4 Types of Long-Lasting Vegetables to Have in Your Kitchen

Unless you’re the type of person who enjoys going grocery shopping on a daily or weekly basis, you might consider getting the vegetables listed below. They’ll save you not just time but also money as you won’t have to make frequent runs to the store. This is because out of all the various vegetables out there, they tend to last the longest if you know how to properly care for them that is.

1. Cabbage

Although it might not be a favourite of many (to be honest all vegetables are like that), it is without a doubt a versatile vegetable as it can be eaten as it is or after it has been cooked. To ensure that your cabbage lasts for an extended period of time, don’t wash it unless you’re about to use it, handle with care so it doesn’t bruise, and keep it wrapped in plastic in the vegetable drawer. If you follow these rules, your cabbage can even last up to two months.

2. Garlic

Garlic that is untouched will last for months; even half a year is possible. If the cloves are separated, it will last up to a month or two. But once you chop a part of it off, the most you’ll have is a week before it’ll start going bad. To prevent the remaining half from being wastefully tossed away, place it in the fridge in a container. However, if brown or yellow spots appear then that means it’s on its way to spoiling.

3. Onions

pi Onions kept on the kitchen counter can last more than a month. Keep them in the fridge and it’ll last for several more weeks. For a much longer shelf life, say about eight months or so, place your onions in the freezer. Nonetheless, their shelf life will significantly decrease if the skins have been removed. To prolong its life for about a week, you can store the peeled onions in the fridge inside a container.

4. Potatoes

When storing them, keep them away from onions and apples. This is because when potatoes are in close contact with them it’ll cause it to ripen more quickly due to the natural gasses emitted. The shelf life of potatoes stored in the fridge can be up to four months. If it’s kept outside then it’ll maybe last about two to five weeks. But if the surrounding temperature rises, it’ll ripen and spoil faster.

These vegetables don’t just have a long shelf life but they’re also useful in many recipes so it definitely won’t be a waste for you to have them in your pantry. Know what else won’t be a waste to get for your home? Our
custom-made gift items
 of course! Shop today!

This article has been republished with permission from
Printcious
.

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Motherhood, Working & Raising Kids in 2020

For centuries, mothers have been handling the show. In the words of Beyonce, “who run the world?”

The things mothers do at home and outside the house, to maintain a sane, safe space for their kids and families have not deserved the attention, appreciation and respect that’s due. Often times these responsibilities are not even considered “real work” – a sentiment within many families and often our culture as a whole. This isn’t an Asian thing by any means – it’s a global epidemic. In fact, across the world, American women are now finally putting their foot down and declaring 2020 be The Year of The Mother. But The United States has jumped on the pro-motherhood bandwagon for awhile now – 2019 even saw some presidential candidates talk motherhood on the campaign trail. Americans are trying to recruit everyone onto this train  – presidential candidates, employers, communities and even their partners – to take action to help mothers go from “surviving motherhood to thriving motherhood”. After all, it takes a village….

The official date has been set for a synchronized social launch to be on Monday, January 20, 2020. – the official day to mark 2020 The Year of The Mother.

Of course, there’s no one that can deny that career and motherhood come together as one of the greatest balancing acts of our time. And there will be no perfect balance, ever. It will be hard. And you will often be filled with emotion, confusion and exhaustion. Remember, there is no way to have it all but it is possible to navigate this terrain a little better, and we are here to do our part and help.

Here are our 5 commandments for you to work with immediately:

Ditch The Guilt
 – You’ll never be able to do 100% of things at 100% quality 100% of the time. It’s impossible, so there is no aim in even trying for perfection. You can just focus on what your best is – not the best according to your friends, or society – but your personal best. Your best is one that’s based on your specific priorities for that day or month and things may fluctuate. So focus on your priorities for the moment and work towards that.

Find Quality Child Care
 – You have other things to focus on, so worrying about how your kids will be in the hands of someone else is certainly not an added stress you can afford. So whether looking for reliable relatives, nannies, or daycare centres, make a list based on criteria that you value and do your research into the quality of service they provide. Always make sure you find someone with a reference you trust. Having quality childcare can mentally ease you up and allow you to focus on other aspects of your life.

Make Mornings Easier
 – A hectic morning can certainly send your mood and day into a frenzy. So as much as possible, use the evening before to prepare so you’re not rushing when the sun rises. Whether it’s packing lunches, ironing your outfit, or organising your home, finish it off before you head to bed. This way your mornings can start slower – with a coffee, some breakfast – and you can head out calm.

Communicate With Your Employer
 – Are there flexible arrangements you could be making use of? Perhaps a work from home policy or the opportunity to leave early on specific days? Go into the meeting prepared to efficiently communicate your needs and also come with proposed solutions – list out stuff that works for you and is also beneficial to your employer.

Limit Distractions And Time Wasters
 – Social media, TV, endless online scrolling. Save up your evenings and morning for your kids and your partner. And when you do spend time with your family, give them your full attention; try not to multitask.

This article has been republished with permission from
PurelyB

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5 Reasons Why You Should Bring Your Kids on Holiday

Family holiday is great for creating memories and of course, taking a breather from the stresses of the city or home life. But, although holidays are associated with a chance for parents to unwind and destress, vacations also offer opportunities for your child to reach their developmental milestones.

Studies have found that when children encounter new experiences, the
existing memory structures within the brain are reshaped
 and ultimately impacts their linguistics, cognitive, social, as well as emotional development.

That’s right, your child might grow smarter just by taking them on a family holiday – it is definitely a win-win situation, and here are the ways it can help with their growth during their crucial early years.

It triggers their PLAY and SEEKING brain systems

As we know, holidays equal to new experiences. However, there is a science behind why we feel the way we do on holidays and why children are more content during their time away.

According to research, family holiday is a chance to
exercise two systems ingrained within the brain’s limbic area
 known as the PLAY system and the SEEKING system. The PLAY system is exercised during playful times such as when you piggyback your child or tickle them, while the SEEKING system is used when exploring a new environment.

Kredit: iStock

When these systems are activated, they trigger the release of positive neurochemicals which causes children to exhibit warm and generous feelings – they become seemingly unworried within their environment. Exercising these systems enhances brain growth and maturation of the frontal lobes, which is the part of the brain which supports their cognitive function, social intelligence and goal-oriented behaviour.

In the long run, this gives children the opportunities to develop their future selves into creative adults that have the ability to experiment with ideas.

It can improve their social-emotional interaction

Social-emotional development
 is the developing capacity of a child within their first five years. It is related to how they form close and secure peer or adult relationships through experience, regulating and expressing emotions in socially, as well as culturally appropriate ways.

Additionally, social interaction teaches them the importance of aspects such as teamwork and helps develop their communication skills as they encounter these new holiday experiences.

Kredit: iStock

They are bound to meet people from various cultures within a new environment. Therefore, children will be exposed to people, languages and etiquettes they might not deal within their daily life.

Going on a family holiday will also mean meeting many other kids their age. New kids could equal new languages or different communication ways that will provide them with an opportunity to learn how to interact with others in an appropriate manner.

They will broaden their horizons

You might be familiar with the idea that travel is a great teacher. Likewise, children learn best when they are hands-on during a trip. As much as they learn theories and scenarios using a textbook in school, nothing comes close to actually facing them in real life.

For instance, a child who has been taught about chlorine in swimming pools will learn better if he or she is able to smell the chlorine in the water when he takes a dip. Other things that children observe and take part in while on holiday are asking for directions, reading signboards, new languages, culture and different ways people live their lives in other parts of the country and the world.

Kredit: iStock

You will be creating out-of-school learning opportunities just by bringing them on a holiday and letting them explore by themselves!

They will be taught new responsibilities

Interestingly, children shoulder responsibilities better when they are out and about instead of when they are at home. If they are asked to help with folding clothes at home, they might try to get out of it but if you ask them to pack their bags for a holiday, they will jump in and get started in a jiffy.

