Thursday, August 21, 2014

How much is enough?

I doubt anyone really reads this but I'm going to ask anyway - "Do you have doubts about being a stay-at-home-mom?"

I've thought about this so many times and drafted so many blog posts on this topic, I'm not even sure if it's the first time this appears on the blog.

The thing is, I am happy. I'm happy, well, staying home. I'm happy I can watch my little girl grow and witness her every milestone.

But when I see advertisements on enrichment classes and activities for children, or know of the things the little ones do in infant care/child care centres,  or when I read blog posts about parents bringing their kids on a holiday or see my friends posting travel photos on Facebook (basically things that involves many dollars and cents), I'm not sure if I am doing enough for J.

Have I given her adequate resources to ensure she develops her skills well?
Have I given her to opportunity to learn what she likes?
Am I supposed to do fun activities with her at home instead of cuddling on the couch half the time? 
Have I engaged her enough?

Am I doing enough for my girl? 
I'm not even sure how much is enough.

There are so many things I want to do for/with her.
Take her on holidays.
Let her go for gym classes since she likes to climb all over.
Allow her to attend classes because she probably learns more in the classes than with me at home.

Some days I wonder if I should return to the workforce. Not my previous job because I will not have time for J then. Just get any job so that I add on to the household income and we have more to spend and check off more of the abovementioned. 

But at the end of the day, I know that's a silly thought. I won't be able to give her all the tangibles I want to, but I can give her what money can't buy.
Love.
Patience.
Care.
Me.

So, *smack my head* be grateful for what I have now, and do not compare.





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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 26, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    Hi,

    I chance upon your blog some time back and has been reading your posts.

    I enjoy reading your posts. I am a working mum and have friends who are stay-at-home mum. I guess it is normal to have doubts occasionally. But like you said, there are things that money cannot buy.

    For me now, i am working because i need to feel secure. My meaning of security can only derive from being independent and has my own income to support myself and my family.

    Not sure if my sharing will help but I look out for free and fun activities to do with my boy. We regularly attend NLB's reading programme and recently signed up for an ad-hoc music class. They are all free! Playground and swimming pool (can use activesg points) are our regular hangouts too.

    Jia you and know that you are doing great thus far! :)

    Regards,
    Joyce

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annabelle PAugust 27, 2014 at 10:48 AM

      Dear Joyce,

      I'm not sure if you will see this but thank you so much. You have no idea how much your comment assured me that I am doing right. Somehow. (Sometimes I do need assurances like that.)

      I'd love to find out more about the ad-hoc music class you mentioned. And I never knew about activesg until you mentioned it. Clearly not a very active person.

      Thank you once again for taking time to drop by and read my posts, and to leave a comment when I'm quite lost. It means a lot to me. :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 11:07 PM

      Hi Annabelle,

      I hope I got your name right! Sorry for MIA-ing as I was travelling.

      I have been reading your blog faithfully and felt I should not just be a silent reader. Glad to hear that my comment helped! :)

      For the read/music classes, they are held at libraries. You can look for "jiggle read and rhyme" at NLB website. They are usually held once a month. However, I'm not sure if all libraries have it. Occasionally, they have music lessons. We recently attended a 45 min session of "music toddlers" where the teacher prepared some simple musical instruments like shaker for the kids.

      Let me know if you need more info. I will be glad to share! :)

      Joyce

      Delete
    3. Annabelle PSeptember 9, 2014 at 12:27 PM

      Thanks Joyce! I will check out NLB's website for the programmes! :D

      Delete
    4. Annabelle PSeptember 11, 2014 at 7:48 PM

      Hi Joyce, I managed to check out the programme you mentioned. They start from one year old. J is too young but I'll definitely have something to look forward to in a couple of months! Once again, thanks for your help!

      (Sorry, I can only leave a comment as I am not sure how else I can convey this to you. )

      Delete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 28, 2014 at 8:49 PM

    Hi Annabelle,

    I happened to pop by and saw your reply. Yes, the prog is for one year old onwards but I think nlb is not that particular. You can drop by to take a look at the prog with J to see if she enjoys it. :)

    Joyce

    ReplyDelete
  3. Annabelle POctober 2, 2014 at 11:16 PM

    Thank you once again, Joyce :)

    ReplyDelete

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