How I Start My Homeschooling - Part II

Homeschooling does not mean ‘bring the school into the house’. Do not just buy the school text books and teach your child in the house.. else the whole meaning of homeschooling is gone! I set some guidelines for myself:

• Teach using fun ways or everyday-life way: During outdoor visit, educational trip, grocery shopping, at the kitchen/garden/playground, teach them about road sign, calculate money (maths), step on baking a cake, etc.
• Teach according to the child’s learning ability: She may be learning kindergarten English, but at the same time learning standard-3 math.. all depends on her speed on different subject.
• Explore the child’s gifts: Especially good in drawings? Art work? Dancing? Music instrument? Geography? History? Electric appliances? Swimming? Kung Fu? Then according to their interest, boost up their knowledge and explore their skills by bringing them to trips, classes, museum, factory, etc.
• Set Proper View about Exam: Let the child understand, exam and spelling are tools to evaluate how much he or she understands or knows about a particular topic or word. It is not something use for comparison or tell how good/bad he or she is.
• Aim to Build Solid Foundation: Treat them fairly, honestly. Give them room to raise their concern, question you. Teach them to evaluate and not blindly absorb things shown or given to them (eg. advertisement, movie). So that in future, they have a good foundation facing the complicated world, like Internet, cigarettes, pubs, drugs..

How I Start my Homeschooling - Part I

Recently I received request from some moms wanting to know how I homeschool. What I can do is to share what I did with my eldest daughter from 3-5 years old, and along the way, tell the things I do with my son now, who is turning 4 years old. Below suggestion are all based on my experience for your reference only - remember, every child is different.

I believe before a parent wants to homeschool his or her child, he or she must first understand each child’s personality. Therefore, parent should start by preparing themselves first before the child. There are books I read before doing homeschooling, and I strongly recommend parent to do the same:

‘Personality Plus’ by Florence Littauer. This book is a must to help you understand your child, along the way it helps to understand your spouse, even your boss!

‘Dare to Discipline’ by James Dobson. This book gives you some foundation you should have when training up your child.

‘Bringing Up Boys’ by James Dobson. This book is for parents who have boy or boys. A must- read especially if you think your boy is very naughty or out of control. This book makes me understand that boy is boy. They are designed to challenge, to survive. They are surely more hard to manage. Understand that they are different from girls, so we don't force them to behave or response like girls do. Don't take away the differences!

‘How to Raise a Positive Child in the Negative World’ by Zig Ziglar. This is an additional reading if you have time. It let you understand the world your child is having now is different from yours 20, 30 years ago.

to be continue...

Plastic (Resin) Water Bottle

When I look at the water bottle at home, there are Code 1-PET (mineral water bottle) that I throw away after first used, there are Code 5-PP (polypropylene), and Code 7-PC (polycarbonate) that I bought for refill of water. Even my baby's feeding bottle is using Code 7-PC.

Recently after the Melamine issue, I finally decided to search information to find out the safety of using plastic water bottle. Many years ago, I heard that it is not safe to reuse, but how true is it?

After some research, the symbols at the bottom of the plastic bottle (consists of a triangle recycle symbol, a code number inside, and an acronym below the symbol) is to differentiate different type of polymer of the plastic. Manufacturer printed it not for consumers, but for easy sorting for their recycling purposes.

Until today, people disputed for years over the safety of using it:

(1) the chemical concern
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical concern for water bottles, especially those intended for reuse and made of PC (code 7). High temperatures and bleaching (some even said frequent cleaning) are believed to increase leeching of BPA. The health impact for humans is disputed.

(2) the bacteria concern
Users are warned regarding risk of bacteria that may develop in the bottle between uses. It is recommended to clean the interior with warm soapy water and let 100% dry before re-filling.

(3) the environmental concern
Plastics are durable, and they degrade very slowly. In some cases, burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Besides, manufacturing of plastics often creates large quantities of chemical pollutants.

Many health-conscious and environmentalist are going back to glass containers. At the end of the day, final decision is still in my own hands... to use or not to use? to reuse or not to reuse? to throw or not to throw? to clean or not to clean?
























