Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

There are things in life that we can control, like, what we eat, how we talk, what we watch.

There are others that we cannot control, things like the weather, what people say about us, our children’s maturity, the pandemic.

Too often, we want to control what we cannot.

And whenever it can’t be done, we feel stressed out, frustrated, or angry.

…

Why are my kids still so immature?!
It shouldn’t have rained today!! Now my plans are cancelled!
What if they talk negatively about me? I don’t dare speak in front of them.

…

I myself can easily fall into this “trap”.

I could feel very irritated when my kids don’t behave the way I “expect” them to. Like when they argue among themselves and speak in unkind manners. Or when they bicker over simple matters.

I could feel “disturbed” when I read about something negative, something that’s related to me. I find it difficult to stay “cool”, unaffected, by such remarks.

Oh well.

My mindset needs a lot fixing.

So anyway, this is a self reminder.

That I need to have better control of things that I can control.

And let God handle all other things that I cannot control.

…

Food for thought.

Our life and everything that we have is a gift.

God’s blessing.

But, because it’s “always there”, we tend to take them for granted, don’t we?

I don’t know about you, but these days, more than before the pandemic, I am reminded to appreciate, to be thankful for “simple, little daily things” that I have.

…

Thankful for the ability to breathe normally, upon hearing about a friend who needs to seek oxygen tanks to help him breathe.

Thankful for the ability to go to the toilets, upon hearing about someone who has bowel issues, due to a potential tumour in the area.

Thankful for having my family together safe at home, upon hearing how so many others need to be separated from each other due to Covid-19 infections in the family.

…

Today, what are we thankful for?

And as we thank God for “little things”, let’s also remember to pray for warriors out there who still need to fight against the virus and illnesses.

May God help each and everyone of them.

And may we also be moved to help and support others, where we can, and while we still can.

Food for thought.

April 2017:
Getting ready for Primary 1, and purchased her school uniforms.

Today:
First day of Primary 5.
Online learning all the way.

Covid-19 pandemic has truly changed the way many things are done.

Like, sending Brie to the dentist these days, it is like sending her to surgery.

(Her wobbly tooth somehow hurt and couldn’t be pulled, and it caused her gum to swell. So she needed to get her tooth pulled.)

The dentist and her assistant were super careful about disinfecting the room and equipments.

Though the whole thing seems to be “too much” for some, I don’t think it’s overly done.

I mean, the dentist and her assistant still need to go home to their families, including to their babies at home. Imagine if they’re not fully protected and contracted the virus, the spread and impact to the whole family is unimaginable.

It’s necessary these days. Though they are indeed “troublesome” to wear.

…

Axel Dental at Pluit
Dentist: Drg. Evelyn Yoanita
Very children-friendly. Well recommended.

“Be careful with what you say to yourself, about yourself and what happens to you. Too often we say to ourselves things that we BELIEVE as facts and the truth, when in fact they are not true, and can actually be destructive, towards ourselves and others.”

…

When we are faced with difficult situations / failures / rejections, including praises from others, what do we say to ourselves?

Sometimes, it happens in our head (when we’re alone, before we go to bed, even when we’re washing the dishes!). Sometimes, we say it out loud.

…

This is a self-reminder.

At the same time, this is what I share with the kids, too.

Once in a while, I may hear one of our kids say things like:
“I’m not good at anything.”
or
“I’m always getting blamed!”

…

The above is of course not true, but when left undetected/unchanged, such continual self-talk will work like poison.

And so, when we detect it in our kids, we grab such teachable moments (sometimes “not immediately”, depending on the situation), and share with them why such self-talks are wrong, and are sinful. Our hope is for our children to develop their own personal ‘radars’ in their lives.

…

Anyway.

I’m reminded a few months ago, that when our self-talk is unhealthy (tends to blame others, complains, full of self-pity, etc.):
– realise and recognise its presence
– come clean in the presence of God asking for forgiveness because we have sinned against Him
– ask God for help, so our self-talk can be purified
– fill our minds and hearts with God’s Word
– read and meditate on the Truth

…
(Doing what’s “right” does not come naturally. In fact, no one can do what’s right, not according to God’s standards. So if, if we can think/say/do what’s right, then it is only by God’s grace and help.)

Food for thought.

A reminder of how treasuring little ones is not an option.

Soon enough, it’s time to let go and see each one of them fly on their own, by God’s grace.

…

Then: 10, 7, 3
Now: 17, 14, 10

Introducing a new member of our big family.

American Akita x Samoyed

Name: Socks Because he looks like he’s wearing them

7-month old, and is expected to grow even bigger.