Today’s Motherhood

SmartKids Asia’s Featured Fan Kids Photo Contest

Show SmartKids Asia your kids’ Best photo and be crowned as their Featured Fan of the Month.

2 Winners will be picked on the following:

a) Best Photo of the month - wins a Robeez set worth $98 by Stride Rite and be featured on SmartKids Asia’s Facebook Profile Picture.

b) Most Popular Photo (photo with most likes) of the month – wins a $10 Gift Voucher and be featured on SmartKids Asia’s Facebook Profile Picture.

Hurry and submit your kids’ best photo here, and win!

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/smartkidsasia

2012 Classes Open For Registration! (Early Bird Discount if you enroll by 27 Nov 2011)

• Little Seedling (3-4 y/o)
• Little Sprout (5-6 y/o)
• Little Tree (7-10y/o)

Nov/Dec School Holiday Workshops Available!

• Dealing with Feelings (4-5 y/o)
• Ready for School! Transition to P1 (6 y/o)
• Resolving Conflict (7-9 y/o)

Why NURTURE KIDS

• Small class sizes
• Trained EQ coaches
• Collaborative approach with parents
• Fun & interactive classes using puppets, stories, crafts, songs, games, and role plays!

Skills taught include:

• Feeling awareness
• Effective Communication
• Anger Management
• Being a good sport
• Social problem solving

EQUIP YOUR CHILD WITH THE SKILLS TO BECOME HAPPY, MOTIVATED LEARNERS IN SCHOOL!

Contact us today for more information or visit our website www.nurturekids.com.sg

Address: Block 211 Hougang St 21 #01-297 Singapore 530211

Email: enquiry@nurturekids.com.sg | Phone: 6288 4823

You just gave birth to a healthy baby. Your family and your spouse are all ecstatic and happy of the arrival of your baby. Everyone feels happy except for you. There is a strong tinge of sadness in your heart - you cry, have negative thoughts and feel insecure all the time. Why is this so?

What is Post Partum Depression?

Post Partum Depression (PDD), or also known as post natal depression, is a feeling of sadness, misery, loneliness, insecurity and incompetence usually felt by women after giving birth. Studies revealed that 30% of women who have given birth experience PDD. This makes it a normal yet crucial condition which women should battle to avoid severe complications. If not properly treated, PDD may indirectly have dire effects on an infant’s growth and development.

Cause

The exact cause of PDD is unclear. Some women may be genetically more vulnerable than others to postpartum depression. However it is believed that stressful events after childbirth such as feelings of isolation, worry, and responsibility about the new baby may be the main cause of PDD.

Signs and Symptoms

PDD is characterized by the following signs:
• Loss of motivation
• Restlessness or irritability
• A lot of crying
• Eating beyond normal amount (either too small or too much)
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Loss of interest in engaging in pleasurable activities
• Isolation

How mothers can battle PDD

Battling PDD has no standard formula because its intensity differs from one woman to another. However, you can take the following steps into consideration to help you cope with your depression:

• Forgive and accept yourself. Most importantly, acknowledge your negative feelings and know that it is okay to seek help from others.

• Join a support group. The support group can be online or offline. Either way, it is comforting and liberating when you share your experiences to others, and know that there are many others feeling the same way as you.
• Take plenty of rest and find time to sleep.

• Engage in relaxation exercise such as yoga, pilates, meditation or massages. Relaxation opens the mind to happy thoughts.

• Be aware of your thoughts and think positive. Entertain thoughts or ideas which are optimistic, and try to appreciate and be grateful of the little things around you. The thought of you giving birth is actually a blessing to be thankful about.

• Talk to someone. Refrain from being alone and seek the company of close friends and family. Ask someone you trust and be comfortable with to be by your side as much as possible.

• Indulge in your partner’s embrace. The human touch is a powerful tool and has profound healing effects. This is the best time for you to enjoy each other’s presence.

Congratulations to the winners of Snap! Entertainment and Today’s Motherhood Win Tickets To Barney: Big World Adventure - The Movie Contest. They have won for themselves tickets to the gala premier Barney: Big World Adventure - The Movie on 12 Nov 2011, 10.30am at Hall 10 Cathay Cineleisure Orchard. Winners kindly be there at least 30 minutes before the start of movie to register at Today’s Motherhood Booth. Free Seating.