Going on holiday allows them better accountability and responsibility, especially in situations such as sticking to the safety precautions at the pool or beach.

Moreover, older children shoulder responsibilities for their younger siblings by keeping a watchful eye to ensure they are not out of sight when the adults are away. Being in situations like these will help them to develop decision-making skills and exercise their roles, as well as responsibilities.

They can apply their knowledge in real-life situations

Kids observe and learn things very quickly. They are quick to adapt and will try to apply whatever they learn during their travel once they are back home. With enriched experiences and lifted spirits, kids will start to improve on their personal skills naturally.

Learning about a new culture, new languages, tasting new food and shouldering responsibilities will help develop them as adults as they come across more real-world knowledge.

Head to Desaru Coast for your next family getaway!

Located at the eastern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, Desaru Coast is only a
mere four-hour drive
 from Kuala Lumpur via the North-South Expressway.
T
he journey to Desaru Coast can also serve as an opportunity to become a fun road trip and make it more exciting for your kids by stopping at interesting places along the way.

The beaches are perfect for family holidays as it is a seemingly less crowded destination – a definite plus within the standards of the new norm.

The 17-kilometre stretch of palm-fringed beaches is wide and offers families a space away from the crowds, giving you privacy for your kids to thoroughly enjoy their stay. The white sandy beach will be a great place for children to explore and have fun while you can rest and relax.

Desaru Coast is only a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and there are four resorts – Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, the Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and One&Only Desaru Coast – that are all within close proximity to the beach!

Besides that, the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast offers kids thrilling experiences and houses one of the biggest wave pools in the world. They have age-appropriate water lay equipment and a 350-meter lazy river, among other attractions.

Desaru is also accessible via flight – it is a one hour journey to Senai International Airport and another hour shuttle to Desaru Coast.

So, are you ready to plan your next family holiday?
 Visit
desarucoast.com
 for more information and to book your stay!

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:

https://my.theasianparent.com6-sebab-saintifik-kenapa-anda-perlu-bawa-anak-anda-pergi-bercuti

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Understanding How To Handle Money Through Real Life Experiences

Freestylers believe that real-life experience is the best way for a child to learn how to manage money. They are confident that their child will figure out everything in their own way and therefore need little guidance about how to manage money.

Half of all Freestylers surveyed are parents of older children who were not given strong money management guidance from a young age. Freestylers are most likely to say, “
There is no substitute for real-life experience. A child has to learn by trial and error. They’ll soon understand how to handle their money
”.

How They Teach About Money Matters

As a result, Freestylers think that actively teaching a child about how to manage money, or constantly ‘interfering’ to guide their financial behaviour, simply isn’t necessary.

78% of Freestylers think that money parenting is important versus 95% of all parents in the Asia Money Parenting survey.

Most Freestylers provide their child with pocket money. But because of their belief in the effectiveness of real-life experience, these parents also usually encourage their child to earn money by doing part-time jobs. By doing this, they aim to help their child understand that it is not easy to earn money, so they value it more.

Freestylers want their child to understand the concept of what money can buy through their own encounters and experiences. Yes, there may be some bad experiences, but that is all part of growing up and learning about real life. They want their child to spend their own money, buy items for themselves, and learn how much things cost.

They believe that as the child gets older, their understanding of financial matters will become ever more sophisticated thanks to the everyday problems they encounter and the new situations they face.

Freestylers are also more inclined to money parent individually than operate as a parental team with their spouse when or if they do give money advice to their child.

In fact, 13% of Freestylers say ‘no one in particular’ is responsible for teaching their child about money management versus just 4% of all parents.

Their Money Parenting Goals

These parents very much hope that their child will learn about money management themselves and realise the importance of being debt-free. And they firmly believe that the best approach to achieving this goal is to let the child learn themselves.

Freestylers are thus supportive of their child rather than actively driving them into some specific behaviour relating to money management. Only a quarter of these parents provide their child with a savings box (versus half of all parents). And only a third of them open a savings account for their child (versus half of all parents).

The majority of Freestylers, however, have Life Insurance to provide financial security for the whole family. But they see little need for additional investments that are specifically designed to support their child.

Their Money Parenting Success

Because of their ‘hands-off’ approach, however, 46% of Freestylers answer “
I don’t know
” when asked if they are doing a good job of money parenting, versus just 12% of all parents. Another 42% say they did the best they could but are not sure how good.

In fact, 18% of these parents say they have “
no idea how to measure money parenting success
” (versus just 5% of all parents). There are no specific criteria that they use to judge if their child is financially competent, unlike other parent personas who perceive success based on whether their child knows how to grow money (36% versus 21% of Freestylers).

Most believe that their child is “
growing up just fine
” by gaining a real-life understanding of financial management, just like their parents did.

How Well They Know Money

Most Freestylers admit that they themselves do not have sophisticated financial knowledge. They score themselves only 4.88 out of 10 on financial knowledge, versus 7.17 among all parents.

Freestylers do not see a lot of value in learning about financial investments and have even less interest in teaching their children about such things.

They also do not seek financial advice from the bank or a financial advisor to complement their own financial understanding or help prepare their child for the future. Almost a quarter of them say they would not ask for financial advice from any other person, versus just 7% of all parents.

However, if you are a Freestyler who is curious about how other parents are money parenting, check out our
#MoneyParenting site
 or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our latest content.

Still unsure of your Money Parenting style? Check out our
quiz here
 to find out more!

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7 Common Questions Pregnant Mummies Get Asked All The Time

When you become a new mother, there are many things you need to consider. Pregnancy is already a tough journey to navigate, especially for first-time mothers, without every other person trying to interject with their personal opinions.

But no matter what culture you belong to, you will be subjected to many intrusive questions – sometimes by strangers, sometimes by friends who are just curious.

From one pregnant mummy to another, here are some questions you should be prepared to answer:

7 common questions new mummies should prepare for

1. When’s your due date?

This is by far the most common question pregnant women get – whether you’re a first-time mum or not. Whether or not you know the person asking the question, you don’t have to give an exact answer if you’re not comfortable with that. You can always give a vague answer like “later in the year” or name a month, rather than giving exact dates. After all, as pregnant women ourselves, we don’t know the exact
due date
! Babies come whenever they want.

2. Is it a boy or a girl?

Again, it isn’t necessary to answer this question, especially since is a personal matter. If both you and your spouse don’t even want to know the gender of the baby, then it should remain a surprise. You don’t need to answer this question if you feel uncomfortable doing so.

3. Have you prepared everything for the baby yet?

I actually don’t mind this question too much as it is a practical, non-intrusive question that people can ask without offending the parents. It’s also a good opportunity for them to ask if the parents would like them to buy a gift for them that they don’t already have.

4. Which hospital are you delivering at?

Prepare for judgement no matter the answer. Whether you’re going to be delivering at a private or a government hospital, you will be facing a lot of unwarranted opinions from those
asking the question
. But stay confident in your choice and don’t get swayed too easily

5. What are you going to name your baby?

This question can go either way. You could either be very certain of your baby’s name and want to share it with the world, or you might be totally uncertain and want to keep it a secret till the baby is born. No matter where you stand on your baby’s name, this is a very common question you get asked!

6. How much weight did you put on?

This is an annoying one. Many “kepoh” Asian aunties tend to ask this question. It is very personal and almost offensive. But you can get away with answers such as “not much”, “just a little” or if you’re being very honest, you can give them a figure. However, if you need to know, the normal range for women to put on
weight during pregnancy
 is between 10-20kg. Some women put on less, some will put on more.

7. How big is the baby?

As you progress in your pregnancy, the chances of someone asking this question gets higher. At 20 weeks, I had someone ask me if I was already ready to pop. I didn’t realise that my posture was partly to blame for that. Because of the weight of the baby, I was subconsciously arching my back and pushing my belly forward. This would have resulted in backaches in the long run if not for someone recommending that I wear a pregnancy belly band.

