Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

The last time we went to the Zoo it was pouring so bad we ended up spending a few good hours under its many shelters!

BUT last week – wanting to make our visit more worthwhile – we went as prepared as possible!

I got the kids’ lunch meals, drinks and fruits prepared the night before. I got extra sets of clothes for the kids AND I made sure our raincoats as well as Vai’s stroller’s plastic cover were brought along.

Turned out that it did drizzle a bit but only for a very short while *YAY* And for the rest of the day, it was just cloudy. And though everyone got rather sticky throughout our stay there, I reckon it was still SO much better than getting rained on!

We were there from 10am to 4pm! And compared to our previous visits, this time round we got to see so much more exhibits and learn quite a bit about the animals too!

Now. If you’re planning to visit the Zoo, here are some good reminders:

Be prepared for wet weather condition
– Wear wet-weather-friendly footwear (ie. open-toed high heels : not a good idea)
– Bring along your hat / umbrella / rain coat / stroller plastic cover
– Pack some extra sets of clothes for the little ones, just in case

Be prepared to face the attack of the mosquitoes
Apply LOTS of insect repellent on everyone and on all ‘un-covered’ body parts, ESPECIALLY if you plan to have your meals in the outdoors. And oh, having only those mosquito patches on is NOT enough.

…

I’d say the trip went really well EXCEPT for the fact that we all got bitten by some mad mosquitoes at lunch time!

We sat down for our meals just outside of KFC (as the air-conditioned restaurant was full of people at the time) and I guess it was just a bad idea to stay rather still for half an hour in the middle of a forest!

We all went home with red itchy marks on our arms and legs, AND somehow they’re more red and swollen on Vai!

Oh well.

By now, we don’t feel the itch anymore BUT I just know the ‘dark-brown’ marks will stay on the kids for a few more weeks. What a souvenir.

Be thankful if we ever get to experience hardships in life, because it’s when we go through struggles and difficult situations that we learn how to ‘fight’ and survive our daily ups and downs.

Just like how a would-be butterfly has to struggle inside its ‘casing’ before it emerges from the cocoon.

Life, more often than not, is tough. For most people at least. But whether or not we continually grow and learn from life, it all depends on us and our attitude to life itself.

The weather was REALLY good late this afternoon! I love the clouds and the great blue sky!

The kids and a few other little friends had such a fun day out by the sea today at Pasir Ris Park!

If you’ve never been there before, this spot is worth checking out!

[added]
A few did ask me about how this photo was taken.

It’s a self-portrait taken in front of a mirror *smile*

One of the books I’m reading right now is ‘Supernanny’ – How to get the best from your children‘ by Jo Frost.

I’ve seen her TV programmes (on TV and over on youtube) and there are lots of insightful stuff.

But if you ask me whether I ‘follow’ everything this book (or basically any books and websites in general) suggests, I’d say no – especially if it clashes with my own principle and beliefs.

I mean, if I feel a particular approach suits my situation and my kids, I’ll sure try it out. But there are also techniques which I choose not to implement to my kids, eg. I’ll consciously avoid using the word ‘naughty’ to Anya and Vai (or to any kids I come across actually), like in ‘What you did was NAUGHTY!’ or calling an area the ‘naughty’ corner. I prefer to describe their earlier undesired behaviour in different terms like, ‘not polite’, ‘a big no no no’ when talking to them.

But anyway, I do enjoy reading this book!

It refreshes my understanding of the different stages of a child’s development too. And by understanding our little ones better, we can approach difficult situations with more ‘sensible expectations’. It also allows better possibility for us to work out more suitable approaches when dealing with challenging situations.

Anyway, here’s a little bit more about toddlers (18 months to three years) that I’d like to share here:

> Patience is not a toddler virtue. Some toddlers can hang on for a bit, but many can’t wait

> He can’t plan ahead. If he has an impulse, he’ll act on it and he won’t have the first idea where that’s going to take him or what he’ll feel like when he gets there

> He has no sense of danger

> His memory is limited. That means you’re going to have to repeat yourself. Over and over.

> He doesn’t understand what a promise is until it’s delivered. When he wants something, he wants it right away. His mind will be set on one thing.

