How Do You Spend Your Time With Your Kids ?

Hi,

I was reflecting on the past year 2008 but also went beyond that when I found some old photos of Jason taken when he was less than 6 years old.

I remember that we were visitng the Singapore Zoo about 4 times a year as this was an ideal place to spend the day with Jason. Different types of animals to see and the zoo was user frinedly, and they have a children playground too, though it was a bit far from home. We were members of the Friends of the Zoo; concession on entrance fees, newsletter, etc....

Here, we have Jason sitting on a miniature horse at the zoo.

Gosh,,, Jason was so small and the Mummy & Daddy so young too.....ha..ha.....

We always have to think of where to take Jason during the weekends to let him explore or expose to the outside world, and have fun with us.

Family at Jurong Bird Park, wearing similar design T-shirts too....

Honestly, eventually, we ran out of such interesting place to go and each trip is not cheap either; eg. taxi fare, food, entrance fees, etc.....

This photo was taken at the Underwater World in Sentosa Island.

It was fun and costly. I hope you remember to take lots of photos though.....!

Why?

Because your kid is too young to remember all these trips so the photos would serve as good memories when they are older.

Therefore, thinking back, I think we could have just focus on the Zoo as this is the most enlightening and educational place to visit for young kids.

I also realise that spending time with your kids does not necessary means taking them to such places or even travelling with them overseas as they are just too young to appreciate or enjoy it. It can even be most stressful on the parents especially if you are travelling to foreign countries; eg changes in weather and food.

I remember taking Jason to Gold Coast twice on the way to visit my siblings and his cousins living in Melbourne, Australia. There were a few moments that he enjoyed like visiting Batman manor otherwise he could not remember a thing and I have to carried him when he slept every afternoon. He vomitted everytime we landed at Brisbane airport, not sure why!

Also, I think the young kids would just be happy to stay at home and we play with them the whole day, as oppose to dragging them to shopping malls to window shop.

Even today, Jason would ask us when we are going home when we are window shopping after a family meal outside. He says he is bored! So unless you are buying something for him....ha..ha..... but after buying his items, he would still ask can we go home soon.....!

I suppose there is nothing wrong with it. For example, would you not be bored if your spouse is shopping for her stuff that have no relevance to you?

So my point is to think about how you would want to spend time together and it is not necessary having to go out in order to enjoy each other company.

We have a rule. Weekend is family time so Jason is not allow to go out with his friends except for special occassions like birthday gathering, attending school activities, etc.... We typically have either breakfast or dinner outside, for example.

We could even be watching DVD movies the whole afternoon together. Many a times, we could be in the study room and each of us is doing his or her own thing but we are all physically together and feel each other presence. I find this a great way for bonding and since we have been doing this for a long time, Jason does not feel that he has no privacy.

Jason can still go to his own room to take a call. We are open and we do not spy on what he does on his PC. In fact, we share a lot while in this study room; eg discussing some issues on TV or newspaper or watching TV like Channel 8 9pm series - Little Nyonya.

So think about it, the next time you want to drag your kids to the shopping mall if your intention is to shop for yoursleves or just window shopping.

It is important to establish a family room or den where everyone can spend their time together doing their own thing and enjoying each other presence.

BTW, it is not wise to have a PC and TV in each of your child room.

So have a fantastic New Year in 2009 and happy parenting ......

David