Start of Primary school

Wow! Been so long since I posted!

Since then IZ turned 6 in Dec and started primary school too!

Life got so busy the first two weeks, I felt really overwhelmed (with new routine and information overloaded). Didn't help that I had to go for a short business trip on the 2nd week of school.

Before my memory fails me more, here's bits and pieces of the past 3 weeks.

Something to be thankful of, IZ enjoys the start of his primary school, and look forward to going to school everyday, including weekend. He would countdown to Monday on Saturday morning when he woke up. (While deep inside, I was like, Monday please don't come! - already Mon-bluish on Saturday)

4th week into P1, he's grown as a person.

Having helper since he was born, he (and I'm guilty as well) is completely reliant on others for EVERY LITTLE THING.

He's more independent now. We forced onto him to learn to clean up after himself after pooping. He carries his plate or cup when he's done with his meals. Brush teeth on his own.

I've also taught him to pack his school bag from Day 0. I wrote a list of things to pack, and since then he has never looked back. He took it upon himself to pack storybooks for his silent reading too (odd week Chinese, even week English). Well, he lost a Chinese storybook, and he felt upset about it. I felt heartache. :-( But this is the growing journey, I hope he would learn to take care of his belongings real soon.

There was one day he came home without any books nor his water bottle. He left everything underneath his desk. I am not sure what he was thinking about either. And that was the day he had the 1st school homework. I asked him to confess to his teacher the next day, and face the music himself. Surprisingly, the teacher was very nice about it, and told him she'd give him only one chance, the next time he forgets, he'll get marks deducted. Sigh.. I was hoping for something more severe. I wonder if he knows what's marks deduction means. :-D

Buying food has been fun for him. He enjoys spending money in the canteen. The fun of buying a bottled drink from vending machine, the power to purchase a sandwich in the canteen. He decided he eats too slowly (or maybe he's been chanted way too many a times that he's convinced he couldn't eat any faster), that he chose not to buy noodles nor rice. He opts for sandwiches, cakes or buns for lunch.

First day, he bought Yakult and a pandan sponge cake.
And subsequently alternate between pandan sponge cake and sandwiches.

Worried he wouldn't get enough nutrients, I decided to pack recess box for him. Of which, he gave me a schedule in return, to pack on Tuesdays and Fridays, and give him pocket money on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Now we fall into routine, which sometimes screwed, most of the times worked for us:

Morning:
Wake-up: This is difficult, it's not easy for the kiddo to wake up at 6am. So the first 3 weeks, we had to rush like mad. This week onwards, he wakes up at 5.45am. Makes everyone's life easier.
Breakfast: a cup of milk with sometimes biscuits or bread or pau.
Shower: Warmed up after breakfast, he takes a quick shower to freshen up. I believe morning shower makes a difference on how he looks (fresh or not). Haha!
School bus: pick-up from downstairs everyday.

Afternoon:
Depending on which day of the week, the school timing is not the same everyday:
Shower: first thing to do is shower after cooling down
Lunch: first proper meal for the day
School Homework / Spelling Practice* / Mom's Homework** / Violin Practice / iPad / Play: all these in no particular order as he prefers, but priority is for school homework, he has to finish them before I come home for the day.
Playground / Lessons: We are dropping all the weekday classes (drawing, violin X 2) so that he can play more. Starting Feb, he'll only have 1 lesson on weekday which is CHINESE! We cannot afford to give up Chinese!

Evening:
Violin practice: if there's no lesson for the day
Spelling / Revision: if there's time left
Packing of school bag
Reading
Bedtime by 9pm (sometimes he'll knock out straight.. sometimes exasperatingly, he'd roll till 9.30pm)

*I make him responsible for his own spelling. He'll plan for himself on how many and when he would learn to spell the words in the Spelling list given by the teacher. Then he'll ask helper to test him. When I get home, he'll get me to test him. I find this way works for him, I do not have to sit down to work on it in the evenings, and focus on revising what teacher has taught for the day / week instead.

