize what the expecting mother and the baby needs above all else. In a lifestyle where choice tends to confuse rather than empower, it’s hard to do what is right. We therefore exclusively work with one couple at a time, to ensure that we, together with them choose the right path and have a pregnancy that is remembered for all the good reasons.

Pregyanam helps you achieve your pregnancy goals

1.   Trimester-specific lifestyle and exercises

Pregyanam offers individual tips on lifestyle for each month. In addition, we offer Exercise, Yoga, and Meditation sessions. All sessions are customized to keep one’s actions in harmony with your thoughts and to maintain that balance of progress, satisfaction, and enjoyment.

·       Each month of pregnancy has different exercise needs.

·       Our instructors are specially trained to guide pregnant couples in different stages of pregnancy.

·       For harmony within oneself and for relationships to thrive, a calm and composed mind is essential

2.   Create happiness and support within the family

Pregyanam understands the need and value of a support system required by a couple during pregnancy. Therefore we provide you with a certified relationship counsellor to speak to you and your family. Every couple needs an extra nudge to beautify their connection with each other, even more so during pregnancy

·       Mental wellness in self and stability within the couple

·       An expert in assisting couples in managing thoughts & and emotions.

3.   We deliver a healthy baby and a happy mother

The health of the baby and the Mother, who too is “born” at the moment of delivery, depends critically on diet, and lifestyle choices that have implications for the rest of their life. Therefore we provide all-round assistance through the following services up to 2 months post-delivery:-

·       Mother’s quick recovery and strength

·       Effective lactation

·       Critical diet and lifestyle choices post-delivery

·       Reducing the risk of postpartum depression.

4.   Peer-to-peer learning sessions

We believe interacting with couples who have been through the journey of pregnancy is extremely helpful. Therefore we hold monthly group sessions between experienced couples who have been through and those who currently are on this beautiful journey of pregnancy.

5.   Monthly customised diet plan

Pregyanam offers a Monthly Gyan Kosh which has month-wise diet suggestions sourced from Indian traditional texts and curated for an urban modern lifestyle.

·       Helps to remove dependence on supplements

·       Knowledge of what to expect

·       Suggested active lifestyle choices for the couple

Check out my review of the book here

Let’s discuss, any advice would you share with the new moms who are expecting? You can share your experiences in the comment box below.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’

hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla. 

Also, check out Another Pregnancy/Parenting related Books

You can check out my AMAZON STOREFRONT link and Facebook and Instagram page.

What does it mean to be a Parent?

Suppose your child is getting ready for school and he is a little late. He might miss the school bus because he must finish his breakfast too. Now the question is -   What should be your reaction as a parent at that time?

You have two options –

·      One scolds him for being late and tells him to take his sandwich or whatever he is eating in his hand and eat in the bus and just run to catch the bus.

·      Secondly, you tell him not to worry as an alternate arrangement can be made to drop him off at school. So, he can take his time and have his breakfast.

The first style creates – fear and negativity.

The second style creates – love and positivity.

Your parenting style will have a major impact on your child’s personality, thought process, and the way he will tackle problems when he grows up.

What is parenting?

Parenting is the easiest thing in the world to have an opinion about, but the toughest thing in the world to do. Parenting is neither a cakewalk nor just a robotic attention to the needs of a child. It is to provide basic needs for their physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development right from infancy to adulthood. It is the act and attitude of unconditional love.

What does it require to be a good parent?

There are no hard and fast rules to be a good parent. That is what makes parenting so difficult. There is a beginning but no end to this. You need to be an involved parent. Parenting is different for different individuals and different situations. Not every parenting style is in the child’s best interest. Children need:

·      Your affection and appreciation

·      To be accepted the way they are

·      A stable and consistent environment

·      Your permission to make choices and explore independence

·      To be led by an example

·      Your support to experience failures

·      Space to develop their own interests

·      Love, validation, and emotional security

·      Your encouragement and respect to feel important

As a parent, you try to give your best to your child but don’t forget that your child has his own temperament, his own personality, a different way of thinking which is quite different from yours.

