Now, She Loves Math!

I was hair pulling, struggling and in a tug-of-war with my little girl on her reluctance to do math. Not that I am forcing her, but she gets worksheets from school and those are homework that she needs to accomplish.

When she started throwing tantrums and telling me she hates math, she hates abacus...I began to seek for alternatives to help her. She had attended MPM math, no doubt a very good way to learn math at individual pace, I feel there is a lack of communication going on during the lesson. Something that is missing on the socializing with her peers.

When Janice told me she has a prep class for K2-ers that helps them progress to P1 next year, I signed Ethyl up hoping this time is not another typical enrichment class that will drill her with more worksheets.

First lesson that she had, she came out telling me she wished she had another lesson. Lesson 2, she told me, she will look forward to next saturday...this goes on till now, every saturday, she will be asking for her math lesson.

Since last week, I realised I no need to call out to her to get her math worksheet done. She will, on her own accord, finish her worksheet (without mistakes) and gleefully told me that she had finished it!

For the class, I was actually paying for something really valuable. A dedicated teacher, dedicated owner whom both work on the curriculum for the kids. The class has a nice blend of science, english, sensory, general knowledge and of course, mathematics.

This time, I am really glad I took the effort and time to send Ethyl for the class. She is benefiting from the lessons.

Learn more about Ethyl's class here.

Seeking some understanding

At certain point in life, I told myself that I can never be the perfect Mommy I wished I were. This is reality. Told myself to take things easy and lead a less demanding life (for myself), however, I find it really hard.

Sleeping lesser hours took a toil on my body system, I am being too tough on my aging body system that lethargic has taken over most times and my productivity level plummeted. Not a big issue, I can survive. Taking the effort to wake up early to prepare bentos for the little ones and the old one, well...they are happy, but someone began to take this little things for granted.

Ethyl refused to eat her bread on my bento-off-days.

She is too pampered by me. Last night I was nursing a sick toddler, and I couldn;t wake up this morning as I was really tired. Hence no bento for the girl and Hubby simply spread-ed bread for her. She was not happy when I called.

This affected me because I always thought she is such a thoughtful and understanding little girl. I text-ed Hubby and told him, he says he will call her and speak to her later.

Probably it has got to do with the extra attention I have been showering little boy that she may felt my attention has shifted. Well, I shall take a step at a time and I guess it's time I spend some girls' time with Ethyl soon!

A Simple Gesture

While getting ready to leave the house this morning, I saw a piece of white paper with Ethyl’s handwriting. It reads:

Today
Ethylyn is very good girl.

I think this is very sweet. I took a pen, scribbled on: Ethylyn has been my very good and sweet little girl. Love, Mommy.

Little girl called me when she saw what I wrote for her and conveyed her happiness to me over the phone. She is simply over the moon with that little note I wrote for her.
Simple things like such are enough to make our day!

My Plan

Chatting with other Mommies online has been my must-do for the past few weeks. Chatting with different Mommies, get to know more about what makes them do the things they like despite staying at home and looking after the kid(s) and handle a handful of housework.

How interesting things can get when I hear how they juggled with the barely-sufficient 24hrs we all have, yet they can accomplish so many tasks.

I have shared with some close ones around me, I want to be staying at home looking after the kids, be their cook,their chauffeur (working hard on this *winks*), their housekeeper (nice word for maid), their support and their friend. Basically I will be the CMO (denotes: Chief Maid Officer) of our household.

Having said that, I am not happy with just doing what most housewives of my Mom's era are doing. The new age moms should be doing all these and on top of that, able to be financially independent and operate some little business from home.

Some friends around I see they have special skills like cooking, sewing or creative work which I find really impressive. My fingers are far from being nimble, thus highly unlikely that I will be involved in those.

My dateline for myself is tight as the day for Ethyl to start P1 is driving nearer!So, will be working really hard these few months to get my objective met!

When M = Marriage

What does a stalk of flower mean to the wife at home? Many husbands out there do not understand, so does mine.

Marriage life has dulled and lost its luster and passion after being in it for on 8th year. So sad right? It’s not even 10 years and the love seems to have cooled off significantly. So, what does it mean to stay together in a marriage?

No worries, I am not going to talk about divorce. We are pretty much sorted on the unhappiness (mainly mine), moving on to putting in effort to build a stronger relationship as husband and wife. I believe in “happily ever after”, though I know there ain’t too many fairy tales in reality!

Someone noted that I seldom mention about my man on my blog for a while. The little mention about my unhappiness actually raises the concern on a fellow blogging friend whom I have never met showing concern over. I really appreciate the listening ear and concern from various people over that period of time.

Ethylyn has been very sensitive about the change in our behaviors during that period of time. In order not to affect her (which we unknowingly did), we “acted” and behaved as if nothing happened. Nowadays, when we don’t feel like talking, she would ask, “Mommy, Daddy made you angry again?” I really appreciate the way she shows her concern over little things that we adults overlooked sometimes.

If Hubby really makes me upset, She would always side me and chides Hubby for making me upset. She is such a sweetie. Having said that, it also dawned on me that we ought to look at how we adults manage our emotions in front of the kids. Many a times, we take it for granted that the kids will not understand. In actual fact, they do and their little mind is working big on everyday happenings.

I do hope my man reads this. Surprises does not cost much, a stalk of flower, a pack of my favourite dessert, my favourite food or even a small box of my favourite chocolate, I will feel good and loved.

Just like the simple bento I made her him in the mornings.

Getting Her to Pack Her School Bag

So, packing her bag has always been my chore, I told myself I need to start getting her hands on in packing for herself, as to train her and prepare her to pack her bag as she moves on to primary 1 next year.

All students will be given timetable when in P1, she also has her K2 timetable that I would love her to follow through. The different enrichment classes after normal school hours.





Ethylyn has been an enthusiastic helper with household chores,folding cardigan is an easy peasy lemon squeezy business (that's her pet phrase for now).



Here, she had her bag all packed and ready for school!

Bento #07

In the bento: Rice, luncheon meat, egg, baked crispy chicken, few koala biscuits and her fave cherry tomato

In order to make her meals healthier, I shall buy some veges and add some greens and more fruits in her bento.

All those that can be baked or steamed, shall be done that way too!

Hope little girl won't say to me "Mommy, today's bento is too much for me again!" *beams*

Bento #06

In the bento: Chocolate mochi, her face cherry tomoatoes, onigiri

Took a bento-break because Ethylyn was sick and was advised to stay at home.

Prepared this for her on her first day back to school. She finished all except for one onigiri. She told me she was too full! Well, I do agree that rice for breakfast is a little heavy for the girl.

Nevertheless, she finished whatever she could. Having said that, her order for the next day is still...RICE! wahahaha...