Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
How far can a five year old ride on a balancing bike?
Our family made the following cycling (not all) trip on Sunday. My couple and our five year old son. I am on a Tern Link C7. Wife on a Polygon Urbano 3.0. Son is on a loopfiets or balancing bike, or kid training bike.
Monday, August 9, 2010
An education opportunity
My son is old enough to have some eagerness to watch the NDP fireworks. Also because he has watched it a couple of times. No, he is not old, only 2+, but we have watched it from far during the many past NDP rehearsals in the last few weeks.
Yet, today, the actual NDP day, he was sleeping during the fireworks display. My dad wanted to wake him up to watch, but I said no need. Because
Yet, today, the actual NDP day, he was sleeping during the fireworks display. My dad wanted to wake him up to watch, but I said no need. Because
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Alvin? who? Chipmunks? What?
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.
Oh, are they some kind of cartoon/comic/game/movie characters? Sorry, I have very low knowledge on these. I gathered that Alvin is a cartoon character in a movie also acted by real human beings.
From the reviews, it should be a family friendly film, talking about some life lessons. It is suggested to be best for kids from 6-9, but beware of some mild rude humor in it.
Anyway, I bet most of you know Alvin and the Chipmunks better than me. Thus, you should likely be more excited than me that "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" is available on DVD and Blu-ray, or you could also download it.
If you want more fun, there is a Double DVD pack. It contains more music, mayhem and singalongs in "The Squeak Along" Bonus Disc. How much? Two DVDs at the price of one!
I playfully munked myself at http://www.munkyourself.com. Isn't it cute? Clearly, my artistic quotient is quite low. By the way, can someone tell me what did Alvin say?
It is fun! Try it out or visit http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com for More Munk Mayhem, or just buy it now.
May be I should see if my 2+ year old kid is able to do the munking. However, there is always the concern or worry that he likes it too much and keep wanting to do it.
Oh, are they some kind of cartoon/comic/game/movie characters? Sorry, I have very low knowledge on these. I gathered that Alvin is a cartoon character in a movie also acted by real human beings.
From the reviews, it should be a family friendly film, talking about some life lessons. It is suggested to be best for kids from 6-9, but beware of some mild rude humor in it.
Anyway, I bet most of you know Alvin and the Chipmunks better than me. Thus, you should likely be more excited than me that "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" is available on DVD and Blu-ray, or you could also download it.
If you want more fun, there is a Double DVD pack. It contains more music, mayhem and singalongs in "The Squeak Along" Bonus Disc. How much? Two DVDs at the price of one!
I playfully munked myself at http://www.munkyourself.com. Isn't it cute? Clearly, my artistic quotient is quite low. By the way, can someone tell me what did Alvin say?
It is fun! Try it out or visit http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com for More Munk Mayhem, or just buy it now.
May be I should see if my 2+ year old kid is able to do the munking. However, there is always the concern or worry that he likes it too much and keep wanting to do it.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Mind and body age mismatch
Just heard from wife some days ago that son's classmate is a boy who was abandoned by both his father and mother. We know of another boy in our neighborhood whose young parents were separated less than a year after married and he is raised by his paternal grandparents.
We are not social workers. I believe social workers have more to tell.
Physical body grows according to natural laws, while [spiritual] mind grows from life experiences and guidance from parents and elders. There is too much academic education for the brain, yet virtually no proper education for the mind.
We are not social workers. I believe social workers have more to tell.
Physical body grows according to natural laws, while [spiritual] mind grows from life experiences and guidance from parents and elders. There is too much academic education for the brain, yet virtually no proper education for the mind.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
How much does a loopfiet cost?
Found the loopfiet at United Square for toddlers to learn how to balance before learning to ride a bicycle. However, it costs S$180, and has a fur saddle. Would some carpenter at our furniture shop make some at cheap price range?
Actually, can we just remove the the paddle of a bicycle?
Actually, can we just remove the the paddle of a bicycle?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Vehicles in the eyes of toddlers
A friend's son favorite toys are heavy plants such as bulldozer, huge trucks, and etc. I was wondering why these things attract the boy attention. My own son is also very interested to know about these and different vehicles. At 1+ year, he could identify taxi, bus, van, lorry, concrete mixer, bicycle, etc. I has been wondering why too.
Another related question I have is why characters in children stories are usually animals, and wrongly suggest that they talk like human?
This morning, I thought of a possible reason
Another related question I have is why characters in children stories are usually animals, and wrongly suggest that they talk like human?
