Every time I get an email requiring me to go overseas for a business trip, I get pangs of panic and feelings of impending doom. I suppose it is the upcoming separation with little cute munchkins that drive me that way or alternatively it could be apprehension at leaving the cute munchkins at the hands of the default babysitter (ie my dear husband),whose babysitting capabilities can be considered to be slightly suspect at times. Granted, DH is generally capable compared to the chauvanistic men of yesteryears, but he is not quite Super Dad either.
The other main concern I have with business trips is the adverse effects it may have on breastfeeding, as I am not one with bountiful supply of milk, and pumping, I suspect, extracts, way less milk than feeding the baby directly. Although I managed to breastfeed MG for more than a year (exclusive BF for the first year, and supplemented in the second), it was achieved through a lot of effort, sweat, and sleep deprivation.
Well the good news is that, with some planning and preparation, average breast feeder performers like me, can still go on business trips, and still not lose it too significantly after the trip! FYI - I am a Medela Freestyle user and I also have a Avent manual pump as a backup.
Short Trips (4-6 days, with about 6 hours flight time)
Preparations
1. Get a cooler eg. Coleman. Hard case is better any day than a soft lined cooler. A hard case is better than styrofoam boxes, but the latter is OK for short trips. It is handy to also have a smaller cooler to carry expressed milk and pump parts for the day. I find that the Medela cooler bag is too small to carry pump parts and milk, so I purchased a bigger one. Putting the pump parts in a cooler bag eliminates the need to wash pump parts every pumping session, durign the day.
2. Ice packs. Daiso has cheap ice packs (RM5 each) but it doesn't stay frozen for 12 hours. Try to get better ice packs for longer journeys eg. the Medela brick lasts 12 hours, and so does Techni-ice. For long haul flights, dry ice is MUCH better.
3. Prepare sufficient breastmilk storage bags. Bags are better as they take up less space, but can "explode" or leak.
4. Email the hotel to ensure that they are willing to store breastmilk in their freezer as most hotel room only have a bar fridge. I have experienced some hotels, one of which is Holiday Inn, that does not accept milk due to "hygiene" reasons! If you can't use the hotel freezer, consider using the freezer at the office at the country you are in, and are visiting.
5. Bring a stainless steel container so that you can fill it up with hot water and sterilise pump parts, bottles, etc. Alternatively purchase sterilising tablets.
6. Pack a small bottle of bottle cleaner and a small bottle brush.
Pumping on the Plane
1. Bring along a small cooler bag/ box, with pump parts and spare bottles and bags as your handcarry.
2. Bring along 1 or 2 ice packs (freeze this before flying so that it will not be confiscated). You might need this to keep your cooler bag cool in case the flight attendant refuses to store the milk in their fridge. (It has happened to me once before in our beloved national airline).
3. Bring a nursing cover (or the airplane blanket also will do).
4. You've got 2 options of pumping venues, i.e. the toilet or your seat. I don't like the idea of pumping in the toilet, but sardine class seats are so close together!! If you are pumping at the seat, do it when the cabin lights are switched off. For those who own the Medela Freestyle, you will be pleased to note that the sound of the pump (which is likened to a groaning cow) will be drowned out by the aeroplane noise.
5. After pumping handover the cooler bag to the flight attendant for storage in the fridge.
6. Collect the cooler bag 30 minutes before arriving at the destination.
Pumping during the Work Day
1. Try to pick a time which is convenient and doesn't get the colleagues wondering about your mysterious disapearance - I usually pump before breakfast, just before lunch or dinner or have a quick lunch/ dinner and pump before the next session.
2. Store everything in your little cooler bag and sufficient ice packs during the day.
3. At the end of the day, pass the collected milk to the hotel to be stored in their freezer or fridge. Wash and sterilise the pump parts at night.
The Risk Free Way
I know a lot of mummies out there freeze their milk and bring that home, but personally I think that chilled milk is a lot easier to transport home, compared to frozen milk, which if thawed, needs to be consumed within 24 hours. If I go on a 4-5 day trip, I would just keep the milk chilled and there would be almost no issues (and no heart attacks if the flight was delayed etc and the ice packs and frozen milk thawed). Of course, if the business trip is more than 4-5 days, then freezing the milk is the only option (as milk should only be chilled for 4-5 days).
It's a great feeling to bring the liquid gold back home to the little one, and to know that although you can't be there for those few days, your little one will still have the best food supply during that time.
Monday 25 November 2013
Thursday 26 September 2013
Kindy Search #3
I had nearly decided to enrol MG into Tadika Pintar Ria, when suddenly I remembered an old school friend, a very resourceful and thorough SAHM (lets call her “Super Mum”) who knows just about everything relating to kids, schools and the like. (I’m sure we all have at least one friend like that and who is everything that we are not!). Being Super Mum, she, of course, managed to get her kids into Kings’ Kids Early Years, and I must say, through lots of persistence and lobbying (all legal, don't you worry)!
I,on the other hand, am one of lesser faith and was starting to get worn down but my efforts to search for the right kindy. So, I decided to give her a call and get her views on the other places that I should check out before MG becomes kindy-less.
Super Mum then suggested a few places, one of which included, Taska Precious Steps in Taman Tun. She had heard good things about it, from her fount of knowledge garnered over the last 2 years, and asked me to check it out. I also then remembered that another friend who lived around the area had mentioned before that she sent her daughter to a playschool nearby and it dawned on me, that her daughter could be in Precious Steps too.
Inquiries then confirmed that her daughter did attend that kind and her mum's comments were that: "the teachers were good and caring (GREAT!) although their “command of English could be better” (Gulp!). It was also run by a Christian principal, Ms Kitty who aspires to run the kindy with Christian values.
I dropped by after work as the centre had daycare facilities and was still open then.
My first impressions:
TPS is housed in a corner 1.5 storey house in Taman Tun. The space in the house is pretty much maximized by classrooms and I had a look at the classrooms for 4 year olds. There is not a lot of space, and seems a bit crowded, but the plus side is that there would not be too many kids in the classroom. Teacher to student ratio is 16(or so):1 teacher plus an assistant, which was a PLUS point.
Facilities wise, I saw a good range of toys and montessori apparatus in the kindy but they were certainly not as high tech or spanking new as the ones that I saw at Pintar Ria. Pintar Ria had computer labs and a smartboard (which is like a big IPad)but that's OK for me as I am anti-iPAD and MG watches enough TV at the nanny’s).
There is a garden outside, with slides, cubby houses for physical education sessions.It's smallish but in my view, great if one is overseeing a bunch of hyperactive kids running around.
