Slaying Modern-Day Ravanas: A Dussehra Guide to Conquering Screen Time, Junk Food, and Procrastination

Dussehra is here, the excitement is building, and the air is filled with stories about Lord Rama defeating the mighty ten-headed Ravana. Kids love cheering when the effigy burns, celebrating the victory of good over evil. But what about the battles children (and parents) face in today's world? The “Ravanas” aren’t scary kings or monsters; they hide in things like endless screen time, tempting junk food, and the sneaky villain called procrastination.

Just like Lord Rama needed a plan and courage to defeat Ravana, families today can use Dussehra as the perfect time to defeat these modern-day challenges.

Just like Ravana had ten heads, screens seem to be everywhere: phone, tablet, TV, laptop, and gaming console. Cut off one, and your kid finds another.

You've seen it. Your child can't eat breakfast without YouTube. Homework takes three hours because of "just one more video." They're physically present but mentally somewhere in a game or chat.

Start with honesty. Sit down with your kid and ask, "How much time do you think you spend on screens?" Then check the actual screen time data together. Most kids are shocked. This Dussehra, make it a family event; everyone shares their screen time. No judging, just facts.

Next, create "no-screen zones" together. Not as a punishment, but as a family decision. Dinner table? Screen-free. First hour after waking up? Screen-free. Make it fun, like whoever checks their phone during dinner has to do an extra chore.

Here's what actually works: Replace, don't just remove. If you take away the tablet, what fills that time? Board games on Sunday evenings. A cricket match in the park. Cooking together. Kids don't hate the idea of no screens; they hate boredom.

Chips for breakfast. Chocolates as "study fuel." Maggi as a "quick snack" three times a week. This Ravana doesn't just affect health—it messes with mood, concentration, and energy levels.

Junk food companies spend millions making their products addictive. Your child isn't weak; they're up against science-backed manipulation.

Stop keeping junk food at home "just in case." If it's not there, they can't eat it. Simple math.

But don't ban everything. Decide on junk food days together. Saturdays? Sure, have that pizza. Friend's birthday? Go ahead with the cake. When kids know treats are coming, they don't feel deprived.

Make healthy food easier than junk food. Cut fruits and keep them visible. Make a sandwich they can grab. The laziness factor is real. If healthy food requires effort and junk food is right there, guess what wins?

Get them involved in cooking. When kids make their own masala corn or fruit chaat, they're more likely to eat it. Plus, they learn what actually goes into their food.

"I'll study after one episode." 

"I'll clean my room tomorrow." 

"I'll start that project next week."

Procrastination isn't laziness. It's often anxiety dressed up as delay. Kids put things off because tasks feel overwhelming or they're scared of failing.

Break everything into tiny pieces. "Study for exams" is scary. "Read pages 10-15" is doable. Teach your child to break big tasks into 15-minute chunks.

Use the "start ugly" approach. Don't aim for perfection. Just start. Need to write an essay? Write one bad sentence. Need to clean the room? Pick up five things. Starting is the hardest part.

Create a "power hour" every day. One hour, no distractions, just work. Set a timer. Make it a game. No phone calls, no snacks, no interruptions. After 21 days, it becomes a habit.

Pro Tip: Make starting automatic. "After breakfast, I sit at my study table." "After changing clothes, I clear my bag." Link new habits to existing routines.

This Dussehra, don't just watch Ravana burn. Make a family pact. Write down one specific change for each Ravana:

Put it on the fridge. Make it visible. Review it every Sunday.

Remember, you're not aiming for perfection. You're aiming for progress. If your child manages screen-free dinners four out of seven days this week, that's a win. If they eat fruits twice this week when they didn't before, victory.

Lord Rama didn't defeat Ravana in a day. He fought, fell back, regrouped, and tried again. That's exactly what we need to do. These modern Ravanas are tough, but with consistency, patience, and practical changes, they can be defeated.

This Dussehra, let's burn more than just effigies. Let's burn bad habits and build better ones.

Happy Dussehra! May your family slay all the right demons this year.