Like any good parents, we noticed things as soon as it happens - just like when Chloe comes back from school with not one .. not two.. but several bruises every week. It almost seems like she gets new one.. even before she had time to fully recover from the last few bruises. Of course, many parents are gonna say.. kids do that… and i most certainly agree with you 100% but that does not mean.. that you let it go.. or ignore it. I never take things like that lightly .. because as a mom. .you have to stay on top of things all the time.

A check with Chloe.. she exclaimed she didn’t know when or where she bruised herself.. but she knew they were from school - i had no doubt about it. So i am taking a picture of the bruises.. and bringing them to the school.. to show her principal or teachers .. that way maybe, they will look out for Chloe more. What would you do..?? if you were I…?? donch forget i’m the helicopter mom… hahahhaa!!

As you all know.. i’m spending a lot more time with Chloe these days, well, truth be told even when we had a babysitter, she was pretty much with us in the store.. with her babysitter.. except for the few hours.. they leave for home twice a week. Or when we had errands to run - so we do encourage Chloe to tell us anything and everything.

So the other day, she came home from school.. and outta no where told us that one of the teacher’s aid told her that .. she doesn’t need to tell her mama everything.. and to go to them.. if she had any problems.. made me frown a little. Oh .. don’t get me wrong.. i’m sure.. the teacher’s aid meant well.. but you know .. Chloe is only a kid.. and they really have to explain .. what exactly, she doesn’t need to tell us.. and in what situation.

Kids at that age is very impressionable.. and i’m afraid.. that Chloe or some other kids.. who might have been told the same.. might end up not telling anyone about anything.. should they get bullied outta school.. or not within the school compound. Or worst.. if they were abused at school by a teacher.. are they not supposed to tell anyone..?? or tell on the teachers who abused them..?? like i said.. i don’t think they meant anything bad - but definition of such must be very, very clearly spell out for the kids.. because if my kid was abused in school - i would definitely want to know. I’m trying not to make a mountain outta a molehill, so i told Chloe and drilled it in her.. that i am her mama .. and i need to know everything.. because there is nothing wrong in telling her mama what happened in school or anywheres. There are a lot of bad ppl out there.. as long as they are not family .. you trust no one.

3 weeks before Halloween, we went out to get the Halloween goodies for Chloe’s class, we knew that we will be busy this year, so we didn’t procrastinate. And true enough .. after getting the goodies for the big event this year.. we were too busy at the store.. to really go out to hunt for goodies. Plus, i wanted to get the good stuff.. and the good bags.

So the nite before the Halloween party at school, Chloe wanted to help do up the bags for her friends. And she was pretty earnest about it too. She followed all the instructions as to how much to put into each bag.. and was very zealous about tying them up too. And in every loot bag, we had planned to put some holiday cards as well. Unfortunately, it was getting too late to personalize the cards, so we did it for her instead.

I am very blessed because PB helps with stuff like that.. and daddy and daughter go on their mission on their own. I didn’t have to do anything.

Look at how much candies we bought .. for the kids at school. We also bought a cake for the class.. and had i known that the other parents weren’t too big on Halloween.. i would have done a lot more.

There were bags of chips too.. for every treat bags. And some leftovers.. for giving away.. at home or at the store.

16 bags in all.. and one for Dominic of course… and Sarah.. and Jasmine and Jessica .. and of course one for her babysitter - bless the brat’s kind heart. I asked her if she wants her babysitter to bring her trick a’ treating … but she said no, she wants mummy and daddy this year. So there… we had no choice.. but to make other arrangement.

I’ve been spending a lot of time with Chloe of late and it’s really quite fun to see her doing stuff that are not only creative.. but each day, i see changes in her .. and it seems that everyday, she comes home learning something new. She told us about the new stone sink that they had in school.. and also many new steps she learned in her dancing school. But most importantly.. i am able to drop everything .. and be with her .. after school.. and during the weekends.

Ppl said we are very blessed to be able to bring our kid to work… and before i used to lament.. that my online work.. takes up some of my time.. therefore, i needed help. But truth be told, the kid loves spending time with us. I remember the many nites when she had to go home with her babysitter.. and we had to bribe her sometimes. Or she would say.. “mummy .. i’m gonna miss you!”. We are of course, thankful for the babysitter’s help.. but i guess .. Chloe is getting a lot older now.. and i need to help her with her reading too.. every nite. Not just reading to her.. but teach her how to read. Nowadays.. she recite her numbers.. from 1 - 100 with no problem.. and read 3 books on her own - as of today. I have the luxury to be with my daughter.. everyday.. and i have to be thankful. Thankful for help when i needed.. thankful.. to PB for being so hands on. Thankful that PB is willing to share 50/50 of all my responsibility.