This morning, I thought of a possible reason
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
How can it be that easy, to abandon babies?
Just learnt about a the shelter for babies in Singapore, Sanctuary House, which was set up since 2005 in this news. Their "business" has grown, sadly.
Not that I don't pity these abandoned babies, but adopting them is not the way.
Ideally, the parents must ... still be fully, or as much as they could to be responsible for them. Yes, the abandoned ones should be taken care of, but I think it is very unwise to directly or indirectly excuse their parents of their responsibilities.
Shouldn't it be considered a crime for one to not want to raise his/her children? Thus, they should be tracked down, and made to be responsible as much as possible. Similar to bankruptcy, but more than it, at the very minimal, a portion of their income/assets must be given to the child indefinitely.
In addition, since a child is related by lineage to his family members and relatives, as long as can track down any of them, they also be somehow made to bare the financial burden. The objective here is not so much as to reduce number of abandoned, but to make everyone aware of the consequence of irresponsible (aka extra-marrital) sex.
The above is really at the bare minimum because financial is just one of the many aspects in raising up children.
Thus, think about it, at present the society/nation/community is baring the burden, i.e. all of us are bearing such increasing burden. If people are concern enough to tell people off because they let kids step on MRT seats, then shouldn't we be more concern to scold [young] people who gets too intimate, regardless in public or in private.
Not that I don't pity these abandoned babies, but adopting them is not the way.
Ideally, the parents must ... still be fully, or as much as they could to be responsible for them. Yes, the abandoned ones should be taken care of, but I think it is very unwise to directly or indirectly excuse their parents of their responsibilities.
Shouldn't it be considered a crime for one to not want to raise his/her children? Thus, they should be tracked down, and made to be responsible as much as possible. Similar to bankruptcy, but more than it, at the very minimal, a portion of their income/assets must be given to the child indefinitely.
In addition, since a child is related by lineage to his family members and relatives, as long as can track down any of them, they also be somehow made to bare the financial burden. The objective here is not so much as to reduce number of abandoned, but to make everyone aware of the consequence of irresponsible (aka extra-marrital) sex.
The above is really at the bare minimum because financial is just one of the many aspects in raising up children.
Thus, think about it, at present the society/nation/community is baring the burden, i.e. all of us are bearing such increasing burden. If people are concern enough to tell people off because they let kids step on MRT seats, then shouldn't we be more concern to scold [young] people who gets too intimate, regardless in public or in private.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Approaches are different
It started from an article about youths and teens getting AIDS/HIV in Singapore last week. The author prefers safer sex message over abstinence. Then, there were three articles published in oppose to her article, all published on Monday. Next came two articles highlighting the issue in relation to business organisations, on Tuesday and Friday.
All of them concerns about AIDS/HIV. However, there are two groups being concerned here, the employees, who are typically adults, and the youths and teens. As such, I question is the approach towards employees by corporate management for the sake of business, suitable? ... when applying to the youths and teens.
Employees are adults. Thus, management won't want to influence their attitude towards their sexual life. Employees are not with the company for life. Thus, management is mainly interested in their wellbeing during the years they are serving the company. In the corporate context, the main concern is business performance. Thus, if an employee, regardless being HIV negative or not, can remain productive for the company, managment is happy.
Youths and teens are not adults. Thus, adults of this society share some responsibility in their good wellbeing and upbringing. I agree that judging others by our standard is not nice and unproductive. However, that doesn't mean that we should shunt from expressing what our standard is. I am quite sure that in general, no extra-marital sex is still the best preference by vast majority, even though many may not think that this should be the only preference.
Youths and teens will be in this society, or world whole of their life. Thus, our concern for them shouldn't be limited to when they are young, although our influence on them will be very limited when they are older. When they became adults, they will be influence the youths of their time. Thus, our concern should also not be limited by the youths of our time, but all youths at all time.
In society, we are here to live our life, and work is only a part of it. Getting married with our life partner, building a happy family, and parenting next generation are some of the other parts. Thus, being infected by HIV is not simply a health issue, but it affect many other parts of one's life.
I can understand that managment doesn't have the position and the need to promote abstinence lifestyle to their employees. Doing so has little or no business value for the company. It is also quite unlikely that employees will care about such messages as these are not job or career related.
Thus, from the perspective of management, it may be OK as long as the employee is productive during the employment with the company, and the company can manage when many of them are infected with AIDS/HIV. How getting AIDS/HIV would affect the employee life, family, future, next generation (if any) are quite out of the scope of the management.
