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Digital technology surrounds us and is part of our daily lives. Learning how to use it wisely is an essential skill for life and learning in these times. As parents, we sometimes don’t feel equipped to support our child’s journey and worry about their use of technology. Which controls should we put in place? How much screen time is too much? What kind of conversations should we have with them?

In this blogpost, I will share some of the learnings I’ve gained recently from my own research and at a recent workshop I attended on this topic.


Mindset Shift: Not all screen time is the same.

Most of us reading this are probably of the generation where our first ever home-owned computer, the Internet, and smartphones entered our lives when we were older. Since then, technology has evolved by leaps and bounds. We are finding ourselves raising children in a generation where technology is integrated into their daily lives from an extremely young age. It’s a bit scary being in this position because, as parents we’re still “figuring things out as we go”. On top of that, we mostly hear the negative effects of screen time, social media, and use of technology in the news.

First, we need to change our own thinking around screen time. Recognize that not all screen time consumption is the same. There are different types of screen time:
  • Passive: watching TV
  • Interactive: playing videogames, interactive educational apps, browsing the Internet or using social media
  • Communicative: communicating with the real world through your device, such as video-chatting
  • ​Content creation: using devices to make digital art or music
Each type of screen time consumption affects or uses a different part of our brain. Passive use and addiction to social media is known to have negative, anti-social effects on children. However, there is a positive impact on behavior, literacy, and cognitive ability when children are using educational interactive apps or digital tools to create content, coding, and connecting with family/friends using technology (remember how that was a god-send during Covid!).

All this is to highlight the following: How our children use technology is highly context dependent and not all screen time is bad! An hour of watching YouTube videos is not the same as an hour spent designing digital art. :)


Parenting Approaches

There are different approaches to parenting with regards to use of digital devices at home. Given the scope of this post, I will not delve too much into this and will instead share this link for further reference.

My own personal opinion is that it is impractical to eliminate or minimize use of technology in this day and age. It’s all about finding the right balance and following it in a consistent manner so that we don't send confusing signals to our children. Also, your child is watching you. If you’re on your phone during meal times, your child will think it’s acceptable behavior to watch a show on their iPad at the dining table. If you’re scrolling endlessly on Instagram or Facebook while talking to your child, you can expect that they will return the favor to you someday! So remember, role modeling is important and use technology the way you want your children to.


Good Practices / Tips

  • Rule of thumb to tell your child: Be safe, responsible, and respectful with online use and technology. Just as you would want your child to be safe, responsible, and respectful in the classroom or playground, the same rules apply to the digital world.
  • Agree on a set of ground rules for technology and online use. This includes asking for permissions to download apps and agreeing on how much screen time is appropriate, depending on the type of screen time (discussed above). Be prepared to revisit this topic again and again as your children grow and circumstances change.
  • According to sources, the average age that a child will be first exposed to pornography or adult content online is at 11 years of age. Sometimes this can occur simply by accident if a child is searching online for a particular term or phrase. Instead of waiting for it to happen when you least expect it, have a preemptive chat with your child. Remind them that if they see something inappropriate online, they should turn it off immediately and then inform you.
  • Encourage them to think before they post - what may feel like a harmless joke or funny photo could be something that they regret posting later or embarrassing or hurtful to someone.
  • Making good choices online can be challenging for people of all ages, and we all make mistakes. Be present for your child and keep an eye on their online activity. Together you can unearth cool learning discoveries or concerns which can be addressed early on.
  • Create regular screen-free times as a family (e.g., meal times or evenings where you play boardgames) to bond and connect without digital distractions.
  • If you are using your phone in front of your child, name it. That means, identify what you’re doing so that they know you’re not ghosting on them or losing interest when they’re talking to you. I often do this. For example, if we are talking about catching a movie together, I pull out my phone and say “I’m looking up movie timings so that we can plan our weekend ahead”.
  • Keep devices in plain sight. Create a “digital station” or “phone zone” for charging all devices and for identifying a common area for your kids to return their devices once done (before bedtime, etc).