'And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Kepp on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.' ~ Luke 11:9-10

What is 'Poison Milk' (Melamine)?

Everyone is concern about the poison milk issues, but not many actually know what it is all about. Info below came from forwarded Chinese emails which I translated to English. Hope it can benefit more to understand..

1.毒奶粉到底是什麼？What is in Poison Milk?

就是「三聚氰胺」。這是化工實驗室裡的「三聚氰胺」～
It is Melamine from the chemical industry.



















「三聚氰胺」原本是做什麼用的呢？它是一種工業原料主要是用來製作「美耐皿」碗盤～
What is Melamine originally for? It is one of the industrial ingredients to make plastic plates/bowls..


















還有家裡裝潢一定會用到的「美耐板」～
And the artificial wood we use during renovations..






















大家明白了嗎？「三聚氰胺」是一種工業原料，根本就不能吃！
Is everyone clear now? Melamine is a type of industrial raw material, uneatable at all!


2.為什麼「三聚氰胺」會出現在奶粉裡？
Why Melamine is in the milk powder?

奶粉是由牛奶製成的，牛奶最重要的營養成份就是蛋白質。「三聚氰胺」跟蛋白質一樣含有「氮」～
偷加「三聚氰胺」，製造廠商可以省下牛奶的用量、降低成本。
Milk powder is made by cow's milk, and the most important nutritional ingredient in milk is protein. Melamine and protein both contains nitrogen.
With Melamine, manufacturer can cut down the amount of milk used, plus reduce cost.



















下面都是「三聚氰胺」，是不是跟奶粉很像？它沒有味道，所以不容易發現。
These are all Melamine, aren't they look like milk powder? It doesn't has smell, so is not easily notice.


















3.是怎麼發現的？
Then how people find out?

2007年　美國貓、狗暴斃，在中國製的寵物食品裡發現「三聚氰胺」
In year 2007, cats and dogs in US died, they found Melamine in China made pet's food.
















2008年開始　中國嬰兒腎結石病例異常增多
Beginning of year 2008, too many kidney stone cases found on China babies.
















2008年8月　中國三鹿奶粉被檢驗出「三聚氰胺」
August 2008 Melamine was found in China's milk powder.















2008年9月　紐西蘭總理要求中國政府處理
2008年9月21日　台灣爆發多種食品含有「三聚氰胺」
September 2008 New Zealand president ask China government to look into it.
21 September, 2008 Taiwan discovered Melamine content in many food products.

4.吃／喝了會怎麼樣？
What happen if consume Melamine?

「三聚氰胺」結晶會留在腎裡面，形成結石，堵塞腎小管。結石很痛很痛，結石的人尿不出來，腎臟會水腫。
Melamine will crystallized and stay in the kidney, forming kidney stones, causing blockage. The affected person cannot urinate, feeling very painful. Kidney may become edema.
















雖然結石可以動手術拿掉，卻會對腎臟造成不可恢復的傷害，到最後腎臟失去功能，就必須洗腎，否則很快就會因為尿毒症死亡。洗腎是什麼呢？其實正確來說，應該叫做「洗血」就是把身體全部血液，抽到外面繞一圈，經過機器過濾再送回去。
Although kidney stones can be removed by operation, it weaken the kidney or cause it to loose its function of cleaning toxic. Dialysis is needed. Meaning 'washing blood' by drawing the blood to go through a filter machine then pump it back into the body.




















為什麼嬰兒最嚴重呢？因為腎臟很小，此外，嬰兒只喝奶粉，所以腎壞掉的速度是最快的。
Why babies affected the most? Because their kidney are small, besides, babies purely drink milk, therefore the speed of kidney destruction is the fastest.












中國目前已經有1萬3千個受害的嬰兒住院。
There were already 13,000 babies affected and hospitalised in China.



'The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.' ~ Genesis 4:10-12

Bad Things Happen to Good People

Something happened to me on 916… nothing politically though. I had a car accident opposite Sunway Pyramid and ended up paying RM50 to the opposite party. My car scratched lightly at the young lady’s car when she was turning left in front of me from my right hand side. Yes, you read correctly, turning left from my right.