The belly band I decided to try was the Love Cradle Maternity Support Belt (Prenatal/Postpartum) by
Bmama Maternity
.

This is actually the first belly band I have tried and since trying it, I feel my posture has improved tremendously since the Bmama support belt comes with great support for the back. It is also surprisingly cooling and sweat-wicking.

I also like that it comes in black, while most other belly bands tend to come in pink or beige. Beyond just helping to support my back, it also helps to “lift” my belly a little, so the weight is not so burdensome.

It is highly recommended that Asian mummies wear belly bands to support the weight of the baby since we tend to have smaller waist sizes (though I am really happy that the Bmama belly band comes in sizes up to XL!). The belly band offers this kind of support, especially when mummies are carrying big or heavy babies.

At 30 weeks, my baby was already estimated to weigh 2.5kg, so the belly band did my body a huge favour. With the daily usage of the belly band and weekly prenatal massages, I didn’t experience any back pains or pelvic pains throughout the pregnancy until the very end when it was time to deliver.

It’s great value for money considering the belly band only costs RM75!
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6 Things Parents Say About Money — And What Your Children Learn from Them

Words and actions: Every parent knows that these are powerful tools we can use to teach our children. And money parenting — teaching our children precious
lessons about money
 — is no exception.

Oftentimes, we rely on things that our parents told us when we were young. Or we speak without thinking, saying whatever comes to mind. But we overlook how the words we say play a role in forming the values of our children.

Let’s take a look at some common things parents say about money, what our children actually hear when we say them, and what we could say instead.

6 Things Parents Say About Money

1. “Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees.”

This saying is a classic that we probably heard from our own parents when they were telling us not to be wasteful. Having been on the receiving end of this, we also know how ineffectual these words are.

What Your Children Hear:

These words have little effect on children as they merely state the obvious. Sure, the saying can be funny, and it’s even memorable. But when it comes to teaching money lessons, there is little to be learned here.

What You Should Say Instead:

If the lesson you want to teach is to avoid waste, there is the equally classic “Waste not, want not.” (Of course, as this saying is so archaic, you may want to paraphrase it!) Try saying, “A lot of hard work went into buying this toy/ preparing this meal/ making this for you. Please respect that.” Or “I worked hard to earn the money for that. Please don’t waste it.”

2. “We Can’t Afford It.”

Your child wants an expensive toy, and clearly it is not worth it or it is beyond your budget. They’re whining in the toy store, so to make them stop, you tell them, “We can’t afford it.” The whining ends (hopefully).

What Your Children Hear:

Though “We can’t afford it” may seem like a tough-love method of teaching money matters, parents should keep in mind that children are very sensitive. “We can’t afford it” could easily be confused with “We don’t have money”
[1]
. And this can cause children to worry and become stressed about the family’s financial situation.

What You Should Say Instead:

You can teach your child the value of things by telling them “That is not worth the money they are asking for. There are better things we can spend on.”

3. “I Don’t Know How We’re Going To Get Through This Month.”

Experts encourage parents to include children in money decisions and discussions
[2]
. So to educate them on the hardships of life, you give them the truth about the family’s financial situation.

What Your Children Hear:

This can be even more harmful than “We can’t afford it.” By sharing your financial difficulties, they may live in fear of losing their home or not having enough to eat. Children need to feel safe and secure
[3]
.

What You Should Say Instead:

Yes, including children in money discussions is good and healthy. But talking about your fears and money difficulties is not. Seeing you struggle and work hard can still be a good thing, but keep it positive. This is an opportune time to teach them to delay gratification by telling them “Let’s all play a part and try to suggest ways we can save up.”

4. “I’ll Buy You Whatever You Want.”

Many parents want to give their children all the things they never had growing up. You may hear them saying “I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

What Your Children Hear:

This is a sure way of teaching your child to be entitled. When children hear this, you are telling them that money is unimportant; they can always get what they want just by asking for it.

What You Should Say Instead:

Treating children with gifts or rewards can be helpful in money parenting. But these gifts need to be earned. Put a reward system in place: offer rewards for getting good grades in school or for doing the chores for a certain period of time. Tell your children “If you do this/work hard for this, you can get this (agreed item).”

5. “It’s Just A Waste Of Money.”

How many Spider-Man action figures do you need? The words come flying out of your mouth: “It’s just a waste of money.”

What Your Children Hear:

Just as you feel good about yourself when you buy a new pair of shoes, your child also feels good when they buy something. That’s because your sense of identity is rewarded by your purchases
[4]
; it’s a natural part of being human. If you tell them what they want is a waste of money, you are telling them that what they want is worthless. Therefore, they are worthless too.

What You Should Say Instead:

Take this opportunity to teach your child about needs and wants. Ask them, “I know you want it, but do you really need it?”

6. Not Talking About Money At All

Some parents choose not to talk to their children about money at all.

What Your Children Hear:

If you say nothing, your child will be left to interpret your silence about money matters on their own. They may develop incorrect concepts and values which may influence how they view and manage money when they become adults.

What You Should Say Instead:

At best, not talking about money is a missed opportunity to teach your child important life lessons. At worst, it may lead to distorted values about money. So take some time to teach your child about money using the right words and your own good example. Doing so can give them positive values and teach them practical lessons that they can use for a lifetime.

Want to know more about instilling the proper financial values within your child? Check out our
#MoneyParenting site
 or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our latest content.

[1]
www.1life.co.za/blog/kids-money-talk

[2]

www.360financialliteracy.org/Topics/Spending-Saving/The-Basics/Talking-to-Your-Kids-about-Money

[3]

www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2012/07/25/how-parents-stress-can-hurt-a-child-from-the-inside-out/#41c4a3496b38

[4]

www.businesspsych.org/articles/280.html

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Mother's Day Special: "The New Twins. Fashionable Mother & Stylish Daughter"

Mom, you are the Queen of our hearts. That is the most appropriate and perfect expression for all mothers!

They are the ones who always sacrifice, who always give their best and forever be a source of inspiration for all of us. Every year, Mother’s Day is a very special day, it exists to celebrate all mothers with love and respect, all the time. Let’s make this May month extra special for them by fulfilling all their dreams.

Take a break, make time for them and be with them.

In conjunction with the upcoming Mother’s Day, Summer Love will organize special activities to strengthen the love between Mother & Daughter.

With the theme “The New Twins, Fashionable Mother & Stylish Daughter” this campaign will start from April 22 to May 10, 2022.

The selected activities which will be conducted are, Social Media Giveaway on Summer Love Facebook & Instagram page at
www.instagram.com/p/CcpSeVXpuFo/

www.facebook.com/SummerLove.co.official
 / where 3 lucky winners will receive a pair/set of Bangles with special engraving.

For Tik Tok Giveaway on the Summer Love page @summerlove.co.official, all the participants may join by creating a video to portray twins fashion styling between Mother & Daughter, they have to tag us using the special hashtag #thenewtwins #summerlove. Three lucky winners will take home RM200 Gift Voucher along with 2 sets of apparel sponsored by Summer Love.

Another exciting news, Summer Love is always excited to have cross collaborations, we have a special RM20 discount voucher from Summer Love and also the luckiest winners will take home a set of Summer Love Palazzo with Suspender.

Apart from that, RM100 Gift Voucher(s) to be won. For all these activities organized by Summer Love, the official hashtags for us to hear and reach out participants are #summerlove #thenewtwins #celebratelife.

Save the date as well, from 1st until 15th May, Summer Love will be having an interesting

promotion, Special Deals from RM 29* and FREE Exclusive Scrunchie with any purchase from www.summerlove.co. T&C Apply.

SHOP NOW at www.summerlove.co

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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NSFW: The 'X marks the spot' sex position can give you pleasure like never before

Does size matter? Well, if you know how to work your magic with what you’ve got, it probably doesn’t. A recent
survey
 from the University Children’s Hospital, in Zurich, Switzerland,
reportedly
 found that most women are not keen on size when it comes to their partner’s penis.