However, youths and teens are learning and observing about this world and what is life from those who have been here longer than them. They may not like us to indoctrinate them, but they are still being influenced by adults in many ways since the society they live in have been built by us.
Thus, as adults who care about the society and its future, our concern is much more than that. We don't want just to delay their extra-marital sex behaviors until they are old enough, but we should at least mentioned that extra-marital sex is bad. We don't want just to reduce their risk by teaching safer sex, but we must clearly present the simple logic that risk avoidance is much better than risk managment.
Thus, the corporate's approach in raising awareness about AIDS/HIV among their employees should not be used when targetting youths and teens.
All of them concerns about AIDS/HIV. However, there are two groups being concerned here, the employees, who are typically adults, and the youths and teens. As such, I question is the approach towards employees by corporate management for the sake of business, suitable? ... when applying to the youths and teens.
Employees are adults. Thus, management won't want to influence their attitude towards their sexual life. Employees are not with the company for life. Thus, management is mainly interested in their wellbeing during the years they are serving the company. In the corporate context, the main concern is business performance. Thus, if an employee, regardless being HIV negative or not, can remain productive for the company, managment is happy.
Youths and teens are not adults. Thus, adults of this society share some responsibility in their good wellbeing and upbringing. I agree that judging others by our standard is not nice and unproductive. However, that doesn't mean that we should shunt from expressing what our standard is. I am quite sure that in general, no extra-marital sex is still the best preference by vast majority, even though many may not think that this should be the only preference.
Youths and teens will be in this society, or world whole of their life. Thus, our concern for them shouldn't be limited to when they are young, although our influence on them will be very limited when they are older. When they became adults, they will be influence the youths of their time. Thus, our concern should also not be limited by the youths of our time, but all youths at all time.
In society, we are here to live our life, and work is only a part of it. Getting married with our life partner, building a happy family, and parenting next generation are some of the other parts. Thus, being infected by HIV is not simply a health issue, but it affect many other parts of one's life.
I can understand that managment doesn't have the position and the need to promote abstinence lifestyle to their employees. Doing so has little or no business value for the company. It is also quite unlikely that employees will care about such messages as these are not job or career related.
Thus, from the perspective of management, it may be OK as long as the employee is productive during the employment with the company, and the company can manage when many of them are infected with AIDS/HIV. How getting AIDS/HIV would affect the employee life, family, future, next generation (if any) are quite out of the scope of the management.
However, youths and teens are learning and observing about this world and what is life from those who have been here longer than them. They may not like us to indoctrinate them, but they are still being influenced by adults in many ways since the society they live in have been built by us.
Thus, as adults who care about the society and its future, our concern is much more than that. We don't want just to delay their extra-marital sex behaviors until they are old enough, but we should at least mentioned that extra-marital sex is bad. We don't want just to reduce their risk by teaching safer sex, but we must clearly present the simple logic that risk avoidance is much better than risk managment.
Thus, the corporate's approach in raising awareness about AIDS/HIV among their employees should not be used when targetting youths and teens.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
A plaster on a face means...
A scene from a cartoon show a little kid with a plaster on his face. The character is some kind of heroic type. Thus, by drawing that plaster on his face should mean to suggest that he is rugged.
However, to me, I think otherwise ... . Drawing a cut on his face should suggest rugged, while a plaster suggests he requires care for little wounds.
Knowing the ideal and trying to do achieve it are good. However, ensuring the ideal at all instances may be unwise. After we, humans, learned about germs and bacteria, we know that what seems clean is actually not. Now, we know the ideal of clean is when even these invisible to naked eyes germs and bacteria aren't around.
Then, we behave in more hygienic ways. Keeping clean has quite a different meaning since then. So, we have been trying to achieve the state of clean.
Then, we invented ways to kill all these. By pasting plaster over little cuts so that any germs there can be killed by the chemicals, we achieve the ideal at the wound. That, I think is somehow over doing it.
I think that behind all the sciences is the acknowledgment that all existences are results from design. I trust our designer much more than human inventors and inventions.
However, to me, I think otherwise ... . Drawing a cut on his face should suggest rugged, while a plaster suggests he requires care for little wounds.
Knowing the ideal and trying to do achieve it are good. However, ensuring the ideal at all instances may be unwise. After we, humans, learned about germs and bacteria, we know that what seems clean is actually not. Now, we know the ideal of clean is when even these invisible to naked eyes germs and bacteria aren't around.
