Tyan's Photoblog
See you in Lalaland
Posted by tyan (Singapore, Singapore) on 13 May 2009 in People & Portrait.
I like to watch my kids sleep. I can never get enough of their chubby and dimpled fingers, which they will outgrow really quickly. Another good reason being that it means I finally have some peace or carry out uninterrupted conversations with Husband.
On a more serious note, I think my body is sending out warning signals that it is not coping with the stresses of being a stay-home mom and a part time teacher without help.
My typical day looks something like this:
I wake up to make breakfast for the boys.
Boys wake up,they have breakfast and usually make a warzone out of their breakfast table.
I clean up while they play.
I prepare lunch and do some 'homneschooling' stuff with them
Bath time
Lunch time
We take a public bus to school
After dropping Caleb,I bring Ian for grocery shopping
Then i rush home, try to get Ian to nap, so i can cook dinner
Housework
Wake Ian up and take bus to pick Caleb up
If I am lucky, Husband knocks off early enough to pick all of us.If not, we take bus home
Bath time.
While the boys play/sleep, I give tuition.
If Husband is around, he'll help at dinner time and child minding.
If he is not around, my clones will appear to teach and feed kids at the same time.
Wind down,storytime,lights out for the kids.
Housework.
(And recently,cable car making for Caleb's school)
I used to have some free time when Caleb is in school,but not now anymore. I cannot remember why. On top of the recent episodes of Caleb's illnesses,rushing to the doctor's, cleaning the house at least 3 times a day to get rid of all possible allergens that may have caused Caleb's bronchitis, I began to have insomnia,lose weight,suffer emotional breakdowns, and more recently,bad chest pains and headaches at night.
Then Husband got into many days of tustle with me and just short of pointing a gun at me to drop tuition so I can rest.
But means no money.
Means my in-laws will be unhappy that I am not contributing to the gross family income.
But before I go mad or die from fatigue, I need to readjust my life a little so that I can go further. I have been trying to do too many persons'' work and it is just not working out.
And of course, very few people appreciate that.
I am leaving the building for a while.
I posted some pictures we took from the National Orchid Garden for the following week and hopefully when I return, things will get smoothened out a bit.
Till then,take care:)
Joan from Singapore
Tyan, you are an amazing mother!!!! I can't help admiring you. At least you are clear of your goals in life! Having the time to play and learn together with the kids. I really don't know if I have the courage to do the same as you.
13 May 2009 6:09am
Mandy Provan from Johannesburg, South Africa
Ty, as your friend above mentioned - you are a fantastic mother and your efforts where it comes to your boys will be rewarded inthe years to come as they grow and mature into the wonderful young men you are shaping htem to be. Ehjoy the rest. remember that you are just one person and there is only so much 1 person can do on their own. So slow down, play with those boys and don't worry about what others say. As long as you and Hubby agree on your course of action that is all that matters.
Lovely picture by the way ;) he is getting so very big!! :)
13 May 2009 6:51am
Judy from Brooksville, Florida, United States
Oh, Ty ... Mandy said it all, and so well. Try not to worry about what the in-laws say. I know, they're your hubby's parents, but it is your husband who chose you and it's he and your sons you want to please; the in-laws will always be who they are. Perhaps it is time to 'drop tuition' for a time and concentrate on being mom and wife. This phase will pass more quickly than you realize if you can relax a little. ... You saw my post today; that precious memory was 45 years ago. Try to slow down for even one year and see what a difference it makes.
We love you.........!
13 May 2009 11:10am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Sweet sleeping Angel...you need your rest Tyan, the children need a rested mother, don't concern yourself with others' opinion, in the end it doesn't matter, you are as important as your children xxx
13 May 2009 11:12am
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Bless you Tyan, you are certainly having it rough at the moment. Hopefully you can get a chance to calm things down in the next few weeks and get yourself back to feeling good again.
I saw that Caleb had bronchitis, and that you were cleaning the house 3 times a day, I have a little tip you may find useful, if you use cleaning products to clean with try changing them for more natural cleaning things. As the chemicals in some shop brought products could be a possible cause of Calebs problem. Like white Vinegar and hot water. Here's a link that you might find useful too :)
http://housekeeping.about.com/cs/environment/a/alternateclean.htm
Hope all goes well for you dear Tyan.
Hugs Maryx
13 May 2009 12:26pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
The ladies here have given outstanding advice and support. I would not presume to add to anything they have said here. But I will echo that you are loved and valued here, as you are in your family. Their love and valuing of you means a lot . I know that is how you feel about them as well.
Take care of tyan right now, and you'll be taking care of the ones you love and value most.
13 May 2009 2:45pm
bwee from Singapore
I cannot believe your impossibly tight schedule. I think you are such a superwoman. I don't think I can handle any better than you are doing now. I don't cook all the meals, I relied on the school bus transport for my older girl and I don't give tuition YET I still feel weary with all the household chores to be done, kids to be fed and errands to be run. Life can get really monotonous at times. Hang in there, tyan. Jia you! (btw, I think your husband oughta give u a promotion within the household. Haha.)
14 May 2009 9:02am
Qiaoyan from Singapore
Hi! This pic of Ian reminds me of photos taken by Anne Geddes. He looks like an angel blissfully asleep. Your husband is probably right. It's not easy to take care of 2 young kids and do housework somemore. Do try to have more rest. Your in-laws should be glad you are devoting all your time and energy to bring up their 2 lovely grandchildren.
17 May 2009 10:23am
Canon IXUS 80 IS
1/25 second
F/2.8
ISO 200
7 mm