“Results showed that women considered the position and shape of the meatus as the least important penile aspect,” the researchers stated.

All they want is for their man to exude confidence. This also means that women were willing to experiment with different positions to experience the best stimulus, irrespective of the size of the man’s penis.

And one of the most popular sex positions for men with small penises is the “X marks the spot” position.

Couples Are Going Crazy for the “X Marks the Spot” Sex Position

Reportedly,
 the “X marks the spot” position has become insanely popular among men who may not be that well-endowed. In this position, the woman lies on her back and crosses her legs up in the air.

The man then has to get up before penetrating her where the “X marks the spot”. Sex-perts suggest that the lying partner should be on an elevated base that is higher than a regular bed. They suggest tables or desks as the alternative to a bed.

This
adventurous position
 has become a huge hit with couples. That’s because crossing legs leaves little space to penetrate making the area tighter and more pleasurable. As
Bustle
 puts it, “Crossing at the knees will make for a tighter sensation, which is great for partners with small penises.”

And if you fall into this category, perhaps it’s a good idea to give this position a go. But don’t worry, there are other positions that can work a similar magic, especially for men with small penises.

10 Sex Positions for Men with Small Penis

As stated in our previous
article
, here are a few positions for somebody who may not be highly endowed.

1.The Magic Mountain

Once he’s inside, squeeze your thighs together to give him a snug. This will generate an orgasm-inducing fit while he plays with your clitoris.

2. Nirvana

Sex positions for men with small penis: This one is great!

As you hold on to the railing, he can bear down more on you. This gives you leverage to meet his thrusts, adding more pressure to your G spot.

3. The Prone Tiger

This position is especially comfortable for the woman and can translate to longer, slower lovemaking sessions.

4. The Reclining Lotus

Spread your legs and bend your knees. This can help him change his angle of penetration to really dig into your sweet spot.

5. The Rocking Horse

If he’s just at the right angle and you ride him forward, you might be able to get him to press your G spot. This means that the tip and your clit will hit his pelvic area at the same time.

6. The Suspended Scissors

This might look like an exercise pose to you, but it’s not. You’ll have to be extremely steady to try this and practice quite a few times before you perfect this move.

7. The Basket

This woman on top position lets him stimulate your nipples and clitoris while you shake your hips to grind his tip inside you.

8. The Butterfly

You can use a table or high bed for this hot sex position and feel his penis reach you further than usual.

9. The Curled Angel

Let him scoot a little downwards so you can find your G spot. Meanwhile you can hold on throughout the incredible sensations.

10. The Fan

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Get on your tip-toes and thrust your buttocks out so he gets more leverage to really dig his tip into your G spot and scrape the walls of your vagina.

If you want to see more adventurous sex positions for men with small penis, read
here
.

Source:
Cosmopolitan

Feature & lead image courtesy: Pixabay

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Here’s how a Healthy Immune System supports Resilience, According to Science

Teaching your child to be resilient is only achievable when their fitness and health are at optimum conditions. By serving the right and adequate nutrition, your child’s immunity will be strengthened allowing them to explore the world to build their Resilience. Recently we had the privilege of speaking to Dr Tay Chee Pin, a pediatrician consultant at Pantai Hospital Klang about child immunity and how it plays a role in raising a Resilient child.

Health and immunity

Young children, whose immune systems are only beginning to mature, are at risk from viral and bacterial attacks. Parents can help protect their children from illness by first and foremost providing excellent nutrition, such as adequate pre- and probiotics. On top of this foundation, include good hygiene practices and comprehensive vaccination for an additional layer of defence.

Research has also shown that spending time outdoors will help boost the immune system, and even enhance cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and mental health systems
1
. We’re so blessed to be in a country like Malaysia, where there are numerous opportunities to organise weekend trips to farms, petting zoos, indoor parks and outdoor jungle treks. If you’re looking for weekend activity ideas, check out
Resilience Location Map
 for unexplored attractions.

But to enjoy these adventures, children must first have a robust immune system to fight off infections and sickness. Children with a high risk of falling ill can’t even be exposed to the world, let alone learn important life lessons from it. If parents want to build resilience in children, the first step must be to secure their immunity.

How does the body’s immune system work?

The immune system is the body’s defence mechanism. Without it, the body falls victim to viruses and bacteria. The body’s immune system consists of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to combat illness while protecting the body. However, it is our white blood cells that does the bulk of the work by recognising and destroying viruses, bacteria, as well as other foreign organisms in our body.

While there are numerous types of white blood cells, both phagocytes and lymphocytes play important roles while working hand in hand. Phagocytes cells can eat up harmful bacteria and problem-causing organisms while Lymphocytes are able to build antibodies that will remember previous infections.

Tips for strengthening your child’s immunity

There are many ways that parents can strengthen their child’s immunity. Here are some of the suggestions from Dr. Tay:

Prebiotics

Probiotics

Healthy emotional wellbeing

Vaccination

Healthy and active lifestyle which includes 10 – 14 hours of sleep depending on the age of your child

Other nutritional supplements and vitamins

As noted, being in the outdoors is like giving the body a host of multivitamins that can help boost immunity. Some researchers have hypothesised being outdoors puts the body and mind into ‘rest and digest’ mode, instead of ‘flight or fight’ mode where every other system, including the immune system is shutting down in response to stress. In ‘rest and digest’, your child’s body begins to relax and focus on growing, cell reproduction and building the immune system.

This is why being in the outdoors not only teaches your child about resilience in a cognitive way, but it allows the body to naturally strengthen its immunology for growth and progress.

Resilience is also part of the human mind. A sound mind is supported by a healthy body and a healthy body is a result of healthy food.
You are what you eat and according to an article from the Institute of Food Technologists forum, immunity boosting food is rapidly growing in popularity
 2
. Immune boosting foods for kids include yogurt, almonds, oily fish like salmon, oats and barley and a high-quality formula milk with pre- and probiotic that promotes immunity.

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Aside from food, encourage your child to adopt an active lifestyle. Inspire them to be active mentally and physically by introducing problem-solving puzzles and fun gyms. Even a short family outing away from the city will provide a change in environment and some much-needed fresh air. And you don’t even have to spend hours scouring the Internet for new places to visit.
AptaGro™
 has already compiled an extensive list of locations, categorised by the five pillars of Resilience. Simply Google the Resilience Location Map and you’ll find exciting locations like Gabai Falls (Adaptability), Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary (Daringness), Funtopia (Perseverance), Kidzania (Resourcefulness) and Tadom Base (Self-Reliance) and many more.

With the right nutrition and lifestyle, you can boost your child’s immune system and this, in turn, will ensure plenty of opportunities for them to learn to become resilient.

References:

1
Ming Kuo (2015, August 25). How Might Contact With Nature Promote Human Health? Promising Mechanisms And A Possible Central Pathway. Retrieved from
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01093/full

 2
Sloan, Elizabath A. (2019, October 1). Global Migration: Emerging Opportunities In Food And Drink. Rertrieved from
https://www.ift.org/news-and-publications/food-technology-magazine/issues/2019/october/features/global-migration-emerging-opportunities-in-food-and-drink

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Easy to Follow Tips to Get Your Baby to Sleep Well Tonight

The biggest issue that most parents worry about even before the birth of their new baby has to be the fact that sleep will become a rare commodity. Yes, it’s ALL true! But this does not mean that you can’t train them to sleep; it just takes tons of patience and hard work to get your baby sleep throughout the night.

To minimise the effect that a newborn’s sleep pattern has on the parents, here are some tips in creating a good sleep routine for your new baby.

Baby sleep: The adjustment period

Credit: Unsplash

All new parents should understand that in the initial first two months, your bundle of joy would have no concept of day or night.

