This is one of the ways to get Joyce to express herself through blogging.
Joyce says: Today, my teacher brings us to “Nothing but the tooth@Health Zone”. It is very fun because there are puppet show & fun games (the squirrel is very funny. His name is Suki.) I like to go there because I can play at the indoor playground with my best friend, Chong Xin Hui. I be the ‘mummy’ and she be the ‘mei mei’. I like her very much. I also play matching cards game and win a magnet prize.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Short getaway at Downtown East
We had a great time last 2 days at Downtown East with my sister-in-law’s family and my mother-in-law. It was also Joyce’s 1st unforgettable experience at the Escape Theme Park. Her daddy couldn’t join us due to work commitment. But he could see Joyce’s thrills when she recounted her encounter to him when she first saw him back home.
How she enjoyed the flying rides on the Kite Flyer and the Red Baron plane? The former was her 1st off the air attempt and she was actually very fearful once the ride took off. She has motion sickness since young and can vomit even just in a taxi ride. Hence, once she got lifted up and swing in the air, her immediate response was “Mummy, I’m going to vomit.” I quickly calmed her down by asking her to look far and close her eyes if she is frightened. She managed to overcome her fear and halfway through her ride, she shouted out that she is now flying and I was relieved. She enjoyed it so much that she went for a 2nd swing happily with Janice subsequently.
We also enjoyed our joy ride on the Choo Choo train and Ferris Wheel and our thrill ride on the Family Roller Coaster. She related to her daddy how we got drenched when the family of 3 splashed us on the Bumper Boat and how mummy fought back bravely at them.
She also shared about her scary experience at the Haunted House- headless bloody body, the electrocuted man on the electric chair, ghostly figures, etc. We got frightened by our own reflections on the mirror near the entrance when the guide shone his torch light on it that we screamed our lung out. There were also other children screaming away when they got out of the haunted house.
But she did not talk much about her frightening experience on the Wet & Wild Flume Ride. I think it is just too much for a 5-yr-old girl to take it especially is her 1st attempt on all these thrilling rides. Luckily, we could stop and get out halfway before we reached the 5-storey climb (Can't imagine her stress and fear if we will to plurge down). I managed to signal to the lady-in-charge when Joyce started crying to get out after we were dropped down from the 1st slide and splashed out.
Nevertheless, it was a memorable trip for Joyce. When she woke up this morning, I asked if she had any nightmare and if she still wants to go again. She said no nightmare but a firm “Yes” for the latter.
How she enjoyed the flying rides on the Kite Flyer and the Red Baron plane? The former was her 1st off the air attempt and she was actually very fearful once the ride took off. She has motion sickness since young and can vomit even just in a taxi ride. Hence, once she got lifted up and swing in the air, her immediate response was “Mummy, I’m going to vomit.” I quickly calmed her down by asking her to look far and close her eyes if she is frightened. She managed to overcome her fear and halfway through her ride, she shouted out that she is now flying and I was relieved. She enjoyed it so much that she went for a 2nd swing happily with Janice subsequently.
We also enjoyed our joy ride on the Choo Choo train and Ferris Wheel and our thrill ride on the Family Roller Coaster. She related to her daddy how we got drenched when the family of 3 splashed us on the Bumper Boat and how mummy fought back bravely at them.
She also shared about her scary experience at the Haunted House- headless bloody body, the electrocuted man on the electric chair, ghostly figures, etc. We got frightened by our own reflections on the mirror near the entrance when the guide shone his torch light on it that we screamed our lung out. There were also other children screaming away when they got out of the haunted house.
But she did not talk much about her frightening experience on the Wet & Wild Flume Ride. I think it is just too much for a 5-yr-old girl to take it especially is her 1st attempt on all these thrilling rides. Luckily, we could stop and get out halfway before we reached the 5-storey climb (Can't imagine her stress and fear if we will to plurge down). I managed to signal to the lady-in-charge when Joyce started crying to get out after we were dropped down from the 1st slide and splashed out.
Nevertheless, it was a memorable trip for Joyce. When she woke up this morning, I asked if she had any nightmare and if she still wants to go again. She said no nightmare but a firm “Yes” for the latter.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Creativity and self-esteem
One day, I showed Joyce my birthday card (see 1st photo) made by my colleague who is very creative in arts & craft work. Immediately, she asked who gave me that card and that she wanted to learn from her. Hence, we ended up at my colleague’s place on 8.11.07.
