All About Your Child

My niece, M.Y. celebrated her 8th birthday at Pasir Ris Park today.

What an awesome idea because the park was NOT CROWDED AT ALL, due to the start of Ramadan.

There were so many parking lots available, which was a very rare sight for this popular park in Singapore on a hot Saturday afternoon.

We were the last family to arrive at the party and started the fun by renting bicycles.

Keatkeat and Binbin were the ONLY kids, among the 6 children, who could ride on two wheels! So proud of them! *clap clap clap*

With the arrival of the two most playful adults in the Loh Family, the birthday girl and my little nephew had no hesitation in joining us for a long bicycle ride on their four-wheeled bikes.

After cycling to one end of Pasir Ris Park and as we were on our way back to join the others, we decided to capture this moment…..

But something UNEXPECTED HAPPENED right after this photo was snapped!

My nephew’s bike’s chain came loose and after trying for a few minutes, Allan still could not get it fixed.

With just the two of us being the ONLY adults in the group, ONE of us had to cycle AND PULL the bicycle back while THE OTHER had to give the poor bike-less boy a ride back to his parents.

This was the first time I rode a bicycle after a long break of 20 years!!! And I was NOT PREPARED TO DO ANY OF THOSE TWO TASKS!!!

It was very traumatic for me!
But I will not talk about myself in this birthday post dedicated to my niece, M.Y. You can read my trauma over at my Personal Blog “FIRST time having a Passenger on my bicycle!“

After the drama and trauma, I ended up riding back with my little nephew as my very first passenger (and hopefully the LAST) in my life, while Allan ‘CARRIED‘ the spoiled 4-wheeled bike back to our tentage.

I was so glad to leave my bike and join the folks under the safe tentage! *finally breathing regularly*

It was a day of fun by the beach indeed!

Had Awesome Great Food as well!

Eldest Niece hinting for a photo shoot, with a cute pose, from the busy photographer. *laugh*

And M.Y. had a BREEZY BIRTHDAY……. *giggle*

It was an exhausting day indeed! With the adults busy packing up, all the kids were resting their feet.

As usual, I asked the birthday girl to give me her birthday wish list and they were:

Colourful Pencil Leads from Keatkeat

Purple Strawberry Shortcake Pajamas from me

Bag from Allan

FAKE glasses from Binbin

As for my boys, what did they get at the end of this wonderful day?

Keatkeat : A body full of Pokka Ice Lemon Tea! Because he could not decide if he should gurgle the sweet liquid first or laugh first. In the end, he did BOTH at the same time and the drink spilled over from his mouth! *eyes rolled*

Well, not a surprising act from my Keatkeat. Not at all! *double eyes rolled*

Binbin : A ‘stamp‘ from a simple soccer match with his little cousin, W.D.

Well, he felt more ‘secure‘ to have the wound bandaged before he rolled in bed throughout the night,.

So as to set his mind to rest, I granted his wish, even though it was truly an unnecessary work.

But to me, making him feel at ease is more important than anything else. Only with the bandage, can he sleep soundly tonight…..*smile*

and once again….

Happy 8th Birthday, M.Y.!

Parenting is a wonderful journey if the adults learn to think out of the box when they are handling their children.

Every child is different. One parenting style may work for one and not for another kid. It is a struggle (for me) for parents who have more than one vibrant young in the family and none of them can be brought up using the same parenting style. Then (I) the parents have to deal with the “Why so unfair?!” issue.

Am I confusing you?

Let me give you an example. Binbin is great at working on his own and Keatkeat needs companionship.

So when I see Keatkeat sit still and do his work by himself without the need for someone to be physically beside him, my heart leaps with joy.

I would want him to know that I am very pleased with him and for me, a BIG BEAR hug is how I encourage him to CONTINUE this good behaviour. BUT IT IS A WRONG MOVE, ….towards Keatkeat.

When I hug Binbin in the MIDDLE of his work to show him how happy I am with him, he would speed up even more, concentrate even more and complete his work with a perfect score. For Binbin : My hug = Booster. *grin*

However, when it comes to my elder son, My hug = Interruption. *faint*

Same physical gesture, at the same time, MEANS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THING to different kid.

Yes, Keatkeat would COMPLETELY STOP doing his task and start chatting with me. *slap forehead*

So when Keatkeat sees me hugging Binbin in the middle of his work, Keatkeat would say, “Why didn’t hug me?! So unfair.”

Ever since then, I learned NOT to hug both when they are in the midst of their school work, lest I get myself into the debate of prejudice. So now, I hug them when their task is completed.

Hugging your child or ANY CHILDREN is very important. Never stop hugging your child. A hug is more powerful than any beautiful adjectives you can say through your lips.

• Hug = Love
• Hug = Empathy
• Hug = Moved/Touched
• Hug = Sympathy
• Hug = Encouragement
• Hug = “I’m so proud of you”

Have you hug your child today? When did you last hug your child? What transcended through that hug of yours? Most importantly, did you hug at the right time…… to the right child?

Parenting Tip for Today : Hug at the right time