Welcome to Manika's Blogs

Few months back during a conversation with my 19 year old I was trying to understand where we as parents are missing out to connect with our teenage children. Interestingly the more he shared the more I was in surprise as to how much we miss. I have tried to narrow down what we discussed in below points.    Why teenagers don’t talk to their parents Parents' Authority and Lack of Acknowledgment In the past, when kids tried to express themselves, parents often responded with authority, shutting down the conversation without really listening. This teaches many teenagers that their parents wouldn’t understand or value what they have to say. As a result, they keep things to themselves, assuming their thoughts and feelings won’t be acknowledged. Fear of Being Vulnerable Teenagers also worry about being judged or criticized if they tell the truth. Being honest can make them feel exposed and vulnerable, and they fear negative reactions. This fear makes them less likely to open up, kee...

Change is a constant in life. Whether it's personal growth or professional shifts, we are continually evolving. This evolutionary process includes the administrative shifts of successful ventures, and educational institutions are no exception. However, the biggest threat during these transitions is their impact on the lives of children. Therefore, schools must be especially diligent in managing these changes. Having witnessed two such transitions in the schools where my children studied, I’d like to share my perspective and learnings in this blog. When navigating a transition, the focus is often on tangible aspects like finances, legalities, and the delegation of roles and responsibilities. However, we frequently overlook the transition of culture and foundational principles. Every establishment has a unique set of values and a vision nurtured by its founders, which serve as the pillars of its success. If we examine closely, each institution comprises four essential components: Phy...

  Have you ever stumbled upon a quote that just sticks with you? Recently, I came across this one circulating on social media: "Medical science has made such tremendous progress that there is hardly a healthy human left." - Aldous Huxley. It struck a chord because it feels true, doesn't it? Almost everyone we know seems to have a laundry list of health concerns, from physical ailments like gut issues to mental health challenges like depression or ADHD. But amidst all these challenges, medical science has expanded its horizons beyond just the physical body, delving into mental, emotional, and social well-being. This got me thinking: Is it medical science itself that needs scrutiny, or is it our understanding of its groundbreaking findings? Think about it. Just a few years ago, it was widely believed that adults couldn't learn new things easily. But thanks to medical science, we now understand that, with the right environment, we can establish neural connections that su...

  In today's digital age, social media platforms are flooded with content ranging from the mundane to the extraordinary. Among these posts, videos capturing moments of conflict or distress often garner significant attention, with likes and comments flooding in. Recently, a video of two young siblings pulling each other’s hair, both in pain, circulated on Instagram, receiving over 30 thousand likes and comments from parents who found it "relatable." While some may see this as harmless entertainment, videos like these raise a concerning question: are we losing sensitivity towards others' pain? In the age of viral content, it's become all too common to prioritize capturing an incident on camera over extending a helping hand. Instead of intervening in a situation where someone is in distress, bystanders often choose to record it for social media consumption. This not only desensitizes us to the suffering of others but also perpetuates a culture of voyeurism and detach...

No matter where you are in the world, if you have a teenager at home, you're likely familiar with their emotional outbursts, mood swings, and general state of confusion. Think back to your own teenage years—does any of this sound familiar? It's fascinating how we, as parents, focus so much on equipping our children with the intellectual skills they need but often overlook their emotional development. During adolescence, a child's brain is busy forming new neural connections to process and understand emotions. However, without conscious effort from parents or the educational system to nurture this aspect of growth, we risk raising adults who struggle to manage their emotions effectively. So, how can we guide our children toward healthy emotional growth? Here are a few suggestions to explore: Awareness : The first step in developing emotional intelligence is to create a safe and accepting environment where all emotions are acknowledged and validated. Often, we aren't even...