Tabla de contenidos para May 2017 en Young Parents

If your child needs extra help with improving his language and writing skills, check out the British Council’s range of holiday courses. They are suitable for primary schoolers of all ages. Learn And Explore – Composition Skills 1 This course is tailored for children in P1 and P2. During this course, your little one will experiment with basic techniques for writing, gaining the confidence to write a range of Ministry of Education (MOE) text types in the second half of the year. The text types featured are personal recount, report and informal letter. Learn And Explore – Composition Skills 2 Suitable for children in P3 and P4, this programme allows kids to experiment with producing more complex MOE text types with an increased awareness of purpose, audience and context. The…

1 First things first: Vaccines are safe. Vaccines work by stimulating a child’s immunity to produce antibodies against certain infectious diseases, so she can fight them if she comes into contact with them, explains Dr Flordeliza Yong, deputy director of School Health Service at Health Promotion Board. In Singapore, vaccines are assessed to be safe for use by the Health Sciences Authority. Minor side effects, such as a low-grade fever and soreness at the injection site, are possible reactions to some shots. But serious allergic reactions, such breathing difficulty, wheezing, hives, a fast heartbeat or dizziness, are “extremely rare”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, your child is more likely to be seriously injured by a vaccine-preventable disease such as polio, which can cause paralysis, than by…

If her baby is well-behaved, she has worked hard to settle her little one into a feeding and sleeping routine. Don’t belittle her achievements. “I bet you’re glad you don’t have to go to work.” Why not Some new mums are concerned that taking maternity leave could have an adverse effect on their career, so the decision to go on a full four-month break – or an even extended period – could be very difficult. Your comment suggests that staying at home to look after her baby has no negative implications, and that it provides a welcome relief from the workplace. On the contrary, she could have serious doubts about the choice she made. What you could say “Taking maternity leave isn’t always an easy decision.” “Your baby is very…

It is mid-afternoon, and this work-at-home mum’s stress level is at an all-time high. The boss has just e-mailed about a deadline. Nearby, an overstimulated preschooler is throwing the mother of all tantrums, while a 10-year-old needs help with maths. Elsewhere, unwashed dishes and soiled laundry pile up. Overwhelmed, I lose it and start yelling at the kids, whose fearful faces immediately make me feel worse than I already do. “Oh crap,” I mutter, only to feel crappier the next moment because I’ve used a “bad word” in front of the children. Welcome to the world of Mummy guilt, where everything is far from perfect and nothing goes as planned. What’s worse is, you can’t even find the energy to fix it all. Clinical psychologist Vyda S Chai of Think…

This former teacher steeled her resolve to quit her full-time job when her firstborn said “Mama” and she wasn’t there to witness it. “I was almost in tears when my helper told me that. I was working such long hours that I missed all of my baby’s important milestones,” Fathiah says. These days, the Laselle College of the Arts graduate puts her design skills to good use by customising bridal outfits from home, while raising her three kids on her own terms. The journey hasn’t been easy, though; she took a 50-per-cent pay cut at first, and is often on “zombie mode” after working through the night. Her advice to mums considering business ownership: Do your sums, and get Hubby’s support because starting and sustaining a business can be rough…

eat Taking the cable car to Sentosa? Stop by Spuds & Aprons at Faber Peak before you board and try its new menu, which marries flavours from East and West. Must-tries include the gorgeous beef Guinness stew, sweet potato french fries with sea salt and Japanese curry mayo, and the signature crab linguini. Every Monday to Thursday, there’s also a three-course lunch menu at $15++, which includes a soup, a main dish and a scoop of Haagen Dazs ice cream. The kids’ menu keeps little ones happy with favourites such as chicken cheese sausage with Smiling Fries and teriyaki salmon with mixed brown rice. At $10++, they come with a mocktail or a juice. Call 6377-9688 or visit www.faberpeaksingapore.com. do Take a playful trip down memory lane in The House…

