Adolescence

Boys and girls(13-19) not only undergo physical changes but also a rapid hormonal change. This is called puberty. This is the time when rapid hormonal changes take place in one’s body. Puberty in girls appears during 10-11 years and 11-13 years in boys. The appearance of secondary sexual characteristics are observed during this phase.

Adolescence is the time period between puberty and adulthood. It is often described as the period of stress, storm and pain. This is the time when adolescents not only faces physical changes but also a rapid psychological and emotional change. This happens due to hormonal changes inside the body and may also lead to mood swings and depression.

The various physical changes that take place during this time are discussed below.

Physical changes observed in girls during adolescence signifying the girl’s journey towards adulthood are discussed below:-

1)     Development of breasts is seen during early adolescence

2)     Appearance of pubic hair

3)     Hair in the armpit is also noticed

4)     Soon after the growth of breasts the girl feels signs of menarche ( the onset of menstruation) and also experiences a whitish vaginal discharge which is absolutely normal.

5)     An increase in height is also observed during this period.

6)     Increase in the hip size may also be noticed.

Physical changes observed in boys during adolescence:- 

1)     Rapid increase in height

2)     Appearance of pubic hair

3)     Appearance of hair in the armpit

4)     Broadening of the shoulder

5)     Change of voice

6)     Erection of penis and night ejaculation is a very common problem in adolescent boys

7)     Growth of the penis and with reddening and folding of the skin.

Parents must be very careful in dealing with adolescents at home. This is a very crucial period and is often termed as the period of  stress, storm and pain. Due to hormonal changes in the body an adolescent may suffer from mood swings and depression which is very common. This is the time when an adolescent takes interest in the changes taking place in his/her body and hence privacy is very much needed by adolescents during this time. This is the time when an adolescent gets attracted to the opposite sex. There is nothing to be worried if a parent finds his/her child indulging in discussion regarding sexual topics. Adolescence is the time period when a child undergoes both physical and emotional changes and hence should be handled with care and affection.

There are three phases or stages of pregnancy which a woman undergoes before delivering her baby. Each phase has its own characteristics and must be dealt accordingly. The  three stages of pregnancy can be differentiated into the

1)     first trimester (week 1- week 12)

2)     second trimester (week 13- week 28)

3)     third trimester(week 29- week 40)

The time period of a normal pregnancy is 40 weeks and this is divided into three phases.

Each trimester is unique and is charecterised by different physical and emotional changes.

Changes during the first trimester

Morning sickness is a very common problem faced by would-be mothers in their first trimester. Pregnant women become very much sensitive to smells and odours and cannot tolerate strong smells. Perfumes, strong smell of cooked food, etc. cannot be tolerated by pregnant women during this time. To reduce bouts of nausea, a pregnant woman is always advised to eat small and frequent meals and increase the intake of fluids.

Tender and swollen breasts with nipple sticking out is another problem faced by pregnant women in their early trimester. This takes place due to hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman is very much affected by mood swings and fatigue. There is an increased level of  tiredness during this time due to an increase in  the level of the hormone, progesterone. Hence proper rest is recommended to reduce the level of tiredness.

Constipation is another problem of  women in their first trimester. To avoid constipation women should include fibre based diet and drink lots of water.

A pregnant woman apart from physical changes undergoes emotional changes as well. Stress and depression is very common during pregnancy which takes a negative toll on both  the baby and the mother. Caressing, encouragement, and support from the partner is very much important for the mental stability of he mother and proper growth of the child.

The second stage of pregnancy (week 13- week 28) is said to be the most enjoyable and comfortable phase of pregnancy. It is the also the easiest phase of pregnancy. The feelings of nausea, fatigue and tiredness take a back seat and thus makes the would be mother feel more relieved and relaxed.

There are certain new changes observed during this phase. The changes include all body parts from head to toe.

1)      Change of Skin Colour : In this phase certain areas of skin undergoes colour change and becomes darker. Areas such as the face, around the neck, the skin around the nipples are more prone to this change. This happens due to increased blood circulation to the skin.

2)      Stretch Marks : Stretch marks become visible more and more as the size of the belly keeps on increasing. Stretch marks not only appear on the abdomen but are also visible on the thighs, buttocks, breasts and often tends to be itchy.