**Mom's Homework means homework dictated by ME, the MOM (not Ministry of Manpower). I put aside some workbooks including Word Search, copying of Chinese sentences, Maths work for him to do on days he doesn't have any school homework. I have been doing this for the past few months, he's been doing the work diligently. I think this is really important to start from young age so they take it as part of their daily routine.

Weekend:
Cartoon
Orchestra practice
iPad
Revision
Play
Swimming lesson : on Sunday
Movie night
Sharpening colour pencils / pencils
Reading
Bedtime

K2: 1st PTM

Today was the first PTM with Ms. Beverley. Before we left for the school, I asked IZ, what he expected the teachers to tell us. He said "good".

She is definitely younger than I've imagined. Tall, slender, sweet with nice manicured nails.

She definitely do not look like one strict teacher, although I've heard about her strict methods. Facing the wall, stripping off leader tag if misbehave etc. I guess she has what it takes to manage the kids.

She told us he has good learning attitude, has been very constant with his diligent work. He is very strong in phonics, can read very well, and very delightful to have him in the class. She said she doesn't know how we teach him at home, which embarrassed us a little, didn't know what to say with such compliment.

Seems like she exchanged notes with Ms Fizah regarding IZ's pronunciation. Ms. Beverley says he has no problem with pronunciation at all, and that she sees improvement in him since January. So, she knows of IZ tongue release history and speech therapies. Plus point.

I asked if he eats well. She said he is fussy, but she made sure to knock on the CIP class to make sure IZ eats his lunch. Another plus point.

Li Laoshi, the same Chinese teacher as last year, complimented him that he is diligent in his work and also display interest in the language. Although he needs to correct his Chinese pronunciation a little. To be honest, I'm already quite happy with his development, as long as he likes the language, it doesn't matter if he speaks like a potato. (He recites Chinese poems at home.. although I can't understand what he was reciting about)..

Li Laoshi told us that IZ is very helpful to friends and teachers. Displayed concern when Ms Beverley didn't come to school and would ask if Ms Beverley is feeling ok when she turns up the next day.

Both teachers agreed that he enjoys learning and good in both languages.

He also did well for his show and tell (for both languages) and shared his trip to the fire station with passion and excitement.

We are very happy with his good learning attitude and respect to the teachers.

Well done, son.. do keep it up!

Nothing more important..

than his learning attitude.. 

Bravo son, keep it up!

The day he was made a Table Leader.. was also the day he lost his 1st pencil case..

I was so excited to read his K2 teacher;s note asking us to prepare a pencil case with 2 pencils, an eraser and a ruler. To teach them responsibility, teacher wrote. I quickly took out the stash of stationery and pencil cases I've kept for so long. They were all gifted.

I was really excited to let him choose

What he chose. We had to label them too.

I told him to make sure to bring back everything, everyday.

At the back of my mind, I was prepared to replenish stationery along the way.

Never would I have thought.. he would lost the whole pencil case along the stationery. My son is really "powerful".

He came clean on how he lose it. Actually, he didn't really know for sure. He just didn't keep the pencil case in his bag before leaving the school.

As a result, I asked him to think of what we should do. He couldn't think. So I hastily told him he has to be punished. And I wouldn't give him a new one until he earn $1 from me to get a replacement.

So I told him he'll use plastic bag and old stationery the next day. And he has to think of how he want to earn $1 from me. He nodded.

I was really proud that he didn't complain and accepted them as is.

Just a moment after that, he presented this beautiful heart and said it was for me. So sweet...

He couldn't think of a way to earn $1 from me. So I decided that he should help me in the kitchen.

He had to weigh 50pcs X 7g of pineapple paste for my pineapple tarts.

Weighing so carefully.
Find that this task is really good to teach Math and patience too!

Proudly presenting the hard work - 50pcs
for $1 (his 1st job ever!)

With that, he got his 2nd pencil case.

