Happy Birthday, Babylet!

Babylet turned 3 on Aug 11.

She had her heart set on a party in Jungle Gym, just like korkor. But with the A(H1N1) flu pandemic, we thought better not risk it.

So, we just had a family celebration in Ming Room, Bangsar Shopping Centre. Babylet was dressed in her Cinderella dress that SIL got for her. And she was hilarious in it. As her dress was almost reaching the floor, Babylet was very concious and walked very slowly like a real princess. She even condescended to give a Princess wave to some passerbys.

Babylet tried hard, but only managed to blow out one candle. Jiejie blew the rest before Boylet had a chance.

Another present from SIL, a baby Cinderella doll. Babylet was thrilled that her doll was wearing the same dress as hers. Happy Birthday Darling!

Girlet's Concert # 2 - Ballet

Finally posting about Girlet's ballet concert after more than 1 month posting about her tap-dancing concert. (Both on the same day, one afternoon, another evening). My bad - a combination of procrastination, exams, and addiction to virtual farming (Farmtown on Facebook). Having achieved the highest level and getting my virtual mansion *gloating face*, and last day exams today, I'm back. For a short while anyway before the maid goes home to Indonesia for puasa and hari raya.

Rehearsal for "The Swan". Girlet leaping into air.
Putting on makeup. Thanks to Aunt Anna for the sparkly silver dust for the eyes.
Backstage before the performance. Looking nervous and very serious.

The dance itself here:

On Pushy Parents

"Having pushy parents is four times more important than financial background in terms of their success in later life, a major report has found."

"Children whose parents take an active interest in their education are more likely to go on to higher education and a good job, regardless of whether they come from a rich home."

The quotes were found here at dailymail . The original report, called Unleashing Aspiration, was published by The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions in UK and commissioned by Gordon Brown. You can go read the original report, or like lazy me, read the summaries / reviews. There are lots, just google it. I'll just quote those that supports my view (haha) : here, here and here.

Quoting from here : "the report identifies six pivotal points in an individual’s life which can have a significant impact on their ability to access a professional career." Go read what the six pivotal points are, but as parents, we can influence three of the six points, namely their aspirations – based on their initial exposure to and impressions of the professions, their education – in particular, their school years and the support that young people get to make decisions about their career, and their opportunities to get into university. The other three depends on social standing/networking and luck- being in the right place at the right time.

The report dealt a lot with thwarted or suppressed aspirations in UK, read here. Glad to say that there are many more pushy parents over this part of the world. Isn't that why there's lots of hoohaa every year when top students didn't get scholarships to universities?

I actually first read about this in Domestic Goddess's blog. She sums it up nicely, so go read it here.

Also explains why I've been MIA from this blog......... in the midst of Girlet's exams. Gotta go be a pushy mom now.

Edit: Oh dear! I'm a bad writer. Now everyone thinks I'm a pushy ogre. haha. To clarify, the report originates from UK, where the culture and level of 'pushiness' is pretty different from here (Msia & Sg). What was dubbed as 'pushiness' there was actually parents taking active interest in kids' education. I don't think they have a culture of forcing kids to non-stop academic tuitions and homework there.

Anyway, my philosophy is simple. Let us all participate actively in our kids' education. Expose them to a wide range of disciplines. Pay close attention to their interests, and fan their passions. Teach them good values and good learning attitude. Let them have a sense of accomplishment in what they do, so that they'll strive to do their best. Most of all, just love them and enjoy their process of growing up.