As a parent, we think that children are everything for us. This is where we go wrong!! They are a part of our life. Nurture them and protect them when necessary. We all want our children to be successful and the best among their peers. Never ever try to make them the best product available on this earth. Every step that you take as a parent should be made with a goal in mind to make your child responsible and an independent person who can get on well with his life.

It’s impossible for a parent to be a perfect parent. But if you think that being a perfect parent is attainable, you need to be self-critical and adjust to the changing needs of a child as he grows and develops. Today’s children are the most impressionable and should learn and cultivate proper habits and manners before it’s too late to shape their character.

Always remember that you are not raising a kid; you are raising an adult who has to face the challenging situations in this world.

Read another guest post by Seema Dhall: How Parents Can Encourage Their Kids to Speak Up

This post is written for the blogchatter Half Marathon.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.  

You can check out my AMAZON STOREFRONT link and Facebook and Instagram page.

Let's discuss What advice would you share with the

 "New Parents"?

5 Tips to Reduce Screen Time in Kids

The term "screen time" describes how much time a person spends using electronic devices with screens, such as computers, televisions, gaming consoles, cellphones, and tablets. It covers things like watching movies, playing video games, surfing the web, accessing social media, texting, and more.

Depending on how it is used and the information being consumed, screen time can have both positive and negative consequences. For instance, interactive learning platforms, online courses, and instructional apps can all offer worthwhile educational opportunities. On the other hand, excessive screen time, particularly when combined with improper or non-educational content, can have a negative impact on social interactions, sleep patterns, and children's and teenagers' social development as well as their physical and mental health.

"As a parent myself, I make an effort to keep my child occupied with a variety of activities. I make an effort to get her involved in a variety of activities, including reading, writing, coloring, dancing, and story-telling. Despite the fact that they have a number of apps and access to appropriate YouTube videos for their age. The table below shows the recommended screen time for each age group, and it's equally crucial."  

 Here's a chart summarizing the recommended screen time durations for different age groups:

Keep in mind that these suggestions are basic advice that can be modified depending on specific situations. The value of quality and education should take precedence over the amount of screen time. All children, regardless of age, may develop good screen habits with the aid of open communication and clear boundaries.

For children's overall health and development, it's crucial to limit their screen time.

Here are five ideas to assist you in achieving this objective:

1. Create a Positive Influence

Children frequently imitate the behavior of adults. It is more difficult for kids to comprehend the value of limiting screen time if they observe you spending a lot of time on screens. Set a good example for others by using screens in a healthy way.

2. Set Up Screen-Free Hours and Zones

 Set aside a few places in your house as screen-free zones, like the dining room and the bedrooms. Establish times during the day when screens are prohibited, such as before bedtime, during homework, and during meals. This promotes social interaction and alternate activities.

3. Provide Alternate Activities

 It offers a selection of entertaining activities free of screens. Encourage reading, puzzles, board games, crafts, outdoor play, arts and crafts, and other pastimes that foster creativity, physical activity, and cognitive growth.

4. Use Screen Time Wisely

 When using a screen, make sure the material is high-quality, age-appropriate, and informative. Choose instructional apps, documentaries, or interactive learning platforms that can constructively engage children's minds as opposed to mindless entertainment.

5. Set Your Kid’s Screen Time Limits

 Use parental controls and screen time management tools to limit your child's screen time each day. These capabilities are available on various operating systems and devices, allowing you to manage and keep a check on how much time you spend on screens. Reduce screen time restrictions gradually over time to aid children in adjusting

What is Happinetz? 

Happinetz is a safe internet for kids box that connects to your home router wired or wirelessly. Once connected, it creates a separate WiFi which filters out age-inappropriate internet and helps you set screen time schedules for devices connected to this WiFi. Happinetz continuously monitors more than 110 million websites and apps and is preconfigured to block more than 22 million adult and unsecured websites.

Some features include:

• Exhaustive filtering system
• Customizable internet schedule
• Insight to help parents monitor what websites & apps children are opening
• Quick setup: A quick 2 step-5 minutes process
• Zero kid involvement: No need to download apps on your child's device
• Device compatibility: Connect up to 10 devices, including Android or iOS phones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs.

