By popular request I have been asked to write a review of my and MG’s experience at TPS. ( Never thought I would use “popular” in this little ole blog of mine, haha!)
So here it is:
TPS has changed over the years, in various aspects.
Firstly, TPS has been gaining in popularity. Friends with kids in TPS (Taska Precious Steps) have told me that their friends could not get admission into TPS in the last couple of years due to limited spaces. (Great, another Kings’ Kids in the making??)
Probably due to this, as well as the price hikes in Malaysia which seems to affect everything but my pay, TPS fees has also gone up, by about RM200. When I first embarked on my kindy search, it was a mid priced kindy, with its fees slightly lower than mid range kindys (such as Summer Academy (SA) etc). Now, the fees are higher than SA. (Just taking SA into comparison). It is also slightly higher than Tadika Diyana’s now. Definitely higher than kindys like Tadika Chim. Previously, kindy + daycare at TPS will set you back by below RM1K. Now (in 2016) it is at least RM1.3K (Basic fees, excluding the add ons).
Well, I accept that prices cannot remain at the same level forever, but the bigger question is whether the TPS quality is still maintained. All along, my view is that TPS has good teachers and that’s its biggest asset. Another reason why I picked TPS for MG is the teacher student ratio back then. However, I note that the classes have been getting bigger over the years.
MG started with about 16 kids in a class (4 year old class) with 2 teachers. At 5 years old, the number increased but not substantially.
By comparison, in 2016, my snooping has revealed that there are at least 20- 25 kids in a 4 year old class, with also 2 teachers in each!!
For MG’s K2 ( 6 year old) class in 2015, there were 28 kids in class!!
There may be arguments about whether this was done to deliberately assimilate the kids into a primary school setting but I don’t really buy this because (1) not all kids were going to local primary schools and (2) young kids need all the attention they can get. I feel that this was a bit of a strain on the teachers, given that the kids had much more work to do compared to earlier years, and also there were a lot more kids to train for concerts etc. The teachers, I maintain, were really good teachers.
Incidentally, MG’s performance in school deteriorated over the years. This could have been due to several factors including pure lack of diligence, but I do wonder if MG could have performed better had the class been smaller and she had received more attention.
I didn’t send MG to daycare, but I hear that there were 35 kids in daycare in 2015, with about 5 helpers. Not sure what it is in 2016 but you are considering daycare please make sure you are comfortable with the numbers!
Concerts and IT systems and support at TPS got slicker along the years..
Space wise – TPS expanded their operations (K1 and K2 classes) to a nearby office building. This was way overdue, as TPS was kind of bursting at the seams! The only slight downside is that parents have to do their drop offs and pick-ups within 15 minutes at the new centre, called Precious Steps Place, otherwise parking fees are chargeable (by the office building administration).
To summarise, I started with high regards for the teachers and staff of TPS and my respect for them is unchanged today. However, as with any commercial operation, it is always be a challenge for the business to maintain its quality and high standards whilst undergoing expansion.
I am happy to see that TPS has grown and happy to see them succeed, but from a parent’s point of view, my concern with TPS is the increasing number of kids in class and the impact on the kids’ development and learning. I can only speculate that this also may have a strain on the resources and teachers.
However, some kids may be able to thrive in such an environment and some angel kids may still be able to hold their attention on work whilst other monster kids may not be able to do so.
I love the folks at TPS (teachers and staff) and I sincerely hope TPS will be able to find the fine balance, achieve the success that they want, whilst maintaining a stable of happy teachers and students (and parents):)
So the ultimate question: would I send my other kids to TPS now?? Honestly, I don't know - I might just do a brief kindy search all over again to see what the kindy industry is offering these days and see if this numbers thing is just a pet peeve of mine or is really a big deal after all. Any thoughts? Please feel free to pm me!
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Happy Birthday to MMMMEEE!
I am not revealing my age in this post.. although you are more than welcome to guess....
It is my birthday tomorrow and unlike last year, I am not depressed as celebrating my birthday for another year means that I am blessed to live another year. Life is so short these days, it is not funny! And because life is short, I will take leave from work! I have never done it before, but I figured this year, I should do something that I like on my own special day (and that doesn't include my job, sorry boss)...
