Mom, is this a sacrifice?

Ethyl asked when her classmates and herself are discussing about their stay-at-home-moms. There are only 3 girls in her class, coincidentally, all Moms are SAHM.

Probably during discussions someone mentioned about scarifice, hence she popped this question to me.

Why am I doing my best I can for my kids? Simply because I put myself in their shoes; I don't get enough of such attention from my Mom.

Sad ya?

2 weeks ago, I actually laid on the bed thinking to myself, what are the important transisitons that Mom accompanied me? Hmm...it took me more than 20 minutes to remember ONE - my first days in P1. As I was typing, I suddenly remembered, When I was in P3, the orientation when we changed to a new school.

So, what is sacrifice? I told her, I am just doing my best for her. Creating an environment that hopefully both herself and Brayden will thrive in my care. Simply because they are my kids, and I do not that this as a sacrifice.

No words exchanged, just a hug from her after hearing what I said.

She is growing up so fast...she will soon be in P1. I hope she will understand the efforts I put in in time to come.

Nurturing a Picasso?

Highly unlikely, however since she has been saying she loves to draw and do art, why not just let her have some enrichments that is non-academic and fun?

I tried persuading Hubby to let her go for this enrichment since day 1 I saw Global art starting an outlet at ehub! downtown east. He was, as usual giving me all sorts of excuses saying she has too many enrichments, she can't cope blah blah blah.

Nevertheless, Ethyl never gave up reminding us (especially me) that she loves to draw, she would love to color nicely like other kids do. For myself, I am very very weak in this aspect, thus I really would love to see her doing well in art.

My decision was made then. She shall join them. Having said that, this decision came when I was about to quit my job and start my business. So many uncertainties and I really am not sure if I should just enrol her.

It took me about 2 months to decide. I tried to discuss with Hubby to let her join, he was reluctant. All the time, I would simply imform him about my decision on the classes to enrol for Ethyl as I am the one paying. This time, I hope he can help lighten my load. As you can see, he is indecisive when he is told to pay.

Never mind, it's for the good of our daughter, so I shall just pay for it since it doesn't cost an arm or a leg.

Seeing her artwork from the first lesson and how much she enjoyed her lesson, whatever I had to accomodate is worthwhile!

A Time When I Need Help

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! There are moments in life we need to make decisions be it big or small. This time, besides her kindy, Ialso made other adjustments.

Firstly, I stopped her swimming lessons. I realise the previous swim school has been adding new students to the class and Ethyl, one of the better swimmer is always delayed because the coach has to focus on the newbies. Better arrangement could have been made and the school should make it a point to group students according to their progress.

I have since stopped her when her last term ended in June. Today, she starts her swimming with a new swim school. This is held very near our place, at least I can send her there in the evenings and one of our weekend is free from activities.


For the first lesson, the coach noticed her potential and teaches her seperately. Not that Ethyl is a good swimmer, at least she doesn't have water phobia and that makes her learning curve smoother.

Next, she will start her art lesson with Globalart as well. I seriously hope those fanciful drawings they showcased are not just for show. I really hope she can learn drawing, coloring and establish an interest in art that I lack.

Hubby just threw me a bomb asking me to homeschool Ethyl from home. Ethyl herself also requested I homeschool her from home. I have been doing it, non-religiously I would say. It is always impromptu whenever I coach her from home, however I made it a point, we do it at least 3 times a week.

Considering the unhappiness I face with the school, further chats with parents confirms my doubts are not unfounded.

Homeschooling takes alot of discipline. I have some time to think about it before school ends. Let's see...

Where is the school for us?

Tell me I am too fussy and particular. Shouldn't I be especially when it comes to pre-school education for the kids?

The current school Ethyl goes to, I found them pretty disorganized for a while, but kept quiet about it till I really couldn't take their nonsense today! How can they shift lesson timing and didn't inform me (I am not sure about other parents), only when Mom went at 12pm to bring Ethyl lunch, then she was told there is such a change?

Is this acceptable to you? The Principal said to Mom, they forgot. Well, this is pretty unacceptable to me from my point of view.

Brayden had an incident whereby his wound (at the back of his head where the operation was) was bleeding after school not long after he joined. I checked with the teachers and principal, apparently no one knew about it. I asked if he hurt himself, they were not sure either. As Brayden is also a very active child, I do not want to shift the blame nor point the finger and be someone so unreasonable, I close one eye since it isn't something to major. I also made a point to remind the teachers to keep a watch out especially the back of his head.

Next, his water bottle went missing. A brand new bottle. Follwed by he was scratched blah blah blah...no one could give me a good answer when I texted them to ask about the incidents. I know kids tend to play a little rougher...but as teachers, shouldn't they try to keep a watchful eye over the kids, especially those in playgroup?

Today's "miscommunication" is the last straw. I had enough of such disorganized pre-school. My decision to pull Brayden out and see how things goes seems pretty right.

