My Little Boss

Absolutely love this article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blackberry/p.html?id=3209305

At one point in motherhood, I was absolutely uptight and very much affected by what people think and the expectations of the "social norms" of parenting.

At one point, I was disturbed by comments and standards set up some so-called experts. 

At the end of the day, I became miserable and I didn't enjoy parenthood. What changed me was one word from my husband "chillax".

If someone says that it requires a lot of patience to be a parent, he would disagree. He would say the key to parenting is to chill and relax, this "chillax".

Since I learnt to be more laid back in my parenting style, we enjoy one another more. Isaac has a lot of liberty to explore and we watch and keep him safe.

I allow him to eat fries and he loves it. He eats chocolate wafer and ice cream sometimes. On some weekends, we skip the morning showers together. And sometimes, we go to bed late. I allow him to mess up and we learn to keep his toys together.

He plays with what my husband calls "industrial toys", such as wooden spoon used for cooking, Tupperware, a full milo tin and cutleries in the restaurant (not to mention creating a din). 

There were times he screamed and cried because he waited too long sitting with us at a restaurant, we just let him have his moment while we finish up our food. The same applies to when we have to finish up some urgent matters such as a visit to the restroom and he wouldn't allow us to. We would tell him,"too bad. You have to wait."

Who cares? If we, as parents allow him to explore the world, he will eventually learn. And yes. He turns out to be able to take instructions much better at 14 months.

He learnt that when he sees smoke from a cup or bowl, it is hot. And when there is vapour, it is cold. He learnt that when he lie down too quickly to throw tantrum, he would hit his head too hard. So, he gently put down his head before rolling and kicking, much to our amusement and often, we let him be and then pick him up to explain to him.

The incidents reduced. And he began to understand us much better. 

Some friends are amazed at my calmness. But like the article, I don't feel I am a bad parent.

I just choose to ignore all comments, views and social acceptable standards, and run my family my own way. I choose to bring up my child my own way.

And when friends think I am such a "poor thing" having to bring Isaac out everywhere. Actually, I want to! And I enjoy it. I love bringing my little terror out.

Who cares? To me, giving Isaac security and love is the most important. With security, he can be confident to expire his world. 

This little adventure I introduce him to. The liberty I allow him to have - of course, watched and loosely controlled, is how I want him to be when he grows up.

To always have the spirit of adventure to explore, take calculated risks and always keep the curiousity burning - to learn for life.

Note: Just to clarify... When I said I ignored comments, it includes compliments. I humbly thank compliments for Isaac but I don't feel proud. My pride is for my own to enjoy in his development. Having said that, I also do not judge myself. Cos judging myself means, judging others. And this also means comparison. I just bask in my own confidence as Isaac's mummy and the joy of bring a parent. That's as simple as that. And this spirit has been brought into my entire being. Not just parenthood anymore.

Breathing

I am breathing. I am glad. To be breathing. This very simple act of human basic body response is a sign of life!

Yet, have we ever consider the air we breathe?

I just read about noble gases after an enriching conversation this afternoon. Love meeting this friend who always fuels my brain with more perspectives and knowledge.

Instinctively, I came home and researched rare gases. Of them, I saw Argon.

Recently, I saw a documentary film by Tom Shadyac, and Argon was mentioned. I vividly remember it said that Argon exists in the atmosphere since there was an atmosphere. Using Argon as a metaphor to show how interconnected human beings are to our environment, it was said that through breathing in and out of Argon, we share the same breath as those who ever lived. That includes Jesus, Aristotle, the dinosaurs and any other living creatures that breathed!

Breathing the same air, literally! Perhaps that was how this phrase was conjured!

So, gases do stay in our environment. What happens when harmful gases are added to the atmosphere? What if one day, the atmosphere become saturated with the harmful gases?

Will we still be able to continue breathing?

Or at least, breathe with ease?

It is funny how it is so easy for us to forget what the natural human make up is and how entwined we are with nature and our environment.

We have forgotten and only remember our relationship with money - through industrialization and commercialism.

And it was recently as well that I found out Helium is depleting worldwide. That goes to show how one day, everything we have on earth will exhaust from over usage and misuse.

When will human beings realise we need nature to live and not so much of nature needing us to live then?

Will we still be glad till then that we are still breathing when one day, what we breathe are harmful gases?

The Champ in the Making

The 3-Mind Revolution by Brian Caswell and David Ciem of Mindchamps is a must-read! It opens up our eyes for the future!

One of the easiest to digest books ever! It was light-hearted enough with relevant metaphors.

The book talked about the revolution of information and knowledge and described how education is no longer effective with rote learning - like how workers used to assemble products at the production line.

I truly agree.

And rote learning takes the fun away!

We, as human learn from interacting with our environment. If we start confining ourselves to learning things to pass our exams, we are limiting our ability to expand our knowledge.

What I don't ever want for Isaac is to fall into the trap of hating to learn. I would like him to continue to be curious. So he will be able to become creative.

The other thing mentioned was the champion mindset. I remember when I was younger, I used to feel less confident about myself because my classmates were all book smart. They used to teased me too.

As I grew older, I realised the difference. The difference was, I was a non-conformist. I spent more time imagining, setting goals for myself, trying different things, daring to risk failures to pursue my own dreams.

