Juggling thoughts

Years into marriage, and I'm still asked why I kept my maiden name. My husband's response to those who questioned it?  "A wife doesn't come from nowhere; she belongs somewhere,and it should be respected." My maiden name represents my ancestry and the reputation I've built. Why must I surrender it because I married ?  I wasn't a "distressed damsel" in need of rescue; I was a woman with my own history and identity, equally important as my husband's.  So why is mine presumed invisible? Preserving my family name is crucial, as it would have ended with my generation. My grandparents had sons, who passed on their name to the next generation. I want to honor my lineage, just as my husband honors his. I don’t expect my husband to move his last name or to hyphenate his last name with mine.   To those who choose to take their spouse's last name, we proudly celebrate your decision. It's a personal choice that deserves respect. However, to those...

In today's fast-paced world, seasonal depression can creep up on us, leaving us feeling drained and disconnected. It's tempting to face these struggles alone, ignoring God's presence in our lives. We might stop reading the Bible, praying, or attending church, and instead, give in to the mirage of perfection. This mirage convinces us that we need to present ourselves flawlessly to God, hiding our true selves. We believe that our imperfections make us unworthy of His love and presence. But this couldn't be further from the truth. As humans, we're inherently flawed. It's easy to feel worthy when we're doing well – praying at the right times, studying scripture, and managing our emotions. But when we stumble, we often flee from God's presence, fearing His disappointment. However, God already knows our weaknesses and imperfections. He's not waiting for us to become perfect; He wants us to bring our flaws to Him, so He can work on them with us. Our imperfe...

 Valentine's day then: We wake naturally together on Saturday morning. You kissed my forehead, I smiled against your neck, the window's open, a soft breeze stirs, and slow music fills the air. No plans, no rush. Just us, in love. Today: Saturday morning, still together. But now, our youngest son's eager hug and kiss start the day. I smile at the overly sweet tea you hastily brewed, amidst the chaotic kitchen. We are listening to the cooker whistles, the boys' shrieks fill the air, and our to-do list beckons. We're hurried, rushed, yet... still in love. No one will tell you the plot after 'happily after' But am grateful for our messy, beautiful life together.  The contrast between the serene, romantic atmosphere of the past and the chaotic, yet loving, reality of the present.

  In the pursuit of equality, we've become obsessed with proving that women can do everything men can do.  We, Women weren't created to do everything men can do. Women were created to do everything men cannot do. -Redefining Our Value We weren't created to replicate men's strengths. Instead, we bring distinct perspectives, skills, and qualities that complement and surpass what men can offer. -Embracing Our Differences It's time to recognize and celebrate our unique value. We weren't made to fit into a mold created by society; we were designed to break it and create our own. -Unleashing Our Potential Let's focus on what we do best and leave the rest. We are capable of achieving greatness, not in spite of our femininity, but because of it.

Some years back when I participated in a session on 'Gender Sensitive Language' organized by CBSE , I was struck by the profound impact of language on our perceptions and attitudes towards gender. The words we use at home and in school matter, as they shape our thoughts and behaviors. We often perpetuate gender-based stereotypes, restricting our children's potential. Phrases like 'boys don't cry,' 'girls are nurses, boys are doctors,' and 'be strong like a man' can be replaced with more inclusive language. A striking example from the session was a photo of a road construction site with a sign that read 'Men at Work.' The irony? 'Women work all the time at home, but when men work, they need signboards.' This humorous observation highlights a deeper truth. Equality is not solely a female right; it's a human right. Why can't boys cook? Why can't girls ride a Royal Enfield? It's time to challenge these outdated norms.A...

As I navigated through challenges of parenting our sons, I couldn't help but reflect on the importance of shared responsibilities in our household. A friend's experience resonated with me - her husband refused to change diapers or care for their child, citing it as the mother's job. While mothers have a unique bonding experience, it's essential to recognize that both parents have an equal share of responsibility. Honestly, my home isn't perfect, now that we are parenting two boys but we strive for balance. When I returned to work, my husband took on childcare duties, adjusting our schedules to ensure our sons received the care they needed. It wasn't seamless, but he grew into an exceptional caregiver, taking on roles traditionally associated with mothers. It's infuriating to hear people refer to fathers caring for their kids as 'babysitting' . A baby-sitter is someone who takes care of a child temporarily. A father caring for his children is simply b...

We've all got parts of our past we wish we could redo. Moments we replay in our heads, wishing we'd done things differently. But here's the truth: your past isn't a life sentence. It's just one chapter in your story. What matters most is what you choose to do now. Every day, you get to turn the page, write a new story, and decide that your story doesn't end with pain, mistakes, guilt, or heartache. You're not stuck, and you're not defined by what happened or the choices you made. You're evolving, and the beauty of life is that you get to take the pen back and write something new – something true to who you are now. So, stop looking back with regret. Your past shaped you, but it doesn't define you. Look forward with intention. You're in control of how your story ends, and trust me, it can still be extraordinary.

 Over the past eight years of being an educator, I've witnessed a seismic shift in teaching paradigms. Having taught before, during, and after the pandemic, I've seen firsthand the evolving challenges. The Elusive Job Description of a 21st-Century Teacher. In today's educational landscape, teachers are expected to be: 1. Master Multitaskers: Manage classrooms of 30 diverse students, addressing individual needs while delivering curricula. 2. Gap Fillers: Bridge pandemic-induced knowledge gaps with rigorous lessons, while teaching emotional intelligence for some parents won't teach them at home. 3. Edutainers: Outshine smartphones and iPads in engagement and entertainment value. 4. Differentiation Experts: Differentiate because one size doesn’t fit all but we also need a track record so here's a standardized exam and if they fail: it's your fault. 5. Accountability Balancers: Hold students accountable but you can't give them zeros, accepting late work,because ...

A truly appreciable format!  As a parent, I've always been curious about my son's performance in the entrance exam, not because I'm obsessed with marks, but because we relocated from a place with different educational standards and I want to know the areas we might be lacking to reach the standards here. My son and I worked diligently for weeks, revising concepts and basics in grammar and math. So, it was thrilling to receive a comprehensive assessment sheet, complete with insightful feedback on his strengths and weaknesses from the evaluating teacher. As a parent, this is exactly what I look for in a school - transparency, constructive feedback, and a genuine interest in helping my child grow. Kudos to Delhi School for setting a high standard! In conclusion, I'm impressed and grateful for the school's thorough assessment process. It's clear that they prioritize understanding each child's unique needs and potential. I'm excited to see my son thrive in th...

As speakers of one of the world's richest and second most spoken languages, we're incredibly fortunate. Growing up, English was a fundamental part of our education, and for many of us, it was often the easiest subject. However, it wasn't until I delved into linguistics during college that I truly appreciated the complexities of the English language. My journey into phonetics was nothing short of revelatory. I recall laughing at the correct pronunciations of words I had misspoken my entire life. It wasn't the stylish or posh accents that amused me, but the realization that I had been mispronouncing words for so long. All my life those words were lies! As I began teaching language, I prioritized phonetics, and although it was challenging initially, it's been an enriching experience. Unfortunately, linguistics and phonetics remain unfamiliar territories for many highly educated individuals. However, these fields are crucial and captivating. Linguistics encompasses the ...