Resources

Be informed
  • Common Sense Media is a great source for families providing reviews and recommendations around video games, TV shows, movies, and technology
Monitoring
  • Screen time function shows how much time you’ve spent on your iPhone or iPad and also enables setting of limits
  • Three finger swipe allows you to see other open windows and apps
Setting parental controls
Some great apps for “interactive” or “content creation” for kids
Helpful articles


I've visited Bali five times in the past few years and always discover something new on this beautiful island. If you've explored enough of the hipp-dippy, earthy vibes of Ubud (see post about it here), it's time to hit up the happening hipster neighborhoods of Canggu and Seminyak in Bali! This blogpost will provide my recommendations for these two different areas which are located relatively close to one another. Seminyak is a hotbed for amazing eateries and boutiques. Meanwhile, Canggu is an up-and-coming surfer beach town, north of Seminyak and south of Tanah Lot.

Things to do in Seminyak 

1. Potato Head Beach Club: Located by the beach (though the beach itself isn't anything to write home about), this beach club is the epitome of casual, laid back Seminyak vibes. The beach club has amazing food and is super kid-friendly during the day time. For a more grown-up vibe, visit in the evenings! 

2. Shopping: Go to Seminyak Square and begin your window-shopping or actual shopping experience there! If you’re looking for stores with home furnishings, check out Satunama, Kim Soo, Mercredi and Domicile (just to name a few). I found this article for homewares in Seminyak very helpful. For clothes, you will find many local or international brands that made their start in Bali (these boutiques are generally more expensive). Street shopping and haggling is also fun - I had bought a pair of cute sandals for $13 SGD.

3. Spa: I’ve only tried Sunderi Spa (twice) and it was lovely both times. Good service and massage treatments at a good price.

4. Restaurants:
  • Motel Mexicola: Mexican food done right! If you go for dinner, stay until 10pm and you’ll see the crowd go crazy dancing on the tables to the beat of the live band! 
  • Ginger Moon: Great for lunch or dinner with pan-Asian cuisine. It’s located near all the cool shops and boutiques in Seminyak so it makes for a great option for a meal after your shopping escapades! 
  • Mamasan: This is not a child friendly restaurant in terms of food and ambiance but more suitable for a date night spot. The pan-Asian cuisine here is novel and lip-smacking good. I particularly loved the creative cocktails here - we had ordered 4 different drinks at our table and loved all of them. 
  • Chandi: Lovely restaurant that features Indonesian-influenced cuisine. This place specializes in different types of satay so don't try to stray from that when you make your order. As a vegetarian, I was a bit unconvinced about how good tempeh and vegetable satays could be but Chandi proved me wrong. Seriously good stuff!  
Things to do in Canggu 

1. Finn’s Beach Club: The Beach Club is great for lounging all day, dipping in the pool, and having a relaxing time. We loved the food and service here. Super kid-friendly and a great way to spend a lazy day! In addition, I would recommend Finn's Recreation Club - there's a bowling alley, supervised kids club with activities, trampoline jumping, and a water park. Great fun for the kids! 

2. Surfing lessons: For adults or kids, you can take surfing lessons in Canggu and it's challenging yet fun! My 9-year old went for a spin and he really enjoyed it.

3. Shopping: 
  • Walk along Jalan Pantai Berawa and you'll see lots of homeware stores, such as Bungalow Living, Cove Island Essentials, One Love, etc. (Again, refer to this helpful link)
  • Tamora Gallery: This is a lifestyle shopping center featuring family-friendly cafes and activities, stores, and a kids' outdoor playarea. 
Playing in Tamora Gallery

4. Restaurants (all vegetarian friendly): 
  • La Baracca: There are more than one location but either day, the pizza here is great! The restaurant had a rustic vibe but the food is oh-so-good!

  • Milk & Madu: Think chilled out café with pizza, pasta, avo toast, and breakfast bowls. What I loved most about this café is the play corner meant just for kids. There’s a big treehouse and a slide along with coloring activities to keep the little ones happily engaged.

