Yesterday evening we were out to have a walk to the mall nearby and Caleb was with us. Isn't it funny that our toddies always demanded to walk when they were still limb and need us to support them to cruise around, and now when they are already so expertise in walking, they demand to be in mommy's arms all the time, refusing to walk alone? This what happens to Caleb..whenever we are out the house, he will automatically want me to carry him. and he is smart as well! I once told him "mommy is tired, Caleb..Can you walk?" and this is how he replied me "ok. daddy carry caleb please".
Another time I told him the same thing when daddy wasn't around, he replied me "mommy tired, Caleb also tired", and by that he meant that mommy had to carry him all the way. Sigh...
Recently I have a new tactic and it works. I will tell him that we will go home now if he insist to be carried. This works and he will walk, holding my hands.
But yesterday as this incident happened, there was an old lady who was jogging along the park and heard our conversation. She approached us and commented to my little prince "yes, you need to walk and cannot ask mommy to carry you all the time. Walking is good to exercise your muscles. You see...aunty also walk and run, it's good for me". And this old woman who seemed to know children well asked me how old my son is and said "do you know that between 2-3 years old is the important period when you as a parent cannot let your child control you?"
Although I know and equipped with this knowledge, this woman brought me another wake up call. I realized that maybe i have been more lenient. Both hubby and I then discussed how important it is to discipline our kid at this age. It's like when you do what you need to do now, although it won't be easy, after 3 yo it won't be so bad anymore because caleb would understand his boundaries well.
And later after that incident, we went out for supper with some close friends after caleb was asleep. And because four of us have children, we talked about our kids as well and we talked about our friends' kids who now grow up tp be teenagers and to our suprise these teens have grown to be rebellious with very bad attitude problem, despite that their parents are dedicated God's people. We talked how could that happen. Is it because lack of discipline, being too protective towards their kids, too lenient? we do not know. But for me, I realized how hard it is to raise our kids, build their godly character, to see them become righteous people who fear God and respect their parents. It's not just a matter of having good financial to send them to good school, feed them or dress them well. Somehow I feel so humble, I feel that I have a lot of weakness and in need of God's wisdom. Now all I want to do is to always pray to God everyday for His wisdom to guide me so that I can raise my kids well. I hope you all will be encouraged to do so. let's humble ourselves and ask God to take control of everything.
p.s. To my friend Sylvia...Congrats dear for your pregnancy. I pray you have smooth pregnancy and delivery! Take care :)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Toilet training
Just a few weeks before caleb's 2 nd birthday, I decided to try another toilet training for him. This time I bought him some underwears. So he was totally diaperless when he was at home. To my surprise, the first day he was on training, he only peed on his pants once! This continued until 2 or 3 days only and since then there were no incident when he wanted to pee but didn't ot too late to tell me. He will always tell if he needs to pee or poo poo. Honestly, I was surprised it turned out to be easy to train caleb. Not only now he can hold the urine longer, it's also because he understands well the feeling or the urge to pee and able to hold it til he's really on the toilet. The next week, he's already diaperless during outing as well. At first I put his diaper when we went out, and when he told me he wanted to pee, I told him to wait and hold it first because there is not toilet here. And he really waited n hold it until we arrived to our destination and then he would pee on the toilet. So since that moment, I only put his diaper when he's in the car or mrt, once we reach to the place that has toilets, I will change him to underwear.
Nowadays, I found his diaper dry throughout the nap time and at night, he will sometime wake up to tell me that he wanted to pee. There are days when he wakes up with dry diapers, although some nights he still peed on the diaper.
I would like to share you my tips on my toilet training. because it doesn't happen just like that. I did toilet training a few times. When he was 18 months and 20 months I did my training too, but didn't work well. I think the problem was because he still couldn't hold it long enough to tell me and for me to bring him to the toilet. Since it was tiring, I usually only tried the training for 2 days. Once I see it's not working yet, I stopped. I take it that he wasnt ready yet. For poo-poo, it's different and a lot easier. We worked on it easily too and had a success many months ago. For peeing, it took longer. But this what we did last time.... I read in Hogg's book that toddlers usually pass urine exactly before he was about to take shower. So my hubby and I took this chance to teach Caleb to feel what it's like to have the urge/feeling to want to pee. Whenever Caleb was about to shower, we would tell him to pee first. After some time I think he got the idea. This really plays a big part on our recent success. That's why on our next training, it was an instant success. I hope this tips help :)
Nowadays, I found his diaper dry throughout the nap time and at night, he will sometime wake up to tell me that he wanted to pee. There are days when he wakes up with dry diapers, although some nights he still peed on the diaper.
