Archive for the ‘Just us’ Category

How do we know that our child has matured?  We look for tell-tale signs!

Bren: “I am not going into the Ladies with you. I want to use the Gents.”

<There is no standard age when a boy should stop following mommy into the Ladies’ washroom. Bren started going to Gents’ toilet at about age 8 and Darren at about age 6 (follow the leader).>

Bren: “Aiyo. Mummy, don’t hold my hand. Later people think that we are dating.”

<Haha! A mother dating a son. He is so cute!>

Bren: “Mummy, please do not tell the taxi driver the directions. Let me tell him.”

<Wah! I can relax while our MAN takes over the ïnstruction giving.>

Bren: “Why my friends can XXX and YYY and I cannot?”

<He is beginning to seek freedom.>

Bren:”I am not going to wear that Pooh Bear shirt anymore and don’t bring me to that Toy Department. It’s for children.”

<Yo! Our child (yet to be teen) talking about not wanting to be deemed as a child.>

Bren:”Okay. I know what to do. Don’t need to repeat.”

<hmm…sensing more confidence.>

If your child is also expressing tell-take signs of  maturing- BE READY. They are ready to leap soon and next they will be flying.

Recently, we have been advocating the importance of being independant to him. However, when he starts practising them, I sense LOSS.

Arghh…Dilemma of a mother. Son, how I wish you could remain as a child for more years to come.

Honestly, I don’t read much newspapers. Maybe I am lazy busy. Maybe I had an overdose when my ex ex ex jobs required me to read heaps of news to keep abreast with economic and political updates.

However, I listen to lots of news - not from TV or radio but from our very own News Presenter at home.  Furnished with news from internet platforms like Xinmsn and Asiaone, Brendan keeps me updated of news during lunch and broadcast them again during dinner to his dad.

I am starting to prefer this News Presenter to the professional one because he is so versatile. Simply tell him that I want more entertainment news, more social news… and he will be back soon with details.

For instance, knowing that I like Tom Cruise, he personalises his news for me. I am honoured.

“Tom Cruise is starring in Mission Impossible 4 and he does all his stunts personally in Dubai.”

“Do you know the circle line……”

“The political leader …..”

He can also fine-tune his news sharing in American accent, British accent and Singapore accent as long as I request. Haha..as long as I don’t ask him to share the news in Mandarin.

Cute!

Where on earth can I find such a dedicated News Presenter who has my interests at heart?

Not to forget, it’s really a good habit for kids to read news. It improves their languages and also general knowledge:) With supportive audience, they will become even more enthusiastic to read.

Thanks Bren. Looking forward to hearing more news …*smile*

My beautician cum friend asked me : “You want to join me for belly dancing?”

Me: “What! Belly dancing? Aiyo, the place that I want to hide most is my tummy and belly dancing would mean exposing it all!”

My friend: “Belly dancing helps tone your stomach muscle and it is exactly what you need to shed that fats. It’s really fun dancing together.”

Learning dancing? I remembered quitting that social dancing class immediately after two lessons even when it meant my deposit being forfeited. I had alot of problems coordinating my steps. That was years ago.

That day, I was asking our boys :”Want to learn dancing?”  Brendan is as usual with his “Anything lah” reply. This is always his convenient reply when he has no clue to what he is gonna get.  Darren was more image conscious as he replied earnestly :”I want if I can dance as sexily as Shu Shu (uncle or my brother-in-law). He looks so handsome as he dances.”

Yeap. My brother-in-law is terrific in dancing. Not only as a hobby but he is also a professional Salsa Instructor at Mosaic Dance on a part-time basis. He has performed at several Salsa events and is a finalist in the 2007 season of “The Dance Floor” (the largest televised dance competition in Singapore).  Just take a look at my brother-in-law’s (Eddie’s) dance performances below and it is no wonder why Darren is already enthusiastic to learn dancing. Seriously, we are so proud of Eddie, the once little boy that we have seen grown up and becoming so talented in dancing today.

Singapore International Salsa Festival 2010

Los Hermanos at Shines Competition at DXO

Salsa Super Nova @ Union Square

 

My considerations for our boys to learn dancing? Nope. It is not to model after anybody. We all heard of how dancing keep us healthy, in shape, energised…Wait! Dancing to be smarter? I read about this here. I jumped at the idea! So, why not for our boys? Even for me too if it helps prevent dementia for me in another 2 decades to come.

So. Hip Hop dancing or street jazz or ballet or salsa for our boys? Ballet, a no for our boys.

Seriously, should I start picking up Salsa? It would be super romantic if I could dance my way to Salsa with my old companion in our old age. Haha! If my body could be a little gentler, more agile:)