Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2018 i Young Parents

The minute you realise you’re preggers, you’ll quickly figure out that everything from growing your baby, to giving birth and sustaining them comes at cost – and a steep one at that. Many parents say it’s impossible to even think about saving once you start a family in Singapore. But it’s all about being smart – why not rent baby equipment instead of buying everything brand new? “Most baby and kids related items are usually used for a few months and then kept in storage for a long time,” points out Herry Pudjianto, co-founder of Rent Tycoons, a peer-to-peer rental platform. “You still can sell it for half price later, but if you rent, it only costs you a fraction of the original price and you don’t have to keep…

Q How can I wean my toddler off unhealthy snacks? A For a start, get rid off junk food in the house. It’s counterproductive to have your spouse eat a pack of chips in front of her. Explain that you’re making the change not to punish her, but to make her stronger and smarter – and remember to share your sentiments with the doting grandparents, as well. Stock up on her favourite healthy foods. Allow junk food only occasionally, but not as a reward. Set a rule to use only a small bowl, with no second helping. Q How do I get my toddler to finish her meals faster? A If your child is fussing, move her away from the table calmly and allow some free play for five to…

When Jolin Chua became a mum, her top priority was to ensure she raised a happy and healthy child. Her son, Keiran, now four, was her precious gift after many years of infertility, so all she wanted to do was put a smile on his face. “I was obsessed with keeping him happy all the time. I equated crying and fussing to something negative and wanted to correct it immediately by giving in to his requests,” the 40-year-old sales manager recalls. “It was successful in the beginning, but once he started growing up and becoming more vocal, I realised giving in constantly does come with consequences.” Not only did little Keiran expect to get his way all the time at home or with his parents, he also expected the same…

It’s amazing how some children cope easily with the rough-and-tumble of life, immune to teasing from others, resistant to upsets, and able to maintain a high level of self-confidence even in the face of minor failures. Others, however, are highly sensitive and seem to crumble emotionally the minute something goes wrong. If your six-year-old is like that, consider the following suggestions: Learn from experience Encourage your child to think about previous incidents which have upset him and suggest other ways he could have responded. For instance, instead of crying because another kid made a rude remark about his running ability, he could simply say: “I think I run well.” Listen without ridicule You are probably fed up hearing once again that, for example, he is afraid of going to the…

Jenny Lee remembers the time she posted a picture of her toddler with an iPad in an aeroplane. “Instead of wishing us a bon voyage, so many of our Facebook friends were busy pointing out that we gave our son an iPad – it was shocking,” recalls the 45-year-old, who works in hospitality. “I don’t see how it’s any of their business.” Welcome to modern day motherhood, where women are not just expected to be grateful for being able to have babies, but to also enjoy every minute of it – and not complain. They are also expected to exclusively breastfeed for as long as they can (but not too long!), eat well, snap back to their pre-pregnancy weight overnight, make time for their husbands and take care of the…

You live in an age of disruption, so how do you prepare your children for a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous? Young Parents’ seminar, Super Kids: Raising Smart, Successful Kids in the Digital Age, brought a panel of distinguished speakers to share their expert insights into this hot topic. Here are the highlights from the event, which was held on July 28 at Huone Events Hotel Singapore and supported by Heguru Method Learning Centre, Pat’s Schoolhouse and get Right Digital. Follow Young Parents’ Facebook page at www.fb.com/youngparents for more exciting events and promotions!…

Stay tuned for our exclusive interview with Hi-5! The Singapore leg of its concert tour takes place in December at the Sands Theatre. So much fun exploring the family-friendly Forum The Shopping Mall, including its Julia Gabriel Centre at Level 4. Congrats to Emma Chen, winner of the Baby Star contest by Plaza Singapura. Look out for her on the cover of Young Parents soon! These “pears” are actually salted egg yolk custard buns created by Crystal Jade’s new group executive chef Martin Foo Four Seasons Hotel Singapore’s refreshed semi-buffet Sunday brunch comes with a play zone for little diners. Proud to have The Little Skool-House team and celebrity dad Ben Yeo at our recent Young Parents Master Class! Thanks for the family-bonding ideas. Follow us and find out what…

