Tag: Children

Try these simple fun toys to entertain your kids!

YT bath toy

We are often guilty of spoiling our kids with buying expensive toys or simply too many toys to compensate for less time spent with them or maybe just to satisfy our shopping urge.  These toys often do not last their interest for more than 3 days.  The next thing you see is your child kicking some round object lying on the floor or swinging a torchlight by its string.  Then you start to wonder where is the $50 toy you bought 2 days ago.

Here is a list of simple fun and entertaining toys that I find kids love. Best part is they are cheap fun!  And yes, all the expensive “i-“s and screen type gadgets do not make into this list.

1. Balls
Balls of all sizes are bound to keep your kids entertained.  Bring them along whenever you go to a park or places with considerable space.  There are so many games to play with a ball.  Dribbling, kicking, passing around, bouncing off a wall, heading, spinning on a finger tip, spinning on the floor, rolling, the ideas are endless.  It is best for children’s party too.

2. Balloons
Balloons are fun for kids.  The little ones love to hit the balloons and see if they can maintain them in the air for as long as possible. They are great for parties too.  You can always end the party with a game of bursting the most number of balloons.  Just be sure there are no little ones who fear loud sounds.

3. Water
Water is always fun.  If you do not have a bathtub, get an inflatable rubber pool and put it in the balcony or middle of the kitchen (yes kitchen! we have small apartments in this part of the world, no private gardens here), add in some bowls, leaking containers, bottles, colourful balls and you’ll be sure the kids will be entertained for hours.

4. Bubbles
Blowing bubbles is sure to attract most kids, even babies to the bubbling source.  Bring the bubble bottle or the handheld bubbling gun to the playground. It’s a fast and sure way to know other parents in the neighbourhood.  Ehh, probably dads will like this more.. to know other yummy mummies…

5. Bottles 
Unbreakable bottles of any shapes and sizes create endless fun too.  Put in some grains like rice or green beans, and you are off to a musical show-off.  They can be great bathtub toys!  Baby YT loves them when the bottle mouth bubbles when I put it under water and then pour out the water from a height.  Show off your creativity by using bottles to make bottle animals like what Mister Maker teaches.  Paint a bottle, stick some gluey eyes and hands, you have your little bottle animal!

6. Papers
Papers, on its own, or coupled with colour pencils, scissors and glue, are certainly time-killer for kids. Teach your kids origami or have a little competition to see whose folded planes soar the furthest and longest.  Add some stencils to make colouring fun.

Do you have more ideas on simple fun toys / games??  Leave a reply in the comment box!

Deciding when to have kids

Many friends whom I know, including myself, would love to start plan B (B for Baby) after they have enjoyed their marriage for about 2 years.  That’s a reasonable time before committing themselves to parenthood for life.  Well, statistics show that many are putting off marriage till early 30s or mid-30s.  That could only mean that plan B will start mid-30s and late 30s and there comes increasing complications, particularly in health.  Not to mention that waiting for a successful pregnancy may be longer.

What is in store for those who start plan B late?

1. Fewer kids

If a couple were to have their first baby at the age of 32, they will be less likely to have more than 2 kids.  It is more ideal that there is a space of at least 18 months between 2 pregnancies for the womb and body to recover from childbirth stress.  Family planning will see that the 2nd child be delivered at the age of 34 and beyond, and the 3rd will be over 35 which the woman will fall into the high risk category.  Exceptions will probably be those delivering twins or triplets.

2. Energy level goes down with age

Those who have children will know that children’s energy levels will always surpass that of their parents.  It’s tiring to keep up with the kids’ energy level.  From day 1, they demand night feeds which really zap energy like a thirsty hippo.  In toddler days, the wobbly walking and head over heels running will keep you on your toes behind them, back bent forwards with arms outstretched to anticipate falls.  When they master running, you wonder why they hardly walk anymore.  I often imagine XX and YH’s feet fitted with rockets.  Whenever we return from my parent’s house for dinner, we have to walk through this long corridor at about 830pm.  Then their “rockets” start to propel them down the corridor despite countless fore-warnings to walk quietly.  Kel and I wonder if the opposite would happen if we have shouted “RUN!  RUN FASTER!”.

