When Mommy is Sick...

I'm not well. Hasn't been feeling tip top in the past few weeks. With 1000mg vitamin C boost every day, managed to keep it going. However, last night decided to surrender and have a day rest today. 

Unfortunately, dear daughter's teacher had a less than pleasant feedback in the parent teacher meeting this morning. So I'm upset. Yes, I do. While my gal completely has no issue in her studies, she does have her moments of stressed out outburst. And frequent outburst in public is simply not right.

So in and out I drifted between paracetamols induced sleeps. In each awakening, my big problem zooming in cruelly. 

Why, one may ask, is it such a big problem?

My friend, it's big because I have no clue on how to solve it. And attitude is so very important to me. I've always emphasizing to both kids that I'd rather they fail their test, compared to being a person with a bad attitude.

Part of me is feeling guilty for not being there for her because I spent the time in the office, busy catching deadlines which I'm not sure whether it matters.

Another part is screaming... Nooo... It's doesn't sound like my little sweet girl... She must've been provoked! How can the teacher judged so while she herself was more often away in training or other personal matter. But I was humbled by my other more-rational-part into acceptance that indeed darling princess has been very rude and moody at home. Welcome teenage hormonal zing zang!

So here I was, alone, sipping my hot cocoa, waiting for the kids to finish their lessons. And suddenly it strikes me, to thank God. Thank you for the hot chocolate to calm me and my runny nose down. Thank you that my girl is acting up now. This means she's growing up. I hope by this episode, she'll learn a very valuable lesson. Rather than not knowing until she's old and wrinkled. Thank you for less than perfect form teacher. Because otherwise she may think everyone is like Mary Poppins. All objective and patient and naiiish...

Thank you for this problem... Because it means I'm alive...

If you have tips on how to parent a teenager, please do leave some comments below. Thank you. 

Is it necessary to take piano exam?

When I grew up, we didn't know that it is possible to learn piano without taking exam. This knowledge is important.

Why? Because, to some, preparing for exam may rip away the joy from learning piano.

So when I was looking for a piano tutor for my offspring, I told her that I don't really insist on taking exam. Gullible me didn't realized that piano tutor do need to increase tuition fee which is normally based on grade. Paiseh.

My colleague came out with an alternative solution to it. He allowed the tutor to judge. So based on the book, without taking exam, the tutor may increase the fee accordingly.

Now, I'm the midst of preparing dear son for grade one exam. I know now that he is not made for exam. He enjoys learning piano. But preparing for exam with endless repetitive exam piece is not his cup of tea.

BUT, I'm glad that we did it. Because, no matter what, exam is designed to test the capability properly. In those ghastly practice hours, the kid learns all the necessities to be a FINE piano player. Piano vs forte, speed, phrasing, expression, ... No doubt those with real talent does not need to go through this painful process. But my children are just mere mortal whose mom likes piano

So exam or not, at least once, let them take it. The experience worthed for both parents and child. :)

Best Method to Stop Unwanted Habbit

Ok, short and sweet.

There were times kiddoes start an annoying habbit. BOTH consciously or unconsciously (yes, can you believe it... One of them seriously made an effort to create one).

So far, I found the best method is to sit them down, tell the offender why it is not a good habbit, and... Ignore it.

If there is, condition the environment. For example, if we need to stop nail biting, keep the nails short so there's nothing to bite.

Don't remind, don't scold. Literally boiling inside, bite your tongue.

Eventually he/she will forget about it.

Hope it works for you... Wish you luck. :)