  • Zin Cafe: Absolutely love the breakfast options here, including the eggs and the breakfast bowl
  • Yema Kitchen: Mediterranean cuisine with delicious food
  • Nu Delhi: For days when you want Indian food to hit the spot
  • Panama Kitchen & Pool: Restaurant with a family pool in a cute charming setting (1 min walk from Finn's Beach Club)
  • Other restaurants and coffee shops to visit in Canggu: Cafe Organic, Hungry Bird, Revolver, La Laguna (go only in the evening for the live band), Monsieur Spoon (this French bakery unexpectedly opens onto a rice paddy field!), and Seasalt in the Alila Hotel (amazing beach views over drinks).
5. Tanah Lot Temple: Amongst the more famous temples in Bali, Tanah Lot is a rock formation which is also home to an ancient Hindu temple. If you're in the Seminyak or Canggu area, you are not that far from the temple so it's well worth a visit!

Enjoying coconut water just outside Tanah Lot temple
Tanah Lot - you can see the rock formation over the water with the temple on top

Other Areas in Bali

Nusa Dua is the beach destination of Bali. This is where you are likely to find the better beach spots and get some sun & sand. If you want to do snorkeling, it's worth considering a trip to the nearby island of Nusa Penida. A speedboat takes you on a 45-60 min ride (sometimes bumpy) to the island where there are clear waters fore excellent snorkeling. We have done this with the kids and it's doable (though a bit of a trek). It does make for a full-day plan. We worked with Forever Vacation for planning our Nusa Penida visit. 

Overlooking the cliffs on Nusa Penida

Jimbaran is another area in the south of Bali. There is not much to do in this area itself other than visit Ayana Resort which boasts the famous Rock Bar. Essentially a bar carved into the side of a rocky hill, this spot is really a great place to enjoy sea views and fancy drinks in a unique setting (I really have to give it to Bali for having figured out how to create amazing experiences in restaurant settings!). When I had visited Rock Bar, I happened to take my kids with me as they are allowed to enter the restaurant/bar.

I hope you guys found this Bali guide helpful. This guide is by no means exhaustive but it's a good start! Do let me know what you discover from your travels there.


There is something about Bali. Maybe it’s the fact that it has retained its authenticity despite the massive tourism. Maybe it’s the Balinese people who are so genuine in their interactions with you. Maybe it’s variety of things that Bali has to offer, from beaches to volcano hikes to rice terraces. Or maybe it’s the sheer number of inviting cafes and the fact that they all have wifi! Whatever the reason, I find Bali a versatile destination for a couples getaway or for families with kids. I have been to Bali 5 times in the past few years and I know there is still so much more to explore. 

This blogpost is specifically on Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. Ubud is the perfect place in Bali to get away and be closer to the elements. Here you will find the famous rice terraces and the flourishing arts and crafts centers on the island. You can hear the sounds of nature and help a farmer harvest his rice for the season! 

If you choose to go to Ubud, my recommendation is to just stay put there for 3-4 days. It’s further away from the main, frequented areas in Bali, such as Canggu, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Thus, one can unnecessarily end up spending a lot of time going to and from Ubud for just a day’s trip. 

Here are my top 10 list of things to do in Ubud (followed by foodie recommendations below)!

1. Tegalalang Rice Terraces: There are several restaurants along the rice terraces and almost all boast a view of them. Pick one to have lunch in and take lovely pictures of the rice terraces. Along the same lines, look into doing a walking or biking tour of the rice paddies. We did a walking tour and my older son enjoyed getting a glimpse of the slow, village life!



2. Pod Chocolate Factory: Bali’s own chocolate factory makes its chocolates from locally grown cocoa pods. Kids will love making their own chocolates here! And well, adults too! Pick which kind of chocolate you want along with the toppings and you’re all set to create your own gourmet batch to take home (just make sure they don't melt later in the heat like ours did!). You can take elephant rides in this place as well.


3. Monkey forest: This is the famous touristy thing to do in Ubud. Worth a one-time visit to see friendly (and sometimes rather naughty!) monkeys up close in their natural forest habitat. The forest itself is extensive and has a mysterious air about it with dense trees and creeping vines.


