A Year in Retrospective – 2010
Like the spinning ferries wheel above time has really spun away and the year 2010 is drawing to a close. Here are some highlights of some of the issues tackled here on Dominique’s Desk.
January
Giving your Child a Holistic Education
I started of the year thinking of how the boys could have a more rounded education. Even though they are doing relatively well academically they could have more varied activities to have a balance of right/left brain stimulation. We had piano and swimming lessons for Ryan and added on the same lessons for Roy when he became of age. Another sport activity which was added recently is bowling which the boys simply enjoy. It is our back up plan to bring the boys to play bowling if the weather doesn’t permit a trip to the park to roller blade or cycle. Ryan and Roy are slowly learning the physics behind how the machines at the bowling alley operate and how to strategize before making the throw.
February
Handling Misbehaviour in Class
As work progress and the kids settle into a new year temper tantrums and taunts seem to be a daily issue at work. Even though the kids were the same bunch as last year but their personal issues and personality clashes was something which I had to deal with. I had to minimize the constant disruptions in class to enable the majority to be able to concentrate on the lessons on hand. I had been reading a few parental books on dealing with misbehavior and have applied some of the tips suggested to the class of 42 kids. With such a big number of students to handle of varied temperaments and backgrounds there wasn’t a fail proof solution to each outbreak. I had to brew my own concoction of rules/deterrents to ensure the smooth sailing of the class. It also gave me an inside to how my two boys may behave when they reach the age of ten.
March
It was a month which R was traveling on a long business trip. I had to single- handedly manage the kids and work while still in my 1st trimester. I was a bit more emotional then usual and decided that I had to tackle my feelings to prevent an onset of depression. I had been reflecting on how I could understand the kids better and vice versa. By being clear and telling actually how I felt worked the best as it prevents the other party from assuming and leading to misunderstandings and frustrations.
April
As my pregnancy progressed I had started to take stuff out from the store room and cupboards to review. I sorted out the boys old clothes and junked those which could no longer be used. I also made up a list of items I would like to be gifted or had
to buy.
May
Roy suddenly grew an interest in words and spelling this year. I guess now he is a year older he is more willing to open up and add to his vocabulary. He still doesn’t really like reading and would rather do maths then reading. However when it comes to writing and doing his exercises he doesn’t procrastinate and willingly completes them. It’s good enough for me for now.
June
It was a month of rekindling love as we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. I reflected on my relationship with R and what attracted me to him back then. I knew from the start that he was the one I wanted and I will not regret the decision I made back then.
July
What I would change in my life
It has been a very reflective year for me. As I ponder on what I intend to do with my time when I go on childcare leave for the third time I was more determined this time to see through we the plans I will be scheduling for myself. It would have been great if I am better equipped with more qualifications or more varied qualifications but it is no use regretting what has not been achieved in the pass. In fact I will be making full use of this time to care for the kids and to polish up my baking/cooking skills. If time does permit I will take up Japanese via self-study again.
August
With the birth of another child I am intending to continue with her what I have done with her two elder brothers. I will be introducing her to the alphabet and literacy as early as from 1 month. I strongly believe it is never too early to start educating a child. A baby is highly receptive and absorbs whatever is taught to her in the first few years of life. Why should I miss out on this chance to give her a headstart in life?
September
10 Reasons why You Love Your Job
I really love my job. Not the one that I do for monetary benefits but the one I have been given from the birth of my first child in 2004. I find that there is no other one which can replace it. Even though it is very challenging and tiring at times but the satisfaction that I get from seeing the kids grow up happy and well balanced is more then enough.
October
Happiness is a state of mind. It is something which I would like the kids to know and come to appreciate. I also would like to be able to enjoy more happy moments than moments which are filled with anger or anguish. It is something which I feel can be cultivated- our state of mind. It is up to use if we are to be optimistic or pessimistic.
November
My little boy finally had the chance to go for swimming lessons. He had been waiting eagerly since the start of the year to be old enough to join his elder brother. I love watching the eagerness in his face as he attends his swimming lesson and get a chance to splash around and learn new strokes. I feel that learning swimming is a must as a survival skill. You will never know when this skill will come in useful in life.
December
The Worst Christmas Present Ever
This year’s present from that relative was even WORST then last year. My eldest son received a packet of $1 gum drop which was obviously being recycled from some kiddy birthday celebration. My 2nd boy also received sweets which were part of some goodie bag. I told them that they do not need to eat any of those items if they did not wish to and could discard them into the bin. The elder boy gave a very smart reply to that relative who gave him the sweet. He told her that not to give him sweets the next time as sweets are bad for teeth and he shouldn’t be eating any of them. Next he started bragging how lucky he is to have been gifted by another aunt the beyblade set and promptly placed the toy infront of her so she could watch him play with it. *grin*