Parenting on Purpose

Our little Christmas tree was finally set up just the day before Christmas Eve. It was not our usual tree, decked tall and pretty with the ornaments we have collected over the years from countries near and far. We had instead opted for a smaller version, given that the circumstances this year were very different, and that we had just come back from a 10-day road trip to Kuala Lumpur and Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. And, we also had two extra guests this year, toddler boys who had come to stay with us for the season. We decided that a small tree would suffice this year. And we would surprise the two foster kids who were returning from respite care on the same day. It would be an opportunity for them to experience a lovely Christmas with us. Our dear little Christmas tree; a symbol of resilience in the midst of uncertainty. Or at least that was what we had planned. Christmas morning. We usually start the day with a Christmas Breakfast Hash, made up using leftovers from Sue...

  Christmas is around the corner, and I am always thinking of ways to start some new family traditions for us and our little ones. Family traditions are so important in building family identity and closeness, especially in the festive seasons, and they give room for creating such precious family memories that our kids will not only cherish in their growing up years, but also take along with them when they set up new families of their own. Here's a "first" we won't likely get to repeat... our younger one got to try his first solids on Christmas Eve! Looking on intently as he sings his first carols! Mark and I talked about setting these traditions very early on before we had children, and how it was important to start some that were unique to our own family, while retaining some that we have cherished from our families of origin. (You can read an earlier blog post detailing our view on traditions and rituals here ). For example, I have always celebrate...

The little boy squealed in delight as he ripped open the shiny foil-like wrapping paper. The reflective surface of the metallic sheet had a shimmering effect, which had apparently caught the attention of the little boy. Z , who was voraciously tearing at the paper, paid no attention to what was inside, his first Christmas gift of the year. He also seemed oblivious to the background voices of his granduncle and grandaunts, who were enthusiastically trying to get him to open his present. It was Christmas Eve, and our family was gathered at Sue's aunts' home, where the extended family normally celebrates the festive occasion with a traditional feast of turkey, ham, and other delectable treats. We had just finished a rousing session of singing Christmas carols, and our son Z still did not display any signs of being tired. This despite him singing and lifting his hands throughout the session, obviously enjoying the melodious voices that were singing song after song about Chri...