I'm a full-time mummy

I love lift-the-flap books!

Whenever I see one of these books, ESPECIALLY those with Christian messages or for children, I would be almost 100% buying the books for Ben. It also depends on whether the illustrations are cute and realistic enough or not...

Yesterday while we were out shopping, I went to this big book store at a mall nearby my house. And then I saw this book:

A Lift-the-flap book? - CHECKED!

A children's book? - CHECKED!

A Christian book? - CHECKED!

Cute and close to realistic illustrations book? - CHECKED!

Awesome! There are 2 other titles (Moses and life of Jesus) but I chose this first. I thought a book with animals will be easier to start off with Ben. At night before going to bed, Ben pointed at my bookshelf and nodded when I asked him whether he wants to read this book. So, I'm happy to say, this book is going to be a favorite for now... He already started saying 'eh-nye-nye' while pointing to the elephants in the book.. Cute! Hahahah..

Pictures below were taken just half an hour ago before Ben took his afternoon nap.

And this is Ben, holding on to one of the flaps and checking out another flap. Curious boy!

I have a few others lift-the-flap books like this which Ben loves too. You can also check out this video of Ben pointing out the things from the book. Way too cute!

So what about you?

What sort of books you use with your child? Or when you were a child?

I am continuing on with my reading on the "Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World" book from Zig Ziglar (I love love love this book!) and I would like to share this part (in red font) where Ziglar mentioned the following:

"A solid foundation for children involves a solid moral base. Parents who teach their children honesty but fail to practise it themselves create real problems. For example, suppose parents repeatedly tell their children to be truthful, but when the telephone rings, they call out to the child who's answering it, "Tell them I'm not home." The message to the child is clear. If children are taught to lie for parents, they are taught to lie to parents."

Think about it. Of course Ben is not at the age of answering calls or even talking properly yet, but what I'm trying to get the message across is, to raise a child with solid moral base, we as parents have to walk the talk first.

"As another example, suppose parents lecture their children on the importance of obeying the law, yet install a radar detector in the car to evade being stopped for speeding. The message again is clear. It you're going to break the law, don't get caught. Be smart like your dad or mom."

Are you starting to worry about what your child is learning from you? Whether consciously or subconsciously?

For me, everytime I'm deciding on something, I think "How am I going to answer to God if I decide this or that?" and then I think of "How will it affect my loved ones around?" and whether I could sleep through the night if I take this or that decision.

Think about it.. I will continue sharing the excerpts from the book if I happened to come across any that I find worth sharing with you guys. Have a nice day!

I am halfway reading the Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World book from Zig Ziglar (I love love love this book!) and I came across this part where Ziglar mentioned this lady (a SAHM) who gave a very good response when people commented that her brain should be put to better use in the working world instead of at home. Please take some time to ponder on the excerpts below taken from the book:

"For those mothers who are sometimes looked down upon by an ignorant or insensitive person because they have chosen to stay home and raise their babies, I love what Linda Burton, a mother of two, says when her working friends tell her that "her mind is too good to stay at home":

I'll second that and add that the most important, demanding and rewarding career a mother can have is to raise her kids positively in a negative world".

Oh I so, so, so, so truly agree with that. I used to think it's a waste of my talents and brain for quitting my job to be a SAHM but yeah... the best minds are required at home... by my own child. I always have the opinion that no strangers should raise my own child cos well, I give birth to my child and so, it is my duty to raise them up, not some strangers.

I am particularly fond of this Polish Proverb: "You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once." That's what I thought of when deciding to quit. I can always find some job later (if I want to) but my child grows up real fast and no time or money can replace that memories of being part of their life as they grow up.

* Image from Google search

So, back to this topic, I do agree that our mind is too good NOT to stay at home with our children! With that, I leave you with this short poem:

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Btw, just want to let you guys know 2 years ago on this date, we found out we're expecting a baby boy! Now look at him, all grown up!