Tabla de contenidos para April 2017 en Young Parents

A good family car must cater to the needs of adults and kids alike, and should not compromise in form and function. Enter Singapore’s best-selling French automaker, Citroën, which presents the latest iteration of its extremely popular C4 Picasso range with a choice of 5- and 7-seater multi-purpose vehicles. FUN FROM THE START The Citroën Grand C4 Picasso may be a car desired for its practicality, but it doesn’t look the part. It has a sophisticated appearance, thanks to its unmistakable light signature and chrome brand emblem extending across the front bonnet. Delivering a sense of fun is the new silver roof arch with integrated rails to mount your sports equipment or bulky cargo, and a new palette of colours such as Lazuli Blue and Sable for the body. The…

Praise him when he does what you ask, more often than punish him when he doesn’t obey. Spending day after day with a demanding one-year-old can test your patience and push you to the limit. You don't want to punish him, but you feel forced into that negative style of parenting. It's time to turn things around. Here are 10 suggestions on how you can use positive discipline instead: Have more “do” rules than “don’ts” It's far more effective to tell your toddler what he should do instead of what he shouldn't do. Reward good behaviour Praise him when he does what you ask, more often than punishing him when he doesn't obey. Avoid bribery Never try to stop your little one in the middle of an outburst by promising…

Let her ask for the item herself, and let her sort out the coins needed to make the payment. Don’t rush your child. Your six-year-old is starting primary school next year, and that means she’ll need to buy food from the canteen, as well as pick up items from the school bookshop from time to time. That’s why now is a good time to teach her money matters using everyday situations. She already understands the nature of monetary transactions; namely, that she hands over a certain amount of coins to a shopkeeper in exchange for items. Your kindergartener has seen these transactions many times in shops and supermarkets. But now you need to get her more involved, and the first stage is coin recognition. Even if you think she knows…

Who’s your favourite Disney character? Mickey Mouse, Lightening McQueen and Olaf would be among the top contenders, if you asked my four-year-old son. But a recent trip to Hong Kong Disneyland changed that. It’s now… Iron Man. So there we were in January, at the official launch of Iron Man Experience, the first Marvel-themed ride at any Disney Park around the world (Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009). It’s a surreal feeling walking past the dreamy and iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, then into Tomorrowland, where the dynamic new attraction is located. Ted Robledo, creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering, told us that his team took three years to come up with it – with input and blessings from the superhero’s creator, Stan Lee. They will continue to build on the…

eat Treat yourself to an Easter feast on April 16 at Cafe Mosaic, where the little ones can take part in an egg-painting competition. You’ll even learn how to bake hot-cross buns with your child in the Open Pastry Kitchen after lunch – it’s limited to the first 10 parent-child pairs ($10 per pair). The buffet lunch costs $68 per adult, and $34 per child from ages six to 12; book and pay by April 9 to enjoy a 15-per-cent discount. Visit www.carltonhotel.sg. do Do your part for charity with Club Rainbow’s Ride for Rainbows 2017 event on April 29. The funds raised will be used to help children who suffer from major chronic and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Choose from three different courses (100km, 50km and 25km) and qualify by…

Our cover kid, the Insta-famous Tyler Huan, has so much charisma for a three-year-old! Fun hot chocolate from Korean cafe Dal.komm Coffee Singapore! Your kids will love dunking the solid cube of chocolate into the frothy milk. The Singapore Cable Car’s gift shop is a treasure trove of unusual gifts, including these Uniquely Singapore totes and pouches. You know you’re a mum when your media bouquet contains fruit and veg, as well as Nestle Gerber’s new organic puff snacks. We were among the first to take the brand new Bugaboo Bee5 stroller for a spin – in Tokyo! We tucked into fluffy vanilla hot cakes with coconut butter at the new Fynn’s restaurant in South Beach. @youngparents_sg Follow us and find out what the Young Parents team is up to.…

Choose bedding with simple and calming motifs to help her get a good night’s sleep. So you’ve bought the perfect cot and changing table for Baby’s room. Don’t just stop there – it’s important to put some thought into the decor and layout of the nursery, as well. At least, that’s what fengshui practitioners recommend. They believe that by arranging the nursery according to Chinese metaphysical principles, qi or energy will flow more smoothly. To create a harmonious environment, you might want to get an expert to read your little one’s ba zi (eight characters derived from the date and time of birth). That will provide a more accurate and detailed reading. Here, master Goh Guan Leong from Way Fengshui Group shares general advice on how to design the space.…

Q What vaccines do I need for a healthy and smooth pregnancy? A Before getting pregnant, there are some vaccinations that you should make sure you are up to date on. First, check if you have previous immunity to chickenpox. This is a common viral illness in children, but adults can get it, too. Falling ill with chickenpox in the first trimester and up to 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause foetal abnormalities in the developing foetus. Having it up to five days before you are due can mean risks of transmission to the newborn, resulting in serious infection. If you have no immunity, get the vaccine – in two doses, four to eight weeks apart – and wait for a month before trying to conceive. Rubella is an uncommon…

Instead of setting a deadline, look for signs that your toddler might be ready to use the potty. Most parenting books recommend that you start potty-training when your toddler reaches his second birthday. Some authors even boast that if you follow their strategy, you will wean him off diapers in three days to a week. The problem is, you can't teach a young child in a rigid manner, according to a specific timeline. Before you know it, you will be anxious and frustrated with your tot, and the training process will drag on for much longer than you anticipated. Bear in mind that you can beg him to pee or poo in the potty, you can threaten him with punishment if he doesn't, you can offer rewards if he does,…

