Various Things I Learned After Two Years of Mommyhood

About raising a kid

• Kids respond better to positive words. eg. "Baby, promise mommy you'll behave tonight." instead of "Kimi jangan naughty tau nanti mommy puk". 85% of the time he will behave. For the other 15%, terpaksa la marah when you've passed your patience threshold. Sebenarnya they are testing you, they just wanna see how far they can go.
• They like to get involved with whatever it is ur doing, like pushing the luggage trolley. They like to feel important. It keeps' em well behaved too. eg. "Kimi, mommy nak pack barang. Kimi tolong pack toys kimi and put them in this bag boleh?"
• Kids will be happy if you said you trust them to behave. More often than not they WILL behave. But sometimes hitting them does the trick just as well.
• There is nothing much to worry about if your kid doesnt wanna eat at mealtime. They will eat when they're hungry. But this is made easier when he can talk, because he will let you know when he's hungry.
• You're not a bad mom if your kid doesnt wanna eat the food you cook and prefer someone else's cooking (e.g. MIL's). That only makes you a bad cook (nothing to worry about too, they'll get used to that after some time).
• No body knows whats best for the kid, including me.
• Internet is always right, at least 90% of the time
• Traveling with a toddler is not as hard as it sounds, you just need to keep them well-fed, happy and occupied. Paying couple of extra bux for that upgraded air Asia seats helps too.
• Three-wheeled strollers are awesome, esp. Quinny Zapp. Sorry, I'm being biased here.

About being mommy as part of a community

• Never brag about the kid's achievement (eg. Anak you jalan masa berapa bulan eh? My son pandai betul! Baru 11 bulan dah boleh jalan! Jalan laju je pulak tu! - yeap, so is mine. and millions of other normal kids). Other people don't really care. Yes, by all means, talk about it. But never brag. Bear in mind that some kids are late bloomers.
• People will always wanna offer their advice, unsolicited most of the time (guilty as charged!). Just say thanks, u appreciate it and give em your sweetest smile. Never discredit anyone. (Pantang tak boleh minum air?! Says who?!) 

 About being a mom:

• I care a lot about how others perceive me as a mom. I wanna be a good mom.
  
• Being a young mommy is cool. Especially when you get those "omg u have a kid?! But you look SO young!" remarks.Hehehe. 
• Wearing babies is cool too.
  
• Breastfeeding is the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I have ever done as a mom.
  
• I am not one to let my children eat junk food. Not under my radar that is.
  
• I dont want a Thai daughter in law.
• No day is a bad day when you come home to a bubbly child, who always waits for you at the front door.
  
• I go out of the way to make sure my son is happy.
  
• I can actually be a very patient person! Seriously, having a child is the best way to test your patience threshold. It should increase over time, btw. 
• I never thought i could love someone so much! Turned out i could.