ThinkFamily

30 Jul 2009 12:37:AM by Leonny

Urgh. Not getting what I want is … HARD!

Kids have wants. And the reality is, they don’t always get them, because perhaps what they ask for and want is harmful, unnecessary, or is simply not good for them. There could be plenty more good reasons why we parents can’t give what our kids ask and demand.

And upon their ‘display of displeasure’ (for not getting what they want), I’d usually say to my two little ones …

There’s always a reason why you don’t get what you want. And you may not understand it just yet. But know this, we love you so very much, and if it’s something good that you need, we will surely give it to you. Even without you asking for it.

But if it’s not good for you, even if you cry your heart out, we still can’t and won’t give it to you.

And it’s because we love you. Very much.

…

You know, as I emphasise these values to my kids so that (through time) they learn to believe in us and our decisions on whether they can or can’t get something, I am so reminded of the fact that I’m totally no different to them.

I am just like my own kids in the eyes of God, the Creator who loves us so much, who knows what’s best for us and gives us what we need, and not necessarily what we want.

Because what we ‘want’, though seemingly necessary and needed BY US, it may not the best FOR US.

And God knows that, and HE knows what’s best to give us, and when.

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I'm a mother of two who shares the ups and downs of motherhood, parenting tips, arts and crafts ideas for kids and other inspirational thoughts on my personal site :

http://www.oureverydaythings.com/

You're most welcome to visit and share your personal experiences there on the comments section!

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30 Mar 2009 01:39:AM by Leonny

Parenting Tips and Thoughts : Improving Concentration Skills

When it comes to my children’s concentration levels, I must say they’re rather different.

Anya is pretty good when it comes to doing things by herself for a long time. Since young, she can sit alone and read books, make crafty stuff. draw, etc.

Vai doesn’t quite share his sister’s love for reading, drawing or making crafty stuff ALONE though. He can play alone for a very long time when it comes to his cars and trucks (and oh, I must say he loves cutting up paper! Give him a stack of old newspaper and scrap paper, and he’d be at it for a long time!)

For other activities (like drawing, arts and crafts, and reading) he can do one activity at a time for a relatively longer time IF he does it with someone else.

Anyway.

Today I’d like to share with you some of the things that we can do to help and improve our kids’ concentration level. Hope it can be an insightful read to you all.

Happy reading!

…

Source : Family Education

- Your child’s interest
Children usually stay focused longer on things that truly interest them, so you will want to pick activities that appeal to your child to improve his concentration.

- Board and Card Games
If you haven’t been playing board and card games with your child, start now. Begin with games that are easy to play before moving on to those with more complicated rules. Not only do games require concentration, but they’re also fun.

- Read and Read
Read to your child. Start asking him questions before you read to focus his attention on a story. Then have him let you know when you read the answer to the question. What you are doing is helping your child become an active listener.

- Reduce computer and TV time
Does your child play any computer games? Have him avoid those that just require mindless responses. Also, cut his TV viewing time. While it may appear that he is concentrating on a program, television does not require children to focus for more than a few seconds on an image.

- Other activity ideas
Other activities that build concentration include: doing puzzles, drawing pictures, making models, and helping with family chores.

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05 Dec 2008 01:21:AM by Leonny

Marriage Tips and Thoughts : Try something new

I recently shared how, as parents, we may tend to forget about our ‘other similarly important roles’, ie. as a spouse. As someone’s wife. Someone’s husband.

I don’t know about you, but personally I often find the busyness of our daily routines - work, house chores, kids, errands, other commitments - rather overwhelming (and draining), and we’re left with too little energy to refresh our relationship with each other.

And so here’s the very first marriage tips and thoughts that I’d like to share on this site.

The write-up serves as a nice little reminder to me, and I hope you’ll benefit from reading it too.

Enjoy.

…

Source: Focus on the Family (Canada)

If you and your spouse have very different pastime activities, consider ways to “play together” to strengthen your marriage. Even if you have very different interests, you still probably share general similarities.

For instance, if she likes to sew and he likes to fix cars, both can enjoy a pastime that involves working with details and working with your hands.

Begin with discussing each other’s interests and ideas of leisure, then look at the fundamental reasons why you’re drawn to those activities.

Trying out your spouse’s pastime doesn’t hurt either – you might like it! And if you simply can’t enjoy sharing certain hobbies, learn something new for the both of you, and have someone else instruct the activity. This creates a neutral territory where both of you are beginners. If it turns out you’re both natural dancers, great; if not, you can still laugh together over the clumsiness of your shared “left feet.”

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I'm a mother of two who shares the ups and downs of motherhood, parenting tips, arts and crafts ideas for kids and other inspirational thoughts on my personal site :

http://www.oureverydaythings.com/

You're most welcome to visit and share your personal experiences there on the comments section!

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30 Oct 2008 12:35:AM by Leonny

What Children Bring

Children.

They can give me a headache, they can make my mind go numb.

They can make me feel frustrated, they can make me want to snap.

They can be willful and rude, they can drive me up the wall.

But you know what.

