I'm a full-time mummy

Seriously folks...

I have no idea how many times I've said this, how many times I've explained this, and yet people still have the perception that just because I'm a SAHM, it means I stay at home all the time, that I get all the rest I can, that I'm the free-est person in the whole wide world, that they can just tell me to help them do things and stuff.

Seriously... I'm tired of all this crap.

I am human. I'm not a super woman.

I do get tired.

I do get sick (though I'd really prefer not to and I thank God my hubby and sometimes MIL helps out to take care of Ben when I'm sick).

I do sometimes wish I could go out and spend some 'me' time.

I do want to eat slowly and enjoy my food like how I used to even though it means I have to eat alone with no company.

People who are single, or are not married, or do not have any children or do not have experience taking care of a child (for at least one whole day), they think I get it very easy in life.

They think that I just sit at home, mop around, play with my boy all day long. ALL DAY LONG.

They think just because they freaking had to go to work and encounter and face clients, users, vendors, bosses etc etc that their life is worse than mine.

Seriously.

When YOU feel sick, you get to apply for leave and rest at home.

But what about me? What do I do when I fell sick? Do I get to apply for leave and rest at home ALL DAY LONG?

Seriously.

When YOU think you're so busy with work, please think that once you go home, your work is over (sorry if you're the type of people who brings work home)

And think that how you look forward to weekend so that you can relax and wind down after a hard week at work.

But what about me? When I'm overwhelmed with taking care of my boy ALL DAY LONG, do I get to go home (oh wait... I AM HOME ALL THE TIME!) and rest?

Do I get to look forward to weekend and all? Everyday is the same thing for us.

Seriously.

Think about what I had to go through before you go and make smart opinions of other people's life.

Especially a stay-at-home mum's life.

You have no idea how 'FREE' we are at home 24/7.

You have no idea that even a 10 minutes shower is considered a luxury. (I normally shower with my boy to save time and so I don't have to worry he'll get into any mischief if I bath myself and when I do bath myself, I had to leave the bathroom door open so I can keep an eye on my boy)

You have no idea that even eating alone is a luxury.

You have no idea when you're at your most hungriest and yet you have to feed your child first,  and then have to juggle in watching after him as well when you finally get to eat your portion just so that he doesn't throw or cause a mess at the eating table.

So seriously...

The next time I fall sick, if you are not even caring enough to wish me a 'take care' or a 'get well soon' or 'take a rest' or 'drink more water', please just keep quiet and leave me alone.

I do not need to know your opinion that I have all the time in the world to rest since I'm a stay-at-home mum.

When I'm struggling to conserve my energy so that I really do not fall sick, I do not want to read or hear or know all this  opinions.

I really don't need to hear all this demotivating things at the moment when I should be resting and concentrating on getting well.

So yeah, go away if you've got nothing good to say.

Welcome to the January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Learning from children

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared the many lessons their children have taught them. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

As a full-time mummy of a going to be 2 years old in less than 2 months time toddler, I realised that throughout the years of my parenthood journey, I've learned a couple of lessons from my very own child. Yes, from my dear cheeky going to be 2 years old toddling toddler.

OK, enough of Ben's cheekiness for now... Ladies and gentlemen, buckle your seatbelt and follow me through this journey of what I've learned from Benjamin...

#1 : Getting him out (of me) is way easier than raising him up

Although I do get some glory for giving birth to Ben naturally in 4.5 hours time (from 1cm-10cm), I would have to repeat that childbirth is wayyyyyyyyyy easier than taking care and raising your child after you bring him/her into this world.

No matter how painful it might seem at the point of contractions (actually I didn't even realise I started mine until we were at the hospital getting ready to be admitted), no matter how deep and deathly tight your grips were on your dear hubby's hands as each contractions come and go, no matter how you felt like dying as you got ready to take a deep breath and push with all your might hoping it is going to be one to help your baby out, all those pains and tortures seems to vanish the moment your baby was placed with you after the birth.

And then the real journey began... how are we going to raise him up in this world? Are we equipped enough? Are we capable to do so? Are we qualified to be his parent?

