Hi parents

I was at Unity Primary School last evening to share with parents on Effective Discipline strategies. The talk was in Mandarin and 15 parents were present.

The outline of the talk comprises the following:

•

·        What is discipline

·        Various discipline strategies

·        Parenting styles

·        Learning styles

·        Why does your child misbehave

·        Useful tips to carry out the strategies

Towards the end during the question and answer time, one parent asked what about discipline that leave everlasting scars.  Some parents shared their views and experience on this point.  I also throw in a couple of examples.

I want to thank that parent for bring this question up.  While mistakes can serve as a learning point, some mistakes take on a painful price to pay.   So much so it can leave an everlasting scar.  All these boils down to lack of discipline.

So Singapore parents, while all of us love are children unconditionally, it is also our duty to teach them discipline from young.

Hi parents

Most of us know that bananas are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber. They also contain no fat cholesterol and sodium.

Well, research has found that they also contain a rich supply of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 helps in protein metabolism, red blood cell formation and the functioning of the central nervous system.

Bananas also contain more digestible carbohydrates than any other fruit. When consumed, it helps the body to burn off calories from carbohydrates more easily and quickly than calories from fat or protein.

Do you know that bananas also contain 3 natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose. Hence, when eaten, it gives one the instant energy boost. This explains why bananas make good a before or after-workout snack, as it helps replenish the necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids depleted during exercise. And how many bananas do you need after a strenuous 90-minute workout? Just 2 will do. For diabetics and weight watchers, this is one fruit you want to avoid though.

Do you know that bananas do not grow on trees although we use the term banana “tree”. The fact is it is a perennial herb. Its trunk is not a true one but many leaves wrapped tightly around a single stem. This emerges at the top as the fruit-bearing flower stalk. So, the next time you see a banana “tree”, take a closer look again.

Each banana tree can continue producing fruit up to 100 years. Isn’t this amazing? However, most banana plantations renew their stock every 10 to 20 years. Botanically, banana is classified as a berry. It is from the same family as ginger, tumeric and cardamom.

And how many varieties of bananas are there??? 400 - could you believe that??? And how many have you tried??? And it is the world’s best-selling fruit, after apple and orange.

For other aspects of bananas, refer to http://www.juneparenting.com/2007/03/13/going-bananas/

So parents, if you or your children are involved in strenuous activities, try eating bananas and see the results for yourselves.

Happy trying . . .

Hi parents

I came across an article on having positive affirmations. The author shared that she had more than 150 of them in a Wonder Box. Each day, she would just pick one to read before starting her work.

Believe it or not, it made her day. Sometimes, things just work their way as in the affirmation picked . . .

Below are some of her examples and some are mine.

• A good example is the best lesson learnt
• A person who loves life will never age
• Be a good listener today
• Give your best and the best will come to you
• Good health is crucial to success
• He who is contented is rich
• I am a loyal and compassionate friend
• I am in the right place and do what I want to do
• I am on my way to better health every day
• I am positive and confident
• I am generous and I enjoy sharing that I know
• I enjoy the present and let the future takes care of itself
• I follow my heart and am responsive to how I feel
• I get stronger in body, mind and spirit
• I get things done on time and others appreciate it
• I give my best every day
• I take nothing for granted
• I treat each day as a new day to begin with
• I use my time well and enjoy being productive
• My dreams can come true
• My smile help others fell good about themselves
• My unique contributions make a difference to others
• My life is on the right track and I achieve the things I want
• My work is great and I enjoy what I do
• Nothing happens unless first a dream
• One never knows what he might accomplish unit he tries
• Positive thinking bestows upon us the right to joy and happiness
• The ability to change oneself ensures victory over one’s inner being
• When the mind is clear, the moment is loveliest

For working parents, I know it is tough facing the corporate world.  Whatever it is, if you are feeling stressed, perhaps the Wonder Box may just work for you.  Try it and have fun.  Add on the list with your own affirmations . . .

Hi parents

Today, I would like to share with you an extract from the book “Something Wonderful is about to happen . . .” by Robin L Silverman.  In it, the author shared many true stories of people who found happiness in unexpected places.

In one of the articles, a group of people were asked to trace out the outline of their hands and write something about them.  One particular candidate wrote:

“I hate my hands.  The knuckles are too big and they hurt (she had arthritis).   The veins are ugly and my hands won’t always do what I want them to do.”  Up to this point, there was complete silence in the class as they felt her pain.

Then she continued: “But these are the hands that can still splash cool water on my face on a hot summer’s day.  These are the hands that clean my body and make my bed.  These are the hands that caress my loved ones and help me hold them.”

In conclusion, she looked up, made eye contact with one of the women near her and said confidently: “I love my beautiful hands!”

Do you love your beautiful hands?  I do.

So parents, you may want to do this exercise with your kids and see what they have to say about their BEAUTIFUL hands.  Have fun . . .

Hi parents

Today, would like to share some information about oranges with you:

• To ensure freshness of oranges, store them immediately in the refrigerator upon purchase instead of keeping it at room temperature.
• Besides rich in Vitamin C, oranges also contain some Vitamin A.  They are also high in antioxidants which neutralize the effects of free radicals.
• While orange juice may contain Vitamin C, the nutritional value is more of sugar and nothing more.  Hence, it is better to consume cut oranges and eat with the pulp.
• After squeezing the juice, Vitamin C dissipates within 8 hours at room temperature.  Even after refrigeration, there is 20% of Vitamin C loss.  So, the next time you drink orange juice, it is best to do so within the first hour.
• In terms of fibre, a medium orange has as much as 7 cups of cornflakes.
• As a flavour, orange ranges after chocolate and vanilla.