PS: One of the main reason i feel a need to be with Chloe is because there were too many things going on around us in this town. And like any responsible parent.. you and I know.. that we have put your child’s interest on first priority, to protect our kid, nurture them ourselves and make sure that she grows up the right way, so what better but to teach her yourself right? As a mother, you cannot fault me for wanting to spend more time with my kid.. and less time online right? I also noticed that i’m able to write once again - meaningful and thoughtful scripts about my life.. and those of chloe’s. A fair trade..?? very.

I’m pleased to let everyone know that Chloe is pretty much settle in her new school. Come Nov 4th - Chloe would have been in school for 2 months now. Besides the fever she had in the beginning of the school term, she is pretty much doing good with regards to her health *touch wood*. But this year .. we were also pretty smart unlike last year, where we hurried her to go back to school. This year, when she got ill, we kept her home longer and made sure she was completely well - for there was no hurry as she is up to expectation in her school work.

This year, we also see a change in her behavior towards going to school, she is a lot more confident and didn’t want to miss school. This year .. we also saw a change in pattern with regards to her sleeping habits - she now goes to her bed.. and fall asleep in her bedroom instead of the tv room. Sure, we still watch a short movie .. and read.. but after reading and the short movie, she goes to her bed.. and sleep .. like any kid her age.

Everyday, she comes home and tells us all about school.. and tells us about her friends. So yes, mummies out there.. if you can keep your kid outta school for another year.. please do.. because it sure made a lot of difference .. Chloe is so much more happier this year.

It’s in-service tomorrow.. but like any parents would know.. in service usually starts the day before - haha! for those who are not aware of what in service is .. don’t worry, i didn’t know till i came to Canada. It means the school teachers either have a meeting or needs to go for some upgrade - so there is no school tomorrow. For some kids, its great.. but for some parents they need to make arrangement for their kids to be looked after while they are at work.

For Chloe .. it is not a problem at all. because we have her at work with us all the time. Now that she is older, she is a lot more easier to look after and she can do stuff on her own. As she likes painting and drawing a lot .. you can see what she is up to already.. even before her off day from school.

We also explained to Chloe, she is a very blessed kid .. because she can follow mama and daddy to work and she understands it .. because just the other day, she told us that her friends don’t get to go to work with their mama or daddy. When she was younger, we were fortunate to have a babysitter who will come play with her at the store and go home with her when the need arises. But now that she is older and plus i don’t have so much online work, she is pretty much a self sufficient kid. I’m sure all mummies around the world would agree with me.. that spending time with their kids is the best gift one can give their kids right..?? and yes… i’m enjoying my special dates with my daughter. Tomorrow, we are heading out to watch Astro Boy in the cinema and a playdate as well.

Chloe is already into one full month of dancing - never missed a class.. and even had an invite for a dancing recital last Saturday. She loves her dancing but 3 weeks into it.. she said.. she didn’t wanna do tap dancing.. because it was too tiring. Can’t really blame her.. coz’ she already had a really long day. So we drop out from tap dance and continued with her other dance.. and today she came back showing us the dance steps as soon as she got home. We are just happy she is enjoying it so much.. and looking forward to it every week. More happy.. that she had been healthy .. all these time.. and never missed a class.

So your kid comes back home the last couple of weeks complaining that the boy sitting next to her had been kicking her - what do you do..?? Well, we tried to determine if it was accidental or was it on purpose of course. And the kid said.. the other kid just loved swinging his legs. So we let it go.. and told her to speak up.. and ask him to stop kicking her - and if he was still swinging his legs at her.. then she should tell her teacher.

Unfortunately, for us - Chloe seems to have lost her voice when it comes to telling her teacher about things. So a few days ago, she came back with bruises and she thinks that it was because of the kicking - we think it is irritating her more than the bruises. And like any good mummy, we wrote a ” From Chloe’s Mommy” note… to the teacher - telling her that it had to stop - to please assist. Well, you would be pleased to know that her principal called immediately the same day .. the note was sent in. And suggested that we asked Chloe to voice up. And then another note came back from Chloe’s teacher.. that we should encouraged her to voice up too. Now, you would think that they should know this is our last resort .. because if Chloe would voice up .. we wouldn’t have to right the note right..?? So I wrote a note back to the teacher, thanking her .. for dealing with our concerns.. and also let her know that we did encourage chloe but to no avail. What would you have done..??

