I'm a full-time mummy

According to this article I read, the natural age of weaning is to be between two-and-a-half and seven years.

Yeap! You read that right!

Between two-and-a-half and seven years!

My record as of today, is 17 months and 3 weeks+.

Read the excerpts below which I took from the same article:

Anthropologists estimate the natural age of weaning to be between two-and-a-half and seven years, based on developmental factors and with comparisons with other mammals. According to the World Health Organisation, the worldwide average for weaning is four-and-a-half years.

Many mums are told their milk doesn't have any goodness once their baby is older. In reality, it's not possible for the nutrients in breastmilk to "switch off" once infants reach a certain age.

Breastfeeding a toddler can provide 31% of his daily energy needs, 38% of protein, 45% of vitamin A and 95% of vitamin C. Breastmilk is packed with unique antibodies for immune system development and there are many studies showing toddlers who are breastfed get sick far less often.

Many people feel that breastfeeding past a certain age will make kids overly dependent or clingy, but research has shown the opposite to be true. Children who form a secure attachment with their mother become more independent and can more easily form attachments with others.

Breastfeeding a toddler can make it easier for mums too. With a quick feed you can soothe a sore knee or a tantrum, or get a child off to sleep! Plus you'll reduce your risk of anaemia, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancers.

It can sometimes be hard to imagine how you can breastfeed away from home with a toddler. But in reality it can be easier than feeding a small baby. Toddlers can go a lot longer between feeds. Even if you are out for a few hours you may not need to feed and, if you do, it can be very quick.

I just love the part "Breastfeeding a toddler can provide 31% of his daily energy needs, 38% of protein, 45% of vitamin A and 95% of vitamin C." That just makes me feel awfully good! Of course, I don't have a clue how much percentage is the nutrients in my breastmilk before I came across this article but it feels good knowing I'm still giving Ben all these wonderful and awesome goodies through my breastmilk!

And I definitely agree with "Breastmilk is packed with unique antibodies for immune system development and there are many studies showing toddlers who are breastfed get sick far less often." cos I can see how rare Ben gets sick (touch wood!) and even when he did fall sick, he recovers so quickly and there are times we didn't even notice what's wrong until he's almost on the way to recover fully.... this is generally because he is active all the time and doesn't show much signs of being sick at all.

I thank God for the ability to still produce breastmilk for Ben and that we are all healthy and happy!

Ben, mummy promise you,

I will breastfeed as long as you still wants it!

Oh, btw if you are free (if not, please spare a couple of minutes),

do read up on this really truly inspiring article on the power of breastmilk!

Happy weekend to all of you!

I just have to share this article I got through email forward from an ex-colleague (* Thanks Shoong!)

RECALL NOTICE: The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
 
Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.  No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
 
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
 
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
 
DANGER: The human being units not responding  to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter his Kingdom so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
 
Thank you for your attention!
 
GOD  
P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!

What do you think of this article?

Sometime I think back on the moment I decided "Enough is enough. I am going to quit my job and be a SAHM".

Had I responded and reacted differently, maybe I wouldn't be a SAHM today.

You see, over 1 year ago, I was in the midst of negotiating with my former supervisor on the possibilities of my previous company hiring me as a freelance consultant (they were in the midst of migrating over to a new application system). Lots of hurdles and issues were raised because of this, such as:

* that I am setting precedent to the company if I'm being hired as a freelance staff

* that I will not be committed to my work anymore since I'm quitting my job in order to take care of my baby

* that I will not be able to drop everything at home and rush to office to attend meetings, discussions and so on

* that it is hard for the company to monitor my deliverables as I can work from home if there is no meetings or discussions to attend at office

* that it is risky for the company to allow me to remote login to the company's server to do my work from home

All the above are just some of the excuses mentioned in order to stop the discussions from getting further. I know myseld and my previous supervisor really wanted to make it work (she really needs my expertise in the legacy system and liaising with the users and vendors on the new system) but her manager does not. Maybe because the manager feels threatened that if this freelance idea works, it's like the company is bowing down to my wishes and that I'm being manipulative.

I do not have any other motives other than to still be able to help my previous company (as much as I can), earn a lot less (but still be able to contribute and work) but of course, all this will be within my limits now that I have a new priority in life (that is taking care of Ben!) but somehow, there are people who tends to think bad of this.

There was actually an agreement being drafted out and it's already in the final stage of being agreed by all parties (the company and myself) before we can go official with the freelancing idea. I raised up some clauses in the agreement which was not favorable to me and because of this, my supervisor's manager actually got angrier and more agitated (I think this made the manager more determined to find ways to stop the freelancing idea from being materialised). You see, how can I agree to a freelance contract which stated:

* that I have to disclose the details of other clients I'm working with (that is in the event that I do freelance for other companies). I mean, wouldn't that be a breach of information to my other clients (if any)?

* lots of different tiers of fees calculations for the hours I put into work (if you read the contract it makes you feel sad that a company you have worked with for almost 5 years can be so calculative to you. I didn't even think of this at all as I was already working more than my expected hours when I was a permanent staff but why raised this concern now?)

* that the company is not responsible if I have any accidents, injuries or died at the premise... again, I didn't even think of this at all but since it's being stated out, it made me feel that the company is so cold blooded and not caring towards its employee (be it permanent or freelance)

Anyway, I have actually thought of just disregarding the above and not be so calculative over the details, after all, I worked with the company for almost 5 years and I really enjoyed working there and made lots of good friends but the incident that tip me over to my decision to quit is finding out the manager backstabbed me in front of the CEO. It's really sickening to find out someone could and would go to that distance in order to get rid of you and make the freelance idea not feasible.

The moment I found out about this, I wrote an email to my supervisor and the CEO telling them I'm pulling out from the negotiation and am not going to proceed further with the freelance idea. I did not mention about knowing I've been backstabbed.

Now, I sometimes think had I responded in other ways to this maybe things would work out differently?

What if I mentioned about being backstabbed? Will the CEO takes the matter with the manager and reprimand the manager?  Or what if I decided to confront the manager and demanded an apology?

But I thought, God knows the person I am to the company. God knows how committed I am and how I wanted and tried to make it work. If I have been the sort of person that the manager slanders me of, I wouldn't have work in the company for almost 5 years (long if you are in IT line), my users and vendors wouldn't be so sad to see me quitting and leaving the company for good (or even to date, still asking for my help and advice every now and then).

Maybe you may think the act of me keeping quiet even though I know I've been backstabbed and slandered is coward. But what good does it make if I seek revenge and see that the manager gets punished for slandering me? Read: Romans 12:19 (NIV), 1 Peter 3:16 (NIV)

Had the freelance idea materialised and I continued working freelance in the company, I don't think I will have an easy time there. Obviously that would make the manager more envious (that I get to work freelance) and more determined to get rid of me. So, why stay on and try to pursue something which someone tries so hard to stop it from being materialised? Read: James 3:16 (NIV)

Maybe things happened for a reason. Yes, it is a bad and sad memory for me for that incident to happen. But I guessed, I'm thankful I responded to this situation the way I did. Read: 1 Peter 2:15 (NIV), Romans 12:2 (NIV), 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

This post is written as part of this week's Writer's Workshop.