My parents and the in-laws have different baby-care styles. How do I agree with one without offending the other? Listen and show your interest in their opinions equally. But make it known that how you bathe and burp your newborn is just a matter of preference. More often than not, the details won’t have a big impact on the well-being of their grandchild. Consider signing up for parenting courses and workshops conducted by paediatric experts. This will give you the upper hand in pushing for your own baby-care approach and, at the same time, reassure the grandparents that you are able to raise your child well. How can I make everyone get along better? There are always awkward moments at get-togethers. While the vision of “one big happy family” is…

Your two-year-old bites, refuses to take a nap and seems bent on testing your nerves. Welcome to toddlerhood, where angry outbursts and open shows of defiance are not uncommon. While you would not want to stifle your toddler’s innate curiosity to explore and experiment, discipline – the act of teaching your child the right behaviour as well as correcting the undesirable aspects – is integral to raising a successful child. How you interact and engage your child while disciplining her can affect her psychological and emotional development, as well as your relationship with her, says parenting coach Donus Loh, a consultant psychologist at W3ave. “Discipline is not just about getting your child to behave in a ‘correct’ way,” says Donus. Rather, it helps your child make sense of her feelings…

Your two-year-old is capable of so much more than she was even a few months ago. Here are some of the main milestones that you are likely to see at this age: Her hand grip is stronger Her ability to pass and receive items manually improves, and she can pick up an item, pass it towards you and then let go once you have taken hold of it. She can also do the same action in reverse. Initially the object might slip from her grasp at the change-over stage, but it steadily improves. She enjoys musical instruments When you give her a toy drum or tambourine, she likes to use it to make a noise while you sing to her. The chances are that her beats on the drum will…

Your seven-year-old has started school, probably attends lots of after-school enrichment or tuition classes as well, and has lots of friends. In your discussions with other parents of children this age, you'll have heard many so-called “facts” about tweens, from their behaviour to managing new issues as they grow up. It's natural that you may sometimes feel frustrated that your kid isn't behaving as “expected”, but that may be because the beliefs you hold true are actually myths. Here are 10 common misconceptions about Primary 1 kids that you should dispel. MYTH 1 They are resilient and quickly recover from any stresses. TRUTH Much depends on your child's individual personality and characteristics. It's a mistake to assume, for example, that yours will be unaffected by parental arguments or family bereavements,…

Finding and securing a childcare spot for your little one can be a frustrating, hair-tearing affair. But with large childcare centres sprouting up in the heartlands over the last few years, parents can look forward to more affordable and quality preschool programmes. Since 2016, these mega-sized centres, some of which can take up to 1,000 kids, have opened in estates with more young families. This is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that every parent who needs a preschool place for their little one will be able to have one. Here, we find out more about this new preschool experience. What are large childcare centres and how are they different from regular-sized preschools? In a large childcare centre, your little one may have as many as 999 schoolmates attending…

There is something relaxing about eating amid lush greenery – even your active kids are likely to become calmer. Skyve Wine Bistro, for instance, brings the garden indoors with landscaped walls and plants hanging from its high ceiling. On the menu, you’ll find dishes with a myriad of influences, from French to Japanese, Korean, Mexican and even Singaporean. You can customise them, too – choose mee kia instead of linguine to go with the Kalbi Beef Brisket ($20) or Seafood Marinara ($20). Gluten-free pasta (additional $3) is available here, too. Your little ones will also enjoy the Pork Cheek Burger ($25), served with truffle fries and kimchi, as well as Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($20) with brioche and salted maple syrup. Visit www.skyve.sg. Take your children to see a vampire this…

We’re batty over this adorable lunch bag for toddlers. The main compartment has space for sandwiches, snacks and drinks, and spills are easy to clean. It comes with an inside mesh pocket for utensils, too. shopping Curious creatures…