I rebelled the system and hated being in it. I constantly fought it. And until today, I want to be in the system to improve it.

I think of different ways to make things work better. And that makes me different. I have a champion mindset, and not just a follower or someone going after the grades.

And I know myself and what I want. I have found my uniqueness, the passion in me and the things I will fight for.

I believe, with the blessing of God and taking the step to pursue my passion, I will succeed like the champions!

Because, a champion mindset will take me far. And through all the trials and errors, I have found myself, my life purpose and my intention.

Therefore, likewise with Isaac, I want him to have a hunger for life. To fight for his own dreams and passion, and to make it work.

Life is too short to chase after money and materials. We must live life to the fullest, with a purpose and the rest shall be by products of our success. It comes from passion and the heart.

Nurturing God's Kingdom

It is official! I am finally pursuing my passion to teach. Not just to teach but to nurture children while serving God!

My true passion is in early childhood but financially, Baby was more keen in me pursuing other levels of teaching.

God has a way with things. He knows our hearts and he will open the doors he wants us to pursue. So, after several prayers and wonders, He led me to Bethel Presbyterian Preschool.

Not only that, he gave me so many signs and answers regarding my desire to be in his ministry. The whole process was so smooth that I was shocked.

How awesome is our God.

Anyway, I am really glad. I will be professionally bettered and part of the pioneer batch.

I shall follow God's guidance into leading his kingdom and spreading his love!

Seriously, looking forward!

Job with a heart

There are not many jobs in the world where you may put your heart in to do, and feel completely satisfied about it, no matter how hard it may get.

Parenting is such a job.

It is the only job in the world that is 100% challenging but 200% rewarding.

The love, sweat, time and effort put into bringing up a child are insurmountable. But all you need is for your child to smile at you, come to you and give you a hug, call "mama" or simply following you around, you know, your efforts have produced results.

Your child loves you back. It is just that simple.Your child is growing day by day.

Looking back to the initial days when Isaac was born, it often brought such sweet memories, I felt moved.

Parenting is a job where you put in so much effort but you ask for little back in return.

It is also one of the rare jobs where your boss is demanding, difficult and may be somewhat tyrant. Yet, you will continue to serve him whole heartedly and love him deeply.

It is one job where you don't get much tangible benefits yet, you are happiest doing it.

I love my son. Everytime I watch him sleep or sing to him at bedtime, I am in awe at how much he has grown.

This is also my best job, ever.

The Milo Drum

This evening, I was busy doing the dishes and Isaac wanted to be carried so he could meddle with whatever I was doing.

To keep him occupied, I gave him a milo tin to play with. He enjoyed making music and even slammed the tin. I thought it was tightly shut until I heard an explosive sound. Then I saw the milo tin on the floor with a pile of milo powder.

Isaac had run far away from it to a corner, looking frightened and guilty. It was such a funny sight to see him standing frozen, staring at the strange brownish content from his "drum".

At that moment, I wasn't angry at all. I was responsible for it and cleaned up the mess. Whichever the case, it was a way for him to explore our world and let him grow and adapt.

One day, he will love this strange looking powder as much as mummy and daddy!

Dare to Dream

It has been five hectic months for me, transitioning from corporate working life to being a tutor. On top of that, taking on an education advisor role at Mindchamps.

Both have been rewarding and satisfying. Now, rewards and satisfaction need not be monetary. But both have enriched my life. I have learnt so much from all the people I came into contact with, including the children. I have enjoyed teaching them and making a difference in them. Additionally, Mindchamps has taught me invaluable lessons I apply in tuition and in nurturing my own child.

I don't mean to sound narcissistic but my students enjoy my classes! It was funny how one girl went out of the room to check on her mum and then told me she told her mum I extended the class. She did not want to end tuition class. Another girl looks forward to seeing me. Of course, these are how the little ones will react.

For the older kids, I am glad I have built trust and confidence by working with them in achieving improvements and moving towards attaining their objectives. To ensure this, I go the extra mile of providing advises on their study styles, possible career dreams (one needs to dare to dream to create a goal) and even remotely checking their works and explaining over Whatsapp.  That's the beauty of social media.

It is usually touching when children/teenagers adopt a positive attitude towards their studies. And it is very fulfilling to know it is due to what you have done.

Following this stint, I decided to take my passion one step further. I applied to be a MOE teacher. I have always wanted to obtain a teaching certificate. Why not now? There is never a better time. And just in case, for some reason I don't get a call back, I have also applied to be a relief teacher. There is of course no guarantee any of these will come through. But, that's all right. I could always try again or try other avenues.

Of course, God is always in control. I am sure he has the best plan laid out for me. I just need to still my anxious heart and rest on Him.

Anyway, this is my latest quote for myself.

"When you have a dream, pursue it. It may not be fulfilled immediately. But if you persevere, someday, it will come true."- ME

Therefore, one of the things I encourage my students to do, is to dream. Dream about what they want to do in their lives in future. Dreams always start small, fuzzy and uncertain. But it has the effect of leading someone to setting a goal for themselves. And this ability to dream, to think about their future, will lead them down the paths of exploration. Eventually, the explorers will know what they want to do in lives.