Ms. Kitty, the principal, seemed to be very friendly and passionate about her center. When asked about the method employed by kindy, she said it was similar to International school syllabus and it was not very academic based (Good!). They also offer Mandarin as part of their syllabus and mentioned that the syllabus would not leave students unprepared for Chinese Schools. I am not really sure how this works (as typically “international" school/ kindy syllabus don’t prepare adequately students for local schools).
Security is good - the kindy is pretty serious about this - they implement a system whereby the persons picking up the kids have to have an authorisation card. In my visits there, never have I seen the gate left opened for no reason.
Fees wise - they are more slightly expensive than Pintar Ria, Tadika Diyana and KKEY but less expensive compared to Summer Academy and Tadika Peter and Jane.
To summarise:
TPS is a good, small neighbourhood non academic kindy, with good and caring teachers. Good teacher : student ratios. MG's current class of 17(or so) kids has 2 teachers! It does not have the most sophisticated of equipment, apparatus and facilities but in my view, the human factor is more important. Even if my friend's comment about English not being up to mark was correct, I can overlook this as it is more important for me is for MG to come back home safe and happy everyday. There are many years to come for her to acquire knowledge! Also, in the 2 terms of so that MG has been at Precious Steps in 2013, I did not notice any English language deficiencies in her teachers..
Update: TPS is expanding - they have bought new premises also in TTDI and may split classes after the 2 centres start running. This should take place in 2014.
ps. Obviously I'd have more info on Taska Precious Steps since I have sent MG there. I'm too lazy to document all of it down but please feel free to PM me if you need some unbiased views/ information!
Taska Precious Steps
No. 33, Lorong Abang Haji Openg 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 60000, Malaysia +60 3-7727 8033
I,on the other hand, am one of lesser faith and was starting to get worn down but my efforts to search for the right kindy. So, I decided to give her a call and get her views on the other places that I should check out before MG becomes kindy-less.
Super Mum then suggested a few places, one of which included, Taska Precious Steps in Taman Tun. She had heard good things about it, from her fount of knowledge garnered over the last 2 years, and asked me to check it out. I also then remembered that another friend who lived around the area had mentioned before that she sent her daughter to a playschool nearby and it dawned on me, that her daughter could be in Precious Steps too.
Inquiries then confirmed that her daughter did attend that kind and her mum's comments were that: "the teachers were good and caring (GREAT!) although their “command of English could be better” (Gulp!). It was also run by a Christian principal, Ms Kitty who aspires to run the kindy with Christian values.
I dropped by after work as the centre had daycare facilities and was still open then.
My first impressions:
TPS is housed in a corner 1.5 storey house in Taman Tun. The space in the house is pretty much maximized by classrooms and I had a look at the classrooms for 4 year olds. There is not a lot of space, and seems a bit crowded, but the plus side is that there would not be too many kids in the classroom. Teacher to student ratio is 16(or so):1 teacher plus an assistant, which was a PLUS point.
Facilities wise, I saw a good range of toys and montessori apparatus in the kindy but they were certainly not as high tech or spanking new as the ones that I saw at Pintar Ria. Pintar Ria had computer labs and a smartboard (which is like a big IPad)but that's OK for me as I am anti-iPAD and MG watches enough TV at the nanny’s).
There is a garden outside, with slides, cubby houses for physical education sessions.It's smallish but in my view, great if one is overseeing a bunch of hyperactive kids running around.
Ms. Kitty, the principal, seemed to be very friendly and passionate about her center. When asked about the method employed by kindy, she said it was similar to International school syllabus and it was not very academic based (Good!). They also offer Mandarin as part of their syllabus and mentioned that the syllabus would not leave students unprepared for Chinese Schools. I am not really sure how this works (as typically “international" school/ kindy syllabus don’t prepare adequately students for local schools).
Security is good - the kindy is pretty serious about this - they implement a system whereby the persons picking up the kids have to have an authorisation card. In my visits there, never have I seen the gate left opened for no reason.
Fees wise - they are more slightly expensive than Pintar Ria, Tadika Diyana and KKEY but less expensive compared to Summer Academy and Tadika Peter and Jane.
To summarise:
TPS is a good, small neighbourhood non academic kindy, with good and caring teachers. Good teacher : student ratios. MG's current class of 17(or so) kids has 2 teachers! It does not have the most sophisticated of equipment, apparatus and facilities but in my view, the human factor is more important. Even if my friend's comment about English not being up to mark was correct, I can overlook this as it is more important for me is for MG to come back home safe and happy everyday. There are many years to come for her to acquire knowledge! Also, in the 2 terms of so that MG has been at Precious Steps in 2013, I did not notice any English language deficiencies in her teachers..
Update: TPS is expanding - they have bought new premises also in TTDI and may split classes after the 2 centres start running. This should take place in 2014.
ps. Obviously I'd have more info on Taska Precious Steps since I have sent MG there. I'm too lazy to document all of it down but please feel free to PM me if you need some unbiased views/ information!
Taska Precious Steps
No. 33, Lorong Abang Haji Openg 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 60000, Malaysia +60 3-7727 8033
Sunday 8 September 2013
How to handle a Car Accident in Malaysia
My first car accident happened on Day Two of my driving lesson. Yup, second lesson and the second time I had ever driven in my life. I was 18 years old, and my overzealous instructor decided to make me drive and make a turn at a busy junction 5 minutes from my house. The last thing I remembered before proceeding to turn right was a white Volvo veering towards me at breakneck speed, and then, its attempts to brake, and me frantically trying to press on the pedal to avoid the Volvo. Suffice to say, I did not get out of the way in time, the side window was smashed into smithereens and the next thing I remembered was me checking my face in the rear view mirror to ensure my face was intact. So, thankfully, it wwas and miraculously I was ok except for a few scratches on my hand (and so was Mr Overzealous Instructor). Of course, Mr Overzealous Instructor fired me (or was it the other way around) and I proceeded to get another instructor and had less eventful lessons. Insurance took care of the damages from the accident and apart from some mental trauma, there were no other consequences.
After that incident, I also had a number of minor accidents (eg. me driving into a car which was double parking, me driving into the house gate (err.. bad estimation of space).. but I wouldn't say that they were anything out of the ordinary for a typical learner driver. Where I was at fault, I remember getting an earful from my father who had to underwrite the losses and claims from persons who suffered at the hands of my less than perfect driving.. That was the extent of my pain and suffering from the car accidents that I had been involved in as a youth.
After embracing adulthood, the ball game changes altogether. The pain from car accidents just gets worse for an adult... A young person has the option to hide behind adults, and let them handle the real world stuff. A adult, unfortunately has to deal with all of it.
