March 6, 2013

Philips AVENT launches NEW Comfort Breast Pump and Natural Bottles

Dominique Advertorials, Parenting and Kids, Recommendations breastfeeding, Philip AVENT

Philips AVENT Comfort Range Launch

Philips AVENT, the leading brand recommended by mothers, celebrated the first redesign of its bottles in 29 years with a Baby Shower last week. It was a baby shower with a difference as we got an introduction to their latest range – THE Philips AVENT Natural range of milk bottles. I had been using AVENT bottles with the boys and were interested to learn what new changes they had to their product this year.

The new range of bottles and breast pumps

Designed to be as close as possible to nature with both BPA-free and premium quality glass bottle option mother’s are spoilt for choice. The new Natural Bottle features a wide, breast-shaped teat that promised high acceptance and an almost instant latch on, as well as prevention of nipple and teat confusion when mothers switch between bottles and breastfeeding. The bottles too are clinically proven to reduce colic in newborns.

The new Comfort Breast Pumps are really very compact and easy to handle. I ‘ve stopped using the breast pump now that Tiger girl is much older but if she was a newborn it would certainly have come in really handy. It was extremely lightweight and easy to manipulate. They have soft silicon petals to gently massage the breast to stimulate the let-down reflex, encouraging milk flow and supply. There is also a bigger suction funnels to accommodate mothers with bigger and fuller breasts. This is certainly a plus point if I am still using breast pumps.

The presentation

At the shower we were given a short presentation about the history of the milk bottles and there was also a pop quiz about the use of their products. It was interesting to learn how mothers in the ancient times use to feed their babies milk and how the contraption used evolved into the present day milk bottle. Did you know that the as early as 2000 BC there were earthenware cups specially designed and used to feed babies?

Tiger girl enjoying herself at the event

Being a family friendly event, Tiger girl was entertained by the two babysitters that the company hired and busied herself colouring and playing with toys while I listed to the presentation. She even took part in the Q & A session and won herself a cute little food warmer back to bring her snacks to school.

Baby Changing Area

There was a neat looking baby changing area where you could try out their products like the sterilizer, food warmers and food processor.

The diaper changing station

This station really came in handy especially for the mothers who brought along their young babies.

Glorious Food

There was a great spread of food served up for the baby shower. The waiters were very hospitable and attentive. Tiger girl was glad that the waiters there were able to understand her and gave her a glass of orange juice when she requested for one. She happily came over and told me ” Mummy I got my drink myself!!” when I told her to get a glass since she was thirsty.

The SMB mummy bloggers at the event.

I met up with of the other mummy bloggers from the SMB who were also present at the event. It was great to see them and their kids.

Avery the Bear

Tiger girl was extremely thrilled when she opened up the take home gift that we had from AVENT. She loves the spunky looking Avery bear and it’s her current favourite stuff bear which occupies the coveted spot next to her on her bed.

Disclaimer: I was invited to the launch of Philips AVENT new range of Natural range of bottles and Comfort range of breast pumps. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a compensation level of 5 and 13. For more information visit our disclosure page.

February 7, 2013

Being a Budgeting Accountant- Getting Started

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Recommendations Holistic learning

Earn It, Work for it is the new mantra that we are having for Monkey boy. Since February we have stopped giving him allowance and put him to work as a Budgeting Accountant. He has now to work for his own pocket money.

Monkey boy’s work file

Monkey boy was assigned a work file which holds all the documents which he would need to carry out his job.

He was given an abacus, a book keeping journal, exercise book and clip to keep all the receipts together with the work file.

Before I started him on work proper I drafted up an employment contract with him. This was done to emphasis that he has officially started work and we have a signed agreement between both parties on the terms and conditions of his employment.

Here is what I wrote in our employment contract.

Employment Agreement

We are pleased to offer you the position of Budgeting Accountant upon the following terms and conditions:

1	DATE OF COMMENCEMENT
1.1	Your employment will commence on 4 Feb 2013.
1.2	Your Probation Period will be 2 weeks from the date of commencement. The Company may extend probation period at its sole discretion.
2	SALARY
2.1	Your starting basic weekly salary will be S$ 10 /- per week.
2.2	Any bonus or declarations of bonus shall be made at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company. In determining the amount of bonus, the Company shall consider your work performance, amongst other factors.
2.3	Your performance will be reviewed periodically and the Company shall make adjustments to your salary as it sees fit.
2.4	You are to put 20% of your salary into a savings account which cannot be withdrawn to be spent on daily expenditure such as food or other non-essentials.
2.5	You are not allowed to use any part of your red pocket money, birthday money or tips which you may collect during CNY or any other festive celebrations as additional income while under employment.
3	DUTIES
	Your duties as Budgeting Accountant are as follows: Balancing the weekly grocery budget, monthly household budget Conducting Market Research on how to reduce expenditure Working out the cash flow forecast for the next month Work out how to optimize the cash flow for the month

4	WORKING HOURS
4.1	The Company’s working hours are Monday to Friday in the afternoons. You will only start work after your have completed all school homework and other main duties have been completed.
4.2	You may be required to work beyond the normal working hours to discharge your duties at the sole discretion of the Company.
4.35 .5.1	The Company reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to revise, amend or extend the working hours should the need arise.PROVISIONS The Company will provide you with the necessary trainings before the commencement of the job. All equipment/stationary will be provided by the company. Ie: Abacus, books and files.
6	CONFIDENTIALITY
6.1	You shall not disclose to any third party any confidential information obtained during your course of employment unless expressly authorised by the Company.
6.2	Confidential information for the purposes of this contract includes and is not limited to trade secrets, business plans, strategies, financial information and any other information that will affect the Company’s competitive position.
6.3	Your obligations to maintain confidentiality and secrecy shall apply after your employment until such time that the information is no longer confidential or has been made public by the Company.
6.4	You shall not without prior written consent of the Company destroy, make copies, duplicate or reproduce in any form the Company’s confidential information.