The real story:
To cut long story short, actually, he was too excited getting the table leader tag that he forgot to keep his pencil case. And he was chatting excitedly to a friend. Ah Nah and him made a phone call me to right away to announce the good news (ya, which is he is the table leader now), and thus, he lost the pencil case.

Proud daddy nonetheless
(for a week if there's no misconduct)

Word Search Adventure

A friend of mine told us (when we visited them in Melbourne earlier this year) she started her first born on Word Search because she couldn't focus. What started out to be a form of method to polish her concentration, now becomes a leisure hobby.

I got the Jumbo Word Search for her, and then my friend pointed that I've already bought her the very same book when we met in KL.

So, the book is kinda "owner-less". I believe I could make use of it, but I pretty much prefer Sudoku anytime, thanks.

IZ, like many children his age, is not able to focus on a task for long (except for his drawing and every 3 days iPad sessions). I decided to let him try.

Boy, it was not easy. The first time I brought out the book (few months ago), I quickly kept it again, before my BP start rising and scared IZ out of his skin. He had absolutely no clue what it was all about and had difficulty "reading" diagonally or reversed for that matter.

Few weeks ago, I brought it out again. I observed that he could read more words now. At least he tries. Thanks Kinderland, Thanks Phonics.

This time round, I am amazed. He now knows what is diagonal. He has tons to work on his concentration span, but I feel we are on the right path.

Other than searching for words, he actually learns spelling as well as some general information too.

For eg: Asian countries - he roughly know the countries by looking at the words (oh well, of course he can't spell them) ;-)

1st Topic - Asian Countries

Sweet Tooth

He is currently working on "I want to be...."

PS: Of course he didn't finish one whole page everyday! I asked for 2-3 words a day, so I can work on my Sudoku for that 10mins just for fun! But I believe he can slowly find them quicker, and by next year he probably can finish one page on one day. I can't wait, I hope he likes words or numbers related games, just like me!

Updated on 21st Dec'15:

Completed!

Updated on 30th Dec'15:

Another one

Updated on 3rd Jan'16:

Updated on 26th Jan'16:

Bye milk bottle!

We were advised there's no need to continue giving him formula milk. And that we could try fresh milk instead.

Since we told him we will just finish up the formula milk at home, he has been savouring every drop of the milk, as much as he could, from the bottle.

He would prop a pillow nicely, and lie down before sucking the bottle. I can't deny he looks really cute sucking!

Then a friend brought her daughter to the dentist and found decay. My friend then took the opportunity to eliminate sweets and milk bottles out of their lives. All has been good.

And I told myself to do it later, while thinking of all the possibilities that the transition ain't gonna be easy.. then opportunity chanced upon us..

My sister bought a cute cup-bottle with straw for IZ during our trip back to KL last week. So I told him during our trip to Bukit Tinggi, that it'd be the last night he sucked his bottle, we need to say bye bye to the bottle.

Last night with the milk bottle

Hello new cup-bottle!

Amazing how the kiddo could adapt so easily!

Now, how do we wean off formula milk smoothly? The last can ain't gonna last long!

IZ earned a credit..

A friend shared on delayed gratification related article on FB and it reminded me of an incident last night. It's not completely delayed gratification, but I think IZ earned a credit yesterday.

He was having mini Cornetto for dessert after dinner. Hubby asked him to be seated so that the ice cream will not melt and drip everywhere.

But IZ being IZ, has nails on his butts, can never sit still. He came to the room to look for us, and started talking.

Meanwhile, the barely eaten ice cream dropped on the floor.

Hubby asked him to clean up the mess and throw the ice cream away.

IZ left the room.

I told hubby to keep an eye on IZ, as he probably would have felt sad to throw the ice cream away, and probably eating it secretly. (I know, I'm negative... haiz)

To our surprise, when we walked into the hall, we saw IZ sitting on the sofa. All teary and upset, but was not throwing tantrum.

My heart pained seeing him. So pitiful.

For being able to take instructions so well and held it all up, I gave him a new cone.