I would like to share you my tips on my toilet training. because it doesn't happen just like that. I did toilet training a few times. When he was 18 months and 20 months I did my training too, but didn't work well. I think the problem was because he still couldn't hold it long enough to tell me and for me to bring him to the toilet. Since it was tiring, I usually only tried the training for 2 days. Once I see it's not working yet, I stopped. I take it that he wasnt ready yet. For poo-poo, it's different and a lot easier. We worked on it easily too and had a success many months ago. For peeing, it took longer. But this what we did last time.... I read in Hogg's book that toddlers usually pass urine exactly before he was about to take shower. So my hubby and I took this chance to teach Caleb to feel what it's like to have the urge/feeling to want to pee. Whenever Caleb was about to shower, we would tell him to pee first. After some time I think he got the idea. This really plays a big part on our recent success. That's why on our next training, it was an instant success. I hope this tips help :)
The wonderful two
Now that Caleb is two, some might wonder how terrible he is entering this 'terrible two' period. It is true that we begin to see the characteristic of a two year old toddler:
1. When he wants it now, it means now. Mostly, he wants mommy! so if mommy doesn't come and do what he wants, he'll scream and yes, tantrums! Kids this age don't understand the meaning of waiting. He doesnt get what "a minute" means.To him, a minute or 5 minutes are the same as NOW.
2. He develops his preference strongly. He wants to wear new shoes to the playground. he wants to wear new sandals for lunch at home. He wants to do certain activity with a certaon people. For example, if he wants to play ball, he'll go looking for his dad or ibu (our helper) and he will not want me to interfere, he'll say "bye bye mommy! mommy go!". At first, I was hurt when I listened those words. I didn't understand what was going on, why he rejected me. I wondered if I didn't spend enough time with me that now he prefered to spend time with others than me. But soon I realized when I was playing blocks and lego and play dough, he was having so much fun with me and he will tell anyone else who try to interfere him "bye bye! go!" lol. And now he knows how to differentiate when to be with mommy, whent o be with ibu. If mommy is at home, he'll demand mommy. But when he sees mommy got dressed up and ready to go, he knows it's time with ibu.
3. He hates being disturbed. If he's engaged, telling him to take shower or brush teeth is a challenge for me now. I have to have a good strategy to make him do what he needs to do. Usually I will take some ice cubes for him to play in the bath room, or bring new cups for him to play water and so on. God grants me creativity please :)
With all these new challenges, I still have other factors that interrupt what I have built since beginning.
It was actually hard to have another care giver in the house. With ibu around, she has interfered with the way I raise my son. There are some values that have been ruined. Reading books are not consistent nowadays. And independent play time is truly very hard these days. It's very sad to see these changes. These are something that I had worked hard since caleb was a baby. But what can I do...this what happens when u return to work and have a helper to take care of our child. Different culture on how we raise our kids play apart. I couldn't bring up this issue as well. I need to close one eye as it's not easy to find a good helper. So far I see that my helper loves my son. She really takes good care of him (on her own way, of course). it's true, she adores my son. I know because she keeps praising him and we all can see that she's proud of my son. She keeps telling good stories to people about how funny and smart Caleb is. I appreciate that.
But apart from all those challenges, I do not want to call it "terrible two". It's still a wonderful two, people! yes it is. Looking at how good the progress that Caleb has achieved so far, we have wonderful moments too!
Do you know that he starts talking alot lately? he's making alot of sentences. He's singing more and more songs now. and it's just cute!!
Yesterday we were playing lego and his daddy came in and tickled mommy (+_+) then my little prince went to his dad, saying " daddy, don't disturb mommy ok!" and gave his dad a pat on the back LOL!! so cute!!!
This morning we were playing dough and i told him after playing dough he has to wash his hands because the dough makes your finger and nail dirty. He then took the dough and threw it to the bin. I was angry because he threw the dough but then I realized it was because I said that playing dough makes his finger and nail dirty so he thought that since dough is dirty, why not throw it to the bin? Hahaha!
Another sweet thing is that he kisses me in the morning :) sweet right?
