extended family
All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.
Understanding Food Poisoning
Food is an essential part of our lives, but when contaminated, it can become a serious health hazard. Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, occurs when people consume food or drinks contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances. While most cases are mild, some can be severe or even life-threatening, especially for young children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
By Ahmad shahabout a year ago in Families
The Light Beneath the Door
“Rachel?” Michael’s voice called gently from the kitchen doorway. She didn’t respond at first. She was standing in the hallway, her hand hovering just inches from the doorknob of the room that used to be bright yellow and full of baby animals. Now it was dim, quiet, untouched for months.
By nawab sagarabout a year ago in Families
Children Aren’t Born Rude — So Who’s Teaching Them?
Children Aren’t Born Rude — So Who’s Teaching Them? “He’s just so disrespectful these days.” “She talks back at everyone — even her teacher!” These are common complaints you’ll hear in school meetings, parenting forums, or even casual conversations among concerned adults. But have we paused to ask why children behave this way? We’re witnessing a silent crisis—the rise of rudeness and rebellion among school-aged children. From disruptive classroom behavior to sarcastic tones and an apparent disregard for authority, many kids today seem to be teetering on the edge of defiance. Shows like Adolescence on Netflix, or viral social media content that glorifies disrespectful attitudes, may appear to be just entertainment. But in reality, they reflect a deeper truth—a society that’s unsure how to raise emotionally healthy, respectful children in a chaotic world. So let’s ask the real question: Are children becoming ruder, or are they reacting to a world that misunderstands them? --- 🎯 What Lies Beneath the Surface We often treat bad behavior as the problem itself, when in fact, it's often a symptom of something else. Here are some of the key causes behind why children may be acting out more than ever before. --- 1. Tension Behind the Tantrums: The Need for Attention Many children engage in loud, dramatic, or rude behavior simply to get noticed. Not all children receive emotional availability at home. In homes where parents are busy, distracted, or emotionally distant, a child may find that negative attention is better than no attention at all. This isn’t manipulation. It’s a cry for connection. --- 2. The Echo of Home: Family Environment Shapes Behavior A child raised in a home filled with yelling, criticism, or indifference is more likely to mirror those behaviors outside. If a child constantly hears aggressive language, disrespectful tone, or experiences emotional neglect, how can we expect them to be composed and kind? Children don’t just learn from what we say—they absorb what we are. --- 3. The Digital Playground: Social Media and Meme Culture From TikTok to YouTube, kids are immersed in a world where rudeness is “funny” and sarcasm is celebrated. Characters in popular media roll their eyes, talk back, and mock authority—earning likes, views, and followers. This creates a culture where being disrespectful is seen as clever, cool, or rebellious in a heroic way. Unfortunately, children imitate what they admire—even if it’s toxic. --- 4. Lack of Boundaries: Weak School Discipline and Mixed Signals If a school lacks a consistent and compassionate discipline system, children don’t feel secure or guided. Some teachers may be too strict, others too lenient—leaving children confused about what’s acceptable. When discipline feels like punishment, not support, it builds resistance rather than respect. The absence of structure breeds chaos, not freedom. --- 5. Hidden Hurt: Mental Health and Emotional Strain Not all rudeness is rebellion. Some of it is grief in disguise. Anxiety, depression, bullying, loneliness, low self-esteem—all these factors can make a child act out. When they don’t have the vocabulary to express their inner world, they express it through anger, sarcasm, or withdrawal. --- ✅ So, What Can We Do About It? Children aren’t born rude. They are born with raw emotions and unmet needs, and how we respond to those needs shapes their character. Let’s explore some practical and compassionate steps we can take to guide children back toward empathy, respect, and emotional balance. --- 1. Discipline with Dignity: Set Boundaries with Compassion Discipline doesn’t mean punishment. It means direction. Children need to know what the limits are—but they also need to know why those limits matter. A classroom or home that balances structure with empathy gives children the safety to thrive and the space to grow. Use language like, “I see you’re upset, but let’s talk about it calmly,” rather than “Stop being rude!”. --- 2. Train the Teachers: Emotional Intelligence for Educators Teachers are often the first responders to behavioral issues—but many haven’t received training in child psychology, trauma response, or emotional regulation techniques. Schools must invest in teacher development that goes beyond academics. A teacher who understands why a child is acting out is far better equipped to help than one who simply punishes. --- 3. Parents, Be Present Beyond Grades Many parents only engage with their child’s life when it comes to academic performance. But a report card doesn’t reveal emotional struggles, online influences, or social pressures. Talk to your children about their friends, digital habits, feelings, and fears. Listen without judgment. Respect earns respect. --- 4. Introduce School Counseling Programs Every school should have trained counselors or child psychologists available—not just for crisis intervention, but for regular emotional check-ins. Sometimes, all a child needs is a safe adult who listens. Counseling helps uncover the "why" behind the "what"—why is the child misbehaving? What are they not saying out loud? --- 5. Show Them Better: Positive Role Models Matter Children are natural mimics. If they’re not given real-life heroes, they’ll find them in virtual worlds. Use books, movies, real stories, and personal examples to show children what kindness, bravery, patience, and honesty look like. Talk to them about flawed but growing characters—those who make mistakes and learn. Let them know that empathy is strength, not weakness. --- 💬 Final Thoughts: The Responsibility We Share A rude child is not a failed child. They are not “bad,” “spoiled,” or “ungrateful.” They are learning, hurting, exploring, reacting. And often, they’re simply reflecting what the world has shown them. We can’t afford to dismiss bad behavior as just “kids these days.” We must lean in and ask: What have they seen? What have they been denied? What are they trying to say? Because at the end of the day, children don’t just grow up. They are raised—by homes, schools, screens, and society.
