Sharing Thoughts, Inspiring People

We might think that our kid is too young but they are more capable than what we think. -------------------- Talking more about teaching my kid responsibility. For a long time now, I have been focused on getting my kid to do proper self care: personal hygiene.  Then it was followed by kid appropriate chores such as cleaning up her mess, sorting out clean socks, setting up the table, organizing her stuff. I still have to nag her sometimes to brush her teeth or put her dirty clothes in the hamper so I thought the tasks she have right now are plenty that adding up more chores will be a recipe for more yelling and my kid getting overwhelmed. But there are values of chores for children!  So yesterday, we started leveling up my kid's contributions with taking care of the household. After dinner, she was asked to wipe the table clean. When she was done, I asked her to sweep the floor. Fetching the broom and the dust pan, her whiny response was "I am like Cinderella now!" Though i...

"It takes a village to raise a child" -------------- I've been reading articles about how to raise a kid. Mine is an energetic and soft hearted six year old so I'm looking for specifics : development expectations around this age, behavioral changes, and how to do parenting and teaching them things she should start doing such as small responsibilities of tidying up her room, doing her homework on time and finishing up what she started! There are lots of good articles out there. While I'm on it and reading it, you can imagine how many imaginary light bulbs are lighting up around my head screaming for ideas, ideas, ideas! But when reality strikes - all those parenting ideas flying out the windows. There's really no right handbook when it comes to parenting. It is really a trial and error, tough hands-on experience to teach your kid manners, responsibility and all virtues that comes with patience, perseverance and diligence. While you are teaching patience, it is ...

I have a four year old daughter and her name is Kari. Below is a letter I wrote for her at a time when my heart was full of inspiration. To my little sweetheart, Kari: You've been saying "Mommy I'm almost four!" and beaming proudly of how big a girl you've become. Today, you are officially four. And I can't help but think about how far we've come. And while time is flying by, there are days where I can't wait for you to have more independence and be more self sufficient. It's those days like today that I wish I could just freeze time and really soak in all that you are in this moment. You see, just as you are learning, I am too. This is your first time to be a kid, just as much as my first time to be a mom. You are making mistakes, I am too. But we are all in this together, figuring it out one moment at a time. But no matter what, there are few things I want you to never forget, even at four years old. You are beautiful You are the m...

In my pre-baby life I had it together. I get to wake up a little late and still have all the time in the world to sip my morning coffee without rushing. I enjoyed my shower and still have time to put on some makeup and carefully choose clothes from my closet that would make me look somewhat stylish (to my taste). I had the luxury of time to ironed my clothes. I jogged, played badminton or sometime spent time away in a Starbucks cafe chatting with friends. Then I became a mom. My priorities shifted. Suddenly none of these things mattered (which I am glad because I really don't have the time for those things anymore). I eventually hit my stride as a mother and managed my new 'mom' life bringing on with me some of the important aspects from my former life. My everyday is now a never ending cycle that goes something like this: 1. Wake up (before anyone does) 2. Prepare breakfast, pack lunch, prepare my kid 3. Throw on whatever fits from my closet and pretend it’s ...