Spring-cleaning with Kids

Hi folks!

For Chinese, it is a custom for us to do spring-cleaning before CNY.

I only have one day to do it. And my two kids wants to help out. Being
a health-freak mom i am, i made them wear the kid's mask like me :P to
avoid inhaling too much dust.

Kids Humor

Hi folks,

I got this a friend via e-mail. Thought it was funny and fun...enjoy and have a few giggle before u get busy with parenthood!

Cheers!


Kids Are Quick
___________________________________
TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America .
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Maria.
____________________________________
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the
floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
(I Love this kid)
____________________________________________
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't
have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
_______________________________________
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
MILLIE: I is...
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
________________________________
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry
tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father
didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand...
______________________________________
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before
eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
______________________________
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as
your brother's. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
___________________________________
TEACHER: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when
people are no longer interested?
HAROLD: A teacher
__________________________________

The Challenges faced by a WAHM and WAHM's kids

Hi folks,

As promised, I would like to shed some thoughts of the challenges faced by a WAHM and WAHM's kids.

In the olden days, that is during our parents' generation, it is a common sight to see women working from home doing various jobs ranging from being a babysitter, a tailor, or a baker making cookies, cakes and etc.

In current generation, women who work from home have new entrants, i.e. women who used to work in multi-national companies or MNCs and were holding good position, great income after spending years pursuing their studies and enjoying a high-flying career.

These people have chose a "greener pastures" which is to care for their family as a full-time mom. Kudos to these women!

For some of these women, they may need to take a pay-cut or take up a lesser income or lower-paying job in return for a more flexible time with their kids and family.

Thus, financially, it may proves to be a challenge when time is gained.

So for some WAHM/D, it means that they might have to:

1. Look for alternatives local or nearer destination rather than spending a big fortune on expensive holiday destination like they used to be.

One WAHD used to joke and share with the rest of us, WAHM-wannabes, that, one of the thing he misses most after becoming a WAHD is that he used to fly Business Class, but now he has to make do with economy class.

2. Limit their choices of extra classes like ballet class, piano lessons.

One WAHM, who quited her job told me that one of the noticeable difference when she became a WAHM; is now she would need to think twice and really shortlist her choices when it comes to enrolling her kids to these extra-curricular activities which doesn't comes cheap nowadays!

3. Slice off the expenditure allocated for expensive spa, facial, cosmetics, branded bags or shoes, etc.

Many WAHM out there, you do agree right, you can no longer spend on Coach bags, Jimmy Choo's shoes and expensive outfits as often anymore! Unless of course you are doing really well at your WAH biz which is not impossible!

For WAHM's kids, the challenges would be quite similar financially too:

1. Not much international holiday travelling

These days, kids would boast or "share" where they have been during school holidays when school reopen or before the holidays start! Talking about peer influence and peer pressure......

2. Cannot afford to attend many/any extra-curricular activities like art, drama, music, ballet, you name it!

When I was young, I was the odd one in my class when everyone goes to a tuition centre after class except me. I spent my afternoon napping and studying at home. I also don't have the luxury to go for music lessons, 'cos if I get to go, it means my parents have to be fair and able to send the rest of my siblings to one too!

3. No frequent purchase/update of latest PSP, Mobile phone, etc.

These days, kids own a mobile phone and PSP as young as primary school children! And they are looking at the latest model every now and then! Talking about peer influence and peer pressure again!

And these challenges, when look at the positive note, it can be a good experience too!

1. Travelling becomes a creative adventure to scout for the cheapest and most attractive places to go and it becomes a luxury and an event to look forward each time.

When things become scarce, people tend to treasure it more, isn't it! And people learn to improvise and make the best of of everything! Human species are indeed survivor!

2. No fully-packed for kids with extra-curricular activities and WAHM/D need not spent most of their time on the road, paying tolls to drive their kids around different places of "interest".

For my case, I don't really miss out on the tuition part, in fact I went for a English tutoring session during one of the school holiday just for the experience, and boy, did I hated it! I stopped after barely one month because it is really tiring and crowded. So ask your kids if they really do need the tutoring or merely the socialising part of this activity ;)

3. Items are put under Wish List, and to be earned for. Nothing comes easily, and these been taught since young!

Before I even finished my SPM exam, I have applied for scholarships to further my study because that is what I wanted to do, i.e. to further my study and I knew I have to find a way to fulfill it without burning a hole in my parents' pocket.