And even though newborns require nothing more than milk and sleep for the first few weeks, their intermittent sleep can cause agony to parents who would have to wake every three to four hours every night to feed the baby.

While there is little that can be done regarding the baby’s instinctive needs, parents can help illustrate the difference between day and night by interacting with the baby more during the day and limiting stimulation at night.

This simple habit aids babies in understanding that day is the time for noisy stimulating activities, while the night is for resting and quiet time.

Baby sleep: Limiting contact during the nights

Credit: Unsplash

If it is acceptable to the parents, they can also choose to minimise contact with the baby at night as to help them build independence.

A newborn can (and will) easily fall asleep most of the time due to their need for rest, and if we avoid repeating certain habits to them to “help” them, they will slowly be able to associate lack of interaction to bedtime.

Habits like rocking, cradling and giving them milk to aid them to sleep will only make them rely on these forms of comfort in order to fall asleep. Avoiding them will prevent the forming of bad – and very hard to quit – sleep habits down the road.

The results of these practices will not be experienced immediately but will help greatly for the child to get used to quieten down in the evenings and slowly settle down for bedtime without screaming for your attention.

It will also help down the road when separation anxiety kicks in when your child is about 9 months old.

 Taking the cycle into your own hands

Credit: Unsplash

If your newborn happens to be one of those who love to sleep all day and are awake all night – just like the way my boy was – then some “crisis control” is necessary. Here are some simple steps in helping your baby sleep normally at night:

Stimulate your baby by talking and playing with him during the day and try to limit his nap to no more than two hours.

This will tire him out sufficiently by sunset and he will sleep through most of the night, only waking up for milk and then promptly falling back asleep again.

After a few days of repeating this, your newborn would be accustomed to sleeping longer hours at night instead of in the day.

Use comforting techniques such as baby massage or lullabies to soothe him to sleep at night. Make sure it is a routine takes no more than 15 minutes and that it will end once it is completed. Otherwise, our cheeky little babies will want you to continue it throughout the night and you can say goodbye to your own much-needed sleep!

Place him in a noisy daytime environment such as the living room to let him nap so that he may be woken up by common noises and prevents him from oversleeping.

At night, put him to bed in a quiet and dimly lit room to sleep where there is minimal disturbances. This also adheres to the “day and night” cycle that was mentioned earlier.

 Keeping in tune

The most important key in creating a good sleep routine is that it must be consistent, especially in the first few months. Once you have the routine down smack, our little babies are adaptable enough to accept slight adjustments such as a slightly later bedtime.

If you chose to let your child learn to comfort himself and settle down to sleep, there will definitely be some uncomfortable moments where your baby experiences difficulties in self-soothing and would want you to help him out.
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You will have to bear with it and let him continue to self-comfort. This is a very important step in cultivating independence in your child, and although it may be hard to hear him cry, remember that it is for the better of your child’s sleep habits for the rest of his life.

It is also very important to praise your newborn for his efforts in falling asleep alone. Being praised every morning for being a “big boy” will only help to build his confidence and encourage him to try again tonight.

It is also important to let him know that sleeping at night is very important and it will help him to grow up big and strong.

All these usually reason enough for them to continue the efforts on their own as you reclaim your own sleep.

Good luck parents!

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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Putting baby to sleep: Good news and helpful tips

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How Do I Know if My Baby is Healthy?

As parents, we spend a lot of time worrying about our children from the time they are born. Today, I am reassuring you that it is perfectly normal for new moms and dads to worry if their baby’s developmental milestones are on track.

What are developmental milestones?

Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. In short, they are skills such as taking the first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye”.

Although they’re called milestones, they’re not necessarily set in stone. Every child develops at their own pace!

“If your baby reaches one milestone sooner, she may reach another one later, because she’s so busy perfecting the other skill,” says Dr Jennifer Shu, MD, pediatrician and co-author of
Heading Home with Your
Newborn
.

But all it takes is a small, paranoid thought, isn’t it? Why isn’t my baby able to stand on his own? Why doesn’t he smile when he sees us? And you find yourself tumbling down the rabbit hole of online diagnosis.

Over the past decade, LittleLives has served over 180,000 parents, and we’ve learnt a few things about children’s development. We’ve put together a guide for you to gauge whether your baby is happy and developing normally.

Phase One: The first three months

The first few hours, days and weeks with your baby are equally exciting and scary. What does ceaseless crying mean? Is she hungry? Is she in need of a diaper change? Is she just fussy?

During this first stage of development, babies are adapting to living in the outside world having spent nine months comfortably inside mommy’s womb.

Photo by Dragos Gontariu/Unsplash

The first three months can be seen as the “fourth trimester” for parents and babies to get to know each other. It is going to be mostly about eating, sleeping and crying. But you can also look forward to the baby lifting her head, making silly sounds and giving you a real first smile.

These are some developmental milestones you may observe in your little one:

Smiling
. In the early days, it will be just to herself. But within three months or so, she’ll be smiling in response to your smiles and voices.

Lifting her head
. Raise her head and chest when on her tummy.

Tracking moving objects
 with her eyes.

Bringing hands
 to her mouth.

Gripping objects
 in her hands.

Phase Two: Four to six months

The newborn days are over! This is where the baby would have slowly gotten used to life outside mommy’s womb. You will start seeing her personality bloom. You will hear more of her giggles, squeals and babbles.

During phase two, babies are learning about the world around them. They become more alert and mobile. They’re mastering the use of their hands. Every experience — from cuddling before nap time to listening to daddy and mummy talk — will help your baby learn more about the world.

Photo by Jonathan Borba / Unsplash

Here are some developmental milestones you may observe:

Evolving motor functions.
 Rolling over from front to back or back to front. Sitting up with support and having better control of her head.

Improved hand-eye coordination.
 Reaching out and grabbing objects (hair tugging may occur), and fiddling with toys and other objects with her hands.

Baby talk
. Babbling or making sounds that can sound like a real language. She might start making sounds to express joy. She might also show indications of being able to differentiate emotions from the tone of her voice.

Clearer vision.
Colours, such as shades of reds, blues and yellows, become more apparent to them. You might also observe them staring at objects or their own reflections.

This is the stage at which many working parents may choose to enrol their babies in infant care. This doesn’t mean that these parents will be missing out on developmental milestones! Some infant care centres use software to allow parents to keep an eye on their baby’s daily growth, mealtimes, naps, medication, and other details on how their child is doing.

Phase Three: Seven to nine months

In the second half of your baby’s first year, your little one becomes even more mobile. After learning that she can get somewhere by rolling over, she’ll spend the next few months figuring out how to move forwards and backwards. This is the time to start baby-proofing your home if you haven’t done so.

Photo by Picsea / Unsplash

Here’s what you can expect from your baby:

Increased mobility.
 Starting to crawl. This happens in many forms, from scooting (using her arms to drag her bottom) to standard crawling on her hands and knees. Some babies may even go straight from scooting to walking. Every baby is on their own unique journey!

Increased strength.
 She may start sitting up without support or learn to stand up with support.

Increased engagement.
 She starts responding to familiar words like her name or action words like eating and sleeping. This is why you should repeat words to your baby. She may also respond to “No” by briefly stopping and looking at you, and may start babbling “Mama” and “Dada.”

Phase four: The final three months

The last development stage in a baby’s first year is quite a transition. She is no longer an
infant
, and she might look and act more like a
toddler
.

Photo by Jen Theodore / Unsplash

In the final three months, she’s learning:
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Feeding herself
. Babies at this stage start learning to put food into their mouths. You have to be extra careful to not have inedible objects around them.

Increased motor functions
. She is a master of the pincer grip, holding small objects between her thumb and forefinger. She is also learning to move around the room on her feet while holding onto furniture.

First words!
 The average is about three spoken words by the first birthday, but the range on this is enormous, so take it with a pinch of salt.

