It’s Children’s Day here in Singapore and kids in Elementary and Pre-school get the day off to play. The boys got an additional half day off as Monkey boy finished early on Thursday as it was Sports Day over at his school. We took the chance to bring the boys down to the Botanic Gardens to let them play frisbee and climb trees.
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli
This is the gigantic tree which the boys climbed at the centre of park. I’m sure this tree is more then a 100 years old. I don’t remember climbing trees when I was a kid but it’s great that the boys are able to experience this during their childhood.
1. What is your go to comfort food or sweet?
Chocolate, Ice-Cream or Chips.. Chocolate Ice-Cream is the top of the list.
2. What is the most romantic place you’ve ever been to?
It would have to be the Paris in France. I’m hoping to go there again with R when the kids are much older.
3. What is your favorite thing about fall/Halloween?
Pumpkin soup. I like the creamy taste.
We don’t really celebrate Halloween here as it’s not a popular celebration here in Singapore. However I did celebrate Halloween when I was studying in Australia during my Uni years.
4. How would you spend 24 hours alone?
The first part of the day would be catching up with the much needed SLEEP which I have been deprived for so long since the kids arrived. The other hours I will busy myself trying out bakes/cooking in the kitchen, watching DVDs or just relaxing around.
5. Does you husband bring you flowers? Are you the bring-me-flowers type of girl?
Unfortunately he doesn’t. I have to deliberately tell him before I get any. This year I only received flowers for valentines. I’m HINTING that I don’t mind receiving flowers from him for Christmas this year and it doesn’t have to be roses.
My questions this week
- How do you deal with your defiant seven year old when warnings don’t work?
- What do you do to curb backtalking and rude answers from your kids?
17 comments
deb
October 7, 2011 at 8:22 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Looks like a wonderful afternoon. That tree looks so fun to climb!
deb recently posted..this or that thursday
Jen V.
October 7, 2011 at 8:25 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
After 4 kids, I am still not sure of the best way to handle them when they are defiant
Trust me, it only gets worse when they are teenagers. We did timeouts when they were younger. Have a good weekend!
little macaroon
October 7, 2011 at 8:49 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Wow! My Shades of Autumn post was a little tour of Singapore! Nice to meet another participant from this little island!
little macaroon recently posted..shades of autumn: green
Stacy Uncorked
October 7, 2011 at 8:55 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
That outing looks like so much fun! And a perfect tree for climbing!
When she was younger, Princess Nagger would end up being in a time-out for various reasons, defiance being one of them. She still gets threatened with a time-out if she’s misbehaving, and doesn’t like the idea that since she’s 8, she’d be stuck in one for 8-minutes (a minute per year) which would seem terminal to her. She has, however, gotten special privileges taken away – computer time, TV time, etc. if she acts out or is defiant. So far she’s only had those privileges taken away once – she knows that I’ll follow through with the warning.
Little Dude is more of a challenge – I don’t think he had structure or discipline for the first 3-1/2 years of his life before coming to live with us, so it’s been a challenge defining the rules and the un-crossable line. He’s spent quite a bit of time in time-out, and when his behavior has escalated, been sent to his room for an extended time-out (like a half-hour). Slowly but surely he’s learning! But I bet he’ll still be ‘learning’ when he gets to 7.
Stacy Uncorked recently posted..Paper Stacks – To Save or Not To Save
Barb
October 7, 2011 at 8:55 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
That is a wonderful old tree!
Barb recently posted..The colours of Thanksgiving
Stacy Uncorked
October 7, 2011 at 8:55 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Whoops! Sorry – I forgot to close the ‘em’ mode in the formatting…heh!
Stacy Uncorked recently posted..Paper Stacks – To Save or Not To Save
JamericanSpice
October 7, 2011 at 10:28 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
1. Every child responds differently to discipline.
Do you have a male figure to talk with him about respect and what it means in the little and big things and how it shapes character?
2. Don’t respond to backtalking and let them know they will have to apologize after behaving like that.
How about starting a behavioural chart?
JamericanSpice recently posted..I Fell In Love Once
Dominique
October 7, 2011 at 11:30 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
@Jamericanspice,
He does have a male figure to talk to him about respect~ his dad. However since R flies off on business very often it’s quite difficult to be consistent in disciplining him and it’s ultimately up to me to handle the boys.
2. Behavioural chart sounds good.. not sure how it will work with older kids and I remember scrapping it when Monkey boy was like 4-5 yrs old.
Harriet
October 8, 2011 at 2:16 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
It took a while for me to figure out that my son was doing that when he was tired or not feeling well.
Have a great Friday.
http://harrietandfriends.com/2011/10/the-winter-forecast/
Harriet recently posted..The Winter Forecast
Lori
October 8, 2011 at 2:41 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I love that tree! So much fun for kids and makes nice pictures!
Lori recently posted..Foto Friday | Machines
Self Sagacity
October 8, 2011 at 9:07 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Your kids are really cute.
Wow, I have always had one of those in the house. My children’s ages are so widely spread. I guess just let them calm down and them take them to a quiet place and speak to them in private. They get more offensive if you try to teach them in public, and around others.
I think they do grow out of it, the sad part is it takes away from your enjoyment of their youth. Do the best you can and do what you think is right. Also you will have to accept what is IS what is sometimes.
Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud
October 8, 2011 at 9:14 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I had so much fun climbing trees as kids. Looks like your kids had a blast!
Thanks for joining us in the Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge. I hope you’ll be back again next week when we move on to a new theme, yellow. Have a great weekend.
Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud recently posted..Green {Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge}
DaenelT
October 8, 2011 at 11:24 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Your boys are too cute. Glad they got the day to enjoy all the greenery.
DaenelT recently posted..Shades of Autumn Photo Challenge: Green
Cuzinlogic
October 8, 2011 at 2:26 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I don’t play the warning game or do time out. You talk back and you lose privileges. It doesn’t matter if we’re at home, the movies, amusement park, etc.
Nip it in the bud when it starts. Don’t be one of those parent who say “Oh he or she will grow out of it, it’s just a stage.” I have friends whose kids are still going through that stage, ten years later. Each kid is different – so find what works for you and stick to your guns. Good Luck!
Cuzinlogic recently posted..Aloha Friday – Debit Card Fees
Dominique
October 9, 2011 at 11:29 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
@Cuzinlogic.
I don’t believe too that the kid may grow out of this. I normally give 2-3 warnings than it’s strike out and all perks are removed for X no of days. Just wondering if there can be any more effective ways to deal with it.
Christine
October 9, 2011 at 1:51 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Oh my gosh…what a huge tree! Great photos!
kailani
October 10, 2011 at 3:07 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
That’s so hard. My 9 year old has gotten an “attitude” lately, too. I end up taking away her DS or TV time if she doesn’t stop when I tell her to.
kailani recently posted..Kmart Halloween 50 Ft Party