Wednesday, March 18, 2009

I am 11 months old!! Elijah.. Mar 2009




Elijah is now 11 months old. And quite a handful. Many a times, he will struggle if you don't put him down while carrying him. He's still not ready to walk but he wants to. And instead of walking, he runs! So here's Elijah, hole up in his cot.

Dancing and Singing on my birthday .. Mar 2009

My talented son, Ethan, dancing and singing.




I also can feel the pleasure of seeing my son enjoy himself. his boost in confidence in evidence to his growth.

Spanking.. right or wrong? ..Mar 2009

OK. Have you spanked your kid before? I have. Todate, I've probably spanked Ethan perhaps 2 times. Spanking means 1 smack to his buttocks using my palm.

Am I proud of it. NO! No parent (I would assume, a loving parent) would want to spank his/her kid. But spanking is 1 form of punishment among many. It is perhaps the most serious. It is meant to shout "wake up" and "stop". Like an emergency brake before an accident. You would only use it very rarely. That means that if you have other means which will better teach your kid, then you should use it.

Another reason is also perhaps an act of desperation. When you don't know what to do to teach your kid. I do personally say that I don't condone spanking. But there will be moments when spanking is necessary. Yet, restrain is necessary as well. Let's remember that your kid will always be a minor and only a kid. Like I'd said. It is means as a "stop what you are doing" purpose. Nothing more.

Another technique would be our version of naughty chair. If Ethan is naughty, he sits on the stairs. He doesn't like it. And nowadays, this is a better solution. I think it depends on kids. Ethan, being more mild mannered knows that when I say sit at the stairs, it is very serious. It also means, "stop what you are doing".

I am glad I don't need to spank Ethan for a long time. I am also glad, my son obeys me, not because he is scared of me, but he knows that when Papa is serious, Papa needs to be obeyed. But I also explains, or someone else explains to him why he needs to listen. I also make a point to hug him and love him 1 hour after the whole episode.

I am proud my sons loves me deeply. And I believe there is a level of respect in their love. I don't abuse their love. If I promise them something, I will get it done, no question about it.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Its a ritual.. free ice-cream for the B'day boy.. compliments from Swensens.. Mar 2009

Thank you Swensens. Again. you are part of my family's celebrations. You are an important part of our family. Because we will always remember that we share moments of joy and laughter in your restaurant. Thank you..

Ethan's B'day at home.. mar 2009




Ethan's B'day celebation was a close family affair with only great grand uncle steven's family attending. We didn't tell them until they came over. I think spending B'days with close family is important. No objective to achieve; no invite cards to send, and everyone can just do what they want. We got the durian cake again. Keep in mind, durian cake is kong-kong's favorite cake. We are all happy. and so is Ethan..











Happy Birthday Ethan.. you're 3. not 2! Mar 2009
















Happy B'day my son. For those who wants to celebrate their kid's B'days in school, you've got to inform the school in advance n prepare a cake big enough to feed the whole class.. Honestly, why bother? I'venot really celebrated my B'day in a party for decades. But for a kid, its special. I want to shout out loud that I love my kis; that's why parents bother to celebrate their kids' B'days. Will he know the effort put in to those celebrayions? not really. But we do it, because we want to do it. we hope to share our passion with Ethan's classmates; that our precious is 3. Hee.. fyi, Ethan still insist he is only 2. haha..