Children these days should be trained to work for it! Whatever items they desired, they should give in an equal amount of effort.

So challenges made into a character building part of a child and to the parents as well...

What say you? Ready for the WAHM parenthood? Let's share!

Cheers!

This post is also published in Mombloggersplanet.com as part of my monthly contribution to their column :)

Do pay them a visit folks, if you are a passionate mommy blogger/reader too!

Happy reading and sharing!

Cheers!

November Giveaway from Mamaparadise

Hi folks!

Do you faced same predicament as me I wonder....

Though I would love to let my kids to learn how to eat on their own...BUT...phew...guess the mess you will end up
with on the floor and on the little angels' face, shirt, hair...that they totally need a full body wash out...haha..

Now, I saw this lovely giveaway by Mamaparadise, another paradise of online shopping for mommies and babies
products which will certainly help me out of my worries for the mess!

Check out this Ezee Stay Put Cutlery and Bowl from Mamaparadise.

Very good idea rite!

If you like to join this giveaway, check out more details here!

Good Luck to all!!!! (and me included)..hehe

Cheers!

Energy and Nutritious Drink

Hey folks

I recently got a list of energy powder list from a friend who has been feeding her vegetarian kids with it...and they are growing strong and healthy.

I have got all the ingredients(in powder form) and been drinking them diligently for the past two days...seems very effective at keeping my energy level up despite two very late nights doing some additional work.

The items are(if i can recall all..else i got to get the list n post it up again later)

• white sesame powder
• black sesame powder
• raw oats(powder form)
• seaweed/kelp powder
• soya lecithin
• wheat germ
• brewer yeast
• brown sugar/fruit sugar
• flaxseed (powder form)

Make it in lukewarm water. lDrink once a day.

I am letting my kids taking it now ;) Let's see how's their progress ;)

Note: The total amount I spent getting all the ingredients above is roughly bMYR60-70 (depends which organic shop I go to get the stuff. I estimate the items can last me(family of four) for one-two months depends how diligent we are taking it ;)

ATTENTION: Please although these are all organic and natural ingredients, but if you have any special health condition like allergy, please consult your physician before trying. I am sharing out of my own experience, it might not be the same for everyone. :)

For me I take more than once a day since I am still BF. See the picture is the stock I have in office :)

Cheers!

Do you spank your kids?

Lately, I have been reading up some articles focusing on whether to spank the child and other

alternatives method to discipline children.

I am having an issue on this as I don't believe and don't like spanking my kids. But then again,

sometimes it really boils down to a parent's sanity and habits as well.

From what I observe, KY certainly does not benefited from spanking,neither the parents.

I feel bad after I spanked her. KY felt bad, uncherished, unloved,sad, tearful after she got

spanked.

Below is an article I read to DH last week, and I hope this would give me a good start..sharing it

with all of you:

9 Things to do Instead of Spanking
- by Kathryn Kvols

Research confirms what many parents instinctively feel when they don't like to spank their child, but they don't know what else to do. The latest research from Dr. Murray Strauss at the Family Research Laboratory affirms that spanking teaches children to use acts of aggression and violence to solve their problems. It only teaches and perpetuates more violence, the very thing our society is so concerned about. This research further shows that children who have been spanked are more prone to low self-esteem, depression and accept lower paying jobs as adults. So, what do you do instead?

1 - Get Calm

First, if you feel angry and out of control and you want to spank or slap your child, leave the situation if you can. Calm down and get quiet. In that quiet time you will often find an alternative or solution to the problem. Sometimes parents lose it because they are under a lot of stress. Dinner is boiling over, the kids are fighting, the phone is ringing and your child drops the can of peas and you lose it. If you can't leave the situation, then mentally step back and count to ten.

2 - Take Time for Yourself

Parents are more prone to use spanking when they haven't had any time to themselves and they feel depleted and hurried. So, it is important for parents to take some time for themselves to exercise, read, take a walk or pray.

3 - Be Kind but Firm

Another frustrating situation where parents tend to spank is when your child hasn't listened to your repeated requests to behave. Finally, you spank to get your child to act appropriately. Another solution in these situations is to get down on your child's level, make eye contact, touch him gently and tell him, in a short, kind but firm phrase, what it is you want him to do. For example, "I want you to play quietly.

