The title of this post is part of an African proverb that says "It takes a village to raise a child". I think this is so true! I am very thankful for E's and my parents especially for their roles in caring and nurturing Han. Evan though I am a stay home mum, their roles are in no way diminished because of that. Many times, when E and I need their help, they will selflessly give of their time and effort to avail themselves to care for Han. I guess it's our parents' way of loving us, by loving our kids! Isn't this such a wonderful cycle of love?
I also appreciate that our parents give us the space to make decisions for our kids (even though at times I know they will fully beg to differ!). So it must have taken an amount of self control not to twist our arms towards what they think it's best. So I appreciate the space of learning.
A side thought: I think being a mother teaches me to appreciate my parents more. When I stepped into the shoes of motherhood close to 2 years ago, I have begun the journey of also understanding my parents' love for me deeper. What wonders parenthood bring and what precious lessons I have been taught!
For those of us who have the privilege of having our parents around to be grandparents to our kids, let's always remember to appreciate and love them:)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
All The Help That I Need
Urgh! Got bitten by the flu bug and ran a fever today. Han was kindly taken care of by E's parents. Thank God for them! Indeed, it takes a village to raise a child and it's such a blessing to have our parents caring for Han too. Shall write about this in another post!
Thought I'll share my thoughts on prayer today. Which brings me to the thought behind the post title "All The Help That I Need". Parents certainly need loads of help! I once read an advertisement celebrating mothers and one of the lines in that advert said that mothering is the toughest job in the world! Of course I'm not here to argue what job is the toughest in the world, but I do agree mothering is indeed a tough job and we mummies do need all the help that we need!
I think every parent would want to give our kids our best and THE best of what we can afford. Not just in terms of materials, but in other more important, sometimes intangible things like time, affection etc. I believe one of the most important, precious and priceless gifts we can give to our kids is our PRAYERS FOR them and WITH them.
By God's grace, I pray for Han every night when I put her to bed. I pray for
- her to have a great night's of rest
- for her heart and spirit to be tuned towards God and she comes to know God at a young and tender age
- for her to develop well in every area eg. spiritually, cognitively, socially, intellectually, physically
- for her to hate sin, to have the fear of God and to honor God
- to know God's love deeply
- to be a filial girl to E and I and to always honor her elders
- to have a good and godly spouse next time
- to be submissive to authority and to have a teachable heart
The list goes on as the Holy Spirit inspires me to pray. I would recommend Stormie Ormartian's The Power of a Praying Parent as a great read and guide on how to pray for our kids. Of course, the Bible should and is the most inspiring source of my prayers!
I thank God that I can ran to Him in prayer for every need that I have as a parent. I still remember those times when I was still breastfeeding Han. As every BF mummy can testify, the going does get tough at times and I am so thankful I can run to God in prayer. He is indeed All the help that I need.
Little Han has learned to pray too! Her simple prayer goes like this: Dear Jesus..pray..(name of person she's praying for eg daddy, mummy, por por, nai nai etc)...bless...amen! It's really never too early to encourage our little ones to go to God in prayer! But it starts with us :)
Have you committed all your cares to the Lord today? :)
Thought I'll share my thoughts on prayer today. Which brings me to the thought behind the post title "All The Help That I Need". Parents certainly need loads of help! I once read an advertisement celebrating mothers and one of the lines in that advert said that mothering is the toughest job in the world! Of course I'm not here to argue what job is the toughest in the world, but I do agree mothering is indeed a tough job and we mummies do need all the help that we need!
I think every parent would want to give our kids our best and THE best of what we can afford. Not just in terms of materials, but in other more important, sometimes intangible things like time, affection etc. I believe one of the most important, precious and priceless gifts we can give to our kids is our PRAYERS FOR them and WITH them.