STIR-FRIED PURPLE POTATOES WITH JAPANESE BITTERGOURD Serves 1 1 tbsp organic toasted sesame oil 1 organic purple potato, peeled and cut into long 1cm-thick strips 1 nigauri, halved and sliced (also known as goya, or Japanese bittergourd) 1 tsp organic minced garlic 1 tsp organic minced young ginger 1 tbsp organic mirin 1 tbsp organic dashi sauce ½ tsp pink Himalayan salt Pinch of organic white sesame seeds Pinch of fried whitebait Brown rice 1 Heat a frying pan with 1 tsp sesame oil. 2 Add potatoes and fry for 7 minutes until cooked, but not softened. 3 Add remaining oil, bittergourd, minced garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 5 minutes. 4 Pour in mirin, dashi and salt. 5 Cook for a few more minutes, and garnish with sesame seeds and…

Look for reasons that suggest this might be more than a passing phase. This also encourages your child to give more thought to his choices. Your preschooler’s interests seem to change from week to week. One day he wants to take up tennis; the next day, he tells you that he prefers drama. He’s always switching hobbies and doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. No wonder you are frustrated about his constant chopping and changing. It’s hardly surprising, however, that he wants to try out different hobbies, new challenges, and fresh activities. After all, the world is an exciting place, as far as Junior is concerned, with so much to learn and so many opportunities. He wants to try everything – at least once, anyway.…

Leaving the kids with Grandma or a nanny before heading to work used to be the way most working mums had to go about earning a living. But times have changed. More than any other generation, today’s millennial mums believe it is possible to have it all; dedicating time to raise their kids without having to trade their laptops for an apron. That is why an increasing number of millennial mums are opting for jobs that allow flexible work-at-home arrangements, or starting their own businesses. The number of mumpreneurs – women who start a business after having a kid – in Mums@Work’s database has seen a whopping 35-fold increase, from about 100 to 3,500, over the last seven years. The local career portal supports mums looking for work-life balance. Technology,…

The Young Parents’ website has a brand new look! Enjoy daily parenting articles, expert advice and exciting promotions on www.youngparents.com.sg. Celebrate our website’s new look with us, by taking part in this contest. Remember the time when your kid did something silly or unexpected and embarrassed you? Or when you made your child laugh so hard because of what you said? Share these moments with us. TAKE PART IN TWO EASY STEPS: 1 Visit www.youngparents.com.sg/funnykids2017 to create your entry. 2 Upload the text, photo or video of the funny moment. It could be your kid’s, yours or something you did together. Now, submit! PLUS! Share your post on social media to garner more votes and increase your chances of winning. TOP 3 ENTRIES Marina Mandarin Singapore staycations, worth over $3,000…

pat’s schoolhouse For 29 years, Pat’s Schoolhouse has been firm in its belief of empowering children to pursue their dreams, however big or small. It nurtures them to be bold, vivacious and inspiring; to be confident and courageous, and celebrates every moment of their childhood with the preschool. Since its establishment in 1988, Pat’s Schoolhouse has remained at the forefront of early childhood education in Singapore, and it now runs 18 preschools and three infant-care centres. It is a leading preschool provider for children aged two months to six years old, thanks to its award-winning curriculum and its pioneering Bilingual Immersion Programme. Tel: 6781-2288/ E-mail: contact@patschoolhouse.com/ Website: www.patschoolhouse.com mulberry learning centre This international preschool chain won the Best Holistic Learning Programme in the inaugural SG Parents’ Choice 2016/17 awards by…

THIS MONTH, WE ASK How should I handle a kid who keeps asking “why”? The “why” question is a powerful learning tool for the child – and, yes, it is endless, and at times, frustrating to the adult. But when we see it through the eyes of a child, it is a window into his competence and capability to be a critical and creative thinker and problem solver. Asking “why” continuously enables him to make more and more connections and deepen his understanding – and yours, as well. It really does make you think as you seek to find the answers alongside him! Learning is a journey and it is more exciting when you have someone to share it with. Through asking “why”, Junior is sharing his journey with you.…