This is the first time in my 15 years of my driving life feeling so stupid paying after the incident. By law, she was wrong, no matter whether she did give signal light or not, and whether did I see her signal or not. However, at that moment I chose to give her the money she demanded to avoid further argument. I thought it was a smart move, but I regretted so much later that I did not stand for myself when someone take advantage of me.

In my 15 years of driving life, I hit pillars, road side blocks, metal gates, etc. many times, but never a car. My family told me I gave in because I was an 'inexperience-about-accident' driver. ‘Never pay if you know you are right.. bring it to the police.. record the car number, name, and driving license.. best take a picture of the incident before you move your car to the side.’ Wow, so much I did not do!

No matter what people tell me, the incident already happened and passed. I cannot even remember that car number now. ‘Why suddenly I became so blur? I should have…’ ‘Why bad things only happen to good people?’ Questions keep playing in my brain. Somehow I cannot take away the regret feeling in me for few days.

I tell myself I have to stop blaming myself although it is not easy. And I must learn something more than this. May be God want me to go through this to learn something different? Yeah, this is a more important mind set to have, to survive, and to live life! I decided then to go for a good book for an answer, or a comfort.. the book I read is The BE Happy Attitudes by Robert Schuller.

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'

God does comfort good people when bad things happen to them.

Don’t ask: ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’
Ask: ‘What happens to good people when bad things happen to them?’

And the answer?

They become better people.

Message to A Sister

To my dear sister,
Most people have heard of the story of a professor putting the big stones into a hugh glass jar. He then poured in smaller stones, then poured in sand, then poured in water. This is not to show his student no matter how full it looks, there is still room to add (improve); But is to show them, if you do not put in the big stones first, you will never get to put them in at all.

I believe there are big milestones in life we put in - Birth, Maturity, Career, Marriage, Pregnancy, Child-Birth, Health, Knowing-God. Some of these happen at specific time. If we miss any of it, we may feel some regret in life.

One thing I learned not so early was:
'If you don't manage your life's milestones, decide and chart your path... life will pass you by.'

Are you marrying him? Dunno.
Do you love him? Dunno.
Do you plan to find someone else? Dunno.
When do you think you should get married? Dunno.
Have kids? Dunno.

These are the answer I get from you. Is it a trend now?

Actually in olden days, like mom and dad, people were somewhat unconsciously aware of marriage milestone. They plan their path, aim to marry specific person at a specific time. May be life is easier nowadays, so people takes things for granted... until one day when they get old, no matter how much money they have... they will fall back to face certain milestones they miss - marriage, pregnancy, kids.

TV, movie, novel sometimes beautifies things. People are forever waiting for things to happen by itself... forgetting that milestones need them to plan to achieve.

Stop waiting for your lover to knee down asking for marriage, you two can actually sit down and plan for it. Stop looking at oversea just because you feel that there is no equal opportunity in this country. There is no one place in the world that has equal opportunity. Every country has people succeed and become millionaires, and every country has beggars too. Do you know poorer countries says here is heaven?

One do not need to be equal to go for success. One just need an opportunity and hard work to be successful... remember that. Read books of successful people, their mind set is different than usually what people thought things were. That's why they are successful no matter where you place them in the world. Upgrade your mindset, not only career updates, you will have a wiser view, and you will be happier without all the complaining.

Love,
Your sister.

Stay-at-home Mom, Keep It Up!

A friend of mine got married and have babies. She never go back to work in the office, and just stay at home to take care of the kids. She sometimes wonder 'Is it worth it to let go my good career to be a homemaker? Now I don't get to wear nice clothes and makeup to work, I don't see many people, I seldom socialize or network, I can't go out whenever I like, and most of the time I feel like I can't handle the kids like I handle my work (so well) in office.'

I realised even woman that decided to quit her job during their kids schooling age will have the similar thinking in the first 2 years, regardless they know of the important reason behind handling that resignation letter or not - the reason to let kids have a mom at home. Some will end up going back to the work force because, at the end of the day, work is still easier to handle than little human being, and work has a time-out.