I won't be angry if someone organizes a surprise birthday party (as I was last year, as I don't like surprise birthday parties) but I would prefer not to have a surprise party of any sort.
Yeah, I know I do sound like a Birthday Scrooge (just like the Christmas Scrooge).
The truth is I don't like fanfare, pom poms and rah rah. I just want to chill out with my dearest family, I want to get a good workout (which I don't get to do as much as I like with MG and SE around) and chill out in a facial or something like that. That would be simply FAB way to spend tomorrow!
It is my birthday tomorrow and unlike last year, I am not depressed as celebrating my birthday for another year means that I am blessed to live another year. Life is so short these days, it is not funny! And because life is short, I will take leave from work! I have never done it before, but I figured this year, I should do something that I like on my own special day (and that doesn't include my job, sorry boss)...
I won't be angry if someone organizes a surprise birthday party (as I was last year, as I don't like surprise birthday parties) but I would prefer not to have a surprise party of any sort.
Yeah, I know I do sound like a Birthday Scrooge (just like the Christmas Scrooge).
The truth is I don't like fanfare, pom poms and rah rah. I just want to chill out with my dearest family, I want to get a good workout (which I don't get to do as much as I like with MG and SE around) and chill out in a facial or something like that. That would be simply FAB way to spend tomorrow!
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
MG goes to the Dentist
I have always had bad teeth (no doubt, overeating of chocolates didn’t help when I was growing up), and as a result I have always had a HATE HATE relationship with the dentist. All my visits starting from 6 years of age, were traumatic to say the least, and very very much dreaded. At that tender age I remember fillings been administered, and also injections to facilitate tooth extractions. I also vividly remember the feeling of my hairs standing on ends as the drill touches my gums/ nerves/ whatever. gross..
Unfortunately for MG, her teeth is just like mine – prone to decay and even at the tender age of 3+ she was already needing tooth fillings…. (my fault for also not curbing the sweets intake although it is arguable what one can do if one outsources the day time care to babysitters)..
During the first dental visit, I pre-warned the very sweet dentist not to utter or even introduce the possibility that there would be pain during the session. I took great pains (no pun intended) to try to make MG’s experience as pain – free as possible, and it was, given that she didn’t have any infected gums yet. At her first visit, the dentist gave her a couple of fillings which didn’t require any drilling. MG was given a step by step narration of what the dentist was going to do. She also got to hold a little mirror to see what was going to be done. Everything went well. MG got a little present at the end of the session. One Happy customer, one Relieved mummy!
However, in the span of one year, between that age of 3+ and 4+, something changed drastically. MG suddenly became terrified of dentists
Strange I thought, given that she hadn’t experienced any pain or trauma on the chair. During one visit, I had to drag her up the stairs to the clinic. (She refused to go up). At first I attributed it to the wrong timing (shouldn’t have brought her during nap time).
Second visit, she went up and refused to sit on the chair. I did my check- up instead.
The next time, we bribed her with the promise of multiple presents, and she went. But half way through, struggled, screamed. Sweet dentist said that she was not ready. But knowing MG she would never be ready. My worst fears had come true…
It was a pretty dire situation, as we have one very unwilling and uncooperative child, and a couple of cavities that were, in my mind, a ticking time bomb. I really needed a solution to this situation before the cavity becomes a ginormous size and infects the roots, and MG gets to be in the situation that I was in. That had to be prevented at all cost, by hook or by crook!
So my household embarked on a mission to be carried out over the next month or so, to prepare, coax and brainwash MG to go to the dentist. First step in my mission was to find another dentist – the earlier I went to was not bad (in fact she was recommended by many parents with kids and has saintly patience), but I think I needed a different environment for MG. The solution to life’s problems these days is none other than to google the internet. True enough, I came across this blog by a dentist who was operating in the vicinity. Tales of pleasant experiences of kids having their ivories fixed, gave me hope.
We also let MG watch countless reruns of “Peppa Pig goes to the dentist” and reinforced the brainwashing with “see, there is no pain” and “she is a brave girl” mantra. You know the drill… Of course, what MG didnt know is that Peppa Pig didn't have any cavities and was only going for a checkup. Peppa Pig's teeth were obviously in better condition than MG's.