I told him I really liked the way he listened to daddy's instruction to throw it away, yet not fuss over or throw tantrum over the ice cream, which was originally his fault anyway.

PS: on top of this, I reflected on my part, that I was skeptical of IZ's character. Bad mom.

Music lernen-reise..

I'm not one born with music talent. I remember dreading piano practices as my mom nagged and "forced" me to practice. I don't remember why I took up piano, but I vaguely remember started my journey in a music school and then changed to a private teacher.

In the beginning, I didn't have a piano. I had to practice in the music school. I guess that's why I didn't do well the first 2 years. Understandable now (but not then), my progress was quite stagnant in the music school that my mom got pissed and engaged a private teacher instead. By now, you could guess my "talent level".. almost non-existence I guess.

I went to the teacher's house, half hour of playing and the remaining on theories. Gosh, I remember dreading the theory part too. I couldn't go home if I did not answer all correctly, and I had to do, re-do and re-do until I got them right. Especially bad when preparing for exams, I always felt like crying.

I quit piano when I was in Form 6 (JC1 equivalent) at the age of 18, when I was preparing Grade 7. I quoted I couldn't cope, I needed to prepare for STMP (A level equivalent). What a bullshit.

Hearing piano sound now, makes my fingers itchy. But tell you what, I couldn't play for my life (not without pieces anyway). I was trained to play classicals, I was not adventurous, I have never ventured anything more than Richard Clayderman's pieces. Other than that, give me a piano, I have to figure how to play Happy Birthday song. Now you can confirm I have no talent at all.

But I love music. I love hearing music sound. I love hearing different instruments.

It is in my wish, to let IZ explore music. It is really good for emotion expression. I remember banging on my piano when I was angry, when I was sad, when I was happy. There was a channel to vent.

While watching Cantabile Tomorrow (a Korean show about orchestra, instruments, talented musicians), I was mesmerized by the sound of a cello. It's so melancholic.

So I hope IZ could take up cello. Unfortunately, he's too young. The only instruments he could play at the age of 4 is either piano (or keyboard) or violin.

As Kinderland has keyboard lesson in the music class, I decided we should go for violin. Afterall, if he can play a violin, he shouldn't have problem playing a cello, wouldn't he?

IZ obviously has different opinions. His list would go: trumpet, ukulele, guitar..

I told IZ he will learn violin till he turns 5, and then he can choose an instrument that he likes then. Actually at 5 years old, he probably can choose ukulele and guitar, for trumpet probably close to 6 or 7 years old.

It's not that I want to groom him as a violinist or musician whatsoever. It's the whole package. The joy of playing music on an instrument, using both hands for brain stimulation, the discipline to practice diligently, and also if possible taking up cello if he likes it? Hahaha...

To cut story short, he is we are now attending class on Sunday by MusArt Edu Hut who is run by Kids Philharmonic founder, Mr Lee.

More on the violin lernen-reise in future post..

His 1/10 and my full size

As things changed (slightly) for the better...

As I penned down the crazy week here the craziness did not end just there, but one thing I should be grateful, talking to others about IZ's behavior.

And so I pay attention on him, and did what was advised.

I "collaborated" with all the adults in the family that we would ignore him completely when he gets upset and start shouting or yelling or crying. All agreed. We would tell him to calm down and look for us again.

And so we had a chance to do it on Friday night.

He was crying over something when everyone else was already in the room preparing to sleep. And he was wailing on top of his lung in the hall, in the dark. Nobody entertained him, and it stopped within 2 minutes and he came back in as if nothing ever happened.

He woke up at 6.55am on Saturday, so you may have guessed it, no tantrum. He went "wakey wakey daddy, mommy!" Kids do have biological alarm installed in them for weekends don't they?

A friend came for dinner and he behaved superbly. He even followed me to send the friend home. Once in a while, he would speak in a loud voice as if he was shouting, but when reminded, he would try to bring his voice down.