Your elder child may be unconcerned about his younger sister’s superior academic progress, so do not immediately assume that this is an issue between them. Your nine-year-old clearly outshines her older brother academically when he was her age, and you’re very proud of her educational achievements – but you may be holding back your praises because you are worried that it will hurt her sibling. You need to think this through very carefully. Here are some suggestions for you to consider: Every child has their individual achievements Sure, your tween does better at school and gets grades, awards and prizes in class that her older brother could only dream about. But he has achievements that she can’t reach, such as selection for the school football team or success in a…

With a family in tow, you want a vehicle with plenty of space and versatile storage area – but nobody wants to drive a tank. With the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, you can easily have both comfort and style, without sacrificing your needs. GREAT FOR MUM AND DAD The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer has all the elements you’d expect from a BMW. It’s modern, sleek and sporty, with smooth lines and an exceptionally roomy interior for a compact vehicle. Details like LED headlights, light-alloy wheels, and a chrome and wood trim give a polished and sophisticated feel. Plus, it’s fitted with a new engine family that is economical and fuel-efficient. The diesel-powered car is capable of achieving up to 1,200km at full capacity, which means you are able…

Impossibly laid-back, Okinawa is distinctly different from the frenetic urban landscape we've come to expect of Japan. With its cobalt blue skies, crystal-clear waters and palm trees, this largest island in the Ryukyu island chain exudes a languid vibe that even the most jaded city dweller can't help but surrender to. Lying just 482km from mainland Japan, Okinawa also happens to be home to the world's longest-living residents, boasting an even higher proportion of centenarians than in other parts of Japan. It's blessed with an abundance of fresh seafood and superfoods, clean air and a tropical climate that is surpassed only by the warm, generous spirit of its gentle people, who live by “Ichariba-chode” or the belief that “once we meet, we become brothers and sisters”. Intrigued, we made our…

THIS MONTH, WE ASK How do I deal with a diffi cult mum-in-law, who likes telling me exactly how to bring up my baby? It is very easy for a new grandmother to forget that she isn’t the parent, and the responsibility for raising the baby lies with you and your husband. Remember that she wants only the best for Baby. She has lots of experience raising her own children, and wants to pass this accumulated knowledge to you, so you can also do a good job as a parent. Get your husband on your side – sound off when the two of you are alone together. Ensure that he supports you and understands the pressure you are under. You need to work as a team on this one. If…

If you prefer a home party STAMFORD CATERING First, select from a variety of mouthwatering buffet options. Now, top up $180 for a hassle-free party setup - it offers an Ocean Blue theme for baby boys (pictured above) and Pretty in Pink for girls. This includes balloons, flowers, photo props, a three-tier dessert stand and a plush toy. Visit www.stamfordcs.com.sg. NEO GARDEN CATERING What's a traditional Chinese full-month celebration without red eggs and ang ku kueh? Enjoy 30 of each, 50 assorted mini pastries, as well as a blue- or pink-themed setup for $200 (pictured, top right). This special combo is available when you order its buffet spread. Visit www.neogarden.com.sg. MY DREAM CRADLE Planning a cukur rambut (Malay for hair-shaving) ceremony for your newborn? Choose from five designs for the…

1 Frequent runny stools are normal in breastfed babies. How much poo should you expect from a baby? The answer is a lot, especially if she is on breast milk, which has a natural laxative effect. Your baby’s bowel movements may be as frequent as seven to eight times a day. But it could also swing to the other extreme, and may be as infrequent as up to once a week as breast milk is so well-digested, there may not be much left to be excreted, says Dr Ong Ian, paediatrician at Thomson Paediatric Centre (Katong). What’s important is your baby feeds well and gains weight, and that the stool remains soft when she does a bowel movement, she adds. Breastfed babies also tend to have softer and runnier stools…

Is my child ready for a discussion about sex? According to Ho Shee Wai, a psychologist and director at The Counselling Place, the issue is not so much about whether your child is mature or old enough to know about sex, but more about whether you and your spouse are ready to have the discussion. It’s the conversation most parents dread – telling their young ones how babies are made and explaining awkward and complex topics, like sexuality and intimacy. Before you proceed, take note of what the experts have to say. “As parents, you should ask yourselves if you’re comfortable talking about sex with your child,” says Shee Wai. “You have to be willing to broach the subject. And when you do, you have to ensure that the information…

Just because you’re a new mum doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your favourite foods. A few tweaks in your diet can help create a healthy balance that satisfies you without leaving you feeling deprived. A perfect example are these easy-to-bake cookies. The recipe includes flaxseed meal, which is high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to aid in the formation of fat in breast milk. It’s the creation of Joseph Yeo, executive chef of multiconcept eatery SPRMRKT, and partner chef of Bosch. He is the father of three young kids. CHOCOLATE CHIP AND FLAXSEED MEAL COOKIES Makes 40 cookies Prep time: 40 minutes Cooking time: 8-10 minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed) 4 tbsp water 170g flour 1 tsp baking soda A pinch of…

little skool-house’s early literacy centre If you’re taking the kids to Downtown East, make time to visit the Little Skool-House’s Early Literacy Centre. Besides offering a library of books in English and Chinese for up to age eight, it also has a Makers’ Space where children can make crafts out of recycled materials. Look out for regular programmes with performing artists, authors and puppeteers, as well. Check the website for admission hours and the latest rates. Tel: 6585-5292/ Website: www.littleskoolhouse.com/elc learning vision@work (kent ridge) Looking for a childcare centre in Science Park 1? This preschool is within walking distance of One @ Kent Ridge Shopping Mall, as well as Kent Ridge MRT. Children here enjoy Learning Vision’s award-winning curriculum, and parents can rest assured knowing that the centre has been…