Copying behaviour.
You may observe her copying you or using objects correctly, such as pretending to talk on the phone. This is where you should be mindful of the language used around her and avoid the careless slip of the tongue of any colourful words.

When to talk to a paediatrician?

Photo by Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash

A child’s development is not a race. So, time is not the best measurement of progression for your growing child. What’s important is to watch for your baby moving forward in her development.

Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for when a child hits which milestone. As parents, you have to trust your instincts. If you really feel that something is not right, have a conversation with your doctor. If there is a problem, you want to be able to identify it as soon as possible.

“Early intervention is best, and you know your child better than anyone.” says Dr Jennifer Shu.

Through it, all, live in the present moment. They say that the early years will pass in the blink of an eye. So, enjoy the process of your child discovering the world for the first time!

To sum it up

A smart
school management system
 is designed to make your life easier. It is the nervous system for schools around which other technologies are incorporated.

It is, in fact, a master plan to regulate administrative operations in a consolidated, integrated, efficient and smooth way to increase the productivity of schools.

It is also a value-adding tool for parents to have a look into their child’s day, anywhere and anytime.

This article has been republished with permission from
LittleLives
.

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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Through The Lens of Star Students

Lim Yen Xi is 5-years old, while Julia Johnson is 12-years old. Yen Xi loves watching cartoons. Julia loves playing soccer. They both have very different personalities. But they have one thing in common: they both go to Kumon.

It is because of Kumon that they are now learning ahead of their actual school grades. With just seven months at Kumon, Yen Xi has greatly improved his reading and writing and is studying English two years advanced of his school syllabus.

After seven years with Kumon, Julia is now doing pre-university grade Maths at the age of 12, working on formulas that is eight years ahead of her friends at school.

Teaching Valuable Life Skills

When asked if Kumon helped his studies, Yen Xi quickly exclaimed, “Yes!”

“I practice until it is perfect,” said Yen Xi, proudly explaining that he practices his writing, reading and listens to CDs to improve his English.

Julia says that Kumon has taught her to tackle problems and challenges, a skill that she has applied to her other subjects as well.

On top of that, Julia said that she has also learnt the importance of discipline and focus.

“No matter how I feel that day, I will still complete my worksheets,” she said, adding that she proactively allocates time every day to do her Kumon worksheets.

“As I continue to progress and as I complete higher levels, I am motivated to attempt more difficult worksheets,” said Julia.

“I know I can achieve anything if I just put my mind to it and work hard,” she added.

Both Yen Xi and Julia’s parents noticed that their children are more confident and independent.

“I don’t need to tell her to complete her worksheets. Even during Christmas holidays, she will be doing her worksheets. It is a part of her schedule,” said Julia’s mother.

Yen Xi’s mother said that Kumon has made learning fun for her son, and that his lessons have been very encouraging.

“It is good that Kumon nurtures and makes reading fun. I do not pressure him, he would do reading every night and also enjoys doing Kumon worksheets every day,” she said.

Unlocking a child’s potential

Both Yen Xi and Julia’s mothers attribute their children’s academic success to Kumon. They say that Kumon has created a conducive ecosystem where parents work with teachers to mould the child into a better student.

The consistent routine to complete Kumon worksheets daily has clearly paid off for Yen Xi and Julia. While these have helped enormously to raise their grades and fast track ahead of their peers, both children have also gained more confidence in their capabilities.

Being disciplined is not merely to complete ‘homework’ or just to remain ‘focused’ in a classroom. By employing self-control, students are internalising the benefits of delayed gratification. This is the process of resisting the temptation for an immediate reward in preference of a later, but much higher return of investment.

And with that, most Kumon students have a bigger aim in mind, and that is to obtain the ‘Advanced Students’ recognition, studying beyond their school grade level.

Both Yen Xi and Julia have established strong, positive identities for themselves. They feel much more disciplined yet motivated to attain greater heights. This cultivates perseverance and determination which contribute to the best foundation to manage challenges and even peer pressure as they grow older.

This is the Kumon way – to unlock each child’s potential for independence, critical thinking, discipline and perseverance that are all essential life skills that are critical in their growing up years.

Not only does Kumon foster a love of learning in children, they also teach children how to self-learn with minimal guidance.

Getting it “just right”

“I like that Kumon doesn’t go according to age, like schools. Kumon goes according to capabilities,” said Julia’s mother.

Taking into account the mindset of self-learning, the Kumon method is specifically designed to enable students to advance smoothly and progressively. Children will learn at a level that is suitable for them, known as the “just right” level.

The “just right” level simply means that the student is placed at a Kumon level that is most suitable for them at present, according to his or her ability and pace. There is no “one size fits all” lesson plan, every plan is customised with the respective student in mind.

Kumon is the largest and most established self-learning enrichment centre in the world with over 4 million students currently enrolled across 51 countries and regions.

Since Kumon’s inception in Malaysia in 1997, there are now over 200 centres nationwide. Four new centres were recently opened in Bintulu, Sarawak, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Putra Utama in Perlis and Bandar Baru Tunjong in Kota Bahru.

Today, Kumon Malaysia is acknowledged and endorsed by parents, families and education practitioners as the best choice to help children master English and Maths easily, putting them at grade levels ahead of their peers.

Keen to find out more about Kumon? Why not sign your child up for the Year-End Special Campaign?

Your child can enjoy 1.5 months of Kumon classes at a 1-month fee. This promotion is open to new students and existing students who wish to take up an additional subject and is available in all Kumon centres nationwide, excluding the Kumon Vista Kiara centre. Register before November 7 and receive a FREE Kumon bag!*

Visit
https://kumonmalaysia.com/promotion
 for more information on the campaign’s terms and conditions.

*Terms and Conditions apply

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Nagging is good for your husband's health, says study

For years, happy marriages have been attributed to better health. It requires no scientific proof that a harmonious relationship prevents stress, anxiety, and it helps you maintain your sanity despite the challenges of marriage. But did you know that being a nagging wife also promises certain health benefits?

Having a nagging wife lowers the risk of diabetes, says study

A study out of Michigan State University claims that
men who had a nagging wife had a lower risk of developing diabetes in the future
.

A nagging wife tends to be persistent in reminding her husband to care for himself better.

Here are some key factors of the study:

The researchers surveyed 1,228 married participants between the ages of 57 and 85 years old at the beginning of the study.

By the end of the five-year study, 389 had diabetes.

Because diabetes requires constant monitoring, men needed constant reminding to care for themselves.

What’s more, men with a nagging wife also had a higher chance of treating it, in case they developed diabetes in the future.

“Since diabetes is affected by social factors, I thought it would be interesting to see how marriage affects the disease rate,” professor Cathy Liu, Ph. D. explained to
Healthline
. “For women, consistent with expectations, good marital quality promotes women’s health. It lowers their risk of disease.”

A nagging wife is someone who cares

Having a nagging wife helps men to remember to go to the doctor, to take their vitamins, to eat better, and to simply care for themselves.

“The study challenges the traditional assumption that negative marital quality is always detrimental to health,” Hui Liu, MSU associate professor of sociology and lead investigator of the study says in a
statement
. “It also encourages family scholars to distinguish different sources and types of marital quality. Sometimes, nagging is caring.”

The New York Times
 also explored the wonders of the “nagging effect,” claiming that it encourages men to take better care of their health. What’s more, they claimed that married men get treatment soonest in the event of a heart attack.

Redefining what it means to be a nagging wife

Nagging means constantly reminding someone to get something done. It is not uncommon for couples, especially those who have been together for a long time. With life’s stresses comes the tendency to take it out on our partner through constant nagging.

Though both spouses can be naggers, wives tend to do it more. Why? Wives tend to feel responsible for keeping things in order — household upkeep, keeping kids in line… the list goes on.

Though nagging no doubt has its benefits when it comes to keeping a household running smoothly, having someone who nags you day and night doesn’t really spell romance. Nagging can provoke irritation and anger, which can obviously be unhealthy for a marriage.