They too can make me laugh, they can make me go silly.

They can cheer me up, they can make my day.

They can make me feel proud, they can make me feel loved.

Yes it’s funny how, despite all the tough bits children give you everyday, you just can’t BUT love them all the way.

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13 Oct 2008 01:28:AM by Leonny

Daddy and the Family

Once in a while I do write about daddies and how important their role, active involvements and contribution are in the family and in raising the children.

How it’s not just about being the one who brings home the bacon. How a daddy should work together hand in hand with the mommy - as a team - when it comes to spending quality time, having fun, reprimanding misbehaviours, even disciplining the children. How a daddy’s way of treating and speaking to the mommy will be observed, and most likely be followed, by the children, especially the sons.

Now there’s a really good write-up on this topic in yesterday’s Straits Times, in the forum section. It’s written by Focus On The Family, a non-profit organisation that’s dedicated to the strengthening of Singapore families (Btw I happened to have recently met up with the Focus team, and I must say they’re truly passionate about sending the pro-family message to the society. Fun and hard working group of people)

Anyway. Please click HERE to see the bigger version.

And I’d like to quote the last paragraph :

Dr James Dobson, family psychologist and founder of Focus On The Family, imparts this advice to busy parents : “I urge you to give priority to family. Those kids around your feet will be grown and gone before you know it. Don’t let the opportunity of these days slip away from you. When you stand where I am today, the relationship with those you love will outweigh every other good thing in your life.’

And I so completely agree with him.

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Latest BLOG Entries

03 Oct 2009 12:44:PM by edunloaded

Parenting can be R rated!

My little girl has been making me laugh again!

This post is classified R(A)

As we drive the kids home from our everyday excursions, we will test them on the their sense of direction.

As Nicole is the only one who can talk at the moment, we will ask her, “Nicole, are we near our house yet?”

She will reply “Yes” or “No”

To really help her find her way, we will teach her to look for landmarks along the way.

She is supposed to look out for things like the McDonalds at the traffic junction, and recognise the colour of the nearby flats.

Reaching our rented place, I asked Nicole, “Are we home yet?”

My 3 year old replied, “Yes Daddy!”

Out of Curiosity, I asked her, “Nicole, How do you this is your house?’

She replied…

“I can see my panties hanging by the window!”

To read more adventures, Go to ED Unloaded.

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03 Oct 2009 12:34:PM by edunloaded

Sacrifices of Parenthood

Recently, I was reminded how things change when you become a parent.

This is a picture of the dashboard of my Toyota Wish.

I am used to driving my car and having my favourite can of Coke Light or Red Bull in the Cup Holder. In fact, the cup holder found in the lower half of the picture, is the resting place for all my beverages.

Things have been like that since I got my 1st car…

However…

Nicole loves to sit in front!

Whenever I pick her up from school, she is always asking to sit in front.

Being the nice father that I am :), she gets to come to the front…however there are consequences to that decision!

I have lost all controlling interest of my cup holder!

Now…My cup holder is occupied by a PINK DORA WATER BOTTLE!!!

My coke bottle has been relegated to the back seat and DORA seems to have won the day!

First: …You change your car

…now you lose the essentials :)

To all Male Drivers –BE PREPARED!!!
Read more at ED UNLOADED

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22 Sep 2009 07:40:PM by ciang

cheating bf/gf

Im really bothered right now. What would you do if you found out that yur bf/gf is cheating on you? Worst is, with one of your closiest friends and both of them is in denial.

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28 Apr 2009 11:13:PM by CcIiNnDdYy

Why 'baby bonus' is set to doom?

I hate to say this, but look at the generation of young people now, it makes me wonder just WHAT did their mothers do, or not done, to raise them up so depraved.

Then I stared hard at myself and fearing the same statement to be made upon me as a mother, when my own child grows up next time.

I HATE how it has to be now in our society where a mother has to contributes back to the society, be in the workforce and do everything except, doing what a mother should do. To be raising their own kids.

Instead we have to rely on some maids whom we hardly know, childcare centres which shout "POOR QUALITY!" and not forgetting those over doting grandparents and under devoted babysitters, to do the job of nurturing our own young ones and be left worried to death if they would grow up to become another pieces of social garbage!

Someone in the government should hear this. This is the reason why your damn baby bonus, no matter how attractive, is NEVER going to work! Because I didn't go through 9 long months of pregnancy, 10 gruelling hours or labor, one 10cm C-Section scar to 'earn' those few thousands of dollars. I want to have babies but I WANTED even more to bring them up ON MY OWN!

How about, "Up to 3 years, unpaid leave, with job security" instead of baby bonus? That should work for me. Heeheehee..

(This entry is extracted from part of my own blog : http://myexplicitworld.blogspot.com/2009/04/integrity-moral-value.html )

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16 Apr 2009 12:38:PM by agnes

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No registration fees, free make up lessons.

Interested parents/students please call 9228 6312 or email to pianolesson86@yahoo.com.sg for discussion.

URL : http://experiencedpianoteacher.blogspot.com/

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