Don’t get me wrong, I think I’m a pretty good driver. Just that when I drive the family car which is a bigger car, I don’t seem to be able to estimate distances well. Since we got the car, I think I’ve caused several damages to it already.

The most recent few times that I drove it, I scratched the tire as well as the rims. Ouch!! I’m not the one paying for those replacement tires but I know they aren’t cheap. Luckily we don’t own a 4-wheel drive where we probably have to maintain an extra tire and we’ll have to fork out more for a 5th wheel warranty.

Because of my clumsiness when driving the family car, I prefer not to drive it when I go out alone with Ryan. Although he’s a really good boy and doesn’t distract me while I’m driving and he stays in his car seat, I still don’t feel as steady.

Looks like the next time I change cars, if I decide to, I won’t be opting for another family car. I feel in total control when driving my own car, maybe because I’m so used to it. It’s like that isn’t it, once you get used to the car, it feels like second nature when you’re behind the wheels. So really, I’m not such a terrible mummy-driver…when you see me on the road, no need to avoid me OK?

To read more parenting related articles, click here: Life As A Mummy

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As our kids grow taller over time, how do parents store their belongings in a safe manner so that the kids do not have access to things which could endanger them? Ryan is now quite tall, and so he’s able to reach many things that we place on tables and shelves. I have to admit the house is not fully child-proof so there are still things which I think can be hazardous if he reaches them.

Of course we try as much as possible to store sharp stuff, medication, glass ware, etc in drawers or in  high places and discourage him from climbing up to reach them. Right now this seems to work but there are some things which I can’t store high up like that. For example, all my face creams could also pose as a threat if he decides to have a taste of them or even to apply on himself.

So how does a parent keep these stuff safe and away from kids’ reach? How do you do it? Children these days are a lot more inquisitive than we were and so I believe they stop at nothing when exploring. How do you keep them safe at all times? Any great child-proof tips to share?

To read more parenting related articles, click here: Life As A Mummy

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All kids at one point or another are sure to be somewhat attracted to kiddie rides of all kinds. Ryan loves them too but fortunately for us, he doesn’t enjoy the ride when we insert coins into them. He would instruct us NOT to put in coins, he just wants to sit in it and turn the steering wheels and press on those brightly lit buttons in the kiddie rides.

Whilst that saves us money, we somehow can’t help but think that parents who walk past us and see us not inserting any coins to let Ryan enjoy his ride must think that we are so stingy! I guess we just have to be thick faced and be okay with that perception of us!

Anyway, I’m writing this post to serve a reminder to parents. Something untoward happened to Ryan while he was on one of these kiddie rides in 1 Utama’s top floor at the new wing last night.

As usual we sat him into his chosen kiddie ride and he was turning the steering wheel and pressing the buttons…it was also our fault for not watching him closely and assumed that everything was alright. There was one particular button on that ride where the cap of the button had come off, so it was exposing the little bulb sitting inside it.

Ryan touched it and he immediately told us that his finger was very painful. He got burned by that heated bulb on the tip of his index finger! The bulb was so hot that his finger immediately developed quite a big blister. And his finger was quite red in colour for a long time. It all happened so quickly, we didn’t even see his little finger touch it. I felt awful as a mum for being so careless and letting him get hurt like that.

When we led him away from those rides, we tried to distract him of the pain and his fears of those rides. It was so painful for us to watch him in shock and pain. We tried to cheer him up by distracting him with the colourful cartoon game showing on the LCD TV at the Parkson toy department and shoving him in the direction of toys we think he’d like. He was alright all the time, not a single tear at all, but he kept his little blistered finger pointing out all the time, right until we got into the car to go home! My poor little boy.

Not only did he physically get hurt from this incident, he’s also quite skeptical to get onto a kiddie ride now. Maybe the memory of the painful  burn is still very fresh in his memory and that’s why he doesn’t want to get on them now, but I really hope this episode does not make him stay away from these rides. He’s still a kid after all and deserves to enjoy himself on them.

So parents, when you put your children into these rides, watch out for those buttons and make sure your kids don’t get burnt. It’s not fair that they get scared and therefore stay away from things they like just because they got hurt by some faulty machine. And from our carelessness, too. Also, being burnt may not have been the worst that could have happen. Who knows whether there’s any passing current in those  electrical parts too. I shudder to think of the worst case scenario…

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I’m one paranoid mother. In a shopping mall or anywhere for that matter, I would never let Ryan lean on railings or fiber glass pieces in case they are not secure and collapse. Some people may think I’m really being too protective and worry too much. But you know, a recent case has proven that not all things are safe…

In today’s papers, a dad sues the KLCC Park maintenance firm for RM5 million because his son got electrocuted when he leaned on a lamp post at the park. His son died from the electrocution, which is a big pity. See, tell me that I’m being paranoid. These things happen!!

So parents out there, it doesn’t hurt to exercise a bit of caution when it comes to your kids. As much as possible we as parents should avoid any kinds of untoward accidents from happening. You’ve read so much about how many building structures have collapsed (even roads and bridges can collapse!) in the country, so what makes you think we’re always safe?

Be safe and be alert out there. Here’s wishing everyone a great weekend ahead and enjoy your time with your family and loved ones.

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There are plenty of horror stories about hiring maids from hell. Unfortunately, these stories seem to be increasing rather than decreasing. Maybe because more and more families are dependent on domestic helpers, and more and more of these foreign maids supplied by the agencies are of bad service or value.

I’m sure you must have heard all kinds of stories from family and friends who have maids. I’ve heard a fair share of stories, from milder and not so serious ones like the maids not having the required experiences and skills to do the job, to the more extreme ones who would chase their employers with a knife.

As scary as these stories sound, many people feel the need to have a maid at home to help not only with household chores but also to look after kids as an alternative to sending them to expensive daycare centers or babysitters. This is a definite no-no for me, even if there was going to be someone at home to watch over the maid.

Just days back, I watched a video clip of a maid abusing a little girl and I was greatly disturbed by it. Today, I read more horror stories from the newspapers of some maids who put menstrual blood and urine in food and drinks to be served to their employing families! The world is just getting crazier with all these domestic helpers! What are they thinking?!

So if you are thinking of hiring maids to help ease things at home, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise if you are unlucky. At best, your crancky maid could be just stubborn and irresponsible, demanding for time off to go out with friends and such. At worst, well, I don’t want to think about it.

Think not only twice but thrice and more if you are going to that agency anytime soon to put your money down for a maid!

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