SuperPark Malaysia: Your kids’ new dream destination for play in Kuala Lumpur

As parents, we want the best for our children. We want them to be strong, happy, and healthy. And we want our kids to pursue their passions and dreams without fear. From the very start, we are their biggest supporters and cheerleaders.

What does your child dream to be? Do you have a budding football or basketball star? Or do you have an adventurous little one who has their sights set on being a mountain-climber? Or perhaps an Olympic gymnast or a pro skateboarder?

For families like yours, there’s only one destination. There’s a new play place in Malaysia where your kids can discover their passions, learn new skills, and have the most fun of their young lives! Once your kids step foot in
SuperPark
, they’ll discover a new home for all their interests and obsessions. Whatever their passion is, they’ll find it at SuperPark Malaysia!

Originally from Finland, SuperPark is an all-in-one indoor activity park unlike any in Malaysia. Not only is it a great space for fun and active play, it is also an exciting way for kids to spend time with family and friends. It’s your new dream destination for play here in Kuala Lumpur!

Founder Taneli Sutinen was inspired to create SuperPark after he had a hard time playing in kid-sized playground equipment with his four-year-old daughter. That “Aha!” moment led him to create a play place where kids and adults can play side-by-side. SuperPark is truly a destination made for awesome family bonding time.

Things to Do with Kids in Kuala Lumpur: The Superparking Lifestyle

The great thing is we can now experience the “Superparking lifestyle”– an awesome combination of joyful play, friendship, and better health – right here in Kuala Lumpur.

With over 40,000 square feet of space, SuperPark Malaysia boasts over 20 fun-filled activities all under one roof. Split into three main areas – the
Adventure Area
,
Game Arena
, and the
Freestyle Hall
 – every inch of SuperPark Malaysia encourages the joy of play and movement.

The whole family (from the baby to the grandparents) can bond in this amazing place. People of all ages and fitness levels can find something they will love to do. That’s why family day spent here is one of the best things to do with kids in Kuala Lumpur.

Unleash the Athlete

SuperPark Malaysia is packed with activities that will excite your little sports enthusiasts. Check out some of the awesome things your kids can do!

Exclusive to SuperPark Malaysia is the 2,500 square foot
skate rink
 which is made from an artificial, 100% recyclable and non-toxic synthetic ice. Future Olympians can start their dreams here!

In the
Game Arena
, your budding athletes can swing for the stands in the
Baseball
nets.

It’s a game of man versus machine at AI goalie
RoboKeeper
.

Older kids can challenge their friends to a game of
Street Basketball
.

Meanwhile, future ballers can practice shooting at
SuperHoops
. The whole family can hone skills together or go head-to-head in a friendly competition.

In the Game Arena, performance is measured by digital systems such as radar, so kids can challenge their friends (or their parents!) with real-world metrics. Friendly competitions help kids learn to develop a great sportsmanship mindset.

Practice your moves at the
Freestyle Hall
’s
foam pit, trampolines, or gymnastics floor. Your kids can jump, flip, tumble and test their limits in a safe environment.

Meanwhile, the
Ninja Track
is an obstacle course that challenges both mind and body. Kids can learn to be more active and agile while having great fun.

The
Skate and Scoot World
is complete with ramps, rails, and kickers.

Whether your child is a beginner or an expert, SuperPark can help them hone or perfect their skills.

Awesome Play Time

If simple play is all your kids are interested in, no problem! The
Adventure Area
 is bursting with fun!

The
Kid’s Gym
 is just perfect for toddlers. It has traditional play equipment to help build coordination and motor skills, as well as digital activities for mental stimulation.

At the
Kid’s Adventure City
, the whole family can enjoy climbing up kid-friendly towers, and rushing down giant slides.

Scramble to the very top and zip down at the
Sliding Mountains
.

The
Tube Slide
 is perfect for young thrill-seekers. We bet that this will keep kids occupied for hours!

The
Kid’s Gym
 also includes fun and educational games for young children.

Unique Experiences

SuperPark Malaysia offers unique activities where your kids can test their limits in a safe environment.

You can encourage young kids to be brave and adventurous by trying out the
Flying Fox
.

Or you can satisfy your need for speed at the
Pedal Car
race track! Kids can challenge their parents to a heart-pumping race. The experience will surely be stored in their memory banks for years to come!

The
trampoline zone
 is where kids and kids-at-heart can jump, jump, jump as high as they can! You’ll be sweating buckets from the full-body exercise, but you’ll be having loads of fun at the same time!

SuperPark Malaysia also has a climbing wall that is unlike any other you’ve ascended before. SuperPark’s
Augmented Climbing Wall
 is sure to impress! It has digital, interactive features and games to make climbing even more fun and challenging.

If parkour is more your thing, you and your kids can try the
 iWall,
an interactive parkour game.

All of these great activities take place under the guidance of experienced staff, many of whom are recognised coaches. And SuperPark’s not just about protection from injury either. Every time you come and play at SuperPark Malaysia, you can be sure that you and your family are safe from rain, pollution, high UV or bugs and mosquitoes.

A visit to SuperPark Malaysia is definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Kuala Lumpur. It truly is a place for everyone. You can watch your kids and their friends play, and pursue their passions in a fun and safe environment. But most of all, SuperPark Malaysia is a special place where you can bond as a family. Plan your SUPER visit today!

SuperPark Malaysia is located at Avenue K Shopping Mall. Day passes are priced at MYR 30-50 per person. Visit
www.superpark.com.my
  for more details.

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Mums with more kids have higher risk of heart attack: study

Researchers from the UK have discovered that mothers with more than one or two children are at a high risk for heart attack.

They also found that mums with five or more kids are at an even higher risk. Basically, the more kids you have, the higher your risk, says the study.

Why Are Mums with more Kids at a High Risk for Heart Attack?

Having a small family can actually lower your risk of heart attack.

The authors of the study share that pregnancy and childbirth can put a strain on the heart. And coupled with the stress of taking care of kids and raising a large family, this makes mums with more kids much more prone to heart attacks.

They conducted their study on 8,000 white and African-American mums aged 45 to 64.

According to them, having more children can increase the risk of heart disease by 30%. It also increases the risk of stroke by 25%, and heart failure by 17% compared to those with one to two children.

Lead researcher Dr. Clare Oliver-Williams, from Cambridge University, said: “The number of children a woman has had is an easy sign of whether a woman is at greater risk [of heart attacks]. We know that pregnancy and childbirth put a tremendous strain on the heart and raising children can be very stressful, too.”

“We don’t want to add to the stress people have in their everyday lives but equip them with the knowledge to do something about it.”

However, the authors of the study are not advocating women to have fewer kids. According to them, they hope that the findings would urge parents of large families to take better care of their health, particularly through diet and exercise.

Keep Your Hearts Healthy, Mums!

Regardless of how large of a family you have, keeping your heart healthy is very important!

Being unhealthy or having a poor diet can cause you to have a high risk for heart attack. Here are some
reminders
 to keep your health in tip top shape!

Exercise! Dedicate at least an hour each day to exercise. You don’t have to do intense Crossfit workouts; just an hour of biking or walking can do a lot of good.

Stress can cause a high risk of heart attack. Try to avoid getting too worked up or stressed out. Take some time to relax and recuperate whenever you feel tired.

Eat healthy! There is truth to the old saying that “you are what you eat.” Eating unhealthy food can cause countless health problems.

Get enough sleep. Sleep not only helps your body recuperate, but it also keeps your heart healthy. Try to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each day.

Floss your teeth! Recent studies have shown that gum disease can cause bacteria to get into your bloodstream and increase your levels of C-reactive protein. This type of protein is a marker for inflammations in the blood vessels and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Source:
New York Post

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Looking for The Best Hip Seat Carrier to Wear Your Baby Around? Here Are Our Top Picks!

Are you a parent who is still hesitant to buy a baby hip seat carrier?