Yesterday, he woke up with a smile. Out of impromptu decision, I drew lines on a piece of A4 paper and brought some stickers for him. I told him that it was really nice to wake up with a smile, and I shall give him a sticker. I told him, for everytime he wakes up with a big smile, I would give him a sticker.

I told him of the day itinerary, sports class, come back to bathe, eat lunch, take a nap and then BBQ. When he asked for playdough before class, I told him we can play after class. He said, but we are going to BBQ after class. Which means telling him the itinerary works to let him know in advance what he is expecting.

The day started really well. Teacher Izz in RSGK said he performed well. I think so too. Before the class I told him again why it is important to listen to his teachers. I told him the teachers would keep him safe, so he would be safe if he listens to them. It helped too that the class was not as crowded as previous weeks and it was less chaotic with 3 teachers around.

One thing I noticed, every Sunday, before the class starts, he would ask to go to the toilet, saying he needed to pass urine. But unable to pee usually. It reminds me of what Ms Fizah says, that he would say he wants to pass urine frequently, but most of the times, he is not able to. I wonder if this is a psychology thing. Something for me to read up on.

We also had some time to spend at the playground after class and he had fun despite the bright sunny day. All was in good mood.

Make believe puppet - Cookie Monster

He followed me to the company's family day and enjoyed playing with the bigger kids (my colleagues' kids). Thankful the kids did not mind such small little boy. Instead they took good care of him in the pool. He was in super good mood when I sent a colleague and her kids home, and kept asking in which location we were. I enjoyed talking to him like to an adult when I was driving.

Coz of the fuss at home, sometimes I forgot how it is when he is behaving well outside.

He amazed me when he noticed one of my colleagues were sitting alone at a corner eating by himself. He asked me why was he alone. I told him I do not know why, why don't he go and ask. He really went and asked why my colleague was all alone. It made me realised he is aware of his surrounding and the people around him.

He has no problem talking to my colleagues in different race.

It was wonderful day, I ended the night with a story about Rapunzel. A story he asked in the day when he got to know one of his friends were going to watch Rapunzel show.

This morning he asked with curious face, on the Rapunzel's story. Yes, IZ and his 100001 WHYs. I get so used to it, I think I have upgraded a level, my patience, that is.

And yes, as of this morning, he's got 2 stickers!
I promised an ice cream treat for every 7 stickers!

Concluding a crazy week.. (I hope)..

Somehow feel "crazy" is an understatement. It's like "horrendously mad" week it has been.

Just when work turns slightly better for me, all other "personal" stuffs took to one of its worst corner.

The elderly at home has not been feeling well. I really have to admit (hubby agreed too) that it was our bad that it comes to this stage. We have neglected her long enough, overestimated her capability of taking care of herself. I've took for granted her ability to bathe, to feed, to take medicine on her own. She has, really like the saying, turned into a child that really needs a lot of attention. I promise not to neglect her ever again. She is turning 84 come Aug, our house does have a precious.

As if the little one sensed all the tense at home, he too cranked up. He has been literally screaming for attention. Crying at the slightest thing like some water on his shirt/pants. Or latest fit in the morning, refusing to let helper help him with the wet-marketing trolley.

Temper has been quick. Yelling seems to be his choice for communication. And crying.. with real and crocodile tears.

Digging him out of bed is a chore, we take turns to do it so that we do not gets too boiled up.

We have discussed to ignore him at point of his tantrum, and would tell him to look for us when he has cooled down and talk nicely. I hope our consistency would work.

I can't help thinking what's the reason behind, what caused him so upset this week.

Has it been the tense at home coz the elderly has not been feeling well?

Is it because I was not in the best moods before I settled my work stuffs?

Is it because he's not feeling well?

Is it too much TV?

Too much pressure? From us?

Is it negligence?

It it related to helper?

I do know however, to pay close attention to him too.

Yesterday morning, while he was crying his heart out, I went down to him and asked if he wanted me to give him a hug. He shook his head, and cried that he wanted the daddy to hug him. When the daddy did, he stopped crying immediately.