3)      Vaginal Discharge : Vaginal discharge is very common during this trimester. There is nothing to worry if you see a thin, white discharge from your vagina. But consultation with a doctor becomes necessary if the discharge is accompanied by strong smell or if it causes redness, itching or irritation in that area.

4)      Swelling : Swelling of the ankles, fingers and face is often observed during the second trimester. But you need to worry if the swelling is severe and you gain weight really fast.

5)      Kidney Problems : There is an increased risk of bladder and kidney infections during this phase. These infections are accompanied by fever, burning sensation while urinating and backache. These infections must be treated properly and cured at the right time to avoid complications.

Pregnancy is not only a physical and biological process but also a mental as well as a psycological process. Women tend to become very delicate and sentimental during this time. Though the feeling varies from person to person but most women have a strong desire for sex during this trimester while others feel alienated and depressed. This all happens due to hormonal changes in the body. Hence expecting women should be given proper and quality time to help them get rid of this feeling make them enjoy the feeling of having a baby.

The third trimester is the most challenging and the most difficult phase of pregnancy. The discomfort of the pregnant woman keeps on increasing with the growth of the baby. The would be mother becomes impatient as her time of delivery approaches and bearing the weight of the child becomes a difficult job.

1)   Abdominal Pain : The muscles and ligaments that support the baby keeps on stretching with the growth of the baby. This causes pain in the abdomen.

2)   Sexual Desire : There is no restrictions in having sex during this period as long as the sex is a soft and a gentle one. But having sex becomes very uncomfortable  due to the increased growth of the baby. The pregnant woman feels a lesser sexual urge not only because she is most of the time involved in thoughts about her new born but also because of her increased body weight.

3)   Weight Gain : A pregnant woman gains upto 11 to 16 kilograms by the end of her third trimester. Not only the growing baby but also the larger breasts, amniotic fluid, and the placenta  account for the increased weight.

4)   Backache and Swelling

As the baby grows, the weight may lead to backaches and joint pains of the  mother.there is nothing to worry. A light massage helps. A heating pad is also helpful. There may also be symptoms of swollen feet or ankles. Consultation with the doctor becomes necessary in case of severe situations.

5)   Vaginal discharge and frequent urination : There is nothing abnormal if you feel the urge of frequent urination. This is a common problem. There may also be symptoms of vaginal discharge. If there is discharge of the amniotic fluid immediate consultation with the doctor is recommended.

Not only physical but the pregnant woman undergoes a emotional transition especially during this trimester. Thu would be mother suffers from anxiety and tension. Here, the support and encouragement of the partner is required. He should spend quality time with his spouse. Listening to music, watching good movies, good humour may help the would be mother feel more relaxed and refreshed.

Happy Family

Conception is the second step of pregnancy. Just after planning, the couple should take necessary precautions and start concentrating on conceiving. Conceiving needs the proper time and a bit of practice. The couple should be well aware of the time to get pregnant. The sexual life of the couple must be made as much as enjoyable as possible in order to make the process of getting pregnant an easy one. Some  important points should be taken care of before conceiving.

The couple should share a strong emotional and physical bonding with each other. Proper physical satisfaction is very essential for the woman to conceive easily. Having and raising a child involves lot of responsibilities and sacrifice. The couple should conceive only when they are aware of their duties and responsibilities. Both the partners have to be willing and fully participate in carrying out their duties in rearing up the child. Women during pregnancy need lot of psychological support from her partner. This is not possible unless the couple share a strong emotional bonding. Hence not only the mother but also the father has to be very supportive.

Secondly rearing up of a child not only involves responsibilities but also strong financial condition. The parents must be financially secured before conceiving. They must have a lot of money saved both for themselves and for the child.

Conception

Women loses their fertility with their age. Hence the best time to get pregnant is in the twenties. Pregnancy after thirty in women can cause various complications. So conceiving at the right time is very important in order to deliver a healthy baby.