By Muhammad Ilyasabout a year ago in Families
Through Their Eyes
Mira sat quietly on the edge of her bed, acceptance letter in hand. The emblem of the prestigious university gleamed in gold at the top of the page. Full tuition wasn’t covered—only partial. She knew her parents would smile and say “we’ll manage,” but she also knew what manage meant in their world.
By Adil Nawazabout a year ago in Families
Fleeing Family: A Reading List on Estrangement
During the three years I planned on fleeing my abusive family and in the year after cutting all contact, I never knew the word “estrangement.” When I encountered the term in a college literature class in 2014, I Googled it, curious and desperate to understand myself. Yet, I couldn’t find any relevant articles with the advice I actually needed: how to navigate holidays alone. I disappeared instead through writing, reading, and, later, living abroad; I established a chosen family and developed a repertoire of coping skills.
By Pir Ashfaq Ahmadabout a year ago in Families
The Importance of Family in a Person’s Life
Family is one of the most fundamental and influential parts of a person's life. It is the first social group that we are exposed to, and it continues to shape our experiences, behaviors, values, and beliefs throughout our lifetime. Family is more than just people who are biologically related; it is a bond built on love, support, understanding, and shared responsibility. In every stage of life—from infancy to old age—family plays a crucial role in shaping identity, providing emotional support, offering life guidance, and helping individuals grow and thrive. The importance of family is undeniable, as it influences nearly every aspect of personal development and overall well-being.
By MANZOOR KHANabout a year ago in Families
Hard Times
By adina When my family first told me that we were moving to England, I was devastated. The idea of leaving behind everything I had ever known—my friends, my school, my street, my entire way of life—filled me with fear. Albania had always been my home, and although life there was not always easy, it was familiar. I couldn’t imagine starting over in a completely different place, a country I had only seen on TV or heard about from relatives who had gone abroad. I didn't want to leave. I cried the night before we left, clutching a photo of my best friend and me at school, both of us smiling with our arms around each other. I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind. But my parents reassured me that this move was for the best—that we were going to a place where we could all have a better future. When we finally arrived in England, everything felt strange. The streets were different, the buildings unfamiliar, and the people spoke so quickly that I struggled to understand them. For the first few weeks, I felt like an outsider. I missed home terribly. I missed my language, my food, the smells of my neighborhood, and even the noise of the local market in Tirana. But slowly, things began to change. School here was different from what I was used to. Back home, we would finish lessons earlier in the day, but in England, school went on until three o’clock in the afternoon. At first, I didn’t like the longer hours, but I soon began to appreciate the structure. The subjects were interesting, the teachers were kind, and there were so many more options. I was surprised to learn that students here could go to university even if their families didn’t have much money. It was all about working hard, being determined, and not giving up. That gave me hope. The thing that struck me most was the diversity in my new school. I wasn’t the only one who had come from a different country. In my class alone, there were children from Somalia, Bangladesh, Poland, Portugal, the Philippines, and many other places. I quickly realised I wasn’t alone in my journey. We all had stories, and we all had made sacrifices to be here. We had different backgrounds, languages, and cultures, but we were all learning together, laughing together, and growing up together. I began to make friends, real friends who didn’t care where I came from or what my accent sounded like. They just liked me for who I was. We played football at lunch, helped each other with homework, and shared snacks from our different cultures. It was through them that I truly began to feel like I belonged. It took time, but I have come to call England my home. The country that once felt so foreign now feels like a place where I have a future. I can see a path ahead that wasn’t so clear before. I want to go to university, maybe study medicine or engineering. I want to have a career that makes my parents proud and helps others too. I want to give back to the country that gave me a second chance. Looking back, I realise that this story isn’t just about hard times. Yes, moving away from home was hard. Learning a new language was hard. Trying to fit in was hard. But those difficult moments taught me something important: that change, while scary, often brings opportunity. That the hardest experiences can lead to the most rewarding ones. I’ve learned that life is full of unexpected turns, and while we can’t control everything, we can choose how we respond. We can fight, adapt, and grow. We can find beauty in diversity and strength in community. So yes, I still miss Albania. I still remember my friends and the streets of my old neighborhood. But I am not sad anymore. I carry those memories with me, and I know they are a part of who I am. But I also look forward now—with hope and determination. I called my story Hard Times, but perhaps that title doesn't tell the whole truth. This is really a story about the light that comes after the darkness, about the doors that open when others close, and about the courage to believe in a better tomorrow.
