A stay at home mother, I've always wanted to be.

And when i read this article, alot of thoughts flooded in...

 http://m.todayonline.com/commentary/why-my-wife-stay-home-mum

Since I was young, I had the dreams to get married and have my own kids, I've always had this illusion to be at home, taking care of my kids, and bringing them to school, cooking for them and the hubby, do house chores... just like what my mum did. I was brought up in this type of environment where my mum was a housewife, taking care of our every needs. My dad owns a small business, steady income, so there's not much to worry in terms of financial wise.

As I grew up, knew and accepted the living standards in my homeland, I started to realise that my dreams of being a stay-home-mum is going away.

I still have to go work, at least to earn for my money, to buy the things that I want and need, to fork out a bit for the family expense, and majority goes to Manfred's toys. But having kids stop me from moving upwards in my career. I don't want to be a career woman, those who work day to night, night to day, and have to travel regionally, or night entertainments every day, every week. Yes, they could earn alot. They could earn themselves expensive cars, big houses, branded clothes, but emptiness in the heart. How much quality time do they have for their kids? How much time can they afford to listen to their kids?

Yes, I have no dreams to earn the sky. So long as what I am earning is comfortable for me to be able to buy my stuff, and the hubby has no big burden to pay for my expenses or the family's expenses. So long as I can still have some time for Manfred everyday. Sometimes I feel guilty when I reach home late, and I didn't have any time with him. I so look forward to see those cheeky and happy smiles and laughters from him, after work. Nothing else can come any closer.

Recently, I bought a 42cm tall minion toy doll for him and he was like having so much fun wrestling with it and we really had good laughs over that. Last night when I reached home, I asked for a big hug, and he dashed across to hug minion. So cute and cheeky can! And then we played catching with hubby piggy-backing him. We ran in and out of the rooms, and the boy was laughing so so hard. Then it just double assured me that, its not about how big the house you're living in, it's the laughters and fun the family enjoys in a cozy (small) space we call home. I'm always not very concern about how big or small our house is. But in years to come, when the hubby progresses in his career, and sees his friends/colleagues staying in private property, just worried that he can't resist the temptation. Or like, its a "face-thing"? *shrug*. I always believe Every families have a story to tell, and so you can't judge by the cover. 

Coming back to the topic, I'm working towards the aim to be a work-at-home mum. So, I can still earn my share of income, and have MORE time with Manfred, and to do the house chores. Meaning, I still need manfred at the babysitter's, while I need some concentration to work from home. After I'm done with work, chores and cooked dinner, I can bring Manfred back early. I can still teach him homework, he can still eat home cooked dinner. How nice would that be. No big income, just enough for me to spend (comfortably) and save up for rainy days.

That's why I'm being active in my blog again, this being the first step.

I don't have any concrete solid plans yet. But still working on it. Any mummies working from home, have any tips to share? I really really need some of those tips.

Everything is dispensable, except Family. It's always the number one in my list, especially my kids. Don't expect anything in return from the kids, and you'll enjoy parenting as much as You should. :)

If i were to start a shop, what should it be selling?

If I were to provide a service, what would it be?

If I were to....

I need help. sos. 

Another milestone! Manfred taking his first steps (14 months)!

I am so proud of you, baby. I can't wait for the day when you and daddy can play soccer/basketball together. Or simply, just taking a stroll at the seaside. :)

Review on Motorola Digital Monitor - MBP11

I must say, this monitor is a good buy. There are 2 machines (obviously!) One is with baby, the other with mummy. I can carry mine around the house while Manfred is alone in his room sleeping, or sometimes, just playing with himself. Nomore paranoid moments if I hear some children cry/make noise. All I have to do is to check whether the lights are blinking, and of course obviously his cries will be projected from my set. I can do my chores without running to his room to check on him every 5-10min. The sound is crystal clear. Sometimes when Im playing some lullaby music in his room, the tune will be picked up and I can hear it on my set, but when it senses that that is some "background" music, it will "relax and chill" until a new sound is picked up. Very smart, right? You can adjust the volume, up to you how loud do you wanna hear your baby. :)

Manfred is now sleeping alone in his room, so this thing is super useful at night. It picks up the slightest sound, and it will wake me up to check on the "woken-up" boy. Without this machine, I won't be able to throw him to sleep himself.