Old fashioned bribery and food sanctions also followed. MG was disallowed from eating ice creams and sweets and her favourite snacks because “there is a hole in your teeth” and could only have this sanction lifted after the hole is filled (ironic, but if you have a better suggestion, please let me know). At first MG appeared to accept the food ban, so for maximum effect, we resorted to eating ice creams and chocolates in front of her, and slowly her resolve started cracking.
Finally, we made an appointment to see New Dentist, and on that day, MG went along. Thankfully there was a corner for kids for toys and colouring and that kept her distracted enough till the time to go in.
The moment of truth
So MG met New Dentist. I briefed New Dentist about MG’s prior trauma, and propensity to have a melt down. New Dentist joked with MG along the way and started the treatment.
Mummy and Daddy looked on with bated breath, looking around the clinic and trying to disguise their nervousness.
It was going well at first………. Then the meltdown came……….
Same story as before but this time, something was different. New Dentist was in control. Looked into her eyes and told her not to cry, there was no pain etc. Told her she could select something from the big box of presents after the treatment was over. It didn’t really work of course with MG. But New Dentist seemed unflustered and completed the treatment with relative calm despite the ruckus in the background. After the treatment, MG got to choose a pressie from the promised box. A little plastic ring. That really made MG’s day. It was all smiles after that!
So I present to you New Dentist – none other than Dr Jean Ong from I-smile whom I expectedly, would highly recommend if you have monster kids like mine.
I won’t heave a sigh of relief yet, MG has another appointment to go, in one month’s time. It won’t be easy, and it would still be a challenge to drag her there. But at least I know that, if and when we reach the dental clinic, even if we (MG, mummy and daddy) all freak out, there would be one calm (important) person and the job will be done I couldn’t ask for more. Thanks Dr Jean!
iSmile Dental Center
76A, Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,
Malaysia.
77272135
www.ismile.com.my
PS. In my search for dentists, I came across these other names who are apparently very good with kids too. Do check them out if the location is more convenient for you..
Jason Cheong Dental Surgery (Bangsar, KL)
36, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru 59100 KL
22879187
Unfortunately for MG, her teeth is just like mine – prone to decay and even at the tender age of 3+ she was already needing tooth fillings…. (my fault for also not curbing the sweets intake although it is arguable what one can do if one outsources the day time care to babysitters)..
During the first dental visit, I pre-warned the very sweet dentist not to utter or even introduce the possibility that there would be pain during the session. I took great pains (no pun intended) to try to make MG’s experience as pain – free as possible, and it was, given that she didn’t have any infected gums yet. At her first visit, the dentist gave her a couple of fillings which didn’t require any drilling. MG was given a step by step narration of what the dentist was going to do. She also got to hold a little mirror to see what was going to be done. Everything went well. MG got a little present at the end of the session. One Happy customer, one Relieved mummy!
However, in the span of one year, between that age of 3+ and 4+, something changed drastically. MG suddenly became terrified of dentists
Strange I thought, given that she hadn’t experienced any pain or trauma on the chair. During one visit, I had to drag her up the stairs to the clinic. (She refused to go up). At first I attributed it to the wrong timing (shouldn’t have brought her during nap time).
Second visit, she went up and refused to sit on the chair. I did my check- up instead.
The next time, we bribed her with the promise of multiple presents, and she went. But half way through, struggled, screamed. Sweet dentist said that she was not ready. But knowing MG she would never be ready. My worst fears had come true…
It was a pretty dire situation, as we have one very unwilling and uncooperative child, and a couple of cavities that were, in my mind, a ticking time bomb. I really needed a solution to this situation before the cavity becomes a ginormous size and infects the roots, and MG gets to be in the situation that I was in. That had to be prevented at all cost, by hook or by crook!
So my household embarked on a mission to be carried out over the next month or so, to prepare, coax and brainwash MG to go to the dentist. First step in my mission was to find another dentist – the earlier I went to was not bad (in fact she was recommended by many parents with kids and has saintly patience), but I think I needed a different environment for MG. The solution to life’s problems these days is none other than to google the internet. True enough, I came across this blog by a dentist who was operating in the vicinity. Tales of pleasant experiences of kids having their ivories fixed, gave me hope.
