Today’s Motherhood

Mums@Work is a social enterprise that strives to help women find the perfect balance between being a mum and working.

Our aim is to make known the flexible work solutions available for mothers, provide a portal for Mumpreneurs to list their services, list volunteer opportunities and also to provide guidance on career skills needed for such roles.

We hope to be able to provide mums with the support, assistance and advice when choosing flexi-time options. As mothers ourselves, we recognize the desire of many mothers to marry their professional experience with their shift in priorities upon the inclusion of new family members.

Our Main mission: To be a point of information source for mothers who want to work flexi-time or run their own business (on a part-time basis), so as to have sufficient time for family as well.

Website: www.mumsatwork.net

Email: info@mumsatwork.net

Contact: +65 64015789

MUSIC and I presents your Child’s Favorite Characters as Personalized Photo DVD!

Your Child is the STAR!
Exciting adventures with your child in ACTION!

DORA, DIEGO and ME!

This Personalized DVD features your child joining forces with Dora the Explorer and her friends Diego and Boots as they set out to rescue Baby Jaguar. Your child will help Dora navigate the map to get through the rain forest, around the cave and on to the waterfall, where Baby Jaguar is in danger.

Your child will soar to new heights in this thrilling and educational video, which encourages kindness and kinship with all animals.

DORA, WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT?

This Personalized DVD features your child in a heart-warming Dora the Explorer adventure. In this video, Dora and her friends are out to discover who’s having a birthday party. Your child helps Dora’s team follow the birthday balloon that leads them over Cupcake Mountain, across Sneezing Snake Lake and on to Play Park—where someone’s having a birthday party.

This fun and interactive video helps build cognitive skills and encourages cooperation to achieve goals.

MY PARTY WITH BARNEY

This Personalized DVD is filled with birthday songs, dancing, and animated scenes. Your child joins Barney, Baby Bop and BJ for a very special occasion: his or her birthday! Barney and his pals have planned a wonderful party. Your child can sing along while playing party games, trying on fun party hats, and blowing out the birthday candles.

This video demonstrates the importance of generosity and love on a child’s very special day.

I AM AMAZING SPIDERMAN

This Personalized DVD features your child as the Amazing Spider-Man! The video is chock-full of exhilarating action sequences that promise to enthrall and captivate. Your child puts on your Spidey mask and does battle with nine treacherous villains who are wreaking havoc across New York City. As Spider-Man, your child will find out who’s the evil mastermind behind the crime wave and put an end to all the mayhem.

This video inspires courage in the face of danger, and includes an educational segment on spiders with Jonah Jameson.

Order now!! and avail of the SPECIAL PRICE for the first 20 orders or *FREE Personalized Music CD!

**FREE Personalized Music CD Choices: Joyfully Alive, River of Life, In the Spirit or any of the SPORTS album.

Watch sample videos of these best-sellers Photo DVD (under PHOTO) from my website: www.music-and-i.com/catalogue.html
(the name of the child should be in our database for Barney and DORA albums)

Email us at sales@music-and-i.com the following:

NAME of the child:
Customized Message for the child:
A front-facing clear picture of the child:

For business opportunity (reselling the products), kindly email us at dealers@music-and-i.com

Children Storybooks Giveaway. Read our Aug 11 Story Book Recommendations and Stand a Chance to Win One of the following books. See end of post for details. Contest ends 31 Aug 2011!

1. Ten Little Kittens by Marian Harris

Synopsis:
Ten Little Kittens is written in a lyrical rhyme suitable for the comprehension of young children. The storyline is based on these ten little kittens’ adventure and mischief that they have gotten themselves into. Flip the pages and you will attractive illustrations coupled with the enormous animated eyeballs that will help to attract these little ones’ attention. No doubt, it is fun for children to count along to the last mischievous little kitten and anticipate the sequence of events that follow.

Do check out the other Eyeball Animation titles for great reads with your young children.

Age: Recommended for ages 2 and up

2. Topsy and Tim: Have Itchy Heads by Jean and Gareth Adamson

Synopsis:
Topsy and Tim Sticker Storybook Series feature engaging stories that are reassuring for young children having first experiences of their own. In Topsy and Tim: Have Itchy Heads, both Topsy and Tim catch head lice at school. Mummy and Daddy didn’t notice Topsy and Tim scratching their heads until a letter from school announcing an outbreak of head lice. Mummy isn’t too pleased at first when she discovers that the twins catch head lice in school. But soon, she manages to find a good way of get rid of the itchy problem!

