Mom.Dad.Chat

Let me ask parents this: How much time do you allow your kids to watch TV everyday? During my time as a kid, the channels and the number of programs that can actually attract a 4 year old to sit in front of the TV is pretty limited. You would probably only have an hour of really interesting kiddy programs everyday after school hours.

But these days, apart from the free national TV channels, you also have a range of pay TV channels that screen children programs. If you subscribe to the cartoon channels, you would get to watch cartoons like 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if you don’t subscribe to the cartoon channel specifically, it can get bundled up as a package and you have to take it together with other channels that you would want to watch. So, whether you like it or not, you end up with a kiddy channel or two.

Therefore, how do you stop your kid from watching too much TV? My son now knows he can get cartoons the whole day on TV. It is only so long you can hide that fact from him because once he knows how to keep pressing the controller buttons, he would know there is a cartoon channel just as there is a sports channel. The basic understanding of “sorting”, I guess. You have dramas on the drama series channel, basketball and tennis on the sports channel, music and songs on the MTV channel, stc. So, should I be happy or what that my son understands this basic concept?

Anyway, do you limit how much TV your kid can watch? Even if they are only cartoons? How much TV do you think is too much for a pre-schooler?

I used to buy electronics stuff without doing much research in the past. If I’m in need of a TV, I would simply walk into a shop or two and look around for something that striked my fancy and fit within my budget. For price comparison, maybe I would look around in a third shop and then make my decision.

However, now I realized that buying electronic items require a little bit more research. Most salespeople will only tell you the features and the good thing about what they are selling. But if you want to find out more such as the ease of use or durability, it comes back to doing your own consumer research. The web is a good place to start for that.

Similarly, for price comparison. It is hard walking from shop to shop taking note of the price of the item that you want. Push a few keys and with a few click of the mouse, you have all the price information you need. To me, the web has become the new place to shop for electronic goods indeed.

The recent news about the death of Michael Jackson is certainly a shock to music fans worldwide. I read about the news when I logged into my Yahoo account wanting to check on my emails.

I think for all of us who are in our 20’s and beyond, you can’t really not know who Michael Jackson is. Even if you are not his fan, you will be able to identify him at one glance at his picture. I grew up liking some of his songs but hating the rest. I’m certainly not a big fan and I still cannot understand why some people need to cry when they see him in person or at concerts. It baffles me.

But I have to admit he is an incredible talent. I don’t think any one entertainer has managed to capture so many people’s imagination during their career the way Michael Jackson did. It certainly bring back memories of my teenage years with friends scrimping and saving to buy his albums and posters and learning his dance moves. And for those annual music awards, it was always an anti-climax of sorts because you already know who was going to win.

Even my mom knew who Michael Jackson is. I don’t think women of her generation would know how to appreciate his moonwalk or Thriller album or his look, but mention his name, and she will know what or who we are talking about. Try mentioning Cyndi Lauper or even Madonna to my mom, another two popular celebrities of our generation, and you will most probably get a blank look.

Well, now that the man is dead, I think most people would miss him in their own special way. You may not be his fan at all but go through all his songs, you are bound to find at least one that you would like to listen to now and then or even over and over again. For me, the song “I’ll Be There” comes to mind right now. Perhaps, it is time I go out and hunt for his best collection one of these days. That is, if they have not been sold out.

Recently, I was window shopping and I saw this new computer touch screen that is 19 inches wide. There two more models that have even larges screens and my son was busy poking his fingers on the screens to attract movements and sounds from the programs being displayed.

Nowadays, most computers uses a thin lcd monitor and the newst ones even have the CPU in-built into the monitor. This means you would not find an ugly-looking CPU box sitting somewhere at your computer table. Instead, all you have is a screen, keyboard and mouse. Looks cool, right?

How technology has changed over the years. From a bulky CPU box and monitor reduced to a slim-looking wide flat screen. I certainly would like to trade-in my laptop for one of these!

I came across this post here about personal ads published in the papers back in the 18th to early 19th century. These are ads from people seeking love but back then, both men and women are usually looking for matrimony as well. Compared to now, even if we put up a personal ad, I hardly think marriage would be a priority. Furthermore, people would rather try out dating sites than advertising to get a mate.

Anyway, try reading this ad and see if you can still find such requirements from people nowadays:

An Affectionate Husband, in All Probability

A young man about twenty-four years of age, elegant in appearance and pleasing address, wishes to form the acquaintance of a charming young lady, from sixteen to twenty-two years of age; skin like alabaster, teeth as pearls, hair black as the raven, eyes large and lustrous, of the same dark hue, but whose magic glance at once thrills and electrifies the soul. Such a one will meet an ardent lover, and, in all probability, an affectionate husband. Address, confidentially, H.M.C. box 176 Herald office.  

I guess the specifics may change and reading the above may probably put a smile on your face. But at the end of the day, money, status, beauty and maybe, age are still what the main requirments are for people looking for a mate, whether in the past or the present. Isn’t that so?

I was introduced to scented candles by a friend while studying abroad and after trying out a few, it got me hooked on having some around the home. They smell nice and some scents give you a relaxing feel and help you to de-stress when you are feeling a little pressured.

Apart from helping you to relax, candles can also be used to decorate a dinner table or make a room looks warmer. Furthermore, there are many candle accessories that are equally beautiful that can be used as part of home decor. From tree-like to black crystal round holders, you are bound to find one that will be a perfect fit for your home.

So, if you are looking for an item or two to spruce up your home decor, try getting some candles and the accompanying accessories. Not only do they look nice, they also offer practical use when needed. 

With the swine flu that is going round, the government in Hong Kong has decided to close all primary schools and kindergartens for 2 weeks recently. So, that means my son, who has been attending kindy for almost a year, gets a 2-week break all of a sudden.

As a parent, I have to admit that I’m at a loss as to what to do with this unplanned for 2-week break. I think I rather have my son at kindy with something to occupy him rather than staying home staring at the TV every morning. I guess when you are used to having your kids at school, having them around at home instead is something that is both welcomed as well as a headache.

Now that I’m used to having the mornings free to do my own thing ranging from grocery shopping to blogging, having my kid stuck with me instead means a change in schedule is required. So, here I am blogging at past 10 at night for a change. Apart from my schedule gone haywire, there is obviously a kid with me to attend to now in the mornings, from getting him a drink to being his playmate. In other words, it is back to having him with me 24 hours a day when I used to get a few hours break each week day.

Anyway, do you sometimes feel the same too? That you rather have your kids at school than being stuck with you at home? To escape all the noise, fuss and demands for a free morning everyday to do whatever you like without any disturbance? Well, I guess even mothers need a break, perhaps. To regain our sanity and make us miss the kids more. After all, if they are with us all the time, there is simply no chance to miss them, right?