This morning, when I offered to bring him for the wash up, he perks up, and co-operative the whole washing up. I've probably been to reliant on helper to take care of his being and missed the slightest hint of change of mood.

Having said that, I remember reading a book. About how we should let them know about emotions. Life is not just about being happy and bubbly. There are ups and downs in life, it's how we manage them. I may not be the best example, but I shall learn to manage our downs together.

A friend said I should feel relieved that IZ is finally behaving like a 3yo. I am surprised. Probably IZ has put up a real angelic front to outsiders, but I'm sure the 4 adults at home do not think he is anything angelic. Ops!

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel.” —Steve Furtick.

So, I have an elderly and a young precious crying for our undivided attention.

The ride is tough, we've gotta hang on tight!

"I don't want to answer you"

We have had difficult time waking IZ up for school these days. It was as if nothing could wake him up with a bright smile, except on weekends, of course.

This morning, I was trying, again. And I tried to engage him in a conversation.

I tried to ask questions so that he would be awake enough to wash up.

But he replied "I don't want to answer you".

To be honest, I was amused. At 3y3m? "I don't want to answer you"?

WOW.. to many more of "I don't want to answer you" to come and then to absolute silence when he is bigger I guess.

Cheers to motherhood eh?

Ethics? Moral?

There's a saying in Chinese, direct translation means "it's easy to give birth, difficult to raise a child". I hope readers will take this literally. It's not meant for those who can't have their own baby under whichever circumstances, it simply means, labor is easier than bringing up a child.

Taking care of our children, doesn't just mean providing shelter, food, love and care, but also teaching them manners and social skills so they can.. survive?

It is the last part that is really difficult.

In no particular orders and not limited to these, I would like to share some points:

#1 You'll have to teach them to say "thank you" and "please", it felt like you've reminded them 10,000 times a day, YET they need reminder again and again.. again and again..

#2 You teach them to say "excuse me" when they burp or fart, maybe X 5,000 (coz it's generally lesser occurrence?).

#3 You have to teach them to share their toys, when friends come to your place, making a mental note to ask them to keep toys that they do not wish to share before their friends arrived.

#4 You have to teach them not to snatch what they want, but instead ask properly, which goes back to point #1 above. (With this point, will have to teach them that they have to live with disappointment. They can ask, but they cannot expect to get what they ask or want all the time.)

#5 You have to teach them to share their food (read chocolates) with people around them before eating them themselves.

#6 You have to teach them to greet elderly at home good morning, good night, and meal time.

#7 You have to teach them to greet elderly at home that they are leaving the house or reaching home.

#8 Just last night I added onto this list, to offer the best to others and take the worst. (In last night's case it was potato chips. My son chose the smallest chip for his dad, while took the biggest for himself.)

When the going gets tough and you thought you'll never see the end of the tunnel, here's what I would tell you, KEEP GOING!

At 3 yo, which seemed eternity, and after you repeated like more than a million times of "what's the magic word?", I finally can see some fruits.

I've seen IZ said "thank you Uncle / Aunty XXX", thanking and referring to names when he was given something.

I've heard IZ said "excuse me", when he silently farted. (Next step is probably to teach him not to say sorry if the fart is not audible.. haha!)

I've seen IZ greeting people by their names.

I've seen IZ greeting elderly at home automatically in the morning and when he leaves for school.

I've seen IZ generously offered snacks to his peers.

I've seen when IZ offered to apply medicine for me when I had pain.

I've heard IZ asked the daddy "how was your work, daddy? good?"

I've heard IZ asked for toys that he want (but couldn't hide his disappointment when he was rejected, that he always goes near to tears.. this is something we are still working on..)

All's well for now. The lernen-reise doesn't end here, it's a long long way to go, I'm glad we are on the right path.

For now, I'm really enjoying the morning ritual of IZ's "enjoy your day, daddy mommy!" when we leave for work. It truly make my day, everyday.

Krrrringggg!