This post is a part of Happinetz - Safe Internet For Kids 

Also read, 11 Clever Ways to Keep Your Toddler Productive

You should look at Saregama Carvaan Mini Kids. 

You can check out my AMAZON STOREFRONT link and Facebook and Instagram page.

Let's discuss how much screen time do you give to your kids? Also, 

What do you do to reduce their screen time?

It’s Time To Say Thank You 

 Book Name: It’s Time To Say Thank You

Genre: Children's book (with colorful illustrations and activity pages)

Author's Name: Yogita Aggarwal

Publisher: The Write Order

Recommended Age: 2 years to 10 years

Shop here

About the Author:  Yogita is a digital content creator and an entrepreneur. She has been navigating her professional life for over 10 years and has a strong 360-degree digital presence with a primary focus on parenting, lifestyle, and fashion. She believes in 'Do what you love the most'. With this book, she is on a mission to spread human values and smiles to the next generation.

It’s Time To Say Thank You  INSTAGRAM REVIEW REEL

About the Book:

As parents, we want to give all that is best to our kids, both tangible and intangible, from education to things of daily need. We want the best for them. But, as they say, ‘it is not always the presents they want, but you to be present with them’. Because what a parent can teach a child, probably no one can. The attitude of gratitude is one such crucial social skill we ought to impart from an early age. Often, we just instruct them to say thank you, welcome,"  etc., but it ends up being a ritual for them rather than them understanding the real implications. 'It's Time to Say Thank You' book is truly an Indian book that takes charge to make our little ones be thankful for whatever they have, and also to engage them with fun activities inside. 

Radhika: Congratulations! How are you feeling about becoming a first-time author?

Author Yogita: First of all, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and inviting me here, to share my thoughts. To be honest, I am very happy and nervous at the same time. I am sure you can feel me. 

Radhika: What motivated you to write a children's book?

Author Yogita: I feel the msg that I have in the book is very special and everyone needs to consider that in their life. I want to spread that, especially for the little ones because most of them are blessed with everything in their life, and still, they cry for a new thing every day.

Radhika: Did you face any challenges during the writing process? How did you overcome them? 

Author Yogita: Umm… writing this was not a challenge but to make this song rhymic was little. I used to sing this song to get the best version of it & even I sing this daily for my daughter as a night-time song. 

 Radhika: How did you decide on the illustrations for your book?

Author Yogita: For designing, I trusted Dr. Sai Kaustuv Dasgupta, The wheelchair Warrior in India, and he did amazing work. 

I worked hard to choose activities and more & Sai have them the shape.

Radhika: Please elaborate on how parents and teachers can use the book to its fullest.

Author Yogita: Thank you for asking this. First thing first, if you have money and you are buying this because your kid wants that don't buy it. Because trust me, they will open this once or twice but as conscious parents, you need to encourage your child to read that book or sing that song for your little ones, even for the newborn.

Discuss things like, for example - 

I am thankful for your good grades.

Or maybe mumma is happy because you finished your lunch.

When you will show this gratitude, they will also start considering the small things that are there and valuable. 

You can ask them – why are they thankful today and listen carefully to their answers or help to give one answer. 

In short - Actively engage your child with the blessings he/she had in their life.

“Gratitude simply means "Be thankful for what we have". We are blessed with abundance in life, but are we valuing that? Thus, are we also teaching our kids the same thing?

Being a parent, I want my child to learn the power of Gratitude. This book by the author,  Yogita Aggarwal helps in defining the same term with great illustrations and conveying a great message to our kids.

This book is a requirement if you want to teach kids the value of things. Additionally, this book offers several fun activities for kids. Highly advised for children between the ages of 4 and 10 years."

Let’s discuss what are you currently reading to your kids. And which is your favorite book and why? You can share your experiences in the comment box below.

  This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023 

You should look at Saregama Carvaan Mini Kids

Also read, Just the Way You Are: A Book of Self-Love to Let Your Perfection Shine Through Author's Interview and the book review

 Another Blog: 7Toddler Activities For Homeschooling

You can check out my AMAZON STOREFRONT link and Facebook and Instagram page.