Yu Kids Island - Indoor Amusement Park

The four kids (Ian, Ky-Shan, Justin & Jonathan) enjoyed themselves at the indoor amusement park this morning. A great place for them to exercise and expend their energy for the day. Hee hee! Getting a bit tired chasing them around.

The Unexpected Find

I am excited! Never expected to find a library just behind my place (within 100 metres). It gets better - they stock up English books!! My expectations on finding English books in a local branch library aren't high, judging from the fact that English books are usually sold at bigger bookstores like Page One or Eslite.

I was absolutely delighted when I saw a mini shelf full of English books in the children's corner. Besides that, there is an English newspaper, Reader's Digest & Housekeeping Magazine. The rest are all in Chinese.

Here are the books which I borrowed:

For Jonathan - English board books

For Justin - 3 Chinese & 3 English books

For Me - recipe book & "185 Questions Children Ask" by Mariam Stoppard

Which reminds me, I have been investing in quite a number of recipe books lately. In order to provide a balanced and varied food menu to feed the family. The books here are great if you don't mind reading them in Chinese. Titles include "100 types of soup", "72 types of vegetables", "100 must know dishes", "30 day dinner planner including main dish, side and soup" and "92 fish recipes". Something which I can fall back on if I lose inspiration of what to cook.

Ever growing number of cook books

Love, Show It the Right Way

I was reading an article which was attached to Justin's weekly progress report this afternoon. An interesting one entitled "爱要用对方法" that describes how you should bring up your child.

I shall attempt to do some translation from the Traditional Chinese to English. [Yes, after weeks of "torture" trying to figure out how to read Traditional Chinese Characters, I have gotten used to the numerous 笔画 (Chinese Character Strokes)]

(1) Let the Child Learn to be Independent

Parents nowadays love and have high aspirations of their child, so they give the child nothing but the best. However, parents tend to forget something important – children learn through their everyday lives. Whether it’s their school homework or daily life, they need to learn how to take their own responsibilities instead of letting parents worry about them.

For example, if their homework is not finished, parents should not push but remind them. If they forget to bring their book to school, parents should remind them to be more careful next time, and not be their savior by bringing the book to their school.

(2) Reading Starts from Home, Action Speaks Louder than Words

You often hear parents telling the child, “Go and read your books”. But how often do you see parents themselves sitting down quietly to read books? Set a good example and your child will follow.


(3) Love them by Spending Time with them

Saying words like “I love you” is not enough to show a child you love him. Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, take some time off from work for your child. Go to the park, watch a movie, play board games. Time with them is more precious than buying presents to make up for hours away from them. Remember, they need your presence, not presents.


(4) Learn to Let Go – Allow your Child to Soar

Experience is the Child’s best learning process. Unfortunately, most Parents tend to be afraid that the Child will be hurt in the process. So they try means and ways to protect the Child from harm. For a Child to be strong, he needs to have experienced failure.

Of course, the Parent must assess the Child’s age and capabilities to gauge how much to ‘let go’. Giving proper encouragement and guidance is a better option than, say, doing homework for the Child.

Growing Up - Jon

It seemed just a while ago that Jonathan was only a little baby boy. How time flies. He has progressed from sitting up, crawling to walking. He looks so grown up in the video clip.

The poor boy has been staying at home for the past few days due to the rainy weather. Today he opened the shoe cabinet, took out his Barney shoes and sat on the stool waiting for me to wear them for him. After putting them on, he started walking around the house. (*Smiles*)

Jonathan trying to jump on the bed after watching Kor Kor