Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

I love how little ones laugh out loud. So carefree. As if nothing in the world could ever stop the outburst of their super giggles.

And sometimes, when I see my two kids play and laugh, I think of how I myself am just … too serious.

I don’t laugh, relax nor simply ‘let go’ often enough.

Perhaps it’s the list of ‘endless things to do’ that linger at the back of my head. Perhaps it’s the pressure of work and commitments.

Whatever it is, I am aware that the air of ‘adult seriousness’ has somehow started to seep through me and slowly find a permanent place in my life.

Even Anya sometimes leaps onto my back as I lay on my bed, trying to tickle and get me to laugh out loud.

She giggles and says, “Mommy, I don’t see you laugh enough! I want to see you laugh, Mommy!’

…

As adults we have our responsibilities and burdens. And yes, we must be accountable for everything that’s entrusted in our care.

But, the reality is, we may unconsciously let these things weigh us down, so much so that we forget about one of the simplest things in life.

To have a balance.

I believe there’s a time for everything.

A time to be serious, and a time to let go, relax and even join in the innocent laughter of little ones.

(I’d want to do even more of that second one!)

…

To my two children,
I hope Mommy is not turning you both into serious little people. Because as much as you should slowly learn about life and the concept of responsibility, you really shouldn’t be like adults.

Ah.

I thank God for the little reminders He gives to us all through these little teachers of mine.

…

How about you?

… why should we see each other as rivals, when we can actually be friends

… why should we push, when we can use our hands and arms to hug and cuddle

… and why should we make each other cry, when we can be silly and make each other laugh

…

A magnet on my fridge says, ‘Children see themselves through OUR eyes’.

And I feel it’s just so true.

How we as parents respond to our children – in our actions, words and even in our unspoken words – greatly affect how our children see themselves AND each other in the family.

I care for my two little ones every single day from the time they were born. I see them laugh, snatch, giggle, shove, hold hands, complain and share with each other.

And really, after going through those many early days together with them, I must say, a positive relationship between siblings IS possible to have.

Yes, there are conflicts and tears, but in the end, there are forgiveness and hugs.

And if you ask me, I don’t think we can ever eliminate that little tinge of ‘natural competitiveness’ amongst siblings.

BUT, we as parents sure can (and should) proactively encourage positive and loving relationships amongst our children.

May God help us all in becoming better parents to the little ones whom He has entrusted in our care.

The other night I was getting Vai ready for bed when I found this little note written by Anya.

As shared before, they may not always be all loving and cuddly towards each other, but reading such a note written by a 5yo sister to her little brother does make a mother’s heart go all warm and fuzzy.

[Anya, Vai and their tennis friends. There were actually MORE kids, but some couldn’t make it that day]

Just recently, both Anya and Vai went for their very first Summer Holiday Tennis Camp, organised by VVIP International.

Over the five sessions they learned a lot about the basics of tennis as a sport and they had fun!

[Coach Ivana showing Vai how to do the ‘ready position’]

Now.

I’d like to share what they experienced with you!

And that is, through a blog contest where you can stand a chance to WIN FREE two-hour tennis lesson for your child, worth $50!! [Thanks to VVIP International!]

The main coach is Wynne Prakusya, who used to play tennis professionally, representing Indonesia.

She’s great with children and I’m sure your kids will love her coaching techniques too!

[Wynne Prakusya while playing professional tennis a few years ago. Err … photos were ripped from multiple sources]

So, if you have a kid (or know of a kid) who is between the age of 3 and 10 whom you’d like to introduce tennis to (and how fun it can be!), please do read on!

Here’s HOW to enter the contest! (and it’s super easy!)