Baby carriers are a necessity for some parents, helping facilitate daily affairs and maintaining bonding between parents and toddlers. One type of carrier is the hip seat carrier which helps carry the baby around the house.

The hip seat has a wide belt with a padded seat for the baby to sit on while the parent holds it with one hand. Instead of holding the growing baby in her arms or hip, the mother can place it in a seat without any tension in the arms and waist.

The Best Baby Carrier: Choosing a Good Hip Seat Carrier

Hip seat carriers are generally worn with the baby forward-facing the mother, much like the kangaroo’s style of carrying its child.

However, the baby should be strong enough to lift his head or preferably be able to sit, and the carrier can be used for infants and children between 6 months and 3 years, depending on the specific type and weight limit of the carrier.

There are various types of hip seat carriers on the market, but parents should choose wisely before purchasing. Consider some of these features:

Safety features

In terms of safety, the baby carrier should have a completely ergonomics strap, meaning that the carrier is properly designed to provide optimal comfort for the baby, avoiding stress or injury to both the baby and the wearer. In other words, it should be user-friendly.

Age/weight limit

Hipseats should be used for children aged 3 months and above, as newborns sitting for long periods of time can impact them negatively. Hence, make sure to always take this into account.

Material

Make sure that the carrier’s material is breathable and non-slip. The comfort of the baby and the wearer is extremely important when using the carrier, especially for long periods of time.

7 Best Hipseat Baby Carriers

Here, we have listed some of the best hipseat carriers for you to choose from. Let’s see!

#1 Ergobaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier

The Ergobaby brand is a very well-known and trusted manufacturer of baby carriers. Ergobaby has released various types of baby carriers, including hip seats.

The Ergobaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier is a great choice, especially for babies or toddlers just beginning to explore, as the carrier not only supports the toddler, but also makes it easy to lower the baby when they want to crawl, play, or take a walk.

What we like:

Safety features:

Features padded panels and shoulder straps

Belt made of velcro

Large cushioned seating

Has a hood to protect the baby’s head

Age/weight limit:

4 months to 4 years

5 to 20kg

Material:

Air mesh

 Ergobaby Hip Seat Baby Carrier
Buy From Shopee

#2 i-Angel Hipseat Carrier

i-Angel started by entering the Japanese market in 2009 and have undergone numerous safety and quality tests to ensure their products meet the highest US, European and Asian standards.

i-Angel prioritizes 4 aspects in the design of the hip seat carrier, including ergonomics for both the wearer and the baby, versatility, as well as multi-purpose usage, such as breastfeeding.

What we like:

Safety features:

Has safety straps on the back, chest and waist of the wearer.

Properly supports the baby’s thighs and knees, preventing hip dysplasia after birth.

Non-slip seating

Hood to protect the baby’s head.

Designed to provide comfort to the wearer, eliminating back and shoulder pain.

Age/weight limit:

3 to 36 months

2 to 20kg

Material:

Denim

 i-Angel Hipseat Carrier
Buy From Shopee

#3 Chicco Hip Seat Baby Carrier

The Chicco Hip Seat Baby Carrier is an ergonomic and multifunctional hipseat carrier with seat and hip pads that can be used separately.

The new Chicco Hip Seat carrier has a solid base, with a soft baby seat, that can be used together or separate.

What we like:

Safety features:

Has a panel at the top to cover the baby’s head and neck.

Safety straps that can be crossed for comfort and increased safety.

The baby’s body is optimally supported in a natural, comfortable sitting position.

The baby’s weight is optimally distributed on the wearer’s upper body, allowing for comfort, eliminating back and shoulder pain.

Age/weight limit:

3 months to 3 years

Depending on the type of wear, it can be worn up to a weight of 15kg.

Material:

Polyester

Mesh

 Chicco Hip Seat Baby Carrier
Buy From Shopee

#4 Mimosa Airplush 6-Way Hipseat Carrier

The Mimosa Airplush 6-Way Hipseat Carrier is designed with its interior panels fully coated with Airplush Mesh, designed by German engineers. It is ideal for wearers with an active lifestyle in hot climates, due to its cool material.

In addition, this product is available in various attractive color options!

What we like:

Safety features:

Extra padding on the shoulder strap for comfort

Thick belt to ensure weight distribution, reduces back pain

Adjustable chest and waist straps

Padded foot openings for your baby’s comfort

Large belt for extra safety

Age/weight limit:

6.8 to 20kg

4 to 48 months

Material:

Polyester

Mesh

100% cotton

 Mimosa Airplush 6-Way Hipseat Carrier
Buy From Shopee

#5 Mooimom Breathable Hipseat Carrier

The Mooimom Breathable Hipseat Carrier is designed for the little one to be in front of the hit seat, ensuring that they sit comfortably all day.

What we like:

Safety features:

Soft shoulder straps with an adjustable width for the wearer

Designed to reduce the load on shoulders and waist while supporting the baby

Upholstered chair is ergonomically designed to provide the baby with comfort

Age/weight limit:

3 to 36 months

Material:

100% polyester fabric

 Mooimom Breathable Hipseat Carrier
Buy From Shopee

#6 Akarana Baby Piri Baby Hipseat

Akarana is a brand that manufactures mother and child products in New Zealand. Piri Baby Hipseat Carrier is a complete all-in-one baby carrier, allowing for usage as a hip seat, hip seat carrier, or a regular baby carrier.

This is the best ergonomic baby carrier hip seat on the market and has been designed according to international safety standards with a European SGS EN13209-2: 2015 certificate.

What we like:

Safety features:

Double buckle straps

Wide velcros with safety buckle

30 degree seat made with non-slip fabric

Neck support is fully customized to support the baby’s head and neck

Age/weight limit:

3 to 36 months

Up to 20kg

Material:

100% Polyester and PU

Cotton

 Akarana Baby Piri Baby Hipseat
Buy From Shopee

#7 Sweet Cherry SC660 Toredo Baby Carrier

Sweet Cherry is a well-known and easily available brand of mother and baby products in Malaysia, and has been operating for over 30 years. The hipseat carrier products produced by this company are generally more affordable and of good quality.

What we like:

Safety features:

Provides back support by distributing weight evenly to the shoulders and lower body, eliminating bone or postural problems.

Detachable shoulder straps to allow comfort.

Safety straps on the waist and back of the wearer.

The baby sits well and does not hang.

Age/weight limit:

4 to 36 months

Material:

100% Polyester and PU

Cotton

 Sweet Cherry SC660 Toredo Baby Carrier
Buy From Shopee

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on
theAsianparent Malaysia website

Read more:

Two Proven Methods To Reduce Crying


Parenting as an Expat in Malaysia

Moving out of one’s home country can be an exciting life opportunity and also full of anxieties The places one would see, the cultures to be explored and so many new kinds of people one will meet. How does one bring up children in a culture or city one doesn’t know much of? And how easy or difficult is this transformation for you as parents?

When we moved from India to Malaysia with our three little boys, we weren’t exactly prepared for the life here. Every time I learnt a new cultural or lifestyle point, I began to make a strong mental note, so that I can pass it on to other parents who move to the country whether they are from my home country or elsewhere. This helped one bond instantly with other parents because of the willingness to learn, and for being understanding to those who did not know as much.

Here are some notes that I made in the past one year:

1. Expat groups

The power of social media can be truly felt when one moves countries.

As a beginning join Facebook groups that are exclusively for Expats. This would even show your existing Facebook friends in that city and it becomes easier to then reach out to them.

Get active on the group and find out local Facebook or WhatsApp expat groups in the locality where you would be living. Start by asking questions on schools and activities for kids to take part in. This immediately opens up avenues to talk to other expat parents who have been living there since some time and have a helping nature.

