Rashmi's Space

It was on a cold December morning that I read an email asking me if I would like to review a book on Cricket. Coming from an editor who takes her work very seriously, this gave me a pause.   I couldn’t help but wonder why she would ask me, of all people, to review a book on sports! I am not much of a sports fan. I have never written on sports before. Fiction , yes, parenting , oh, yes; general book reviews , definitely yes! But sports? And that too, Cricket? Growing up, I’d always seen my dad scold my brother for ‘wasting his time’ watching ball-by-ball play of one-day matches when he would watch cricket instead of studying for his exams. I remember hiding the remote from my brother just so I could watch HBO and not let him watch cricket. But of course, marriage, as we all know, is a game changer. After I was married , I was introduced to the world of cricket. No, my husband isn’t a big cricket fan or anything, he doesn’t watch ball-by-ball matches either, but he does ...

Okay, first off, you are really lucky if you have a little budding reader at home! Take a bow; you are one of those rare parents who have succeeded in inculcating a love for reading in your little one; giving him a gift for life! You are also one of those exceptional parents, who not only appreciate the beauty and the significance of words, but are benevolent enough to let your little ones appreciate the magnificence of the world of words too! And this benevolence on your part entitles you to the front row seat to some of the rarest (and sometimes the quirkiest) child behaviour! Yes, as a parent intent on raising a reader, you belong to that special group extraordinary parents who get to witness the some really peculiar behaviour in your little ones! Wondering what I am talking about? Well, see for yourself – Yours is probably the only child on the block who asks for lemonade, marshmallows and midnight snacks! If you happen to meet my mom (try not to, for your own sake,...

If you are a reader, chances are, you are a book hoarder too. At any given point in time, there are bound to be books around your home, and you may even be reading several books at the same time. If you are a neatness freak, they would be properly arranged and have a place of their own, but if you are big on reading and not all that big on cleaning up, then they would be all around the place (like mine).  But , on top of being a reader and a book hoarder, if you are a parent too, then chances are, your children have access to your books all the time !  Now, on the one hand, this is a good thing. If kids see parents reading and generally see books around the house, chances are, they will develop the love of reading too, when they grow up. But there is also a downside to it - your children have access to all your books ! And this is serious.  No, I don't mean embarrassing in the 'oops, my kid got hold of my copy of Fifty Shades of Grey !'  way; (although, there...

Children are angels from Heaven sent to love you, bless you and try your patience – all at the same time! The greatest of your blessings, they can be the best stress busters as well as the most stress creators in your home. Whether trouble makers or quiet little sweethearts though, each child is unique and grows in his/her own special way. As parents it is our duty to provide them with the best possible environment and atmosphere to grow and enable them to take on the world when the time comes. Responsible parents prefer scientific and proven methods to make all the best possible things available for their children. Accordingly, they are aware, and even research shows, that most brain development happens up to the age of six; and it is important to introduce your child to many different and new things at a young age. It is also ideal to introduce your child to the magical world of books at a young age, if you haven't already...... Reading has its own advantages and among othe...