Academic, though important, the environment, teachers'committment and the overall general health and cleanliness is equally important. I have seen them going into their classes without health checks. I have seen them ending their classes about 20 minutes before they are due for dismissal.

At the beginning of this term, I noticed a few new faces as well as some students withdrew from the school. One parent shared with me on how she felt about the school and decided to withdraw probably next year. She reaffirms my doubts on a few matters. Is the school over promising? In both our opinion, yes!

I went to the other school today when we passed by the PD's clinic. I walked in with Brayden to check out the school. The principal seems kind, how they conduct their classes also seems so similiar to Ethyl's MMI at ten mile junction. I quite like it. The focus on their curriculum is also ideal. At least I don't see self-praising and hardselling there.

A discussion with Hubby is needed. Though he is seldom involved in such matters, at least I would orefer he understands why I feel a school for them is so important.

Ah Choo Rubs Away Sleepless Nights!

Eversince I decided to start a website selling trusted quality kids and parenting products, my research has brought me to many many different brands. How I realise, what was readily availble in SG is so limited!

I found Nature's Baby Organics range of products online and am really keen to bring them on my web store. I believe in trying out the products that I intend to sell.

Many people will wonder, why can't I just buy products readily over the shelves? Why must try organics products? If you have a pair of sensitive kids, you will understand why.

Ethyl has been using California Baby since birth. For many years, it has been my trusted brand on kids. Needless to say, Brayden is also using it when he was born.

Gradually I noticed he gets flaky skin, sometimes it was bad and looks red and sore, worse, his skin was inflamed and we had to bring him to see a Dermatologist.

Then, he had to stop using CB products. I never gave up. I continued searching online to find a reliable organic product and came across Nature's Baby Organics. I started using the hair and bodywash on both kids. No reactions on both and I happily tell myself, I need to explore further.

Tonight, Brayden is ill. He had a mild fever, congested nose and a phlegmy cough. He could hardly sleep well before I remembered to try letting him use the products I just received from my supplier.

Ah-Choo Chest Rub seems to be a really wise choice.

All along, we had relied on Vicks. Shy to say, the boy hates it as it was too choking for him. He dislikes us rubbing it on his chest, his back and he will scream if we rub a little near his nose. Having said that, we still use it as we are not sure what else we can use to help him feel better.

I opened the tub, rubbed a generous amount on his chest, on his back, back of his ears and also managed to persuade him to let me apply a little near his nose. A while later, he asked for more on his chest and back, as well as behind his ears.

Five minutes after the second application, he slipped into slumberland. He slept so well...The oil that I applied for him is still on my hands, it was not heating up like Vicks always does and it was absorbed into my palm.

Brayden slept well. I can hear him breathing with his nose rather than gasping for breath like he always did before.

I am so glad this product works well for us. Having a toddler who sleeps well despite unwell is a blessing to parents (especially to Moms). Besides this, I also solved a problem with conditioner that continues to entangle Ethyl's long tresses.

Now both kids enjoys using Nature's Baby Organics. I am going to try out another product, I will share again when the goods has arrived from US!

Oh, did I mention before Brayden has sensitive nose, sensitive skin as well as sensitive eyes? Therefore, I am more particular with the products we use at home, an environment he spends most time in.

Sharing a New Blog

I have started something to share on my journey as a WAHM.

So far, things are not fully ready, as in website needs more time, however I have not slacken as there are so many things to do before the website is up!

Here's the link to the new blog WAHM Journal. This is just my sharing, I hope it will be inspiring and useful to whoever is keen to start a small business.

Will Share Something Later...

I will be sharing the hurdles and challenges I face when I stop work to start on my online business. Getting started is really no easy feat. Though many details and challenges, I will overcome them and make sure I do my best in everything.

There were times I questioned myself "Why can't you just have a job like the others and be happy earning a few thousands a month...isn't that easier?"

Well, at one point my answer will be "Yes", but then again, I will never be happy if I never really try and fulfill a dream to be a WAHM.

I will soon start a blog to share on the things I have done, hopefully can help spur some friends out there who have thought of starting something small in the worldwide web.

Till then!

More Challenges

Reearching online took up a lot of my time. Working from home s not an easy feat. With the kids around, I need to watch out for them quite a fair bit as they will seek my attention whenever they see my presence.

Not a bad thing afterall. I have thus grown closer to both and really watching them growing and thriving under my nose.

Currently I am working hard on getting my driving licence, and hoping to be able to settle this soon! Don't ask about test date, too early, as I have only had 4 lessons till now because my instructor's schedule is so packed!

Once the licence to vroom is obtained, sending and fetching Ethyl will be so much easier! *pray hard*

The web store I am working on seems to be moving fast and furious! I can't wait to launch the site as I already have orders streaming in and keeping me really excited!

Hopefully everything goes on well...