Almost all countries have their own closed groups on Facebook, WhatsApp or Telegram. This may be city-specific or locality-specific. For example, there can be ‘American Expat Group in Thailand’ or ‘American Expat Group in Bangkok’ or ‘American Expat Group in Sumkhumvit’ (an area in Bangkok). Joining these groups can also ease your move to the new country as you can ask questions as simple as where to buy a certain type or cheese/bread/spice/medicine that are common in your country and you may find it hard to get in the new country. People of your own country can identify with your struggles, which may come across as strange to others. Through these groups one feels more at home in the new country and gradually starts learning one’s way around.

2. Parent community

Nothing is stronger than the bond of mothers in an International community. If you find it difficult to get acquainted with other moms, look for play areas where younger kids can go. Get started by introducing yourself. Talking to other moms will tell you more about organized groups for parents and you can become a member of these groups (some of which may be paid). They often meet up weekly at play areas in their locality. Your kids will also start getting acquainted with kids of other cultures and feel less intimidated with their accent and appearance, and vice-versa. For older children, enroll them in their hobbies and reach out to parents of other children in the group.

3. Explore the city

While we are living in our home country, we often don’t get to explore it fully. Showing your kids around the city eases them to it and makes places more familiar. Involve them in as many errands as you can, like shopping grocery, picking up parcels from the security or main gate, exploring the wet market, etc. Even visits to religious places of worship can help the children stay in touch with their roots. Do as many “local” things as you can. Go on a food trail, or a history trail, a hop-on-hop-off tour of the city, or a trek.

4. Pick up a hobby

More often than not along the journey of parenthood the hobbies of our children become our priority and parents start moving away from their own passions and interest. Whether is it an existing hobby or a new one, get started on it through organized groups. This is a great way to meet like-minded people, who would eventually become part of your friend-circle.

5. Stay in touch with your culture

When we don’t live in our home country, certain aspects of it start becoming hazy to our children, especially if the culture is not upheld at home. Now is the time to go overboard with it! From celebrating all festivals at home (like Halloween, Ramadan, Deepavali, Christmas, Eid, etc) to celebrating national occasions like Independence Day, and close relative’s birthday (celebrate with them virtually), tell the importance of your culture to your children and make them feel proud of their roots.

6. Educate yourself about the country’s traditions and history

When we make an effort to get to know a country or a city by reading up on their festivals, important political milestones, events, we start becoming more at home. The sooner we begin to learn about the country, the faster we understand and appreciate.

7. Listen to your kids closely

If the move to a new country is hard for you, imagine what a child may be feeling. Many times our children are trying to tell us certain things which may make no sense to us (given our own limitations), but when we start looking at situations from their lens and tell them they have our unconditional love and support, no matter what, our children will start confiding more often and parents become part of their evolution.

This article was contributed by our partner
Little Mister Trouble
 and has been published with permission.

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11 positive phrases you can use when your kids don't listen

Children are like sponges. They absorb everything they see around them. Kids — especially when they are younger — also like testing and pushing boundaries. As a result, we often find ourselves raising our voices more than we like because — let’s face it — sometimes kids don’t listen. So you must be wondering how to deal with a child that doesn’t listen.

They can be stubborn and even when they understand your tone, they may choose to ignore it.

That’s when positive phrases come into play. They help rebuild your communication with your children and serve as a better approach to talk to mini-humans than angry words or accusations. How to deal with a child that doesn’t listen is always with positivity, rather than negativity.

How to deal with a child that doesn’t listen: 11 positive phrases to use

Let’s take a look at 11 positive phrases you can use when your kids don’t listen.

1. Say: ‘What do you need to remember?’

Instead of:
 “Be careful!” or “Stop doing that!

How to deal with a child that doesn’t listen is by replacing an instruction with a positive affirmation that engages your child’s critical thinking abilities. This is because kids get tired of hearing the same instruction over and over again and prefer to ignore it after some time.

However, when you tickle their intelligence with words that sound different but mean the same, it takes them by surprise. Alternatively, you can also give them specific instructions.

So for instance, instead of saying, “Be careful, everybody is watching!” you can try “What did we discuss about playing in the park?” or “Please move slowly while walking on the edge.”

2. Say: ‘Please talk softly’

Instead of:
 “Be quiet!” or “Stop yelling!”

Some children are naturally louder than others. So if they have trouble speaking softly, you can show them where it’s okay to be loud (e.g. the park) and where they should keep their voice down (e.g. the library).

A combination of light touch, eye contact and whisper can be quite effective in getting the message across to children. So when you want them to quiet down, don’t go about yelling at them yourself. Use a softer tone instead and instruct them to “Please talk softly in the library.”

3. Say: ‘What did you learn from your mistake?’

Instead of:
 “You should know better kid,” or “Shame on you!”

Rather than reminiscing about past behaviour, it’s best to focus on motivating them to do better. This will encourage them to work on themselves in the future and be cautious of their actions.

So for instance, instead of screaming “Shame on you for shouting!” you can try “What did we learn from this mistake?” or “How will you do this better next time?”

4. Say: ‘Please __________’

Instead of:
 “Stop!” or “Don’t do it!”

Any form of negative communication is not received well by people in general.  Screaming “I don’t want this bread,” or “Don’t give me another latte” at a waiter will not really get you what you want. It’s the same with kids.

Opt instead for positive communication so that there is no undue pressure on your relationship. You can ask your kids to do what you DO want them to do, instead of what you DO NOT want them to do.

Your instructions, therefore, could be “I want you to go and sit with your sister,” as opposed to “Don’t sit here!”

How to deal with a child that doesn’t listen: There is never any need to yell at children. | Image courtesy: stock image

5. Say: ‘We’re running late and we need to move fast’

Instead of:
 “We’re going to be late,” or “Hurry up NOW!”

While it is important to teach children about the value of time, it is also necessary to allow them some down time. You can set some time periods where you can allow your kids to move slowly and get into the groove of things at their own pace.

But be sure to tell them why they need to hurry with softer positive tones, especially if your kids don’t listen. Try instructing them with “Aunty Mila is waiting on us, let’s not keep her waiting. Shall we leave now?”

6. Say: ‘Let’s add this toy to your birthday list, shall we?’

Instead of:
 “NO! We can’t buy this,” or “There is no need.”

We may be in a position to afford our kids’ favourite Lego game or that coveted Barbie. But we often do not have the desire to purchase it. In the same breath, we do not hesitate to spend that much on something we want.
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It’s okay to not indulge your child. But there is always a way to get that message across without bringing finances into the picture.

Instead of saying, “I don’t have money for your Barbie,” you can try “This looks amazing. How about we make it a special birthday present for you?”

How to deal with a child that doesn’t listen: Try saying negative sentences a little differently that will come off as positive. | Source: Pexels

7. Say: ‘Stop, take a break. Now tell me what you want’

Instead of:
 “Stop your whining!”

Kids learn almost everything from us. And that makes it our responsibility to model a behaviour we want them to emulate. Therefore, when you give them instructions, make sure to remain calm and breathe slowly so they may do the same.

If you are anxious and panicking yourself, your child will pick up on that energy and mirror the same behaviour. So instead of saying “Stop it, you’re making it worse,” just try “Wait. Take a moment. Now tell me what happened.”

8. Say: ‘You must respect yourself and others around you’

Instead of:
 “Be good,” or “Don’t be rude.”

Imparting moral values is as crucial as teaching kids how to go about doing basic things in life. It should always be a part of parenting. But nothing can be taught easily with a strict approach. A soft-but-firm method always wins if kids don’t listen.

Hence, as opposed to instructing them with a general statement, be specific in your instructions. Tell them what you expect them to do and restate it whenever needed.

Use “Remember to respect yourself as well as your friends when you get to the playground.”

9. Say: ‘I need you to ______’

Instead of:
 “Stop it!” or “Why are you doing this again?”

Most yelled-out instructions go past kids. Not because kids don’t listen, but because negative communication doesn’t work with them. They respond better when we use a non-accusatory tone. Also, it helps when you give them specific instructions telling them exactly what you want and expect.

