Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Proud moment

My princess made me so proud today.

There was a storm raging when we got to the pool, half an hour early, before our class was due to start. So we got there ok but the first class couldn't proceed as there was lightning and the lifeguard was blowing the whistle to get everyone out of the pool.

So while we were waiting for the rain to die down and for the lightning to stop flashing, there were a few friends of princess' and they sat down to play some games. Halfway through, one of the mums bought them packets of Twisties to share and my girl came up to ask me for permission to have some, and I said no. I'm a strict mum when it comes to snacks (junk stuff like crisps), sweets etc and I don't like her getting into the habit of consuming them. The same goes for aerated drinks. So, I was distracted chatting to the coach when she asked, and just waved her off. She didn't protest but I didn't think too much of it. A few minutes later, I turned to look at the little group and realised that she was indeed being very good and while the others were snacking, she was just sitting there amongst them, not touching the stuff. It impressed me a lot that she didn't push for it, and it softened my heart watching the poor child exercising self-restraint amidst the temptation, so I relented and told her she could have a little. After a couple, she asked how many more she could have and I said two. That was that, end of story. No pestering whatsoever for more. So it is something that I'm proud of, for her having the responsibility to seek my permission first, and also exercising self-control.

Oftentimes I try to teach her stuff like not to take sweets from strangers etc, but I don't know how much of it gets processed in her little brain. Kids love sweets and it takes lots of self-restraint to say no to a sweet dangled right in front of their little faces. Just the week before, at Halloween, we visited Harris the bookstore and they had the staff dress up in their Halloween outfits, going around with baskets and handing out sweets. I was quite a distance away from princess and she came up to where I was and asked if she could have a little sweet. She said the man from the store offered her one and she said no to him. I told her it's ok, she could have it. So she went up to the counter and asked him nicely for one. On our way out, the same man offered them to another little kid, but she too said no. I laughed to the man and said, all these kids are very well-trained. And I think as parents, that is something that is very important that we ought to impart to our kids. And I try to teach her through the story of Snow White and ask her questions like, did she know the apple was poisoned when SW accepted it? Did it say on the apple that it was filled with poison? The same goes for sweets or stuff that strangers might offer you, so never accept anything from strangers.

16 comments:

ganache-ganache said...

Hey, I'm as 'nasty' as you , haha ! U know my friends used to teast me that my girls go to military school becos' I'm a strict mum like u, saying no to everything ! My girls ask me everything even if opening the fridge, frankly sometimes when I'm busy, I find it irritating when they go " can I have this, can I have that ? " but deep inside I'm glad I did, they are so well behaved everywhere they go !

Miz Young said...

Good gal! *mwah!

SIG said...

ganache-ganache - You know, it's really great to know that I am not alone. There are two mums i know who think the same way I do and they are also very strict about the kind of food the kids eat. I can so totally connect with them. And now you. :) And it's all a matter of training, don't you agree? But more than that, I think it's building habits. Just like when I was young, my grandma did not like us to eat fried food and she hardly cooked it too. Till today, I do not crave fried food, only once in a while when I feel naughty. ;) I also knew of an aunt who never let her child have sweets and when I was young, I thought how pitiful not to be able to eat sweets. But now as a mum, I fully understand why she did that. :)

miz young - She is. :D

Beau Lotus 涟 said...

I'm the bad mom. I stock up on sweets and chocolates, they enjoy opening fridges and cupboards looking for goodies. I also have a pack of sweets in my bag...

Guess that's because I've spent quite a bit of my childhood days in the mama shop :-)

SIG said...

beau - Hahaha!

Maya Yunos said...

Aww...she's really well trained:) This actually reminds me of my cousin's daughter. I was in E kitchen with her and I offered her some cookies. B4 taking a cookie, she proceeded to E living room and asked her mom whether she could have 1. Her mom said yes and then E little 1 asked.."are you sure mama? You wont be angry with me right?" I was like awww...I thot that was sweet! Of coz hats off to parents like you who are such good educators! I inspire to be E same! :p

Charmaine said...

Glad to see there are 'firm' mums out there like me. As parents, we want to teach good eating habits to our children. Also, it is never too young to teach them about stranger danger especially in today's society. Good work SIG!

jadepearl said...

Wow! Kudus to you, girl! I have been trying to teach my #1 also...susah!

paw paw said...

Well, I am with U on this one...

As a strict parent, U know what worries me?
Hell to break loose after he starts Pri school...He'll sneak behind my back & indulge like there's no tomorrow.

So nowadays, I relent alittle & close one eye if he wants a sweettie more.
--

WokandSpoon said...

That's so great to see. I hope my little girl grows up like that.

daphne said...

it's heartwarming to read this...and reiterate how kids need the boundaries taught with love and care by parents. =)

Little Corner of Mine said...

I'm a strict mom too and happy that my elder girl (little one still cannot talk) always ask first before she takes.

ganache-ganache said...

Hi, you've been tagged ! Check out my blog for details.

Unknown said...

wow....such a good girl! hehe i was a really good girl too when i was young...i am super naughty now though ^_^

Maya Yunos said...

Hi2! Didn't see ya posting for quite some time...so I thought I shd drop a "note" :P Hope everything is going on fine. Looking forward to see some food soon! :D

Camemberu said...

Such a sweet-natured and strong girl, not letting temptation get the better of her. I'd be a proud mom too, if my kids were half as well-behaved!