Category: Nadya Raessa

If there’s anything I should really stop doing as a mom, it’s to never underestimate my kids, Nadya especially cos Raees is too young now, it’s hard to say. Lol.

At two yrs old, I was scared of letting go of her pacifier. She was really attached to it from young and she is the kind yang kalau her pacifier takde, she will call out for it. “chootchoot… Where are you.” hahahaha

So I was really nervous. First time I tried, it went badly cos I gave in cos tak sampai hati. Then one day I just tried again. I didn’t plan on anything. I just told myself, talk to her nicely.

The 1st night was hard cos I did a cold turkey on her. She went to sleep sucking on an imaginary pacifier, woke up twice to look for it again but fell asleep right after. The next morning, she went looking for it but I asked her if it’s okay she doesn’t use the pacifier anymore cos she’s a big girl and she was surprisingly calm. I was really surprised cos I was honestly expecting a meltdown. The 2nd night, she went to sleep without the pacifier with no fuss at all. And that was it. It went surprisingly easy. Each time she sees any kids with a pacifier on, she will look at me and say “Nadya big girl, cannot.”
Continue reading “Nadya the Big Girl” →

Never thought i’ll say this but Nadya is finally having separation anxiety! lol.
I wanna shout Yay cos i finally feel like she needs me but it’s also so painful for both of us.

I think she finally understands that School = No Mummy.
She was so so good during the 1st three sessions and then she refused to go to school and would cry & scream during drop offs.

The last 2 session, she cried for a full 15mins. I was hesitant to leave so i lingered (out of her sight) at the lobby area. But hearing her cries & screams was so hard for me, i left. I felt so bad leaving her because i don’t want her to think i don’t care about her but if i don’t, she’ll end up being like some of the kids in there. Refusing to let go of their mum / maid and they sit in the class from start to finish and that kinda defeats the purpose of me wanting to put her in an independent class?

The last session was slightly better though. She cried at drop off but her favourite teacher swooped in and calmed her down. Her teacher gave me updates & pictures to show me she’s ok already and i felt so much better after that and at least she didn’t cry when i picked her up.

I think it’s just a phase she’s going through and i’m hoping it’ll get better soon! Apart from that, i think she really enjoys the activities in school and it’s all fun packed cos she’ll go home singing a new song and all. It’s so adorable!

We’ve enrolled Nadya in a playgroup. At last!
I procrastinated a lot on this. I want her to have an allocated time in a week to play & mingle with peers around her age. I initially explored Childcare but feel like it’s redundant cos i’m home most of the time and honestly don’t feel like the childcare around our area fits our requirements.

I sent her to the The Garden House for few parent accompanied sessions and i really like the place, the teachers and their values aligned with mine. Lots of play (especially outdoor play), they emphasize a lot in letting kids explore anything they want with their senses and minimal interventions from adults. It would have been perfect but the program is parent accompanied and i prefer an independent class so that it’ll be easier to transition to Nursery etc.

The Garden House also offer half day playgroup which i was really keen in but they start from 8am – 12 noon and it’s a 30 – 40 mins bus ride from our place (It’s at Bt Timah area) and because i don’t drive, it’ll be a hassle. It’s too out of the way for Rusly to drive her to school also cos he starts work at 8.30, at Tuas. Logistically, it’s merepek lah. I wouldn’t mind if the class starts later (maybe 10am onwards) cos we’ll get to avoid the morning peak period also. They do offer transport service but it’ll be too costly on top of the $850 school fees for a twice weekly 4hrs session so we let go of the idea but would totally be open to continue sending her for the Sproutling sessions again soon!

Then we enquired the Startots Playgroup under our block. Logistically, it is the best option (and the cheapest at $175 for 5 days, 2hrs a week!) but i don’t really like the environment. They close all windows, no natural light and do mostly sitting down activities, which i know Nadya will hate, except for Art & Crafts. Nadya likes the teacher though but then again, she likes almost everyone. So yeah.

I also considered Julia Gabriel and i know Nadya would enjoy it cos there’s lots of singing & dancing. It’s 2 times weekly, 2 hours per session and it’s $600+ for 2 terms (10 weeks) which is within our budget but again, it’s parent-accompanied and they are only left with the 9.00am slots which is understandable cos the 11.00am & 2.00pm slot is the more popular timing. 11.00am would be perfect cos by the time class is over, it’ll be her naptime. So although it’s only a bus away from our house to Orchard, we’ll definitely be stucked during the morning peak period.

We then decided on My Gym again because timing was perfect. Twice weekly, from 10.45am – 12.45noon. By the time class ends, she’ll take her nap cos too tired from all the jumping around. Nadya used to attend the gym classes when she was younger and enjoyed it so going back to My Gym was not a tough decision to make especially cos it’s an independent class and the fees are the same as Julia Gabriel so it’s within our budget.

She loves the teachers & love love love the huge space and all the climbing structure in school. So although My Gym does not offer outdoor play, i’m really happy she gets to explore & climb on her own. It will definitely help with her confidence in the long run because i would hate it if she’s not allowed to climb & explore because it’s deemed “too dangerous”.

My Gym playgroup incorporates Free play & structured play. She obviously hates structured play but we’re slowly heading there because i also want her to be able to listen to instructions & participate in group play. Currently, her favourite is the free play & Arts & Craft and that is not surprising. Her teacher also noticed that she’ll participate in group play only if there’s singing involved. So ok lah. slowly she’ll learn to listen to instructions and sit down when told to. Right now she is all over the place. hahaha.

She’ll always carik chance to escape group play and run off on her own. It’s funny because for a little girl, she’s really fast so the teachers are always running after her. Lol. Tapi kesian pun ada. lol

For her 1st two lessons, i was allowed to sit in the class just in case she looks for me. But budak tu tak kisah pun! I feel so offended. Lol. During the 2nd session, i left the class after 30mins. It was hard for me to leave her with strangers to be honest. But i had to do it and i keep telling myself “It’s only for 2 hours!”

Nadya didn’t cry at all and i was so proud of her cos i totally underestimated her. She asked for me once but the teacher told her i’ll be back later and she said Ok! Lol

I couldn’t wait to pick her up that day and i was so scared she’ll cry. But alas.. she was so happy, she was laughing when she saw me waiting behind the curtain. It was too cute! ❤