Hope you have found the above tips useful.  If you are interested to try out recipe with oranges, please refer to Orange Chicken/Fish/Prawn - http://www.juneparenting.com/2007/01/30/chickenprawn-apple-appetizer/.

Hi parents

Do you know that tomato is actually a fruit and not a vegetable. Well, below are other things that you can share with your children on tomatoes:

• They are rich in fibre
• They are rich in vitamins A and C
• They are cholestrol free
• Each tomato (medium size about 150 gm) has only 35 calories
• The nutrients of tomatoes, when cooked, are absorbed more effectively, especially so with olive oil.
• When cooked, they also have higher concentrations of lycopen.
• New medical research shows that lycopene makes tomatoes red and may prevent several types of cancer such as breast, lung, prostate, cervical and digestive tract.

So parents, hope you have found the above tips useful. In Singapore, tomatoes are readily in both wet markets and supermarkets. For a healthy diet for the family, do include tomatoes in your meals and have them cooked with olive oil.

While this saying is known by many, do you know why it is so???

Well, below are 5 things you may want to know:

1. Apples are rich in sodium and cholesterol free.
2. A medium size apple contains about 80 calories so that is good for weight watchers.
3. Apples are a great source of fibre pectin - each one has 5 gm of fibre.
4. 25% of each apple’s volume is air.  Hence, it floats.  Do try it out!
5. Two thirds of the fibre and lots of antioxidants are found on the skin.  So, the next time you eat it, do so with the peel.

So parents, happy crunching apples with your kids and with the skin intact.

Today, a friend send me the following which I want to share with you.

There are THREE things in life that, once gone, will ever come back:
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity


Three things in life that can destroy a person
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

     
Three things in life that you should never lose
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

        
Three things in life that are most valuable  
1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness

     
Three things in life that are never certain
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

  
Three things that make a person
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3.  Hard work

Today is the first day of 2008. The last half year has been both traumatic and exciting for me. Below is a summary of what happened during this period:

July 2007 - The doctor confirmed that my husband is now diabetic. While he took it calmly, I was devastated. He is only 58 and still has a long way to go. I had retired early to spend more time and this had to happen. With the help of my children, we started him on a strict diet with no white bread, no white rice and noodle. Also, as far as possible, outside food is forbidden on normal days. He had to cook simple soupy meals of beehoon, kway teow or tanghoon.

August 2007 - I continued my weekly visit to my mum. She is still in depression mode and is seeking psychiatric treatment on a regular basis. For ArtOutreach, had quite a few assignments going round the schools to talk on the different aspects of art. Continue doing Reiki on a regular basis and helping those in need. On week-ends, it was busy time at Mindchamps.

September 2007 - Given a free makeover at one of the company along Boat Quay (see picture above). Became a mystery shopper with a consulting firm doing market research. The first assignment was buying jewelry with one of the reputed retailers. It was rather fun except for the report writing. To improve the relationship between my husband and I, we went for counselling to foster stronger marriage bonding.

October 2007 - At the quarterly check-up for my husband, we were glad that he managed to reduce 7 kilograms within 3 months. His sugar level also went down to 6 points from 12. The new diet really worked. Intend to continue with this trend and bring his weight down further. More mystery shopping assignment this month: Fast food kiosks and Downtown East. Got to stay overnight and check out the various facilities offered by them.

November 2007 - Busy month at Mindchamps, being school holidays. All in all, had 2 enrolments under my name and help closed another 8 for my colleagues. Had a one week complimentary trial at True Yoga Orchard. Got to try out from Gentle Yoga to Belly Dancing. Sure was fun.

December 2007 - Had 2 roadshows: one at VivoCity for 3 days and at UE Square for 1 day. For the latter, we had 2 professional balloon sculptors who did a fantastic job in making all sorts for high-end figures. The crowd just like the designs and were willing to pay for them. As it was also for charity, we managed to collect more than $300 during the 4 hours from 11.30 am - 3.30 pm. The candy floss was another draw. Also, I volunteered with Focus On the Family on gifting wrapping with Tangs Orchard. Though it was tiring during the 6 days, it was gratifying to know that there are many kind souls out there.

For 2008, would like to stay healthy, be happier and continue to explore new things.

Yes, I turn 50 today and how do I feel . . .

F ollow my dreams

I ndulge myself

F eed myself wisely

T ouch others

Y oung at heart

Well, for the past 1 year, I had followed my dreams and these are:

I officially retired from my job of 30 years

I embarked on a new career in education

I continued to volunteer with Art Outreach

I did mystery shopping

I chose how to spend my time

And how did I indulge myself???

I regularly went for massage and facial

I met up with good friends and went for nice makan

I attended courses of interest to me

I went holiday with my children

I learned to relax by doing nothing

I fed myself wisely by watching my diet:

Cutting down on fried food

Having more fish than red meat

Selecting less oily and salty food

Opting for soup than dried version

Eating more fruits and vegetables

I touched others by:

Tending to my mum

Observing others and share the good things

Using Reiki to help others in need

Coping to the needs of my family

Having a positive attitude and influencing others

And to stay young at heart, I . . .

laugh as much as I can

always on the move

use my brain often by playing games, reading, . . .

go for courses to keep myself abreast with the ever changing times

have a healthy heart by regular exercise

So what if I am 50! It’s just the beginning of a new chapter to me. I would want to live life to the fullest, with each day as a new day . . .