Do take note that it's a one-way communication. Sound is picked up by baby set, and transmitted to mummy set. But mummy set won't be able to transmit any sound to baby. (so don't expect to "hello, hello, dinner is ready, pls be ready at dining table in 5!" and get a reply, "wait, mum, i'm in the midst of my game.) Would not be happening. But Ok wad, I dont need the sleeping baby to "hear" what I'm doing. :)

Got this "toy" at a local online store at SGD$79 (GSS promo).

As you can see from the pic, I carry it around with me, hanging on my shorts.

Rate: 5/5 I seriously can't think of any cons.

And so bloglovin'

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A Stay Home Mum for a week! (and his everyday schedule/timetable)

Last week I stayed home with Manfred for the whole week coz Aunty Nancy (aka his babysitter) had her family issue to attend to - her brother passed away. :( And the hubby had got Reservist to attend to. At first I wasn't the most confident to be able to handle the naughty boy 24/7 for a week, but i thought, if I couldn't, who possibly could do better (other than Aunty Nancy)?

And Tadah! I m proud of myself.

And roughtly, his time table went like this. I guess end of the day, sticking to a timetable really helps and works. Easier for the mother and child. Mum has a hour or so to nua abit after rushing through some chores while baby is sleeping.

8.30am-9am - Good morning! Milk for Breakfast/ Change of Diaper/ Little bit of Clean up
9.30am - 11am - Play / Play / Play
11am + - Pram Pram ride to Fernvale Point market to buy food and if weather is good (aka not too sunny), off we went to the playground for some exciting climbing (not for the faint hearted)
12pm - Home. Lunch (either porridge/cereal). Bathe!
1pm ++ - Nap Time. And he rolled and rolled and rolled to his favourite position before he knocked out to lala land.
3pm ++ - Woke up from nap. Milk for high-tea. Play on his own, or if I have the time to spare (from my work stuff), we will play together. :D
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6pm - Dinner time. Porridge/Cereal option. Depends mummy feel lazy or not.

After (his) dinner, we would normally go out for a walk or for the adults' dinner. I am so blessed to have awesome neighbours like Joey and Alex. When the hubby couldn't make it home early last week coz he was 'serving the country', the neighbours 'jio' me (and Manfred) for dinner. Alex drove us to Lim Tua Tao for some Taiwanese cuisine. :)

And, it was so fortunate that it was Yujing's vacation and she dropped by to 捣蛋 'accompany' us too. She stayed over for a night on Thursday too! And this girl went to sell shoes starting yesterday, at Charles & Keith. Yay! I'm going to ION to bug her for discounts!


After thoughts... 

1. It's really not easy being a working mum. When things like this does happen, the first emotionally affected person is Le Boss. In my team at work, I need to jagar my AE team, but when I m not around, he will have to take over this responsibility. I don't blame him for feeling sianz about me taking a one week urgent leave, but I have no control over such things when it happened. We all do understand on this. But ... still...

Maybe I should accelerate on setting my own biz, and so I would also have the flexibility in my own time and schedule. No more black face from le boss. And if so, what should I be selling? Product? Service? I really need to step up on this! I even went online to buy a e-book by Moon Loh which cost me $50. She's a mumpreneur. Still reading, and shall see how that book helps.

There are also many mumpreneurs who are indeed inspiring. http://mumsatwork.net/blog/?cat=11

2. Even if I can't set up my own biz yet, i would appreciate better a mummy-friendly working hour. Anything that could end work by 5.30pm? So that when I reach home, I still have ample time for my house, for Manfred, for myself. :)

For now, I reach home at about 9pm on the average after fetching Manfred from Aunty Nancy's place. Tell me, where do I squeeze time for Manfred when he is sleeping at about 10pm? And 10pm is quite a late timing for babies his age. And And And, I have to do the house chores. So, what we do is, one adult (normally the daddy) to settle Manfred (clean him up, feed him, pat him to sleep), while le me will bathe, and then settle the house chores. By the time we are done, it's already 11ish. Catch some TVs, and fold some clothes, and before we know it, it's already time for bed and we are so tired. And this cycle repeats itself from Monday to Friday.

Iwannaworkfromhome.