Merry Christmas 2010

Hi,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 2011.

As our last maid is a Catholic, we were caught into celebrating Christmas more for her all these years. But since she has left us after serving us for 12 years, the celebration has toned down a bit.

But I am glad that we still find the time to put up a smaller trees and take this occasion to buy ourselves some presents too...ha...ha...

Irrespective of religion ( we are Buddhists ), this is a good time for the family to spend time together.

We also still continue to take a family photo with our presents in front of our Christmas tree.

So if you are not participating in this Christmas festivity, you should consider doing so next year and surprise your family members. Importantly, an excuse to spend time together over a meal and exchange of presents.

Merry Christmas..!

Memories of Jason as a Baby

Hi,

I have been converting my old VHS tapes into digital format into my PC.

My wife and I really cherish those days when Jason was just a baby and still growing up.

Every day bring surprises and we always look forward to going home to see him.

We strongly advise you to video your growing children and take as many photos of them especially now that it is so much cheaper with digital cameras.

You can see a short video clip of Jason when he was just 1year+, playing in the living hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0eR_a50jdw

We also have a habit of taking family photos during our birthdays and Chinese New Year celebrations.

You can really see the changes in us from these yearly photos so do not be camera shy......

David

Proud of Jason

Hi,

Early this year, when we visited our family dentist, the dentist asked me if the teenage boy that she just treated is my son. ( I normally go into the dentist treatment room with Jas but thought that he is old enough to be on his own since it was a simple cleaning job. )

I confirmed that I am his father and she told me that Jas is a very pleasant and polite teenager. She commented that it is difficult to find such well mannered teenagers these days.

I felt proud, of course, but then thought that the dentist was just being too polite.

Some time later, I met Jas's teacher-in-charge in the Parent-Teacher session in his Poly. Again, she started by saying that Jas is a very nice student and shows respect to the teachers. She is very happy with him.

Of course, I am very proud of him indeed.....2nd time round with such good feedback about him!

Later, when I sent him off on his Poly Study Trip to Vietnam at the Changi Airport, his subject Lecturer also commented that Jas is a very pleasant boy in her class.

Wow! 3 times that I received such favourable feedback on Jason.....really made me proud of him.

Do not get me wrong..... I am not claiming that my wife & I are the best parents...!

BUT we must have done something right and giving Jas the right guidance all these years.

Well, so far, he is getting along fine in Poly which has a very different system from secondary school or Junior College.

David

Jason Going To Polytechnic

Hi,

Time flies ......

It was like yesterday that we were playing together in bed.....tumbling around....

Jason has enrolled into Singapore Polytechnic to do a Diploma in HRM with Psychology and will be starting school next month.

Not too long ago......

I was coaching him soccer in a nearby field.......

Jason in his Primary School uniform, going to school early in the morning.

Jason running and playing soccer for his secondary school, St. Patrick School.

Our typical teenage boy, spending most of his awake time in front of the PC and/or TV....

I miss the little boy that I could easily cuddle and kiss on the bed .....

BUT I am also proud of my teenage son today too......

Memories......sigh

David

Letting Go Of Jason

Our maid of 12 years went home for good after Jason's 'O' level exam, recently.

We decided not to have a replacement and try to cope with the household chores on our own other than ordering 'tingkat' food on weekdays.

Jason has been cleaning the table after dinner and he has also asked us on how to do some simple cooking; eg cup noodles, scrambled eggs.

We also have to start giving him some independence or let him be on his own instead of mothering him.

What do I mean?

Here are some examples to illustrate on what we have done.

We left him on his own in the house ( no more maid, remember? ) and he has to make his own lunch as he slept in and missed his breakfast, since we have a lunch appointment one day.

He wanted to organise a BBQ to celebrate the New Year with his friends so we booked a chalet but left the organisation of the BBQ to him. Glad that he managed to rope in a few friends to buy the stuff and brought it to the chalet. I gave some advice to him but he managed to carry it out with his friends...... so I was quite impressed.

Early this year, his friend organised a BBQ in ECP but no one could start the fire...... a disaster indeed and they brought back all the stuff.... poor boys!

But this time, he told me he has 2 friends who are boy scouts in school so no problem.

He asked for our permission to go out with his friends more often as he wanted to enjoy their time together before they go separate ways...ie JC or Poly.....

We are okay with it as long as we are aware of his activities and who he is going out with.... base on trust and that we have lay down a good foundation and principles for him to follow...

Jas is 16+ and soon will be a NS man and then 21.......

Letting him go is painful but essential as this is part of the cycle....

We were a bit worry about this chalet cum BBQ outing but we know that we just have to let go and that he has been well groomed to make the right decisions on his own.

Happy New Year and may your parenting year in 2010 be better or less painful.......!

David