4. Bali Swing: So there are more than one of these “Bali Swings”. They look super cool in the Instagram photos, with the person soaring high in the air with a view of some hills over yonder. But I’ll warn you that it’s a bit of a tourist trap. We had gone to Bali Swing, lured by similar such enticing photos only to find long lines of people waiting to just climb a swing and get a ride. My advice is to try to go early in the day when the lines are shorter. Ultimately, I’d say it was fun just as long as the waiting lines aren't too cumbersome.


5. Ubud main market area: Lots of shops and boutiques to check out here, both along the main road and the inner alleys. Your best bet is to stay along these connected roads and you'll find many a store or cafe here: Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Dewi Sita, Jalan Arjuna, and Jalan Hanuman. Plan for a few hours to stroll along this area.

6. Sunrise Trek to Mount Batur: This is one of my top activities to do in Bali. I've done the sunrise trek twice now, once with my husband and second time with my 9-year old son. It's a moderately challenging trek up the active volcano of Mount Batur. The trek begins at 4:00 AM so that you reach the top just in time for sunrise. It's worth the climb and is definitely an awe-inspiring experience! There are many tour operators you can find online. Ours was Abadi Bali Tour & Travel (whatsapp at +62-878-6057-0999).

Atop Mount Batur just at sunrise at 6:00 AM 

7. White Water Rafting along Ayung River: If you are looking for an "intro level" white water rafting experience, this is perfect. It was a good combination of relaxing and exhilarating 2 hour ride down the Ayung River, led by our guide. I did this activity with my 9-year old son and he loved it! We went through Ayung Dewata Rafting for our experience. 

8. Saraswati Temple and Ubud Palace: Both these heritage spots are located near the Ubud market area. For the Saraswati Temple, the locals recommend going in the evening to see the beautiful sunset that lights up the temple premises. In the daytime, it is nothing too exciting as the temple itself is not open to the public (only the small compound). Similarly, you can enter Ubud Palace for free and walk around the main (small) premises and get a feel of the traditional temple architecture. 

At the Sarawati Temple

9. Tirta Empul is a Hindu temple built around a bubbling spring. What I loved about our experience is that even though it is a religious place of worship, its spiritual acts can be taken by anyone. One enters the cold spring waters and undergoes a purification of sorts. Each watering spout holds special significance, such as washing away bad deeds and karma. It's a beautiful ritual and we all participated in it as a family. 


10. Tibumana Waterfall: We made our way down many, many steps to get to this concealed cove with a waterfall. You can go for a dip in the cool refreshing water or chose to see the waterfall from a close distance.

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Foodie Recommendations

Walk along Jalan Gautama and you will find plenty of charming little cafes, many specializing in organic & vegan foods! In addition, there are restaurants in other parts of Ubud worth visiting. Our recommendations below:
  • DUMBO: Great cocktails and thin crust pizza
  • Akasha: Entirely vegetarian and vegan food restaurant nestled amongst the rice paddies. It's a beautiful restaurant and the food is delicious.
All vegan menu at Akasha
  • Taco Fiesta - Fairly decent Mexican food in a small lane called Jalan Bisma off Jalan Raya Ubud. Makes for a good meal stop during your shopping in Ubud Market area
  • Warung Siam Ubud - good Thai food and good people watching! 
  • Soma Café: Located in an antique wooden house, the menu comprises of various fruit juices and what they call “raw” food items. The food is strictly ok but the restaurant gets a thumbs-up for being kid-friendly with a kid zone upstairs.
  • Murni’s Warung: I suggest going for lunch as it would get quite mosquite-infested by dinner time. The restaurant setup and décor is so interesting as it is built against the side of a hill. Other than the fact that you will need to take mozzie patches when you go, this restaurant is very kid-friendly.
  • Ganesha and Indian Delites for days when you crave Indian food 
Outside Soma Cafe
  • Luwak coffee: Ubud is the place in Bali to try the famous luwak coffee. Have you heard about it? Well, if you haven’t, I’ll let you read about it for yourself. But certainly it’s a fun experience to try it out this famous coffee.