So Chloe had been in her new school for a month now. We just got back a note from her teacher about her performance - i guess you can called it a performance report . .no..?? And I’m pleased to report that she “M” - mastered most of all that was expected of her till now.. but the only thing she didn’t “M” in was the names of her classmates. The teacher had written that she was a lovely girl too - in which i have no doubt about because Chloe is pretty well behaved in public - not to blow my own trumpet. We are thus far pleased with the school, although there isn’t any fancy bar faucet in the washrooms like some elite schools back home, it is pretty much a good school. It also seems to me that they have a lot of support from volunteers and there are lots of Teacher’s assistants around as well. They had just visited the apple farm the other day.. and we were told that they didn’t need any volunteers even though we readily volunteered ourselves - unlike her previous school where they really take any help they can get. This was taken in the morning . .while getting ready for school - i continue to hope she will continue to be happy every morning .. when preparing for school. Nothing is more stressful to send your kid to school when they are crying and in distress.

So after a week of being sick .. she is finally back to school again. This week, we didn’t have any problems.. *fingers crossed*. In fact, this evening when she came home, she said she didn’t need to bring my photo to school anymore.. because she can use her imagination .. and her memory .. to remember the photo… muahahhahah!!! how cute is that..?? She also went for her dancing class today.. and started on her tap dancing.

So we were told that Chloe had to have her school pictures taken today.. and of course, she had to dress up right..?? and Chloe had no trouble choosing her dress for her school pictures.. because her Auntie Kai Mah had sent many clothes to her. She chose this one immediately.. and we felt that this was an appropriate dress too. But lo and behold, they didn’t take the pictures today.. and didn’t even inform us about it.. nor when is the next picture taking day. *sigh*! oh well, I’ve got time to look into my term life insurance quotes then.

Today is the 3rd day of school and Chloe went into class on her own.. there wasn’t much fuss like the 2nd day. She was quite brave.. and waved her hands for a long time.. but she did go into class on her own. But like every mom, i’m still a wee bit worried.. and had to go take a peek at her .. during break time. She was fine too.. and didn’t even see us.. till she was lining up to go into class. We use the excuse of bringing her lunch everyday.. to go peek at her. Still keeping our fingers crossed.. because last year.. it was in November.. where everything went downhill.

So the school year started today, and here we go all over again. For those who are not aware of this.. Chloe is starting Grade Primary in another school this year. Last year, the teachers in her old school felt that she wasn’t ready at all. But as a mother, I felt that her teacher was new to her job .. and since she didn’t have any children or dealing with them.. she panic when Chloe didn’t seems to know as much as the other kids.. who were slightly older .. and had gone to pre-school. So last year during the December break, we pulled her out.. and put her in pre-school - with a teacher who had 28 yrs of experience… and told us on the first day of school that she was confused that Chloe’s old school didn’t think she was ready. Why..?? because she could fully understand chloe.. and chloe could print her name.. and finished all her work.. before the other kids in her pre-school class.

Because of her old school and her teachers there, Chloe had been quite traumatized and even though this year the french teacher was different.. she refuses to step into her old school - therefore we had to register her into another school near our home. But as usual.. in the morning.. she was quite worried and shed a few drops of tears.

We were allowed to go in with her.. since it was the first day.. and daddy had to help her to change her schools because she was already quite stress about leaving us. She had told us in the morning.. that she didn’t wanna go to school because she was gonna miss us.. and whine and whine of course.

So after much hugging .. and kisses.. she sat in class looking sad and all. But i’m pleased to announce that it wasn’t like last year November.. she was good.. and when we visited her.. during break time at 10.30am.. she was happy and playing. .and didn’t fuss at all. She didn’t even fuss and let us leave for work. Thank God..!!! She came home.. and said she had an overall good day - and in the evening… she told me that her new school didn’t do what her old school teachers did to her. You see .. she is definitely traumatized! We are keeping our fingers cross that this year will be a better year.

Summer is almost over for the kids.. and in less than a week, luckily, i’ve gotten the life insurance quote for myself, as Chloe goes to her new school .. and begin school in this school that she will be for the next 6 years, i’m gonna be busy, busy. Of course, I have my worries.. because this time.. the kids in her new school are a different set of children. Of course, i would like to think that all kids are like mine.. innocent, a bit whiny but kind.. and wouldn’t beat up other kids.. or upset other kids. But as you and I know .. it’s not gonna happen .. some kids .. as I’ve seen in the last few months.. can be really mean.. and nasty.

