How Mommy Uses iPhone

I have been constantly amazed by iPhone. It really has a little brain of its own. A tribute to late Steve Jobs.

Especially in Singapore, almost everyone I know owned, is owning, or plans to own an iPhone. Quite phenomenal.

I've plan to write this post ever since I got my own. Approximately a year ago. Initially, I thought, it was the thrill of new gadgets. Now, a year on, I'm still very attached to the little tool.

1. I used it to track library due dates. Singapore NLB has its own apps, and being able to go online anytime anywhere has helped me a lot in avoiding overdue fines (imagine, being able to bring the list and finding the items at the same time :D)

2. I actually took photos of everything that I need instead of taking notes. My photo album consists of -on top of myriads of children photos- recipes, dictation list, important school announcement, enrichment courses calendars, answers to workbooks (so that I don't have to flip to and fro), ...

3. Entertainment on the go. Practically anywhere, the kids can play games and watch movies. Grrreat for waiting time.

4. Teaching tools. Some great apps teaches phonics, maths, Chinese, ... One of most often apps that I used as reference is the Pleco Chinese-English dictionary and Hanyu Pinyin chart.

5. 'Info-desk' at our fingertips. Combo with Lord Google, I can search anything under the sky. Example question from my 6 years old: why is there so much water on earth?

So, thank you, Mr. Jobs. You have touched so many lives.

Encouragement for All Mothers

My own beloved mother is a working mom. She still is :)
So I gather that I know what it takes, what it will be like, to raise kids while working full time. Now, with two little fellas, I can see from both point of views, mother's and child's.


Long ago, an idealist me would have probably answered with full-head-on determination that I want to be a stay at home Mom.


Upon Kid no 1, all my beloveds (husband, mother, father, ...) convinced me that I should still keep working. At that time, anyway, I still had my tuition fee loan to pay, house to find, ..., all those things that scream money.


And now, six years on, am still in the same office, and amazingly I cannot say that I didn't have a blast there. I do enjoy the brain stimulation, adrenaline rush in meeting deadline, and the teamwork.


One opinion that I am still holding tight is that working mother spends quality time with her kids. By holding tight, yours truly means trying-to-shoo-away-my-guilt-by-providing-quality-time-with-my-kids.


However, I do still think that parents are still the best caregiver and best coach. So whenever my kids misbehave, a little voice within me is still whispering, will this happen if I stay at home?


Above two are one plus and one not-so-plus aspects of many more dilemma of a working mother, I believe.


And then... *gets exciting* one day, I stumbled upon this (when I was searching for working mother's beneficial office arrangement for my boss, bless him):


http://motheringtimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-long-have-i-been-sahm.html


It is nicely, aptly, and kindly put. A really recommended reading for all mothers.


I have made peace with our 'condition'. And with acceptance comes amicable arrangement. I am still working. But whenever my kids need me, I will be there for them. Can't say it's easy, but hey, all mothers are superheroes, right? You guys too, Daddies...


So today, I am taking a day off to PLAY with them (one of our family tradition, we'll take a day off every school holiday :)). We'll probably catch a movie, go to view all the good works they've done to Bishan park, visit the library... so much goodies to do in a day! Yay!

[Through the Eyes of A Child] Can I get the roses without the thorns?

Teachable moments came everywhere, anywhere...

I wished I seized it.

But no... I've missed it.

However... it was indeed still an enlightenment, for me.

We were choosing flowers, and my daughter was desperate. She wanted to choose the roses, but was pricked by the thorns. Hence the question, "Can I get the roses without the thorns?"

I did explain to her that roses and thorns come as a package. It's so beautiful until it needs the thorns to protect it. That's it. I didn't go deep.

Instead, it left me pondering.

Life recently was not so well... Problem at work... stress at home in catching up with all the lessons.
So this is sort of a nice reminder... when we expect rosy moments, we should also embrace the thorny ones. Since roses and thorns are a package deal.

How Can I Tell Her About It???

A few days ago, I received a phone call while working. It's from our kindergarten teacher.

I held my breath as she announced the audition result through phone. Our daughter was not selected. :(

At the same moment, images of her eyes shining while practicing flashed through. You see... our little girl loves to perform. She wanted this part. She knew the text by heart, has been practicing even without me.

Afterwards, I dialed my hubby. Wailing over the phone, I lamented to him... Oh no... how can I tell her? I told him that part of me was upset too... How can they not wanting my baby??? My ultra-reasonable other half reminded me that we're dealing with other parents' 'babies' too, here.

In the evening, upon reaching home, hubby quickly asked me, "How? Have you told her?". With a shrug I shook my head.

I waited for THE perfect moment, and soon it was bedtime. Inside my heart... there's a tiny but brilliant idea, a wish that perhaps, she'll even forget about it. In that way, perhaps, I won't need to let her down.