Under Helena's guidance, Joyce made 1 clay magnet, 1 clay brooch & 2 cards (see 2nd photo) that afternoon. She was happy and motivated that she started making cards after that day. We sat down together and started punching butterflies and bears on coloured papers & old magazines. Eventually, she made 2 cards for her childcare teachers and 1 birthday card (see 3rd photo) for her friend, Jamie, who has invited her to her birthday party this Saturday. I can see the big satisfaction on her face and her eagerness to do more. Moreover, she was more confident and said “I can”, “I know how to draw, do, etc” more often nowadays.
Thus, I believe that we can boost a child’s confidence through creativity. Studies have also shown that high self-esteem children are less conformist and more creative, and that highly creative children are likely to have a high level of self-esteem. By encouraging and supporting our children’s creativity, we not only make them feel better about themselves but also improve their chances of success. And success builds success because children who succeed in one area believe they can succeed in others.
We can start with simple tasks that are within the child’s ability to help her feel good about herself and do not push her too quickly. If she finds a task too difficult, simplify it so she can succeed. Otherwise, she may lose interest if she finds it too daunting and feel demoralized. Having said that, we must have confidence in our child so that they are more willing to try, press on and see the task through.
Nobody can be creative for somebody. It must come from her heart, not yours. Hence, demonstrate creativity rather than impose it. Creativity needs freedom and structure so allow your child to experience both. Imagination is only 1 component of creativity. Creativity is about structure, imagination and experience. Imagination with structure is creativity and the latter can be learned so is creativity……..
Under Helena's guidance, Joyce made 1 clay magnet, 1 clay brooch & 2 cards (see 2nd photo) that afternoon. She was happy and motivated that she started making cards after that day. We sat down together and started punching butterflies and bears on coloured papers & old magazines. Eventually, she made 2 cards for her childcare teachers and 1 birthday card (see 3rd photo) for her friend, Jamie, who has invited her to her birthday party this Saturday. I can see the big satisfaction on her face and her eagerness to do more. Moreover, she was more confident and said “I can”, “I know how to draw, do, etc” more often nowadays.
Thus, I believe that we can boost a child’s confidence through creativity. Studies have also shown that high self-esteem children are less conformist and more creative, and that highly creative children are likely to have a high level of self-esteem. By encouraging and supporting our children’s creativity, we not only make them feel better about themselves but also improve their chances of success. And success builds success because children who succeed in one area believe they can succeed in others.
We can start with simple tasks that are within the child’s ability to help her feel good about herself and do not push her too quickly. If she finds a task too difficult, simplify it so she can succeed. Otherwise, she may lose interest if she finds it too daunting and feel demoralized. Having said that, we must have confidence in our child so that they are more willing to try, press on and see the task through.
Nobody can be creative for somebody. It must come from her heart, not yours. Hence, demonstrate creativity rather than impose it. Creativity needs freedom and structure so allow your child to experience both. Imagination is only 1 component of creativity. Creativity is about structure, imagination and experience. Imagination with structure is creativity and the latter can be learned so is creativity……..
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Quality time, special moments & memories
I got back to work part-time when she turned 18 months and entrust her in a childcare centre. For the first 2 months, it pained me whenever I dropped her in the childcare centre every morning as she would start crying. The initial phase was hard as she has to adapt to the new environment and also fell sick very often. My colleagues who had gone through the same phase would console me that it was alright and that she would get used to it soon.
After work, I would rush home. Fixed dinner, fetched her and gave full attention to her. I try to make full use of the moments I have with Joyce and make her special. I’ll ask her if she is happy today and what are the fun things that have happened in the childcare centre? She would usually open up and I’d learned about her day, her thoughts and feelings and impart moral values of sharing, kindness, forgive and forget, etc if there is any opportunity. I try to reach out to her daily as we go about our everyday chores. I’ll engage her help in putting the pegs on the laundry when I’m hanging them. If she wants to show me her artwork she had done, I’ll take a good look and praise her good work or give constructive feedback for improvement. With kids, we need to grab these moments. Otherwise, she might not even bother to show us stuff from school next time if I appear to be too distracted to care. We’ll read, play, practice music, do art and craft work, etc together.