By Israr khanabout a year ago in Families
A Silent Tear at Midnight
The day was hot. The sun burned everything. Even the air felt heavy. But inside, I felt cold. My grandfather, Papa, was gone. We stood near his grave. Dad was using a shovel, covering Papa with dirt. The sound of the shovel scraping against the earth echoed in my mind. I didn’t cry. I didn’t know why. Maybe my heart was too full. Or maybe it was too empty. I remembered when Papa used to take me fishing. He always smiled. His old hands felt strong when he held mine. Now, those hands were still, forever. People said I should be strong. I stood there, silent. My body felt weak, but no tears came. Why couldn’t I cry? Was something wrong with me? Around me, people whispered. Some hugged. Some cried. I just watched the dirt cover Papa, bit by bit, until he was gone from sight. At night, I lay awake in my bed. I thought about him. His voice. His laughter. The way he smelled like old wood and soap. I missed him. I wanted to cry. But still, no tears. Days passed. I went back to school. My friends played and laughed. I tried to smile, but it felt fake. Inside, I felt alone. Like I was carrying a sack of stones in my chest. One day, my teacher asked me to write about family. I picked up my pencil, but my hand shook. Words didn’t come. So I sat quietly. After class, she asked me if I was okay. I nodded, but I wasn’t. At home, I saw Dad sitting alone. He wasn’t talking much these days. His eyes looked tired. I wanted to ask him if he felt cold inside too. But I stayed silent. Maybe he wouldn’t understand. Maybe he would say, “Be strong.” Then, something changed. One morning, Mom found me sitting near Papa’s old chair. I was just sitting, not thinking. She sat next to me. She didn’t speak. Just held my hand. We sat together in silence. And in that silence, I felt something warm. Not outside. Inside. That night, tears came. Soft at first. Then stronger. I cried for Papa. For myself. For all the silent pain inside me. It felt like letting go of a heavy bag I’d been carrying for too long. Mom hugged me. She didn’t tell me to stop. She let me cry. And slowly, the cold feeling inside me began to fade. I started writing letters to Papa. I wrote about my day, my feelings, the things I couldn’t say to anyone else. I placed those letters in his old chair. With time, I smiled more. Real smiles. My sack of stones turned lighter. Now, when I remember Papa, I still feel sad. But it’s okay. Sadness is part of love. I learned that it’s okay not to cry right away. Grief has its own time. Papa is gone. But his love stays. In my heart. In my memories. And when I sit by his chair, I know I’m not alone. Grief is not a weakness. It’s just love that has nowhere to go. And love never dies. I stood there quietly, watching the sun fade behind the hills. The silence felt heavy, like it wanted to say something but didn’t know how. I looked down at my hands, small and trembling, yet somehow steady enough to hold memories I wasn’t ready to face. The wind touched my hair softly, as if trying to comfort me. I closed my eyes, hoping the breeze could carry away the weight in my heart. But some weights aren’t meant to leave; they settle quietly, like a shadow that stays even when the light changes. That night, I didn’t speak much. Words felt too loud for feelings this gentle. I simply sat by the window, holding my knees close, letting the stars tell stories I couldn’t. And maybe, just maybe, tomorrow would feel a little lighter.
By Leya kirsan official about a year ago in Families
Best Places and Options for Photo Printing in Singapore for Parents,Couple and Kids
Introduction: As a parent, there’s nothing more special than capturing your child’s milestones and preserving those precious memories. One of the best ways to hold on to these moments is through photo printing. Whether it’s a photo from your child’s birthday party, a family holiday, or a memorable school event, having these moments printed can turn fleeting memories into tangible keepsakes. In this blog, we will explore the best photo printing options for parents in Singapore. Whether you're searching for "photo printing near me" or looking for the most "photo printing Singapore cheap" options, this guide will help you find the perfect solution for printing your children's photos and memories.
By Photojaanicabout a year ago in Families
Rural and Suburban Loneliness
It wasn’t the quiet that bothered Edith. It was how loud it could get. She lived in a small white house on the last street before the cornfields began. Not quite farmland, not quite neighborhood—just the space in between. The kind of town where people wave but never stop. Where every dog knows its way home, and every secret stays in the soil.
By Abuzar khanabout a year ago in Families
Sleepless in Solitude: Did Any Of It Work?
Did Any Of It Work? Sleeplessness is a strange companion. While the world sleeps, I am awake, with my special daughter, I have 3). I have been a stay at home mum for so long that I can't even begin to contemplate returning to the rat race that is called 'work' — alarms, traffic jams, awkward office small talk — my brain freezes just thinking about it. My reason, you ask, maybe I'll share it in my next story. My husband is the only one working, and, although he has a well paid job, I can't help but feel like I should contribute something.
By Esther Oyewoleabout a year ago in Families