However, again, my great voice of reason throw another scenario... How if she heard it from her friends... That'll be even more fatal.

So I put her in my lap, and told her that her teacher called me. Immediately she stiffened. Not dilly-dallying, I told her that they've selected the other kid. As expected, tears welled up. As I hugged her and rubbed her back, I mouthed to hubby, "You see... you see...?"

We sooth her that it's not because she's bad... Simply because the other kid is better than her. It's okay to fail, because at least she has tried, gave it her best shot. And finally, she brightened up a tad hearing that there'll be plenty opportunity in primary school.

Drifting off to sleep, I smiled at the thought. Today, my daughter has learned to fail. Quite gracefully, I'd like to think. A vital life lesson well learned.

As for me, I learned that there will be no perfect moment to deliver upsetting news. It simply has to be done.

[Through the eyes of a child] If you put your mind into it, you can do anything you want

Recently, my six-year-old daughter told me while being coaxed to practice more, "I know... if you put your mind into it, you can do anything... "

Startled by this sudden surge of wisdom, I was quick to reply back, wide eyed and all... "Where did you learn that?"

And guess... her answer both surprised and soothed me at the same time.

"From the TV"

Well well well...

I remembered struggling to decide when she was a newborn whether we can let her watch TV. That's after extensive research that mostly uncover the evil side of the magic box.

Finally, I myself was lured into the temptation of adorable characters (anyway... hubby and I watched Hi-5 during our exam study in university... happily commenting all through about the comical aspect of the bunch. I wonder whether it's karma that bring our firstborn into loving the Nathan-Kathleen-Kellie-Charli-Tim combo so much in the first 18 months of her life).

So for us, TV is OK, as long as it comes from DVD/VCD. I am still a scared of all the commercials presented.

But slowly the kids found their way to Okto, a children channel in Singapore. Thankfully that happened after they are fully assured that no, they cannot behave like ones in commercials. And equally no, being on TV does not mean the toys or food can materialize at home. Whining or not.

So there... after the journey, glad to hear that children, too, get little nuggets of life wisdom from TV. :)

Great Expectation

Recently, when office was hectic and erratic (still is, until now) an home is equally demanding, I remembered my email to a best friend many years ago. In case it can also sooth others in similar situation, here it is:

---quote---

We're surrounded by others' expectation. Most often, our loved ones are the highest of them all. I think, this is because they have our best interest in hearts. As much as we would like to meet all of them, reaching a serene equilibrium is a tricky business.
Because... somehow meeting one's expectation means sacrificing other's. True?

And indeed expectation is a cruel thing. Sometimes we expect other illogically.
Especially our loved ones. To us, they are the greatest, close to superhero.
Among the loved ones, I think the kids has the biggest expectation from parents.
To any parents, their kids are their gods, capable of all sort of thing.

So there... One's life is started with expectation. When we were born, we're expected to scream our head off. Otherwise our devoted mommy will be worried. As we grow up, the expectation grows bigger as well. From teachers, friends, colleagues, neighbors, bosses, spouse, kids... It's not substitute, it's summation.

I guess... from our experience... this kind of thingy happen to anyone.

As closing, I have made peace with myself. I think, realizing a little bit too late, the greatest burden is my own expectation.
My fear of failure cause this all. I always tried to please everyone, such that putting myself in the unpleasant situation. I was too afraid of upsetting others.

After that acceptance, I felt better.

How about you?

Most importantly, please do remind me if I expect too much from my kids. And that we must not forget of His expectation. To walk on His path. Therefore, my dearest friend, no worry.
He'll make everything beautiful in His own time. Just walk on His, together with Him. :)

[It Works] Letterland

Long time ago, I was a little skeptical about Letterland. I thought of it as just another one of hyped-up-commercially-exploited creation.

However, we've been converted now.

[+]
1. Catchy tunes. My 3 years old son has been humming the tunes for a few months now.
2. Fun fun fun stories. Even my daughter cannot stop reading the book.
3. Bright beautiful colorful characters, both in illustration and in their story roles.
4. Well developed method of phonics introduction, making it easier for children to remember. 5. We did zoo-phonics with our first one, and we're impressed by the more wholesome approach. From single sound introduction, to digraphs, to more as we've yet to explore.
6. Letterland has almost everything we can think of. Games, workbook, storybook, flashcards,... To make learning continuous and fun.
7. They are available everywhere, not exclusive from the school.

[-]
1. Limited range of product in Singapore.
2. They don't provide free online games as other brands do nowadays.
3. Some stuffs are literally breathtakingly expensive.