So instead of saying “I do not want you to go and sit in that room,” you can try “I need you to sit right next to Kevin during dinner.”

10. Say: ‘It’s okay to cry’

Instead of:
 “Stop being a baby,” or “Why are you crying?”

When kids don’t listen, remember that they respond swiftly when you do not put undue pressure on them to hide their feelings. Don’t force them to be unnatural and hide their emotions. Instead, you can empower them and teach them that they can get past a particular feeling by concentrating on more important activities. Tell them it’s alright to express themselves.

This will help them come out of the feeling of sadness and build their self-esteem. So avoid arguing over why they shouldn’t cry. Let them vent their emotions. But be gentle with your support. You can even try, “It’s okay to cry. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’m here for you.”

11. Say: ‘I will always love you, no matter what’

Instead of:
 “I won’t love you if you don’t follow this,” or “Nobody wants to love an undisciplined child like you.”

Your unconditional love is the foundation of positive parenting. That means your love for your child doesn’t depend on how well he follows your instructions or his level of behaviour. You love them with all your heart, as you should.

Feeding this affirmation is the key to help them build their confidence and self-esteem and more importantly keep your bond intact. So instead of saying “I don’t love you anymore because you are badly behaved,” try “I love you no matter what, BUT I need you to be more gentle when you speak to your classmates next time. There is no need to yell at them.”

Positive parenting doesn’t mean always being soft on your kids. You can easily instruct them. And all that it needs is for you to be specific in your instructions and positive towards them, even when they commit a mistake. And that is how to deal with a child that doesn’t listen!

Source:
Motherly

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This easy five-minute trick can save your marriage

No matter how perfect you think your relationship is, every marriage comes with its
fair
 share of ups and downs. While this is normal, some
rough patches
 seem hard to get by. If you’re wondering how to save your marriage, maybe this easy five-minute trick could be the answer you’ve been searching for.

Some of us seek help from counsellors or therapists. Others look for articles like this on how to save your marriage.

Relationship expert, psychologist Belinda Williams,
shares
 an extremely valuable relationship tip – something she uses to help couples
reconnect during rough patches
.

How to Save Your Marriage in Five Minutes

How to save your marriage in just five minutes | Source: Pixabay

Micro-moments.

Now, many of you are probably wondering, what on earth is a micro-moment?

Belinda explains that when couples get married, there is plenty of time for intimacy to grow. Before the couple has kids, little “micro-moments” like lounging on the couch, holding hands in the car or just sitting down and listening to music together build the relationship.

But when kids come into the picture, all of this tends to go out the window.

So her solution is to bring back the intimacy in short, five-minute micro-moments.

“It doesn’t have to be big chunks of time for it to be impactful to your relationship,” Belinda says. “Micro-moments are really taking the smallest of opportunities to connect.”

It’s All About the Little Things

Source: Pixabay

Belinda goes on to say that she encourages couples to find the smallest opportunity to signal to each other that they care and love one another. This may be as small as just ensuring that you give each other a proper greeting and farewell.

“It can be a quick cuddle as you pass in the hallway, holding hands as you fall asleep, saying I love you face to face, an expression of gratitude or a small gift like their favourite tea,” she adds.

“The main principle is that if we wait for opportunities of grand gestures, it often means that this is unattainable or too long between opportunities for connection. So take what you can get. Make the most of the small moments.”

Don’t Wonder How to Save Your Marriage, Try Micro-Moments

Source: Pixabay

If spending little pockets of time together is all it takes to save your marriage, then it’s time to try creating magical micro-moments.

We decided to put this to the test. We asked mummies we know to try our doing little gestures of love with their spouses and this is what we found.

Selena* says that all it took was smiling at her husband as they passed each other, to get him to reach out more for moments of affection.

Raylene* shares that she would playfully smack her husband’s bum as they walked past each other in the kitchen, first ensuring her children were not within eyesight. This helped to rebuild the physical, and later on, emotional intimacy.

Jasmine* recalls not remembering the last time she and her husband even shared a drink. One evening after the kids had gone to bed, she decided to pour herself… and her husband… a glass of wine. This led to them sharing about their days with each other – something they had forgotten to do in months.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

Still wondering how to save your marriage? Give this micro-moments thing a try and let us know how to goes in the comments.

Source:
News.com.au

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12 telltale signs you have thyroid problems

For years, signs of thyroid trouble have shown a tendency to creep up on women of all ages. This is because women are
five times more susceptible than men to develop thyroid disorders
. Despite this, there are still plenty of women who are ignorant about this condition.

What Is Your Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is in the front of your neck and its job is to produce hormones which control various bodily functions.

If your thyroid does not function the way it’s supposed to, this can result in health issues that will affect your life. As it plays a key role in your well-being, it is important to know how to identify the signs of thyroid trouble.

How to Identify Signs of Thyroid Trouble

1. Always Feeling Tired

Your thyroid glands actually control your
metabolism, which in turn affects your weight, as well as energy storage and usage
.
 If the gland is not functional, you might notice yourself feeling tired all the time, despite getting quality sleep the night before.

2. Mood Swings

When your thyroid gland over- or under-produces hormones needed to regulate metabolism, you might experience some mood swings, anxiety and in worst case scenarios, depression.

3. Constipation

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
 has been found to cause constipation. But while you complain about that, an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism might actually be worse and send you to the loo for loose stools multiple times in a day.

4. Sweating for No Reason

The body gets confused when the thyroid is not producing enough hormones to regulate body energy production,
resulting in sweating
 at random times. As weird as it sounds, you might even feel warm when the room is actually really cold!

5. Weight Issues Are Signs of Thyroid Trouble

Weight gain is always linked to an under-performing thyroid and is a common symptom of thyroid problems.

But don’t let the numbers on the weighing scale upset you if you’re not
seriously overweight
, because counting body fat percentage is actually much more accurate.

6. Change in Appetite

Other signs of thyroid trouble include a change in how you taste certain foods. When your body doesn’t function as it should, it is not be able to send the right signals as to which nutrients it needs.

7. Hair Loss

If you’ve already shown signs of thyroid trouble from long before, chances are you might suffer
hair loss

according to the British Thyroid Foundation
. This happens when the body is confused and goes into conservation mode then decides to redirect resources to all the wrong parts of the body.

8. Aches, Pain and Soreness

Thyroid issues can be painful, especially if you suffer from
arthritis
 because thyroid malfunction can make it worse. Other pains include muscle ache, tenderness and stiffness. In severe thyroid cases, the ache can get pretty bad in the neck area where the thyroid is located.

9. Lumps in the Neck Area

If you start feeling lumps in your neck, these could be signs of thyroid trouble. But do get them checked out by a medical practitioner because it could end up to be a goitre, which is an enlarged but perfectly normal thyroid, or it could just be a case of enlarged lymph nodes.

10. Dry Skin

If you suffer from hypothyroidism, it is possible your body might not sweat enough. When your skin lacks much-needed moisture this can result in
dry, flaky, or itchy skin
.

11. High Blood Pressure

Whether your thyroid produces too much or too little, both conditions can result in
high blood pressure
. However according to the
America Heart Association
, further research is needed to determine what actually causes the blood pressure to rise.

12. Changes to Your Menstrual Cycle

Other signs of thyroid trouble also include sudden changes in the menstrual cycle, although this might not be the direct cause of thyroid hormone production.

Signs of Thyroid Trouble: What Should You Do?

First, seek professional help to get the right diagnosis. Do not decide for yourself after reading up symptoms of thyroid problems in forums or on the internet.

A lot of these symptoms are similar to other health issues as well and can be misconstrued as something else. Only a qualified doctor can give you the right answers and provide you with options for treatment.

Sources:
Mayo Clinic
,
British Thyroid Foundation
,
SingHealth

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These 5 Female Malaysian Athletes are Barbie Girls. Can You Guess Who?