The other issue is lunch - as we all know that Chloe is a fussy eater.. and with the school not allowing us to even donate a microwave oven.. it’s gonna be tough .. to keep her rice and noodles warm. But for the last few days.. we have been testing out the thermos flask.. and also training Chloe to do her own lunch like school, I can say that it is gonna be a wee bit tough.. since she needs to fix her own lunch at the canteen.. and then gobble up all her food in 20mins.

I know that Chloe ain’t looking forward to her new school.. because she still has fears and reservations from her old school. One can only keep our fingers crossed eh and we all know we’ll survive .. we all do.

Tonite I bathed the lil’ brat and she asked me some funny questions. But is it really funny..??? or is it normal for a 5.5 yrs old to be curious..?? I guess it should come as no surprises when your child starts asking questions about their body parts or even about where babies come from. Do you think they are just cheeky questions.. and brush it off…?? afterall, we all know our kids are pretty smart and awesome right..?? so what is the right way to approach it..??

At 5.5 yrs old, i have to understand that my brat knows stuff from watching tv.. and from watching us.. and others around her. She asked me in the tub, if she will have big “neh nehs” when she grows up..?? Is it ok.. if she doesn’t have big “neh nehs?” Do I know what she will do if she have big “neh nehs?” .. muahhahha!!!

I cannot help .. but smile and felt really amused by all these questions..?? you must be asking..?? where are all these coming from right..?? well, moms and dads.. this is just the beginning of many more “funny” questions to come. In which, my reply was truthful, simple and straightforward. I replied, yes, everyone will have big “neh nehs” when they grow up and it’s ok.. if she doesn’t have a big one.. and no .. she cannot have milk in her neh nehs .. unless she is pregnant. Hahahahah!!! and to avoid the questions.. is a definite no-no.. because you really donch want her to be asking some strangers about the “neh nehs” questions.

Chloe went for her orientation yesterday at her new school. The one that she is starting in .. this fall. It is nearer to our home.. and this time round, she wouldn’t be in French immersion. We didn’t have much success in the other school .. and because of that… not only is Chloe having a kind of a phobia with the previous school .. we are having it too. But like PB said.. we are not subjecting the kid to anymore traumatic experiences… like the ones she had last year and no more looking for best diet pills either for me… muahahahah!!! We feel extremely sad that the first school that Chloe went to, turned out this way but on the other hand.. one cannot lived in the past forever.. and learn to move on.

The orientation went a lot easier this year for us .. then it did last year. The anxiety was there.. but not as bad as last year. Chloe took the orientation like a champ… and impressed her new teachers.. as well as her principal. The principal came up to shake our hands.. and introduce herself.. and said to us that Chloe was absolutely lovely and cute. But this year .. we are also taking a step backwards.. and I’m trying not to be too enthusiastic as i was last year.. with Chloe previous school in terms of fund raising and so forth.

We asked Chloe at the end of orientation if she wanted to go to her new school.. she said yes.. because she loves Mrs H. The school has a no touch policy.. but we approached Mrs H.. that it is ok by us.. if chloe needed some hugging or touching.. we have no problem with it at all. Mrs H. is like a grandmother .. and i have full trust in her. The hands off policy is good.. but in situation when the kid is this young.. i think we have to play by ear.. and go with what the kid needs. Last year.. at Chloe’s old school.. she was bawling her eyes out.. but they won’t even hold her hands.. to comfort her. Anyhow.. i’m pretty happy about what i’ve seen so far.. one can only hope for the best eh. Plus, Chloe wanted me to take pictures of her .. outside her school.. for her “Kai Mah” .. i’ll upload it later tonite.. i left it at home.. and didn’t bring my key.

Like any good parents you want to nurture your kid and teach them the best you know how and also go beyond and above your own self righteousness to recognize what is the right thing for your kids. So if the brat loves painting, we encourage her to paint. She wants to paint on paper, we buy her paper; if she wants to paint on a glass shelf in the store, we said yes as long as it is the side that doesn’t block the display for our customers.

You also give her a stool so that she is comfy when she is doing it, and some paint and brushes and water and paper towels. But of course she has to do it quietly and not paint beyond that piece of glass panel that we allowed her to paint. We are also prepared to help her clean up, but she has to clean up on her own too when she is done because we want to teach her responsibility and we want to teach her that the world does not revolve around her alone.