Another one is minus for me, plus for my son. He can't stop doing the workbook. So one book was finished up pretty quickly. :)

Hosana Dental Clinic

About a year ago, I found recommendation from other mommies on the net on a good dental clinic for kids:

Hosana Dental Clinic
123 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310123
Phone : 6258 8456

The oral therapist patiently explaining the functions of the equipments used during the treatment. And everything is not rushed or forced upon. As a result, both my kids feel really relaxed. No fear at all, including the most recent experience: extraction *shiver*

I also feel comfortable with the advises. No treatment was pushed down our throat. He advises, but decision is up to us. And... Approach is not radical, more towards letting nature chips in too.

Now, the clinic has been a family clinic, extended to some of my kids' friends. So far all are happy.

Well... Just in case someone out there need. :)

PS: they are also open on some nights and on Saturdays.

The Handbag Thingy

In Singapore, we see a lot of boyfriend-madly-in-love carrying the lucky girlfriend handbag. Size nor weight is not the decisive factor. I've seen macho guy carrying a dainty little bag. The lady graced his other arm. Both looked equally jolly and smug.

Recently, we're also stunned to see pics of helper carrying the big heavy military bag. The said bag belongs to a young chap, walking tall in front of her.

Of course, mommies or helper carrying kiddies bag are also familiar sights. For this, looking at the size of the bags, I think at the very least it'll be good for the children's back development. It's humongous.

But this tickled me.

Yesterday I saw a mommy walking without carrying anything! What a rare sight. Not even a small purse or Handphone. Behind her, coming into view, was her helper, Gucci bag and all...

Hmmm... :)

Tamiflu

My daughter and I walked out from the clinic. With a very puzzled look, the six year old asked me, "Mommy, I never mention of tummy ache, why did the doctor gave me tamiflu?".

Hmmm... I found it funny. Now as I'm typing this I'm not sure whether you do too.

Anyway, in that case I'll share our experience with tamiflu. Within hours, many well meaning friends warned me on the... I can't find an apt word for this. Maybe scary? They mentioned that reported side effect include serious hallucination, depression, deliriousness, etc.

I quickly google it. And true, many posts popped up. One lady even described it as five day of being mad. But a few mentioned too that the medicine is very effective.

Hubby and I decided to proceed. We believe that the do won't prescribe it if it's not safe.

So, none of the above encountered, many thanks to Him. But also no significant improvement observed.

Of course, being the wishy washy me, I still think that there might be bacterial infection, on top of the viral one. So it could've been worse without tamiflu.

Kindly note, this post was written with only an experience sharing objective. From a mommy to other mommies.

Kids Clinic @ Bishan

Darling daughter recently had nasty bout of high fever (for the first time, she exceeded 40degC). It lasted for 5 days. Friends and family were very supportive, lots of prayers for the poor girl.

A few also questioned the medicine. I know they only meant well. When the fever shot up, she looked very limp and weak, I myself wonder whether I'm doing the best for her. But amazingly I had this thought, that her doc surely has given the best possible treatment.

I came to realize how much I trusted her pediatrician, Dr Oh Meng Choo. She is thorough, even with very long queue outside, accurate, and kind.

The staff are great too. Helpful and friendly.

I am still impressed with thoughtful system implemented in the one pediatrician clinic. It works. Well, not perfectly, but they are indeed efficient.

Three nights in a week, they are open at night. Great help for working mothers!

So there... To all mommies who need a good doc:
Kids Clinic @ Bishan
Blk 116 Bishan St 12
#01-28 Singapore 570116

Tel: 63568909
Fax: 63569336

http://www.kidsclinicbishan.com/

PS: For a good doc, I'm willing to wait for an hour or two. So please be prepared. To me, result worth the wait.
PS2: I am also not fond of giving a lot, various, strong medicine. Dr Oh's prescription is normally simple, rarely antibiotic unless necessary.

PS3: She also does an excellent ear piercing for kids. First creamy local anesthesia is applied on the earlobes. Then the piercing is done in swift and comforting manner. Nice!

Happy Mother's Day!!! :D

Today, Singapore, and most part of the world (check it out, for fun : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day), is celebrating Mother's Day.

My beloved sweet daughter woke up early before me, eagerly planning an elaborate treasure hunt. She wrote hints, leading to a stash of cards kept in the doll house. Later on she sheepishly admitted that the cards were taken back from a box where I keep all cards from the kids. (Of course, I recognized the cards, still. She made the cards with my guidance after all. In true reflection of my gene, she prepared the card since March)


Son? Handed duly his card on Wednesday, just outside his class. And then totally forgot about it. Boyboy... boyboy...

Brought me back to my first mother's day. At 24 years old, I remembered slightly blushing. Still not used to the idea of referring to the innocent baby as mine.

To all new mothers, welcome! Happy first mother's day... I hope this will be unforgettable for you too.