In celebration of Women’s Day this year, Barbie is honouring five of our very own female athletes and roles models to celebrate their achievements, as well as inspire girls to pursue their own dreams in the field of sports.

“As the original girl empowerment brand, Barbie is dedicated to shining a spotlight on powerful, diverse role models to inspire the limitless potential in every girl.”

“As sportswomen continue to set new records and take centre stage around the world, we are proud to honour these amazing women by amplifying their stories and achievements. In an effort to close the Dream Gap, we have a responsibility to show girls they can be anything on and off the field, court, mat and beyond,” said Lisa McKnight, SVP and Global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel.

So, who are these five Malaysian barbie girls?

Nicol David, World Squash Champion, Columnist & Advocate for Women in Sports

Eight-time World champion, Nicol David is a familiar face when it comes to the world of sports in Malaysia. Having previously secured the World no.1 spot in women’s squash for 112 months, she also has an honorary degree in the Master of Arts from University of Nottingham while garnering other prestigious titles including WSA Player of the Year.

Farah Ann, Artistic Gymnast

A recognised face in the world of gymnastics, Farah Ann will represent Malaysia in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is the third Malaysian gymnast to qualify for the the prestigious sporting event. Among her latest achievements include bagging the gold medal in last year’s Sea Games in Philippines.

Shalin Zulkifli, Bowler

A professional Malaysian ten pin bowler, Shalin is no stranger to winning tournaments within the local and international scene. In 2004, she was placed in the International Bowling Hall of Fame, while also holding a degree in Sports Science. Shalin was also the youngest player and the first Malaysian to win the Ladies Open of the Kent Malaysia All-stars in 1994.

Leong Mun Yee, Diver

From swimming classes at the age of two to embarking on her diving journey at 10-years-old, Mun Yee, remains a strong contender in the sport of diving. Having recently won the silver alongside Pandelela Rinong at the World Series in Montreal, Canada this year, the olympic stage is nothing new for her having represented Malaysia in the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Anja Chong, Short Track Speed Skater

Starting out in figure skating, Anja started competing professionally at the international circuit when she was just 14-years-old. She previously bagged three gold medals at the 2017 Sea Games and was the first Malaysian female to ever qualify for the ISU World Championships in 2017. Beside that, Anja also holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nottingham.

News sports added to the Barbie Olympic Games 2020 collection

On 18
th
 February 2020, Mattel, Inc. revealed the first product collection across brands to celebrate the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. In collaboration with IOC and Tokyo 2020 the international product line will feature five new sports added to the Olympic program in Tokyo. The sports are baseball/softball, sport climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing.

In addition to the five Barbie® Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 dolls, Barbie is introducing new sports items into the line based on Barbie Adventures Season 2, including Barbie as a swimmer, Chelsea as a soccer player, Stacie as a basketball player up to Skipper as a surfer!

Kids to compete in the Barbie Sports Championship

Meanwhile, in June 2020, Barbie will be bringing to life the first “Barbie Sports Arena” in Southeast Asia whereby activations will showcase sports-inspired activities and kids are able to experience being a real athlete.

There will also be a “Barbie Sports Championship” slated to launch in the third or fourth quarter of this year, where kids can participate in the qualifying rounds across the region. The championship winners will go on to compete in the Southeast Asia Grand Finals to represent their home country!

Disclaimer: You are not allowed to share this article on any other website or on Facebook without providing proper credit and the original article link on theAsianparent Malaysia website.

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Ace Media Network Sdn. Bhd. (AMN) Presents: The Great Era of Piracy Asia Tour, the First and Largest One Piece Experiential Exhibition in Malaysia

Ace Media Network Sdn. Bhd. (AMN) is thrilled to announce The Great Era of Piracy Asia Tour,
which promises to be
 the first and largest anime-based experiential exhibition in Malaysia.

With an investment of approximately RM5,000,000, AMN promises to take visitors on an unforgettable journey into the action-packed world of One Piece to all Malaysians, where they will join the Straw Hat Crew on their latest adventures. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the anime, a casual viewer, or entirely new to the series, this once in a lifetime experience is one that you’d definitely not want to miss out on.

Visitors are invited to explore the exhibition’s 21 thematic zones, spanning an impressive 25,000 sq feet (the size equivalent to half a football field), to witness their favorite One Piece characters come to life in thrilling fights from the anime series, brought to the exhibition in vivid detail. This is a unique opportunity to experience an unforgettable, 45 to 90 minutes tour, complete with interactive exhibits, authentic pirate artifacts, and engaging multimedia displays.

“The Great Era of Piracy Asia Tour is more than just an exhibition, it’s an opportunity to step into the world of One Piece and become a part of the adventure in real life. This exhibition is not just about showcasing the FRP, artwork, or merchandise. It’s about celebrating the spirit of One Piece and the values it represents – friendship, perseverance, and the courage to chase your dreams,”
 Benedict Wong, Group CEO of Ace Media Network says as he expresses his excitement over the upcoming exhibition

Re-experience Luffy’s adventures with 21 unique thematic zones

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to One Piece, the 21 thematic zones are an attraction that true One Piece fans will not want to miss. Fans will be given the chance to follow the Straw Hat Crew on their thrilling adventures in the Piracy World.

Thematic zones include fan-favorite legendary Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, who lived in the One Piece world prior to the events of the anime as well as locations and characters that are associated with Roger and his crew, such as the island of Raftel, where Roger supposedly hid the legendary treasure known as the One Piece.

 Other important locations in this zone include Skypiea, where the Roger Pirates found the Poneglyphs that led them to the island of Laugh Tale, which is said to be the final destination for any pirate who wants to find the One Piece.

Zones also include iconic events that took place in the One Piece world such as The Marineford Zone where the Battle of Marineford, a major conflict between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates that resulted in the deaths of several important characters and had major consequences for the One Piece world as a whole.

Thematic zones will include exclusive life-size FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) sculptures of beloved One Piece characters such as Luffy, Katakuri, Yamato and many more. One of the zones will also include a 180-degree immersive interactive mini-theatre showcasing Luffy’s 25 years of adventures with the Straw Hat Crew which will bring back memories for true fans.

The exhibition will also feature the largest, brand-new 3D sculpture of the Onigashima raid, complete with breathtaking fights like the epic showdown between Luffy and Kaido. This awe-inspiring sculpture is being unveiled for only the second time in the world, making it a must-see for all the fans.

Dive into the One Piece World with unique AR Games

Visitors
 to the upcoming
exhibition will be in for an unforgettable experience, as Ace Media Network are excited to announce the inclusion of multi-sensory interactive augmented reality (AR) games in enhanced zones throughout the venue.

These games are designed to fully immerse visitors in the experience, bringing the exhibition to life in ways never before possible. To participate, visitors simply need to download the official app on their mobile phones and get ready to play!

But the fun doesn’t stop there – the app also provides a platform for fans to view their rankings and compare scores with friends in real-time. With leaderboards and a social sharing feature, visitors can compete against one another for bragging rights and exciting rewards.

In addition to the AR games, the exhibition also features mini carnival games that are sure to delight for adults and children. From classic games that are changed to match the One Piece theme like ring toss and balloon darts to new twists on old favorites, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

With the chance to win prizes and experience the thrill of the carnival, the exhibition will take its visitors through a uniquely captivating journey through the One Piece World.

The exhibition also features limited edition merchandise available for sale, allowing visitors to take home official One Piece merchandise, as well as unique souvenirs exclusive to the exhibition.

The Great Era of Piracy Asia Tour promises to be an exciting event for fans of One Piece and visitors of all ages. From March 23rd to May 8th, 2023, visitors can experience the largest One Piece experiential exhibition in Malaysia, held at the Pavilion Hall in Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park, Resorts World Genting, with operating hours from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday.