By God's grace, I pray for Han every night when I put her to bed. I pray for
- her to have a great night's of rest
- for her heart and spirit to be tuned towards God and she comes to know God at a young and tender age
- for her to develop well in every area eg. spiritually, cognitively, socially, intellectually, physically
- for her to hate sin, to have the fear of God and to honor God
- to know God's love deeply
- to be a filial girl to E and I and to always honor her elders
- to have a good and godly spouse next time
- to be submissive to authority and to have a teachable heart
The list goes on as the Holy Spirit inspires me to pray. I would recommend Stormie Ormartian's The Power of a Praying Parent as a great read and guide on how to pray for our kids. Of course, the Bible should and is the most inspiring source of my prayers!
I thank God that I can ran to Him in prayer for every need that I have as a parent. I still remember those times when I was still breastfeeding Han. As every BF mummy can testify, the going does get tough at times and I am so thankful I can run to God in prayer. He is indeed All the help that I need.
Little Han has learned to pray too! Her simple prayer goes like this: Dear Jesus..pray..(name of person she's praying for eg daddy, mummy, por por, nai nai etc)...bless...amen! It's really never too early to encourage our little ones to go to God in prayer! But it starts with us :)
Have you committed all your cares to the Lord today? :)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It's Time!
It's been some time since I contemplate starting this blog! I never get down to doing it! Honestly I would much prefer to do the good old fashion journal writing. But I do have a heart's desire that one day, my blog will be a blessing to those who read it, as I record what God is bringing me through in this unique journey of parenting.
For the record, I do not pride myself as a seasoned mummy at all! I have a lovable 23mth old (coming to 24mths very soon!) toddler girl. She is the precious gift to my hubby, E, and I. I shall use Han to describe her in this blog. :)
I am a stay at home mummy. Blessed! I used to be an educator (that would give you some idea on why I am very passionate about education :)). Our family made a decision for me to stay home just a few months back. When Han was born, I applied for 6 months of no-pay leave after my maternity leave ended. Then I actually went back to work for 6 months. But I really could not stand being away from Han and I really want to see her grow and nurture her as a full time thing, thus the decision for me to stay home.
It's not an easy decision as our family has to make adjustments to our lifestyle as we are now a single income family. It's a journey of trusting God continuously for His provision in everything! And God is always good. We always have enough to eat, drink and wear and our account has never run dry. We are going through the reality of these verses:
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34
God is teaching our family to trust in Him. And yes, NOTHING beats seeing Han grow up everyday as I stay home with her. And I thank the Lord for the support from my dear hubby.
Lord, teach me to bring Han up in the ways of You!
Ok, shall update again! Han is resting after a day of fever and mummy here is nursing a flu too. Lord heal us! Amen:)
God bless you to continue to trust in Him as you parent!
For the record, I do not pride myself as a seasoned mummy at all! I have a lovable 23mth old (coming to 24mths very soon!) toddler girl. She is the precious gift to my hubby, E, and I. I shall use Han to describe her in this blog. :)
I am a stay at home mummy. Blessed! I used to be an educator (that would give you some idea on why I am very passionate about education :)). Our family made a decision for me to stay home just a few months back. When Han was born, I applied for 6 months of no-pay leave after my maternity leave ended. Then I actually went back to work for 6 months. But I really could not stand being away from Han and I really want to see her grow and nurture her as a full time thing, thus the decision for me to stay home.
It's not an easy decision as our family has to make adjustments to our lifestyle as we are now a single income family. It's a journey of trusting God continuously for His provision in everything! And God is always good. We always have enough to eat, drink and wear and our account has never run dry. We are going through the reality of these verses:
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34
God is teaching our family to trust in Him. And yes, NOTHING beats seeing Han grow up everyday as I stay home with her. And I thank the Lord for the support from my dear hubby.
Lord, teach me to bring Han up in the ways of You!
Ok, shall update again! Han is resting after a day of fever and mummy here is nursing a flu too. Lord heal us! Amen:)
God bless you to continue to trust in Him as you parent!
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