Dear hubby is away, and my daughter just recovered from 5 days of fever. I got a tiny glimpse of being a single parent. To say that I know how does it feel to be single mom is an utmost understatement.

To all single moms, happy mother's day. I admire your determination and strength.


One thing that still strikes me every now and then is a sense of wonder, of how my own Mom raised me up until now (she's still 'growing' me in some aspects up to this very minute). How old-time-mommies managed without hand-phone, is a mystery for me.

To all grandmothers, especially my Mom, happy mother's day. It's truly a special achievement to nurture a girl, a woman, until finally a mother.


(I'm keeping my fingers crossed on my daughter... God helps me that we're doing it right)


Since up to now I know no mother with a perfect-problem-free life, big or small, trivial or seemingly-impossible, here's to you:


May the problem magically, with Help from Above, solve itself. For today, no matter where you are... or how busy is life... or how difficult is the situation... Wish you a special happy mother's day. :)

Stability... consistency... focus

I kept on reminding myself of these three words. Both in work and at home.

Stability

My dear mother reminded me many times. It is east to go up. The more difficult task is to stay there. 

For home, I think kids will be happier to live in a stable environment. Not only physical wise, but also emotional wise (admittedly, am guilty of the latter). 

Consistencies

How it differs from stability?

To me, stability is situational. But consistency reflect our values and judgement. Whether it hovers around a certain mark, or to the other extreme: being unpredictable.

For child education, my hubby is a firm believer of this. He set the rule, he expects the kids to follow the rules. No matter what. Thread works well for him because our notty-but-cute offspring knows what comes if they ignore it.

Put it simply, he got little trouble with getting the kids to behave.

Last is...

Focus

In the office, I keep a little to do list. Gleefully crossing item as completed. 

This enables me to multitask, and to stay focused on task on hand. 

And, managing people wise, it will be easier if everyone shares a same focus at a time.

Then I realized... This should be done at home too. Let me figure it out how... 

[Good Brand] Learning Horizon

In a typically kiasu manner, I've dutifully gone around Singapore to search for suitable courses for my kids.

To share, my 'suitability' criteria: interesting for the kids, can be useful in near future, affordable, time slot is squeeze-able into our established routine, and the last one is added after many painful experiences. Last one is the school management.

I've come to appreciate friendly school management office.
1. Simple admission and withdrawal rules (none of those few pages of fine print, which requires you to blah-blah-blah... but only in the even of preceding blah-blah-blah...)
2. Friendly helpful staff (none of those fierce stare with crumpled eyebrows, as if you're emitting some nonsensical utterance). And clean too... (<-- hastily added, remembering a few that manned the reception desk while blowing noses, cleaning up nails, *shudder*)


(Admittedly, sometimes I do make allowances for those that doesn't fit there. But only when the lessons are outstanding, and my kid depends on it)

Here is one with outstanding service. My son actually out-grew one of their program. And after trying to find others, we quited. But we only manage to stay away for a few months. I contacted them back, asking for new  classes. So now we're in again.

It is : Learning Horizon
Located at Yio Chu Kang Grassroot Club
http://www.learninghorizon.com.sg/contactus.aspx

And not only that, you can expect quality teachers there too...

Happy learning! :)

[Through the eyes of a child] Smile to the world and the world smiles back at you

From times to times, my six year old daughter can be one grumpy girl. Not a proud thing to confess, but she is.

And she's also been blessed by the power of speech. More or less, the gift enables a certain feature which talk back, reversing logic, remembering all past ruling I've made... To put it simply, sometimes I do beg her to stop *shamefaced* Am at her mercy. (I think most humanly mother will, because this situation is normally coupled with the other kid demanding attention, and the phone rings, or the water spills... Mother knows best).


What I observe, and I told her too, is that normally if she's calm and happy, things flow smoothly for her.

Quantitative proof comes in forms of abacus homework. (Abacus is a form of calculation method using series of beads, and the homework is not for the faint hearted. Simply tons of it) Whenever she does the problems in foul mood, there will be tons of mistakes.

I think for a kid, this is a good visual proof. So our little lawyer does agree with me on my above theory.

Then recently she told me that she forced her friend to smile. (Things that they tell you after works are still fascinating at this stage)
Me : Why?
Her : Because when we smile, other people will smile back to us!

After some probing, turns out that she observed a passing lady smiled a lot, bless her, and many people smiled back at the lady.

So there you go... smile... expect the best from life and from the world... and they will smile back right at you. :)

[Good Book] I think it is ... Basic Chinese 500 by Lucia Lau

There is a series of book, which we like.