Visitors are encouraged to book their tickets in advance and choose their preferred time slots for the morning, noon, or evening to ensure a smooth and hassle-free tour.
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Tickets to
The Great Era of Piracy Asia Tour are
 currently available for sale now, get your tickets at
https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/30178
 now!

Don’t miss your chance to join us for this immersive and unforgettable adventure!

For more information on The Great Era of Piracy Asia Tour, please visit the website:
https://acemedia.network/event/onepieceasiatour.php
,
 Facebook:
www.facebook.com/onepieceasiatour
 and Instagram:
www.instagram.com/onepieceasiatour/
.

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How Soon Can Your Kids Learn Maths?

Math For Kids, Start Them Young!

As centuries come and go, few things remain the same for each upcoming generation. Having said that, one thing all parents can agree upon is the increasing importance of mastering the art of science and math for kids in order to compete in a world that is an integration of numbers, regular patterns and predictable cycles.

After all, the use of maths is still very much applicable in our everyday life, from programming to shopping, savings to investment. By having a strong understanding of maths, your children will not only qualify for the best jobs as adults but will also be better equipped to help solve some of the world’s most pressing issues such as energy conservation and global warming. As such, most parents would want their children to be as competent in mathematics as they possibly can.

The Right Brain Method (Below 3 Years Old)

Credit: Shutterstock

According to right-brain educators Glenn Doman and Makoto Shichida, young children have a unique method of perceiving quantity not by counting, but by using visualization and intuition.

An in-depth research conducted by Doman found that a two and a half-year-old child can promptly “know” that there are 48 triangles in a page without actually having to count or guess the number. This ability to consistently answer correctly is scientifically referred to as “perceiving quantity” or “subitizing”.

Read more:
Engage Your Kids With Child Brain Development Activities. Here’s How.

To achieve this ability, both Doman and Shichida believe that children should be taught how to perceive quantity as early as possible, especially in the first year of their life. Their argument is that a baby’s phenomenal growth during their first year is a crucial learning time because the more you utilize your brain, the bigger it will grow.

Subsequently, the reverse would then hold true, which is that infants who do not think much in the first 12 months of their lives have a tendency to lose brain cells and hence would not have as much brainpower as they were originally born with.

Right brain supporters also believe that the younger the child is, the easier he or she is to teach as they view learning and discovering new things every day as a form of playing. Doman argues that a child would actually prefer playing (or learning) over other basic human needs, such as eating.

Glenn Doman also states that while any child below the age of five can absorb a tremendous amount of information, teaching children who are less than two years old are the easiest and most effective of all.

The Later Years

Credit: Shutterstock

What happens if your child is already over three years of age and has yet to learn about mathematics? Luckily, preschoolers are also taught basic mathematics in class as well, so most children would have little to no problem in adapting to primary school level mathematics by the time they are 7 years old.

However, recent studies by Professor Susan Levine from the University of Chicago revealed that there are clear differences in children’s mathematical knowledge even at preschool levels, which suggests that your child may already be at a mathematical disadvantage even before qualifying for primary school classes.

The American study suggested that the amount of time parents spent talking to their children about numbers can greatly affect the child’s affinity with mathematics.

A separate study featured in the Journal of Developmental Psychology has also suggested that the level of mathematics knowledge one has will predict their future success as well, mostly because the ability to do well in mathematics is often associated with logical, analytical thinking. In short, it’s never too late to teach math for kids, because sooner, is definitely better than later.

How to Talk Numbers at Home

Credit: Shutterstock

To prove her theory, Professor Susan Levine meticulously recorded and analyzed parent-child interactions at home relative to the child’s ability and understanding of mathematics. Interesting enough, these parents do not force their children to practise mathematics on exercise books but instead, often use objects around the house to strike up a numerical-based subject.

Levine argues that this is a much more effective method of teaching mathematics because while children are taught to memorize the words, “one, two, three” and so forth, they are much too young to understand that the words define a fixed size.

Besides pointing to random objects around the house for your children to identify (e.g. three blocks, two apples, five pens), parents could also try to frequently use number words into everyday conversations.

While children may not understand the concept of a “hundred” versus a “billion” immediately, frequent usage of the terms correctly will help them to eventually understand and identify with the number. This will eventually allow them to have a clear advantage when it comes to understanding how these numerical words refer to any set size.

By the end of her study involving 44 families,  Levine discovered that some families could manage to slot in as many as 1,799 number-related words in one week whereas others could only manage a mere 28 numbers of words. As predicted, families who talked more often about numbers had children who were more likely to respond correctly when tested.

How to Teach Math Formulas

Credit: bbc.com
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Once your child has a steady understanding of the differences between four and five, a hundred and ten thousand, you can then move on to basic math calculations. The secret to not confusing your child is to have an order to the math you are about to teach.

Most experts recommend that you first teach your child addition, followed by subtraction, negative numbers and then multiplication. Most kids should understand the idea of negative numbers as early as four years old, and they ought to have their multiplication tables memorized by age seven.

The Number Games

Professor Ming Ming Chiu from the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education encourages all parents to make learning math for kids a fun process at home in order to allow the children to feel comfortable with mathematical puzzles. Unlike the orthodox method of having your child sit by the study desk and memorize formula, Professor Ming supports teaching maths by the dinner table or by the living room sofa instead.

His popular Brain Game featured blueberries featured in three mathematical puzzles. In the first stage, blueberries are placed in two plates, from which the children must find out which plate contains the highest amount of blueberries. This game (known as “More? You Want More?”) introduces the concept of numbers to the children.

In the second stage, children learn the art of addition and subtraction as they try to evenly divide the number of blueberries onto two plates. In the second part of the game (known as “Be Fair and Share”), a third friend or plate is introduced to the game, following which the children must now learn how to use multiplication and division to evenly divide the blueberries onto three plates.

The best thing about these Brain Games is that it can be easily copied at home as well with any other props or items you can find at home. The only four simple rules for creating your very own Brain Game is to use things around the house that kids like (like candy, chocolate or popcorn), begin with an easy question, write down every step in the game and keep the atmosphere fun.

Pave the Way to Curiosity

One thing all intelligent people have in common is a burning desire to continuously discover more about the world surrounding them. While math may be the leverage needed to propel your child forward towards success, it is just as important that learning be a fun process to keep him or her passionate about constantly looking out for more information. Luckily, this math for kids can be encouraged and emulated at any age.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123

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International Robothon Competition 2023 Returns This March; Co-Hosting Global Forum on the Education Metaverse

The
18th International Robothon Competition
makes its return on 26 March 2023, organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Eduspec Sdn. Bhd. Sponsored by
5T3M
, with support from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, the event seeks to train young minds to develop real-world solutions using robotics.

The competition, which will be held at UTM’s Kuala Lumpur campus, will welcome 239 students aged 6 to 18 from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and Indonesia in an intensive half-day marathon. Aptly themed “Second Earth”, participants will be building, designing, and programming robot projects that can perform a variety of simulated human tasks in outer space.

Mr. EH Lim, Founder of 5T3M
 says,
“Just as the theme of the robothon implies, the robothon’s goal is to keep our youths constantly innovating and adventurous, bravely pushing the boundaries of tech as we know it to create something new. We are moving towards a highly digitised future, and it is important that they are able to creatively utilise STEM knowledge to solve real-world problems — to become the agile, skilled leaders of ASEAN’s tomorrow.”

The 2023 edition of the annual robothon, which marks the competition’s return to physical format for the first time in three years, will also be hosting a forum on the educational metaverse. Besides live demonstrations and industry discussions on how the metaverse and digital twin technology can make education more innovative and accessible across the region, the forum will also serve as the launch platform for
Pythaverse — Southeast Asia’s first digital twin learning system
.

