All About Your Child

For those who had been following this blog for more than a year would know that my MIL and my eldest SIL have been having issues since the day she joined the Loh Family. Both are staying under the same roof.

MIL is a woman with a very strong character. One who does not admit defeat. One who does not seek help from others, ‘cos to her, its a sign of weakness. One who does not throw in the white towel till she couldn’t stand on her feet (literally).

3 years ago, MIL was taking care of 4 very young kids, all below the age of 5. My SIL’s 2 girls and my 2 boys. Because of her character, she refused to say that she is too tired and landed up with a stroke for the 3rd time.

It was around the same time, eldest SIL was pregnant with her 3rd Child, MIL knew that she can’t be stubborn anymore, she had to admit that she is too exhausted. She must surrender.

Yet, MIL’s favoritism towards boys is so extreme, she suggested SIL to quit her job in order to take care of her 2 girls, while MIL take care of my boys. Of cos, it was never agreed by my eldest BIL and his wife.

That’s how I became a stay at home mom.

Over the past 1 year, MIL has been requesting SIL to quit her job, be a stay at home mom too. For someone who is so strong willed to bow down her head and say that sentence was a jaw-dropper for all of us who knew her too well. MIL knows herself, she knows with her old age and with her deteriorating health, she could not hold on for long.

But b’cos of the 2 woman’s grudges against each other, SIL refused to quit to stay at home. Yet SIL had no choice now, ‘cos she was retrenched last week.

MIL was hopping with joy. Called me on Friday and said how happy she was that SIL was retrenched; that she can finally get to rest and have more time for herself.

Yet last Sunday, MIL complained to me that she is upset when BIL insisted that SIL MUST find a job after my FIL have recovered from the scheduled operation in April.

MIL could not understand and could not accept that her own son take her weak health so lightly. It was so hard for her to admit that she NEEDED a break, yet when she finally pulled down her pride, she is still not given the benefit.

BIL explained that his support-engineer salary alone could not support the family of 7. But somehow, MIL choose not to believe. She even suggested that SIL could continue to run the card printing business (their sideline) from home. MIL really wants to take a break from the kids.

BIL suggested to put the kids in a full-day child care centre, but MIL said “NO“. She had heard too many negative reports on child care centres. She DOES NOT TRUST OUTSIDERS!

BIL is very much like his mother, once he has decided on something, he sticks to his decision. So now, both are upset.

Whose Side are You On?

Title seems unfit for this blog? Shhh…. hear me…

Under Allan’s teaching, this was Keatkeat’s standard. Can you see how (almost)  identical every single word is?

For the benefit of my non-Chinese friends, this is pronounced as ‘Shui‘, meaning ‘water‘. (not tap, pictures can be misleading sometimes)

This was written LAST YEAR. Allan was still the Mandarin Teacher. This was written with lots of yelling, banging of tables, erasing and tears from the little boy.

Yet the ‘sourish’ question in my heart now is, “Did I do the right thing afterall?” Allan’s way of teaching can push my boy to perfection. Mind you, this was written before he had his 5th birthday last year. Meaning, he was only 4!!!

With Keatkeat’s under-developed motor skills and yet able to present such handwriting is just magical to me.

My throat is still sore like crazy and I’m already running out of lozenges. The antibiotics doesn’t seem to help much too. Because Keatkeat was absent from school for 2 days, he brought home school work.

Both were Mandarin worksheets. I’m supposed to rest my throat. Talk less. Speak only on critical moments. Yet because of what happened on FIERY 18th February, I had to coach Keatkeat through it.

Keatkeat, as usual, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t sit still…. Its just too straining for my throat to repeat countless “Sit down. Pick up the pencil. Look here. Are you Listening? Please Pay Attention!”

Allan saw me, came over and said, “Let me teach.”

I ignored, fearing what would come.

He looked at me in the eyes and repeated, “Let me teach him. You need to rest your throat.”

A strong message came through his eyes, “I’m NOT going to lose my temper on him…” though nothing was spoken.

The pain in my throat was as if I’ve swallowed blades for lunch. *Ouch* I gave up. I gave in.

Indeed he didn’t lose his temper. Indeed, I didn’t misread the words transpired through that look. Yet, this was the result.

Can you see how big the difference is from ‘Shui’?!

I am perfectly happy with the writing of “Hai Pa” (meaning Afraid). But this would NEVER had BEEN PERMITTED in the past. To Allan, these are HORRIBLE, Un-Presentable, Ugly, even Outrageous (some times)

Because of his love for me, Allan lowered down his expectations of Keatkeat to this. *Deep Breath* Thank you.

So what did Keatkeat draw to illustrate his Fear?

A Cockroach that is as big as his legs!  I would freak out too!!!! *laugh*