Recently, this lady (whom I shall not describe with any adjectives, lest the floodgates of unpleasantries be opened) knocked my car from behind at a junction and caused substantial damage to the rear part of the car. Thankfully, no kids were in the car - MG was already despatched to kindy and baby SE at the nanny's. So, I am writing this real world guide on how to handle car accidents in Klang Valley, with the hope that it may be of assistance to "adult accident newbies".
At the accident scene:
1. Take the number plate of other parties involved (in case they hit and run, you can do a search at JPJ to ascertain their identity)
2. If the parties are civil and do actually come down to talk to you (without yielding a parang/ cricket bat and hurling it in your direction), exchange numbers and get their insurance company.
3. Take photos of the damaged vehicles
4. Discuss whether you want to report the accident or settle without reporting. Note that you have 24 hours to report the accident. I would recommend that if the party in the wrong does not pay you the agreed sum within 24 hours, go and make the report, regardless of whether the other party agreed or otherwise. I have heard that some people promise to pay, but don't eventually pay, and the party suffering the loss has no recourse to the person at fault as the police report was not made within the time frame.
The reporting
In Klang Valley, you have to go to the police station in Petaling Street (for accidents in KL) and State PJ (for accidents in Selangor).
Whilst it is possible to make a report at any police station, there is really no point in doing so. I tried going to the nearest police station to make a report, and was told that I would have to go to Petaling Street anyways, right after I make a report there. It seemed like a complete waste of time, so just go directly to Petaling Street.
Make a police report
1. At the Jalan Bandar police station, take a number at the ground floor to make a report. :
2. While waiting for your turn, look up the extensive map on the well to get the proper road names for the report.Get ready your driving license and IC.:
3. When your turn comes, recount the incident to the policeman who will be typing in the report. :
4. He will thereafter assign your case to an investigation officer and direct you to meet the investigating officer. :
5. Meet the investigation officer who will look at your case and come up with the findings as to who was at fault (so try not to annoy him or get him on your side).:
6. The investigating officer will direct you to the next section where you should get a photo taken of the damaged car.:
7. Go back to the counter of the ground floor of the police station and apply for a copy of the report. :
8. The issuance of the report is likely to take 1-2 weeks (it can be instant if you are really fortunate). Findings (which you need for your insurance claim) will also be issued in 2 weeks. You will be given a phone number to call to check if the findings are ready at the appointed time :
9. You will need to pay nominal fees for the above. :
Claiming from the insurance company
In my case, the lady who knocked into me was legally at fault and as such I could claim from my insurance company (without having to forgo my No Claim Bonus). For my claim, I had to get the following ready
1. Police report:
2. Completed & signed claim form :
3. Copy of insured’s & driver’s NRIC :
4. Copy of insured’s & driver’s License :
5. Copy of RIMV Registration card:
6. Copy of policy insurance :
7. Scene of accident photographs :
8. Police report lodged by third party :
9. Copy of police finding on the accident :
10. Copy of the police sketch plan :
11. Copy of RIMV search on the particulars of the third party insurer who was at fault.
If you are sending the car to the insurer's panel workshop, pass the copy of the above documents to ths workshop. The painful wait then begins for the work on the car to start and complete..:
Contrary to what I have heard, my experience of dealing with the police was quite pleasant, and I found them pretty efficient. I know it's an adjective not commonly used to describe the Malaysian police, but I must say that the traffic police division definitely exceeded expectations. Fair, quick and most importantly bribe-free. No attempts whatsoever to solicit bribes at any point. Hopefully this will be a more characteristic of authorities in Malaysia moving forward :)!
After that incident, I also had a number of minor accidents (eg. me driving into a car which was double parking, me driving into the house gate (err.. bad estimation of space).. but I wouldn't say that they were anything out of the ordinary for a typical learner driver. Where I was at fault, I remember getting an earful from my father who had to underwrite the losses and claims from persons who suffered at the hands of my less than perfect driving.. That was the extent of my pain and suffering from the car accidents that I had been involved in as a youth.
After embracing adulthood, the ball game changes altogether. The pain from car accidents just gets worse for an adult... A young person has the option to hide behind adults, and let them handle the real world stuff. A adult, unfortunately has to deal with all of it.
Recently, this lady (whom I shall not describe with any adjectives, lest the floodgates of unpleasantries be opened) knocked my car from behind at a junction and caused substantial damage to the rear part of the car. Thankfully, no kids were in the car - MG was already despatched to kindy and baby SE at the nanny's. So, I am writing this real world guide on how to handle car accidents in Klang Valley, with the hope that it may be of assistance to "adult accident newbies".
At the accident scene:
1. Take the number plate of other parties involved (in case they hit and run, you can do a search at JPJ to ascertain their identity)
2. If the parties are civil and do actually come down to talk to you (without yielding a parang/ cricket bat and hurling it in your direction), exchange numbers and get their insurance company.
3. Take photos of the damaged vehicles
4. Discuss whether you want to report the accident or settle without reporting. Note that you have 24 hours to report the accident. I would recommend that if the party in the wrong does not pay you the agreed sum within 24 hours, go and make the report, regardless of whether the other party agreed or otherwise. I have heard that some people promise to pay, but don't eventually pay, and the party suffering the loss has no recourse to the person at fault as the police report was not made within the time frame.
The reporting
In Klang Valley, you have to go to the police station in Petaling Street (for accidents in KL) and State PJ (for accidents in Selangor).
Whilst it is possible to make a report at any police station, there is really no point in doing so. I tried going to the nearest police station to make a report, and was told that I would have to go to Petaling Street anyways, right after I make a report there. It seemed like a complete waste of time, so just go directly to Petaling Street.
Make a police report
1. At the Jalan Bandar police station, take a number at the ground floor to make a report. :
2. While waiting for your turn, look up the extensive map on the well to get the proper road names for the report.Get ready your driving license and IC.:
3. When your turn comes, recount the incident to the policeman who will be typing in the report. :
4. He will thereafter assign your case to an investigation officer and direct you to meet the investigating officer. :
5. Meet the investigation officer who will look at your case and come up with the findings as to who was at fault (so try not to annoy him or get him on your side).:
6. The investigating officer will direct you to the next section where you should get a photo taken of the damaged car.:
7. Go back to the counter of the ground floor of the police station and apply for a copy of the report. :
8. The issuance of the report is likely to take 1-2 weeks (it can be instant if you are really fortunate). Findings (which you need for your insurance claim) will also be issued in 2 weeks. You will be given a phone number to call to check if the findings are ready at the appointed time :
9. You will need to pay nominal fees for the above. :
Claiming from the insurance company
In my case, the lady who knocked into me was legally at fault and as such I could claim from my insurance company (without having to forgo my No Claim Bonus). For my claim, I had to get the following ready
1. Police report:
2. Completed & signed claim form :
3. Copy of insured’s & driver’s NRIC :
4. Copy of insured’s & driver’s License :
5. Copy of RIMV Registration card:
6. Copy of policy insurance :
7. Scene of accident photographs :
8. Police report lodged by third party :
9. Copy of police finding on the accident :
10. Copy of the police sketch plan :
11. Copy of RIMV search on the particulars of the third party insurer who was at fault.
If you are sending the car to the insurer's panel workshop, pass the copy of the above documents to ths workshop. The painful wait then begins for the work on the car to start and complete..:
Contrary to what I have heard, my experience of dealing with the police was quite pleasant, and I found them pretty efficient. I know it's an adjective not commonly used to describe the Malaysian police, but I must say that the traffic police division definitely exceeded expectations. Fair, quick and most importantly bribe-free. No attempts whatsoever to solicit bribes at any point. Hopefully this will be a more characteristic of authorities in Malaysia moving forward :)!
