Pets does improve kids behaviour

After one week having Jessie in our midst does show some changes in our kids - Ivan and Reanne behaviour. Most noticeably is that our kids have demonstrate caring and empathy by showing concern over Jessie well being i.e whether she eats well, needs to play and needs to ease herself.

vetStreet.com write about the Five Ways Pets Are Great for Children, which include:-

Pets may prevent allergies

Pets may help prevent obesity

Pets may improve grades

Pets teach responsibility

Pets teach unconditional love

Another article by UK Pet Health Council - The benefits of pet ownership for children also echoed the benefit pets will give to kids. It said that research proving that pet ownership has considerable educational and therapeutic benefits for children. Studies demonstrate children who interact with animals have higher levels of self esteem, have greater empathy and better social skills. 

Hope to see more positive behaviour improvement from our kids. 

Having pets can improve your health

(Photo taken by Elena Shumilova)

The dilemma to have a dog in our family is getting somewhat grabbing our attention to decide of late. I believe of lot of us are having the negative side of the idea to have a dog at home. Mainly the concern of cleanliness, hygiene and health concern knowing the fact that dogs can be a messy and dirty animal.

I for one is looking at the practical side of it; having a dog (at least one) can help to improve the security of our house from intruder compared to houses that have none. And the kids are also very keen to have a pet at home as playmate. But still in my mind picturing of smelly car porch, shedding dog's hair every where is kinda bothering me. But surprisingly research found out the otherwise and it might deduce some of the concerns you and me are struggling about. 

Abstracting from WebMD article, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates. Even more surprising is that studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma  It further said that if a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation.

So how about that. And finally we are seriously considering the idea to become reality to have a dog in our family.

Big high 5

Our boy is now officially 5 years already. I guess he is very proud of it too(as the shown in the photo above).

The boy is growing fast. Bear in mind I didn't mean not just his physical being. One clear significant is his appetite for knowledge and new skills. Curiosity is his driving force. He will asked to know more, and asked many many times.

This year we made it extra meaningful for Ivan by giving him a fun time celebrating his birthday with his classmates at the kindergarten school. Bonus to that we let him choose what type of cake he wants. He wanted his cake with rocket on it. Many thanks to Lyra Patisserie for making it possible.

We even had a 2nd cake to celebrate at home. Another creation by Lyra Patisserie. Yummy!

Apply online for Year One Student

Parents in Selangor who want to register their children for Year One must do so online from this year. They have to register their children between March 1 and April 30 and log onto apps.emoe.gov.my/esppsel/pptahun1/ to do so.

A Selangor Education Department official said applications for Year One entry could be done from any computer with Internet access. Parents who do not have Internet access can go to the school they want to enrol their children in and ask the teachers there to help them key in the information. This is the first time the department was registering Year One pupils online.

The online system will enable the registration process to be more efficient. Previously parents had to queue at the school they wanted to register their children in. Once the children were registered, he said the district education office could place them in schools. This could be checked online too by both parents and schools. This would reduce costs incurred for paper, envelopes and stamps. Parents will also be able to appeal online.

Alyssa Ling's fullmoon

Alyssa Ling, daughter of proud parents Daniel Ling and Emily celebrated her fullmoon on 17th Dec. During the fullmoon celebration, the parents also dedicated Alyssa to God.

Welcome Daniel and Emily to the parenting club.

Having fun with paper plane

Just like to share some of the things parents (especially father) can do to have fun with you own children - by an inexpensive ways. Why not try paper plane making?

It's actually quite interesting as it promote children creativity as well as their imagination. For us might have been an usual things but to them seeing a plain paper being turn into a mini plane take can flies is awesome!

Here is some of the model I have made and its fantastic.....even I enjoy it (I know some of you will say reliving my deprive childhood period). Have fun!!!

Check out here for more variaties

More Malaysians turn to international schools

As reported in MalaysiaInsider, more middle-class Malaysians are enrolling their children in international schools despite long waiting lists, as parents grow increasingly frustrated with the local education system.

Another reason because since 2006 the rules were relaxed and international schools were allowed to enrol up to 40 per cent Malaysians – middle-class Malaysians have started placing their children in such schools, which have increased in number. At least 20 more international schools are scheduled to open soon, according to school operators.

