1. Kyle's World – "I don't want to share".
Learning how to share is a socio-emotional development that Kyle seems to be lagging in. I suppose it is a challenge for an only-child, especially when he does not need to share his toys most of the time at home.
This afternoon we had a conversation about sharing in school. It started with him telling me that he and his friend were the only two that cried in class today, as he got scolded by his teacher for snatching a toy from the latter. I reminded him that it was wrong to snatch from his friend and he had to share. And that the reality of life is that we don't always get what we want all the time, even when we ask nicely.
He still insisted for a while that "I don't want to share." I had to explain to him all about social norms and how one has to share to be a friend and to play with friends. Later he admitted to me that he didn't know how to share, and found sharing hard to do. We said a prayer together and ask God to help him to share with his friends and learn to be a kind and giving friend.
With time, I am sure sharing will get easier for him.
Homework, for the first time from school.
Dh was shocked to hear that Kyle has brought homework back from school. I wasn't surprised. Even for a school that learns through play, the principal probably felt that it was time to start introducing the concept of homework at Nursery. He needs to start somewhere, I guess.
2. My World
2010 was really a year that I focused alot on Kyle's home-learning and his development. Reviewing through the year, I realised that the closest thing that I did for myself was start up myplayschool.net with Pauline, sharing our knowledge and passion about home-learning with other moms. However, the nature of it is still rather Kyle focused, in the sense that it afterall revolved around what I was doing with him at home. Caught in the busy-ness of planning home-learning activities, I had little time to think about what else I wanted to do. I dabbled a little in photography, but really had no time to be out exploring other subjects apart from the boy.
Being 'kid-focused' is surely the role of every SAHM, but it does get a tad bit unhealthy when the mind is only occupied with 'what to teach, learn and activities to plan.' Besides true domestication happens only when the SAHM's obsession moves beyond the child and goes into either whipping up wondrous meals for the family (which I have yet to achieve), or being able to use the hand-made craft to beautify the house (I am on the way!).
Until I discovered the craft of sewing in end November. It started out with my fascination with felt, making felties for Christmas gifts and using felt for appliques. I realised that I could really enjoy doing this long term. I went on to explore embroidery, then got myself a sewing machine as I figured I needed a proper canvas for my appliques and embroidery. These 'canvases' came in a form of linen, my love for printed fabric, which were then put together to form wristlets, clutches and totes. Plus it helped that I had a sewing mentor, Pauline, who generously shared tips and tricks with me. So my learning curve wasn't too steep 
From wool felt;
To an eclcetic mix of 60’s-70’s-inspired, modern conversationals and kitschy, whimsical woodland features, animals; owls, birds, deers, foxes, bunnies, monkeys, cats. I tried to group them in colours, but since there seem to be quite a variation in the styles and their shades, so this was my best attempt.
In greens and teals,
In beige. citrus, yellow and browns,
In blues,
In reds and pinks;
In blacks and greys…
I tend to get a little 'gollum-like' with my fabrics. I can't bear to use some of my favorites ones and taking them every once in a while to admire them, so I have plans for more use of fabrics around the house. Starting with the table cloth, table liner, and a couple of sofa cushions. Sewing has been a really enjoyable hobby so far and there is so much I want to do. Pity I only have a pair of hands and limited time 
Note : If you are one of those moms who are focused on nothing else except your child's development and intellectual development, go and get a hobby! Be it cooking, baking, drawing, photography, shopping, sewing, whatever. Your life will be more varied and u will not be overly obsessed over your child's development or his/her well-being. And if you write a blog, do give yourself and your readers more topics of interest to read about, apart from what your child has done, can do or what u plan to do with your child. Being a parent really shouldn't make you lose your individuality or not have time to pursue your passions.
I really agree with your end-note. We cannot only be XX’s mum, we still have to be ourselves. Being a mother is just one of our responsibilities, although a very big one. We still have to be good daughters, wives, friends etc. I too, am trying to blog more about other stuff other than about the kids. My blog is overwhelmed with the kids’ pictures though. But since taking pictures is a hobby for my hubby and editing them is mine, so I guess it’s ok.
I had, for a period of time, been a bit obsessed with homelearning too. It made me stressed for a while. Then I reminded myself why I wanted to start homelearning in the first place, to have some fun and hopefully educational activities for me to do with my children. It’s a way to make me more engaged and for them to learn while having fun, without them even realising it. So, if it’s stressful for either kids or mum, there’s no point anymore. Thanks for reminding me again.
Glad you found a hobby. I have mine too and I also struggle to find time for them. I think it makes us better mums when we have some me-time and not lose sight of our individuality.
Parenting is afterall a key part of our life, plus the blog still serves as a very good place to take down milestones and remember our child’s growing up years. Photo-taking, editing photos and putting them on the blog is a good hobby, especially in this day and age where few have the space at home to store those pictures in albums.
Will definitely look forward to read more about your other interests from your blog. It is always interesting to read about the other passions and interests that fellow moms have.
Totally agreed with this post! You know my hobbies… but for me, I think finding that balance for everything is crucial, and pretty difficult too. Some days I feel guilty for not spending more time planning activities! Oh well. Great that you’ve found this love for sewing… really therapeutic, yes?
Btw, love all those fabrics you bought! May I ask where did you purchase them?
.-= Jus´s last blog ..Thinking Thursdays- Learning in 2011 =-.
U were also one of the inspirations for encouraging me to start up a hobby to make better use of my time 😉 It was always nice to see your wonderful creations and now I am able to appreciate being able to ‘create’ something with my hands, and put my aesthetic preferences into use.
I purchased the fabrics mostly online from fabricworm.com, from a mix of Japanese and US based textiles designs. Locally, you can try needleandthread.com and fatconnection.sg (for Japanese fabrics). However, there is a very limited range available locally. The selection that is available online that can be shipped from the US is simply mind-boggling.
Ya! your fabrics are very pretty. Where did you get them?
Totally agree that 80% of my time are on the kids and the rest on housework.
Started some sewing some time ago too…. but I make use of old clothes and did some re-construction work. But time is so limited that I can’t work on it as and when i want.
So, 加油! 加油!
My dear, you really have no choice but to be busy with the little ones, since u have 3 of them. I will probably find it a challenge to do anything else with my time if I had three children, explains why I am taking forever to even consider having a 2nd one. I treasure my own time too much to want to make that sacrifice.
Anyhow, I still believe that having many children is a blessing, the Lord gave u children because He know that u can manage it
could not agree more with your end-note, thanks for sharing (and reminding too). for once, i thought i’m losing friends too…
yeah… interested to know where did you get these beautiful fabrics:)…
.-= pc´s last blog ..Perth 2010- Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse =-.
Somehow I think we will surely make new ones when we enter into a different season of our lives. There will be friends who will be always there for u, even if you might be going through different seasons in life, these are the true friends that are worth keeping
I know I have made more genuine friends now vs those days I was working full time!
See my remark to Jus on where I got the fabrics.
Hey thanks! Nice to know…
And thanks for sharing your sewing resources! Will check out those shops. So far I’ve been getting my fabrics off Etsy, like you said the range overseas is way better! Happy sewing up a storm!
.-= Jus´s last blog ..Thankful Tuesdays- What keeps me going =-.
I was the one who felt surprise when ZX brought home his homework on Friday. They are only going to be 4 years old, how far can they go…. these days, the kids are too stressful I feel.
That’s the problem with Singapore’s edu system. They just want to fast track the kids for everything…even when developmentally, some of them are not ready to do certain things. Our edu system is very bad for late developers, who unfortunately get streamlined at an early age which is not fair for them.