YOU THINK Eating for two is all right because I’m nursing EAT BETTER Well done for persevering with breastfeeding! It’s true that lactating mums need to eat more – as much as 500 calories more a day – because you’re producing food for your little one, Sarah Sinaram, manager of the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Mount Alvernia Hospital, points out. But be aware of the quality of calories that you are consuming. “Make sure they are healthy calories, not empty ones,” says Susie Rucker, a nutritional therapist at Body With Soul health-care centre. Nutritious options include lean meat and fish, wholegrains, seeds, fruit, vegetables, and good fats like olive oil, coconut oil and avocado. “To boost milk production, increase your intake of oats, sip on fennel tea, and make…

THE PROBLEM She criticises your entire approach to weaning. HOW TO RESPOND No matter what aspect she complains about, stay calm. Tell yourself that she has your baby’s best interests at heart. Resist any temptation to argue with her, and instead listen to her comments respectfully. However, always remember that you are the parent, and that you are the one who makes the decisions (along with your spouse) about how to raise your child. If you don’t want to take her advice or suggestions, be prepared to say: “I understand what you are saying, and it has given me lots to think about. But I have decided to do this my way.” Aim to be respectfully assertive, without being aggressive. THE PROBLEM She insists you do not give your baby…

Your four-year-old has an amazing ability to embarrass you by either saying or doing exactly what’s on his mind. In his naivete, he says and does what he thinks, not because he want to be cheeky or abusive, but simply because he hasn’t learnt the social graces necessary to protect other people’s feelings and he is very impulsive. Here are common embarrassing moments: The embarrassing question You may be caught completely off-guard in the supermarket when your kid asks in a genuinely interested voice – which is loud enough for everyone to hear – “Why is that man so fat?” As far as your child is concerned, his question is sensible. But to you, his question is very awkward. The embarrassing stare When you are in the shopping mall, your…

While most parents use a stroller or carry their little ones when they are out and about, Nur used to make her toddler Adam (not his real name) walk. Carrying him was out of the question, even when he was exhausted and his short legs could no longer catch up with his parents. “Even if he cried, we would not carry him,” the 40-year-old sales administrator shares. Before you call Nur hardhearted, consider this. At the age of three, Adam tipped the scales at a whopping 75kg, which is equivalent to the weight of a grown man or a standard-sized refrigerator. Carrying him would require the strength of a weightlifter. And no toddler carrier or regular-sized stroller was able to support his massive weight. “It was difficult for us to…

MY FIRST SKOOL EARLY YEARS CENTRE AT 2 PUNGGOL DRIVE You’d be forgiven for thinking that the My First Skool (MFS) campus at 2 Punggol Drive is a mega playground instead of a preschool. Featuring five unique play areas – an outdoor playground, water play zone, land play zone, mountain play zone and forest play zone – this sprawling 94,561 sq ft-large Early Years Centre is every kid’s wonderland. It is designed to take up to 1,000 children from aged two months to four years. Early Years Centres tie up with nearby Ministry of Education Kindergartens, which provide early childhood services for children aged five to six. The five unique playscapes, all located outdoors, encourage learning through sensory play, as well as build up children’s confidence, social and motor skills.…

IF YOU’RE RENTING Costume City WHAT’S AVAILABLE This place has costumes for children of all ages, including babies. You will find animal, fairy, princess, superhero, and character ones – think the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Robin Hood, Red Riding Hood and Spiderman. It also carries matching family sets. HOW MUCH From $30 for three days. MUST-KNOW It requires a security deposit, which ranges from $10 to $90, depending on what you’re renting. The company offers alteration services to ensure a perfect fit. All outfits are either hand washed or dry cleaned before use. FIND OUT MORE www.mycostumecity.com Global Mascot WHAT’S AVAILABLE This is the place for career costumes if your child wants to dress up as a police officer, soldier, doctor, nurse or pilot. You will also…