Saturday, December 22, 2012

Bond

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Sharing stories and snacks. Enjoying each other's company. Just like how it was a few years ago.

They may bicker and annoy each other.
They may fight for fun and also for real.
They may shout 'go away' and 'I don't like you' and come crying and complaining about the other, every other day.

But they do love each other, even though they may not realize how much.

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They are on the same wavelength, making it easy to share jokes and laugh together.
They have nearly similar interests, except that one is more into books while the other will pick games over books anytime.
They are both incredibly creative, though they display their creativity via different outlets.

I always teach them to love and cherish each other, for they will only have this one and only brother forever.



Thursday, December 13, 2012

Xmas 2012 .... 11 days to go

In the past, by this time of December, the Christmas tree would already be up, decorated with sparkly ornaments and lots of love.

Not this year.

The dad seems a little stressed out from work and too tired/distracted from the daily everything-else to mention anything about the tree. The mum is buried under the daily caring of the three kids and mountain of never-ending housework and is too tired/distracted to even make the suggestion.

Boy #1 is just content with his hobbies and not caring much beyond the present few hours. Boy #2 declares almost everyday that Christmas is his favourite time of the year and he can't wait for Santa to visit. But so far, he has not started his countdown either or asked about the tree. They both just want to know if Santa has noted their wishes and will indeed grant them.

For the last 9 Christmases, E was the one who couldn't wait to drag out the tree to delight the kids and I would have busied myself with sweet bakes or involved the kids in the other Christmas frills such as making cards and crafts.

Not this year.

I trimmed my Christmas to-do list to what I thought would be quite manageable. Boy, was I wrong.  Besides the few presents I bought so far on a 4-hr shopping trip, I have not achieved anything else.

It is just not a joke to face two quarrelsome boys from morning till night and to watch a 15-month-old who wants to walk all day long, for the entire day.

My relief from the kids usually lasts about one hour, when E gets home, during which it would be the unfortunate (or fortunate, depending how I want to view it) me-time with all my unfinished housework, before I take over the tot again for her bedtime. Urgh.

But.... but...  only 11 days to go.

It's time to wave my dusty wand and make some good things happen.



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Fine Men's Oats

I've long read and learnt the immense benefits of eating oats. In my attempt to ensure my kids didn't miss out on the goodness of oats, I introduced oat cakes to them when they were younger, at a time when they were a little easier to please or coax to try something new. They have learnt to enjoy them.

And yes, I have tried breakfast cereals made with oats. We love them. Especially if sugar is an accompanying ingredient in the production process. Ahem.

But I have yet managed to convince myself that I should give oat, the wholesome grain, a little more time of my day. Up till recently, oat is still not an ingredient that features in any of my menu.

However, for the sake of love, and motherly love that is, I have decided to bite the bullet and try out a big packet of rolled oats for breakfast.

Recently, I came across this quote... 

"An Englishman and a Scotsman were discussing oats. The Englishman, with his nose in the air said "In England we feed oats to our horses, and in Scotland you feed oats to your men...", to which the Scotsman replied "...that's why in England you have such fine horses and in Scotland we have such fine men!"

After introducing oat porridge to the kids a few months ago, starting with a teeny weeny bowl at first, all 3 kids now LOVE their wholesome oat breakfast which sometimes also makes appearance during the midday snack time.

I cook the rolled oats with whole milk and water, giving it a creamy texture. Olivia has her giant bowl (about 180g serving before adding fruits) on its own or with soft fruits such as grapes, pears or bananas. I sweeten the deal for the boys by drizzling some raw honey or maple syrup, served with bananas. The kids would praise me for the creation (which is by far one of the easiest things I've ever whipped up) and lick their bowls clean every time. I have tried it several times, but still find its plain look and ooey-gooey texture unappetizing, so I was always more than happy to share my serving when the kids asked for seconds.

Unfortunately, the only person who remains unconverted is the Englishman in the family. He scoffs whenever I offer him a teaspoon to try.




Saturday, December 8, 2012

Sleepyhead

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(Photo taken in March '12)

For a few years, Chip would crawl into my side of our bed every morning. Sometimes still visibly sleepy, he would drag his feet and a few soft toys into my room. It was always a delight to discover a slightly sweaty head next to my pillow.

Then Bunny was born and my anal self refused to let him do that anymore. So he would visit E’s pillow instead.

He has stopped doing this recently, or at least that is what it seems to me.

A sign of the little boy preferring his own bed and no longer feel the need to be that near us. Perhaps. Just like how poshie has stopped visiting our bed in the last few years.


Friday, December 7, 2012

Drill

A mum I know has a P1 kid who tops the class this year. Neighbourhood school, average difficulty papers. No tuition. I was so happy for the kid when the mum texted me.

But.... my next thought was less positive. The kid completed almost 20 assessment books in a year. It wasn't uncommon that she was expected to finish 30 pages on some days or risk being caned. By term 1, the mum had already stocked up on P2 and even P3 assessment books. Would she be expected to do 30 books in P2 in order to maintain the standard? I shudder at the thought.

Whenever the mum relates snippets of her coaching method, I feel sorry for the kid. I have to keep reminding myself to hold my tongue, for who am I to judge what's best for her child, even if I may have more experience than she has. But for the love of the child, I often ended up dishing out 'gentle' advices and nudges and suggestions, or whatever one may call them, hoping the mum will understand that her method is truly, grossly outdated.  

Her method, which is basically just about drilling the child, may work at P1 level, but is unlikely to yield any results except for a burnout child and a super frustrated parent. Even if she completes all the assessment books that Popular has to offer for each level, it doesn't mean she will excel. Especially once she reaches the higher levels which require very different set of skills that one can't acquire just by working through assessment books. Nope. In fact, going by the kind of Primary 3 - 6 Maths and Science questions we now see in exams, plain drilling method is only going to guarantee passes, not distinctions.

That said, teaching content alone is miles easier than teaching the child higher order thinking skills. Rote learning and regurgitation of facts offers near-instant satisfaction for the parent who demands immediate results, which is probably why worksheets and assessment books are so popular. On the other hand, to spend time building and honing a skill takes time to show results.  It is akin to investment. Skills need to be cultivated and more often than not, is harder to show on paper, but this doesn't mean they are less important.

One of my advices to her - sow the seeds now and only expect to reap the fruits (a few years) later. I practise what I preach with my own kids, which is why they spend so little time on assessment books. It doesn't mean they are wasting their time away or not acquiring content.

But I know my words have, yet again, fallen upon deaf ears. Very discouraging but I do love the kid. 








Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Best Treat

'Let's read books!'

These are the magic words.

Mention 'books' to the dolly and she shows you her delight. Instantly.

To get the dolly out of the bath, all I need to say is 'read books?' and immediately she stands, raises her arms waiting to be picked up. The moment she is placed on the changing mat, she can't wait to get her hands on the books. She points, struggles and protests until I hand her one. Never mind she is still dripping wet and I am desperately trying to dry her.

Our baby bookworm indeed.

Whenever she comes across a book anywhere, she just has to examine it and flip a few pages. She brings books to me with a knowing look, which I interpret as 'mama read this'. I usually oblige.

After she is done with books, the next best thing is either 'mum-mum' (read = she wants to eat) or 'hat' (read = she wants to walk).

'Dat dolly' as E would say endearingly. There is just so much about her that makes us smile. Already, she is 15 months. Way Too Fast.




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