Brendan: “Ready to march towards the new year?”

Darren: ”YES! Sir!”

Brendan: “But I still wish the year and holidays never end. I had so much fun! “

Indeed. Our boys had a blasting time at the closure of 2011.  Why? why? Why do happy times always sweep past like a wind? 

2011…

Great irony in my life ….. Made a bold step to put my career on standstill in second half of 2011 to commit fully to family. 

In 2010, when people asked me whether I would take a break from career, I would just laugh it off and asked “For What?”. 

In 2011, I guess my mother’s instinct came knocking and I had this idea that I would take a break, balance up our boys’ stressful studying life and holistic development and finally be more equipped as a mother and cook.  Suddenly, overnight I become a full-time cook, cleaner, tutor, logistics coordinator and everything it takes to be a homemaker.  To be complete, I felt like I was also sitting for Primary School Leaving Exams. 

[No. I did not study for Brendan but those planning of study materials, arrangement of tutorial sessions, preparation for Direct School Admission exercise --- felt like such a challenge.]

The decision to give up an additional income for the family was a struggle and I admit that it does concern me whether I would be losing out when I rejoin the workforce.  Frankly, it took me a few months to adjust and just when I am beginning to adapt to a 24/7  homemaker lifestyle and an extremely buzzling school holidays filled with kids’  joy and excitement, the new year has sped into our lives. 

[It's only 1st day of school and I am so missing the noisy bickering, the constant calling out for "mommy", the hilarious laughters and their company.]

I would say the last 7 months of 2011 is one of my most fulfilling period in my life as a MOTHER.   Considering that there is no gain without loss, in return for a cast aside career path, our family was compensated by a closer bonding, better understanding of our boys and I have never felt as complete “a mother” as before.  Our boys have a fabulous and entertained school holidays and  a full 1.5 month that we have enjoyed thoroughly together - seriously my happiest year-end period.

2012…

A new and challenging education phase for Brendan, a possible year of transition for a pre-teen.  A new class and study environment for Darren.  Me? I am hesitating…. perhaps a new career again?

It’s definitely a start to a year with much changes and new beginning.

2011, I realised my dream as a more committed mother. All these years, I have my share of experiences of managing 2 children.

2012, I have to learn to be committed in other ways.  Greatest challenges - parenting approach for teen, better grasp of secondary echool education, better communications with our boys….So, it is about understand and be understood.

Handling teen’s changing behaviour/physical developments, a totally different dimension to secondary education and granting independance - certainly sound ALIEN to me now.  

On my top priority, I believe I would need a sustained positive attitude, open mindset, youthful zest and WALK ON……The key to a happier 2012.

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