Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

What a splashing wet morning!

On our way to school, as we saw water splashes everywhere around us, the kids told me how they loved cool rainy mornings.

(It’s been hot and dry here in Jakarta for the past weeks!)

So I thought it was timely to talk about the importance of keeping in mind other people who are in less ‘comfortable’ situations out there.

ie. As we enjoy our dry, cool and comfortable car or home, we need to also remember how there are people out there who are not experiencing what we have.

On rainy days, they are drenched and cold
I’m talking about people like street sellers, and those who travel around on motorbikes.

On rainy days, they are drenched and cold. Motorists have to hurry to one side, pull out their raincoats, put them on quickly, and brave the rain and splashes. Their work shoes are drenched, and if they sell food on carts, their food might have gotten wet, too.

Rainy days might not be too pleasant for some people.

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We should continue to do what’s right, even when no one appreciates what we have doneSo, is there anything that we can do for them?

Yes. Though not that much.

Simple gestures like slowing down our vehicle so we don’t create too big a splash while driving past them, matter.

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I emphasised these thoughts:

– We should continue to do what’s right, even when no one appreciates what we have done

– It’s important to think about others, ie. Other than ourselves and our own self interests.

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Food for thought.

‘Why do you take Brie along to the hospital? Aren’t you afraid of her getting sick, too?’, someone asked me the other day.
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Here’s what happened:

I picked Brie up from school and brought her along with me to a hospital to visit someone who’s been amputated, bed-ridden, for more than a year (Brie has finished her classes and has 2 hours till her brother and sister finish theirs)

There is a time to cheer and there is a time to be quiet and to pray for another person for extra strength from above
And I shared these thoughts with the person who asked me the questions above:

We bring our kids along to funeral services, or when we visit others at hospitals because we hope they:

– see how everyone goes through different experiences in life.

There are those who are old and ill, and there are those who are very young and bed-ridden. There is sadness. There is mourning. There is fragility. There is a time to cheer and there is a time to be quiet and to pray for another person for extra strength from above.

– learn to listen, be quiet (or play quietly at one side), depending on ‘where we are’.

– learn by observing how we adults respect, encourage others, or simply be present for others who are going through difficult times.

– learn how life is not always about ‘me, me and me’

– learn to appreciate life, time and the health that they are blessed with and be responsible with it

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Learn to appreciate life, time and the health that they are blessed with and be responsible with itWill such ‘exposure’ since young turn children into adults with empathy and appreciation towards others?

I honestly don’t know how my children will turn out later.

I guess, as parents we simply do our part, give them the necessary exposure and life experiences, pray for them and let them learn and grow up. The rest is, up to God’s grace.

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In funeral services, I’d most likely be sitting / standing near the exit door, so I could quickly leave the room if the baby/toddler made ‘noises’Having said all the above, I guess the next question is, ‘How young do we take them to funeral services or hospitals?’

For our case, because we take care of the kids ourselves since they were born (no nanny, no live-in domestic helpers), the answer is, since they’re babies. It’s more tricky (less convenient), naturally, compared to bringing a 6yo along.

Extra points to share:

– When the kids were babies / toddlers, they’re either carried with a sling, or on their pram.

– In funeral services, I’d most likely be sitting / standing near the exit door, so I could quickly leave the room if the baby/toddler made ‘noises’

Yes, it’s less convenient, and often more troublesome, because babies’ and toddlers’ moods are more unpredictable. But, if we don’t start early, when will they ever learn?The same with hospital visits. We sometimes had to cut short our stay inside the room, our visit, if the child was fussy or cranky that day.

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Yes, it’s less convenient, and often more troublesome, because babies’ and toddlers’ moods are more unpredictable. It’s best to just leave the kids at home, some said.

Yes, it takes a long time to train them, too. But, if we don’t start early, when will they ever learn?

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Learn to listen, be quiet (or play quietly at one side), depending on ‘where we are’PS: Yes, we take into account ‘what and who’ we are visiting. Eg. They would come along to visit someone who is down with cancer, but not someone who is down with an infectious disease.

We also teach them how they should use the hand sanitiser at the hospital, and not put their hands into their mouth, etc.

(Picture: Brie was listening to the patient’s relative who shared what the patient went through and how he’s doing right now)

‘I don’t understand you! Why aren’t you like your parents? They’re so good! Why are you like THIS???’