Since I'm a total newbie in the Chinese language learning league, I have no idea on what is the correct title.
One of the cover looks like this (source: https://www.popular.com.sg/jsp/product/product_detail.jsp?vca001=106&vpd001=94004#):

[+]

1. It is systematic! We really appreciated that the books introduce Chinese character one at a time. Per character, we get to learn the stroke sequence, and there is a mini story that follows, using... the new character AND the previous ones. So if you're as blur as I am, please start from the very first one (marked by big no '1' instead of '2' like in the pic, and the domino like circle starts with one dot).

2. Price wise, it's quite reasonable, unlike those hyped-up system. It's about 6$ per book, by the way. You can get cheaper during Popular promo or if you're Popular member (which I secretly think all parents in Singapore ought to be :p)

3. Pictures... pictures... pictures... :D My three year old loves to trace the strokes with his fingers and simply looking at the pictures. In a true blue kay poh manner, he insisted on doing the higher level ones. Because the first one is 'boring', always repeating few characters.

[-]
The minus is... this is rather discouraging... I can only find the first 15 books in Popular! Per book, they cover 20 characters. So that's only 300 of them. Oh well...
But anyway, we have yet to finish what we have. So we can still keep our fingers crossed. :)

PS : There... out of my chest... so long I've been wanting to share that.

Why is it called Good Friday?

On the Thursday before Good Friday, my soon-to-be 6 years old had a discussion with her friend at school.
They were wondering, why the incoming public holiday is called Good Friday.

She shared with me their conclusion:

It is called Good Friday, because we can stay at home and play on that day.

:)

[Through the eyes of a child] We believe what we want to believe

My three year old son looked at me, eyes shining with trying-his-luck-with-plan-B-when-this-fail vibes.
"My Daddy said I can press this button if I don't know what to press"

I looked at him, amused at his conviction, while also trying to gauge the honesty level of the claim.

If you're interested, the episode above ended with me giving in. I chose to trust him.

I imagine that a child may unconsciously rank the adults in his life. The top ranking's words are always right, a norm on which he must live his life by.

The child choose to believe based on a very simple consideration, who said it.

In compromising situation, the human mischief factor goes into the equation. The child will opt for whichever most beneficial to him/her. (Unfortunately, this kind of psychological trait often get me and hubby into a row. "Did you actually told him that he can ...???", "You should've told me first before allowing them to...")

Then I realized, I think, we too, as adults, still have that basic instinct. Only that for us, aggravated by our life experience, the selection criteria on which to believe becomes much more complex.

Morale of the above rambles for me are:
1. Since we can choose what to believe, might as well believe in positive things. We CAN shape our mindset.
2. Likewise, we CAN shape our children mindset too
        Quotes : "A child mind is like a blank paper", "Seeds are in the mind, we act what we believe"
3. Be more forgiving when they land me in trouble (e.g. with hubby) because of their choice. It's just our natural instinct.      

[Fun] Segway

We just went to Sentosa, and finally after drooling a few times over Segway in the past, we took the plunge and tried it.

[+]
1. It's amazingly easier than I expected. Even if you can't ride a bike, give it a go.
2. Seems like injuries risk involved is not high, as long as we listen to the guide instruction. Before doing the circuit, we were trained first.
3. It's fun!!! My three year old totally enjoyed it, although he didn't actually ride it in the fullest sense. He was pulled by one of the guide. My six year old was too tense such that she gripped the handles too tight. In the end she felt so tired. As for me, I wished I can use it to and fro office everyday.
4. Environmentally friendly. I'm certainly looking forward to when Segway will be considered seriously for everyday use.

[-]
1. $$$. For a family of four, we spent nearly SGD 100 for four circuit rounds each.
2. They don't really have small children safety gear. Not only that, we need to dig for suitable ones and go figure ourselves.

[Good Brand] Mothercare

My acquittance with Mothercare, of course, started when we shopped for kid-no-1 aka daughter 6 years ago.
At that time, my impression was it's beautiful, but expensive, not within our means.

Until, kid-no-2 aka son arrived early. We were not prepared. And being early, he was small, existing hand-me-down clothes couldn't fit him.
Somehow, I decided to rely on Mothercare for below reasons. Off my hubby went to Mothercare - Plaza Singapura.

[+]
1. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly.
2. Sizes range is good. Covering from small to big babies/kids. Sizes are also explained in length and weight so that we can gauge easily.
3. Material is surely reliable. When my daughter needs 100% cotton socks, Mothercare is my choice. Same goes for underwear. During purchase, sometime I do feel a little silly. Expensive underwear (no discount is applicable) for them that they will certainly outgrow in a year and no one will enjoy the nice design. But indeed they are the best. The fit is good and very comfortable.
4. Craftsmanship and safe design are outstanding. Up until now, I haven't found scratchy or pokey kind of zipper or button. And amazingly, buttons will stay intact for a long long time... as far as I remember, I haven't fix buttons from Mothercare before.
5. There are... good bargain! My best so far being a three piece set for boy (jeans, t-shirt, and vest) at SGD 30 (70% discount). So with the new wisdom, I've increase visit frequency :)

[-]
1. Store layout need improvement. So far, Paragon outlet is the best. Neatly organized.
2. Stocks between outlet my vary, and sometimes sizes are not available. Got to be patient.
3. Happened once to us. We bought a set of undies (7pcs). One pc was in different size. One has to be careful.