Ben at 5 days old being weighed...

He's so tiny and helpless, can we protect him for as long as we live? Today, everything we are exposed to is full of temptations, influences. How are we going to ensure he knows which is right or wrong? Which is fair and just? Which is good or bad? And so, we toddle along with Ben as he grows up, hoping we are able to raise and nurture him to be a God fearing, God loving child. A child who does things that pleases Him. A child who brings example of Christian living. A child who brings joy to the lives of people who came into his life. A child who honors, respects and loves his parents.

#2 : Nothing beats the beautiful awesome sight of waking up next to your child

Ben at 4 days old sleeping next to mummy..

We co-sleep with Ben (still do!) and most of the time, I have the great honor of waking up next to my sleeping child who lies ever so peacefully, without a worry in his mind, without any trouble or sorrow or stress in his head. Just simply gazing at this awesome work of God is just so fascinating and breathtaking! Not to mention, priceless too!!

#3 : You cannot expect everything to be how you want them to be

Ben at 3 weeks old...

I have a few of the "What to Expect" books in my bookshelf. But I guess the moment you have your own child, you cannot expect everything to be how you wanted it to be. Life now revolves around them. Everything must be scheduled around them, before or after their nap time, before or after their feeding time so on and so forth. No matter how you scheduled and planned everything, you can only hope that everything will turn out all right.

#4 : Take everything with a pinch of salt, live life to the max!

Spilled water, soiled diapers, messy high chairs, unfinished meals, and all sorts of things which can frustrates a parent... all this should not be taken seriously. What I'm trying to say is, there is no need to get frustrated, to get angry or all worked up. Just take things one step at a time and enjoy every moment! This picture below, I will always cherish and remember its moment...

Ben at 3 months old...

Ben was about 3 months old, happily sitting on my lap when he suddenly jet sprayed his poop which spewed out from the back of his diaper right onto my front... my shorts, my blouse... I was just 2 weeks into being a SAHM, still getting the hang of being a full-time mummy and I was really impressed by my own reactions towards this incident. Instead of panicking, scolding, screaming or reacting negatively, I called out to my dear hubby to grab the camera and snap the shot. You might think it's gross or crazy for us to react this way, but it's moments like this that will not come by often, so, enjoy it!

Of course, there are lots and lots more lessons I learned from my child, and to think he's not even 2 years old yet!

Personally, I feel that the moment you become a parent, you realised you've got a whole lot more things you never know of and all of a sudden, it's like becoming a child all over again!

With that, I leave you with some inspiring parenting quotes to ponder on:

* It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself.  ~Joyce Maynard

* The trouble with learning to parent on the job is that your child is the teacher.  ~Robert Brault

Hello everyone! This is Benjamin writing in on mummy's blog. I think she's a bit tired as we just got back from a short weekend family trip to Genting Highlands  with  Uncle Daniel (that's my 2nd uncle!) and his family.The last time we went there was almost a month ago and we spent the weekend mostly in the Indoor Theme Park.

Apparently, uncle Daniel got a free complimentary hotel room for 2D 1N stay and invited daddy, mummy, myself and grandma to join them. And because Isaac ko-ko (that's uncle Daniel's son or my fave cousin who is 4 years older than me) had an art class on Saturday, we left an hour earlier than them.

During the journey, I of course, started playing around with whatever I can grab hold off, in this case, daddy's sunglasses.

Oh go on and say it... you know I look cool!

Let me think, what rides should I attack first?!

We reached Genting about 5pm+ and checked into our room. We hang around while waiting for uncle Daniel and family to join us. My aunt made us dinner and we all left to play in the Indoor Theme Park after that. It was getting really misty outside, so our plans to play at the Outdoor Theme Park will have to be postpone for now..

After some discussions and calculations, daddy decided to get all of us the Theme Park Annual Passports which we can use for most Indoor and Outdoor rides. Yeayy! Daddy and mummy signed some forms, then we got our photos taken and cards printed and we each were given our card with a lanyard. Mummy had to tied a small knot to shorten the lanyard's length for me.