Then, we behave in more hygienic ways. Keeping clean has quite a different meaning since then. So, we have been trying to achieve the state of clean.
Then, we invented ways to kill all these. By pasting plaster over little cuts so that any germs there can be killed by the chemicals, we achieve the ideal at the wound. That, I think is somehow over doing it.
I think that behind all the sciences is the acknowledgment that all existences are results from design. I trust our designer much more than human inventors and inventions.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Love to do good things
I just saw an advice in a book about wisdoms of mothers of famous people. One passage title is "do not force children to do things they dislike." I didn't read the main passage, but I guess most likely it explains the cons of forcing children to do things. I would like to cast it slightly differently ... .
First of all, what are those things that adults would want to force children to do? I bet many of these are "right" things to do. However, such right things may not be likable by children. Thus, the likelihood of adults forcing them to do it. So, the above wisdom seems to suggest "relax, don't force, and lets nature takes its course."
Nevertheless, I agree that we should not "force," regardless how rightful the thing we want children to do. However, the essence is to educate and guide children to like doing right things. In this sense, forcing is not tackling the liking to do the right things, but just the external outcome of children doing it.
I should have mentioned this before, I hate to see parents "forcing" children to greet other adults when meeting other adults. This is the time to observe whether children are doing it, deducing how much they like to do it, but not the time to "educate" or force them to do it. With the observation, at later time when circumstances are suitable, then we make efforts to explain/guide/educate them to like to do it. Observe again next time round, and keep educating.
Of course, if the things we want the children do aren't that "right," e.g. playing piano, then the more we shouldn't force them.
First of all, what are those things that adults would want to force children to do? I bet many of these are "right" things to do. However, such right things may not be likable by children. Thus, the likelihood of adults forcing them to do it. So, the above wisdom seems to suggest "relax, don't force, and lets nature takes its course."
Nevertheless, I agree that we should not "force," regardless how rightful the thing we want children to do. However, the essence is to educate and guide children to like doing right things. In this sense, forcing is not tackling the liking to do the right things, but just the external outcome of children doing it.
I should have mentioned this before, I hate to see parents "forcing" children to greet other adults when meeting other adults. This is the time to observe whether children are doing it, deducing how much they like to do it, but not the time to "educate" or force them to do it. With the observation, at later time when circumstances are suitable, then we make efforts to explain/guide/educate them to like to do it. Observe again next time round, and keep educating.
Of course, if the things we want the children do aren't that "right," e.g. playing piano, then the more we shouldn't force them.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Will teachers like me?
It has been coming to attention by more parents that students are working harder than adults. Although my son is still very young or small, I have this idea years before I was promoted to father.
I plan to teach my child that an important aspect of studying in school is to learn. Thus, doing homework ... not about answering to the "boss" aka the teacher. is towards this goal too. I don't consider cannot finish homework as a direct problem of the child. I will focus on whether he has learned what is being taught.
If no, then the problem is not he not able to finish all the homework, but he hasn't learned the concepts yet. Thus, he should stop doing the homework without understanding rather than just try to finish the homework.
If yes, then he doesn't really need to finish the homework. When the amount of homework is too much, I suggest be smart to browse through and select those that can give you the necessary and sufficient practices to learn and apply knowledge learned.
So, future teachers of my child please take note :)
I plan to teach my child that an important aspect of studying in school is to learn. Thus, doing homework ... not about answering to the "boss" aka the teacher. is towards this goal too. I don't consider cannot finish homework as a direct problem of the child. I will focus on whether he has learned what is being taught.
If no, then the problem is not he not able to finish all the homework, but he hasn't learned the concepts yet. Thus, he should stop doing the homework without understanding rather than just try to finish the homework.
If yes, then he doesn't really need to finish the homework. When the amount of homework is too much, I suggest be smart to browse through and select those that can give you the necessary and sufficient practices to learn and apply knowledge learned.
So, future teachers of my child please take note :)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Destiny and Lineage
It has been some time since I seriously wrote something here. The ranking of this blog has been dropping :( However, I doubt I have something serious to write about now. May be I can talk about the Mas Selemat escape, but that is not too relevant to this blog. Or may be I can talk about some drama that I have been watching, such as CSI, Lost, 24 hour, etc. Ah, thought of something to write :)
Do you feel proud to be selected/recruited/employed by your current company? Would you prefer to be proud? I think it is nice to feel being valued, and being expected to be able to create more value for the company. It is nice to have a company willing to commit the costs for hiring me.