[Good Brand] Lego

There are a few brand that I am quite passionate about.
Lego is one of them.
There are other brands developing the constructable little cubes, but Lego, by far, is the best we found until now.

[+]
1. First and foremost, the design is beautiful and creative. Bright colours, many interesting shapes, brilliant thematic packages (not only buildings or vehicles, it also have mosaic, calendar, ...). We kept on finding more features of a certain pieces, even months after purchase. Hopefully the creativity will pass down to our kids *keeping fingers crossed*
2. Mechanically, it's a good design too. What our kids love from Lego is that it allows them to bring the creation around, and to display it. The pieces snap snugly, without being overly tight. We tried other brand, but it collapse or break on the way.
3. Blessed are the considerate people who design Lego. Firstly, duplo and lego are compatible! Initially we purchase little duplo set since the kids will outgrow it so fast. But after we found that they are truly compatible, out we go to buy more duplo :). Mommy to mommy advice : duplo or lego plastic boxes are equipped with little holes at the base. To drain the water during wash.

[-]
They are e.x.p.e.n.s.i.v.e.
Does the quality justify the price? That's subjective. For our household, we'll wait for discount.

[Fun] Apples to Apples Kids 7+

Not in line with natural weather, my household also operates based on season. So far, we've met sporty season (jogging regularly, natural walk,...), Avatar season, Indiana Jones season, ...

Sometimes, we even acknowledge that fact. 'Did we buy this before or after the Avatar season?'

Anyway, now it is board game season.

One of our fresh purchase is Apples to Apples Kids 7+.

(Image : http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Apples-Kids-Plus-Comparisons/dp/B00112EJEY/ref=dp_cp_ob_t_image_1

[What is it about]
There are two stacks of cards, red and green.
Red cards are 'things to compare' (E.g: kitten, throwing stones, ...), and green cards states the comparison criteria (E.g: yummy, cute, ...)
Basic idea is to submit suitable red card to the judge whatever thing fit the criteria best.

[+]
1. Simple, even my 3 year-old can participate.
2. Act as vocab builder. Each card has description of the word.
3. Training reading skill as cards do not contain picture.
4. Honing up creativity too... since we're definitely required to link things and criteria that sometimes does not even have natural nor obvious relation. Some may say term it as thinking-out-of-the-box.
5. Teaching kids to see things, to compare within given context.
6. Whoohoo... you'll like it... it's fast... One round is about 15 to 30 minutes only (depends on how much discussion you are encouraging kids).

[-]
1. As mentioned above, picture on the card would've been great help for kids, and also will make it more attractive. But, I also think that with pictures, minds will be directed. Limiting the possibilities, the perspectives.
2. Requires at least 3 to 4 players (I think official rule quoted 4, but we've been playing with at least 3). Making it more difficult in arranging the playing time compared to those can take-off with 2 players.

Oh yeah... we take board games as great opportunity to train kids to win humbly and to lose gracefully.

Oh Mannn... Already???

My daughter (in other posts is often referred to as kid-no-1) is going to be 6.

But, in her limited flying time, she's been kissed (yes, on the mouth, thank you very much), developed a highly-suspected-crush on a boy (who kissed her, but hey, one gotta admit... he's quite a looker), became very conscious on the opposite sex (refused to go into a room when there's no girls around, teachers are not counted as girls), and... now started ringing her friends to and fro (after her friend rang her at 11.30PM, we announced that no phone calls between 9AM to 9PM).

How the phone calls are linked to the others? Because, yes, they are discussing boys! Who said 'love you' to who... Again, Oh Mannn...

Before children, my husband always told me that he'll suffer minor heart attack to see our daughter's boyfriend.

So, can you imagine him now?

Weary Daddy kept on asking me, 'Were you like that when you're small? It must have been your gene. I didn't know girls until age of 10!'. Needless to say, I took, and am taking, it as a rhetorical question.

My normal retort, which doesn't answer his question nor my inner wonder, is that 'We don't have Internet back then'.

Pity on our children. How they're going to cope with our grand-children... let's see in hopefully 20 years time.

PS: In case you're wondering, no, our kids are, so far, not exposed to adult show. They barely set their eyes on soap opera, or some romantically inclined TV series or movies. Not because I set the rules, simply because they are not interested.

