I have been reading quite a few of the Chicken Soup series. Although some say that it is kind of in the past, I beg to differ.

I bought a few, and it usually has to be a subject close to me. Recently, I bought the book for Power Moms – mums who chose the family over their careers. They include stay-at-home and work-from-home mums.

I have been deliberating this subject for a long time now. And only in the recent year have I found a way to finally realise this dream of mine – staying home with my kids while not being poor.

And so, naturally, I am thinking of all the opportunities lost should the day I quit actually come. On one hand, I think about the corporate ladder I can still climb, on the other, I see my kids grinning each time they see me. Although I must admit, they do drive me crazy sometimes.

One particular chapter came to me last night with a very true saying “You can work your whole life, but your children are young only once”. I immediately stopped thinking about myself and reflected on this.

It is true, yes?, that kids are only young once and there are only so many years which they really need and depend on you. After those years, I am going to be a pillar, no longer physically needed, no longer the arms they will run to for a kiss on their boo boo, no longer the person who will cook and drive them around. I felt tears in my eyes and my heart warming up.

So yes, I think the decision is finally clear to me. And if you are a mum and quite undecided if you want to give up your career, pick this book up and see if it helps to enlighten you.

One of the better ones I have come across is the one located at The Curve. It is a cozy place which is located on 1st floor, just beside Mothercare. I like the fact that it is done up with the mother’s expectations in mind.

Across the room is where the security guard is, who is always on the look-out for people who should not be entering the room.

In the room, there is a changing table which is from the Ikea range of furniture. However, the changing mat needs to be changed – think it is a little worn out now.

There is a bin inside with a lid to ward off any smell from the diapers. The wash basin in clean and there is also ample space for you to park your strollers.

In the room there are 2 cubicles with curtains drawn for the privacy of breastfeeding mothers with their precious bundle. The seat inside these cubicles are quite decent. However, the management may want to think about putting another seat inside for the older child who follows the mother in. Otherwise, the mother will be distracted with a tired and restless kid.

The cubicle also has a table for mothers to put their relevant things, but also good for mothers who pump their milk. I sometimes do that and I appreciate the table very much. However, only one of the cubicle has a plug point. And so, you have to choose the cubicle to cater to your electronic pump.

Of all, the best thing is that the set-up of the room gives the mother a sense of isolation from all the hustle and bustle of the shoppers. Perfect for that special bonding moment with the baby.

With Ryan, I tend to play Legos and puzzles with him. Alternatively, I also play with Pop-Onz with him. He likes to make and invent things.

With my little baby, I tend to play peek-a-boo and sing to her. Now, you can see why Ryan will be bored with my play with Megan while Megan will be so fascinated with Ryan’s inventions that it will be grabbed and dismantled in no time.

Sigh, this is a stage where I wish where there are dress up games which can help me transform in a flash for the both of them. That way, I can entertain them even when I am changing my costume!

I also play cooking games with Ryan when I am busy cooking in the kitchen. Actually, it is more like imaginary play where he is helping me with the cooking and washing. In reality, he is playing with water in the basin!

Thankfully Ryan is not hooked to any video games just yet. I must be careful so that he is not addicted to it and in turn put his health in jeopardy. With Megan, I am all the more determined not to let her be in it as well.

Can you tell me about any other games which I can play with my 8 month old and 4+ year old together?

I am someone who is VERY PARTICULAR about the type of shoes I wear. Naturally, I will also behave the same way when I buy shoes for my kids.

For my older one, his first pair of shoes were full leather, white, had cute laces with flare ends and a soft sole. I had intended to buy the same one for my little girl when she turns 1.

However, one day I came across this brand called Papayayas. It has the cutest designs which includes flowers, submarines, baby chicks, pirates, elephants, frog kings etc. When I held it, I knew that this was going to be the brand I would buy for my little girl.

Upon looking it up the net, I found that it is made of 100% leather, making it breathable for the little feet thus keeping it cool and comfortable. This is important seeing that many of adult legs’ problems began when they were kids.

The Papayayas shoes boast of several features which I find are important when considering shoes for the little ones: 

 Are they not great? Certainly received thumbs up from me! I am so happy with them that I decided to carry them in my online store. Check it out here.

While we always believe that all mothers should know how to breastfeed their young, it is actually not true and many times, breastfeeding fails because mothers are not properly informed.

This is where Gina and her talk will come in as it covers topics like …

I attended this session to relate my breastfeeding experience with my 2 kids and despite thinking that I am a veteran in this area, I still learnt a thing or two from her, like how our breast milk is different between the breasts or how the breast is likened to a factory and all its different parts!

My take on this – Definitely must go for all parents, whether you are first time or not!

Breast is best, and we all need all the help we can get on this!