Published: www.yash.ca
On: September 9, 2008
At: Toronto, Canada
I came across The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Interpreter of Maladies), which evokes in me a lifelong balancing act to meld to a new world without forgetting the old. Just as the protagonist of the novel, American born Gogol, son of Indian immigrants, wants to find his place in the world, I hope that this cultural conflict is less pronounced with my son.
With strong Indian ties, I clearly want an Indian name for my baby boy. A name is not only an important thing in his new life, but also it represents my thoughts and feelings. It is a fun process, and at times frustrating. The name is going to help shape his personality, and it's definitely going to help if the meaning of his name is positive and lovely to sound.
In my nearly three years living in Canada, I have met a few Indians who have modified their name to spell it differently or even changed it to more Canadian! I don't like doing so, yet to each his own.
I rather keep a simple and sweet name from the start.I flip through various name books for inspiration. Yet, it seems elusive. Of an infinite pool of names, how do I select one that truly sum up my baby? To avoid my little one being subjected to a lifetime of sniggers, we have spent hours running through lists, shortlists, and definite no-no lists of baby names. I have made a list of things that I want and don't want in my baby's name:
Creative spelling
I definitely will not use my creativity to spell my son's name with a twist. I don't want him to spend a lifetime spelling his name to others, or worse, despise his name later. A name no one can pronounce can bring attention he would rather avoid.
Celebrity names
Even though it's fun to name a child Mallika or Mihir, I certainly don't want their celebrity status to affect my little one. What happens when a hot star turns into a flop star? Or worse, some aunt expecting my son to dance like Hrithik? Being inspired by a celebrity, and naming a child after him or her is treading on dangerous territory.
Short and sweet
The name should be easy to spell and pronounce. I plan to take a test - I will ask my Canadian colleagues/ or friends to pronounce it. Imagine a beautiful name like Poorvi is pronounced as Poor - vi!!!
Positive meaning
A name with positive meaning and energy will bring out the best in my child. When he grows up, will he not be flattered to know that his name means strong or wise?
Clashing with family name
Since my last name is a tongue twister, and middle name (i.e. my husband's name) is long as well, it is best to choose a short name. Follow the KISS rule - Keep it simple stupid. Often, longer first names work better with shorter last names, and vice versa.
Running out of time
Don't panic! In most Canadian provinces (I can speak of Toronto for sure) we get 30 days after the baby is born to register his name. So if I am planning to name him knowing his birth date and time, I have some time to decide.
However, none of these are hard and fast rules. The most important criterion is that hubby dear and I should like it! Once I have met my baby Krish, Arnav, or Aryan, it doesn't matter what his name is, and means. Because it will soon become my favourite name in the whole world.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Bargain Hunters - Be aware!
Published: http://www.yash.ca/
At: Toronto, Canada
On: August 25th, 2008
The thrill of having a baby and going for shopping is alike. Both are exciting experiences, and the excitement lasts till you see the bills!! Now is the time to start my shopping before I am too tired. As I browse around the shops and websites for my little baby, I am overwhelmed at the sight of the myriad products on display. It is impossible to resist buying those pint sized stretch suits with Disney characters all over or the booties and the adorable little knit cap. Ohh! The fuzzy blanket will surely keep my baby warm. And, what about the baby's crib and changing table with lots of storage space? Woefully I lament, wont I need all of these for my adorable munchkin?
Disappointed that I can't have it all; I am looking out for various options. My friend suggests that I look for garage sales and classifieds. At times, you do find great deals with gently used products. The classified site that pleases me the most, and is popular is the http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/ and http://www.kijiji.ca/.
I am amazed at the great bargains I can find here. A monitor for $60, Evenflo Exersaucer is for $40, and, a stroller for $30. Wow! That's quite a saving. Now before I get too excited let me recall Health Canada's guide to be careful about buying (and selling) used baby gear.So if I am buying a Baby Gate, Crib or a Playpen it must be accompanied by the name of the manufacturer, model no. and the date of manufacture and assembly instructions. Oh, Baby Walkers, they are illegal to sell in Canada since April 2004. I wasn't aware of it at all. I did a little more research and discovered that most injuries are caused by falls when the baby walker tips and the baby is thrown downstairs or crashes into furniture. That's scary!
Car Seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. (Oh, I need to buy this right away as the hospital will not allow me to take my baby without a car seat). Playpens must have all locking mechanisms working and set-up instructions included. Strollers must come with a safety harness that is solidly attached to the seat or frame. The brakes, as well as locking mechanisms on folding models, should be in working order. The wheels need to be securely attached. Recently, there has been an increased number of recalls on toys with paint containing lead. I have to check that toys have not been recalled before buying them in the Health Canada Web site, http://www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls
Buying Infant Bath Seats and Bath Rings is not recommended because the suction cups or other means to attach the product to a tub can be ineffective. These products are NOT safety devices.
For more information, contact Consumer Product Safety, Health Canada: 1-866-662-0666, email cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca ,or visit www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps.Now that's quite an exhaustive list from Health Canada. Nevertheless useful if I choose to go for mildly used products for my baby. Think Shopping, Think Safety!
At: Toronto, Canada
On: August 25th, 2008
The thrill of having a baby and going for shopping is alike. Both are exciting experiences, and the excitement lasts till you see the bills!! Now is the time to start my shopping before I am too tired. As I browse around the shops and websites for my little baby, I am overwhelmed at the sight of the myriad products on display. It is impossible to resist buying those pint sized stretch suits with Disney characters all over or the booties and the adorable little knit cap. Ohh! The fuzzy blanket will surely keep my baby warm. And, what about the baby's crib and changing table with lots of storage space? Woefully I lament, wont I need all of these for my adorable munchkin?
Disappointed that I can't have it all; I am looking out for various options. My friend suggests that I look for garage sales and classifieds. At times, you do find great deals with gently used products. The classified site that pleases me the most, and is popular is the http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/ and http://www.kijiji.ca/.
I am amazed at the great bargains I can find here. A monitor for $60, Evenflo Exersaucer is for $40, and, a stroller for $30. Wow! That's quite a saving. Now before I get too excited let me recall Health Canada's guide to be careful about buying (and selling) used baby gear.So if I am buying a Baby Gate, Crib or a Playpen it must be accompanied by the name of the manufacturer, model no. and the date of manufacture and assembly instructions. Oh, Baby Walkers, they are illegal to sell in Canada since April 2004. I wasn't aware of it at all. I did a little more research and discovered that most injuries are caused by falls when the baby walker tips and the baby is thrown downstairs or crashes into furniture. That's scary!
Car Seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. (Oh, I need to buy this right away as the hospital will not allow me to take my baby without a car seat). Playpens must have all locking mechanisms working and set-up instructions included. Strollers must come with a safety harness that is solidly attached to the seat or frame. The brakes, as well as locking mechanisms on folding models, should be in working order. The wheels need to be securely attached. Recently, there has been an increased number of recalls on toys with paint containing lead. I have to check that toys have not been recalled before buying them in the Health Canada Web site, http://www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls
Buying Infant Bath Seats and Bath Rings is not recommended because the suction cups or other means to attach the product to a tub can be ineffective. These products are NOT safety devices.
For more information, contact Consumer Product Safety, Health Canada: 1-866-662-0666, email cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca ,or visit www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps.Now that's quite an exhaustive list from Health Canada. Nevertheless useful if I choose to go for mildly used products for my baby. Think Shopping, Think Safety!
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