As parents myself, I can't help to think and feel the recent changes on national education system have sent many wrong signal to many parents in this nation. Education is the forefront foundation to build, nurture and cultivate new generation of well equip nation builders. But how come this was not laid down properly as related in the changes made in just a short spend of 6 years. The ministry must be aware of the seriousness of this nation building 'pillar' in order not to jeopardise our children future if not their (minister) children.

Not many can afford to send their children to a better, systematic and well equip international school. Given a choice many parents would like to do so. But monetary factor is a big challange. So in the end of days, parents (like me) will have to do it ourselves to dig deep, think far and do all that we can in order that our children will be well nurture.

At what age should discipline begin?

There should be no physical punishment for a child younger than 15 to 18 months old, regardless of the circumstances.

An infant is incapable of comprehending his or her “offence” or associating it with the resulting consequences. Some parents do not agree and find themselves “swatting” a baby for wiggling while being diapered or for crying in the midnight hours. This is a terrible mistake.

Other parents will shake a child violently when they are frustrated or irritated by the incessant crying. Let me warn those mothers and fathers of the dangers of that punishing response.

Shaking an infant can cause serious neurological damage, which can occur as the brain is slammed against the skull. Do not risk any kind of injury with a baby!

Especially during the first year, a youngster needs to be held, loved, and calmed by a soothing human voice. He should be fed when hungry and kept clean and dry and warm. The foundation for emotional and physical health is laid during this 12-month period, which should be characterised by security, affection, and warmth.

This article was written by Focus on the Family Malaysia (www.family.org.my) and the Questions and Answers are extracted from “Complete Family and Marriage Home Reference Guide” by Dr James Dobson with permission.

Re-positioning

Today my family starts a new chapter in our life as Pei re-position herself.

As of now her role will change from a working mom to stay-at-home mom (I don't quite like the term of housewife...... sound so mundane and less impact). Housewife gives me the feeling of the wife is taking care the house.....full stop and nothing else. There are much more that meets the eyes. A very powerful position to be as mother who choose to stay-at-home taking care of the childrens (first and foremost) next the career, business and thereafter the house. Not forgetting the husband also la.

She resigned from her current circular office job and worked her last day until 29th May 2009. She has been looking forward for this day for sometime already. She is definitely excited about it. It is role she feels fulfilling about.....especially when you are a mother.

This changes came as we feels we need to do more for our childrens wellbeing. Ivan is already 3 years plus together with Reanne who is growing fast passing her 1st year toddler age. Both are in a critical growing path. A period where sowing, cultivating and grooming need to be set as strong foundation stage for their future success. Not that we want to make them billionaire but more so becoming a successful person with good values and principles in their life.

Well like what they say, mother know best for their children. Frankly I agreed.

Lord, lead us here onwards. Grand Pei the wisdom, the know how and understanding to take this new role as she re-position herself today. Blessed her with joy and strength for the sacrifice she made and reward her with fulfillments as mother would.

Be careful of false kidnapping

As reported in the Star, a woman almost lost RM100,000 ransom money after receiving call claiming that her children had been kidnapped.

However, the plan was foiled after the woman went to her children’s school and found that they were still in their classes.

This is not the first case but many already. This bogus kidnapper is on the rise. This also shows that people are getting more desperate for easy money in this challenging time where retrenchment is still increasing.

As parents we ought to and no choice but to be extra, extra careful. Most of all commit our childrens safety into God's mighty hands.

Getting the extra pound

Today Reanne got her Chicken pox jab as part of her regular vaccination trip to our pediatrician.

Being 1 year and 1 month old, her weight was quite low at 8.5 kg. This makes her look smaller than her counterparts. Health wise, Reanne is doing fine overall. Her appetite is also improving lately as her drink more milk and eats porridge twice a day. It seems everything is fine with her.

But I don't seem able to put my mind aside about her weight. Is she eating enough for her body to develop? Can we parents do something about it? Currently Reanne still drinks breast milk and alternately milk formula daily. Our doctor suggested to let Reanne drink a better milk formula that comes with extra supplements. Sound logical. I want to give Reanne a try on it to help her to at least have a nominal healthy weight. At the same time to improve her appetite.