Monday 5 August 2013
Kindy Search #2
King's Kids Early Years (KKEY) in SS2 is the second kindy which I went to check out. KKEY wins hands down as the most preferred kindy of choice for Christian (and some non Christian) parents in Petaling Jaya and beyond! Unfortunately this also means that KKEY has a very long waiting list, where waiting, most of the time, will get your child nowhere..
Also, I have heard that there aren't exactly crystal clear criterias for admission. For eg. there are some factors that may propel your child to the top of the queue, for instance, if the child has a sibling/ relative in the kindy, if the child is from a non-christian family etc. I suppose these criterias are fair enough as the kindy has community service goals..Still, I know some people would have appreciated more certainty with regards to admission!
Some background on KKEY
KKEY is an early years education centre, founded by a church, i.e. SS Gospel Centre. It is operated as a community service and is a non profit making centre. I have heard only GOOD things about KKEY from parents who are fortunate enough to send their kids there - i.e. good, passionate and dedicated teachers, well rounded education, and good place which imparts Christian teaching and good habits. Unfortunately in Malaysia, kindy teachers are not put on the path to (material) prosperity by their jobs and as such, it’s not easy to find good and dedicated teachers because it literally means that those in the profession are those who really love kids (despite the lack of moolah) or cannot find a better job elsewhere.. The only negative thing I have heard so far about KKEY is their endless waiting list and frustration from parents who have tried beg, borrow or steal their way into the kindy but still failed.
My visit to KKEY
I was one of the hopeful parents who tried to enrol MG for the 4 year old class (K2).I visited the centre based in a few shoplots in SS2 during a school day and was taken for a tour by the principal, Ms Phang (whom I understand is now on another (bigger) assignment).
KKEY adopts the Developmental approach, which incorporates Montessori, Thematic training, Senses stimulation, Action learning and Left-Right brain development. Classes had a good teacher to student ratio (1: maximum of 18/19 students), and the centre was clean and well organised. The Principal was very well spoken, very professional, clearly passionate and interested in her role. What I was most impressed with was that during the first part of a class session, the teacher would go through with each individual child a learning which was compatible with the child (i.e. more advanced learners get to work on a more advanced worksheet, average ones get a different one). The Principal also explained that at a younger age, the children would be placed in a open concept classroom, but as they progress towards primary school, the setting would accordingly become more classroom like, i.e. 6 year olds (K4 kids) sit in their individual desks and chairs, to prepare them for the classroom environment. Fees are very reasonable, at RM450 per month, with minimal add-ons, unlike a lot of other kindys which have extra charge for art materials etc. The slight downside is that there is no daycare (not that I needed it) and the sessions start at 9 am to 12 noon – that I thought was pretty unfriendly to working parents who had to be at work by 9am unless they had the benefit of flexi hours. (And KKEY does not encourage parents to drop off their kids too early!)
Summary
I thought that everything at KKEY was very structured in a purposeful manner and came out of the kindy, very impressed. But note, if you have not read my earlier post, my preference is for a non-academic kindy for MG.. And KKEY is one. Don't expect too much drilling and homework.
To make a long story short, MG did not get a place in KKEY. I was disappointed but had somewhat anticipated it! I hope one day that I would be able to break the (admissions) code (which remains a mystery to me) and will be able to enroll my younger kiddo, SE in KKEY when his turn comes.. Only God knows whether that will eventually happen :) Optimists may try to enrol by contacting the below:) King's Kids Early Years Unit 18, SS2/103 47300 PJ Tel: 03-77280509
NOTE (2014): KKEY has expanded!!! Pessimists have some hope now!! KKEY has set up another kindy called "STAR KIDS" or Tadika Bukit Bintang in Section 8 Petaling Jaya wich stated operations this year (2014). It is run by Ms Pang, the former principal of KKEY. Being a KKEY offshoot, I'd expect that it cannot be any worse than KKEY, in fact, in terms of location and facilities, Star Kids could be a lot better, as it has a lot more space. I haven't gone to see this place, and if MG had not already been so settled in Precious Steps, I would definitely have sent MG here. Check it out -
Email: bbkids2014@gmail.com
Tel: 603-74516710
Fax: 603-74516723
Contact Ms Chua (0166280028) (Pre school administrator) or Mrs Phang (016 3841084)
Also, I have heard that there aren't exactly crystal clear criterias for admission. For eg. there are some factors that may propel your child to the top of the queue, for instance, if the child has a sibling/ relative in the kindy, if the child is from a non-christian family etc. I suppose these criterias are fair enough as the kindy has community service goals..Still, I know some people would have appreciated more certainty with regards to admission!
Some background on KKEY
KKEY is an early years education centre, founded by a church, i.e. SS Gospel Centre. It is operated as a community service and is a non profit making centre. I have heard only GOOD things about KKEY from parents who are fortunate enough to send their kids there - i.e. good, passionate and dedicated teachers, well rounded education, and good place which imparts Christian teaching and good habits. Unfortunately in Malaysia, kindy teachers are not put on the path to (material) prosperity by their jobs and as such, it’s not easy to find good and dedicated teachers because it literally means that those in the profession are those who really love kids (despite the lack of moolah) or cannot find a better job elsewhere.. The only negative thing I have heard so far about KKEY is their endless waiting list and frustration from parents who have tried beg, borrow or steal their way into the kindy but still failed.
My visit to KKEY
I was one of the hopeful parents who tried to enrol MG for the 4 year old class (K2).I visited the centre based in a few shoplots in SS2 during a school day and was taken for a tour by the principal, Ms Phang (whom I understand is now on another (bigger) assignment).