Topsy and Tim Series can help guide parents and children through ‘first experiences’

Age: Recommended for ages 3 and up (younger children may enjoy the book too)

3. Charlie and Lola: My Especially Special Little Library by Lauren Child

Synopsis:
Charlie and Lola: My Especially Special Little Library is based on the original Charlie and Lola stories as seen on television. This book talks about Charlie has this little sister Lola. She is very small and very funny. And Lola is often very busy as well. Join Charlie and Lola as they get ready to go out, go to the beach, build sandcastles, go to the park and lots more!

These four delightfully fun mini board books are just right for little hands to hold, and the sturdy slipcase means they can go anywhere!

Age: Recommended for ages 3 and up

4. Flip and Click Memory Match by Accord Publishing

Content:
Flip and Click puzzles is a game book comprising of fun and innovative way to play a game on a page. Simply push on the top of a game piece, spin it around and click it into place. This portable puzzle book is perfect for packing along from the couch to the backseat and everywhere in between. Flip and Click Memory Match features the classic game that will provide hours of fun for solo play or head to head competition. Flip and Click Memory Match will test kids’ memories as they race to find the most matches. Each booklet consists of three bonus Hangman puzzles.

Age: Recommended for ages 5 and up

5. Me and My Monsters: Monster Mess by Rory Growler

Synopsis:
Me and My Monsters: Monster Mess Ten-year-old Eddie couldn’t believe it when he found THREE FURRY MONSTERS living in the basement of his new house. Yes, imagine Monsters with big hairy critters with fangs, horns and extra eyes! Fiend, Haggis and Norman are the stinkiest, craziest friends he could wish for! It’s a secret nobody knows of. And now his mum, dad and sister are in on the secret too, and the Carlson family are learning to live with their adopted monsters. But when Fiend, Haggis and Norman make one mess too many, Eddie’s mum tells them they need to learn to CLEAN UP . . . OR ELSE!

Can Eddie teach the monsters to be tidy? We will see…
For more monster mess, look out for their other series too!

Age: Recommended for ages 7 and up

Our Children’s Books are reviewed by Crystal

Giveaway Contest

We have one book of each of the above children book titles to giveaway. Total 5 winners. Contest ends 31 Aug 2011. All you have to do is

(Existing members need not sign up again. New members need to check your email after signup to confirm subscription)

2. Be a fan of Today’s Motherhood

3. Fill in the form below and indicate your choice of book you would like to win

The prizes are sponsored by

Terms and Conditions Apply.

Technology gives kids today more ways to connect, socialise and communicate than ever before, which is great. The downside is that kids can use it to intentionally or unintentionally hurt. Cyberbullying, the new high-tech version of the schoolyard bully, is increasingly a prominent threat to our children. Cyber bullies use text messages, email, instant messages, social networking pages, or blogs to harass, embarrass, and intimidate other kids. It takes many forms, from spreading false rumors and posting embarrassing pictures of others to sending offensive messages, repeated harassment (sometimes sexual), stalking, threats, and even extortion.

Did you know? Cyber bullying impacts one in three kids in Singapore.

If you think your kids haven’t experienced bullying in the digital schoolyard – you may want to think again. According to the Norton Online Family Report 2010, a staggering 73 percent of children in Singapore have experienced some negative situation online and over 33 percent feel responsible for being a victim of cyberbullying. These negative online experiences come with emotional baggage, one that has a profound impact on children leaving them feeling angry, annoyed, fearful, disgusted or shocked. Cyberbullying, just like any other form of cybercrime, is a very real crime and needs to be taken seriously.