4 - Give Choices

Giving your child a choice is an effective alternative to spanking. If she is playing with her food at the table ask, Would you like to stop playing with your food or would you like to leave the table?" If the child continues to play with her food, you use kind but firm action by helping her down from the table. Then tell her that she can return to the table when she is ready to eat her food without playing in it.

5 - Use Logical Consequences

Consequences that are logically related to the behavior help teach children responsibility. For example, your child breaks a neighbor's window and you punish him by spanking him. What does he learn about the situation? He may learn to never do that again, but he also learns that he needs to hide his mistakes, blame it on someone else, lie, or simply not get caught. He may decide that he is bad or feel anger and revenge toward the parent who spanked him. When you spank a child, he may behave because he is afraid to get hit again. However, do you want your child to behave because he is afraid of you or because he respects you?

Compare that situation to a child who breaks a neighbor's window and his parent says, "I see you've broken the window, what will you do to repair it?" using a kind but firm tone of voice. The child decides to mow the neighbor's lawn and wash his car several times to repay the cost of breaking the window. What does the child learn in this situation? That mistakes are an inevitable part of life and it isn't so important that he made the mistake but that he takes responsibilty to repair the mistake. The focus is taken off the mistake and put on taking responsibility for repairing it. The child feels no anger or revenge toward his parent. And most importantly the child's self-esteem is not damaged.

6 - Do Make Ups

When children break agreements, parents tend to want to punish them An alternative is to have your child do a make-up. A make-up is something that people do to put themselves back into integrity with the person they broke the agreement with. For example, several boys were at a sleep-over at Larry's home. His father requested that they not leave the house after midnight. The boys broke their agreement. The father was angry and punished them by telling them they couldn't have a sleep-over for two months. Larry and his friends became angry, sullen and uncooperative as a result of the punishment. The father realized what he had done. He apologized for punishing them and told them how betrayed he felt and discussed the importance of keeping their word. He then asked the boys for a make-up. They decided to cut the lumber that the father needed to have cut in their backyard. The boys became excited and enthusiastic about the project and later kept their word on future sleep-overs.

7 - Withdraw from Conflict

Children who sass back at parents may provoke a parent to slap. In this situation, it is best if you withdraw from the situation immediately. Do not leave the room in anger or defeat. Calmly say, "I'll be in the next room when you want to talk more respectfully.

8 - Use kind but firm action

Instead of smacking an infant's hand or bottom when she touches something she isn't supposed to, kindly but firmly pick her up and take her to the next room. Offer her a toy or another item to distract her and say, "You can try again later." You may have to take her out several times if she is persistent.

9 - Inform Children Ahead of Time

A child's temper tantrum can easily set a parent off. Children frequently throw tantrums when they feel uninformed or powerless in a situation. Instead of telling your child he has to leave his friend's house at a moment's notice, tell him that you will be leaving in five minutes. This allows the child to complete what he was in the process of doing.

Aggression is an obvious form of perpetuating violence in society. A more subtle form of this is spanking because it takes it's toll on a child's self-esteem, dampening his enthusiasm and causing him to be rebellious and uncooperative. Consider for a moment the vision of a family that knows how to win cooperation and creatively solve their problems without using force or violence. The alternatives are limitless and the results are calmer parents who feel more supported.

Article Copyright © 1995 INCAF

Kathryn Kvols is the president of the International Network for Children and Families and the author of Redirecting Children's Behavior. She is also a national speaker and workshop leader.

Read also the article in TheStar, on Why Punishing Your Child is Bad

Cheers and Happy Parenting!

Wordless Wednesday: Kids enjoying their snacks together

Cheers!

Would be be wary if.....

Over one lunch date with my DH(we work closeby, so now and then when his wife..a.k.a me woke up late, lazy or no vege to cook up 'our' lunch) we would have date to eat quick lunch together. 

This lady boss of a vegetarian restaurant we frequented(the nearest to DH's office) asked me aloud, " Are you not afraid that ur DH, being tall and ahem good-looking being snatched or clamored by "bees"?"

Well, which then I didn't really give it much thought and then replied.."It's been that way even before we got married, a.k.a "courting days"....and then added, " I would do the same" jokingly of course...

Honestly, I did not give that question a serious thought before..BUT after the lunch...I was thinking, If I am worried then I wouldn't married him in the first place rite? And it's not for me to get worried anyhow...handsome or not handsome when ur guy wanna play around he would!