KKEY adopts the Developmental approach, which incorporates Montessori, Thematic training, Senses stimulation, Action learning and Left-Right brain development. Classes had a good teacher to student ratio (1: maximum of 18/19 students), and the centre was clean and well organised. The Principal was very well spoken, very professional, clearly passionate and interested in her role. What I was most impressed with was that during the first part of a class session, the teacher would go through with each individual child a learning which was compatible with the child (i.e. more advanced learners get to work on a more advanced worksheet, average ones get a different one). The Principal also explained that at a younger age, the children would be placed in a open concept classroom, but as they progress towards primary school, the setting would accordingly become more classroom like, i.e. 6 year olds (K4 kids) sit in their individual desks and chairs, to prepare them for the classroom environment. Fees are very reasonable, at RM450 per month, with minimal add-ons, unlike a lot of other kindys which have extra charge for art materials etc. The slight downside is that there is no daycare (not that I needed it) and the sessions start at 9 am to 12 noon – that I thought was pretty unfriendly to working parents who had to be at work by 9am unless they had the benefit of flexi hours. (And KKEY does not encourage parents to drop off their kids too early!)
Summary
I thought that everything at KKEY was very structured in a purposeful manner and came out of the kindy, very impressed. But note, if you have not read my earlier post, my preference is for a non-academic kindy for MG.. And KKEY is one. Don't expect too much drilling and homework.
To make a long story short, MG did not get a place in KKEY. I was disappointed but had somewhat anticipated it! I hope one day that I would be able to break the (admissions) code (which remains a mystery to me) and will be able to enroll my younger kiddo, SE in KKEY when his turn comes.. Only God knows whether that will eventually happen :) Optimists may try to enrol by contacting the below:) King's Kids Early Years Unit 18, SS2/103 47300 PJ Tel: 03-77280509
NOTE (2014): KKEY has expanded!!! Pessimists have some hope now!! KKEY has set up another kindy called "STAR KIDS" or Tadika Bukit Bintang in Section 8 Petaling Jaya wich stated operations this year (2014). It is run by Ms Pang, the former principal of KKEY. Being a KKEY offshoot, I'd expect that it cannot be any worse than KKEY, in fact, in terms of location and facilities, Star Kids could be a lot better, as it has a lot more space. I haven't gone to see this place, and if MG had not already been so settled in Precious Steps, I would definitely have sent MG here. Check it out -
Email: bbkids2014@gmail.com
Tel: 603-74516710
Fax: 603-74516723
Contact Ms Chua (0166280028) (Pre school administrator) or Mrs Phang (016 3841084)
Monday 22 July 2013
Kindy search #1
The great Kindy Search for MG who was turning 4 in 2013 began with my first visit to Taska Pintar Ria in Mutiara Damansara. It uses the Fungates system.
During a kindy survey, a typical mumzilla would look out for the following:
1.Environment - Cleanliness, Safety and security, Facilities
2. Teacher- student ratio
3. Fees
4. System
There are actually 2 centres - one is a corner terrace house in Mutiara Damansara and the other is in shoplots nearby. I mistakenly went to the terrace house (it is the more visible of the 2 as it is visible from the main road, just outside the Curve) but found out that it is for smaller kids. The doors were locked, and I had to answer a few questions before being allowed into the kindy (good!). My visit was in the mid morning on a school day (When spying on kindies, it's better to drop by on a school day rather than an open day- although it may be irritating to the teachers, but at least you get to see the real proceedings in action).
I saw some classes in progress- as the classes for smaller kids (2-3 year olds) and noted there was a good ratio of teacher/ assistants to students. The principal also told me that different kids were grouped according to their abilities to understand instructions. As far as cleanliness - it was definitely clean, no issues there. There were safety gates at the stairs. Assistants were also local Malaysian, not foreign helpers. And not overly young (I have no prejudice against youth, but I do value experience that comes with age :) I also liked the fact that the kindy was in a house and had a playground in the garden.
The centre for 4 year olds and above were at the shoplot. I visited this centre on another occasion, ie on their open day on Saturday as I decided to bring MG along to have a look around. The classes occupy at least 2 shoplots on the first floor, and is pretty big. In terms of equipment, montessori apparatus, this kindy is definitely quite "high tech" as it has a science and computer lab, smart boards (they look like big Ipads!), kitchen and lots of montessori apparatus. It was clean, but then again it's Open Day, it has to be clean! I spoke to a teacher who seemed well spoken and quite passionate about kids. However, the downside for me is that their teacher to student ratio is quite large - max of 28 kids to 1 teacher and 1 assistant (in the first term) and eventually it would be down to 1 teacher iin the later terms when the kids are more settled.
Fees was also reasonable - the monthly fees is comparatively low, but is bumped up by the various charges for the labs etc (fair enough). Not as expensive as Peter and Jane, and Summer Academy.
As for other persons' experiences were concerned, I knew 1 other person whose daughter is there (for daycare too) and a colleague's cousin sent her kids there. Overall, the reviews from them were quite good.
I was on the verge of putting down the money for this kindy. However my main reservation was whether my very active MG who is unable to sit still for short periods of time would be able to focus in such a big class. Also I wasn't sure about Fungates. It is a great concept on paper, I like it but I have heard that it can be quite academic. (if you read my first post, I'm from the school of thought that kids must have fun!! although I know I may regret this later when primary school is upon us!) On the plus side, I have heard that the mandarin lessons are good and kids transition to chinese school easily.
Tadika Pintar Ria, No 1 Jalan PJU 7/11B, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya and Pusat Latihan Perkembangan Pintar Ria, No 21, Jalan PJU7/16A, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
Call03-7710 0240 or 03-7722 2710 for enquiries.
During a kindy survey, a typical mumzilla would look out for the following:
1.Environment - Cleanliness, Safety and security, Facilities
2. Teacher- student ratio
3. Fees
4. System
There are actually 2 centres - one is a corner terrace house in Mutiara Damansara and the other is in shoplots nearby. I mistakenly went to the terrace house (it is the more visible of the 2 as it is visible from the main road, just outside the Curve) but found out that it is for smaller kids. The doors were locked, and I had to answer a few questions before being allowed into the kindy (good!). My visit was in the mid morning on a school day (When spying on kindies, it's better to drop by on a school day rather than an open day- although it may be irritating to the teachers, but at least you get to see the real proceedings in action).
I saw some classes in progress- as the classes for smaller kids (2-3 year olds) and noted there was a good ratio of teacher/ assistants to students. The principal also told me that different kids were grouped according to their abilities to understand instructions. As far as cleanliness - it was definitely clean, no issues there. There were safety gates at the stairs. Assistants were also local Malaysian, not foreign helpers. And not overly young (I have no prejudice against youth, but I do value experience that comes with age :) I also liked the fact that the kindy was in a house and had a playground in the garden.