** Blogpost updated on Oct 12, 2022 **

Diwali is a special time of year for many South Asians. While Singapore's current restrictions will not allow for group gatherings and celebrations for Diwali, one thing is certain - we all are, nonetheless, looking for ways to make the Festival of Lights special for our family and friends. I've had the distinct pleasure of being able to try products and services by many South Asian entrepreneurs by virtue of being in the social media space, and am so grateful for that. As a way to support them, I thought it would be a good idea to put together a Diwali gift guide specific for Singapore-based brands and businesses creating festive gift boxes and hampers!

I have personally tried and tested over 95% of the products/services relating to the festive season in the list below. If I have missed any, please do let me know and I'd love to add to this list.

Fun fact: Almost all of the tags below are women-led businesses and I love the idea of supporting them further!

HOME & LIFESTYLE 
Be it natural essential oils and remedies, eco-friendly stationery, handcrafted candles, block-printed table linen, and other pieces to add a beautiful touch to your home - I've enjoyed them all
Photophactory - Rich designs of decorative trays, cheeseboards, and other home pieces
Mira - Handcrafted soaps and candles
Ollie Oils - Gift boxes with essential oils and wellness treats
B'trayed Etc. - Home decor, trays, and linen products
House of Happy - Festive collection of table decor sets
Happy Homes - Home linen products
Left Handesign - Sustainable gift products such as plantable greeting cards, notebooks, pencils
Happy Hands - DIY Diwali kits and other gifting items
Kaladristhi  - Handcrafted home decor
Domi Living - Home decor
Meraki Lily - Home decor
The Creative Hut - Diwali festive cards

FOOD 
Think chocolates, mithais (some even vegan), kulfi, and other mouthwatering delights tailored for the festive season and packaged beautifully for gifting!
Healthyish and Happy - Cardamom rose laddoos made with all the good stuff (nuts, dates, spices!)
Indian Spice Box - Organic indian spice boxes in beautiful packaging
The Nut Bite - Customizable box with a variety of nuts in different flavorings; includes candles/diffusers
Her Rise Above - Variety of gifting hampers put together by a business essentials program for women
Bombay Kulfi - Assorted kulfi flavors (paan, mango, gulkand, you name it!)
From the Pan - Mithai box
Nourish - Vegan mithai box
Indulge by Ekta - Diwali cookies
Holy Grains - Fresh homemade granola (try the rose pistachio one!)

BEAUTY/WELLNESS 
Highly recommend these organic, natural skincare brands that don't break the bank. Most are offering Diwali bundles! 

GIFTS FOR KIDS 
My recommendations for books and crafts to bring to life the magic of this season with kids
T4Tales - "Kahani Purani", a storybook of the Ramayan for kids, in different languages
Indigrow Kids - Books, puzzles, and games related to India and a free downloadable Diwali festival kit
Book Bear - Diwali bundle of books related to the Ramayan and the Festival of Lights
Hindu Toys - Mantra-singing plush toys of Hindu gods and goddesses
Indian Spicebox Kids Book & Spice Box available from Closet Full of Books 

ADULTS & KIDS ETHNIC WEAR AND ACCESSORIES 
There are tons of ethnic fashion and jewellry brands and I can't possibly list them all. But here are some local brands across different price ranges that will get you sorted for the festive season!
Nimbu Kids - Adorable ethnic wear for the little ones with a fashion sustainability ethos
Lime and Lemon Kidswear - Ethical brand for kids clothing, including ethnic wear
Saffron Strokes - Curated collection of kids clothing and pajamas
Empaar - Ethnic wear for kids and men
Eminent Mien - Women's clothing and accessories
Amaalya  - Women's kurtas, kaftans, and dresses; home decor and table accessories
Jinders - Women's clothing
Melange - Women's clothing
Divas Closet - Women's clothing
Aadya's Boutique - Women's clothing
Linen n More - Women's clothing
Twinkle Toes - Jooties


It's probably the most "daring" thing I've ever done in recent times - to travel during a pandemic and clock in a total of 4 weeks of hotel-based quarantine (in Singapore and Thailand)! These are unusual experiences in unusual times. But half the battle is won when you enter a required quarantine with a positive, can-do approach. A hotel quarantine is not a breeze. But there are things you can do to make your stay as comfortable as possible within a confined space. In this post, I'm going to share all the resources and things you should consider bringing with you so that you are fully prepared for the long stay. 