And nope, I would never do "play" so...I was just joking with the lady boss as I cannot find any serious or wise answer for her impromptu question. 

I think any responsible parents would never do such thing as to "HURT" their partner and the marriage and thus making their kids suffers?????

Anyhow..it's just a matter of faith and trust we have in our partner and God plus of course the "marriage management and bank account thing rite ...(Note" If you read, " Men from Mars, Women from Venus"

Anyhow, to conclude, I think it's high time I spend some COUPLE time catching up with my DH..I think busy parenthood can makes our heart lose connection if don't catch up with one another?

And this really needs some arrangement and some extra babysitting support from good grandparents? Rite?

This makes me feel grateful at least BOTH my parents and in-laws are not that far away from us...even though our weekends are filled with taking turns to visit both side parents ...partly why my house is always in a mess?? :P unless i use my zzz time to clean and tidy up the never-ending mess when you got TWO kids and TWO working parents??

Cheers for the day!

Constipation on kids

Constipation makes kids stomach bloaty- if there such a word.

KY would sometimes complained to me that her stomach pain then I would check her tummy and often find her stomach rather huge...and "bloaty".

Some of the ways I found to be found useful to prevent constipation in kids are:

1. Feed them oatmeal every morning. My son would normally do the "business" right after each oatmeal breakfast so much so that DH and I would be on standby to wash Shone up after feeding him oats.
2. Give them fruits daily, like kiwi, papaya, bananas, guava (I find that these fruits helps in bowel movement)
3. Make them drink lotsa water. Every morning after wakes up, once they wake up from nap and before they nap.

Some of the ways I used to make KY drink lotsa water are:

1. I made her check her urine each time she pass urine. If it is yellow color and smelly(70% of the time IT IS!), means she didn't drink enough water and she would need to drink lotsa water immediately..normally this works..
2. I would do rounds of toasting with her...wedding-style like-YAM....SENG....or western style....CHEERS..... with my water bottle and hers...
3. Let her have her favourite Yakult drinks and sometimes 100plus as well...(nope she doesn't like Ribena...at all)

As for Shone, he loves to drink...most of the time he would not refuse any water unless he doesn't feel thirsty or he prefers milk at that point of time. Else he would normally drink water as and when we pass him his water bottle.

I think the fact that he's been trained since newborn(as early as 2 weeks' old) to drink water after each feed and each time he wakes up helps. Although it may be contradicting what most experts says about not feeding a breastfed baby water as breastmilk contains lotsa water.

BUT I find that KY which I follow the expert's advice doesn't like drinking water later on...but with Shone I followed my auntie's(who's a nurse in S'pore and breastfed her two child) who feels that in our type of weather..drinking water is very important even for breastfed child as long as it doesn't interfere with their breastmilk intake.

So well..it's very much up to our own discretion and wisdom? Check out this article in TheStar , "Is your child constipated? "

Water water...drink lotsa water does help to prevent constipation I felt...

Cheers....have some water NOW!

Two smiley Vege kids

KY and Isher

I attended my old classmate's wedding last Sat at Prince and Residence Hotel and she is so kind to arrange a Vegetarian table for us and a few other couples.

And I took the chance to snap this picture of the couple's son, Isher, who is a vegetarian from birth(in her mommy womb), same as KY. I am trying to get tips from her how to raise a healthy, strong and happy vege kid like she had..charming little 11 year "young" boy.. haha..he was ?? when I said how "old are you? which then I changed to how "young" are you..haha..

Hope to hear more good news from all my old buddies and from myself too...

Weddings..o..gatherings..have another one this coming Sat...Shone little birthday celeb with mil's side.

Cheers!

Kids and gadgets- Iphone

Lately after KY seen her dad listening to his IPod Touch(from Iphone), she has been asking to listen to it before she sleep and takes her nap in the afternoon.

