Chelsea’s interpretation of a family

While busy hanging up the clothes, Princess Chelsea insisted on helping.

Mummy Eliz brushed her away, as she wanted to just get the job done with, and it touched her heart when Princess insisted on helping as she is part of the family.

Gran Agatha’s appt w/ Oncologist

Many of you were concerned about how Gran Agatha is, well at the moment, her chronic leukemia is not life-threatening, and thus does not justify chemo or radiology, especially when one takes her age and current health status into consideration.

Earlier at the hospital, after settling the payment and while waiting for the next appt date, Mummy Eliz’s headache was so bad that she almost cried. Thankfully, all the frustrations, grumbles and complains went down together with the shower waters into the drain.

PS:

Thank you Francis, for passing us the detox supplements. We certainly hope that would be useful in controlling the deterioration of her condition.

And to all of you out there, if Mummy Eliz seems a little distracted, that could only be because she is feeling drained of physical energy. Thus if you could lunch with Gran Agatha on a weekday afternoon, and allow Mummy Eliz the chance to just slack at home, that would be heavenly.

*hint* *hint*

Princess’s love affair w/ Daddy in Genting

While the pair was in Genting, Princess only felt safe enough to fall soundly and deeply asleep when she was being carried in Daddy’s strong protective arms.

~ “Daddy, I am so sleepy!” ~

~ “Daddy, I am so happy to wake up and see you!” ~

Helping children to learn to like themselves ...

“If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.”
“If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.”

~ Enjoying a swing ~

~ What a sweet smile ~

Mission accomplished; back fm Genting

Princess had a good night rest on the 2nd night, vastly different from what happened on the 1st night and this was hugely attributed to Daddy’s patience and confidence in handling her fears, and calming her down with plenty of explanations.

In Daddy’s own words, it was a good trip, an experience that money cannot possibly buy. And for Little Princess, having all her needs, wants, desires fulfilled must have been a heavenly experience.

Daddy took extra efforts to ensure that Princess received nothing short of a royal treatment.

~ Before checking into the First World Hotel ~

~ Princess simply could not wait to ride the Merry-Go-Round ~

~ Princess making a funny face while on the boat ride ~

~ Smiling happily away ~

~ Check out where this Bus 14 is going, to CHELSEA ~

Water fun at Wild Wild Wet

Finally, Uncle John passed us the pictures taken at Wild Wild Wet before they closed for their renovations.

It was a fun and enjoyable day, thanks to the 4 discounted tickets we managed to get for being NTUC Members, and all four of us, at the end of the fun-filled day, ended up with sunburned skin.

~ Our family of 4 ~

~ Daddy with his Prince ~

~ Princess with Uncle John and Lu Jie-Jie ~

~ Daddy with his Prince greedily taking a snack break ~

“If a child feels right, they act right”

This point is hard to remember, but certainly it is a point well made.

“Kids, like plants have needs. If a plant is wilted yellowed and dying, it does not matter how much I yell at it and cuff it around the buds, it’s not going to get better. It requires repotting or fertilizing or watering or something.

The same is true for kids. One of the basics of parenting is that if a child feels right, they act right. If a child is constantly misbehaving and causing problems, then you need to get the bigger picture. The behavior is a symptom of something not right. That does not mean you automatically excuse or ignore the behavior – you deal with it – but you look for the underlying symptom. Quite probably they have an unmet need, or they think that they are at risk of not having their needs met.

When a child feels understood and their feelings acknowledged and dealt with effectively, then the problem behavior will often go away.”

- Extracted from Dr Burton White’s Harvard research

First 2 days w/ Daddy in Genting

When Princess Chelsea first knew that she was going on a date alone with Daddy Tiong to Genting, and knowing that it contains an amusement park, she indicated that she wished for a 4 days stay.

On the actual day of departure, at 6am, as Daddy carried a sleepy Chelsea out of the gate, she indicated that she only want to go for a day.

And before the day itself was up, she had at least said 20 times to Daddy that she misses Mummy. And the first night itself, she cried herself painfully to sleep. Hopefully this would not repeat the second night.

This trip is Daddy’s brave way of wooing back his Little Princess; would it achieve the desirable effect or have the reverse effect? Well, one could only tell when their trip ended on Saturday night.

But one thing is for sure, Mummy is Princess-sick; Mummy misses Princess so much.

Mencius' mother moves thrice

This blog entry was written with a heavy heart.

Much as Mummy Eliz dislikes being discriminated against, she also dislikes discriminating others. She feels that she is not in a position to judge what she might not totally understand.

Mummy Eliz cannot agree more with the saying that “Parents are a child’s first teachers”. She feels that parents should play a more proactive rather than a purely reactive role.