Daddy's Wisdom : Function of Stools in the Women's Shoe Section

On Sunday, we went shopping at Orchard area.

My daughter and I were looking at shoes in the women's area (she's my personal shopper).

Then, I saw both Daddy and son slouching on the stool near the wall. Both wearing the same bored, blank, expression (the kind of 'switched-off' peacefully face). The resemblance in the look was uncanny.

Of course, I burst out laughing.

Then, dear hubby proudly explained, 'I have explained to him. This is what boys do when girls look at shoes'.

Thank you very much. :)

[Good Book] Roald Dahl books, The Witch in particular

'Matilda' was my all-time-favourite book. Little I knew then, that the author, Roald Dahl, has penned more book. Oh the joy, when I discovered it in Singapore (I've moved to Singapore when the web-age begins and we can blissfully google everything to our heart content).

To my kids, I tried to 'infect' them with the reading bug. From Roald Dahl, I've read to them 'Mr & Mrs Twit' (had them in stitches, the gross jokes are totally their thing), 'The Giraffe, The Pelly, and Me', the famous 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and 'The Witches'. We got the 15 books set, so the list is still going on.

(Image : www.Amazon.co.uk)


Quote below is a thought of a little boy, the main character, after he was transformed into a mouse by The Grand High Witch

"... It is not a bad thing after all, I thought to myself, to be tiny as well as speedy..."

[+]
1. It teaches a thing or two about life. I tried to take the above as a teachable moment for my kids. Whatever you get in life, might as well make the most of it. When life give you lemon... and stuff...
Likewise
2. Roald Dahl had a VERY fertile imagination. The details he presented are amazing. For example, in The Witch, he gave a clear instruction on how to differentiate witches from normal ladies. I, almost, believe that he met one at least in his lifetime. Well... call me naive... but I'm enjoying the fun adventurous side of the book.
3. Of course, Quentin Blake illustrations are marvelous. Even the kids like the detail, the accuracy. It's a talking point in its own.

[-]
At the beginning of each book, normally, the plot might be quite slow. This causes kids to lose interest if we didn't get to the exciting part soon enough. But once we're there... they'll be hooked.

Come on... try one... I recommend you to start with... 'Matilda'

[It Works] Berries World of Learning School

We are non-Chinese-speaking family. Both hubby and I know nuts on the language.

However, realizing the benefit of speaking the language in this everything-are-made-in-China age, we were quite adamant (until now) that our offspring pick-up our ancestor's tongue.

Background wise, my first born has tried 'Growing Up Gifted' bilingual enrichment class and Hua Language School before (both are located in United Square).

And since Nursery age we were introduced to a tutor who comes to our house once a week. She's also good, but I'm not sure whether she'd like to be broad casted here.

Last year, back from Parent-Teacher-Conference, I searched for more Chinese school to top up the home tutor. Because the teacher's feedback is that kid-no-1 oral Chinese needs improvement. So we contemplate between increasing the home-tutor frequency and an enrichment class. Finally we opt for class, where, by right, she can interact with her class mate. And... different exposure is good too...

Landed on Bishan's Berries.

[+]
1. They, at least they do give impression of, know their stuff. Curriculum, teaching materials are well prepared. Simple toys such as telephony-cups are included, which yield young kids motivation. If not to learn the Chinese, at least to go for lessons.
2. Teachers are kids friendly. Especially this year, I started 3 years old kid-no-2 too. He loves his teachers there now, after less than 2 months.
3. Gradually difficulties level is increased or mixed. Initially, I thought that they are teaching easier words to accommodate English-speaking kids. But I grew to realize that they are trying to strike a balance. Delicate work, but hey is works.
4. This impressed me. They have a unique system where you can collect lesson-voucher as MC replacement (can be used to offset next term fee). Taking make-up lesson at any day is highly encourage too. Arrangements are surprisingly easy. On top of the two method, we can also arrange one-to-one make up class with shorter class duration. With three option, it's difficult to waste the fee. Leaving me thinking, why didn't all school do the same...
5. The teachers do speak English. Even if it's simple English. Kids won't be so scared then.

[-]
Bad thing for me, but good for the kids.
Parents beware. Berries GIVES homework. Full stop. Every week, kids need to complete a homework which the parents are expected to mark.
Bright side, forcing me to learn too...

How? Let's leave it for another post, need to put two rascals to sleep now. They've been joking and joking on the bed.

[Post published edit] In June '13 haze, Berries has proven to be a good educational institute. They have reacted promptly to enable home based learning for the week affected by the haze. It is not required of them, but they did it. Three cheers for all service provider that goes the extra mile!