The good news is Singaporean kids will turn to their parents first when it comes to protecting them from being a victim of cybercrime. It is important, as parents, that we take responsibility to ensure that our children are neither victims nor bullies. Cyberbullying is hard to detect as there are no physical signs of hurt. Some tell-tale signs parents can look out for include:

- Irritability, anger and frustration after using the phone or the Internet
- Avoidance of activities they used to enjoy and people they liked to meet
- The child becomes easily distracted and academic performance starts showing signs of decline

If your child starts showing any of those signs, have a conversation to find out what is troubling them. Open communication is vital to keeping our children safe online. If your child has been a victim of cyberbullying, here are some simple steps to deal with it:

- Document the bullying, and report the bully.
- If the bullying takes place at school, report it to your child’s teachers and school authorities.
- If possible, talk to the bully’s parents, and offer to show them the offensive material.
- If the bullying seems more serious and involves threats or adult predators, report it to the police.

I strongly believe that kids should be encouraged to embrace great technology and all the benefits that come along with it. Along the way, conscientious parenting needs to be in place so that our children are safe in both the online and offline world.

By Mr. Effendy Ibrahim
Internet Safety Advocate & Director, Consumer Business, Asia, Symantec
Besides being responsible for strategizing channel strategies and driving sales for Norton products, Effendy is also passionate about promoting family online safety issues. A father of four boys, he has spearheaded numerous awareness, educational and innovative programs in the community. He holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

A newborn may sleep up to 16 hours a day or even more but often in stretches of 3 to 4 hours at a time. Although many cultures may endorse co-sleeping, it is recommended against bringing your infant to sleep in bed with you for safety reasons. While in deep slumber, there is a risk that your baby can suffocate or get strangled when sharing the same bed.

It is therefore important to make careful considerations while purchasing a baby cot for your newborn which they may use until they are 2 – 3 years old moving on to a full-sized bed. Here are some things to consider before purchasing a cot:

Types of Baby Crib

Baby cot can have the standard or convertible type. Standard cots either have a single or double layer drop side which allows for easy access to bring your baby in and out of the cot.

The convertible cot will be able to last your child till at least 5 years old. It acts like a crib during the first 3 years of your child then it could be use a toddler bed when your child grows up. Some can even be turned into an adult-size bed. Naturally, the convertible baby cot costs much more compared to the standard baby cot. There are also some cots that can be used as a changing table for your little ones. Do assess your needs before making a purchase.

Safety
It is always important to observe the safety of the baby cot. Here are some things to note:

1. Distances between cot slats are no more that 6cm to prevent their hands from getting stuck in between
2. Dropsides when lowered are at least 23cm above the mattress support, when dropsides are raised, they are at least 66cm above the mattress support to prevent babies from falling off the cot
3. Secured dropside locking mechanism. It is recommended to be able to lock or unlock with just one hand as you usually have to carry or support your baby with the other.
4. No loose or peeling paint, rough corners, edges or splinters.

Mattress
It is not hard to find the perfect fit for the baby mattress.

Always remember to measure the baby cot because purchasing the mattress. The perfect fit is one that will fit into the baby cot very tightly without any gaps in between. The biggest allowance between the cot and the baby mattress is one finger. It is important to check the mattress regularly and replace if you can easily insert two or more fingers into the gap.

Too soft mattresses can also pose risks toward your baby. Because it is too soft, the baby may sink into the folds thus restricting their movements. In worst scenario, this can lead to suffocation and even death. So here’s the tip. Babies do not usually suffer from back pains so it will be perfectly fine to provide them with a firm baby mattress – simply choose a mattress that will give your hand just a slight bounce.

Tips: Always putting your baby in the crib for sleeping will help signal to the infant that this is the place for sleep. Keep in mind, though, it may take a few weeks for your baby’s brain to signal the difference between night and day. Unfortunately, there are no tricks to speed this up except to be as consistent in your routine as possible.

This article is sponsored by Infantino Enterprise.

50% off 2 Hr “Double Up!” Parent-Child rock-climbing workshop at The Rock School! Only $30 for 2 pax instead of $60 now!

Check out the following Great Deals Singapore
Highlights

• The Rock School brings the exciting sport of rock-climbing to kids and parents in a fun, safe and guided environment
• Rock-climbing is one of the best sports to develop your child’s psychomotor, cognitive as well as affective skills
• The exciting sport intrigues their little minds and challenges their physical abilities
• All equipment and teaching materials are included in this 2-hour workshop
• Help your kids reach greater heights today

To get this deal, visit Great Parenting Deals

The Fine Print

• Classes are held every Sunday 11.30am-1.30pm
• Advance booking of at least 3 days before class is required
• Vouchers must be redeemed by 30th Sept 2011
• Compulsory to have one adult accompanying
• Additional pax at $15/pax

To get this deal, visit Great Deals Singapore

Dear Readers,

The Aug / Sep 11 issue of our Singapore Parenting Magazine - Today’s Motherhood Online Parenting Magazine Singapore is out now.