In order for myself not to dwell into the same thinking
(1) I get myself to read books about raising kids. James Dobson's books are among the good ones. They are to remind myself of the importance of the role of a mother at home. What I can observe and input to my kids in the early age before they reach the teenage years.

(2) I pickup the habit to groom myself whenever I go out somewhere... to shop for something, or visit someone. Make sure no messy hair, ugly T-shirt, etc.

(3) Plan a simple time table with my kids, to do things together, go for a walk together, exercise together, and take any opportunity to update them on knowledge, beliefs, values.

(4) Take a day off to go out with girlfriends, or sisters, or hubby.

(5) Pick up a passion part time work or hobby. Mine is to continue my bridal makeup service to others.

(6) Talk to someone who is doing the same thing, or who has done it. I once met an elderly lady who told me I am doing the right thing, and encourage me to keep it up. She did the same and all her 3 kids graduated, and are successful adults working in various fields. She can't imagine how they will turn out to be if she did not stay at home to keep an eye on them.

(7) I get myself involve in some woman's group to keep myself updated. Attend some of the event or workshop to know more ladies, and share things that ladies like to talk about. Recently found interesting topic regarding some big IT companies thinking of providing shorter work time or work-from-home for moms, cause they see the trend where a high-performer leave after having babies. US already starting this!

For those who are working, I urge you to consider staying at home as an option, especially if your salary is mainly covering your working expenses, extra car, petrol, working clothes, baby-sitting and maid. Because a mom at home for the kids cannot really replace simply by any other person or program (baby-sitting, maid, tuition, etc).

If you are a stay-at-home-mom or a work-from-home mom, welcome you to contact me. We can keep in touch to encourage each other to do our best in this primary role of mother. Although we are not pay a salary, this is the most important task one cannot put a price tag on. We should be proud of ourselves, and we will be glad on how our kids turn out to be later... that will be our greatest rewards in days to come.


'Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.' ~ Deuteronomy 4:9

Immune System is the Strongest Defence

Recently an old friend told me about his kid's asthma... been in and out of hospital 5-6 times and occasional wheezy, giving him headache and lost many weekends. This reminded me of my own case almost 20 years ago...

I was not a strong kid when young, I almost visited the clinic every month on flu, cough, fever, etc... which I now understand that was 'not normal' for a healthy kid. My immune system was weak and I never take time to let it be strong and fight, but relied purely on western medicine all the time to get a quick fix.

I became a bronchitic patient in my teen years. The hostel I stayed was having massive construction work, and the dust and cement powders which I unconsciously breath in everyday had caused me one night to woke up in shock of not able to breath! I thought I was going to die because all the phlegm had stuck at the entrance of the lungs and moving in... I stood real straight in order to breath, and fall asleep standing that night at 3am...

The next day, I went to the specialist and got an x-ray full of phlegm plus an injection... the doctor scolded me for not taking care of myself at such a young age... concluded my case as bronchitis. I promised myself that day to take care myself properly. However, with no knowledge on health, those medication did not make me any better, it only help to cover those symptom. Since then, I am careful when around people with cigarette, and refrain from dusty areas, and all cold drinks/food.

Many years later when I got into working life, I managed to cured from it when I took natural organic nutritional supplement consistently and persistently for 10 years. I also distanced myself from coloring, flavouring, preservative... which mainly found in packaging food and fast food. After attended some health seminars and read those health books, I learned a lot about the medical industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the food industry... my thought is: Why fall into the conspiracy of those who use unhealthy things to get rich?

Modern Parents, Be Sensitive!

I grew up with Chinese parents who like to compare their childhood time with current children's childhood time. They said nowadays children are so bless with nice toys, or so lucky someone send them to school... follow by "we do not have such luxury last time." I think I picked up this 'tradition' from my mom and start nagging my children until recently... I stop.

May be God prompted me to think a level deeper, I suddenly found out that children in the past were blessed. They get to walk/cycle to school by themselves, they get to go to the playground by themselves, and they climb trees, run at the nearby hill... until mom call them for dinner. Elder brother or sister get to accompany the younger ones to do something, go somewhere... they get to learn things outside of the house.