Developed by Pythaverse Pte. Ltd. Singapore, Pythaverse is an Open and sustainable multiverse that offers a digital twin learning experience for Global competencies, STEM skills, curriculum aligned courses and school digital transformation platform. The platform ultimately aims to provide students across the South East Asian region with a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, with STEM-based learning centre
5T3M
 leading the way for its distribution in Malaysia.
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Participants and attending members of the media will be among the first in Malaysia to get an in-depth look at the meta system’s operations in an exclusive on-site presentation by
Nguyen The Trung, Founder of Phytaverse
.

For more information on the International Robothon Competition 2023, please visit:
https://robothon.asia/ir2023/

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#TAPreviews: ComLitOs Educational Toys For Kids

I think one of the most searched for things on the Internet right now is “how to entertain your kids at home”. Due to many countries in the world going into lockdown over the pandemic, schools are closed and parents are working from home. We have never had to spend this much time at home with our kids before and yes, the pressure is on!

Not only are we expected to perform the same at work, we are now expected to entertain our children 24/7! If that is not the definition of insanity, I don’t know what is!

But the silver lining is of course, that we get to spend more time together as a family and watch the kids develop in ways we never could before.

Personally, I’ve seen my 4-month old son blossom into a highly-intelligent and rambunctious 14 month-old over the past 10 months. He cannot sit still for even a moment and it’s always go go go with him.

It has been such a pleasure to be able to be around for his first steps, his first words and many of his firsts. I am glad not to have missed a single one of those precious moments.

The challenge is now trying to keep up with him. In both his physical and mental development, he’s moving at lightning speed. That is why we have to suddenly fill our home with plenty of educational toys to keep him adequately stimulated while we try to squeeze work in as much as we can.

I have bought many books and toys for him and it’s a wonder to watch him study every new thing he gets with that childlike curiosity so many of us adults have lost along the way.

So when ComLitOs sent over some puzzle sets for him to play with, it definitely came at an opportune time and it was his first time being exposed to puzzles.

Though at this age, puzzles are still a little too sophisticated for him to put together, it is amazing to see his hungry mind just absorb all the shapes and colours. It’s a great size for younger kids because it’s quite big and the quality of the piece is very good considering the thickness of the pieces and the texture of it too.

Since we had been learning about animals for quite a while now, I could see it in his eyes when I took apart the animal puzzles that he knew that it was not supposed to be that way. So the next step I look forward to seeing him take is to realise he can put the pieces back together.

ComLitOs review: What I like about this ComLitOs puzzle sets

We got two sets from ComLitOs, which was the Animals of the World First Long Puzzle Set and the Three of a Kind (Colours, Numbers and Shapes).

Both of these sets can really grow with a child in their cognitive development, addressing their learning needs from learning about colours, shapes and numbers to expanding their vocabulary and honing their problem-solving skills by putting the puzzles back together.

The three of a kind puzzle set especially tests the ability to identify and group similarities together, which is something children are drawn to at this age. Though he could not match them just yet, he was interested in the colours and shapes and when I said the words to him, he really made an effort to try and repeat what I was saying.

Though these sets that ComLitOs sent over are for kids below 3, they also have other sets that are suitable for children above 3, including science sets and other brain teasing activities that will surely keep the kids occupied this season. To find out more about ComLitOs and their offerings, do check out their
Instagram
 or
Facebook
 page.

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How I got my child to stop using diapers completely in just 1 week!

Diapers are part and parcel of a baby’s life and are extremely convenient in the first couple of years – but they can very quickly become a pain for parents as they try to get their toddler to kick the diaper habit. As a mother of a recently turned three year old, I truly empathise with all mums who are at this life stage. I am proud to share that I just completed 1 year without using any diapers for my little girl! While it was crazy difficult, within a week my precious princess was potty trained. Here’s how I got my child to stop using diapers.

What is the right age to stop using diapers?

Before I get into how I managed to ditch the diapers in one week, the first question we should address is “What is the right age to stop using diapers?”

I am sure that like me, you too must have asked around and have been at the receiving end of a confusing medley of answers.

While some believe that it is essential to start early, say just after the baby can sit or maybe even before that depending on the society in which the baby is growing. Others feel that it should not be done until the baby can understand and is ready for the change.

Generally speaking in Singapore, most mums start potty training around 2 years of age. That is also around when I started.

Is your baby ready for potty training?

Now while I started at 2, your child might not be ready to stop using diapers, even at age 2. Instead of sticking to a number, it is more important to check if your child is showing signs of being ready for the potty.

 Ask yourself the following questions:

Can your child understand and follow simple directions?

Does your child tell you and/or complain when they are wet or dirty?

Have they expressed curiosity and interest in using the toilet and wearing underwear?

Can your child pull their pants up and down with little or no help?

Does your child stay dry for at least 3 to 4 hours throughout the day?

If the answer is yes, it’s time to convince your child that they are ready too and they can now stop using diapers!

Yes, you read right!

Don’t attempt to potty train your child until you have spoken to your kid. From my experience trying to force your 2-year-old to do something is going to absolutely back fire and their rebellious nature will make it 100x more challenging to potty train.

One trick is to keep educating your child about the need to use the toilet for all their elimination needs and make it sound as if it were a grown up thing to do. In our home, we started reading our daughter
potty training

books
 about 1 month before we even broached the subject with her.

How to choose the right potty

The next important thing to do is to buy the right type of potty. I advice you to take your child on the potty training shopping trip so they feel involved in the process.

An important step to encourage your kids to stop using diapers is my choosing the right potty. | Image courtesy: stock image

There are two main types of potties: a
stand-alone potty
 and a
seat reducer
(which go on a traditional toilet seat and reduce the ring to a comfortable, kid-friendly size).

Image courtesy: stock image

Some go for seat reducers as it is cheaper than a stand-alone potty and take up less floor space. It also helps your child gets used to the regular potty, which prevents another transition from stand-alone potty to adult potty, and there is even less mess to clean after use. Plus, seat reducers can be a good fit for copy cat kids.

Other parents swear by stand-alone potties. They prefer stand alone potties as it’s kid-size, so your child can get on and off by himself, and during extended periods of trying to go, your toddler won’t be monopolizing the toilet (this is especially important to consider if you only have 1 bathroom at home).

When looking for a stand-alone potty, consider three important features: safety, fit and simplicity

If your toddler’s bum barely covers the inside rim, she’ll probably feel uncomfortable while using the potty. The right size seat will let your child’s bottom rest comfortably on the seat, with her feet firmly on the floor. Do also look for pottys with handles, as they will help your child balance a little better.

If you’re potty training a boy, it’s best to select a seat with a splash guard to reduce clean up hassles. Choose one that is high enough to help keep the pee in the potty but isn’t so tall that it will be tricky for your little one to sit down on the potty by himself.

The potty should also be simple enough to use and easy to clean up. Check online product reviews to see how many steps are required to empty and clean the pot. Some are a simple one- or two-step process; others require that you disassemble half the potty — every single time.

For us we chose a stand alone potty for our daughter.

Get rid of all diapers!

Once you have bought the potty – the best thing is to make your home diaper free. I know it is difficult to get rid of the “security blanket” but the best way to stop your child from using diapers is to throw away all the diapers at home.

It may result in many accidents and tears for a few days, which may cause more work for you but in the long run, your child would have learnt not to use the diapers.
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This means you should also not be using training pants or night diapers. You don’t want to confuse your child. Straight away switch to kids underpants or panties.

Do’s and Don’ts

Potty Training Do’s

1. Watch for tell-tale signs that you child needs to visit the potty. Some common signs include shuffling feet, or fiddling. The best case scenario is if your child is able to alert you before she has an accident.

2. Dress her in comfortable loose clothes. The last thing you want is to struggle with removing her clothes. Shy away from overalls unless your child is adept at removing them and putting them back on.

3. Praise your child after every successful trip to the potty. Experts say that parental praise is actually one of the tried and true methods to ensure successful and pain-free potty training.

