Discpline and Reward

We came up with this chart to motivate Terelle to behave.


She gets a tick for good behavior and a cross whenever she misbehaves. Moreover there was a period of time when she began to cry whenever we dropped her off at school and would cling to me like a limpet, all the while wailing pitifully.



No idea what brought on that period of regression, we put it down to Thane starting to become more endearing with his antics and captivating everyone's attention, so she had no choice but to come up with something to attract our attention as well.



Thank God she didnt regress in other ways like bed wetting or fighting sleep though! That would have been major headache for me!

So for each day that she did not cry, she would get a tick, and for the days that she did, she would get a cross.

If she reached the end of the chart of crosses, she would be "rewarded" with a lollipop.

And if she completed the chart of ticks, she would get this neat contraption called the Ezy Roller.

We found this in an obscure sports shop and all of us were fascinated by it. The Ezy-Roller is a three-wheel cart without pedals, a chain, or batteries. Instead it glides forward by moving your feet and knowing our daredevil daughter, she would definitely be game to try anything that involves high speed action outdoors.

So it was obvious what she was gunning for, and whenever she slipped up and started crying in school, she was genuinely appalled at her behaviour and kept vowing not to repeat her hysterics the next day.

The chart was also good in controlling errant behaviour. I would simply have to go, "Do u want a tick or a cross?" and any attempt at a misdemeanour would be quelled immediately. Haha!

And so, after a couple of months, Terelle finally earned her Ezy Roller, adding this to the sporting activities that we do together during our special time on Wednesdays!

She is a speed demon, just like her mama! haha...

Updates

Terelle and I have 2 special days in the week, when we do stuff together during a precious 2 hr window when Thane is in school.

Since his school is at East Coast, we will go for a morning run together, starting from the old Big Splash...

looping around the Lighthouse...

and then turning back!

We will then treat ourselves to a hearty breakfast at one of the eateries near Thane's school, all the while taking goofy pics and/or read some books and do some activity books.

Other days we will take either her scooter or car along with us and have some giddy, giggly fun rolling down slopes and racing along the jogging tracks.

Here she is, hurtling down the slopes at breakneck speed!

And then she has to carry the car back up - its a good workout for her arms and legs too!

Some days we venture further, over to Parkway Parade for a nice breakfast and our favourite longan/pineapple drink at the hawker centre.

And then its off to the playground near the library for some fun, while we wait for the library to open its doors.

We will then spend the next hour in the library, reading together and choosing new books to be savoured at home.

Baby i just want you to know that Mummy really treasures these times spent with you, and i hope that you enjoy yourself as much as i do!

Running

Amongst many other common interests, i am thankful that hubby and i share a passion for sports, especially running.
Due to our inherent competitive streak, we have always taken great pride in trying to outrun each other, ever since our school days.

I havent been running very regularly since ive had the 2 monkeys, but this year, ive finally hauled my lazy ass off the sofa and restarted my fitness regime. Also because hubby sponsored an unlimited membership with the gym, and penny pinching me abhors wastage, so i go almost everyday to maximize the membership! Haha...

It really is a case of mind over matter. When i wasnt exercising i always felt lethargic and listless, and yet couldnt sleep well at night. Once i started hitting the gym regularly, i had renewed energy to push myself to do so much more during the day and at night i slept like a baby (until awoken BY the baby)

Here we are at some of our runs this year.

At the starting line of the nike human race

I struggled to complete the 10k last year but im proud to say i did it quite effortlessly with a respectable timing this year! Yeah!

Just before flag off in a sea of red

A little crazy with euphoria at the end

At Run Singapore

I also took part in the Great Eastern Women's 10k but alas, no pics as my friend was holding on to my fone when i went for a loo break at the start and we got separated when the run started.

And i have made it my personal challenge to keep beating my timing and to push myself to see how much i can improve.

It feels good to have an agenda for myself for once, and to indulge in something that i am passionate about, and not have my world revolve entirely around the kids.

And this is also the reason why i am dead set against having a 3rd child. My life has just started to get back on track and i dont want to be derailed again and start right at the beginning with another baby.

A couple of good friends are expecting their 3rd child and i am really happy for them, (sidenote: YL you may not be the best mother in the world but i know you are the best mother that k, s and the akan datang little one can ever have. And i admire you for your bravery and steadfastness in following God's plan!)

But i know that i will be extremely upset if i were to fall pregnant with a 3rd child. There is just not enough of me to go round if i were to have another baby.

(Which reminds me that i did mention when i recounted about my pregnant pauses, about how i was going to permanantly guarantee that that doesnt happen.)

We have set our sights on the Great Wall Marathon in Beijing and the Phuket Marathon next year and maybe also the Great Ocean Road marathon in Melbourne, and take a holiday at the same time after completing the race. It would be a good chance for us to have some couple time too without the kids.

Anyone keen to join us? :)