We remember moments, not lifetimes. Even the busiest working parents can give the gift of memories to their children that will last a lifetime. Toys get lost and broken but memories last a lifetime. My dad, a taxi driver, was always busy working to support the nine of us. Hence, I cherished and can still remember those family fun times in my childhood when my dad would take the whole family out to the zoo, Haw Par Villa, Chinese Garden, etc during Chinese New Year. We would all pile into his yellow-top taxi. The younger would sit on the elders’ lap and we had a great day together.
Likewise, I always wanted to give Joyce some memories of things that we did as a family that were out of the ordinary daily routine. We would get out every Saturday morning with my parents and youngest sister to Sembawang Park, Botanical Garden, MacRitchie Reservoir, East Coast Park (very often), Labrador Park or shopping centre on rainy days. We would stroll, kick ball, play discus, card game & fly kite. It also imparts the moral value of filial piety to Joyce when suddenly one day, she said to me that she will take care of me and also bring me out when I am old. These thoughts really warmed my heart.
After work, I would rush home. Fixed dinner, fetched her and gave full attention to her. I try to make full use of the moments I have with Joyce and make her special. I’ll ask her if she is happy today and what are the fun things that have happened in the childcare centre? She would usually open up and I’d learned about her day, her thoughts and feelings and impart moral values of sharing, kindness, forgive and forget, etc if there is any opportunity. I try to reach out to her daily as we go about our everyday chores. I’ll engage her help in putting the pegs on the laundry when I’m hanging them. If she wants to show me her artwork she had done, I’ll take a good look and praise her good work or give constructive feedback for improvement. With kids, we need to grab these moments. Otherwise, she might not even bother to show us stuff from school next time if I appear to be too distracted to care. We’ll read, play, practice music, do art and craft work, etc together.
We remember moments, not lifetimes. Even the busiest working parents can give the gift of memories to their children that will last a lifetime. Toys get lost and broken but memories last a lifetime. My dad, a taxi driver, was always busy working to support the nine of us. Hence, I cherished and can still remember those family fun times in my childhood when my dad would take the whole family out to the zoo, Haw Par Villa, Chinese Garden, etc during Chinese New Year. We would all pile into his yellow-top taxi. The younger would sit on the elders’ lap and we had a great day together.
Likewise, I always wanted to give Joyce some memories of things that we did as a family that were out of the ordinary daily routine. We would get out every Saturday morning with my parents and youngest sister to Sembawang Park, Botanical Garden, MacRitchie Reservoir, East Coast Park (very often), Labrador Park or shopping centre on rainy days. We would stroll, kick ball, play discus, card game & fly kite. It also imparts the moral value of filial piety to Joyce when suddenly one day, she said to me that she will take care of me and also bring me out when I am old. These thoughts really warmed my heart.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Strategies to overcome guilt and disappointment
Try to focus not on what you’re missing by being at work, but on the benefits that your job can provide for the family: money, self-respect, a better life.
And if you’re enjoying your job, share those feelings with your kids. Talk about the incentives of your work, what good things happened during the day at work and what you enjoy most. Bring them to your workplace and let them meet your colleagues, show them what you do everyday so they can understand this other role you play.
The sacrifices you make now are worthwhile when you realized your children have grown into balanced and healthy individuals who can identify with both your working and parenting selves.
And if you’re enjoying your job, share those feelings with your kids. Talk about the incentives of your work, what good things happened during the day at work and what you enjoy most. Bring them to your workplace and let them meet your colleagues, show them what you do everyday so they can understand this other role you play.
The sacrifices you make now are worthwhile when you realized your children have grown into balanced and healthy individuals who can identify with both your working and parenting selves.
Dilemma of working parents
1 of the hardest things for full time working parents is not "being there" every moment for our children and the feeling of guilt and disappointment. It is also difficult to handle our multiple responsibilities of career, family and relationship perfectly. Hence, I have chosen parenting over my job. I took care of my girl full time until she was 18 months old. I was able to watch her every first steps and captured them instantly such as…...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Why use bamboo as my photo?
It is because I have a 5-yr-old girl, a pre-schooler, who is likened to the bamboo. Bamboo is very resilient, flexible and has a strong foundation. Likewise, I also like my girl to have a strong foundation for a successful future.
Hence, I embarked on a long and soul-enriching journey to nurture Joyce. Started with flashcards to right brain training, arts, chinese speech & drama, music and ballet ......
All these classes did help to build up her self-esteem & confidence.
Friday, November 16, 2007
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