When I return from work, he sometimes will explain to me what he was just doing before I came. Yesterday he told me "Caleb sleep with ibu just now. Now Caleb wake up already and ibu turn off air con and open window"
I think that's a very long sentences for him to say. I'm very happy with the progress :)
And when he really wants mommy, he'll say something like "mommy stay at home please. caleb don't want mommy go work". This really melts my heart :( I hate to break his heart coz I still need to go to work :(
Another good thing...as I mentioned that lately we have been busy having fun and have many family outings, we realized that nowadays he can stay up late despite that he only took 1 nap during the day. It's really good coz now we can enjoy special occasion without having the need to go home earlier for his bedtime.
1. When he wants it now, it means now. Mostly, he wants mommy! so if mommy doesn't come and do what he wants, he'll scream and yes, tantrums! Kids this age don't understand the meaning of waiting. He doesnt get what "a minute" means.To him, a minute or 5 minutes are the same as NOW.
2. He develops his preference strongly. He wants to wear new shoes to the playground. he wants to wear new sandals for lunch at home. He wants to do certain activity with a certaon people. For example, if he wants to play ball, he'll go looking for his dad or ibu (our helper) and he will not want me to interfere, he'll say "bye bye mommy! mommy go!". At first, I was hurt when I listened those words. I didn't understand what was going on, why he rejected me. I wondered if I didn't spend enough time with me that now he prefered to spend time with others than me. But soon I realized when I was playing blocks and lego and play dough, he was having so much fun with me and he will tell anyone else who try to interfere him "bye bye! go!" lol. And now he knows how to differentiate when to be with mommy, whent o be with ibu. If mommy is at home, he'll demand mommy. But when he sees mommy got dressed up and ready to go, he knows it's time with ibu.
3. He hates being disturbed. If he's engaged, telling him to take shower or brush teeth is a challenge for me now. I have to have a good strategy to make him do what he needs to do. Usually I will take some ice cubes for him to play in the bath room, or bring new cups for him to play water and so on. God grants me creativity please :)
With all these new challenges, I still have other factors that interrupt what I have built since beginning.
It was actually hard to have another care giver in the house. With ibu around, she has interfered with the way I raise my son. There are some values that have been ruined. Reading books are not consistent nowadays. And independent play time is truly very hard these days. It's very sad to see these changes. These are something that I had worked hard since caleb was a baby. But what can I do...this what happens when u return to work and have a helper to take care of our child. Different culture on how we raise our kids play apart. I couldn't bring up this issue as well. I need to close one eye as it's not easy to find a good helper. So far I see that my helper loves my son. She really takes good care of him (on her own way, of course). it's true, she adores my son. I know because she keeps praising him and we all can see that she's proud of my son. She keeps telling good stories to people about how funny and smart Caleb is. I appreciate that.
But apart from all those challenges, I do not want to call it "terrible two". It's still a wonderful two, people! yes it is. Looking at how good the progress that Caleb has achieved so far, we have wonderful moments too!
Do you know that he starts talking alot lately? he's making alot of sentences. He's singing more and more songs now. and it's just cute!!
Yesterday we were playing lego and his daddy came in and tickled mommy (+_+) then my little prince went to his dad, saying " daddy, don't disturb mommy ok!" and gave his dad a pat on the back LOL!! so cute!!!
This morning we were playing dough and i told him after playing dough he has to wash his hands because the dough makes your finger and nail dirty. He then took the dough and threw it to the bin. I was angry because he threw the dough but then I realized it was because I said that playing dough makes his finger and nail dirty so he thought that since dough is dirty, why not throw it to the bin? Hahaha!
Another sweet thing is that he kisses me in the morning :) sweet right?
When I return from work, he sometimes will explain to me what he was just doing before I came. Yesterday he told me "Caleb sleep with ibu just now. Now Caleb wake up already and ibu turn off air con and open window"
I think that's a very long sentences for him to say. I'm very happy with the progress :)
And when he really wants mommy, he'll say something like "mommy stay at home please. caleb don't want mommy go work". This really melts my heart :( I hate to break his heart coz I still need to go to work :(
Another good thing...as I mentioned that lately we have been busy having fun and have many family outings, we realized that nowadays he can stay up late despite that he only took 1 nap during the day. It's really good coz now we can enjoy special occasion without having the need to go home earlier for his bedtime.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The 2nd Birthday
Phew it's been really long that I haven't posted. Just 2 days ago when my hubby went in and said "I realized you haven't been writing your blog for quite some time now". Yup, that's true. My reason is because these few weeks the internet connection is so bad and another thing is because I'm busy..we're busy (busy having fun!). There are a lot of family outings with friends.
hmm well..let me get you some updates.
