We are already into the 4th week of Summer Camp and everyday we asked Chloe how did it go. Of course, she would go on and on – about how some kids were bad to her .. and how some wouldn’t play with her. And her favorite words these days is “This is the worst day in my life!” – drama much ? So yes – it had been going on for a few weeks now and everyday – we promised to talk to the camp coordinators about it for her. Which we did – but you see – we weren’t teaching the kid the right thing – because then she would think that everything has to go her way – so last week – we taught her to focus on the good stuff. This evening – when i was bathing her – washing her hair – i asked her how did camp go ? she didn’t wanna tell me at first – but when she did – i reminded her that she need to tell me the good stuff first and then the bad. So she told me the good stuff – and forgot about the bad. So yes – focus on the good stuff – but that doesn’t mean that you don’t listen to her grieve – because what we may think is a small matter – is a big deal to them. But as parents – i remind myself to teach Chloe to also focus on the good things and only tell on others when she is “really” hurt. What about you ..?? are your kids this way? how do you steer them to the right way/direction?
Time Out Tips
While many mothers would say – that they are not like other mothers and only write the good things about their kids and never the bad ones – i too understand that Chloe is not all sweet and angelic. But having said that – Chloe is often good more than naughty and if she was naughty – we often see it as she wants attention more than being bad. And I hear you all – mummies and daddies out there – we have a living to make and we have commitments to work – in order to bring in the bread and butter.
My own mother had to work 6 days a week – and i think because of that we were never really closed – and I’m truly sad about it too. So for Chloe – even though we own our own store and can have her with us all the time – we too have to work. And like all kids – they never get enough attention and they act out – Chloe does that sometimes too.
Up to last October – it was only the babysitter who has given chloe time out – so we are pretty newbie when this time out thing is concern. And if you hear PB going ” Cut it out!” when we are out with chloe – that’s because he is the disciplinarian in our relationship. But like PB said – although the standard is a min per year of age – it is not meant to punish the kid – when you give your kid a timeout – it is to help regain control and if she won’t sit still during time out – it’s ok – because she knows that there are consequences.
Another tip is to track when your kid is having a tantrum or breakdown – did she get enough to eat and nap time? if she was hungry – or even if she wasn’t feeling good – but what if your child has a meltdown in the mall ? Chloe only did it once – in her entire life – but what would you do? We turned right around and send her home – just once – and it never happened again. My time out tips? never to shout at your kids – in public or at home – time out first – reason later and explain the consequences. Any tips to share? mommies and daddies out there?
Stomach Flu In Kids
What is the most heartbreaking sight a parent to see? I think it has gotta be seeing your child sick and not only any kind of illness but the ones that you see them puking and in pain. But of course, that’s not to say that other kind of illnesses does not break our heart.
It was the Victoria Day’s long weekend here in Canada – and the weather was just gorgeous – we had planned for a BBQ at our backyard and enjoy our new outdoor fireplaces and shoot some fireworks this weekend. But alas, even the best laid plans weren’t the best laid plans because when you have a kid/s – you just never know when they will catch something.
It all started on Sunday morning at 2am – when Chloe woke up and started puking – she puked in her room because she didn’t get up quick enough to run to the toilet – and even when she did – she puked all over the toilet too. Poor kid – she was so apologectic – mannnn..!! it just broke my heart – here she was feeling so lousy – yet she kept saying ” I’m sorry mom! ” mannnn!!! i was almost in tears. She is still puking and having tummy cramps – slept the whole day on Sunday and Monday – she was a bit better for a few hours and after lunch everything went downhill again. But she is a real trooper and no milk and we try feeding her with gravol but she didn’t like it and would bargain with us even though the puking is bad. I wished they would give her something for her cramps but nope – the doctor said to wait it out. Damn! Even adults can’t take the cramp what about her being a 6 yrs old ! damn! damn! damn! At times like this – i wished i was back home in Asia.
Relationship With A Foreigner
So you think that you survive a long-distance relationship or even fall in love with a foreigner and live happily ever after? Before we even begin – let me tell you about the dark circles under eye, from the time difference we have here and Asia. And for those who are not aware of this – most of the “angmohs” i’ve met can be very quick to fall in love and also to fall outta love.
Why do i say that? well, we have a long time friend who just came back from Calgary – and he came out of a very bad relationship. When he first visited us – a few weeks ago – he swore never to see another “crazy” Canadian again – hahah!! apparently, the one he was with or left – was psychoville. But guess what today, he was in the store and happily introduced a woman to me – and called her the love of his life. *slap forehead* – well i can understand if the woman was a beauty or with legs or bums or whatever – but this one – *ahem* – no legs, no looks, no body, no hair, no nothing – if you know what i mean.
Plus he isn’t the first person doing this since I’ve been here for the last 10 yrs – relationships in this town can be as flimsy as your napkins these days it seems. It saddens me – to see people treat relationship this way. So if you are thinking of having relationship with a foreigner – well, i have only one advice – make sure you spend enough time long – distance with him to know that he is worth it.
Long Flight With A Kid
As you all know – i’m long overdue home – and even if i don’t go home – i need to go renew my passport in Toronto or Vancouver at the latest next summer. So we all know how expensive flights are even for a kid – and they pay full price after they turn 2 or 3 yrs old. So when Chloe was playing with her boxes – we had this brilliant idea to pack her up in a fedex box and ship her home – now that would be really cheap – muahhahah!! nah .. we were joking. But yes, to travel such a long haul with a kid can be quite daunting – especially one that doesn’t wanna go on an airplane.