The centre for 4 year olds and above were at the shoplot. I visited this centre on another occasion, ie on their open day on Saturday as I decided to bring MG along to have a look around. The classes occupy at least 2 shoplots on the first floor, and is pretty big. In terms of equipment, montessori apparatus, this kindy is definitely quite "high tech" as it has a science and computer lab, smart boards (they look like big Ipads!), kitchen and lots of montessori apparatus. It was clean, but then again it's Open Day, it has to be clean! I spoke to a teacher who seemed well spoken and quite passionate about kids. However, the downside for me is that their teacher to student ratio is quite large - max of 28 kids to 1 teacher and 1 assistant (in the first term) and eventually it would be down to 1 teacher iin the later terms when the kids are more settled.
Fees was also reasonable - the monthly fees is comparatively low, but is bumped up by the various charges for the labs etc (fair enough). Not as expensive as Peter and Jane, and Summer Academy.
As for other persons' experiences were concerned, I knew 1 other person whose daughter is there (for daycare too) and a colleague's cousin sent her kids there. Overall, the reviews from them were quite good.
I was on the verge of putting down the money for this kindy. However my main reservation was whether my very active MG who is unable to sit still for short periods of time would be able to focus in such a big class. Also I wasn't sure about Fungates. It is a great concept on paper, I like it but I have heard that it can be quite academic. (if you read my first post, I'm from the school of thought that kids must have fun!! although I know I may regret this later when primary school is upon us!) On the plus side, I have heard that the mandarin lessons are good and kids transition to chinese school easily.
Tadika Pintar Ria, No 1 Jalan PJU 7/11B, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya and Pusat Latihan Perkembangan Pintar Ria, No 21, Jalan PJU7/16A, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.
Call
Friday 19 July 2013
The Great Kindy Search
Kindergarten, Kindy, Playschool, Playschool.... When my daughter, MG, was 2 plus years old, I had no choice but to begin hunting for the appropriate kindy to enrol in the next year... Being a rather chill person by nature, I've always wondered why parents need to be so "kiasu" when it comes to schooling and the like, but deep inside, I knew that I would have to assume some degree of kiasu-ism when its time for MG to be institutionalised in school..... So for me, there were a number of considerations in making the choice.
1) Location and Logistics is key - it had to be near MG's nanny's house as the next step for me was to beg MG's nanny to pick her up from school. Hence my search was limited to PJ area, preferably Bandar Utama, TTDI, DU, SS2
2) It had to be non-academic. You read right, I didn't want MG to dread school (like mummy, who still has bad memories of her kindy which was just one road from her home).
3) It had to suit MG - in the sense that MG is one active bundle of energy who is simply unable to focus on anything for long (much less studies and school work)
4) It would preferably have some Christian based lessons. ( I am a Christian and I do think that it is important for MG to learn in this environment, given that it is her formative years)..
Those who are familiar with the kindy/ playschool scene in Malaysia would know these buzzwords "Fungates", "Montessori", "Starlight" and everything else in combination, in between etc. etc .. I was certainly not familiar with these but I have heard that Fungates is a good system, but contains quite a lot of learning. Montessori is good but may not prepare the kid sufficiently for real school.. With the proviso that most Montessoris in Malaysia are not "real" Montessoris anyway.. If you really want to get technical, I guess I could have done a lot more research, but then again, I am a full time working mum and have to take some shortcuts :) My "research" started with consultations with some educators whom I knew (ie a former principal from a pretty good school in town) and another friend who is doing his Masters in Early Childhood Studies Down Under.
The educators (ie learned experts in this field), were unanimous that the goal for preschoolers is mainly to socialise and hopefully learn to love to learn, nothing more nothing less. Or rather, nothing less but anything more is a bonus! Hence, my focus was to find a kindy which was able to accomodate different kids, to allow some flexibility and not to confine them to their desks and books only for those few hours in a day.
There are a dime a dozen of kindys around the area, and based on friends' experiences, kiasu parents' blogs and forums, my search was narrowed down to:
1.Tadika Pintar Ria, Mutiara Damansara
2. Peter and Jane
3. Kings' Kids Early Years
4. Tadika Precious Steps
5. Summer Academy
I will continue with my impressions and info garnered from my visit to the above kindys in my next post!
1) Location and Logistics is key - it had to be near MG's nanny's house as the next step for me was to beg MG's nanny to pick her up from school. Hence my search was limited to PJ area, preferably Bandar Utama, TTDI, DU, SS2
2) It had to be non-academic. You read right, I didn't want MG to dread school (like mummy, who still has bad memories of her kindy which was just one road from her home).
3) It had to suit MG - in the sense that MG is one active bundle of energy who is simply unable to focus on anything for long (much less studies and school work)
4) It would preferably have some Christian based lessons. ( I am a Christian and I do think that it is important for MG to learn in this environment, given that it is her formative years)..
Those who are familiar with the kindy/ playschool scene in Malaysia would know these buzzwords "Fungates", "Montessori", "Starlight" and everything else in combination, in between etc. etc .. I was certainly not familiar with these but I have heard that Fungates is a good system, but contains quite a lot of learning. Montessori is good but may not prepare the kid sufficiently for real school.. With the proviso that most Montessoris in Malaysia are not "real" Montessoris anyway.. If you really want to get technical, I guess I could have done a lot more research, but then again, I am a full time working mum and have to take some shortcuts :) My "research" started with consultations with some educators whom I knew (ie a former principal from a pretty good school in town) and another friend who is doing his Masters in Early Childhood Studies Down Under.
The educators (ie learned experts in this field), were unanimous that the goal for preschoolers is mainly to socialise and hopefully learn to love to learn, nothing more nothing less. Or rather, nothing less but anything more is a bonus! Hence, my focus was to find a kindy which was able to accomodate different kids, to allow some flexibility and not to confine them to their desks and books only for those few hours in a day.
There are a dime a dozen of kindys around the area, and based on friends' experiences, kiasu parents' blogs and forums, my search was narrowed down to:
1.Tadika Pintar Ria, Mutiara Damansara
2. Peter and Jane
3. Kings' Kids Early Years
4. Tadika Precious Steps
5. Summer Academy
I will continue with my impressions and info garnered from my visit to the above kindys in my next post!
Thursday 7 February 2013
Confinement
According to one of my disgruntled male friends who is also a dad, confinement in Asia is an industry perpetuated by confinement ladies (CLs) to ensure continuity and security of their jobs and income. In his view, it's a complete farce and con job by those ladies to justify expensive fees. The market price in Malaysia in 2013 is RM3500 excluding a compulsory angpow, and I hear that some charge higher. Inflation rates for services are also pretty good (from the ladies' point of view). Three years ago, I paid RM3000.