3. You may be mistaken as your children’s grandparents

Unless you upkeep your image, you may be mistaken for your children’s granny or grandpa if you are not careful.  By the time your youngest child reaches 20 years old, you could be near 60!  My parents were already grandparents when they were 50 and 55 years old.  But those were the generation of early marriage and parenthood.  This would only get worse with each generation procrastinating plan B.

4. Complications in pregnancy and health

There are many risks with getting pregnant beyond the age of 35.  Rates of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy go up with age.  In fact, these women will have to go through genetic counselling and genetic testing to screen or diagnose for birth defects.  Of course, all pregnancies may come with birth defect risk, but age factor raises this risk substantially.  The older you are to get pregnant, the higher the risk of getting chronic disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.  You can visit babycenter for more information on this.

5. Better handle kids when you are older

This is perhaps the only positive reason I can think of for having children at an older age.  Being older may mean that you can handle babies and young children with more patience compared to when you were in your mid-20s. You may be at a more matured mental state to handle crying babies and demanding children and you’ll be able to enjoy your children more. I find myself handling my 3rd baby better than I did when I had my first child.  Experience plays a part, but I am calmer and more at ease to face the challenges of child-rearing now than before.  Financially, you may be more stable and that eliminates one major stress factor, making plan B more affordable.

Considering the above factors, I think it is good to start plan B as early as possible into your marriage.  When I delivered XX, my first child, I was 26, YH when I was 28 and now YT when I was 33.  I could feel lots of difference when I was pregnant in my 20s compared to my 30s.  The greatest difference was my energy level. It was much lower when I was pregnant with my 3rd baby.  I got tired easily and was sleepier than before.  I was not as agile as my first 2 pregnancies and walked with much difficulties during the last 2 weeks before I delivered.  Even the delivery saw me push 4 times before the baby was out compared to 2 times with my other 2.

Have children early and never think that you are not ready for them.  The moment the crying newborn is put into your hands, you are a MUM or DAD.  There will be no doubt that the baby trusts you entirely for his happiness.  If such a little one can trust you, you can do it!

What’s your ideal age for having kids?

5 Indoor Places to go with your kids

Here are my 5 simple indoor places to bring your kids to.

1. Indoor Playground (Fidgets)

This is located in Old Turf City at Bukit Timah Road.

Like many indoor playground, it has all the play areas. But what we like about this place is that it has a separate area for below 2 years old, a separate one for 2-4 years old and the main play area for all ages. The large main play area has many play themes that kids will not be bored with. The cafeteria and sofas are just beside the younger play areas. Parents will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee while keeping a lookout for their young ones.

Admission fees: $19 (2-10 years old), $10 (under 2 years old), free (adults and babies under 1 year old)

2. Time zone Arcade

We like the Time zone Arcade at Compass Point. It has many games appropriate for younger kids. The popular ones are the small bowling lanes, basketball throws, Percussion game, roll up balls into holes, and Air Hockey Table game. After the games, kids can have the joy to redeem the gifts using their e-tickets.

Fees: A pre-paid Timezone card to play the games

3. Safra Yishun Swimming Pool

This is our favourite swimming pool so far. Safra Yishun Swimming Pool has 1 long slide and 1 short slide that all ages can play. There is a man-made waterfall where you can stand under to enjoy the pitter-pattering of water on your shoulders.  (However, recently the slides have been closed for renovations.)  There is a baby pool, a learning pool for kids, an Olympic size pool and a pool with Jacuzzi. Music is played throughout the day and on some weekdays evening, they play romantic songs and soothing music while you soak in the pool.

Another attractive feature of the pool is that there is warm water for shower which is important when you have kids. You will find that bathing them is a breeze. The luxurious space in the shower area and separate changing area is definitely another draw for us. You do not need to bring along shampoo and shower gel as each shower room has a shampoo cum shower gel dispenser unless you prefer using your own.