Ivan turning three already

Today, Ivan will be celebrating his third birthday for turning three years old already. Just incredible isn't it how our little precious one grows right in front of our eyes. All glory be unto the Lord.

Father, I continue to surrender Ivan into Thy gracious hand for what is best for his life. All of our hope, aspiration, expectation we yield it to Your will. Guide and teach us Lord on how best to cultivate, inspire, empower our son to be more like Christ just as we too at the same time learn the walk with You. Thank you Lord once again for this precious gift You have given into our life.

Ivan attend music class

3rd Jan (Saturday) marked a starting of new learning curve for our boy Ivan. He started his first day of the Yamaha Music Kids at the Kajang Yamaha studio. I have previously brought him for the trial class one month ago.

This round is mummy turn to accompany him through the course for the next nine months. I on the other hand, get my hands full with taking care of Reanne by lepaking around the shopping centre.......for one hour. Not bad on my part as Reanne was very co-operative as I stroll her around while window shopping for my potential new year clothes.

After one hour is up, we showed up at the studio to see how the mummy-son team doing. While waiting Reanne shown an interest at a demo digital piano which being displayed there. I can't help it as I graped my camera starting to capture Reanne enthusiatic expression.....especially her fingers. Possible for an up and coming pianist when now we got ourselves a drummer?

Well, Ivan did ok for his first actual lesson. Mummy said he didn't participated much, may be just still shy. Need more of the breaking the ais things I guess. When we were on our car while driving back home, we can't help it but try to get some assurance of his new found interest. Yes, he still want to joint the class. And he actually know the lesson taught by the teacher as he repeated it with mummy when being asked. This boy really is a hard nut to crack with. Very much hope that he continue to enjoy the class with the rest of the kids (just only 4 of them including Ivan). We can see that he got some talent in music, the rest we trust God to bring it out and develop it.

Music trial class

Finally today we managed to bring Ivan to attend a music class. But not quite there yet. You see it's only a trial class given by the school for parents and their children to have a feel of it and of course part of the marketing strategies (lets not go unto that).

We have long intended to have Ivan attending some form of music class due to his keen interest into drums. If I am not mistaken Ivan has been 'drumming' before he turn 2 years old by banging things around using modified 'drumsticks' from his toys. My father in-laws even hand made him four pairs of drumsticks to promote his interest. Without fail every time when visiting his Ah Kong, he will look for his drumsticks to play with his grandfather.

To cut the story short, we decided to let him try out Yamaha Music Kids for children which are 3 1/2 years old. The lesson specially designed to make your child's initial encounter with music education fun and enjoyable. The course combines the dynamism of music with physical and mental activities to stimulate their musical senses and prepare them for the varieties of music education ahead. It's a 6 months programme that exposes children to fun with singing, fun with keyboards & listening, rhythm training and music appreciation. And it is a parent participation class as well.

So I was there to accompanied Ivan to attend the 30 minutes trial class along with five other kids and their parents. One thing very prominent is that, I was the only male daddy around. The rest was female mummy parents. How odd. Speak about torn among roses. The teacher straight away goes into a introduction lesson of sing along with actions, playing percussion instruments and story telling. Ivan quite distracted by the organ instrument in front of us (every participant will sit in front of an organ). Most of the time he will watch what the teacher do and say in front of the classroom. Unfortunately his was not active in participating the action instructed. Story telling time also he refused to sit in front of the class with the teacher unless I accompany him. New to the environment I guess.

Somehow he was chatty about his experience after finishing the class while we were heading home. He was also eager to share of his new found experience with mummy and my parents. Upon asking him whether he would like to go again, he would say yes. Ask whether he likes the class and he would say yes again. Well, I think we will give him a go ahead attending the lesson beginning the new class at Jan 2009. We'll see how it goes from there.

The why factor

His eyebrows shrunk as he frown. Even the lip also frown as he ask "Why......"

Of late that's what Ivan has been asking about almost everything that can be think of inside the little kid's brain. "Why that" Why this" "Why cannot" "Why huh?" For example our refusal on his certain request will then be ask why. Or ask us why when given him certain specific instruction to follow. Even more challenging was being asked why on our given answer to his earlier question. Quite a daunting task for a parents.

