Archives for September 2012

Motherhood Mondays – He Makes me Smile

September 10, 2012 · By ·

Photo1 1 copyBeing given 2 packets of Caramel Corn, wearing his favorite Spidey T-shirt and on his way to Tennis class. These things made him smile that afternoon.

 

And what he said lately that made me smile;

  • While we were walking to the swimming pool, he randomly kissed my arm and then told me, “I love you mom. You know even when you die, I still love you.”
  • Another random affectionate moment while I was reading to him before bedtime – Kissed me on my cheek and said. “Silly boys are those who only know how to stare at their games on the iPads n iPhones, and don’t know how to kiss their daddies and mummies.”
  • On wanting a new name – “I have a middle name right? Can I change my middle name to Diego. Or can be Blue Ninja, ok that’s not that nice. Maybe Jay, Blue Jay, Haha…(the breed of bird that he painted for his art class project). I think I prefer Sinsehwu, that’s quite a nice Japanese name to have.”

 


In participation of Gingerbread Mum’s Linky Party

Share it:

Related posts:

Categorized: Mom's Musings ·

Photo *Heart* Fridays – Dream

September 7, 2012 · By ·

Phf 2K’s first art project from art class


“I don’t want to be a poor artist!” K exclaimed after we read picture books about Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. At his impressionable age, he realized one common thread amongst these artists from the stories we read. All of them pursued their passion for art despite the lack of monetary rewards, often, their art had little value till they were advanced in age.

This was exacerbated by the comment Nana made recently that he should not be an artist when he grows up, as they are very poor and don’t make much money.

Is that the harsh reality of life? I wish things don’t happen that way in our world.

Still, I tell him that he can pursue his dreams and he should give them to God.

Our little conversation reminded me that I have dreams that have been packed away for a while. Lyrics from a old song from Yolanda Adams echoed through my mind as I reflect on these forgotten dreams,  “Keep the dream alive, don’t let it die, it’s something deep inside, keeps inspiring me to try, don’t stop and never give up, don’t ever give up on you. Sometimes, life can place a stumbling block in your way, but you’ve got to keep the faith.”

I do believe the way we can keep our dreams alive is to give them to God. It is a hard thing to do, to give our dreams and plans to God, not knowing how or when He plans to give them back to me. But God knows the deepest desires of our hearts better than anyone else.

‘Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.’ – Psalms 37:4-5

 

What dreams do you have that is tucked away and forgotten? What will inspire you to believe in your dream again?

 



Share it:

Related posts:

Categorized: Mom's Musings, Photography · Tagged:

The Entitlement Mentality can start at 5

September 6, 2012 · By ·

Most of our children these days have things served on a platter to them. Enrichment classes like sports, swimming, art, music, dance which were major bonuses to have when I was growing up, has become a must-have for most children. I would not even go into the area of things, as I know most kids I know (including my own child) have too many toys and clothes.

Entitlement mentality can start really young with children these days. It may not be as defined as, “My parent’s owe this to me as they brought me into the world, what I have is what I deserve and it is mine”. But there are many signs of child taking these privileges for granted when they see their peers enjoying similar privileges.

Screen Shot 2012 08 27 at 5 07 21 PM

I have found out recently from K, that at 5, he already knows how to take some things for granted. He tends to treat his enrichment classes as a given, since most of his classmates have enrichment classes in school and are attending various classes on weekends.

It started with his Tennis lessons that he attends with Spex. He was enjoying the social interaction he was having with his friends in the class and he stopped paying attention to his coach. All it took was a short chat an afternoon before his class. We told him that we will stop the class immediately if he did not make the effort to pay attention and listen. It costs money for his grandparents sponsor his class so he needs to make an effort to learn, not just focus on having fun with his friends. Hb and I made him understand that these enrichment classes were not something we wanted him to do, but a privilege for him to attend as he enjoyed playing tennis.

Some parents might tell me to take it easy since it is just sports enrichment. But I need to teach my child about good work ethics, to be responsible and independent, to try his best at whatever he has been privileged to have. This also applies to things that he doesn’t like to do; helping around the house, cleaning up after play, etc. All these things needs to be done without having to whine or complain and he needs to make sure he does a good job at it.

If I don’t address this now, he will gradually become a teenager/young adult with the entitlement mentality. And I think teaching my child these things really cannot wait.

I hear this quite often from people from my parent’s generation, “He is still young, slowly teach him. When he reach a certain age, he will understand.” When children were ‘forced’ to help their parents make a living during the 50s – 60s. They could learn from real life experience that hard work is needed to bring home every cent, every bowl that the parent fills with rice.

There seems to be less learning opportunities for our children, simply because our world have changed. Children are being institutionalized in school at a tender age and are very sheltered. And since there also fewer children in most families, children are treated like little princes and princesses and are freely given most things that they want.

Can we raise privileged children without the entitlement mentality? Do share your thoughts here.


 

Share it:

Related posts:

Categorized: His World, Parenting · Tagged:
« Previous Page
Next Page »