Similarly, do you feel proud to be borned into your family? ... Would you prefer to be proud? However, which family one is being borned into is out of the person's choice, unlike the case of choosing which company to send resume to. Nevertheless, we want to be proud. If already being proud, we should want to be more proud. In another words, it is our destiny to create value for our family, and to our lineage.
In this perspective, I can better appreciate the Chinese saying, 不孝有三无后为大. On looking up this phrase, I just learned that the other two are also very relevant (my own translation):
阿意曲从，陷亲不义，一不孝也； (First unfilial [non-]action: Blind obedience, not correcting parents' mistakes, and thus allowing parents ending up in dishonorable state.)
家贫亲老，不为禄仕，二不孝也； (Second unfilial [non-]action: Being poor when parents are old, yet still not working so as to take good care of them.)
不娶无子，绝先祖祀，三不孝也。 (Third unfilial [non-]action: Being unmarried [or w/o a wife], and without child [or a son], and thus discontinuing the lineage passed down from ancestors.)
三者之中无后为大。 (Among the above three unfilial [non-]actions, without descendants is the worst.)
In a way, regardless we like these or not, or we are able to achieve these or not, these and many other roles and responsibilities are our destiny.
Do you feel proud to be selected/recruited/employed by your current company? Would you prefer to be proud? I think it is nice to feel being valued, and being expected to be able to create more value for the company. It is nice to have a company willing to commit the costs for hiring me.
Similarly, do you feel proud to be borned into your family? ... Would you prefer to be proud? However, which family one is being borned into is out of the person's choice, unlike the case of choosing which company to send resume to. Nevertheless, we want to be proud. If already being proud, we should want to be more proud. In another words, it is our destiny to create value for our family, and to our lineage.
In this perspective, I can better appreciate the Chinese saying, 不孝有三无后为大. On looking up this phrase, I just learned that the other two are also very relevant (my own translation):
阿意曲从，陷亲不义，一不孝也； (First unfilial [non-]action: Blind obedience, not correcting parents' mistakes, and thus allowing parents ending up in dishonorable state.)
家贫亲老，不为禄仕，二不孝也； (Second unfilial [non-]action: Being poor when parents are old, yet still not working so as to take good care of them.)
不娶无子，绝先祖祀，三不孝也。 (Third unfilial [non-]action: Being unmarried [or w/o a wife], and without child [or a son], and thus discontinuing the lineage passed down from ancestors.)
三者之中无后为大。 (Among the above three unfilial [non-]actions, without descendants is the worst.)
In a way, regardless we like these or not, or we are able to achieve these or not, these and many other roles and responsibilities are our destiny.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
What if the lack of parent is somebody's intentional fault?
"...having a baby is definitely not something I regret too - I think it's heaven's blessing."
I am quite agree with the above statement.
However, I don't agree when ... it is coming from a single mom.
Furthermore, I am even against it as it is coming from a celebrity.
Furthermore still, I consider it a second offense as she is already a single mom of her first child, from a different dad.
If orphans who lost their parents due to unforeseeable circumstances are sympathized by us, shouldn't those who intentionally, or recklessly "create" [half-]orphans be considered criminals?
I am quite agree with the above statement.
However, I don't agree when ... it is coming from a single mom.
Furthermore, I am even against it as it is coming from a celebrity.
Furthermore still, I consider it a second offense as she is already a single mom of her first child, from a different dad.
If orphans who lost their parents due to unforeseeable circumstances are sympathized by us, shouldn't those who intentionally, or recklessly "create" [half-]orphans be considered criminals?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Priority ~= urgent but =/= correct
I found this earlier report while trying to, but haven't succeeded yet, locate a similar and more recent one done in Singapore. Below is one particular set of key finding and my comments (in italics) on them.
World Vision’s Global AIDS Attitudes Survey
Key Finding – Policy Preferences
... • Children are the top priority for action.
–Publics everywhere are most likely to support programs that help children affected by HIV and AIDS, including children who are orphaned by AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses.
If getting HIV/AIDS is like getting a death penalty, at least the person has enjoyed some of his life. However, for children born with HIV in them, it is like getting a death penalty even before they have life!
• There are marked differences across countries in support for programs aimed at discouraging sexual promiscuity, the widespread use and availability of condoms, and increased availability of clean needles for people who need them.
This suggests different countries have different situations and priorities.
–Programs to discourage sexual promiscuity are a high priority for 39% of adults in the seven countries.
