Ee Rynn was excited. She told me that there will be a bullet train connecting Malaysia and Singapore.
Ee Rynn : Mommy, today Ms. Cheryl shared at circle time that there will be a bullet train, very very fast (her eyes was sparkling), very very fast from Singapore to Malaysia. It takes 90minutes only. It's a mega, big big project!
Mommy : Oh, wow!
Ee Rynn : They had meeting on Monday. I can ride the bullet train when I am 13 years old. So mommy, we can ride the train back to Malaysia. When we reach, we will call Ah Kong to fetch us, right mommy?
Mommy : Sounds like a great idea!
Ee Rynn : The meeting is by Najib and Lee Hsien Hsien Hsien... er er er...
Mommy : You mean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long?
Ee Rynn : Yes, mommy. Najib and Lee Hsien Long said it will be ready in 2020. That time, I will be 13 years old. I can ride on my own too... *grin* *excited*
Mommy : Wow! Big girl!
Ee Rynn : Mommy, I am big girl and I can bring you along!
Throughout the conversation, I learnt a lesson! When I read the news, I wasn't skeptical but my thought told me that this might take ages! As an adult that knows so many 'not so good' side of our country, this mega project might take ages.
But facts is still facts. As we nurture our children about the world around us, we cannot help them judge the world. Judging the world comes with practice. We, as parents should provide an avenue for them to learn to judge and evaluate, especially at home. The more they practice, the better they are. Judgement skill is another life skill. Children need judgement skill to choose the right peer, the right sport, the right food, the right clothing, the right timing to rest, the right weather to swim (I've seen children swimming in swimming pool despite heavy thunder), the right change (money), the right amount of chemical to mix during science experiment, the right clothing to pack for camping and so on.
Ee Rynn was so excited about the train ride. She was excited about the possible experience. It was a precious moment to see her pure excitement.
I have seen parents complained about Pusat Science Negara (Science Center) is not as good as Country X. This comment is shared in front of their 5 years old child. I am thinking about the possible damage on this child. The child might grow up comparing instead of focusing to learn all the possible knowledge and learning around her. Our children see the world through our eyes (parents) during their growing up years. If we are excited of all the possible knowledge and learning around us, our children will too! The world is our classroom.
Personally, I have learnt to share the knowledge of the world to my children with excitement. I am learning to allow them to process the information themselves. If they have comment, I will listen and bring the conversation further. Often, this strengthen our relationship and I learn much more from them. :-)
Friday, February 22, 2013
Outdoor Exploration - Rock
Ee Wern is 1 year old. She is a curious explorer. I like the way she explore with her hand. Her way of picking up things and pointing to things is so unique.
I brought her to a rock near our swimming pool. She spotted an ant crawling around. She used her pointer to point to the ant and giggled when she saw the ant moves away.
Then, she starts patting the rock. She said: oh oh.. She would pat and pat and pat and said oh oh oh. I guessed she tried to tell me it's hard and rough, mommy.
Then she started to stroll a little. It was fun to see her explored.
I brought her to a rock near our swimming pool. She spotted an ant crawling around. She used her pointer to point to the ant and giggled when she saw the ant moves away.
Then, she starts patting the rock. She said: oh oh.. She would pat and pat and pat and said oh oh oh. I guessed she tried to tell me it's hard and rough, mommy.
Then she started to stroll a little. It was fun to see her explored.
Visits to Ee Rynn's kindergarten
I was looking forward to play with Ee Rynn in her kindergarten. I like her kindergarten. All the kids are so polite and friendly. They are so comfortable to be who they are. Ee Rynn was very excited too. She looked forward to play with me.
When I reached the kindergarten, Ee Rynn would direct me to places I can put my shoes, my bag and my umbrella. Then, she would choose to show me things she has learnt.
Before she goes to bed tonight, she said, mommy, I am so so happy that you played with me in school today. As mommy, it's so priceless to see her happiness. It's so worthwhile. Children spells LOVE as T.I.M.E. I am very happy too.
When I reached the kindergarten, Ee Rynn would direct me to places I can put my shoes, my bag and my umbrella. Then, she would choose to show me things she has learnt.