Having intercourse during the fertile phase of the woman increases the chances of getting pregnant. Women start ovulating during the days 12 to 14 of her menstrual cycle. This is the most fertile period of a woman. So intercourse should be done at this time for fast conception. Having intercourse every other day during this period is recommendable for fast conception. Many couples fail to conceive because they do not have intercourse during this fertile phase of the woman. So the woman must be aware of her time of ovulation. There are ovulation kits available which helps the would-be mother determine her days of ovulation.

The couple should enjoy and feel relaxed when having intercourse because stress can delay the time and has a negative impact on conception. Both the partners should remain tension free during this period. The partners should not indulge in the thought of having a baby and pressurize themselves rather enjoy the whole process of love making.

To make the process fast and quick it is said that the partners should have sex in the early morning or in the afternoon. This is because men normally have erections in the morning and the sperm count is highest in the morning. Hence the partners should indulge in love making in the morning as this increases the chances of getting pregnant.

The chances of getting pregnant is increased if both the partners reach orgasm at the same time. It is seen that at the time of orgasm an alkaline secretion is created in the vagina which is preferred by the sperm rather than the acidic one. Hence proper orgasm in both the male and the female is required as it fosters the process of conception.

Right positioning also matters and contributes in conception.we should avoid such positions where the woman is on top. The woman should allow the sperm to remain in the vagina as long as possible. The woman should try keeping a pillow under her hips as that will prevent the sperm to leak out. The missionary position i.e, man on top is the most advisable position as this allows deepest possible penetration. Doggy style i.e, rear-entry position is also recommendable. Raising the hips of he woman can be done in order to hasten the process of conception.

The above points if followed will help in fast and quick conception and will also make the whole process of love making a real enjoyable one which is very much necessary for conception. Getting pregnant is not that difficult as one may think it to be. Women get pregnant within one year of trying. If it dosen’t happen the couple should consult a doctor and undergo treatment if either of them is diagnosed with any complication.

Signs of bad parenting

A parent must have a clear notion of what makes a bad parent. He should be aware of the consequences of bad parenting and work accordingly.
The various signs of bad parenting are discussed below.

1. Neglecting

The child suffers from insecurity if he feels that he or she is neglected. A child should be loved and not neglected. A child should never feel unwanted. A good parents should always try to provide the child with strong sense of security. A child seeks his parents’ love and affection and not their negligence and ignorance. Avoiding may result into creating a feeling of loneliness in the child.

2. Criticizing and comparing

Every child has some fault or the other. Nobody is superior to anybody. Criticizing and comparing one’s child with others is a very bad habit which should be avoided. Criticizing a child is very easy but rectifying is difficult. Never demoralize a child but encourage him with the right spirit.

3. Physical and verbal abuse

Don’t abuse the child physically or verbally. This leaves a long lasting negative impact on the child. A parent should use the right language while scolding the child. Scolding  should also be done in a polished way. A child is very sensitive to rude and harsh behaviour. So a child should be handled in a very delicate manner.

4. Pampering

There is a difference between loving your child and and pampering them. Too much of anything is bad. Pampering ultimately leads to development of  various negative traits in the child. The child may become arrogant, rude, and excessively demanding. Pampering your child is not the way to show your love for your child. Don’t blindly love your child but slowly make him understand the harsh realities of life.

5. Force

Forcing the child to work according to his parents’ wishes is another common practice which again have a negative impact on the child. A good parent should respect his child’s decision and help him to attain success. Forcing results in restricting the child’s own thought process and decision making power. Give your child space and avoid unnecessary interference in his life.

6. Shouting and screaming

Shouting at your child is a very unhealthy way of scolding your child. The child may in this case become aggressive and violent. Always try to make your child understand his mistakes and give him time to rectify them. Shouting and screaming does not help in making your child realize his mistakes.

7. Punishment

Punishing your child unnecessarily should be avoided. Punishment for every little matter will ultimately bring in a stage when the child will become indifferent to the idea of punishment. A good parent should avoid harsh discipline and also stop punishing the child for every small deed.

These are just a few parenting flaws which a parent should take note of while raising a kid.

Thus we see that parenting is an art which requires lot of attention , time and energy. A good parent is always respected and loved. It is the duty of the parents to look after the child”s all round development and ensure his proper progress.

