I'm a full-time mummy

Whenever we go out in hubby's car, Ben will immediately said out which items he wanted to hold while sitting in his car seat. The following are our MUST have items for Ben whenever we go out in hubby's car:

He started with 2 mini toy cars. The red colored sporty one always on his right hand, while the yellow antique looking car always on his left hand.

And then Ben added a new travel MUST have, which is a sunglasses, all thanks to hubby. He always wore this travel sunglasses over his spectacles whenever it's too bright outside during driving and Ben always ask for daddy's spectacles whenever he saw daddy wearing it. Hubby got so frustrated as there are lots of times he had to suffer the bright and glaring sunlight while his son sits happily enjoying daddy's sunglasses. So we got Ben this green colored sunglasses which he wears when he's in the car.

Now we have another item added into the list, which is this small pillow which we always put on Ben's lap. Aside from the above items, Ben also occassionally wears this cap (used to be daddy's)

So what about your child? What are his/her travel MUST have items?

I came across this awesome Etsy shop while I was browsing the Internet and was totally supportive of the idea of promoting this newly setup shop as I realised apart from making these awesome looking products, the owner created some diabetes "blue circle" keychains and pendants and they donate $3 from each of these items that sell to Life For A Child (an organizations that helps children get the insulin and medical supplies that they need)

The moment I saw the word 'diabetes' I felt I had to be a part of this, no matter I don't get to review or even host a giveaway of this, no matter I'm promoting her site for free, at least, it's for a good cause. My dad had diabetes and my mum passed away 4 years ago due to total kidney failure caused by diabetes as well. So this touches my heart and makes me want to do something to help out as well.

The owner, Julia Forbes told me her grandfather has type 1 diabetes and her nursing friend's little daughter also has diabetes. In fact, her friend was the one that came to her to see about designing a diabetes bottle cap design.

Anyway, without much delay, below are info about her shop:

"Once Upon a Sugar Tree creates personalized bottle cap and bezel pendants for necklaces or keychains, beaded necklaces, bracelets and much more. We offer jewelry and accessories for your little ones, moms, grandmas, teachers, medical symbols and more. Our beaded necklaces or custom bottle cap necklaces would make the prefect addition to your little ones outfit.

We have designed some diabetes blue circle pendants and for every one of these that sells, we donate money to Life For A Child. This organization helps children around the world gain access to insulin and medical supplies that they need for diabetes.

We also have designed a Starbright Keychain for the Starbright Foundation. This foundation helps rescue abused children. With every sale of the Starbright pendant we donate money to help this foundation.  We love creating custom jewelry, so please tell us what you would like and we will create it for you!

Come check out our site at: www.onceuponasugartree.etsy.com, Like us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Once-Upon-a-Sugar-Tree/153351694722623 and Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/OUaSugartree"

These are pictures of some of her awesome products from her Etsy shop:

What are you waiting for? Go over to her shop and check out AND BUY her products!

Don't you think its great to be doing charitable things like this while looking great at the same time?

Read: Deuteronomy 15:10 (NIV), Proverbs 11:25 (NIV), 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV)

It was my turn to bring Ben to his Sunday school recently (hubby and I took turns so that at least one of us get to hear the sermon) as the Sunday schools are conducted in a separate building from the main church hall.

Anyway, when it was time for snacks, I brought Ben to wash his hands and when we came back to the room, I let Ben played with this particular alphabet caterpillar toy while waiting for the other toddlers to come back from their hand washing routine.

After a while, this mother and her son (younger than Ben) came and sat next to us and her son immediately grabbed the toy that Ben was playing with. At first Ben was quiet about it as his hands were still holding onto the string attached to the toy. Suddenly the younger boy yanked it off Ben's hands and decided to play with the toy himself.

And that's when Ben started crying.

I immediately tried to console Ben to share the toy (I read in an article that children under the age of 3 do not understand the concept of sharing) but I  still tried that, well anything I can think of to divert his attention from the toy.

Ben actually paused his crying for a while when he heard me saying the word 'share' and then he tried to touch the toy (he really just wanted to touch the toy) but the younger boy pulled the toy further away from Ben.

And all this happened while the younger boy's mother just looked on and did NOTHING.

I thought of taking back the toy from the younger boy but I don't want to have a younger boy wailing over my actions.  I don't want to take Ben away to a new spot as I feel we have done nothing wrong and we should be the one staying put! Ben's cries got louder as the younger boy continued playing with the toy and suddenly the younger boy's mother rudely pushes back the toy to us (as if we're the one trying to hog the toy!).

Ben ignored the toy that was now in front of us (maybe because he sensed it was not returned sincerely or without any apology? Who knows huh?) and continued crying.

I kept on telling Ben 'It's OK, let the younger boy have the toy. Mummy get you other toys or books OK?' And that's when Ben stop his crying.

Personally, I am not the person who likes to fight back over something. You might think I'm weak for allowing myself (or in this case, my son) to be bullied. Read: 1 Peter 3:14 (NIV), Romans 12:19 (NIV)

I don't want to raise my son to fight over everything and worse, to be a bully. But then, I also don't want my son to grow up being bullied or being walked over by others for the rest of his life.

Now, my question is:

If you are in my shoes, will you accept the situation (let the younger boy play with the toy) or retaliate (taking back the toy or talk to the younger boy's mother about her son's action)?

What do you suggest I should do?