The whole household and maybe neighbours could be waken by this, seriously...

Still obsessed with clocks all over the shop, we decided to buy him an alarm clock. And told him he's responsible to wake up on his own.

The real reason: he is a pain when we wake him in the morning..hiak hiak!

Day 1: he got shocked when the alarm went off and I taught him how to switch it off.
(He proudly told his teacher he woke up by himself!)

Day 2: he woke up and switch the alarm off by himself, and said "yeay!" (while I was peeping from far)

Oh well, you probably think he is too young to shoulder such "responsibility", but I do not think so. Period.

Self-feeding headache..

I'm writing this post while I'm fuming actually.

I do not really know what age is appropriate for kids to learn how to self-feed as I do not want to stress myself of the milestone I'll find at the click of a SEARCH button, but I do really think at 32 months going 33 months, IZ ought to know how to self-feed. When I say self-feed, it reads, eating meals out of spoon and fork and stuff the spoonful of rice into his mouth and swallow, and so till the food disappear from the bowl/plate.

It's not that he could not self-feed for survival, but if it's up to him, he would never feed himself, except to finger foods, read food that you could eat using your fingers. Our helper has pampered him since young, feeding him every single meal. And now, to get him to self-feed, the food would get cold before he even get to reach for the spoon. Or there would be incidents before he could even feed himself, coz he would be busy playing with either the food or the utensils.

So, why do I hurry him to learn how to self-feed?

First of all, it would be great, if there's extra pair of hands to eat my own food, and not busy trying to feed or make him feed himself.

Secondly, I really think his motor skills are not very good in feeding, or aiming per say. I want him to practise on his motor skills so that he could eat by himself, write better etc.

Now I sound like hurrying him to grow, I'm not comparing him with milestones, I just want him to eat normally.... desperately..

And it's not helping when the elderly at home interfering me teaching my son!

Now, I shall breathe in and out.. and figure what I can do to start all over again..

Perhaps, I can shop for new bowl, utensils and all for the start!

"Do you want Daddy to punish you?"

Hubby has some problem controlling IZ when he misbehaves, and so at times, he punish him physically, either pull his ears, or cause him pain on his face etc.

IZ is scared of the daddy's punishment.

And so, I use his weak point to control him.

Whenever he misbehaves, I would say "do you want daddy to punish you?"

He would clasp his hands and cover his ears and face and says "I DON'T WANT!"

It works, all most of the times!

This morning, IZ dillied-dallied (as usual) before we left home for school and work. He just like to "perform" some good shows, singing, jumping, running about before he finally settles down to wear his shoes let us put on his shoes, and that means FOREVER.

So, I used my weapon "do you want daddy to punish you?"

To my surprise, he didn't say "I DON'T WANT!" instead he asked "WHY?"

While it was really funny when it happened, it was a reminder to myself that he has grown-up. I have to be responsible for my actions and my words, as he is fully capable of questioning already.

The worst punishment.. ever..

As usual, we went to the temple yesterday, something we do on every Sunday evening.

Last night, IZ decided to be mischievous, climbing the stairs, took off his sandals, and he wanted to play.

After done praying, both hubby and I were leaving, but IZ refused to follow.

Hubby went into the car and closed the door.

I went into the car, but have not closed my door, when IZ started to panic.

He ran sprinted towards us, crying, screaming "daddy! mommy!" as if there was a mad dog chasing him, or if he was running sprinting for a 100m dash.

Momentum caught better of him, and he tripped.

I carried him up, he was choking.. with fear, with panic, with tears...

He stopped crying after a while.

Asked if he was hurt, he said his right elbow felt painful, but I saw no scratches.

Then we went to pasar malam as planned, I found my feet went jelly, I couldn't walk properly as I was really scared for IZ.

It was the worst punishment ever.. I vowed I'll never do it again, not this way. I'm not going to compromise his safety, ever again.

Hubby said it should be a good thing afterall, he should have learnt.

I'm not sure about IZ, but I've definitely learnt a big lesson..