The mid-year examination results are out, and Junior didn’t do as well as he’d hoped for his English composition paper. With English being a core subject, it’s understandable that you’d be worried about how he is coping with the language. After all, English is not the easiest language to master, especially if your child doesn’t speak it very much at home. What makes an outstanding composition? Being able to compose a piece of writing is one thing, but does he know how to create a story that draws readers in, stimulates their imagination, engages them and makes them want to read more? According to Duncan Rose, the British Council’s head of schools, there are many differences between a great composition and an average one. “A strong piece of writing stands…

BUGABOO BEE5 Travel in style and comfort with this fully customisable stroller – you can choose the colour and material of its canopy, seat, grip, and even the wheel caps. In fact, there’s a mind-boggling 792 mix-and-match possibilities. With its smooth steering and four-wheel suspension system, you don’t have to worry about bumpy roads. This is for little ones, up till when they weigh 17kg. SIZE: About 90 cm long by 54cm wide by 87cm tall (open); 90 cm long by 47cm wide by 32cm tall (folded) WEIGHT: 8.9kg HOW MUCH: From $1,149 WHERE TO BUY: www.motherswork.com.sg and www.mothercare.com.sg GOODBABY POCKIT+ Easy to handle with just one hand, this stroller makes travelling with your little one convenient. From the time your baby is six months old till he weighs 17kg,…

ASK THE EXPERT These questions were answered by Dr Natalie Epton, a specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at SBCC Baby & Child Clinic at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre. Got a question? E-mail us at magyoungparents@sph.com.sg. Q My one-year-old doesn’t like to drink water. Can I substitute it with juice? A The average 10kg 12-month-old child needs 1 litre of fluid per day; those who sweat excessively or have constipation may require more. Of that, around 500 to 600ml should be milk – ideally either breast or full-fat cow’s milk after 12 months. (There is no medical need to continue with infant formula beyond the age of 12 months.) The rest of the 400 to 500ml should ideally be plain water, but if it’s a struggle to get your child to…

Although you might have a bad morning with her, be sure to end the day with a positive comment. “I love you even though we argue at times.” Why it is effective Your toddler needs to know that you care for her – she never tires of being told that you love her. This reassures her, makes her feel secure and lets her know you love her even though she is challenging and confrontational with you at times. “You are terrific.” Why it is effective There is nothing more likely to boost your child’s self-esteem than being told by you that she is a wonderful person, especially if she has been demanding. Remind her of her good qualities, such as her pleasant personality or even her ability to complete form…

From your tween’s perspective, revision might seem never-ending. Suggest that she ticks off each passing day on her chart. This provides a good visual reminder that it will soon be over. Exam-time looms once again and you can see your primary schooler’s enthusiasm and confidence begin to sag. Full of self-doubt, lack of enthusiasm, and a range of diversionary tactics, she needs your support to keep her spirits up. Here are 10 things you can say to boost her motivation: “You have done this before.” Reminding your child that she has prepared for exams (or class tests, if this is her first exam), helps her realise that she has tackled the preparation and exam process already. She recalls that she got through that period of her life the last time,…

There are hotels with rooms designed for children. And then there is Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, that brings out the kid in every parent. My eyes widened as I checked into its Safari-themed family room with my four-year-old son. Just look at that Jeep-styled, king-size bed “parked” under a 3-D tree (pictured). Instead of bedside tables and lamps, I found tree logs, old-fashioned suitcases and camping lanterns. Elsewhere, pebble-styled cushions were strewn on the carpet grass and tessellated “pavement”. A plush antelope joined us, as did a zebra family that was grazing on the field and peering at us – from the wallpaper, that is. I felt like I was transported back to my vacay in South Africa’s game reserve. And I didn’t even have to share my cool…