Below are the names of the winners:

1. Ann Goh
2. Carol Neo
3. Chan Xiu Fang
4. Diyana binte Mohamed Yusoff
5. Elin Oh
6. Elmiza Amran
7. Esther Gan
8. Fong Yoke Ling
9. Grandhi Anuradha
10. Ian Wui
11. Joelle Ho
12. Jolene Yeo
13. Lana Quek
14. Linda Teo
15. Michelle Koh
16. Pauline Tan
17. Png Ee Ling
18. Rebecca Wan
19. Saraswathy
20. Toh Su Ling
21. Veronica Chan
22. Wendy Tan
23. Yeo Pei Yun

*Winners will be notified by email individually.

** Terms and Conditions apply

For those who wish to get your own tickets, you can find out more at www.todaysmotherhood.com/barney-big-world-adventure-the-movie/

The promotion is brought to you by Snap! Entertainment and Today’s Motherhood

BeBe Avenue is having their Year End Promotion - Valid till 31 Dec 2011

Promotion 1:

10% discount for any purchase of Ergobaby Carrier and receive a $10 gift certificate from us.
Bebe Avenue is the authorized retailer for Ergobaby Carrier in Singapore.

Note from our principal: We have noticed a number of unauthorized Internet sellers of ERGObaby products. In some cases, these products are counterfeit, which may pose a safety hazard due to inferior materials and/or workmanship. No warranty protection is offered with respect to counterfeit products.

Promotion 2:

Purchase a Cinch Tummy Wrap (Signature or Couture) and receive a FREE Razbaby Keep It Kleen Pacifier (RP: S$10.50) of your choice.

Promotion 3:

Sophie the Giraffe is 20% off retail price in our store! Get yours today and receive a FREE miniature Sophie Keychain worth S$14.90!

Visit us at www.bebeavenuesg.com

For enquiry, please write to bebeavenuesg@yahoo.com or call us at 81808759

LIKE us on www.facebook.com/BebeAvenue

Here comes your baby girl!

Life will never be the same and choosing a baby name is a monumental decision. We are all constantly searching for that perfect name, something unique, but not overly weird, something sweet, yet not too common. Read on for a list of names which might just fit your fancy!

A
Acacia – thorny
Adele – noble
Adina – tender
Aimee – loved one
Aisha – happy
Alana – attractive
Alexis – defender
Alia – to rise
Amory – to be in love with
Annette – a favor
Astra - star-like

B
Bertha – bright
Blaine – yellow
Blaire – meadow
Blythe – happy; mirthful
Briana – high; dignified. Brianna, Brianne
Brielle – fierce; robust
Brooke – a brook, stream

C
Caitlin – pure
Cammile – noble; righteous. Camilla
Cara – a friend
Cathina – pure
Cerise – cherry
Cherilynn – dear one
Clarice – fame
Cheyenne – unintelligible speaker
Clea – glory of the father
Cloris – green

D
Dahlia – valley
Darina – maintains possessions well
Darlene – sweetheart
Deanna – valley; church leader
Deirdre – sad one; sorrowful
Delia - one who entices
Dion – child of heaven and earth
Della – royal

E
Elysia – celestial joy
Elodie – wealth
Esme – compassionate guardian
Estelle – star
Eustacia – steadfast

F
Fay – fairy
Flynn – red-headed
Freya – royal
Finella – fair shoulder

G
Geralyn – ruler
Ghislaine – vow
Gia – gracious God

H
Haidee – honorable; selfless
Heloise – famous warrior
Huette – intellect

I
Ilsa – God’s promise
Ines – modest
Isa – strong-willed

J
Jada – precious stone
Joie - joy
Juana – gracious God
Jude – one who is loved

K
Kace – alert
Karis – graceful
Katia – pure
Kerry – black
Kira – sun

L
Larissa – jolly
Lavonne – yew
Lavinia – cleansed
Layna – light
Leticia – happiness
Lucia – radiance

M
Malvina – valiant
Mara – bitter
Marcia – soldier
Maren – star of the sea
Maureen – star of the sea
Maxine – greatest
Monet - solitary

Stay tuned to part II, for girls’ names from M - Z!

Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and Health Promotion Board will be organising a public forum on “Health Eyes, Healthy Children - The definitive forum on what you need to know about Myopia and eye conditions that will affect your child’s vision” in conjunction with the 12th National Eye Care Week 2011.

Name of Event: Public Forum on “Health Eyes, Healthy Children - The definitive forum on what you need to know about Myopia and eye conditions that will affect your child’s vision”. Other topics include Lazy Eye and Squint. (Talks are in English)

Organiser: Singapore National Eye Centre & Health Promotion Board

Venue: Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel - Marina Square.