> He can’t cope with too many choices. A lot of things he’ll say he wants will be contradictory. He’ll want his shoes on and he’ll want his shoes off – at the same time.

> He can’t understand that his actions may affect other people’s feelings. He doesn’t want to take turns.

> He wants more attention that it is humanly possible to give and he wants it for longer than there are hours in the day.

…

As I read the book, I do keep a mental note : not all kids are like that because yes there are some who are just more ‘mature’ emotionally and more understanding for his age, who are simply willing to share his toys, etc.

But yes I agree that those are common characteristics of toddlers in general (wherever they’re born around the world!).

And so bearing those aspects in mind, I try to remind myself that :

> I can’t expect / force my toddler (read: Vai) to always do what I say right there and then

> I can’t expect my kids (even Anya who’s 4 years old) to not be ‘childish’ or to be understanding – ‘like an adult’ – all the time

> The need to constantly, patiently and consistently guide, instill and teach them what is right and what is wrong is even more urgent

Ah it’s not easy. And there are heaps to pick up and learn for us parents, aren’t there.

Parenting. Yes, it’s a constant learning journey.

We had a great day out today!

We went out for lunch (as there were no high chairs, I stacked 2 chairs together so they can at least reach their bowls), visited the library, spent a good hour or so there, borrowed some books and headed back home by bus.

At the library, as expected Vai picked up some children books, sat and went through them one by one, then went on and explored the library barefooted, pushed the little chairs around, sat down to read some more books with me and Anya, then went and explored the area again.

[Anya as always is very happy whenever we visit the library. She’d sit and flip through her books quietly throughout our stay there]

Overall the kids behaved relatively well, I think!

And Vai dozed off on our way back home *smile*

Yes the school holiday is here, and no we don’t go out every single day nor spend our entire day doing crafts.

Kids are kids, and one of the great things of being kids, I think, is that the simplest things in life – like tumbling and bouncing themselves silly – are often the best! Heh.

We adults should join in the fun too once in a while, I reckon!

Anyway, click here to watch the video.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

I was reading some articles the other day on today’s busy Moms and how everyone needs some ‘Me-time’ to recharge.

One article says:
“When we are stressed, overwhelmed and tired, we have a shorter fuse. We become irritable, and it’s more difficult to handle the challenges of being with children,” says Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, a personal life coach in Aurora, Colorado.

And another write-up says how “Rest and relaxation are two things that moms desperately need for sure, but often forget to put into their daily schedules. This is a must, as it not only rejuvenates a mom, but it helps to calm frazzled nerves.’

I don’t know about you, but for my case, as much as I know I need a break from our daily busyness, taking some time out when both kids are wide awake is just not easy.

I mean, we don’t have relatives in Singapore who can help and babysit the kids so that my husband and I can freely enjoy some ‘couple time-out’ (read: running our business and meeting deadlines means his working hours are naturally longer too, on average), let alone some time-out for myself.

Of course unless the kids are BOTH asleep.

So at night time, when they both have dozed off, that’s when I’d clear up my work and actually get a bit of ‘me-time’ – catching up on some reading and quiet time, blogging, instant messaging friends, chatting with Wilson and sometimes, watching a DVD together (or simply just … chatting and sharing) till the wee hours.

[All these are at the expense of lesser hours of sleep though. Oh well, can’t always have the best of everything every time huh?]

Other than that, there are random occasions now and then too.

Like when the four of us went to a shopping centre and Wilson took the kids to the outdoor playground while I went off by myself for a good hour or so – to relax, windowshop and just unwind.

Or, if Vai somehow falls asleep on his pram after we send Anya to school (rarely happens though), I’d grab a book and enjoy some uninterrupted time-off while thoroughly enjoying my lunch and milk tea *NICE*

…

Juggling and balancing everything well is a real challenge to me. It often feels rather impossible to achieve too. But I must say, God has given me sufficient strength to go through each day, right until today, and though I’m not able to balance and juggle everything well every day and every time, I know I should always try my best to learn and do better each time.

Anyway.

Do you (or don’t you) have regular ‘me-time’ breaks?

How and what do you do to unwind and recharge?

Do write in and share yeah. It’s always nice if we can learn a little something from each other *smile*