She is not against kids who grab, as well, all kids need to be taught how to share and take turns. She is also not against kids who whine, shout or scream, as well, all kids need to be taught how to communicate effectively.

What really worries her bad is witnessing some parents handing the reins of control to their child, and then giving their child negative labels instead of helping them work through certain behavioral issues.

And like Meng Mu, the mummy who shifted house 3 times in an attempt to lessen the negative influences, Mummy Eliz is seriously thinking of alternates to placing Princess in the Nursery class next year.

Some of her potential classmates are seriously a worrying lot.

PS:

If you are reading this post, then you are surely not the ones that are making Mummy worry. The ones that make her worry would not even realize the existence of this blog.

Meng mu san qian n. 1. Chinese idiom; 2. literal translation: Mencius' mother moves thrice

If you know your Chinese idioms well, you'd recall that "Meng mu" (Mencius' mother) relocated three times in search of the perfect environment to bring up her son.

Let me share the story of "Meng mu san qian". In ancient China, there lived a mother who was looking for the best home for her child, Mengzi. At one neighborhood, she found that the children were attracted to the going-ons at a nearby coffin maker's and passed their time imitating the sorrow expressed by the families of the deceased. She decided it was not the environment she wanted for her child and so she moved. At another neighborhood, she found the men were not interested in hard work and spent their days drinking. Not finding it suitable for her child, she moved again. In all she moved three times, until she was convinced that she had found the best environment in which to bring up her child. Mengzi or Menicius grew up to be one of the great thinkers of China, thanks to the discipline inculcated by his mother, and of course her foresight and persistence.

Why is this blog being updated so often?

Well, it documents the love that is showered upon the two, and just in case they turn rebellious during their teenage years, their punishment would be time-in their room, reading all the entries of this blog.

And since we strive for a parenting journey that is forgiving, firm, fair and friendly, we certainly hope we continue to be blessed.

Joanne’s BDay Party @ Johor Bahru

Joanne celebrated her birthday by treating the whole group of us to a sumptuous dinner at Johor Bahru. Princess had a great time, sticking closely to Joanne throughout the journey there and back.

Princess made an unusual request during the trip, asking to address our family friends by their names, like Daddy and Mummy does, rather than adding a kor-kor or jie-jie behind. I guess she really believed they are her friends.

Once again, happy birthday Joanne, and may all your wishes come true. Also thank for being ever so helpful and accommodating always, especially towards the kids, [that is why Princess loves you so].

~ Daddy with his little lover girl ~

PS:

Joanne, thank you for being there the day we learnt about Gran Agatha's condition. Perhaps nothing much was said, but Mummy Eliz just wanted you to know that your presence is very much appreciated.

And not forgetting, Uncle Nic, thank you for emailing us the pics.

To the rest of the group, friendship, esp the kind that lasted more than a decade do not come easily, thus let's treasure it ok?

Water-fun at Aunty Fiona's condo [Nov 07]

Time really flies.

Mummy Eliz could still recall the first time we had a swim at Aunty Fiona's place; that was sometime in June 07.

And ever since then, Aunty Fiona had been really nice; allowing us to have the weekly playgroup sessions at her place, without any grumbles or complains. Aunty Fiona is really a nice lady [and mummy] with a generous heart.

And here's a look at some of the pictures taken almost a year ago.

~ Princess Chelsea going down the water slide ~

~ The kids eagerly waiting for the swim ~

"Hold ur child’s heart & u hold him 4ever"

"Hold your child’s heart and you hold him forever. Hold him forcefully by the hand, and you will lose him one day."

Mummy's Gentle and Sweet Little Boy

Daddy Tiong sometimes comment that Prince behaved like a little girl at times; witness that in action.

~ Dreamily looking at Daddy ~

~ Behaving like a Little Princess instead of a Prince ~

"What kids need most in a mum..."

"There are 3 things to your child’s heart, 3 things he cannot live without; your time, your understanding, your love."

- By Patricia Pushford in What kids need most in a mum

Prince & Princess Theme BDay Party for Kayla

Aunty El planned an enjoyable party for Kayla, complete with crown and tiara decorating and a treasure hunt for goody bags. And of course, the kids were invited to come dressed up as Princes and Princesses, accompanied by their royal ladies [aka loving mummies who often perform the role of maids].

Before the cake cutting session, the kids were treated to some games at the void deck area, and that fantastic exercise made their little tummies ready for the delicious home-decorated cake fit for a Princess.

As it is always with Aunty El, everything is so well thought of. Thank you, Aunty El once again for inviting us to share in the joyous occasion.

~ Princess Chelsea waiting excitedly for her turn in the egg-in-spoon race ~

~ Getting ready for a final run before the cake-cutting moment ~

~ Admiring the cake ~

~ "Happy Birthday to Kayla!" ~