To set your expectations, the hotel facilities dedicated for quarantine in Singapore comprise of standard rooms. As a family with kids, you can request for two adjoining rooms with a connecting door (email at ICA_SHNhotelneeds@ica.gov.sg) OR you can look into upgrading to a suite which provides more space and even a kitchenette. Our family stayed in two conected standard rooms - these rooms do NOT have a balcony or open windows, there is no laundry service or room cleaning service, and there is a limited set menu from which to order meals. 

With that said, below are some of the items I think are helpful to carry:

  • Wet wipes or an all-natural surface cleaner (Ollie Oils has a good one) to clean surfaces in your room/living space/bathroom. It was especially handy becaue the kids would eat on a small table and inevitably drop food on the floor or dirty the table. So wet wipes were really handy! 
  • Room deodorizer or spray: With no open windows, there is no fresh air in quarantine. Add to that the fact that you're eating, sleeping, and exercising in the same space for several days at a stretch. A deodorizer really helps to freshen up the air and remove any odors or staleness in the air. 
  • The Laundress is a line of non-toxic products which I found very useful for travel: The "Crease Release" is a spray which removes wrinkles from clothing without the need for ironing (available via different websites in Singapore and Amazon). They also have laundry detergent and other cleaning items that you may want to check out! 
  • Plastic tupperware/boxes to store food left over from your meals: You'll find that you don't necessarily finish all the food and some food items are good to save for the next day. So some storage containers are helpful to have. 
  • Pack enough inner wear (i.e., undergarments) to last the duration of the quarantine if you don't plan to wash your own dirty clothes. Also, to reduce unnecessary laundry build-up, I feel there's no shame in repeating your outfits since you're indoors and sweat-free anyway
  • Pack vitamin D supplements: In general, it's good to take vitamins! But more importanlty, since you're not exposed to the sun for a long stretch of time, preempt a vitamin D deficiency by taking your supplements
  • Entertainment for grown-ups: Books/Kindle, embroidery kit, adult coloring books, your Apple TV device... whatever you need to keep sane and calm
  • Entertainment for kids: Refer to my Instagram post with my recs (this warrants a separate post in itself!)
  • A bit of indulgence: If you're with young kids, there may not be much time for relaxation but you can still bring a touch of indulgence into your quarantine. I suggest bringing some essential oils or ordering bubble bars or bath bombs from Lush to be delivered to your hotel
Useful Resources:
  • Rental needs: www.happyshn.com is a website which allows you to rent items you might need for your quarantine, such as a microwave, exercise equipment, yoga mat, fans, vaccuums, portable washing machines, etc. It's a brilliant idea and we used it for renting a microwave - easy and fast delivery!
  • Online workouts: I highly recommend doing short workouts or getting some movement into your day during quarantine. It really helped to boost our spirits and alleviated that "cooped in" feeling. There are tons of workouts you can do in your hotel room - search for PopSugar Fitness, Brian Syuki for walking-based workouts, and SELF for HIIT/cardio on Youtube (20-30 min workout routines worked great for me personally). In addition, you can pack resistance bands or light weights to support your workouts!
  • Good delivery apps (Food Panda, Deliveroo, and Grab Food) and alcohaul.sg for delivery of spirits to lift your spirits! :) They helped to break the monotony of the hotel food and gave us something to look forward to whenever we ordered something. 
I hope you found this list helpful. Good luck to those of you embarking on any travels and get ready to face quarantine like a boss! If you have any questions, just email me at urbanmantra1@gmail.com or DM on Instagram.