Mothering Corner

Some of the parents I know would rather go for vacation as couples than bring their kids along. Frankly, I just don’t understand how they can enjoy themselves by leaving their kids behind? Unless it’s a honeymoon, then it’s pretty understandable. However, if the couples keep going on vacation without the kids, then I think they are not being fair with the kids.

Don’t tell me that younger kids can’t remember a thing about the trip and it’s a waste of money bring them along. They might not be able to recall all the events or know how to relate it, but it’s more about spending time as a family at special places and it’s a memorable family moments that all of you will cherish forever. Even if you baby may be whining on the plane, you miss your flight (I had this experience!), you didn’t get to visit all the tourist spots, and etc, but with proper planning, everyone will have a wonderful trip.

Planning is everything. If possible, I wouldn’t plan of a trip at peak season, unless it’s totally unavoidable. Just like my trip to Bali, we are going in August, and it’s one of the peak season. I could foresee that we might end up wasting time if we want to get around in free and easy style as most of the taxis will be occupied, so I got to have the trip planned out now to avoid major disappointment.

Packing is the second key point. I could suggest bring only the minimum baby stuffs and try to get from the local stores. For example, baby diapers, formula, baby clothes and etc. I don’t mind paying a bit more for some international branded baby products, as long as I can get them easily from the local stores, that will be fine to me.

Of course, you need to plan out your budget too. If you can find cheaper tickets such as Universal Studios Tickets, get them first before you go. Unless you are joining all inclusive trips, if not, you might be spending more than you plan for if you are traveling with kids.

Besides that, study the places you are visiting. Not every tourist spots are suitable for kids. Once, when we went to Bangkok, we went to the flea market for shopping. It’s really stuffy, smelly and hot. SIL brought along her 9 months old for the shopping and I tell you, she just can’t shop anything much. It’s not a nice place of baby to look around, and in fact, he just couldn’t stop complaining! So, if it’s not a right place for baby, then don’t go!

On top of that, make sure you bring along your kids important medication too. I always bring my kids to their paediatrician before any trip so that I know they are healthy for traveling. And if they are not feeling well, I already have the medication ready, or they will get some jabs first if it’s recommended.

BTW, check all your passports, visas, flight tickets, and accommodation. Make sure that everything is ready before you leave. And again. enjoy your family trip!

I was doing some banking at Greentown the other day, and bumped upon some “si lai” (housewives) rushing into the stock exchange centre to check out their investments. Hubby told me that they come almost every business day to “gamble” on the stocks, and they are addicted!

Maybe they are not computer literate, that’s why they got to be there to see and watch the stock prices every second of the day. For most experience traders, they will do it online with options trading software  to collect data for calculation and choose the best share options of the day to be invested in.

Too bad for those “si lai”. If they know how to use computers, then they don’t have to waste their time looking at the boards.

One of the main reason why I refused to move to KL with hubby, who works there most of the time is we are staying in an apartment. There isn’t much space in the apartment, and the playground and facility were badly maintained. I like the life in KL, but not the place we are staying in.

That’s why the kids and I stay with MIL. I really like our house, it’s spacious and we have a big compound for the kids to run about. If we are going to move out next time, I hope that we can have houses with big compound too. The house will not have to be big, but there should be a big garden with green grass, just like this house from San Diego Homes.

But got to wait until we have the money first!

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There are a few mothers whom I know that I really admire. They can manage both their career and mothering job really well, and still have time to cook for the family! I don’t have a day job, and I don’t cook, so I guess I’m not as great as those mothers yet.

Nonetheless, I know a mother who told me about her plan in pursuing doctorate degree in the future. Even if it’s just e learning, but she still need to juggle her job and her 2 kids. I couldn’t help but admire her courage and determination!

Of course, like when I was working, I have thoughts about getting an MBA too. It’s not that I love studying though, but I think it’s good to have yourself equipped with the knowledge and certified as it may come handy for promotion or career advancement.

However, not every mother can just leave their duties and pursue after their dreams. That’s why e learning is the best way for us to pursue our dream in higher education. I’m not sure which university my friend is interested in, but then, she can find out more about Capella University which has lots of courses to offer.

Even if I stopped pumping now, but I still like to find out about all the latest breastfeeding gadgets like breastpumps, coolbags, techni ice, and etc. Some of the items can’t be bough from the stores yet, and I bought most of my stuffs online. I guess a lot of working mom would like to breastfeeding, but they do not know where to get the right gadgets.

So, I think if the merchants have a complete lists of potential customers such as expecting mothers from Telemarketing Lists Broker, they can get a more comprehensive database of consumers. These telemarketers will help them to promote their latest gadgets, let them know about the latest enhance features, and may even tell them about freebies which come with promotion. Since they can target only expecting mothers, the chances of getting the gadgets sold will be higher than any random advertising method.

So, mommies, don’t you wish to hear from Avent or Medela?

 As a mom, most of the time I place my kids as my highest priority, and sometimes, I forgot to take good care of myself. I tend to forget about my vitamins and Wakame supplements lately, and the same goes to my glass of milk before bedtime. By the time I remember that I’ve missed out my supplement intake, I’ll be working out, or getting ready for bed at 3am.

Sometimes, I feel that mothering job is tiring, but I am enjoying it. It’s just that I need to remind myself if I’m not in good condition, I won’t be able to be in my best condition for my kids. So, I make it a point to start taking good care of myself by taking my supplements, pampering myself, or maybe going for a short vacation away just by myself as my mum’s asking if she can have take care of the kids for me. So, I think I’m checking out where to go from vacations.net or other places locally. I guess I need to recharge myself.

Since my girl is already one year old, I’ve been organizing her clothes and stuffs, and see which one should be given away, and which should be kept as keepsakes. Frankly, I noticed that I hardly buy lots of new things for her as most of her things are handed down from Justin. I think that’s the disadvantage of not being the first child huh? Maybe babies won’t make much different, but as she grows up, I will get her more girlie stuffs and toys.

I don’t let her wear any jewelry before, even if there are some gold and silver jewelry that were given to her at her full moon. I kept all of them in the drawer, and didn’t put them in the safe deposit at the bank yet. Those are future investment to her. If she doesn’t like it, she can sell them away when she has grown up. But then, I surely hope she will keep them as some were given up really old relatives, which may not be around when she grows up.

As for investment, hubby and I had already bought some for her and Justin. Let’s see how much return we will get by the time they are 18.