We also let MG watch countless reruns of “Peppa Pig goes to the dentist” and reinforced the brainwashing with “see, there is no pain” and “she is a brave girl” mantra. You know the drill… Of course, what MG didnt know is that Peppa Pig didn't have any cavities and was only going for a checkup. Peppa Pig's teeth were obviously in better condition than MG's.
Old fashioned bribery and food sanctions also followed. MG was disallowed from eating ice creams and sweets and her favourite snacks because “there is a hole in your teeth” and could only have this sanction lifted after the hole is filled (ironic, but if you have a better suggestion, please let me know). At first MG appeared to accept the food ban, so for maximum effect, we resorted to eating ice creams and chocolates in front of her, and slowly her resolve started cracking.
Finally, we made an appointment to see New Dentist, and on that day, MG went along. Thankfully there was a corner for kids for toys and colouring and that kept her distracted enough till the time to go in.
The moment of truth
So MG met New Dentist. I briefed New Dentist about MG’s prior trauma, and propensity to have a melt down. New Dentist joked with MG along the way and started the treatment.
Mummy and Daddy looked on with bated breath, looking around the clinic and trying to disguise their nervousness.
It was going well at first………. Then the meltdown came……….
Same story as before but this time, something was different. New Dentist was in control. Looked into her eyes and told her not to cry, there was no pain etc. Told her she could select something from the big box of presents after the treatment was over. It didn’t really work of course with MG. But New Dentist seemed unflustered and completed the treatment with relative calm despite the ruckus in the background. After the treatment, MG got to choose a pressie from the promised box. A little plastic ring. That really made MG’s day. It was all smiles after that!
So I present to you New Dentist – none other than Dr Jean Ong from I-smile whom I expectedly, would highly recommend if you have monster kids like mine.
I won’t heave a sigh of relief yet, MG has another appointment to go, in one month’s time. It won’t be easy, and it would still be a challenge to drag her there. But at least I know that, if and when we reach the dental clinic, even if we (MG, mummy and daddy) all freak out, there would be one calm (important) person and the job will be done I couldn’t ask for more. Thanks Dr Jean!
iSmile Dental Center
76A, Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor,
Malaysia.
77272135
www.ismile.com.my
PS. In my search for dentists, I came across these other names who are apparently very good with kids too. Do check them out if the location is more convenient for you..
Jason Cheong Dental Surgery (Bangsar, KL)
36, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru 59100 KL
22879187
Monday, 6 January 2014
Concert Day
There is a first for everything for a new parent ie first day of school, first day at nanny's and of course, the first concert day at kindy! The excitement levels for parents in respect of Concert Day can equally match, if not exceed, that of the child. MG's concert day at Taska Precious Steps took place on 12 October at the rented hall of Sri KDU Primary School.
We had no idea what to really expect and only got an inkling that her class was performing a percussion number (basically all kids shaking some percussion instrument, and endeavouring it to follow some "tune") and a song called "You raise me up". Being in the 4 year old class, I did not expect much and thought that it's probably all the wee ones are capable of. MG was super excited at the thought of wearing a sequinned costume, and loved the make up part. Poor mum here had to go out to buy a new lipstick so that MG would not be poisoned by mum's old, barely used inventories which may have turned toxic. The theme of the concert was "Happy Family". The concert consisted of teacher appreciation sessions (first time I got to see all the teachers at one go) and also a "road map" of the future for TPS. The latter was very consultant-ish, I thought it was a bit over the top, but perhaps necessary in these competitive times, to communicate to the urban (TTDI) parents that "Don't ya worry folks...this kindy is run professionally!"
All that consultant-speak was lost on the grandparents and old foggies who attended though. Briefly, TPS has acquired a new property and will be expanding in 2014! Also I learnt that the TPS uses the Starlight system (heheh, never too late to learn more about the kindy that you signed up to).Won't bore you with the details.