Pregnancy is the most crucial period of a woman’s  life. Planning a pregnancy is  very important in order to deliver a healthy baby. Having a baby is a matter of great joy and excitement  for the couple but proper planning and necessary precautions should be taken during this period. A couple should start planning their pregnancy several months before in order to avoid complications.

Building blocks of pregnancy

1)    A woman must be aware of the right time to get pregnant. The ideal time for a woman to get pregnant is in her twenties.  At this time the body is fully grown and capable of carrying a baby. Delaying the time of pregnancy may give rise to various complications. Getting pregnant at the right time is a very important issue for the delivery of a healthy baby.
2)    Infections have a negative impact on both the mother and the foetus. Infections can be very harmful for the foetus and may cause severe illness in the child. Infections may also get transmitted through sexual contact. So a mother should undergo a thorough check up before getting pregnant.

Say no to smoking and alcohol

3) Alcohol in man causes damage to the sperm and  also has a negative impact to the man’s fertility. Alcohol in women increases the risks of miscarriages and other complications. So a woman planning to get pregnant should stop drinking and smoking and taking drugs as these have a harmful effect on the foetus.

Stop using contraceptive.

4) Contaceptives prevent a woman from getting pregnant. A woman should stop using contraceptives several months before planning to get pregnant. She must have atleast two normal cycles before succeeding in getting pregnant.

Stop harmful pills.

5) Prior to conception, a woman must consult her doctor regarding her existing medical status and health. She should stop taking such pills which may have a negative imapact on the child. She should not even take sleeing pills or pain killers without consulting the doctor. Awareness of a woman regarding her present health condition is very much important before planning to conceive.

Healthy Diet.

6) Both the partners should undergo a lifestyle modification atleast 3months before planning a pregnancy.Proper diet especially for the mother is very much necessary in order to deliver a healthy baby.A woman planning to get pregnant should eat a diet rich in folic acid as deficiency in folic acid results into various birth defects. Thus both the partners should consume a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Parents should take cautious steps before planning a pregnancy and keep in mind the above mentioned points in order to deliver a healthy baby.

It is the duty of a good parent to help the child differentiate right from wrong. Parents should inform the child about the various wrong deeds which he should avoid. A child should be able to make the right choices for himself. A child in his process of growing up is bound to commit mistakes. But it is the responsibility of the parents to make him aware of his mistakes and help the child in taking right decisions in the future.
Role model

Try to be a role model for your child. Practice what you preach. The child should be able to learn from his parents. Don’t ask the child to do something which you do not follow.

Love and care

A child always seeks love, care and affection from his parents. A child should never feel unwanted at home. The parents should provide their child with a warm and lovable surrounding. A soft kiss or a gentle hug gives the child a strong sense of security. It is the duty of the parents to praise their children.  A little praise helps in boosting up their level of self –confidence.

Don’t compare

Never compare your child with  other children. Comparison is not at all healthy for the child’s development. This may instill in the child a sense of  inferiority complex. So a good parent should never criticize and compare his child with others.

Listen to your child

A good parent should always spend time with his child. He should talk to his child and listen to his problems. A good parent must also be a good listener. Don’t always impose things on your child. Make it a point to share his views and ideas as well. This will also help in keeping away communication gaps beween the child and the parent. Spending quality time and keeping your child engaged in various activities also helps in moulding the child’s personality.

Adolescence training

A child goes through various stages before becoming an adult. Adolescence is the most crucial period of one’s life. It is considered to be the period of  storm stress and pain. It is during this time that parents perform the most important role. The parents should keep his child informed about the various bodily changes that will take place during his adolescence. The child should be able to accept these changes sportingly and gradually proceed towards adulthood. The mother generally takes the leading role in educating her child in this respect. The child may become aggressive, violent or may be seen depressed all the time. These behavioural changes take place due to the various hormonal changes that take place in one’s body. So the parent should inform the child about the changes well ahead of time and help the child to cope up with  the changes without difficulty.

So a good parent must always stand by his child and help him overcome all the difficulties and develop a positive attitude towards life. Good parenting is very much necessary for the all round development of the child. The character, personalitiy, behaviour of the child reflects the type of parenting he receives.