Before she goes to bed tonight, she said, mommy, I am so so happy that you played with me in school today. As mommy, it's so priceless to see her happiness. It's so worthwhile. Children spells LOVE as T.I.M.E. I am very happy too.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Going Back Home for Chinese New Year 2013
It has been 6 years that we travel back to Penang for Chinese New Year with young children.
2013 is different as we travel from different country back to KL and to another state. Traveling with a small baby and a preschooler is never easy. Packing itself takes half a day. Keeping them busy along the journey is another creative skill to learn.
Appointment is always back to back. Priority is always family although we are longing to meet our close friends. There are times when we need to arrange baby sitting arrangement especially when my father-in-law has appointment in the hospital. This is a painful experience as I have to trouble my mom to take care of the girls. My mom will call for me to console my baby over the phone as she can't tolerate the crying baby.
There are times we will sleep overnight in my mom's house. There's no cot and baby will crawl and explore around the room. Eventually she will be overtired and cried. My eldest will complain as she can't sleep because her sister is disturbing her.
Driving back to Penang is fun. However, we have to plan for food supply, games in the car and rest stop along the journey. We learnt to tolerate our girl restlessness throughout the journey. However, we will share a room and the same situation will happen. Sometimes, we go through it at every school holiday.
When I was young, my mom will brought 4 of us with 3 bags to Pahang by bus to visit my late grandparents. We had to fight for seats (yes, no numbered seats then). If it's a rainy day, there will be all sort of human smells in the bus. I remembered my mom was calm even we had to fight for seats and cramp in a hot and stuffy room. What is left are my sweet memories in those years. The relationship we built is priceless.
On hindsight, these journey and experiences are priceless. Our girls will watch us and go through it with us. As parents, this is another modeling. There are a lot of things to learn throughout the journey. We learn to be tolerant to each other, we learn to cherish the time together, we learn to understand each other more, we learn to be patience to each other and we learn to love each other more.
It's through all these that it build family relationship and strengthen family values. This is what 'balik kampung' is all about. Children spell LOVE as T.I.M.E. Our parents spell LOVE as T.I.M.E. too. When I am old, I would love to have my children and grandchildren coming home to spend time with us.
Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
2013 is different as we travel from different country back to KL and to another state. Traveling with a small baby and a preschooler is never easy. Packing itself takes half a day. Keeping them busy along the journey is another creative skill to learn.
Appointment is always back to back. Priority is always family although we are longing to meet our close friends. There are times when we need to arrange baby sitting arrangement especially when my father-in-law has appointment in the hospital. This is a painful experience as I have to trouble my mom to take care of the girls. My mom will call for me to console my baby over the phone as she can't tolerate the crying baby.
There are times we will sleep overnight in my mom's house. There's no cot and baby will crawl and explore around the room. Eventually she will be overtired and cried. My eldest will complain as she can't sleep because her sister is disturbing her.
Driving back to Penang is fun. However, we have to plan for food supply, games in the car and rest stop along the journey. We learnt to tolerate our girl restlessness throughout the journey. However, we will share a room and the same situation will happen. Sometimes, we go through it at every school holiday.
When I was young, my mom will brought 4 of us with 3 bags to Pahang by bus to visit my late grandparents. We had to fight for seats (yes, no numbered seats then). If it's a rainy day, there will be all sort of human smells in the bus. I remembered my mom was calm even we had to fight for seats and cramp in a hot and stuffy room. What is left are my sweet memories in those years. The relationship we built is priceless.
On hindsight, these journey and experiences are priceless. Our girls will watch us and go through it with us. As parents, this is another modeling. There are a lot of things to learn throughout the journey. We learn to be tolerant to each other, we learn to cherish the time together, we learn to understand each other more, we learn to be patience to each other and we learn to love each other more.
It's through all these that it build family relationship and strengthen family values. This is what 'balik kampung' is all about. Children spell LOVE as T.I.M.E. Our parents spell LOVE as T.I.M.E. too. When I am old, I would love to have my children and grandchildren coming home to spend time with us.
Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Hide and Seek.. now you see, now you don't..
Ee Wern @ 11 months old (January 2013)
She started to be so curious and kept flipping her play mate. Every time she flipped her play mat, she looks like she is searching for something.
I have decided to fold her play mate and put it on the low table we had in the living room. I put some of her goodies in there. She looks so happy knowing the changes. Soon, she started to flip the play mat and found some of her favorite fruit soft toy underneath. This itself occupied her for 20 minutes. Simple things that provide opportunity for exploration and learning experience.
She started to be so curious and kept flipping her play mate. Every time she flipped her play mat, she looks like she is searching for something.
I have decided to fold her play mate and put it on the low table we had in the living room. I put some of her goodies in there. She looks so happy knowing the changes. Soon, she started to flip the play mat and found some of her favorite fruit soft toy underneath. This itself occupied her for 20 minutes. Simple things that provide opportunity for exploration and learning experience.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Role Model - Parenting Basic Part 1
1. We are the role model to our children
Children are gifts from God! They are perfectly made in God's image. They are born to imitate us because we (parents) are the most important person in their life. We are the most important pillar to our children. In our children's eyes, we are their hero.
Things we say and do, they will be too. If we are whiner ourselves, our children will be one. If we are achiever, our children will too. If we feel we are loser, our children will think they don't deserve to win.
Therefore, model the right behaviors and value. We are glad that we had discussion on how we want to raise our baby during my first pregnancy. It can sound inflexible at times, but we are glad we are holding hands especially when the journey gets tough.
Give ourselves a pat on our back as parenting is never easy. We love our children so much that we are striving to be a good model to our children. We believe there are few things to look into if we are keen to build the right foundations to model.
a. Discuss with our partner to determine the 'mood' at home. We must understand we are the designer of our marriage and family life. We simply can't function together as a family if we drag our baby into our busy schedule and expecting them to adapt to the crazy world outside the womb. Strike a balance. Create the schedule, the expected responsibility for each other and the routine for the baby. At least these are within our circle of influence. We are modeling 'certainty' at home. Our children do not need to 'second guess' us. And I believe that is a security blanket for them.
b. By having item a, strike an agreement to respect and solve all the possible challenges calmly together. Your baby is watching. You will be amaze how your baby imitate you when she utters her first word. We are modeling respect, self control and team work.
c. Have quiet time together regularly. We love each other. Your spouse deserve your attention. We are modeling strong marriage relationship and our children will have theirs when it's time for them.
d. Pursue our passion. We know passion stir positive energy. Our children is looking at us and we are creating that positive energy. Who don't want to associate with positive achiever? We are modeling the attitude of achieving.
e. Determine to minimize bad habits. We all know things that are harmful to your children. We are modeling to have the right habits that prosper us and not destroy us.
f. Love ourselves. Yes, we need to pamper ourselves to keep our sanity intact. If we love 'us', our children will love their life. Isn't that what we want as parents?
I am still "a work in progress" myself. Those pointers is a reminder to me. The good news is I am not alone in this 'business'. Who don't want to have an ideal situation? Striving towards it will make the journey meaningful.
Below are some scriptures that I relate to and I would like to share with the readers.
A. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
B. Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
C. Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
D. Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
E. Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Children are gifts from God! They are perfectly made in God's image. They are born to imitate us because we (parents) are the most important person in their life. We are the most important pillar to our children. In our children's eyes, we are their hero.
Things we say and do, they will be too. If we are whiner ourselves, our children will be one. If we are achiever, our children will too. If we feel we are loser, our children will think they don't deserve to win.
Therefore, model the right behaviors and value. We are glad that we had discussion on how we want to raise our baby during my first pregnancy. It can sound inflexible at times, but we are glad we are holding hands especially when the journey gets tough.