So after a few performances by various classes, MG came out with her class with the percussion performance. Which was pretty hilarious because they attempted to follow a tune "This Old Man" but with great difficulty. (I couldn't make out the rest of the tunes). And then the performance turned awry as one boy decided that this was to be his moment of fame and decided to go against all the instructions and training given so far, so much so that a teacher had to come out and intervene. Well, despite the performance going south, the audience was forgiveable (where else would you find such forgiving and accepting audience!). I also do appreciate that it is immensely difficult to train kids of that age to perform as what happens in rehearsal does not translate to the actual performance).
Just when I was expecting the song to be the next performance, the girls in MG's class (and younger girls from another class) came out later to do a dance! It was a complete but nice surprise for me and all in MG entourage (consisting of grandma, and nanny's family).
All these time during concert training etc, no one had a clue that she was going to do a dance. She never practised in front of us, or the nanny and never said anything about a dance. Again, the performers either goofed partially (eg MG) or froze totally, I don't think anyone did a perfect 10 performance, but again these are 4 year olds. Overall, we were so proud of her for keeping up with the dance from start till finish. From an audience's perspective, I thought the concert was executed pretty well and had an overriding theme, although I noted a lack of "traditional/ cultural" dances, perhaps these are out of date?
There were some really good performances and performers. There was definitely one boy who was a natural B boy, who did a hip hop number. I think we might actually see him in "So you think you can dance" in 15 years time.. MG really liked performing and wanted another concert day and wasn't happy when told that she needed to wait another year.
Maybe I should send her to ballet lessons in the meantime...
We had no idea what to really expect and only got an inkling that her class was performing a percussion number (basically all kids shaking some percussion instrument, and endeavouring it to follow some "tune") and a song called "You raise me up". Being in the 4 year old class, I did not expect much and thought that it's probably all the wee ones are capable of. MG was super excited at the thought of wearing a sequinned costume, and loved the make up part. Poor mum here had to go out to buy a new lipstick so that MG would not be poisoned by mum's old, barely used inventories which may have turned toxic. The theme of the concert was "Happy Family". The concert consisted of teacher appreciation sessions (first time I got to see all the teachers at one go) and also a "road map" of the future for TPS. The latter was very consultant-ish, I thought it was a bit over the top, but perhaps necessary in these competitive times, to communicate to the urban (TTDI) parents that "Don't ya worry folks...this kindy is run professionally!"
All that consultant-speak was lost on the grandparents and old foggies who attended though. Briefly, TPS has acquired a new property and will be expanding in 2014! Also I learnt that the TPS uses the Starlight system (heheh, never too late to learn more about the kindy that you signed up to).Won't bore you with the details.
So after a few performances by various classes, MG came out with her class with the percussion performance. Which was pretty hilarious because they attempted to follow a tune "This Old Man" but with great difficulty. (I couldn't make out the rest of the tunes). And then the performance turned awry as one boy decided that this was to be his moment of fame and decided to go against all the instructions and training given so far, so much so that a teacher had to come out and intervene. Well, despite the performance going south, the audience was forgiveable (where else would you find such forgiving and accepting audience!). I also do appreciate that it is immensely difficult to train kids of that age to perform as what happens in rehearsal does not translate to the actual performance).
Just when I was expecting the song to be the next performance, the girls in MG's class (and younger girls from another class) came out later to do a dance! It was a complete but nice surprise for me and all in MG entourage (consisting of grandma, and nanny's family).
All these time during concert training etc, no one had a clue that she was going to do a dance. She never practised in front of us, or the nanny and never said anything about a dance. Again, the performers either goofed partially (eg MG) or froze totally, I don't think anyone did a perfect 10 performance, but again these are 4 year olds. Overall, we were so proud of her for keeping up with the dance from start till finish. From an audience's perspective, I thought the concert was executed pretty well and had an overriding theme, although I noted a lack of "traditional/ cultural" dances, perhaps these are out of date?
There were some really good performances and performers. There was definitely one boy who was a natural B boy, who did a hip hop number. I think we might actually see him in "So you think you can dance" in 15 years time.. MG really liked performing and wanted another concert day and wasn't happy when told that she needed to wait another year.
Maybe I should send her to ballet lessons in the meantime...
Monday, 25 November 2013
Pumping on Business Trips
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.
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.
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 :)!
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