Wednesday, 19 June 2013

First Magazine Feature

About two months ago, I received an email asking if I would be interested to do an email interview that will be featured in the June issue of Motherhood Magazine. I took it up! The tough part wasn't actually answering the questions but to find a high resolution photograph of me and Miley! Photos taken with our mobile phones wouldn't be good enough for print and the only time we use a proper camera is usually during travel but then I'm usually the one behind the camera. And all parents would know how difficult it is to get a good shot with children, plus it had to be a recent picture, so that was really tough. Fortunately, there was that ONE SHOT taken at the breakfast table in Maldives!


Very excited when I got my hands on the magazine although it was only a small feature (on page 113). They had shorten my answers for print and here's the original version.


How would you describe your parenting approach/philosophy?
Not trying to be more then just parents. As parents, our duty is to protect and provide for them but not to live their lifes for them. Let them choose what they want to do by exposing them to as many options and guiding them in the positive direction with an open mind. When they grow older, let them experience life and the difficulties they may face will only allow them to learn better about themselves and eventually live the life they want to live.

Before and after fatherhood: how has being a dad changed you?
I'm still the same me except that most of my free time is now spent with my daughter. Before becoming a dad, my wife and I wouldn't mind spending our weekends doing nothing at home.  Now with a kid, we go out more often either to the outdoor for fresh air or just anywhere that we could engage in family activities together.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a dad, and how do you overcome it?
The biggest challenge is to overcome the guilt in me when I occasionally choose to go out with friends for dinner and catchup instead of rushing home to company my daughter after work. I just have to tell myself that it’s ok and everyone deserves a break. I don’t want to grow old with a happy family to only find out that I have lost all my friends.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a dad?
To have someone point her little finger at you and call you “Daddy” with a wide smile every time she sees you.

Please share an oft-overlooked/underrated tip/advice for other dads.
Daddy does matters and plays an important part in a child’s development, especially if you have a daughter. Studies have shown that girls would tend seek daddies for comfort and assurance from toddler up to their teenage years. Those who receive would grow up to become more confident with higher self-esteem. Do not think that comforting girls is a mummy’s job.


Since then I kept reminding myself to pass over the camera and here's another nice picture to end this post, taken during our China trip. Tag #prouddad #jealousmum



Monday, 3 June 2013

Dear Dad ~ Our Holiday to China

For Father's Day, the Daddy Matters Group posted a writing challenge for us to imagine what our kids might really say to us if they were to write a letter to their father. This is what I imagine Miley might say to me about our recent holiday to China.

~~~
Dear Dar-di

Ghnn-Ah! Ghnn-Ah! Ghnn-Ah! (the sound I make when I am Happy!) I really enjoyed the nine days China holiday to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Beijing with you, Mama, Ah-Ma and Tai-Ma! If it wasn't the last minute decision to bring me, the 四代同堂 (four generation) travel wouldn't have happened! I know bringing an 18th month old along meant less freedom but more concerns, less chances for shopping but more things to carry, less photos of you and Mama but more photos of me and us! But hey, I know I brought everyone lots of joy! And for you, the priority boarding on flights and trains which you appreciate most!
四代同堂 (Dar-di, Mama,  Me, Ah-Ma and Tai-Ma) at 万里长城 
Thank you for waking up earlier everyday to cook for me. I love the food especially the macaroni! I also like the porridge you prepared on alternate days but macaroni is still my favorite cos they are chewy like gummies! They taste as good as those that Nai-Nai would cook for me at home in Singapore. Nai-Nai is so smart to had prepared the Ikan Bilis broth and froze them into daily portions it so that you could bring them to cook in the apartments. Yumz....

My favorite macaroni cooked in ikan bilis broth
So yummy..... :P
Speaking of the apartments, I love how spacious they are! You made a great choice for booking us in two-bedroom apartment so that I can play high-and-seek with Ah-Ma and Tai-Mah everyday! Especially love the bath tubs! I miss pom-pom (bath) there!
Squeaky clean me wrapped in an oversized hotel bathrobe
Mama carrying me! 老背少
And Dar-di carries the bag pack!
While Mama carries me most of the time, you were responsible for packing and carrying the huge bag pack everyday that contains all the goodies to pacify me! Among all, what I care most is the iPad! iPad! iPad! I know this is your last resort only if all else fails and you know I would stop crying immediately at the sight of it no matter how cranky I was. Oh and please remember to charge it next time when you bring it out and stop telling me that there is no battery every time I ask for it! I know you can't be that forgetful!

Things in the bag pack:
Container for my lunch, Warmer bag with two bottles of milk, Sun hat, Sunscreen, Fan, Carrier cloth
Water bottles, Diapers, Change of clothes, Diaper changing mat, Sweaters of Dar-di, Mama and me
Maps and itineraries, Tissue paper, Wet tissue, Plastic bag, Hand sanitizer, Mint sweets, Snack container, Recycle bag, Snack bag, iPad!
My Snack Bag: Juice! Raisins! Stickers! Biscuits! Paper and pen for draw draw....
Stickers keeps le me occupied!
I like how you and Mama put in extra effort to dress me up everyday and here are some of my favorites....
le me in a pink samfu with embroidery at the Forbidden City
le me in a red dress with little pink parasol at the Great Wall of China
le me looking stylish at the Peace Hotel in Shanghai
Sorry that I had to take my naps twice a day. So you and mummy had to carry me in your arms while sight seeing. Subconsciously I could hear you begging Mama to take over cos I was too heavy (12kg). LOL! Mama is stronger then you cos she has been training with carrying her own handbags and shopping bags while I know you go to work empty handled. :P

le me Zzzz at the Bund
le me Zzzz at the Forbidden City
le me Zzzz on the cable car to the Great Wall of China
le me Zzzz at the Oriental Pearl Tower
When I'm awake and fully charged, these were my most memorable moments.....
le me saying Hi to the cats in a cafe at 田子 in Shanghai
le me trying local food such as 面茶 in Beijing
le me strolling at the quaint 南锣鼓巷 in Beijing
le me touching the cooling spring water at 灵隐寺 in Hangzhou
le me being photographed by strangers at 万里长城 in Beijing
le me meeting Doraemon at 新天地 in Shanghai
le me enjoying the breeze and captivated by the lights at 外滩 in Shanghai
le me being uncooperative when it comes to phototaking
le me the Queen in da house!
le me bidding goodbye to a fish at a restaurant along the food street at 河坊街 in Hangzhou
le me knowing 嘉南哥哥 (Mama's friend who drove us around Beijing for two days
And of cos, le me playing with the iPad!
Ahhhhh.... it was so much fun! So Dar-di, where are we going next?


Love, 
Your dotter Miley
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