When reading becomes a chore

This week my 5y.o. brought back a book everyday to be read to and to help her understand the story.

This reading programme aims to foster a reading habit in children and families and help children to gain better understanding of the English language through simple but colourful sentences (and pictures) and guided questions for parents to quiz their children.

The books are interesting and use easy to understand words and sentences, although there are a few challenging words to push their reading and understanding level.

I love reading and so do my girls. But this week I have found it a chore. I didn't enjoy the stories as much as I'd like to. Only because it was a 'homework'. When we finished each book, I'd quiz my daughter to make sure she understood the stories. Then I'd sign the reading sheet and she coloured in how many stars (out of 5) she would give to the story.

The only problem I have is, I have been reading them to her in Mandarin. She doesn't want me to read to her in English. Sssshhhh... I'm secretly happy to know that she still likes to hear her mother tongue.

We've come to a agreement that when it comes to school work, I'll have to use English. But all other times, it'll be Mandarin with her. Sphere: Related Content

Learning to be soft but firm

I have discovered the wonders of a soft but firm voice.

Seriously. I used to yell at my children when I get heated up and cranky at them.

These 3 weeks of school has taught me something new. Dealing with tired and irrational children needs a soft but firm voice. The more I scream and yell at them, the more they retaliate and the vicious cycle continues.

I have come to recognise and accept that my girls are stubborn and strong-willed. I have to be even more strong-willed to win this mothering business. In the past, I would use expect an immediate response and be very demanding. It worked at times. Other times, it's a battle. A huge battle.

But these few weeks I have been so tired, I don't have the energy to scream and yell at them. Half the time when they misbehave or ignore my instructions, I felt like crying.

Then I discovered that due to my lack of energy, I couldn't flare up into a temper. That would get me into a fit and tire me out faster. I have been speaking in my normal voice, but very firmly.

The words take a little longer to sink in and the children still throw their tantrums, but hey, I'm not getting into a fit nor am I worked up. If they didn't want to do as instructed but want to cry and kick, so be it. They are exhausting their energy. They sleep earlier at night. What a winner!

The soft voice really helps calm them. The firm tone tells them that mum is not giving in.

It is easier to get mad and yell, but what does that do? It'll just get all parties worked up into something unnecessary. When I use my soft and firm voice, it helps me to think too. I may be repeating myself over and over again, but I am not worked up.

It also helps children to see how mum reacts to situation and learn from it. We've been teaching our 5 y.o. that she is not to hit or scream at friends when they do something she doesn't like. I am learning to take a deep breath and use my soft but firm voice to respond to her actions and behaviours.

So far so good, not as many fights as before. Sphere: Related Content

I love school, I hate school...

It's Friday and I thank God for it. No, seriously, I thank God it's the end of the school week. Today was exhausting. All of us were back to our normal term time routine and that meant dropping my eldest in school, off to play group with the little one, lunch, sleep, school pick up, afternoon play for the girls and dinner.

A lot seems to be happening within the short span of 5 hours 'free' time during school hours. I rush around getting things done around the house, play and teach my little one and hopefully get a little rest.

My legs ached, my back too and my body and brain don't seem to be attached.

Nobody told me how tiring school runs can be.

I'm new to this and after talking to other mums who are doing this for the first time, I felt better. They feel the same too! I'm in a love-hate relationship with school runs.

I've been thinking these few days that I hardly have time to think about God. Which is not good. I'm so busy with my own life that I have put God aside. Thankfully I have somehow inherited a smart phone from a churchmate and hubby has installed an e-Bible  and daily Bible reading plan. I get to read a verse a day. It's not a lot. But have you tried running around like a madman and the only time you get to sit down is to sleep? That one verse meant a lot to me. Sometimes I forget and go back to read it again. I try to remember it for the day.

Our lives change when children come. And we have to make the best of it and still try to find time for God. It's the same as finding time for myself and with my husband. If I love someone, I need to set time aside for them. God is no exception. And you know what, that 1 minute a day with a Bible verse really makes a difference to this tired mind and body. Sphere: Related Content

School Runs

The end of January started with cyclone Oswald hitting us and water rising everywhere. I am thankful that the winds and rains died down when school started. Kept a close watch on the QLD Education's website for school closure notices.

Our school is not affected, but a few schools in the neighbouring suburbs had to close for one more day for power to be restored.

Husband and I went with Miss 5 on the first day of school. Not to help her settle in, but needed an extra pair of hands to carry a box of school stationery, books and folders.

It's been a tiring first week. Learning to get to school on time and finding a parking space. we've been leaving the house earlier and earlier. A 10-mins drive during off-peak hours now takes half an hour. Rush hour traffic is terrible and parking is almost non-existent.

What are all these cars doing at the same spot for so long, I wonder! Unfortunately, there are children who don't settle in well and parents have no choice but to stay and settle them.

Miss 20 months has been excited about going to her older sister's big school. She gets to walk the big grass compound and play on the play equipment. She's still too small for them, but she would hold on to the handlebars for dear life!

When school finishes, we always stayed for some afternoon tea which the girls enjoyed. Having afternoon tea in school just meant that I don't have to clean up at home! Yeah!

Dinner started at 6:15pm the first night. It has now progressed to 5:50pm on Friday night. I think, we'll be having dinners about that time.

It's good to have the girls in bed early and the husband and I get our time to get work done or even just to chat, without feeling the rush to get things done.

My Preppie complained about having sandwiches for lunch in the first week already. Bought a few different things for her to try this week. School lunches are really a chore. I spent my school days at the tuckshop and never had lunch packed. Coming to Australia really does bring a whole new lot of experiences!

Off to bed now, for another new day, another new week. Let's see how we go this week. Sphere: Related Content