For a merely 2 year plus kiddo, she has know how to:

1)      Take pictures with her dad’s phone

2)      Play the 20+ games her dad installed for BOTH of them (haha)

3)      Listen and choose her own songs with Ipod application-mostly Doraemon thanks2my sis..ha

4)      ON the 3G services(eiks..scary..we quickly switch it off…as we seriously have not found any 3G services from Malaysia’s telco which cater to our needs and budget) so for now..it’s using only WIRELESS for us

And Shone(a mere 11 months plus) is picking up FAST! Last weekend, I see him flipping the photo album in his dad’s phone(mimicking his dad’s gestures in enlarging and switching from pictures to pictures..) wow…I can’t help feeling amazing at how FAST these kids are picking up these gadgets navigating skills…

Good or Bad, I am not to judge but I think it’s an unavoidable act that they pick up…and it’s of no harm for now…perhaps more good than harm since many universities are adopting Iphone…see this article in TheStar.

Cheers for thoughts for the day!

Alarming news...to parents..

This morning news on TheStar Online, "Sex affair just to spite parents", really makes my heart shudder and tremble!

As a parent, it really sends trembles in my heart...and it makes me ponder again on the issue of being a full-time mother and sending my kids away to other caretaker.

 Lately, I have been talking about this with my sister and another friend who has primary school kids...It's rather sad case nowadays that having two income in a family is no longer a choice but a need. Thus many kids are left in the care of maid or some other relatives.

It has becomes a norm at least in Malaysia that kids are being sent to those care centre after primary school even...as no one else at home to take care of them after they finished school. 

I do hope a better solution can be taken to ensure our kids grow up in a more healthy condition.

 Ponder..ponder...

Stumbling upon blogs...parenting blogs....

These days my daily reading at Google Reader brings me to get to know more mommy bloggers....each with their own stories and niche. And recently I stumbled upon one particular mommy blogger residing in Down Under...

Reading her stories makes me awe...in amazement ....and also cannot help feeling the same kinda emotions...she is having juggling with multiple kids..haha....and she just added another one..which makes it 3! Bravo!

As usual...many would start asking after having my second child, will I ever try for another one? And if yes, when would that be? Guess what was my standard reply ? "I am satisfied with what I have now....not another one..at least not in another 2 years' time since I had c-section."

As what one of the mommy blogger wrote here, on "Having Multiples Without Breaking the Bank" in her blog, "Passionate Homemaking", which closely reflects what I am thinking about. Of course children are gift from God, and he'll provide what you need for your kids...so enough said...

I am still am "SATISFIED" & "THANKFUL" with what I have now..hehe..and still find it rather amazing for moms who are able to handle more than 3 kids!(That includes the babysitter of my kids)

Salute to them...and more to learn from other mommy bloggers!

Bravo!

Homeschooling in Malaysia

Today an article link from a blog I used to subscribed and read, LittleKittie.com brings my attention to homeschooling.

Homeschooling, a topic/subject I used to ponder upon, researched, read about during my college time (yep, even before I was married with kids), as I have a cousin who faced difficulties coping the rigid education system in Malaysia. Having changed schools but still couldn’t cope and can see he really becoming withdrawn because of this made my aunt quit her job to stay and coach him for a more than a year.

Homeschooling is indeed a vital choice for some parents for the welfare of their children. At that point of time it was not even legal in Malaysia, and now although it was a bit looser legal side but see this fact (excerpt from the homeschooling article in TheStar ):

The official view

The Education (Amendment) Act 2002 states that homeschooling can only be considered under the following circumstances:

·The child must be exceptionally gifted or intellectually or physically disabled and the schools cannot meet this need;

·Family members travel abroad frequently; (wow..in other words must be rich? :P.. I wonder why this clause was included? So that the parents are considered globe-trotters and well-read?..hmm…)

·If homeschoolers are to be exempted, parents must ensure that they follow the national syllabus.

 ----------

Whatever it is, at least it is no longer considered ILLEGAL or a CRIME to make the homeschooling choice for our kids now which is an improvement but hopefully the support and legistration for homeschooling as well as the revamp and continuous improvement on our current education system can improve hand-in-hand for the future our young leaders and generation.

 

As I am pondering about homeschooling and writing this article, my aunt(who sort of applied some homeschooling method on her son) has migrated to Down Under for the sake of her children, for better education and better support. It is a sad case for Malaysia system (not in time to support the needs of many parents) but a happy one for my auntie. I wished her all the best and salute her to give up her job, and things here for the sake of her kids…it’s not an easy decision to make. But she did and I am glad for her and my cousins too!

But hopefully we in Malaysia can catch up soon....a better education and society...what can we all do(every small effort counts) to make this happens for our kids?

Cheers and ponder for the day!