According to psychology professor Howard Markman,
trust and understanding
 are important and that “nagging is the enemy of love, if allowed to persist.”

But nagging can be turned into a positive thing. Here are a few tips!

1. Trust your partner to complete a task

Yes, it can be a challenge, especially if your spouse keeps on failing to complete tasks. But marriage requires trust, even when it is tough. Though he may not follow through, you will avoid putting undue strain on your marriage.

Choose your battles, as they say.

2. Be patient when they “mess up”

Appreciate their efforts and let them know that you value them no matter what.

Love blossoms not only when things are going smoothly, but when you show how much you care even when things aren’t going your way.

3. Be honest with love

There is a way to be upfront with them without hurting their feelings. Let them know what you expect and try to work on a compromise together.

“If you preface your desire with a love statement, your mate may hear you through that lens of love and care,” relationship expert Karen Ruskin tells
Healthline
.

4. Own up to your own mistakes

Constantly nagging a spouse can make them feel inadequate, especially if you refuse to admit you have your own faults as well.

Instead of focusing on his shortcomings, put your energy into improving yourselves together. Apologise when needed and be open to criticism.

The next time nagging threatens to snuff the romance out of your marriage, remember: nagging can mean you love and care for your spouse! You just need to take care that you don’t overdo it.

Sources:
Healthline
,
Michigan State University
,
TIME
,
The New York Times

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Apa Yang Anda Patut Lakukan & Apa Yang Tidak Kepada Pasangan Yang Kehilangan Bayi

Apabila mendengar berita akan kelahiran mati atau bayi meninggal ini, tidak kira siapa pun tentu akan tersentak dan tiada kata yang mampu terjemahkan perasaan itu.

Di Malaysia, berita mengenai lkelahiran mati atau bayi meninggal ini bukanlah sesuatu yang dianggap biasa berbanding di negara lain. Seperti di Australia, memetik dari satu artikel tempatan menyatakan kelahiran mati atau stillbirth ini sangat biasa terjadi, kebarangkalian untuk orang terdekat dengan anda baik rakan-rakan atau keluarga mengalami kelahiran mati ini sangatlah tinggi.

Namun tidak di Malaysia, yang mana situasi ini amat jarang berlaku kepada orang yang kita kenali dan perkara ini cukup diambil serius oleh kerajaan kita. Disebabkan itu sekiranya insiden ini terjadi baik di hospital kerajaan atau hospital swasta, pihak kerajaan (Kementerian Kesihatan) akan melakukan siasatan yang telus ke atas kes ini. Pihak hospital akan disoal jawab dan jika berlaku kecuaian yang disebabkan pihak hospital tindakan selanjutnya akan diambil.

Jadi disebabkan kurangnya kesedaran orang ramai mengenai kes yang jarang berlaku ini bukanlah bermakna ia tidak penting. Setiap nyawa bayi meninggal adalah berharga dan sensitiviti masyarakat serta sokongan terhadap kes ini sangatlah penting untung pasangan yang mengalami kelahiran mati ini.

Apa yang anda perlu lakukan jika berhadapan dengan pasangan yang mengalami kelahiran mati?

Seperti yang saya nyatakan tadi disebabkan kurangnya kesedaran mengenai topik ini, maka ramai yang tidak tahu bagaimana untuk memberi reaksi sekiranya ia berlaku kepada keluarga atau teman rapat. Apakah kata-kata yang mampu membantu mereka melupakan sengsara ini? Apakah perbuatan yang boleh meringankan beban kesedihan pasangan ini? Dan apakah pula perkara yang tidak patut dibuat atau dikatakan kepada pasangan ini? Ini sedikit sebanyak apa yang anda perlu tahu.

#1. Katakan yang anda turut bersedih

Apabila saya sendiri mengalami pengalaman perit ini, saya cukup menghargai rakan-rakan yang tidak putus memberikan kata-kata simpati dan berada dengan saya di saat itu. Ketika waktu pengebumian bayi yang baru saya lahirkan itu, rakan-rakan rapat serta rakan sepejabat turut hadir ke kubur dan turut menangis bersama saya. Dalam masa yang sama memberi kata-kata semangat yang cukup memberi saya harapan untuk teruskan kehidupan seperti biasa. Tapi percayalah tanpa berkata apa pun, kehadiran mereka di waktu pengebumian arwah anak saya itu cukup bermakna dan saya tidak akan lupakan sampai bila-bila pun sokongan mereka itu.

#2. Cuba menggembirakan mereka

Terpulang kepada pasangan sebenarnya untuk seberapa pantas mereka ingin bangkit. Seperti situasi saya dulu, saya ingin bangkit secepat yang mungkin. Saya tidak mahu meratapi kesedihan itu lama-lama. Bangkit dengan cepat tidak bermakna anda terus melupakan anak kesayangan anda yang telah pergi itu. Tapi ia lebih kepada untuk anda menjadi lebih kuat dalam masa yang sama masih meratapi. Jadi ramai rakan-rakan saya yang bertanya jika mereka boleh hadir ke rumah membawa makanan kegemaran saya atau hadir hanya untuk bertanya khabar. Dan saya okay dengan kehadiran tetamu, saya juga berasa teruja, kerana sedikit sebanyak ia mampu mengalih perhatian saya buat seketika.

Ya, ada yang terus distract saya dengan membuat lawak apabila nampak emosi saya sudah semakin stabil, dan saya cukup menghargainya.

Apa yang patut dielakkan?

#1. Elak kongsi mengenai bayi anda di media sosial

Jika ada rakan-rakan terdekat atau keluarga yang baru mengalami kelahiran mati, kalau boleh ‘berehatlah’ sebentar dari berkongsi apa-apa gambar mengenai bayi atau kehamilan. Anggaplah ini satu tempoh berkabung. Memang banyak gambar-gambar anak yang seronok untuk kita kongsi tetapi, hati-hatilah kerana ada kemungkinan rakan anda yang baru mengalami pengalaman pahit ini mungkin akan merasakan perkongsian anda agak sensitif. Jika anda perlu lakukannya demi komitmen anda boleh ubah pada ketetapan untuk ‘hide’ perkongsian anda bersama rakan anda.

#2. Mengucapkan kata-kata yang kurang sensitif

Elakkan dari berkata seperti ia adalah masalah yang biasa, seperti “tak apalah, muda lagi boleh cuba lagi,” percayalah kata-kata itu tidak membantu. Elakkan juga berkata tentang masalah orang lain dan cuba membandingkan, contoh seperti “anak kawan saya dulu pernah kena macam ni, lagi teruk,” setiap pengalaman yang perit bukanlah satu pertandingan siapa yang lebih teruk mengalaminya siapa yang kurang teruk. Pengalaman yang buruk tetap satu pengalaman buruk. Sedihnya hanya tuan badan yang tahu!

Peringatan: Anda tidak dibenarkan menyiar artikel ini di mana-mana laman web atau status Facebook yang lain, tanpa pemberian kredit dan pautan yang tepat lagi berfungsi pada artikel asal di laman
theAsianparent Malaysia

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Powder Safety And Talc - Should You Be Concerned?

Talc (also known as Talcum Powder and Hydrated Magnesium Silicate) has been in news regarding its safety in personal care products.
Talc has been used for cosmetics and personal care for hundreds of years because it is soft and absorbs oil easily.

But over the past several decades, talc has fallen out of favour due to questions about its safety. Earlier this year, the FDA held a meeting about testing for asbestos in talc and cosmetics containing talc.

This seems like the time to mention that
BRUSH ON BLOCK®
 products do  NOT contain talc, and never have. We should also mention that many modern cosmetic powders do not contain talc, but you should always read the label.

Be sure to look for Hydrated Magnesium Silicate as well as talc, as some brands don’t necessarily want to claim they use talc, so they fall back on the scientific name.

