Category Archives: Parenting

Separation Anxiety

Posted by Jewelle Tan on March 21, 2010 None comments

Even though their father has been away for several days, the kids did not seemed to miss him much.

Nobody asked when he is coming back and nobody got me to call him so they could talk to him. Perhaps they are occupied by our house guests that his absence is easily forgotten. After all, on normal days he is only home after work and it is me whom they expect to see around all the time.

So even though I long to go for a short holiday away without the kids, I know it is not possible – without much drama. Their father is very capable of looking after them but they will make it hard for him. Just imagine when I can get a call asking me to come home – 5 mins into a  short shopping trip. Definitely a headache and adult acne-inducing kind of stress that he does not need and I cannot force on him.

If there is one disadvantage to being a stay at home mum, this can be one.

Walker

Posted by Jewelle Tan on March 15, 2010 None comments

A close friend delivered her second child last week even though it really felt like only months ago when we discussed about her morning sickness, prenatal vitamins and labour pains during her FIRST pregnancy!

Much like how I feel sometimes when I look at my kids pictures and see how they have grown.

My youngest child is now very mobile and able to come up and down the 2 steps staircase in our living room, unassisted. She no longer needed the baby walker and luckily we didn’t have to get a new one as she only used it for a few months!

This ancient (which we bought for my eldest child when she was a baby 6 years ago) and well-used walker is now due for the dumpster.

And since I no longer use this controversial piece of baby equipment – with many childcare professionals issuing warnings about its use – I can say that with basic common sense such as not leaving babies in it without supervision for a long time or letting baby use it when there are staircases, this equipment is as safe as most things that we use for babies.

Kids Expenses

Posted by Jewelle Tan on February 20, 2010 2 comments

A few friends are expecting their bundle of joy soon.

One has already started her maternity leave and judging from on how regular her blog is now updated, we can safely assume that she is having a little too much time in hand since she is used to the busy life of a career mom.

But I enjoyed reading her latest post on her baby wish-list. I am especially keen on the portable rocking chair although the price is a bit too steep for my liking. As for the other stuffs, as I told her we are a family of hands-me-down-and-waste-it-not so we are proud of the fact that many of our baby items have been used by my all of my kids (those that have not been destroyed by them, that is).

Baby walkers, porridge thermos, baby crib, baby blankets are handed down from my eldest and are now used by my youngest.

In fact, the most expensive spending we made so far, in regards to the kids, were their delivery as I had all of them in a private clinic although I had my regular check-ups in the government clinics where I did not have to spend on organic prenatal vitamins.

Let’s hope that the next big spending would be when we pack them off to universities.

No Video Games For Them

Posted by Jewelle Tan on September 15, 2009 2 comments

Reading this news article on “Concern over video games“, it reminded of the times when we used to call electronic games, “game and watch”.

When I was in upper primary school, we used to have a neighbour friend who has one of this cool gadget. Despite his sometimes annoying attitude, we remained civil to him because of this – which he’d sometimes lent to us when he was in the right mood.

My parents certainly never got this or any of those gaming gadget for me but I don’t miss not having them. There were too many other things to do!

My childhood was spent mostly outdoors. Walking for miles, exploring places – which when I think back gave me the goosebumps. I had so much freedom and I could only do what I did because I lived in safe places, in a safe time.

Unfortunately, my girls will not get to experience all those that I did – because even though we still live in a safe place, times are different and I can’t even let them play outside the house without supervision and imagination running wild.

Still, I’d rather they do more physical exploring – than having them glued to the monitor or TV.

So even though they’d love to have this kind of game and no matter what kind of benefits this kind of entertainment gadget afforded, they will not be getting any video game any time soon.

Noni Leaves To Prevent Jaundice

Posted by Jewelle Tan on March 14, 2009 1 comments

One of the most aggravating memory I had when I gave birth to Eu 5 years ago was the conversation I had with the Paediatrician at the clinic where I delivered her.

“Is there anyone who can help you check if the baby turns yellow?“

Perhaps I looked blank – as anyone would I think when asked such a dumb question – that he repeated his question with an annoyed tone. The first of his many ways that say only one thing – poor people skill.

Needless to say, I was glad when the clinic engaged another Paediatrician who is kind and patient that the kids absolutely liked her.

But the point is of this post is – jaundice.

Recently I came to know of a few friends whose babies came down with jaundice after birth. And I thought for the benefit of other expecting mothers who might not know of this method, I would like to share my mother’s tip to prevent jaundice.

I have never asked her where she learn this technique from but thanks to her, none of my children had jaundice.

And her tip is the leaves of the noni tree or mengkudu.

When I was expecting Eu, she had some mengkudu bush growing in her garden as that was also the time when everyone was raving about the health benefits of this fruit.

All she did was boil the leaves and used the cooled water to bath my girls – specifically to prevent jaundice.

I cannot promise that this is a guaranteed way but it worked for my all girls so perhaps it is worth a try. By the way, she also bought a lot of herbs to bath the girls with – and one of the most interesting one was what the Chinese physician claimed will ensure that the girls never get any pimples!

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