Category Archives: EE-ssues of parenting

I Ain’t Growing Strawberries!!

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve recently come across the term called “The Strawberry Generation” which is used in Asia to describe people born between 1981 and 1991, who just like strawberries, bruise easily under pressure. It is said that children of this generation are often overprotected by their parents, spoiled and selfish. Similarly, we have the Gen Y in the western world. My thought is that if this is what’s happening to the teens and young adults now, then what will it be like when my children enter their teenage years, which really isn’t too far away. How should I teach and guide them so that they don’t end up being just the smart brains yet having no clues about responsibilities, humility, diligence and respect?

1 Samuel 16:7, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I want my children to understand that their self-worth is not based on the outward such as academic achievements or talents, but their self-worth is developed through understanding their value in God and being confidant of His love. Yes, I know it is easier said than done. At times, I feel the pressure to compare my children with others, quietly wishing that they could be “better”, “smarter”……but deep in my heart, I know what I really want for them, that they will love God with all their hearts, serve Him with all their might, and pursue His call with all their lives. In saying this, I recognise fully that I NEED GOD, need His grace, need His wisdom, and I’m thankful that He’s given me the responsibilities as well as the privileges of parents.

IMG_1840

My motivations for baking…

Posted on by
Reply

2 years ago, I made (not baked exactly, as it was chocolate Tiramisu) my first cake for hubby’s birthday. And for some reasons, I’ve been baking regularly ever since.

Some people asked how I had all the time to bake, considering I’m a working mum of two. I suppose when I’m motivated, I’d find time to do it and the best time for me would be during the night when both kids are asleep. Big E was never a good sleeper. She would wake up 2-3 times every night so I never bothered about baking. Then things changed when Small E arrived. Big E began to sleep through finally, though not quite consistently at the age of 3! God is gracious and really knows what I can bear. Small E is a much better sleeper. Although he’s not the kind of Angel Baby, he is quite easy when it comes to sleep. Or should I say he’s relatively easy comparing to his sister. Sleep training worked for him and he could sleep for ‘longer” and more predictable hours. It was in that 2 hour sleep window that I baked most of the time.

Oh OK, coming back to motivations for baking.

1. My love for my kids!!! I believe this is the no.1 motivation for all the baking mums out there. We just love our kids and want to give them the best, don’t we?

2. Cakes from shops are way too sweet for my liking. I usually reduce the amount of sugar by 25-50% from that of the original recipe.

2. Healthier, yummier – I get to control what goes down their tummies!

3. Much cheaper!!!

My little man turned 2 a couple of weeks ago. I baked cupcakes for the celebration at childcare and a birthday cake for the party we held at home. Man, that was a lot of baking, icing……and cleaning, BUT it was all worth it, you know why.

Tiny Teddy Chocolate cupcakes

Tiny Teddy Chocolate Cupcakes (with cherries)

“close-enough” Wiggles Birthday Cake – Orange chiffon cake and mini chocolate cupcakes

The gift of motherhood

Posted on by
Reply

On Mothers’ Day, all the mums in church received appreciation and honour for what they have done for their families. “Sacrifice”, “love”, “care”, “give” and “cook” were the words that were frequently mentioned in the service. To the husbands and children, mothers are literally “God-sent”. To the mums themselves (and myself), motherhood is a gift from God. Why did I say that? Because as I give myself to my family, what I receive in return is a deeper understanding of God’s heart which is just so precious.

“For God so love the world that He gave His only Son….” (John 3:16) I often wondered what motivated Christ to sacrifice himself to die for us sinners. I know it was because of His love for us, BUT I don’t just want to know it in my head, I want to be able to identify with Him in my heart. One day as I was just doing some chores in the kitchen, a thought crossed my mind – if my daughter is in danger, I’d protect her with my own life. No hesitation, no second-thought, just do it! This is exactly how God feels towards us. Our Heavenly Father would do anything to save us, even when it means sacrificing His own life.

How does God really feel towards our sins? One afternoon, Big E’s childcare teacher came to me when I was there picking her up. She pointed out Big E’s misbehaviour that required correction. Ouch!!! That really hurt. On one hand I understood E did it purely because she was just a kid, but on the other hand, it was really painful to discover that “seed” of ……rebellion (couldn’t find a better word). I was worried and disappointed. If that was how I felt towards my daughter’s innocent act, how much more painful will it be for my Heavenly Dad when I sin?

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ – Phillippians 3:8

Here comes the most dreaded word…

Posted on by
Reply

“Mummy, I don’t feel very well. I have painful chest and painful tummy.” That wasn’t what I’d like to hear on an early Sunday morning while driving to church. Before I could decipher whether Big E was really sick or she was just trying to “joke”, I heard the familiar cough and there it came……the almost projectile vomit.

My poor darling was sitting in that pool of vomit while I desperately tried to make a U-turn to go back. Little E continued to sit quietly, most likely trying to digest what had just happened.

So here comes again …..Gastroenteritis!

Somehow, both my kids seem to be more prone to catch gastro bugs whenever they come around and because of that, I think I’ve become pretty experienced in dealing with that. I’ve even got a mental check-list after numerous practices. Here you go:

1. Cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. Use whatever I can find; old T-shirts, towels, wipes, tissues etc, depending on where it happens.

2.  Separate, if possible, the “victim” from others to prevent spreading of the virus. Give a firm order “don’t touch each other”

3.Remove all clothings and linens that have been in contact with the vomit and wash them in one load with hot water.  (Sometimes I just throw away those that are beyond rescue)

4. Ask both of them to wipe their hands with hand sanitiser (and remind them again not to touch each other)

5. Mop the floor with antiseptic solution and spray antiseptic air freshener liberally.

6. Take out my big yellow bowl and be ready for the next vomit.

7. Lastly, pray and entrust everyone to God :)

And….there’s one more…how to rid that lingering odour of vomit?? Got a great tip from a friend that used to work as an air-steward. Apparently they place coffee sachets on the air-plane to remove the smell of vomit from passengers. I found an expired one in the pantry and put it in my car, waited for 10 minutes and returned to find instead of the stinky smell of vomit, a nice aroma of expresso!

I liked the aroma so much that I even put one in my bathroom.

So next time when you’ve finished cleaning up the vomit, sit down and reward yourself with a “coffee”.