Do you think twin babies are expensive?

I just can’t help but feeling proud of myself that I am still able to breastfeed the boys now, at 10 months. I know, it sounds almost unbelievable to most as it takes a lot of effort to successfully breastfeed one baby, what’s more feeding two.

Yesterday while running my errands, I was talking to some ladies while waiting for my food and they commented that my twins must be “pricey” in terms of spending on milk powder and disposable diapers. Not wanting to explain in details about cloth diapering in a hot coffee shop, I just merely tell them they are not that expensive, apart from being difficult to take care of. Reason is because they are still on breastmilk only, and we have not invest a single sen on formula as of today.
Guess where their eyes go to immediately after that? I bet anyone listen to my answer would shift their eyes to would be anxious to find out if I am that BIG to be able to feed TWO! *common reaction*

Sleeping with 3 kids

Before the twin boys were born, I have been cracking my head thinking how the earth should I sleep with 3 kids + breastfeeding 2 boys at the same time. Since birth the boys were with me on the king size bed until we run out of space (got to separate them as they start to turn 360 degree and kick each other). I tried putting one baby in cot and QQ on the king size bed with one baby. She ended up kicking her poor brother :(

Therefore our arrangement obstacles are:
* 3 kids have to be separated into their own beds
* All side must be railed so that they do not roll down

Even small matter like that makes my parenting journey so challenging. Not easy when you have twins yeah...

De Gallery

De Gallery is my another new site, to put all the recommendation on parenting products that I love to use, or 2nd hand things that I have for sale (since I already plan to tutup kedai!).

As a mother to 3 children, with a limited budget now, I have to shop very wisely and carefully, to choose only things I find really useful, but of course, also inline with the new trend of parenting.

New baby products can be very pricey today, especially if they are the imported brands where they are known for their good quality. Since most of us only need them temporary, sometimes it would be wiser to get the 2nd hand (if they are still good and new!)

I see a demand with email inquiries coming in after I published some of my baby things for sale on this blog. Therefore De Gallery is launched to place what is available now.

Remember to check out from time to time for good bargains!

Happy Parenting

Chicco for sale!

More details and pictures of the Chicco Stroller (Model: Ponee XS, made in Italy)

Almost like new (only used indoor for shopping). Selling at RM225 (current selling price is RM450).

Features:
* It is compact, light, maneuverable.
* It is perfect for mother and child.
* It is the ideal stroller in town or when traveling.
* Multi position recline.
* 5-Point safety harness.
* Adjustable handle.
* Comes with shopping basket.
* Front swivel /lockable wheels.
* Removable hood.
* Dual brake.
* Washable seat.

Specifications:
* Weight: 5.8kg.
* Dimensions Folded (cm): 88L x 27W x 47H.
* Dimensions Unfolded (cm): 70L x 27W x 90H.
* It is suitable from 3months onwards.
* Weight Capacity (kg): 15.

We decided to let this stroller go since we will be getting a twin stroller instead. Anyone interested can reach me at chinneeq@yahoo.com for more details.

A good foundation from young

It is not easy to raise little children today, what’s more teenager. As a mother to only a toddler at the moment, I find my daily parenting moment very challenging. Sometimes it can really drives me up the wall talking to a little toddler like mine, and sometimes hubby and I just laugh our head off with the amusement from our little girl.

Since she is still young, I gather that she is still easy to train her. Going wrong in the basic of parenting from young would definitely lead to many problems when they go into their teenage years.

So, parenting is really the greatest challenge, isn't it?

Why breast milk?

Do you notice some “positive” impacts of our infant formula on our children today? Although the awareness of breastfeeding is getting wider now, but there are still many mothers out there who are ignorance about the importance of breastfeeding. I must admit that the breastfeeding journey is not easy, especially in the beginning part that discourage most mothers to stay away from breastfeeding.

They rather take a short cut and accept the fact they cannot produce enough milk for their baby. That is why we see a lot of “artificially” overweight babies nowadays whom might even be overweight as they grow.

If only more campaigns are made to create the awareness on the importance of breastfeeding!

Idea to Display of Your Kid's Art

While visiting a friend's home, I just found out a great idea to display the art of children.

Instead of pasting them all over the living hall, Cheng Sim tastefully display them on the wall of her kitchen tiles. Since tapes can comes off easily from tiles, I guess that is the best place to past it on.

