No Monday Blues

How glad I am to have Monday off as my office is closed for Deepavali PH today. Taking the chance to spend some quality time with my boy and mum as we hardly went out together, we headed to the malls as it started to rain. And Aiden was a happy boy as long as he doesn't have to attend school!

Shopping for both of them makes me happy. At 34 weeks pregnant, there isn't much I can fit into, nor do I want to spend more on maternity wear - hoping to breastfeed (and work out) my way to a trimmer me in time to come.

Showing off his new pair of boots

What I learn and enjoy as a parent is how each 'accident' can be a learning lesson for both my child and myself. Today, this was one of the lessons:

#1 - We went to Wendy's for a light bite & Aiden followed me to the order counter. He wanted to have ice cream and I ordered him a cup. I passed the cup to him to carry to our table and reminded him to be careful, and hold it upright. As we approached our seats, he had a fall and the ice cream spilled all over the floor. A group of diners gasped loudly, and gave us a 'OH DEAR, how could you let such a young kid carry his own food' look, almost like this was expected.

Aiden got up quickly and hid behind a chair nearby, lowering his head. I wasn't angry at all with him, and just wanted to make sure he was alright. Very calmly, I brought him to our seats and checked if he was alright. I went to the order counter and the staff replaced the ice cream for us. I asked Aiden how he felt when he fell, and he said he was scared. I asked him why and upon prompting, it was because he was afraid he would be scolded. I took the opportunity to explain to him that when he fell, I was worried if he hurt himself. And that this was an accident and wasn't his fault so he wouldn't be scolded. I also explained that food can always be bought again but it is important to make sure that he is not hurt. He seemed comforted and enjoyed his food.

It made me feel good about myself as well, as I have seen too many parents screaming at their kids when they spill their food. I always looked at them in disbelief (even when I wasn't a parent myself then), as the poor kid was already scared and embarrassed, and their parents had to add to that by amplifying the incident.

 

 

Enjoying ice cream & french fries

Since two haircuts ago, Aiden has been really brave and cooperative, not whining or crying at all. Today, just before it was his turn, he got anxious and his eyes turned red, and he said he didn't want to cut his hair. I spoke with him and comforted him before he agreed to sit through the hair cut, with me holding his hand. Is this him exhibiting traits of a baby again with the arrival of his baby sister? I hope he'd cope well with her joining our family in a month's time and we have been prepping him for it along the way.

Before his hair cut