My 8-year-old asked me today why my laptop is STILL password-protected.

Unlike my husband’s computer which is now locked permanently (because one of them accidentally changed the settings of his display that it took many brain-cells to return it to working order), mine was supposed to be locked ONLY temporarily – as a punishment for disobeying one of my instructions.

The duration of the punishment is long over but it is easier to let the lock stays in place.

Now the 8-year-old and 6-year-old (who are adept at switching on the laptop by themselves) have to find other traditional and non-gadget-related source of entertainment – one that requires no tapping, clicking or sliding to entertain themselves.

Because they have no choice.

So, learn to play a yoyo, one of you?

As I was tucking in my daughters, the eldest said, “We had a great day today, mom“.

It was a non-school day and they were up early. They were outside by 7 am on their scooters or bicycles – and they probably woke everyone else within hearing distance too.

In one hour time, they helped me prepared pancakes for breakfast – and nearly finished them before the plate even reached the table.

Then they were back outside for some more rounds before they started their favorite in-house activity – running a “restaurant” from our spare living room which is now only useable by others when they are in bed at night.

Throughout the whole day, sounds of little feet were heard upstairs and downstairs and no adults were left unpestered with their “What’s your order?” and “Here’s your order!” – and we can’t even “drink” or “eat” our “ordered food” in peace.

With their running up and down – taking and sending “orders” not to mentioned riding outside at any time of the day – they were often hungry and they ate nearly all the time!

Tired out from their busy day, they were in bed early and were asleep in seconds.

And as I watched them breathing contently in their sleep, I can happily say that, I too had a great day having them at home.

One thing my kids are very good at is imaginative role-playing.

And the most skillful at this is my middle child who thinks nothing of picking up pencils or cutlery or whatever else is at hand and turn them into characters – with conversations and drama.

She also masterminded an original game which involves a bucket with water or a sinkful of water, some toy animals – and there she would stay in the bathroom role-playing with lots and lots of dramas!

As weird as this game is, I prefer her indulging in it instead of for e.g. one of her habit of draping herself over a movable chair, swirling around and around, threatening to break the wheels from the casters or run over someone’s foot when she is bored.