I am a single parent too. I think the primary problem is finding someone that will accept you as a packaged deal. That is difficult. It is one thing to risk your own emotions and well being but to ask your child to do the same… not so easy. I have been separated for 3 years and met some people. Ultimately issues in regards to my child led me to call it quits. I don’t ever want my son to feel that he is a burden to me.


Ultimately, i asked myself whether its more impt to be a good parent or have a companion. The choice for me was easy. Besides, there are no guarantees in life… couples can break up at any point in time. So why not just concentrate on the child and when they are older, I am sure there will be opportunities for one if you still inclined.

SAHM_TAN:

wonder what are the bad content :? Anything that is not along party line? :lol:


I've not exposed my kids to either of the classics. I think good character, discipline, respect, and other good values can be taught without using them. But when they are older will let them read because think some phrases are good to be used in compo I know I'm a weird mummy.

I know teachers who have used the di zi gui and see improvement in their students' behaviour. For me to use it, I have to cultivate my own behaviour first :evil: I do not agree strictly to everything written in the 2 classics.

Well, they talk about everything, from animals to grains, celestial bodies etc. So of course, some things are outdated. But thats the later portions. The earlier part, cultivation of good character and habits, is timeless. Some things are interesting like the nine generations, it refers to the 4 generations above you, and the 4 generations below you. So when we watch period drama series, the emperor ordering the execution of the nine generations, it means everyone from great grandfather to great grandson! I never knew that :shock:

Some news on China teaching/restricting the teaching of SanZiJing


http://mychinaviews.com/2010/12/in-shandong-the-provincial-education-authority-has-prohibited-stu-dents-from-memorizing-the-full-text-of-the-three-character-classic/

For me, I am teaching my kid SanZiJing as i like the concepts being advocated, i.e. cultivating good character is foremost. I am pleasantly surprised that our malaysian neighbours have such a strong tradition of teaching the classics. I find it admirable, now if only they can get rid of the accent in the dvds... :lol:

As for china, I wouldn't exactly say there is a moral vacuum. Not every chinese national is avaricious and amoral, just that it is present. Ironically, i find the mainland chinese less so in their mainland than when they are here. I often wondered about this... Same in Russia, for those of us more familiar with western books, Russia has such a wealth of classical literature. Yet you see the very worst of capitalism being present there... Can it be due to the destruction and prohibition of the teachings?

carebear:

Japan is one place i want to tour frequently when i retire.

At the moment, we will skip it.
It's not safe for kids and young adults to go there frequently now cos you never know what repeated exposure to radiation can do to one's health.
I guess if you are in your twilight years, then radiation may not be so much of a problem. So I guess i will still tour the beautiful country when i retire.

In the meantime, i will strive to improve my Japanese.
I will support it by buying things like manga, magazines, etc.

Hahaha, you just repeated what my mum and uncles/aunties discussed. They said dunno if they will be around in 10 years, so might as well take advantage of the current discount fares. At times like these, I really \"pei fu\" their carefree outlook!

I think its a slam dunk that there will be significantly higher incidences of cancer related deaths, health problems in the tokyo region. Which is the worst outcome. Think about it, its better to die shortly after such an incident… expectations have been set. Rather than waiting 10 years, marrying and getting children, you realise one day lumps are appearing all over your body…

Hmm, i have been bringing my son (4+) to tuina plus every night, I do the same for him. This was recommended by the ped, rather than going on puffer as he is developing a chronic cough.


About 6 weeks already and I am not sure if he is better. On the whole, he is better i.e. looks more rosy and healthy. However, he got sick 2 times, both of which, the cough was quite bad. Not sure if its due to the flu bug or maybe the toxins being flushed out of his system.

I think if you bring the kid to tuina, observe how they do it and try do it daily before they sleep. I think the frequency is more important.

JonC:

http://www.singaporerealestate.info/property%20price%20index%201960%20to%202010.htm

Thanks for that, its an awesome chart.

My take on our property prices... I don't think we will see anything like what happened in the U.S. My impression is that the U.S. culture is very accustomed to credit, ie if their paycheck comes late, it causes problems for the mortgage payment, credit cards etc.

Locals (older generation, not so sure of the young ones) tend to have better cash reserves and are not so extended. I know plenty of people who bought right at the peak in 1996/97, while not enjoying much capital gains for a long time, were able to hang on to their property all this time. Basically, we have a better margin of safety in the first place. Foreign buyers, by nature, have better access to fund mobility and may cash out. Hence introducing a factor of volatility into the mix.

To summarise, i think HDB prices will do fine although the private housing market will have greater volatility. Can't expect to have a similar US style crash... If anything, expect a japan style long drawn out decline... Asians have great staying power and can tolerate lots of crap (dunno whether its a good thing or bad thing though)

I have been reading a book by Charlie Munger, better known as Buffet's partner and thoroughly enjoy his witty quips. One of the topics he touched on was how everyone before graduation, should take a compulsory module on the realities of life. I so agree...


To get a good spouse, the best way is to be one yourself since a good spouse by definition, is not stupid ~ Charlie Munger
Spend less than you make; always be saving something. Put it into a tax-deferred account. Over time, it will begin to amount to something. This is such a no-brainer. ~ Charlie Munger

Problem is that there are a number of lessons in life that are a bit too adult unless they reach a certain age. Also making the assumption by late teens, they dun want us us to nag and bother them anymore, the kiasu parent should start categorising key worldly lessons to impart.


Let me start the ball rolling:

Kindergarten:
-Everyone is born the same but our habits make us different. Therefore must have good habits (taken straight from SanZiJing)

Primary

Secondary

shurley197323:

My boy is in P2 this year. He has a big fat bully in his class. The bully had bullied almost 95% of his classmates like pinching, pushing, boxing,hiting etc since P1. But so far, the teacher only ask the bully to apologize and the case is closed. This happened countless time/ Till yesterday, the bully kicked my boy and boxed the other bo/s face again. I could not hold my temper and made a huge scene at the canteen. This time, the principal was informed. I told the school that the bully is not the 1st or 2nd offence but countless times and still they did not do any actions against him? :x

Can someone advise me what further actions can I do in the situations?
I told the teacher I want to see the bully getting punished seriously this time not apologising only. Right?

Actually... i am a firm believer in self-defense. What are your options?

1) Beat the P2 boy up personally?
2) Complain to the principal? ->same question of what can he/she do?
3) Complain to his parents? Which is a bit redundant since you wouldn't be in this situation if they were even semi-competent as parents

There will always be bullying, playground, schools, army, workplace. Might as well start giving him the tools to stand up for himself. It does not mean teaching him to throat punch someone, but just standing up for himself. Anyway, you get the idea...