[Good Book] You Can Cook

To my family dismay, I am not a good cook.
I love to bake, though. (But that passion does not guarantee that what I bake is delish :p)

Anyway, to get to the point, I'd like to share a good source of... more than recipes... knowledge, may be.
It's Anabel Karmel cookbook series.

The first one I got is titled 'You Can Cook'.

(Image : http://www.annabelkarmel.com/bookshop)

[+]
1. Instruction is very clear, complete with photos. Step. By. Step.
2. It covers the basic techniques for everyday food, with very clear description of what we need to do. From bread to main course to muffin.
3. Variations to the basic recipes are included. Another presentation (small bread, big bread... all from same recipe), also another flavor (chocolate, vanilla... same basic recipe). This part made me feel like a true blue old-fashioned-mommy who can cook anything. :)
4. This book is actually meant for kids. So it is a good start for the kids.

[-]

Hmmm... Nothing is perfect. But I cannot find a worthy one to write here.

Morale from TV series, 'The Mentalist'

Ïf we focus on what we like and what we don't like
Life will be so tiring"

Well... or something along that line. Was watching it and listening to a couple of conversation (with hubby and kids) at the same time.

Anyway... the simple truth in it... how it summed up my dilemma at the moment, strikes me.

I have always wondered... whether our decision to keep me working full time is a good one.

When I need to pay the bills, I felt trully glad that I'm working.
Likewise when I heard things going on in hubby office.

On the other side of the coin, whenever the kids misbehaved...
I do wonder, if I raise them myself... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week... (well... may not be in physical term... but you get the gist...)

Will they fare better?

So what's that got to do with The Mentalist quote???

I realized... that life may be too short, and the number of hours in a day is too few, to nurture my wonder on above topic. It is a vicious cycle that can go on and on... grass on the other side of the fence and all...
To borrow Nike slogan, just do it.

Decide, and live on it, mending things as we go along.

"The secret of life is not to do what we like...
but to like what we have to do.." - wisdom from a very great woman, a principal of my high school.

Easier said than done, huh? Tell me about it...

Why do animals lick their newly born babies

This one is from my five year old daughter when we saw a horse birth on TV:

Why do animals lick their newly born babies? Is it because they want to get back all the blood?

How three year olds view i-phones and i-pads

Apparently, my three year old son had a quite deep discussion about i-phone and i-pad in his school, with his teacher and friends.

He proudly reported back to me in the evening:

Mommy, some Daddies have i-phone, some have i-pad.
But it's ok. Both are nice...
You can use i-phone to call.
I-pad is bigger, you cannot use it to call, but you can play games on it.
I like both.

So you see... nowadays they started IT education very early indeed.

k.i.a.s.u

Before I start, for the benefit of those who is not familiar with the word (which I suspected have no precise English equivalent):

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(from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kiasu)

Etymology

From Hokkien (驚輸 POJ: kiaⁿ-su, kiaⁿ-si); literally: "afraid to lose"

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This kiasuism (oh yes... it's official English word now) is one of the thing that prompt me to write. Therefore before it starts gnawing on my brain, I'd better spill it out.

So you see... the story goes like this.

I had quite a shock on my first exam in a Singapore university. The exam was at the end of April. And, you know what, the students started all the preparation at the end of February!. Full gear, past year papers and all.

And my acquaintance with kiasuism continued. I then found out, that actually one's education in Singapore is prepared waaaayyy before university exam. It started, yes, you're reading this properly, even before conception.

A few facts, myths, everything that propelled my conclusion:

1. A father I know literally programmed his wife diet, in the name of getting a brilliant child

2. Until now, I still yet to get the chance to prove this, but I heard that Singapore parents may need to queue at unforgiving time of 3 AM to 5 AM for... primary school registration form.

3. A lot of schools requires voluntary work from the parents for the child to be considered for admission (for this, I had my near miss. My daughter is supposed to start in 2012 for primary. So at the beginning of 2010, I started asking and hey... volunteering slot is full!!! Oh well... what to do...)

4. It's not uncommon for good childcare centers and course providers in Singapore to include fetus in the waiting list. Before even the child is born.

The list can continue on and on... but it'll be quite boring. I just hope that you can agree with me on my statement two paragraphs above.

BUT! After being a parent myself. Somewhat magically I turned into one! Without knowing it, I went with the flow, registering my offspring to this and that courses. Caution though, I still hold back the reign, based on primary acknowledgement that kids NEED to play.

And... it is indeed tiring! To provide for the funds, sending kids to courses which end at 9 to 10 pm, coaching at home... and working in the morning. Most parents here walk through this path.

So... lastly... kudos to all kiasu parents. It's an honor to joint the herd.

PS : Feel free to leave your opinion on the message box, just to support each other, or to hold back the kiasuism a little. Kiasuism run amok is scary.