Better than me pasting them all over my fridge. Now it is so full that I can hardly sees them, hehe...

How to create awareness for your children

These are some of the simple steps to help your child create some awareness for child abuse prevention.

1. Build your child's self-esteem
2. Understand your own feeling (be calm and DO NOT judge your child)
3. Increase your child's vocabulary (about body part)
4. Repeat...Repeat.....Repeat
5. Teach your child to be ASSERTIVE
6. Always believe your child
7. Don't rush into situation
8. Teach your child to think "NO" (it is always ok for them to think NO to anything)
9. Teach your child HIS RIGHT

Read more on

• How to handle abused children
• Child Abuse Prevention

How to handle abused children

Continue from the Child Abuse Prevention post.

It is definitely not easy to handle abuse children as we are not trained to do so. However we as parent always have to be the first party who would identify and handle our child, should anything happen to them.

These are some simple guides which I find very useful:

1. Believe what your child said
2. Be calm (children are always very sensitive to their parents reaction)
3. Affirm a child (by assuring he is doing the right thing by telling)
4. Prepare kids for what would happen next (MUST always let them know there are people who can help)
5. Be supportive (DO NOT MAKE PROMISE YOU CANNOT KEEP)
6. Report the abuse

Who to report:

1. Government hospital
2. Social Welfare
3. Police

However one should remember that it would be a very traumatic experience for the victim to report the abuse case. Always handle with special attention and care. Importantly, parents must remember to KEEP CALM!

You can help by Creating Awareness to your Child

Child Abuse Prevention

During last Sunday, I attended a Sexual Child Abuse seminar PS The Children.

It was organised by our Buddhist Society and this seminar was conducted run by the NGO and we got lots of very useful information about child abuse. Even though we are not trained to handle traumatic abuse victim, it at least give me a clear guide how to guide my child by giving some awareness for prevention.

A simple step that every parent should teach their child is to:

SAY "NO" >>>>>>>>> RUN >>>>>>>>>>>> TELL>>>>>>>>>>

• if they feel uncomfortable to someone's touch
  
• if they feel uncomfortable to to what she saw
• if she feels something is not right

Read How to Handle Abuse Children

Cute sandwiches

A great way to eat your sandwich creatively. After spreading some butter and jam, we used the cookie cutters to cut our bread out into shapes. Cookies not only is very cheap, you can even get this easily from the sundry shop. In fact, it is a great way to encourage your kid to eat their sandwich too. For alternative, you can even put some ham or cheese in between the sandwiches.

Handprints

Wonder what I am doing with so many research on the handprint craft for my playgroup? This is one of the reason. Read this poem, it is sweet:

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my handprint
On furniture and wall

But everyday I'm growing
(I'll be all grown someday)
And all those tiny hand prints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a final handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When they were very small.

© T. Lambert, Jr. May 1978

Lunch Box

I have been looking for some tips on packing a lunch box, to promote a healthy eating to hubby and my little gal. To keep food fresh, there are some ways to do it.

1. Use insulated lunch bags. Not only it looks trendy, it can keep keep your child’s lunch cold and, therefore, safe and fresh.

2.Send a salad in a small plastic container. Keep the dressing on the side in a separate smaller container.

3.Whole grain snack crackers add a nice crunch and lots of healthy fiber.

4. Pack a cold pasta salad, cole slaw, or potato salad.

Big Sister Pack

Still cannot make up your mind what to give to your elder child when you deliver a new baby? I am sure you will find a perfect gift for her while you buy baby gifts.

I love this special pack called Big Sister Kid. And it suits just perfectly to the pre-school child. This kit includes a baseball tee, a baby doll, and nice gift card (from her new sibling), some jumbo crayons and a nice lollipop. By giving this special present to the elder child, it makes her feel extra special during a tough transition period. Best of all everything is even packed in a nice vinyl backpack where she can even use it to school.

Father and Daughter

My girl sticks to her father whenever he is at home. She is such as sticky gummy until her father couldn't breathe. Instead of playing with me, it is a good idea to provide some fun activities for both of them to do together, such as coloring, or contest to assemble the puzzles. Some fathers I know even bring their children to movie (it is the only way fathers can do best entertaining their children while sitting down to rest). Hubby has not tried this before, how about the rest of you?