If we ignore him it will deprive his interaction and learning skills. If we try to answer him most often we afraid don't know how to answer his innocent questions or how best to answer his curiosity. So by God's grace and patience, lets hope mummy and I can prevail this why factor period with lots of answers. Oh Lord, how huh?

Eureka!!!

I got a funny yet cute discovery yesterday with our little Reanne.

I don't quite know whether Reanne is fussy about her food or what. But she don't really a big eater. We often have difficulty to feed her with porridge since starting with solid food when she turn 6 months old. Most of the time she only skim through only of half the porridge portion allowed for her.

Yesterday evening I lend a hand to feed Reanne while Pei have her dinner. As usual the little girl make a fuss not taking the food. That time she was sitting inside the baby walker and holding a red colour seal bath toy. Something strike my mind in that instance as I look at the toy. Hey, why not change the colour of the spoon to red also. I was using a white colour spoon at that time.

Amazingly (I can't help myself but to laugh), Reanne responded and resume eating her porridge! EUREKA!!! We just found out the 'secret' to unlock Reanne stubborn feeding problem. It's just too cute. By the way she almost finished the porridge this round. What a discovery. I haven't read of this kind of interesting child development yet.

After that we have an experiment. We bring out all the colourfull toys for her to choose. Quite consistent she prefer red colour objects. Now we found out her favourite colour.

A card you mustn't not own

After the recent episode with Ivan being hospitalized, I realize the insurance medical card is a card family mustn't not own.

Two years ago upon the arrival of Ivan, I decided to purchase an insurance medical card to hedge up my family protection. Both Pei and I already have own life and health insurance policies. So it is wise to also protect our children.

What I can says is that the medical card does really help as we have gone through it already. The amount of hassle have been significantly reduced especially the medical bills. For Ivan case, we only have to fork out a mere 5% of the total medical bills (for registration fees, tax etc) when we check out from the hospital. 95% of it borne by the insurance company. You got to choose to enter a list of private hospital immediately when emergency do crop up just by producing the insurance medical card. The hospital will do the rest for you.

While I was accompanying Ivan in the hospital ward, a mother whose son was being admitted for prolong fever shared a same room with us said that she should have purchase the medical card earlier but did not. She is actually looking already unfortunately her son falls sick before she can purchase it.

I recommend all family should start to look into this area if you have not. Start with what you can afford. Survey several insurance companies and discuss with the respective agents to tailor suite for your family needs. Begin with some protection rather than no protection.

Longest day

It happened unnoticed as we didn't anticipated that the complaint have serious tone behind it.

Early last week, Ivan started to complaint about having cough during bedtime. But we thought he just trying to make it up as an excuse. Then Tuesday the cough became very apparent. During the night time it turn to bad wheezing and subsequently a restless night for Ivan as he tries to get himself to sleep.

Next morning, Pei took leave to bring Ivan to have a check with a clinic doctor hoping to relief the asthma. We try to avoid having Ivan to use the nebulizer. He just don't like that mask thing. Unfortunately the doctor said Ivan condition needs immediate usage of the nebulizer. Ivan condition didn't improve until the evening when we decided to go for a second round of checking with the same clinic. Hence second round of nebulizer. The clinic doctor have advice for emergency admission to hospital for a constant treatment against the bad wheezing if it still persist and written a letter for us to do so. The relief just only managed to last not more than 3 hours when the bad wheezing resumed.

Decision have to be made whether to admit Ivan. But the wheezing is just too much for that little body to take it. That whole day, our poor Ivan just wanted to lay down and sleep. Shunning away his regular milks and porridge. At almost 11pm, we decided to admit him to the nearest medical hospital upon checking with our medical card panel list. My dad drives Pei, myself and Ivan to the hospital whereas Reanne stays home with my mom.

Within an hour after arriving at the hospital attended by the on-call paediatrician doctor, having another round of nebulizer, taking of blood sample and X-ray, finally Ivan was admitted to a ward. The doctor have prescribed nebulizer treatment for every 2 hours. It was the longest night for both Ivan and me as I was there to accompany him throughout that night. Pei gotta be home to attend Reanne.

The next day, Ivan gradually return to his normal self. The wheezing was almost unnoticed already thanks to the overnight continuous nebulizer treatment. Ivan appetite was good starting with the hospital breakfast porridge. In the morning, Ivan was sent to have a physiotherapy to promote the removal of accumulated phlegm at the lungs.