‘When I was YOUR age, I didn’t do THAT. Why did you do it???’

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Children are children.

They are not their parents.

Just like how it is not ‘fair’ to compare children with their friends, siblings or cousins, we too cannot and should NOT compare children with their parents.

We cannot and shouldn’t expect them to be like their parents in their behaviours, achievements, etc.

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A child’s learning journey is still long.

And, they are individuals.

If the parents manage to do A, B and C at the age of 12yo, then that’s great.

Expecting the child to be able to achieve the same, would not fair.

(As parents, we have the calling and responsibilities to guide and encourage our children to explore and do their best, of course)

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As children, they WILL make mistakes along the way.

It’s part of growing up and learning from life.

The question is, how will our presence be in their lives?

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This is a self-reminder.

This is the mindset I hope to have towards others, especially my children.

So much to learn.

Food for thought.

Should we find time to spend with the family, outdoors?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Anyer beach is only 2.5 hours drive from Jakarta.

We’d drive there in the early morning, enjoy the sun and the beach, and back to Jakarta after lunch time!

Let’s make memories with the family!

 

 
INFO:
– We usually go to ‘Sambolo 1’ beach (we like the sands, the nice waves)
– Entrance fee to the parking lot is now Rp 75,000 per car
– Rental fee for the ‘hut’ is now Rp80,000
– Rental of bodyboard is p20,000 per board (you can use it as long as you wish, while at the beach of course =)
– Massage by an old lady (locals looking for extra income) is Rp50,000 (usually it lasts for an hour)
– Rp3,000 to use its public bath area (the cubicles are tradtional and very VERY simple, btw. Bring your towel, spare clothes, shampoo and body foam)

 
Look forward to our next Anyer beach trip!

Before we respond or deal with others (spouse/child/student/anyone), we must always see them as ‘belonging to God’.

They are NOT an object nor our possession.

If they belong to God, then we would be extra careful before doing or saying anything to them.

– Vic. Mercy Matakupan

Name one parent, one educator, one teacher, who has NEVER made a mistake in life.

Everyone makes mistakes, including our children.

I remind myself daily, that my task is to guide their hearts whenever I need to rebuke or correct their mistakes.

I am NOT called to merely fix their behaviour
As their parent and educator, I am NOT called to merely fix their behaviour, nor vent my personal emotion, anger and impatience.

Not an easy task.

May God give me more wisdom, patience and love in dealing with our children and their ‘mistakes in life’.

 
There is so much I don’t know about Indonesia.

Recently, I was blessed to have visited East Nusa Tenggara for a week, where I learned a little more of its rich and diverse culture and people.

Here is a little about ‘Rumah Bulat’, a round house of the Dawan Tribe in South Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara.

What is it like inside? Let’s take a look!
 
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Hope the clip can raise more awareness of the villagers’ marginalised condition, as well as appreciation towards Indonesia’s diverse culture.

Really.This country has so many areas waiting to be developed and improved!

The lives and well-being of the people depend on the leaders, many whom I sadly say are still drown in corruption.

May God have mercy on Indonesia and raise dedicated, just, God-fearing leaders!

 
It was ONE day before Levi turned eleven years old.

And we thought, why not bring the kids to Waterbom PIK for some waterplay fun! =)

 

 
We went with a few friends and their kids, and ended up spending some SIX hours there at the pool!

Like, from 9am to 3pm!

I lost count of the number of times the kids (and I) went down the slides.

 
It’s been more than two years since we last came to Waterbom PIK.

Now that Brie is 6yo, she enjoyed the slides better (than her last visit!)

 

 
All came home with a good tan, btw! Haha.

And oh, my back (and shoulders) were sunburned lah!

Having said that though, I could see how the kids all had a GREAT time!

Which made my sunburn pain worth the while =)
 

  
TIPS and INFO:
>> Before entering the complex, they have people checking your bags rather thoroughly.
>> NO drinks, food or snacks are allowed. So we left our food and drinks in our car.
>> Make sure you bring along some cash, to buy your lunch or drinks at the stalls inside.
>> Food prices start from about Rp45,000 (for a fried chicken piece, with rice and a glass of tea)
>> Make sure your little ones put on their life jackets at all times. Life jackets are available for free.