Below are the highlights of this issue:

• iPod, iTouch, iPad…iBaby? When is the right time to get junior tech savvy?
• Pregnancy : Managing the First Trimester Is That Normal?
• Breastfeeding Woes : Tips from a Fellow Mother
• Raising a Child With Autism. A Parent’s Struggle and Challenge
• Bronchial Asthma in Children : What You Need to Know
• Meet your Natural Cleaning Allies at Home
• and many more.

To read our Free Parenting Magazine, go to Today’s Motherhood.

To get our latest updates, remember to join our mailing list today :)

A classic dilemma for soon to be mothers: Formula milk or breast milk? Bottle feed or breast feed? Which would you choose?

The nutrition value of breast milk is a major reason why mothers opt to breastfeed their babies. A mother’s milk contains far more nutrients as compared to formula or cow’s milk. These nutrients are essential for an infant’s optimal growth and immune system.

The Nutritional Value of a Mother’s Milk

As soon as you give birth to a baby, your body begins to produce a substance packed with protein, carbohydrates, essential vitamins, nutrients, and anti-bodies. This substance known as colostrums, is responsible in protecting gastro-intestinal tract and reducing chances of infant diseases like jaundice and dehydration.

The following are a few indispensable reasons why you should breastfeed your baby:

1. Intelligent quotient – Experts say that breastfed babies have higher intelligence quotient. In a study done in New Zealand, it has been found that infant-formula fed babies have lower academic achievements.
2. Less Sugar – Formula milk-fed babies are faced with the risk of acquiring diabetes. Breastfed infants have lower risks of being inflicted with the disease.
3. Reduced risk of SIDS – The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is reduced due to the nutritional content of breast milk and for the simple fact that more attention is given to infants when they are breastfed.
4. Uterus size – Aside from losing fat, breastfeeding helps to retain your uterus to its pre-pregnancy size. This process also helps the placenta to contract; reducing the risk of post-partum hemorrhage.
5. Highly Endorsed – The World Health Organization (WHO), the American Academy of Pediatrics and other international and local health authorities strongly believe that human milk is the best food for newly-born babies.
6. Bonding Time – Breastfeeding broadens the chance for mother and baby to get in touch as often as possible. Once the baby is latched on to her breast, aside from the physical needs of the baby, the emotional and physiological needs are satisfied as well.
7. Easily Digested – Breast milk is easier to digest as compared to formula milk. Cow’s milk form bigger curds in the stomach which is more difficult to be assimilated into the infant’s body system. Half of the protein contained in cow’s milk just pass through the body and becomes waste product.
8. Lower risks of cancer – Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other types of cancer have limited risks for both mother and baby.

We Couldn’t Stay Little!

Unravel your child’s Linguistic Talents in a wholesome and fun way

Leap SchoolHouse is an MOE Registered Enrichment Centre which focuses on Literacy Development for children from 8 months to 6 years old

Ants On The Apple
Phonics Programme (Age 3 to 4 years)

BEC/WHIZ Programmes (Age 8 to 36 months)

Leap Tots Programme (Age 24 to 36 months)

Literacy Through Stories (Age 4 to 6 years)

Speech & Drama (Age 2.5 to 6 years)

Xue Pin Yin (Age 5 to 6 years)

Yue Du Le (Age 4 to 6 years)

New Term Starting, Contact Us For Details

Tel: 6634 0828
Email: contact@leapschoolshouse.com.sg
Website: www.leapschoolshouse.com.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leapschoolhouse

NotInTheMalls ‘Seller in the Spotlight‘

Ruby Slipper offers a range of beautiful, top-quality, hand-embroidered linens and accessories for bed, table, baby and home.

Made from the finest cottons and linens available, and exquisitely hand-embroidered to the highest standards by artisans in Vietnam, each piece is designed to be beautiful, comfortable, stylish, timeless and long-lasting.