We thought it was pretty much over and Ivan can be discharged soon with his sign of improvement. However, in the afternoon the paediatrician doctor brings us an unhappy news. There were sign of pneumonia at Ivan's right lung shown in the X-ray. Ivan needs to be treated with antibiotics medication to control the infection. So further monitoring is needed with extended hospital stay.

To cut the long story short, Ivan was discharged on Friday evening after staying of almost 2 days at the hospital since from Wednesday midnight. Doctor was able to release Ivan given that his improvement was satisfactory. Now Ivan still under antibiotic medication for one week. Follow up appointment will be conducted this Friday.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank God for His protection and covering on Ivan's life. Thank God for his quick recovery and healing from the pneumonia. Not forgetting also to all those who have spent their time to pray and visited Ivan. Thank you for your care and love shown to our little boy :)

Tin cow

Only last week I went glossary shopping for Ivan's formula milk powder. Ivan have been consuming formula milk powder since he turned 1 year old. It also that period Ivan was permantly stopped being breastfeed by mummy. Since then Ivan have been drinking Anmum's Essential 1+ (1.8 kg) until now.

During two and half years of faithfully patroning Anmum Essential 1+ has seen tremandous change in the retail price. We first bought it at mere thirty something and now have hike to RM55.50 per tin (hypermarket price is even higher). Hundred over percent of price increase! That's not all, I got to know from the 'tauke' of the regular chinese herbal & minimarket that I patroned Anmum have launched a new packaging. The new packaging biggest range only 1.3 kg but fetch at RM42.90 per box. Average it's about 33 cent per gram. Much expensive than the old packaging (1.8 kg) which average 31 cent per gram (based on RM55.50 per tin). At the surface, the new packaging 1.3 kg looks less expensive and reasonable at RM42.90.

Knowing that, we quickly opt to purchase half a dozen of the old packaging tag at RM55.50 per tin for 'hoarding'. (Not illegal as formula milk powder not under control item). By comparison, we have save about RM23 or 7% from that action. We estimated that it will last Ivan's another 5 months until he turns to 3 years old. Perhaps by than we will opt for another alternative formula milk powder to suit Ivan consumption.

Talk about price increase. Parents nowadays really have to think, plan and act wisely on the aspect of monetary management. Like in this case, be on the know so that can exercise better decision/action on long term basis.

Disrupted

The whole of last week was full of disruption makes blogging much tougher to do.

First of all, our two little kids was not well. It started with Ivan who was down with asthma, cough, flu, fever at one go. Ivan didn't sleep well at night for few days as he cough badly and wheezed. It is not a very nice feeling to see him go through that as I know very well how it is like. I too suffered asthma during my childhood days. When we consulted our doctor, Ivan was put into nebulizer to relief his constrained air passage in order to breath better and this not his first time being treated with it. The asthma should not be there as I told God and myself. Both Soo Pei and I is determine to get him heal from it by God's grace and healing power. I managed to ask Ps. Dexter to pray for Ivan yesterday after Sunday service. Ivan is much better now apart from losing a bit of his baby fat. >Sigh<

Reanne on the other hands was down with fever, running nose and cough. We presumed she got those virus from Ivan. Just last Sunday she had her 3rd pneumococcal jab. This is first time Reanne got sick. The phlegm in her throat causes irritation and sensation to cough. She cried to complaint her discomfort. When we bring Reanne to the nearby clinic, we were being 'lecture' by the 'experience' doctor how should prevent and take care our children wellbeing. Well, we take it with open mind as we told the 'good' doctor. After thought we better postpone her next immunization jab supposedly to have it this week.

On work wise I was outstation for one day trip to Penang to sought thing out there. When up there by driving with two of my senior managers. Thank God they arrange driver to drive us. If not I gotto to drive since I am the most 'junior' around. Got a bit tired up the next day as it has been a while I do day trip traveling. Last round was by flight. Company is looking into cost saving as tough times looming in. Soo Pei too was tired out by taking care of the two little ones especially during the night time. As parents, it is part of the 'job' to juggle day to day challenges that greet us.

There you go, our disrupted week as summarized above. Looks forward to this week for fresh start :)