But if we could ship her this way back to Singapore – i’m pretty sure – her godma in Singapore would be pleased – hahaha!! So we are gonna try a short trip this summer either to Toronto or Portland, Maine – that way we can ease her into flying and then she will know that after her vacation – she can come back home because her protest was – she didn’t wanna leave home. She thinks that if we go back to Singapore – we won’t be coming back to Canada.
Trip To The City
As many of you know we don’t get to go up the city often – that’s because we own our own business and don’t have the help that we want to entrust the business to – to go away for a week or two. So when we do get a chance – everything has to be properly planned and we have to make the fullest outta the trip as much as possible.
This trip to the city was a fruitful one – we only left on Sunday – but had planned to leave on Saturday – but the spouse – well – he didn’t say it in so much words but i don’t think he liked the store to be closed for too long – hahah! so we only left on Sunday – and arrived on Sunday afternoon. Even though we did a lot – i wished we had more time because the hotel we were at – was right smack in the middle of town – and i would have done more shopping. But it was a good trip – we found new places we would liked to go back to eat and new asian grocery store! yay!! And this trip – chloe was really awesome – and on the way home – she slept all the way home. She even got to eat a few decent meals in the city – so i’m pleased. More on my trip – on another posts – stay tune for them.
Kids Playing Games
As much as i would love to say that we don’t rely on the tv and gaming consoles to keep the kid busy – we do. But having said that – does it make us bad parents? hell no!! mannnn!! when we were kids – we were left alone all the time – to get into trouble – but with Chloe we watched her like a hawk. Sure – we let her play some games but we actively bring her out and make sure she does have activities outside of the store and home to do. In fact, kids these days are so blessed they are given so much opportunities to do so many things – you can’t imagine them living the childhood we did. So if you did let you kids watch a movie or two or play a game or two – so that you can get some work done – don’t beat yourself up eh – because as much as we want to do a lot with our kids – you and I know that there are other things that we too need to do.
Meaning Of Mother’s Day
Many years ago, when I was celebrating Mother’s Day – my mother wanted a bouquet of roses from us and many years ago – we all know that in Singapore a bouquet of roses can come up to a good $60. Of course, $60 isn’t a lot now – when you are working and have the money – but some 25 yrs ago – I couldn’t afford it – but I still did it – because I wanted to make my mother proud. I wanted her to be proud and to be able to tell her friends what she got for Mother’s day.
Now that I’ve become a mother – I know I would never ask for perfumes, going out for dinner nor a bouquet of roses from my spouse nor my kid – why? because you do not measure love this way. Mother’s Day to me is a celebration of the kid who have given me a purpose in my life. Chloe has made me a better person – had she not come along – my life would have been meaningless right now.
While for my mother – it was a kind of safety net for her to have children when she is old – but for me – its about giving life and giving the life that i brought into this world the best. I don’t know what her future holds but i certainly do not want to burden chloe with looking after me when i am old – well – this has yet to cross my mind. All i want for her on Mother’s Day – is for her to grow up healthy and become a good person. The meaning of Mother’s Day to me – is not about me – it’s about doing the best I can for my kid on Mother’s Day.
Migrate To Canada Pros & Cons
Canada is an awesome place – most people are nice – but like everywhere else – there are crooks, scammers, cheaters – well, you get the idea. Like I tell everyone back home and friends from afar – had we not own our own business – Canada would be a wonderful place and this town wouldn’t be so harsh looking and scrutinized that badly by me.
So you heard that health care is free in Canada – yes ! you heard right but if you need prenatal vitamins or any kind of antibiotics – and sometimes – if your doctor had been given favors to recommend certain pharmaceutical medication – you will be paying an arm and a leg for them. And yes – Canada is scenic – but did anyone tell you about the weather here ? It’s May here – and it’s still chilly! Winter can be harsh too – but there are no tornadoes here or earthquakes.
Ok, ok! so you still wanna migrate to Canada – i hear yer! free school for children – yes ! but like all public system in any part of the world – free means – not enough teachers to go around and if you are in the city – there are private schools but that would mean you have to work 24/7 or be in a high paying job or filthy rich.
I get asked this often – is it hard to migrate to Canada? I don’t really think so – Canadian immigrations have a few plans for those considering their migration – as for me – i came as a visitor and then became a permanent resident with my spouse sponsoring me – and of course – don’t forget you have to pay to apply to migrate here and take all your medicals here – like x-rays- blood test and an immigration doctor has to see you . Thereafter, you can apply for citizenship after 5 yrs. I’ve heard horror stories about immigration before – but in my experience with the Canadian immigration – they were nothing but nice to me – always helpful and insightful. If you heard stories of given a hard time – that must mean that there were problems with the application – I doubt Canadian immigration is out to get the colored people or biased in any way. I’ve always been treated with respect – be it a phone call or letter writing – so there you have it.
Me & My Bike
Hunting for the ride bike has been my mission for a long, long time. I use the excuse of not getting the right bike to NOT exercise with PB – when he goes on his bike rides in the summer – how convenient eh. So while i wanted to stay home and do my apidexin reviews, he insisted that we go look for a bike at the local store in town. But of course, this time i didn’t have any excuse no more because – they did have a cruiser in store. Lovely bike isn`t it – it will sure motivate me to bike in my new lovely bike – hahah!! PB said no more excuses now – i hope with this bike – i will get in shape this time – wish me luck eh..!! hahaha!! i`m lazy – i know!!