4. Let her play or read when sitting on the potty. It’s a good idea to have a special toy just for the potty.

5. Give your tot a little more control during potty training. This will help the training to go faster and smoother.

Potty Training Don’ts

1. Force her to potty train upon reaching a certain age. Just because your eldest learned proper potty training at the age of two does not mean your toddler is expected to also follow suit.

2. Listen to scolding relatives. Many mums feel unwelcome pressure from their relatives to get their child out of diapers and end up passing on the tension to their own child. If someone remarks, “Isn’t she a little too old for diaper?” Just simply reply that “she’s still wearing them, so obviously not!”

3. End up engaging in power struggles with your child. This can easily increase stress levels and prolong the process in the long run.

4. Use nick names. Some parents believe that giving certain body parts ‘cutesy names’ will help their child. However, this is not the case. Approach potty training in a logical and a matter of fact attitude.

5. Resort to punishing your child when accidents occur. It is not your kid’s fault and punishments will only cause problems to arise and may traumatise your child.

6. Criticise her over the simple potty training process. Criticisms and reprimands will only make the training process take longer than necessary and won’t help your child’s confidence levels.

Patience, my young Padawan

Once you start on the process of potty training, do try to be as patient as possible. Understand that this is a time-consuming process, with many accidents and regressions that can often be frustrating. And sometimes your kid may oppose the idea to stop using diapers.

When these happen it is important that you stay calm and try to understand your child’s plight.

Gently remind your child that pee and poop should go in the potty and not on the floor or the underwear. It is important to establish consistency during the training. But you also need to remember that this is not an easy phase for your kid either.

Potty training is a great challenge and an important milestone in your child’s learning process. Your patience and reassuring presence will greatly help him hurdle this phase easier and with the confidence that you are always there to love him potty trained or not.

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Kids' secret sexting codes every parent should know

Let’s face it, parents, we can never know for sure what our kids are up to on their phones these days; some lead extremely active online — and social — lives, starting from quite young. It has become increasingly difficult to track their online interactions with so many mediums available.  As such, the chances of them potentially engaging in activities such as exchanging secret sexting codes increases with more exposure.

So how do we as parents then be aware so that we can protect them from such dangers? Even if your child is still small, it’s good to know what you might be facing in a few years.

But first,

What Is Sexting?

Just so you know, DTF doesn’t mean Din Tai Fung. | Picture credits: TNP

According to Legal Match, sexting is the act of transmitting sexually explicit messages, mainly through the use of text messaging on the cell phone. The messages may also include explicit images that could be transmitted through various means, including:

Cell phone text messaging

E-mails

Cyber chat

Social media websites

Various other means of electronic communication

Mums and dads, you may or may not know, but these messages are often filled with abbreviations or coded acronyms that are used to secretly exchange explicit messages — something that should send you major red flags.

If you happen to see such cryptic messages on your kids’ devices, there could be more than meets the eye. Don’t brush it off as if it’s nothing.

What’s the Big Deal?

Increasingly, even tweens, not just teens, partake in exchanging secret sexting codes and that should be a cause for worry, mums and dads.

The period where your kids transition into adolescence is crucial. It’s a time where they are impressionable. They see such acts as a form of social currency, even linking it to their own identity. More importantly, it could be linked to greater underlying issues.

The emergence of peer pressure, body image issues or even wanting to be “bold” by testing waters this way. The key is to take a step back and to understand their motivations.

Children Being Internet Savvy

Besides, they are masters of the internet.

Dr Thomas Lee, consultant psychiatrist and medical director of The Resilienz Clinic, said: “Kids are a lot more savvy than most of us. They know how to cover their tracks, whether it’s by using a private browser, using code language, or deleting (browsing) histories – they are continuously getting better every day.”

For a start, perhaps what you can do is to familiarise yourselves with online talk.

To help you decipher what they mean, below are some secret sexting codes that your kids, from tweens, teens and beyond, might be using.

Secret Sexting Codes: What You Need to Know About Them

CU46: One of the most alarming of the texts on the list, CU46 means “see you for sex.”

LMIRL: Let’s meet in real life

Broken: Hung over

DOC: Drug of choice

NIFOC: Naked in front of computer

 GYPO: Get your pants off

IWSN: I want sex now

53X: Sex

LH6: Let’s have sex

TDTM: Talk dirty to me

8: Oral sex

SUGARPIC: Suggestive or erotic photograph

IPN: I’m posting naked

PAL: Parents are listening

PAW: Parents are watching

9 and CD9 or Code 9: Parents are nearby

KPC – Keeping parents clueless

99: Parents are gone

MOS: Mom over shoulder

PIR: Parents in room

WTTP: Want to trade pictures?

KOTL: Kiss on the lips

PRON: Porn

420: Marijuana

ZERG: To gang up on someone

WUF: Where you from

WYCM: Will you call me?

Q2C: Quick to cum

J/O: Jerking off

459 Or 143: I love you

ASL: Age, sex, location

182: I hate you

1174: Nude club

KMS: Kill myself

FWB: Friends with benefits

KYS: Kill yourself

P911: Parent alert

SOS: Someone over shoulder

SSDD: Same stuff, different day

DTF: Down to F*** — not Din Tai Fung, just saying

GTN: Got them nudes

J4F: Just for fun

KFY: Kiss for you

RUH: Are you horny?

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There are so many more secret sexting codes out there but we’ll just keep it as that. You get the gist, parents.

Other ways they can manifest (not exhaustive) is through:

1. Truth-or-dare game playing

It’s a fairly common game that kids play. But it’s also a good opportunity for people to take advantage of it to take things further. In such games, your kids might be “dared” to perform acts such as sending obscure messages with secret sexting codes to people, to even kissing them. Of course, there could be more.

2. Social media apps such as Snapchat

It’s so easy to exchange all sorts of information online and using Snapchat is one of the easiest ways to do so; in a matter of seconds, the pictures that you post will disappear forever.

This gives the young ones the confidence and courage to experiment with sexting as they perceive it as a low-risk activity — on the condition that they have “a mutual agreement not to screenshot”, according to sex and relationships YouTuber,
Hannah Witton
.

Picture credits: Getty Images

A Risk for Teens, Even Pre-Teens

“The risk is always there that the no-saving, no-sharing rules will not be respected, that a loving partner may not remain that way, and that a friendly stranger may not be what they seem,” says Grimes-Viort, a social media expert at the agency The Social Element.

You can never be too sure where these pictures will end up at.

Snapchat’s sexting culture has also created a pressure on young people to participate in sexting. According to an
NSPCC
 survey, six out of 10 teens say they’ve been asked for sexual images or videos. And it was found from a 2015 study by the
University of Indiana
 that a fifth of undergraduates had engaged in non-consensual sexting.

Tips for Parents on Their Kids Potentially Sexting Others (Or If They Do)

1. Avoid focusing on negative consequences

Your kids probably already know that what they are doing will lead to negative repercussions. But because there are no preventive effects to the consequences, they will still do it anyway. Instead, your message to your kids should credible, consistent and grounded according your children’s actual social experience.

2. Spend more time with them

You’d be surprised that forging close relationships and fostering transparency in your children can push them towards more healthy ways of interaction. Trust is an important factor as well. Know where to draw the line between being concerned and invading into their privacy. Give them the space to navigate the social waters, but let them know that you are concerned as well.

Besides, it’s synonymous with what Sue Berkowitz, deputy of children’s commissioner for England said: “Sexting is not an IT issue, it’s a relationships issue.”

3. Speak to them in a non-confrontational way

You can expect that they will try and avoid the conversation altogether. But that’s okay, just keep it short and always remember to be respectful and consider their feelings. It should be a two-way dialog. Ask them what they know about sexting and help them think for themselves on how it would be like to have their personal information passed on to others.

A two-way dialog can go a long way toward helping your kids understand how to minimise legal, social and reputation risks.

Source:
BBC
,
Legal Match,

TNP

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