Date & Time: 12 November 2011, Saturday, 9am-1pm (Registration starts at 9am)

Admission: $5. Light refreshments provided

Registration: SMS your name, no of persons attending, 12 Nov and mobile no. to 97252366 or Email: feedback@snec.com.sg or see www.snec.com.sg for more details

With the increasing affluence and opportunities in China, introducing Chinese to children is something that parents should not overlook. However, most of the young parents now have made speaking English the priority in the family and Mandarin is used only in enrichment classes for the children.

Mr. Lee Hann Yang, founder of Wink To Learn (a Chinese learning platform for children), is a firm believer of teaching his children Chinese while they are still young. Here, he shares with us some simple tips to build the Chinese foundation for our children.

1. Speak Mandarin For The First 6 Years of Life

It is very important to speak Mandarin to your children during their early years as this is the time when they can start learning the language. Having exposure to the language will allow them to learn the language easier as he grows.

2. Hold Their Hands and Guide Them

As busy parents, we always make a mistake of buying some educational resources and expect our children to self-generate the interest to explore the materials further. Thereafter, when the resource has become a white elephant in the house, we conclude that our child are not interested in the language after all and give up.

Children need guidance. They need us to hold their hands out of their comfort zone. When playing a Chinese program for your child, sit down with them, watch with them and sing along with them. Enjoy the program and the process of learning together. The attention given by the parents will generate their interest in learning.

3. Speak Mandarin Ourselves

This is something that many parents are guilty of. We seldom speak Mandarin at home thus it is unlikely that my children love speaking mandarin. If we parents do not deem Mandarin as an important language and speak it within the family, how likely is it that our children would be interested?

4. Get Interesting Resources

Get interesting resources such as illustrated books and DVDs to enhance our child’s interest in Mandarin. For a range of Chinese DVDs available, you might want to check out Wink To Learn for more details.

In order to groom the child and develop their love for the language, there must be a combination of factors. Parents should make an effort to make Mandarin one of our spoken languages in our daily life with a combination of good and interesting resources and enrichment programs to enhance our children’s ability in the language.

This article was first published in Today’s Motherhood Magazine Aug 09 issue Page 22

Giveaway Week 3 (7th November to 13th November 2011):
(by SmartKids Asia, the World’s LARGEST Educational Kids’ Fair)

FREE GIVEAWAY - Pediped® Originals® soft-sole leather shoes X 2 (Total value $127.80)

The soft, flexible soles of Originals® are recommended by pediatricians and podiatrists because they allow children to closely mimic barefoot walking. Originals® are made of the highest quality leather and also feature a soft foam insert between leather layers. They are comfortable and great for little feet.

To Celebrate SmartKids Asia, the World’s LARGEST Educational Kids’ Fair coming to Singapore, they are having 30 Weeks of FREE GIVEAWAYS to their Facebook Fans!

Simply be a fan and tag the GiveAway photo here, and you could be one of the lucky winners!

Take part in the Most Glamorous Look 2011 Photo Contest by Little Kidz Couture

Snap your child’s most glamorous photo and stand a chance to win fabulous prizes

1st Prize: S$100 worth of products from Little Kidz Couture
2nd Prize: S$50 worth of products from Little Kidz Couture
3rd Prize: S$25 worth of products from Little Kidz Couture

All participants receive a one-time 10% discount* off RRP on any purchase till Jan 2012.

* Only valid on a single purchase and non-promotional items.

To submit a photo:

All contestants and voters must be a fan of Little Kidz Couture

1. Like their fan page www.facebook.com/littlekidzcouturestore
2. Join their mailing list www.littlekidzcouture.com/newsletter.php
3. Send a recent photo to enquiries@littlekidzcouture.com with parent’s name, email, contact number, child’s name, date of birth, age, gender and a caption of the photo.
4. Photo must be clear and sharp and resolution should be 300 dpi minimum.
5. Photo must not be more than 1 MB.
6. We will upload your child’s photo in the “Most Glamorous Look 2011” album on Little Kidz Couture Facebook page for all fans to view and like.

Deadline for photo submission is 24 Nov 2011.

Guidelines:

1. Your child must be aged 0 to 4 years.
2. Photo submission is limited to one photo per child.
3. By entering the contest, you agree you are the child’s legal parent and/or guardian of the child participating in the contest.
4. All contestants must be residing in Singapore.
5. A recent photo must be submitted for the photo contest.
6. Little Kidz Couture reserves the rights to change the contest rules at any time.
7. Little Kidz Couture reserves the right to reject photos which does not meet the submission requirements.
8. Top three winners will be based on the most number of likes accumulated for each photo.
9. Winners will be announced on Little Kidz Couture Facebook page on 12 December 2011.

For more details, visit www.facebook.com/littlekidzcouturestore