I am not a traditionalist ( I would consider myself a pretty modern thinker) and yet I still hired a confinement lady for both my kids. I don't subscribe to all the beliefs though. For eg. I don't think bath water needs to be boiled over the stove and spiked with herbs. Heated up water in the water heater is fine. In fact I feel sorry to hear of stories by my last CL who had to carry pails of water up flights of steps so that the mum can have a bath or boiled water to wash hands and brush teeth with.Oh yes, I do bathe and on a daily basis.
I don't really buy the "wind" thing. I don't see why air cons are allowed, and fans aren't. We are living in hot Malaysia and not some freezing part of faraway China. I would however practice moderation - I wouldn't subject myself to extreme temperatures or let myself be exposed to strong winds without reason.
I don't like ginger and herbs, never did and therefore I got my CL to minimise this, although I would take some small amounts. I don't mind and even enjoy the other confinement food. The fact is that I am lazy and love to have people cooking me, and it is a luxury to have a CL cook for me everyday, for 28 days. My other half also gets to enjoy (although he always ends up with ulcers in his mouth due to eating "too heaty" foods)..
The help I get from the CL in looking after the baby, changing diapers is great. As a full time working mum, I love the maternity leave because it's a legitimate time away from the office, and the help enables me to do some stuff that I would not otherwise have time to do. (Like write this blog :)
I completely buy into the "don't touch water" thingy. But only because that gives me a reason not to wash pump parts, dishes and clothes! I feel a bit bad for letting the CL do all these, but its a little bit more "justified" since I have an official reason not to do so.
The most important thing is to find a good CL! That can really make or break the confinement experience.
My first CL was no good. She was a strong formula advocate and nearly scuppered my breastfeeding efforts by bringing the baby to me every time she cried at night and telling me that she was crying as she wasn't full. In retrospect, my first LO was a pretty high need baby and it wasn't the lack of milk. Good thing we bumped into a lovely lactation counsellor at the hospital when we brought the little one for her check up, and CL got a good telling off there for telling me a lot of wrong things.Fortunately for the both of us, we couldn't communicate ( I am a banana and she only speaks cantonese), otherwise I may have given her a piece or two of my mind then.
Second time around, I made sure that I hired a breastfeeding friendly CL. And this one was a bonus, as she spoke English too. I enjoyed the confinement much more than the first time, as she did her job well. She's not perfect, (who is?) - tends to be a bit grumpy sometimes but when it comes to looking after mum and baby, she did her job properly and did not complain. The first CL used to complain that my LO wakes up too many times at night but hey, don't most babies do that? You would have thought that was the basic job description for a CL. My second CL never complained once about that, and also, brought the baby to me at night for feeding only. If the baby cried between feedings, she would try to pacify the baby and not bring him to me, so that I would get proper rest. In my view, she is a good CL (especially after one hears the horror stories out there) but don't expect perfection and don't expect her to do EVERYTHING, like clean up the whole house, and cook for in laws etc. She cooks well and fed me very well, so much so my weight decrease wasn't as fast as the first time. She is also very clean and tidy. Due to lack of communication barriers, I also enjoyed talking to her about a variety of topics, eg. cooking, confinement practices, which is great since you spend a lot of time together during the 28 days. Overall I would recommend her to my friends and if anyone needs her details, please leave a message.
For those who are looking for a CL, please consider what your needs are - BF friendly, or you are ok to let the CL do the night feeds; do you want an English speaking CL, do you need your CL to cook for other members of the family and do other housework? Above all, book early! Forget the superstition about booking the CL too early. The good ones will be gone if you book too late..Confinement is a really great time to look forward to, if you can make it work for you and you should really enjoy it as you only do it one/ twice/ thrice in your life and after all you are paying big bucks for the CL! The key to it is to find a good CL and do what is comfortable for you. Don't be unduly restrained if that makes you absolutely miserable.
(Check back with me 30 years from now to see if I have got rheumatism from not wearing long pants and socks and bathing during my confinement period).
Monday 4 February 2013
Memories from the beached whale days
My second little one just popped 1 month plus ago. Some people absolutely love and miss their days as a pregger woman but not me! I had quite a lot of pregnancy woes, with which, I annoyed my other half, poor friends and anyone who cared to listen, to death. So I thought I should write this down lest I forget and be tempted to have another kid again..
The 7 things I wouldn't miss from my days as a beached whale are:
1. Looking like a beached whale. It's so ironic that maternity clothes cost so much and yet can do so little to accentuate your looks. Why do moo moo clothes need to be priced at a premium? I don't think the extra material is sufficient justification. Unfortunately there really is nothing sexy about being a pregger and nothing external can change that. Not even lots of money and a great sense of style. Its a different story if you are Heidi Klum, but she hardly represents the rest of us mortal folks.
2. Feeling like a disabled person. The first 3 months were pure agony -At the beginning, I remember feeling very ill and thinking that if I took the pregnancy test and it didn't test positive, I must surely be suffering from some terrible illness or disease. Apparently 75% of women suffer from morning sickness, and yahoo! apparently it is a good sign that the baby is doing well. I am sure this is a myth perpetuated by men, in order to console the womenfolk to continue to procreate, so that the human race will not become extinct.
Somehow during that 3 months, a trap door in your throat opens up and the body (baby?) tells the food to go up the wrong way. Somehow miraculously this trap door shuts and some form of normalcy returns after the 3 month mark. The worst thing about feeling like a disabled person at this 3 month period, is that the disability is not obvious to anyone. Pregger women are still in stealth mode, ie no bump showing, so suffering morning sickness on the train or office will get you no favours or sympathy or excuses to get a much needed seat. Any effects from feeling ill at work, will be deemed as incompetence, tardiness or lack of professionalism and may very well be a career limiting move. (Well, child bearing is generally a career limiting move, but that's a topic for another discussion)..
3. Eating like a whale. Morning sickness also made me eat like a horse, as I tried every remedy known to humankind to alleviate the symptoms. You name it, I ate it - ginger, peppermints, dry crackers, lemon juice, ribena, and the only thing I achieved was weight gain.
3. Training for parenthood. Just when the first trimester is over, and life is getting to be hunky dory again, the 3rd trimester starts. Gradually I weigh like a tonne of bricks, and my pretty little feet swell to monster-like paws. A natural (involuntary) training for parenthood begins with night sleep disruptions at night - loo visits are called for as often as up to 5 times per night. Which makes sense since the little one wakes up like 5 times a night in the first month . Ocasionally one gets disrupted by a painful cramp in the leg that comes out of nowhere.