Give ourselves a pat on our back as parenting is never easy. We love our children so much that we are striving to be a good model to our children. We believe there are few things to look into if we are keen to build the right foundations to model.
a. Discuss with our partner to determine the 'mood' at home. We must understand we are the designer of our marriage and family life. We simply can't function together as a family if we drag our baby into our busy schedule and expecting them to adapt to the crazy world outside the womb. Strike a balance. Create the schedule, the expected responsibility for each other and the routine for the baby. At least these are within our circle of influence. We are modeling 'certainty' at home. Our children do not need to 'second guess' us. And I believe that is a security blanket for them.
b. By having item a, strike an agreement to respect and solve all the possible challenges calmly together. Your baby is watching. You will be amaze how your baby imitate you when she utters her first word. We are modeling respect, self control and team work.
c. Have quiet time together regularly. We love each other. Your spouse deserve your attention. We are modeling strong marriage relationship and our children will have theirs when it's time for them.
d. Pursue our passion. We know passion stir positive energy. Our children is looking at us and we are creating that positive energy. Who don't want to associate with positive achiever? We are modeling the attitude of achieving.
e. Determine to minimize bad habits. We all know things that are harmful to your children. We are modeling to have the right habits that prosper us and not destroy us.
f. Love ourselves. Yes, we need to pamper ourselves to keep our sanity intact. If we love 'us', our children will love their life. Isn't that what we want as parents?
I am still "a work in progress" myself. Those pointers is a reminder to me. The good news is I am not alone in this 'business'. Who don't want to have an ideal situation? Striving towards it will make the journey meaningful.
Below are some scriptures that I relate to and I would like to share with the readers.
A. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
B. Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
C. Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
D. Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
E. Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Baby Sensory Bottle
Ee Wern was 9 months old and she get bored with toys around her easily. This is due to her short attention at this age. So I have decided to create some interesting bottles to occupy her. This is very useful when I am busy in the kitchen.
All I need is empty plastic bottle and :
1. colorful beads for visual and sound effect (especially when she shakes it)
2. various sizes of colorful pom pom (to learn about sizes and visual stimulation)
3. brightly color water (food coloring) with colorful beads.
4. water with soap (when she shakes it, bubbles will foam and that fascinate her)
5. colorful and different size of buttons for fabulous noise
6. brightly color twisted pipe cleaners for visual effects
7. mixture of water and oil
8. water in blue with sea shells.
9. multi color of pasta for sound and visual effects
10. colorful beans (red beans, green beans, soy beans)
11. various kind of grains
12. different shapes of tin foil (for reflection)
All these bottles keep her occupied. It's fun to see her explores these bottles. When these bottles was first created, her sister hijacked them as she thinks it's fun to play with!
All I need is empty plastic bottle and :
1. colorful beads for visual and sound effect (especially when she shakes it)
2. various sizes of colorful pom pom (to learn about sizes and visual stimulation)
3. brightly color water (food coloring) with colorful beads.
4. water with soap (when she shakes it, bubbles will foam and that fascinate her)
5. colorful and different size of buttons for fabulous noise
6. brightly color twisted pipe cleaners for visual effects
7. mixture of water and oil
8. water in blue with sea shells.
9. multi color of pasta for sound and visual effects
10. colorful beans (red beans, green beans, soy beans)
11. various kind of grains
12. different shapes of tin foil (for reflection)
All these bottles keep her occupied. It's fun to see her explores these bottles. When these bottles was first created, her sister hijacked them as she thinks it's fun to play with!
Examples : Beads in various bottles
Reasons I created the sensory bottle because she always peep through the kitchen door, looking for her playmate :-)
She likes to shakes it! Facinated with the motion and colours.
This bottle is filled with various shapes and colorful pasta. I seal it with paper. She was having fun with it. It took her 10 minutes to poke it and took the pasta out from container.
This bottle is filled with colorful pom pom. She shakes it and realized there's no sound. So she took the bottle with beads and shakes it together.
This bottle is filled with tin foil. I seal the mouth with this tin foil and she likes the reflection from it.
Sometimes she chase the bottle because it rolls pretty fast on the floor. Good exercise for her.
As baby at this age get bored easily, I rotate the bottles. She will forget about it. When I take it out again, it's like new toy for her again.
If you have made some interesting bottle, please share with me too.
Have fun with your baby with these bottle!
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