Admission Fees: Free for Safra members, $3 for guest on weekends

(This place is actually outdoor, but I find it such a cozy setting especially in the evening, I have decided to add to this list.)

4. ChangiAirport Terminal 3

Amazingly, Changi Airport Terminal 3 is SO kids-friendly, tourists or passengers in transit would have mistaken the terminal as a shopping mall rather than an airport. Weekends are packed with families with young kids. What’s fun is an area with big stencil tracing blocks where kids or adults can colour on with the crayons and paper available. Also, there is a 12 metre tall jumbo twister slide and a shorter one for the less adventurous. There is an area for television viewing tuned to Cartoon network where you can deposit your kids there while you shop around the vicinity.

Not only that, there is an indoor playground located in Terminal 3 , B2 as well.  It’s called Singkids.  Check out this Japanese designed PlaySystem as they called it!

Admission Fees: Singkids – $18 per 2 hrs (off-peak), $18 per hour (peak)

5. Ikea Tampines

Ikea is a famous kids-friendly furniture mall. Over at Ikea Tampines, there is an indoor play area for kids while the parents shop around or enjoy the famous Swedish balls at the cafeteria near it. Even the cafeteria has a small round play area for kids while the parents eat and watch their kids beside it. Kids above 4 can sign up as members of småles kids club where they can have a sticker with each visit and use the stickers to redeem small gifts.

Shopping at Ikea is a pleasant experience. The kids can’t wait to reach the kids furniture area where all the things are kids’ size. There are toys to play too. Everything is so adorable even to the eyes of parents; it’s hard not to get something from here.

Admission Fees: Free

Do you have other interesting places to bring kids to?

Sibling Rivalry – an important phase of growing up

My first 2 kids, XX and YH, are 2 years 2 mths apart.  They are of opposite gender, they do almost everything together.  They play together, eat together, snack together, sleep together in the same room, bathe together (sometimes), go to same pre-school and next year, same primary school, learn the same instrument (piano), watch the same cartoon, etc.  This may sounds like they are the BFF (best friends forever) and you would have thought they are the perfect siblings anyone would love their kids to be.  However, the truth is, they are just like any other siblings, they squabble most times too!   

Because of their close age gap, they quarrel over almost anything. They fight over who has the bigger cookie, whose cup has the higher juice level (adults would never have noticed such microscopic difference).  They fight over who sleeps beside their mummy or even which direction my face turns to while I sleep beside them!  They fight for the same toys.  You would have thought they play different nature of toys because they are not of the same gender. But apparently YH likes pink, likes Hello Kitty, likes girlish plushies or whatever his sister likes. That irritates XX and there it goes with complaints and squabbles.  They fight over who play the piano first, whose turn to give their baby brother biscuit…and on and on they go.  

This sibling rivalry can start early in the morning when they are hypersensitive to slight disturbance (or not).  They kick up fuss on the slightest increase in decibel when the other kid talks, on the slightest touch on their body even though it may be just touching the hair ends.  It got worse in the evening, especially if they miss their afternoon nap during the weekends.  These squabbles get on my nerves particularly when I am busy with the baby or just got home from work.  On days that I lose my cool, I will shout out from wherever I am, and sometimes, that doesn’t work as my shouts got lost as my voice travels across the house. 

 

I have tried many ways, from shouts, punishment, trying to find out whose fault it is to following parenting advice of bringing myself down to their level, look them in the eye and let them feel I empathize with them.  Although some of the ways above may work, I cannot keep up with the speed new squabbles start as soon as the previous one ends.

My takeaways from handling years of sibling rivalries:

1. Leave them to solve the squabbles themselves

No matter how hard you try to listen and be fair, you will never find out who started what.  So, it is best to leave them to solve the problems themselves, provided the problem is not a serious one, like attacking the other kid with a sharp object.  You can suggest ways to help them work it out themselves.  For example, asking how they can resolve the problem, whether taking turns will work, or throwing dice to decide who goes first. 