1. Subscribe to Our Everyday Things’ RSS by clicking ‘Click to Subscribe’ (on the right sidebar)

2. Share my blog to others via facebook, emails or your blog! (really appreciated it if you can do all three 🙂

[If you’re on Facebook, click HERE to share my blog! Please click the ‘right arrow’ to select your preferred thumbnail blog image before you click ‘post’]

3. Leave your comment on THIS blog post, with complete answers to the following :

a. Tell us the child’s gender and age (month and year of birth too please)

b. Tell us WHY you’d like your child to try and learn how to play tennis

c. Whether you’ve shared my blog via facebook, emails or your blog (please do share your blog URL in the comment too)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Coach Wynne cheering the kids to move along while controlling the movement of the balls with their rackets]

IMPORTANT INFO :

1. Make sure you enter a valid email address (your email address will not be displayed)

2. Multiple entries are allowed, but only ONE ENTRY PER ONE EMAIL ADDRESS

3. Your child is between 3yo – 10yo

4. Your child MUST be available to come for the scheduled tennis session if you’re one of the lucky ten selected!

Here are the details :
Day : Saturday, 4 July 09
Time : 4pm – 6pm
Venue : Kallang Tennis Centre (near Kallang Leisure Park)

5. Tennis rackets will be provided by the coaches from VVIP International

6. If you’re one of the lucky ten winners, I’d be in touch to get your contact number. Someone from VVIP International will then contact you to reconfirm your child’s attendance

7. Contest ends next Sunday, 28 June 2009!

TEN lucky winners will be selected randomly and I’ll announce the names on Tuesday, 30 June!!

[Anya and Vai with their coaches : Charles, Wynne and Ivana. The kids ADORE them, btw!]

…

Gee. THIS. IS. SO. EXCITING!  (am always super happy whenever I can share great stuff with blog readers!)

Really. This is such an excellent way of :

– introducing your kid to tennis
– seeing if your kid will indeed like the sport (and for you to decide whether you’d let your kid continue on later)
– spending time together on a weekend as a family on the court – in a healthy way!
– simply letting your kid have FUN!

[We’ll sure be there that Saturday afternoon!]

…

Now, please please go ahead, check your calendar, block that time slot (4-6pm on Saturday, 4 July) and enter the contest!!

Hurry!!

How much does it cost to ‘buy’ the qualities of a good dad – being there, understanding your kids, honoring your wife, believing in your kids, letting the kids go through pain?

Last time I checked, it was free.

How many degrees does it take to learn this formula?

The answer is easy.

You don’t have to go to school at all.

Why?

Being a good dad is about being relational. It’s not what you can buy your kids, it’s not slick strategies or secret lessons.

It’s taking time to be there, to care, to get involved. That’s what a good dad is – relational.

He’s there. He cares.

Don’t worry about being a great dad. Just practice being a good one and your kids will be richly blessed.

[adopted from Dr Kevin Leman‘s book : What a difference a Daddy makes]

…

And to all Daddies, AND to Daddy Wilson who always strives to give his best :

Happy Father’s Day!

We all love you.

And we thank God for you.

… the kids are all ‘lovingly confined’ to just one place. Heh.

PS: That’s Anya, Vai and their friend Gwen, happily ‘riding’ the supermarket trolley!

Anya and her backhand strokes!

[Her backhand is interestingly better than her forehand, by a mile!]

Vai, his forehand strokes AND his signature stick-out-tongue expression!

[For Vai’s case, his forehand is much better than his backhand!]

And finally, one of my favourite shots of the day :

Vai looking out and watching Daddy play tennis with his friends over on the other court!

It was as if he’s thinking, “I wanna be like Daddy”

Oh have you been to the Zoo’s Kidzworld ?

It’s a must-see!

This is our very first visit to this part of the Zoo and we LOVE its waterplay features! The kids and their friends had a blast there!

They’re not a fan of the huge water bucket feature though, hehe. It’s rather overwhelming for the little ones, I guess.

(Anya doesn’t even want to be near it, and I guess for her age, the statues at the top do look rather ‘not friendly’ too)

They have a flying fox feature (one of my favourite!!), AND they have a section for farm animals too, where the kids can feed the (hungry) goats and pat nearby ponies! Nice!

And you know, I’m so glad that we went with our friends on a weekday and just before the school holiday started!

Because the Zoo would otherwise be so much more crowded and we wouldn’t have had as much fun as we did then.

But anyway, it sure is worth your visit!