Photo Credit It’s one of those phone numbers I saved for ease of use but interestingly, when it flashed on my phone early one Monday morning (ya, Monday), I wished I wasn’t staring at the very number I saved, because it sent thousands of alarm bells ringing in those 3 seconds or so that it was flashing - ‘School’. It couldn’t that she had forgotten to bring something important as we had personally gone through the schoolbag the night before, including forms to submit and a twig she was to … [Read more...]
I could have done a million things – An ode to purposeful abandonment
I could have done a million things. Yes, those readings, assignments, all piling up without mercy. I could have done a million things. Yes, those adult 'paperwork’ - bills to pay, emails to reply, deadlines to meet. I could have done a million things. How about coffee with some old friends? Aleric, Carol, Eric....Haven’t met them for awhile now. Wonder how they've been? Maybe they are busy too, who isn't? I could have done a million things. Uninterrupted 'me-time' to … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Primary 1 Dad…Real Struggles Faced By P1 Kids (& Their Parents)…
We were at a dinner function when I glanced from the corner of my eye and saw my daughter, all of 7 year old, reading intently a write up on Taylor Swift and bobbing her head to the singer’s tune which I eventually learnt to be ‘Shake it off’. Funny, that was exactly what I had trouble doing - ’shaking off’ the reality that my daughter, who barely a year ago, was still singing musical highlights from Rodgers and Hammerstein with me in the car, has just added the likes of ‘Tay Tay’ and One … [Read more...]
The Year in a Snap…with Orange Studios
Snap…and we’re done! I was moved when I saw the photos while sitting in the comfortable viewing room of Orange Studios. While watching the slideshow put together for our family by Ryan the photographer and his wife Winnie, I can’t help but to breathe a sigh of relief and pause. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFbFKkTa0oE It's ironic that even though I’ve shot thousands of photographs this year, I could rarely capture a good one of the family. It was made challenging as our little … [Read more...]
A Letter from Prison: How Parents Want The Best for Their Kids
“Please Sir; please let me know how she is doing in school...” As an educator for close to two decades, I’ve interacted and conversed with scores of parents of all backgrounds and from all walks of life. From talking to them about their child’s progress at Parent Teacher Meetings to at times, listening and trying to help them find a way out of domestic issues at home. But never have I come across this, a handwritten letter penned from a Mother who is currently incarcerated in Changi … [Read more...]
{Giveaway} Junior Explorers: Discovering our Planet!
‘This is way cool!’ ‘Where did you get these cards and learning materials from?’ Instead of the daughter, it was I, the Daddy, who was intrigued about the contents of the latest Junior Explorers ‘Mission Box’ that had just arrived in our mailbox (which I just happened to lay hands on before the daughter did). After I investigated the contents within the Welcome Kit and Mission Envelope, I couldn't wait to embark on the mission with my daughter! We know that the key to effective … [Read more...]
And off he goes…a new milestone for Alexander
Seven years ago, as first time parents, we had no family support. We struggled, oh we did. We tried various ways of making it work: from hiring maids whom we thought we could entrust the baby to after I resume work, to sending the baby all the way to my late Grandma's house at the far western side of Singapore every morning at 6.30am...But reality has it that none worked. Out of desperation, we sent our 4 month-old Dana to an infant-care centre 15mins' drive away from our … [Read more...]
‘Think Happy Thoughts’ – My 1st MRI Experience
I held on to the blue squeezy thing with my right hand…not too tightly. My heart palpitating, my mind racing fast. “Should I squeeze it or should I not ?” this thought raced through my mind hundreds of time within those few seconds. 5 minutes ago, the nurse had just had me strapped in. ‘Alright, Mr. Sim, this will take 20 minutes. We will begin in 50 seconds’. These were the words of the nurse as she strapped me securely to the MRI machine, tugged me in a warm blanket, gave me ear plugs (It … [Read more...]
Love changes everything…or does it?
Love is the foundation of parenting. You may truly love your children, but unless they feel it, they will not feel loved. It’s 6:45am on a Public Holiday and the PSI (Pollutants’ Standard Index) is hovering at 200 (Unhealthy level). Singapore faces another hazy and unhealthy day of smog from man-made forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia. Looks like I have to shelf my much-anticipated cycling and swimming plan with the kids later but for now, I’m out buying breakfast for the … [Read more...]
Say you, Say me: Bringing out the worst…from the best in parents
It's not just sleepless nights that cause parents to argue - divided opinion on parenting can also cause us to snap at our spouses. One of the toughest challenges as a married couple is when we do not see eye to eye on issues pertaining to number one, finances and number two, raising our children. Sometimes, you can clearly state your rationale but your spouse (note the lack of endearing term here) disagree because he/she thinks her viewpoints ought to be validated too. In fact, it … [Read more...]
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