Immediately after that, we went to try the Ferris Wheel which we did not get to try the last time we were here. I love it cos it goes round and round, up and down... so fun! We also tried the Carousel which is one of my fave as well. We went back to our hotel after that as it was getting late (about 10.30pm). I was already yawning and my mind slowly drifting away...

The next day, we all woke up at 8.30am (OK, they all woke up at 8.30am while I was still happily sleeping.. but hey, not my fault! Nobody wakes me up!) and after refreshing ourselves, we went to have our buffet breakfast.

And then off we go to the Outdoor Theme Park! Yessss! My very first time in the Outdoor Theme park which is quite misty and very cold in the morning. Aunty Phyllis (that's uncle Daniel's wife) did not joined us as she was having a bit of a cold and decided to walk around in the Indoor Park. Mummy immediately put on my leg warmers to keep my legs warm.

The moment we entered the Outdoor Theme Park, we all took the first ride we saw, which is the Antique Car. I sat in front with daddy while mummy sat behind, busily snapping cool shots of me driving the antique car. During our journey, we get to see other attractions around the theme park and even went through a couple of tunnels.

And then, we walked in further and tried the Flying Jumbo ride. It's kinda weird sitting in a ride with flying elephants all around, but hey, it was fun as we get to go up and down while  we were sitting in the elephant rides. Again, mummy sat alone (poor mummy!) while daddy sat with me. (Mummy however made up by going with me on another round of this ride a short while later)

	After the ride, we walked a bit and I went and checked out this pond with a big waterfall attraction nearby. There are lots of fishes in the pond! Don't they feel cold?! And those fishes are huge!
	After that, daddy asked me whether I want to try the Tea Cup ride and I nodded. Of course I want to try it! It looks so fun seeing people sitting in a giant cup which spins and spins and spins! The three of us squeezed into this giant tea cup and daddy told me to hold on to this metal railing in the center. After the ride, mummy was grumbling about feeling her head spinning. Poor mummy!
Uncle Daniel carrying me while I look at daddy & mummy...	Soon after the ride ended, we meet up with uncle Daniel and Isaac again and we headed towards the Flying Dragon ride. I am too short young to try the ride but uncle Daniel managed to persuade daddy and mummy to try the ride, leaving me under the care of him. Mummy looks so sad and worried at the thought of leaving me alone with uncle Daniel and kept on telling uncle Daniel where were my snacks and water bottle in her handbag. After the ride ended, daddy and mummy got out safely! Yeay! I missed them already! Mummy praised me for being such a well-behaved boy while being left with uncle Daniel and showered me with sloppy kisses.
	We then walked back and tried the Astro Fighter ride. It was located near the Flying Jumbo. In fact, the ride is quite similar, only that one is one an elephant, and the other an aircraft. But nevertheless, I enjoyed the ride as well! Just look at how confident I was while maneuvering the aircraft!

After that, uncle Daniel left Isaac with us while he went back to the hotel and do the check-out procedures. We spend our time at the playground area. It was here that I plucked up some courage to try this weird looking wood plank surrounded with big strong netting. I slowly made my way across the wood plank, taking small but confident steps and inch towards daddy who is waiting for me.

Steady, steady...

Look at me walking across! No hands!

Oh, I also tried a new slide today! The long and tall and swirly slide which mummy has always been hesitant to let me try. She's scared that I might get stuck inside and not be able to crawl up or down by myself. But with Isaac playing as well and daddy saying that it's time to let me try it, mummy then nodded and gave her OK for me to try it!

Mummy keep telling me to sit properly before sliding down and I did have a couple of minor accidents (such as sliding down with my back facing the slide and  sliding down head first... whoooppssss..) but I think I'm slowly getting the hang of it and really enjoyed the slide!

All in all, it was a fun and memorable trip for me as this is my first time playing at the Outdoor Theme Park and trying new things! The hanging wooden plank, the swirly slide, the flying elephant, the spinning tea cup!

I can't wait for our next trip and try all these cool and fun rides again!