We know of at least one SPF powder that has Hydrated Magnesium Silicate as its main ingredient but also claims to be talc-free. So be sure you are reading labels and looking for all of the names.

There are several concerns with talc, but the one the FDA is most concerned with is its potential to be contaminated with asbestos.

A lawsuit filed in California alleges manufacturers of such brands as Johnson’s Baby Powder, Gold Bond Powder and Shower to Shower, along with private label brands distributed at CVS, Dollar General, Target, Walgreens and Walmart are among those that hid the fact that their products contain excessive levels of dangerous chemicals shown to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.

Without testing, there is no way to know if a particular talc product is contaminated with asbestos, lead or other harmful compounds, so the FDA has taken action. Asbestos has also been found to be present in high levels of cosmetics for children sold in stores.

Should you be concerned about talc? Asbestos and other contaminants aside, the American Cancer Society has said there is a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer with the use of talc, but the studies results are mixed and rely on the memory of talc use.

They recommend that until more information is available, “people concerned about using talcum powder may want to avoid or limit their use of consumer products that contain it.” And fortunately, there are many alternatives available—cornstarch, kaolin clay, zinc oxide, boron nitride and silica.

With talc in cosmetic powders for use on the face, contaminants are the main concern. To protect yourself and your family, purchase products that are free of talc. With all of the alternatives available, there is really no reason to risk your health.
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Schools Reopen in Malaysia: Doctor's Advise on How to Prepare Your Child Amidst the COVID Pandemic

Malaysia’s movement control order (MCO) has now entered the recovery phase. Various business activities and economic sectors will reopen, of course, under strict regulations. Meanwhile, our Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education are currently discussing regarding the
reopening of schools for children in stages
, starting with those who will be sitting major exams like SPM and STPM. Despite the relatively low number of cases in the past few days, we have yet to achieve the status of COVID-free! Until then, we need to ensure that we do our level best to curb the spread of this virus and that includes teaching our children how to protect themselves when they finally return to school.

Teaching your children to keep safe is not as complicated as it seems. Perhaps, it can be a tad tedious but repetition only brings about perfection. Here are some of the everyday preventive actions that every school-going child should practice as schools reopen in Malaysia.

1. Good hand hygiene

Start observing how your child washes his or her hands at home using soap and water. Effective hand-washing should be at least 20 seconds; equivalent to singing the Happy birthday song twice! Proper steps for hand-washing can be easily attained on line via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Hand-washing is a must after coming into contact with items or surfaces frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, chairs, etc. Hands should be washed before touching eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering the body. If there is no available water source, the next best option is to use a hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol.

2. Put on a mask

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the
usage of fabric mask
 in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.  On the other hand, a medical mask should be reserved for children or individuals who are unwell, suspected or confirmed COVID cases and health care workers. Are all fabric mask the same? The answer is no.

 A good fabric mask should preferably have:

An inner layer of absorbent material such as cotton;

a middle layer of non-woven material such as polypropylene;

and outer layer of non-absorbent material such as polyester or polyester blend.

Always keep extra clean masks in a zip lock bag and separate them from soiled face masks.

3. Practice social distancing

Advice children to stay at
 between one to two apart
 metres from their schoolmates at all times – in the classroom, during recess time and even when using the restroom! Children should also learn to keep their hands at their sides and refrain from touching surfaces indiscriminately. Acts like shaking of hands, slapping high five or hugging should be discouraged. Sharing of personal items such as eating utensils is also a no-no. Participation in close contact sports should be put on hold until further notice.

4. Taking a bath after coming home

A child should take a
 shower immediately
 after coming back from school before interacting with other family members. Although clothing may not be a conducive environment for germs to grow, it is better to be safe than sorry.

5. Sick children should stay at home

Children who are unwell should be kept at home until they are better. Isolating a sick person is one of the best methods to contain a virus or bacteria from spreading. Thanks to the MCO coupled with good hygiene practices, the numbers of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases dropped by 44.6%, while Measles reduced by 58.3% followed by Chickenpox (44.4%) compared to the number of cases in 2019.

6. Ensure your child’s vaccination is up to date

Vaccination is the best proven immune booster.  Vaccinated children are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases like Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Influenza, and the list goes on. Please take this opportunity to go through their immunisation book or discuss with your child specialist regarding optional vaccines that may benefit your child before returning to school.

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Dr. JoAnn Rajah is a child specialist that provides paediatric care to baby and children in Selangor and KL. Her core strength lies in diagnosing early signs of child health issues and guiding parents on how to manage them. For more information visit
Dr JoAnn Child Specialist
 and at her
Facebook page
.

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Ramadan Fasting – How Young Should Your Child Start?

Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar and it is the holiest month in Islam. Muslims all over the world wait for this holy month for their chance to gain forgiveness from Allah, as Ramadan is a month where all sins are easily forgiven and atoned. As one of the pillars of Islam, Muslims are required to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset every day in Ramadan and yet fasting is not just the restraining oneself from eating or drinking; fasting in Ramadan also includes abstaining oneself from idle talk, listening to gossips and also sexual relations.

By restraining from worldly desires like greed, envy, hunger and lust, Muslims can come to terms in focusing on supplementing their spiritual self as fasting brings absolute humility and obedience.

One of The Islam Pillars – Parents Responsibility

muslim man breakfasting dinner with his daugther and family at home

Fasting can be challenging, even for adults. So this raises the question of whether it is necessary for children to fast during the holy month of Ramadan and if it is necessary, how young should a child start to fast?

Based on the Shari’ah law,
 parents should encourage their child to fast as young as 7 years of age
 provided the child is healthy and is of sound mind. If the child refuses to fast or has purposely skipped fasting by the age of 10, parents are allowed to strike the child with gentle yet firm strokes.

However, there are methods to introduce fasting to your child. It is also equally important to explain the rationale behind fasting so your child will be more compelled to do it rather than fasting out of fear.

When your child first starts to fast, it is not necessary for him or her to fast for the whole day (from sunrise to sunset). Allow your child to go on without food or drink for as long as they can and when they tell you that they are hungry or thirsty, you can let them break their fast. This is because children at this age still need a lot of nutrition and energy.

Credit: Freepik

So to force them to complete the whole day of fasting at such a young age can prove to be dangerous. Some parents allow their child to drink to keep them hydrated but skip on the food until it’s time to break fasting at sunset. Remember to always keep an eye on your child’s demeanour to make sure that he or she is not lethargic or appear sickly.

You can lengthen the time it takes for your child to break fasting when he or she fasts the next day. Since there are 30 days in Ramadan, your child can fast gradually. For instance, if he or she happens to break fast at only a quarter of the day, encourage them to try for half day the next day and the three-quarter of the day the next and so on.

You can also let your child fast for the period he or she can endure for several days. This is so that their stomach can acclimatize to not having anything to eat or drink. When they are more used to it, it is easier for them to fast for a longer period further down the road.

How Young Should Your Child Start To Fast?

Asking young children to fast is not a cruel act as once they have reached puberty, fasting will be obligatory for them. By learning to fast at a younger age, it will make the transition easier as the child will be used to fasting since they are small.

Fasting from the age of 7 is ideal in easing the idea of fasting to your children. Despite fasting in the month of Ramadan is required of every Muslim,
parents should never force their children to fast
. Instead, parents should explain to their children the importance and significance of fasting and why is it required for Muslims to fast.

Being too lenient is also discouraged because otherwise, the children will think of fasting as something trivial. Parents should be sensitive to their children’s condition during fasting month yet firm and assertive at the same time.

As parents, you should know your child best. So deciding the best time for your child to fast will be up to you, as long as it is in accordance with the Shari’ah law.

Fasting is not required of children who have yet to reach puberty but as Muslim parents, it is important to introduce the concept of fasting as soon as possible to your child so that he or she will grow up and understand the true purpose of fasting.

This article has been republished with permission from
Kiddy123
.

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
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.

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