A Lesson My Daughter Taught Me

Last year christmas we went to germany to celebrate with family. We were invited to a cousin’s place on the eve of christmas for dinner. After dinner, the cousins opened a room full of presents and within seconds after I realised there were no gifts for my kids. My daughter who is almost 4 off course was excited and in full anticipation of whats in store for her from Santa Claus. Due to miscommunication, we only got gifts for the cousin’s kids and not ours. She then asked me where is her present and instantly my eyes got teary but my husband was quick to remind her that Santa Claus had came early to our home to give her the bicycle that she got before we left for Germany. She was disappointed but did not get all work up or cry about it. She then join in her cousins and join in their excitement of getting the presents. In the midst of excitement, one of our cousin forget that he had brought gifts for our kids. The gifts were christmas socks with goodies in it.My daughter got really excited and was so proud of her little gifts that she start showing it off. She even shared her candies and lollipop to her cousins. Never once she compare or get upset over how small and little the gifts were. She played with the party toys like they were the best toys in the world. I am so proud of her. Very very proud to be her mother.My husband and I were so proud and surprised at how our little girl had grown up mentally. We were so relieved to know she is not materialistic and a grateful kid who feel blessed and complete. She did not throw tantrums but appreciate whatever that has been given to her.Why cant we all have that mentality? We are so into having the best and only the best. We compare what others have and grief over what we don’t have instead of appreciating and be thankful every single day for what we have and given. Since that day, I am giving thanks for all the things in my life. I try not to ask for more than we can have and make the best of what have been given to us.I hope to those who reading this, will start to take a moment everyday and look around and be thankful for what been blessed and given to you. Even a simple meal that fills my stomach I am thankful. There are millions of kids in Africa who are starving and a piece of bread is luxury to them.I am thankful for given this chance to share to you guys. I think thanksgiving should be a daily habit or a daily bread to all of us. When we feel complete and blessed we are able to walk out of our door daily with a smile. Its amazing what a smile can do to others. It makes someone’s bad day bearable and happier. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you make someone’s day much brighter.Have a great day and be blessed.

Homeschooling - The Reward

Few months after Putri was born, we moved to India as expatriate. There was not many good playgroup/nursery there. So when Putri was 2, I decided to homeschooling her. I did not know much about homeschooling but I did it anyway.At first I did what most parents do, get her a lot of books for her to explore. I remember the first few thing I taught her was colours and ABC through singing. Thetas when I realised she was a fast learner. That excites me because frankly I am not very good with small kids when it come to teaching. hahahahahaaSo from then on, I start to read about homeschooling and whats available on the internet. When we move back to Singapore, I decided to put her to a local playgroup once a week. That was fun for her but she was getting bored. So eventually I decided to continue homeschooling her. She learn more and was excited about learning again.As parents we always worry about her social ability. So hubby suggested to try find a decent nursery. I did and we found a montessori just around the corner.. that was when we live in Tanah Merah. She was doing soooo great. The best thing about that montessori school, they taught her according to her ability and exposed her to many advanced tools that they feel she can try on. We were happy she adapt well until we had to move residence because of the crazy increase of high rent. From far east we move to far west.Its been tough for my girl. Moving and to have to stop schooling. So I got back to homeschooling again. So since May 2007 till present, she been home-schooled. During this time, I concentrated on reading. Teaching her the sounds of letters and eventually reading. I am really happy with her achievement. She is able to read pretty good. At least now she can read instructions and do the worksheet on her own. That really boost her confidence.The thing about home-schooled, there was no checklist or any due date to achieve certain goals. So we had fun reading, making stuffs and incorporating any festivals into the lessons. It has been really fun homeschooling her plus those time spent was like a private time between me and her. I have a 2 year old boy who takes a lot of my time. So when he takes his nap, its lesson time for my girl. So she has my full attention and she love that. :)This is the final week of homeschooling. Next week she will be in Kindergarten and my son will be in Nursery1/playgroup. Feels strange but happy. hahahahaha. But I do know as a mum, you are always the teacher in your kids life. And every smile you see when they are happy are the best reward any mum can ask for.So, I hope so much to see lots of smiling moments before and after school. :)God Bless!