As a parent it is easy to want to do everything for your kids, but time and again we have to remind ourselves to step back and let her do her thing. Give her the freedom, enjoy her creativity and of course encourage and tell her it’s alright if she didn’t paint it just right - it doesn’t have to be perfect as long as she tries and gives it her best.

As parents it is in our instincts to protect our own and jump and claw at anyone who might suggest that your kid is less than perfect. But wait a minute; are you doing it because you are insecure? Or are you really protecting them? Chloe has been obsessed lately with one kid in her class, it seems she wants to seek approval from this kid, and she talks of her a lot even after school. She would say things like ” Jenny says polka dots isn’t pretty” or “Jenny said I’m not Hannah Montana” or sometimes she would even say “Jenny squashed my face 2 times today”. So like any good parents we assured her we would talk to Jenny and the teacher.

But wait a minute, while you are doing that are you also monitoring your own kid? It’s easy to see the fault of another kid, right? Afterall, our kid is always an “ANGEL” NOT! It’s hard to admit that your kid isn’t an angel either because they are kids. And like any good parents you have to realize it and not fuel that “little tiff” they seems to be having with someone or other. Why? Because your angel might think that this is the way the world should be, that everyone must like her or else THE LIGHTNING GOD!

You and I know the world is not this way and the sooner you explain it and put the right message across to your kid - the sooner the bratty behavior will stop.

So today, when Chloe said “Jenny did this and that” I told her that the next time she wants to talk about Jenny she should do it in front of Jenny, that way Jenny can defend herself and explain her side of things. I’m sure I told Chloe that Jenny’s mother may have a word or two for Chloe too. And guess what? She stopped talking about Jenny. Like I said, as a parent it is up to me to do right by my own kid because what we teach them now is what they are going to be in the future.

If I had continued to let Chloe go on and on and condone her behavior, what kind of teenager or young adult will my kid be in the future? One who is engrossed with petty stuff? Or a well rounder who can be nonchalant about nonsense? Before you speak to another parent or kid it’s important that you do the right thing by your kid first - because no matter how young or old your kid is, what you teach her or him is going to impact them for the rest of their lives. If you think that your petty thinking isn’t going to grow on your kids, and turn their minds and thoughts into undesirable characters, as good parents we better think again. Of course, bad parents don’t have to think. You want what is best for your kid but if you want your kid to be known as a fighter cock or a sore loser or a crazy son-in-law or daughter in law, go right ahead and teach them to belittle other people or beat up their boyfriends so that they would be good to them. Good parenting begins at birth, good parenting begins with you the parent, good parenting never stops. It is ok to teach your kid that not everyone needs to like them and it’s ok to teach your kid to be the bigger person. It’s also ok to teach your kid not to sweat the small stuff. But wait a minute, don’t be disillusioned and take it that your kid is never wrong because good parents nurture, encourage, compliment and most importantly know how to not fight with another kid because you are the PARENT! You have to teach your own first, after all, isn’t your kid’s welfare the most important here? And remember, your actions speak a lot about yourself too. Lesson to be learned by yours truly.

My very first hand made Mother’s Day gift .. from Chloe made from school. And yer know what.. that girl can keep a secret..!!! muahahahha!!! i didn’t get to see this till Sunday.. on Mother’s day.. so cute right.. ?? on the back of the handprint.. it said.. something about remembering .. how small her hand is.. when she grows up. Hahaha!! so touching.. She will always be my baby gal. Still gotta go find a stand to stand this up.. My very first hand made gift - Motherhood is priceless.. especially when you have such a precious kid.

A few days ago, I wrote .. and wonder if my Chloe has horns.. remember..?? This morning .. a check with the regular teacher.. and the child involved.. we found out that Chloe was telling the truth. *Phew* .. darn relief lah..!!! As mothers .. we donch wanna think that our angels can get evil.. but if for some reason .. they are.. then we have to nip the problem at its bud . .no..?? I love my daughter .. but if she was learning .. or behaving wrongly, it is best to make it right now. I don’t want to be like some parents whose kids sells stuff at our store.. and blame us for buying them, instead of telling their kids not to sell the stuff. How would we know .. if they are allowed to..??? we always try calling .. if the kid is below 16 .. but if kids can have sex legally at 14 here.. what makes these parents think that selling their games or consoles are illegal..?? And like the parents of those who are into drugs .. and instead of sending them to a drug rehab, they blame the traffickers. *slap forehead*

Anyhow, I’m pleased to inform friends and family .. that my kid is not a bully nor does she have horns. Moral of the story - don’t panic, find out the real story and then act accordingly. If your kid is really evil, then you have to get a saw and saw off the horns.