2. Acknowledge their bad feelings

This works quite well as far as I have tried.  When your child comes running towards you, stop whatever you are doing, look them in the eye, show him that you are really listening to what he has to say / complain / pour, and tell them “I know you are feeling upset because your sister did not want to share her toy……”  By acknowledging how upset he/she is, this would help to end the bad feeling fast and the child would be in a better mood to handle the conflict, or divert to doing something else. 

3. Re-visit the squabbles after the incident

I don’t do this frequent, partly because the kids are not interested and the incident was over and they forgot how they felt earlier to want to hear much about it.  But for those that warrant high attention like hitting or kicking or attacking as a reaction to solving the conflict, I would need to reiterate my point and discuss ways to prevent such things from happening. 

4. Controlling emotions

Sometimes one kid can be so emotionally overwhelmed, he may resort to hurting the other sibling with violent means due to loss of control.  This happened a few times with YH, which started as young as when he was only 2 years old.  It is not frequent, but at times, he finds it hard to control his anger and can act out really badly.  It is important for me and his dad to recognize this as not a case of naughtiness, but a reaction which he cannot control.  When this happens, the first thing to do is to hug him tight, really, really tight to calm him down.  It works all the time.  And then come the part of soothing him, acknowledging his emotions and then letting him know we object to such behaviour and help him learn how to manage his anger.

 

All in all, I feel XX and YH, at this age, are BFF.  They learn more about each other, care for each other and grow up with each other through “fighting” it out.  I am sure as they grow up, they will fight less, each living his/her own life as they get busier with school and all. At least, they will look back and laugh at their childishness and reminisce their childhood days spent together be it happily or angrily.

Oh dear! My boy likes pink!

Prior to YH turning 6, he has been liking everything his sister likes. Ranging from the colour pink to Hello Kitty toys to cute girlish plushies.  His sister XX pulls a face every time he follows her in choosing something she has chosen, which is usually something girlish.

Since he was a baby, many strangers would mistook him for a girl. The last we heard such comment was when he was already 3 years old!  It doesn’t help much that his lips are red and always wet with his saliva. His kisses are wet too.  That probably explains the misunderstanding.

At school, YH plays mostly with girls.  He says the boys are too violent, which puzzles me because he can be rough too.

While YH insists on wanting the same girly thing as his sister, most times, we let him be.  Kel and I are not overly concerned as we believe that such a phase will eventually pass.  We do not make fun of him nor discourage his preferences.  Pink is just a colour and a sweet colour too.  Only social norm defines such colour to belong to girls, and blue to boy.  That does not sound quite fair to designate a colour to a gender.  Why can’t boy likes pink and girl likes blue?

As for liking Hello Kitty and plushies, who can resist the cute cuddly cat? It’s just a preference.

Now that YH is already 6 years old, he sheds off this preference of pink and Hello Kitty gradually.  He likes to play with his favourite mammoth and dinosaurs, and recently, plays transformer toys and chooses an “Iron Man” shirt.  He even said to me just 2 weeks ago, that Hello Kitty is for girls!  (It was just last year that I bought a Hello Kitty for him!)

It’s interesting to see this change in him and it just goes to show that his earlier girly preference is really a passing phase.  He still prefers to play with girls in his pre-school.  His teachers even feedbacked that he is a “ladies man”.  Apparently, a few of his female classmates have gone to express their love for him!  Haha!  Yet, he only has his favourite “girlfriend” and it has always been this girl since Nursery 2 (4 years old).

Well, Kel and I are not too worried about this “girlfriend” thingy.  It might as well be another passing phase too.  Err.. actually I have secretly done a screening of this “girlfriend” of his, she is a mature, caring young lady who passes her hanky to YH when he sweats under the sun.  Kel and I wouldn’t mind if one day YH brings back a girlfriend who happens to be by the same name. 😛