Last 24 March was Caleb's 2nd birthday. We decided not to celebrate as in inviting guests, kids, preparing goodie bags and all.We still think that Caleb isn't ready yet.But just so happened that in March he got 2 birthday invitations right before his birthday. So we prepared presents for his friends. and because of that he understands what present is. He gets excited now when he sees one :) but I taught him the meaning of giving and that it is not for him. He took it pretty well and stopped asking to open his friends' presents. I also taught him how to sing "happy birthday" song which he instantly mastered it after I repeated twice for him. And so because he had attended 2 birthday parties before his own big day, he understood alot that on birthday there will be Cake, candle to blow, lots of candies, goodie bags, and a pinata (he was the youngest one who hit the pinata and he loved it!). I started to doubt my decision and began to wonder if I should have a party too for him. It looked like he had understood. But in the end we still stick to our decision to have a small celebration! We brought him to the zoo again. Yes, zoo! just like last year. I gave him an option whether he wants to go to the zoo or the beach and he said "Zoo! Caleb want see lion!!" so be it, prince!
A mom asked why we brought him to the zoo again and why we only brought him there once a year. Ha! Well, first it was his request. I believe that when we brought him there last year would be different or even NEW experience for him. A one year old toddler wouldn't remember what Zoo looked like. True enough he enjoyed his trip there. He refused to go home LOL!
And why we brought him there only once a year... Come on..you want to make it fun...it has not to be so often right? It supposed to be special trip on special occasion. He'll someday visit zoo for many times again in future..why make it so often during a year? true, peeps?
Okay, so zoo was a morning special treat for him. When we went home, we opened 2 presents for him and after his nap we had a small celebration with the pooh cupcakes which I ordered and my friend, Merilyn, sent us Elmo agar-agar which he loved it :)
We blew the candle...and open some more presents. He got a keyboard and a motorbike from his grandparents. And he seemed to be overwhelmed!! Like...really really overwhelmed!! Because on that evening people came and brought presents for him..from neighbors and church friend.. he had a hard time falling asleep that night..as a result of being everwhelmed :p
And he's still been getting presents every week til last Sunday from our church mates (that's 3 Sundays after his birthday!). We are really blessed! Thanks you everyone for the wishes and presents!
I am now considering to have a birthday party for him next year. I hope this will be good idea :)
hmm well..let me get you some updates.
Last 24 March was Caleb's 2nd birthday. We decided not to celebrate as in inviting guests, kids, preparing goodie bags and all.We still think that Caleb isn't ready yet.But just so happened that in March he got 2 birthday invitations right before his birthday. So we prepared presents for his friends. and because of that he understands what present is. He gets excited now when he sees one :) but I taught him the meaning of giving and that it is not for him. He took it pretty well and stopped asking to open his friends' presents. I also taught him how to sing "happy birthday" song which he instantly mastered it after I repeated twice for him. And so because he had attended 2 birthday parties before his own big day, he understood alot that on birthday there will be Cake, candle to blow, lots of candies, goodie bags, and a pinata (he was the youngest one who hit the pinata and he loved it!). I started to doubt my decision and began to wonder if I should have a party too for him. It looked like he had understood. But in the end we still stick to our decision to have a small celebration! We brought him to the zoo again. Yes, zoo! just like last year. I gave him an option whether he wants to go to the zoo or the beach and he said "Zoo! Caleb want see lion!!" so be it, prince!
A mom asked why we brought him to the zoo again and why we only brought him there once a year. Ha! Well, first it was his request. I believe that when we brought him there last year would be different or even NEW experience for him. A one year old toddler wouldn't remember what Zoo looked like. True enough he enjoyed his trip there. He refused to go home LOL!
And why we brought him there only once a year... Come on..you want to make it fun...it has not to be so often right? It supposed to be special trip on special occasion. He'll someday visit zoo for many times again in future..why make it so often during a year? true, peeps?
Okay, so zoo was a morning special treat for him. When we went home, we opened 2 presents for him and after his nap we had a small celebration with the pooh cupcakes which I ordered and my friend, Merilyn, sent us Elmo agar-agar which he loved it :)
We blew the candle...and open some more presents. He got a keyboard and a motorbike from his grandparents. And he seemed to be overwhelmed!! Like...really really overwhelmed!! Because on that evening people came and brought presents for him..from neighbors and church friend.. he had a hard time falling asleep that night..as a result of being everwhelmed :p
And he's still been getting presents every week til last Sunday from our church mates (that's 3 Sundays after his birthday!). We are really blessed! Thanks you everyone for the wishes and presents!
I am now considering to have a birthday party for him next year. I hope this will be good idea :)
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