4. Daytime doldrums. The miseries of the 3rd trimester also come avisiting in the day time. Because of the weight of the baby, and the lack of space in my formerly slim body, everything including my abdomen and bladder is compressed and eating a little bit of food, makes my tummy feel like it is about to explode. The loo visits are also a constant feature and is a great torture when one is stuck in a traffic jam on the way home from work. Pregger beached whales really should be given the option to work from home. It's really necessary and I am not whinging unneccesarily. Every movement of the baby also feels like the churning of one's organs. I know some people love the feeling of having a little thing moving inside them, but I reckon they must have forgotten how it feels like to have a karate kick on the ribs, or bladder.
5. UTI and other lovely conditions, like piles. Being pregnant lowers your immune system and makes one predisposed to these illnesses such as urinary tract infection, piles, flu, rashes and all these fun stuff. I was also told by my obgyn, after ingesting 2 courses of powerful antibiotics that "unfortunately, women who get UTI will tend to it again, and there is nothing one can really do about it". Sigh..
6. Pregnancy brain. This is a term coined to denote the forgetfulness and decreased sharpness or intelligence of the mum. It is scientifically acknowledged to be true ( I swear I read this in a pregnancy book penned by credible authors.. but I can't remember which book) and is rumoured to have long lasting effects on the mum. If there were more concrete medical evidence on this, mums would all be sacked from their jobs, upon announcement of their pregnancies. Yet another sacrifice (to add to the growing list) made by mums for the betterment of humankind.
7. Ugly toenails. Say bye bye to lovely feet in the last trimester. I was simply unable to reach my toenails to do the basic trim, let alone do a nice pedicure.I feel sorry for all the medical caregivers that had to endure the sight of my very ugly and unkempt toenails every time I went for an examination or consult which entailed them looking that way. You may ask why shop pedicures were not the order of the day, well.. when you are a beached whale and one with a toddler, finding time to sit for 2 hours for a pedicure is quite a luxury and hauling your beached whale body to the studio is also quite a chore..
Thankfully, the beached whale days are limited and leads generally to the popping out of the baby. It is said that the sight of the baby can apparently make the new mum forget the tremendous pain she went through delivery, and the malaises from the past 9 months. This, together with the full effects of "pregnancy brain", causes the permanent insanity to the mum, who will not rule out the possibility of having another another child in the future but even looks forward to having more many times over. As for me, two is good (for now) :)
The 7 things I wouldn't miss from my days as a beached whale are:
1. Looking like a beached whale. It's so ironic that maternity clothes cost so much and yet can do so little to accentuate your looks. Why do moo moo clothes need to be priced at a premium? I don't think the extra material is sufficient justification. Unfortunately there really is nothing sexy about being a pregger and nothing external can change that. Not even lots of money and a great sense of style. Its a different story if you are Heidi Klum, but she hardly represents the rest of us mortal folks.
2. Feeling like a disabled person. The first 3 months were pure agony -At the beginning, I remember feeling very ill and thinking that if I took the pregnancy test and it didn't test positive, I must surely be suffering from some terrible illness or disease. Apparently 75% of women suffer from morning sickness, and yahoo! apparently it is a good sign that the baby is doing well. I am sure this is a myth perpetuated by men, in order to console the womenfolk to continue to procreate, so that the human race will not become extinct.
Somehow during that 3 months, a trap door in your throat opens up and the body (baby?) tells the food to go up the wrong way. Somehow miraculously this trap door shuts and some form of normalcy returns after the 3 month mark. The worst thing about feeling like a disabled person at this 3 month period, is that the disability is not obvious to anyone. Pregger women are still in stealth mode, ie no bump showing, so suffering morning sickness on the train or office will get you no favours or sympathy or excuses to get a much needed seat. Any effects from feeling ill at work, will be deemed as incompetence, tardiness or lack of professionalism and may very well be a career limiting move. (Well, child bearing is generally a career limiting move, but that's a topic for another discussion)..
3. Eating like a whale. Morning sickness also made me eat like a horse, as I tried every remedy known to humankind to alleviate the symptoms. You name it, I ate it - ginger, peppermints, dry crackers, lemon juice, ribena, and the only thing I achieved was weight gain.
3. Training for parenthood. Just when the first trimester is over, and life is getting to be hunky dory again, the 3rd trimester starts. Gradually I weigh like a tonne of bricks, and my pretty little feet swell to monster-like paws. A natural (involuntary) training for parenthood begins with night sleep disruptions at night - loo visits are called for as often as up to 5 times per night. Which makes sense since the little one wakes up like 5 times a night in the first month . Ocasionally one gets disrupted by a painful cramp in the leg that comes out of nowhere.
4. Daytime doldrums. The miseries of the 3rd trimester also come avisiting in the day time. Because of the weight of the baby, and the lack of space in my formerly slim body, everything including my abdomen and bladder is compressed and eating a little bit of food, makes my tummy feel like it is about to explode. The loo visits are also a constant feature and is a great torture when one is stuck in a traffic jam on the way home from work. Pregger beached whales really should be given the option to work from home. It's really necessary and I am not whinging unneccesarily. Every movement of the baby also feels like the churning of one's organs. I know some people love the feeling of having a little thing moving inside them, but I reckon they must have forgotten how it feels like to have a karate kick on the ribs, or bladder.
5. UTI and other lovely conditions, like piles. Being pregnant lowers your immune system and makes one predisposed to these illnesses such as urinary tract infection, piles, flu, rashes and all these fun stuff. I was also told by my obgyn, after ingesting 2 courses of powerful antibiotics that "unfortunately, women who get UTI will tend to it again, and there is nothing one can really do about it". Sigh..
6. Pregnancy brain. This is a term coined to denote the forgetfulness and decreased sharpness or intelligence of the mum. It is scientifically acknowledged to be true ( I swear I read this in a pregnancy book penned by credible authors.. but I can't remember which book) and is rumoured to have long lasting effects on the mum. If there were more concrete medical evidence on this, mums would all be sacked from their jobs, upon announcement of their pregnancies. Yet another sacrifice (to add to the growing list) made by mums for the betterment of humankind.
7. Ugly toenails. Say bye bye to lovely feet in the last trimester. I was simply unable to reach my toenails to do the basic trim, let alone do a nice pedicure.I feel sorry for all the medical caregivers that had to endure the sight of my very ugly and unkempt toenails every time I went for an examination or consult which entailed them looking that way. You may ask why shop pedicures were not the order of the day, well.. when you are a beached whale and one with a toddler, finding time to sit for 2 hours for a pedicure is quite a luxury and hauling your beached whale body to the studio is also quite a chore..
Thankfully, the beached whale days are limited and leads generally to the popping out of the baby. It is said that the sight of the baby can apparently make the new mum forget the tremendous pain she went through delivery, and the malaises from the past 9 months. This, together with the full effects of "pregnancy brain", causes the permanent insanity to the mum, who will not rule out the possibility of having another another child in the future but even looks forward to having more many times over. As for me, two is good (for now) :)
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