parenting tips


This post is part of a daily blogging series in May started by Gingerbreadmum, where 31 mums are sharing tips on coping with stay-home motherhood. 21 great moms with amazing tips precede me, so naturally I’m intimidated. What will I write?? So I cop out by getting my 19 months old Lauren to guest blog for me. She readily agreed when I asked and I couldn’t be prouder by her very first blog post. Enjoy!

Hi! My name is Lauren. By now, you’ve probably read some embarrassing posts that my mommy wrote about me on the blog. None of it is true, except for my love for the Wiggles and hijacking mommy’s and daddy’s mobiles when they are using it. Opss.. she did write about that, didn’t she?
But I digress. You see, my mommy thinks she has nothing to offer when it comes to writing survival tips for Stay-At-Home-Moms. I think she is doing alright and let me share what she does when comes to dealing with me and managing our household.
Morning
I wake up around 7 to 8am, and on most days, she would still be sleeping. I know she has every intention to wake up earlier and get the chores done, but I don’t mind mommy sleeping in at all. I love to wake up being next to her. I know it also gives her great pleasure to see my smiley face when I wake her up by climbing over her. She tends to be in better mood too when she gets enough sleep. Chores can wait, don’t you think?
Mommy plonks me into my baby chair with a book or her mobile phone while she gets my breakfast ready. Nothing elaborate, mostly yogurt with muesli or if she has a busy morning (doing laundry, dishes, preparing to go out), she would make simple peanut butter sandwich, which I can feed myself without making too much of a mess. My mommy also likes to mop the floor at this time, so I won’t slip on the wet floor.
Afternoon
After lunch, mommy puts me down for a nap. I would love for her to lay next to me while I sleep, but I know she cherishes these few hours everyday as her ‘me-time’. She reads, blogs or watches TV while munching on chocolates.
After nap, we would go to playgroups; tea with mommy’s friends or my favorite is when we go grocery shopping. You see, I love to help. Before we enter the shop, mommy would remind me to stay close to her and get me my own basket. We then play a little game, which she tells me what to get, and I’ll load it into my basket. Although I may not understand some of the things she wanted, but I’m learning everyday. I now know what capsicum, carrots, and Yakult is. I get rewarded with a bottle of Yakult if I stay close to her the whole time.
Sometimes the colorful cans of tuna do distract me. There are times when I really believe we need all 20 packets of Oreos and load them into my basket. Too bad, mommy doesn’t agree and would sit me in the stroller if I don’t return them. I would cry of course, but it doesn’t last that long because you see, crying is tiring. And that packet of raisins mommy just hand to me is just as interesting. A little bribery doesn’t hurt every now and then.
Evening
Hi5 comes on at 6pm on Disney Junior channel. Mommy takes this opportunity to prepare dinner while I gawk and dance in front of the television for half an hour. Mommy usually makes simple one pot meals like stews, pastas and roast chicken/fish with vegetables which she can let cook in the oven. This is because she only have half an hour to prep and cook. Yup, exactly half an hour because I don’t like Sofia the First that comes on after that.
We eat dinner together with daddy when he gets home from work. Mommy usually feeds me, but sometimes she just lets me feed myself and make a mess. I heard she told daddy that it is easier to change my clothes and clean up afterwards than keep wiping me off. I don’t mind it that much because I get to play with my food. Mommy calls it sensory play. Win-win!

Mommy put me to bed at 10pm sharp. Apparently, she believes in setting routines so I’ll know what to expect of my daily activities. Sometimes I’m not sleepy and wants to play but she will still lay me down, turn off the lights and remain quiet until I finally give in and shut my eyes. I’ll usually fall asleep within 10 to 30 minutes. 

Finally, I just want to say on behalf of all kids out there, we don’t know what SAHM, WFHM, FTWM, and all that mean. To us, you are OUR MOM and we love you no matter what.

mother fashion blog singapore

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The next mom on the blog train is Beverly, who blogs about life as a stay-at-home mom over at Hello Little Sunshine. Unlike most of her peers who are pursuing their degrees or working their way up the corporate ladder, Beverly has chosen to be a SAHM to her toddler girl. It wasn’t an easy decision and parenting life ain’t a bed of roses, but at the end of the day Beverly can’t imagine missing out on the early years of her child. Read on tomorrow to see what tips she’s got to share.