Today's kids with nice toys, being sent to school by cars, watch television and play video games in the house... just because outsides is no longer safe to hang around; Nothing about the danger of falling into a river, but more on human related issue -- bad drivers, kidnappers, etc. You saw news that kid being hit by cars on the way to school, kid went missing when they were at playground. Do you dare to let your kids go out without any adult supervision? Not me.

The topic is not to discuss which generations of children are luckier. Parents should comply with the society (safety) of the time to make sure their kids are not exposing to danger of that time. Sad to admit that parents nowadays do not just worry their kids might fall into the river. There are dangers that do not exist in olden days, but parents have to be more sensitive now. For example,

• Do not put computer with internet in your kid's room if you have not teach them how to 'handle' it, else it is as good as letting a stranger into the room to teach your kid 'whatever' it likes.
• Do not leave your kid(s) in the car without adult, even you are just away for 2 minutes. What if you meet a friend and start chatting? Besides, teach your kids about safety. Teach them to honk if they are locked in the car (p/s: if you read Chinese, read this article and share with your friends).

Breastfeeding without Pain

Recently a friend gave birth to a baby and she was having nipple pain. The baby mouth is small and sucking milk by gripping the nipple instead of the outer area of nipple.

I taugh my friend to try my method:

1. When baby crying for milk, use the nipple to touch baby lower lip.
2. When baby opens her mouth, with your body movement, quickly push the whole breast onto baby's mouth fully (do not worry even baby nose were being covered for a while).
3. Then use a finger to press down a small portion of the breast (which covering the baby's nose) for the baby to breath.
4. If baby is gripping the outer area of your nipple, you will feel comfortable and no pain. Continue pressing for the baby to breath and drink.
5. If the baby grab only the nipple portion, put your finger in from the side of baby's lips to let the air enter baby's mouth to release the suction, then you can try again the above steps.

It works for me and my friend.

All the best to you, mommy! ;D

The 9 Abilities that Affect a Child's Life

How do I define success as a parent? I want to raise my children to become a successful person in life. Success in terms of having good personality, able to build happy relationship, etc. Not so much on being a multi-millionaire I think.

I always wonder what kind of elements needed to at least get the child heading towards a proper path of becoming successful in life? I know it is not purely education, it is not purely environment. Everyone knows: A child get into a good school does not guarantee he/she will become a successful person. A child born in a poor family does not mean the child will not be a successful person.

Until one day I saw and read this book "The Great Mom and Success of Child" (a Korean book translated to Chinese), and it gave me some great guidelines:

Nine basic abilities that affect a child's life
(1) Ability to handle failure
(2) Ability to evaluate philosophy and creation
(3) Ability to feel blessed or create blessed condition
(4) Ability to lead and think for others
(5) Ability to read and understand others point of view
(6) Ability to communicate - listening, talking, thinking, repeat
(7) Ability to pick up useful languages
(8) Ability to earn and managed money
(9) Ability to work and have good work habit

I highly recommend friends (especially moms) to read this book!

I'm back to school

I ended my 3 years of homeschooling, and got my daughter into school today.

Getting up early to prepare food, wake up the kid, dress her the school uniform... feels like going back to school myself. Well, I guess I will be doing this till all the kids turn 18? The younger brother and sister also feel excited and wore their school bag on the shoulders.

The transition is smooth, no crying of 'mommy, mommy I want to go home'. I brought the little brother along to check out the area. I left after accompany her for 15 minutes. She was ready to meet all the other small fellow and mingle around.

Why not continuing the homeschooling? Not that the kid cannot follow (in fact she is ahead of schedule). I was the one find hard to concentrate to teach and manage the household, plus the other 2 little ones keeps on demanding for attention.

Well, I'm not so worried now like I used to about educating the kids. Especially after reading 'The Great Mom' (I mentioned earlier in my previous post). May be I should quickly compound the main points and share with you all on my next post. Keep an eye on my next one. *wink*