Majority didn't put them as top priority probably because this is something difficult to achieve, and may be sensitive due to "human rights" issues. However, this doesn't mean that it won't work, rather, I think this is the long term solution while the rest aren't solution, but just fighting fire.
–Americans are polarized on all three of these potential measures. One-fifth of the population feels that each should be a low priority or not a priority at in the fight to stop the spread of HIV.
US is a very multi-racial, multi-religious, and therefore, multi-opinions country.
• Raising taxes elicits a strong push back: 41% disagree (with 23%strongly disagreeing) that they would be willing to pay more fortheir government to fund HIV and AIDS-prevention, treatment, research and care programs globally.
Surely, if the rightful approach to discourage sexual promiscuity is a "human rights" issue, then the wrongful burdening of such problems on the innocent majority should be rejected.
World Vision’s Global AIDS Attitudes Survey
Key Finding – Policy Preferences
... • Children are the top priority for action.
–Publics everywhere are most likely to support programs that help children affected by HIV and AIDS, including children who are orphaned by AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses.
If getting HIV/AIDS is like getting a death penalty, at least the person has enjoyed some of his life. However, for children born with HIV in them, it is like getting a death penalty even before they have life!
• There are marked differences across countries in support for programs aimed at discouraging sexual promiscuity, the widespread use and availability of condoms, and increased availability of clean needles for people who need them.
This suggests different countries have different situations and priorities.
–Programs to discourage sexual promiscuity are a high priority for 39% of adults in the seven countries.
Majority didn't put them as top priority probably because this is something difficult to achieve, and may be sensitive due to "human rights" issues. However, this doesn't mean that it won't work, rather, I think this is the long term solution while the rest aren't solution, but just fighting fire.
–Americans are polarized on all three of these potential measures. One-fifth of the population feels that each should be a low priority or not a priority at in the fight to stop the spread of HIV.
US is a very multi-racial, multi-religious, and therefore, multi-opinions country.
• Raising taxes elicits a strong push back: 41% disagree (with 23%strongly disagreeing) that they would be willing to pay more fortheir government to fund HIV and AIDS-prevention, treatment, research and care programs globally.
Surely, if the rightful approach to discourage sexual promiscuity is a "human rights" issue, then the wrongful burdening of such problems on the innocent majority should be rejected.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
What is your generation?
In Taiwan, they used the decade to classify people into generations of the 60's, 70's, 80's, and so on. There are also the descriptive names such as hippies, gypsies, punkies quite some years back. Anyway, I like the name of this ministry, Generations of Virtue.
Check out Generations of Virtue's clearance page and you'll find handfuls of great books at low prices. Choose from titles such as Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle and "Setting a Paradigm for Purity".
Check out Generations of Virtue's clearance page and you'll find handfuls of great books at low prices. Choose from titles such as Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle and "Setting a Paradigm for Purity".
Do we need to see a tumor to recognize danger?
Just minutes after reading an advertisment on getting mobile line for your child, I open up a scientific article "Study links heavy cell phone use to cancer". What a coincident! ...
When I first started using mobile phone, I consciously keep my phone away from kids, whomever kids. However, as I notice more and more parents letting their children play games on their phones, I have not been so cautious on this. Nevertheless, I always put my phone away from me whenever possible.
Just about a month ago, my colleague besides me highlighted to me a scientist, who were hired by the phone companies to prove the safety of mobile phone, has actually proven otherwise, or failed repeatedly to find supporting evidence years ago, but only recently managed to get funding to further the research in the opposite objective than the earlier study. Also, the colleague has since started putting callers on hold while attaching the hands free gadget.
Although there are studies showing no significant relations between tumors and mobile phone usage, the above article's author only suggests that "Children may be more susceptible," and a single study is usually insufficient to draw good conclusion, it is still better to act safely than to subject to risks unnecessarily.
I wonder, does it help to use VoIP phones, or using applications such as Fring through wifi enabled phones such as my Nokia N80? I think so as the signal strength should be much lesser since wifi range is smaller than GSM.
When I first started using mobile phone, I consciously keep my phone away from kids, whomever kids. However, as I notice more and more parents letting their children play games on their phones, I have not been so cautious on this. Nevertheless, I always put my phone away from me whenever possible.
Just about a month ago, my colleague besides me highlighted to me a scientist, who were hired by the phone companies to prove the safety of mobile phone, has actually proven otherwise, or failed repeatedly to find supporting evidence years ago, but only recently managed to get funding to further the research in the opposite objective than the earlier study. Also, the colleague has since started putting callers on hold while attaching the hands free gadget.
Although there are studies showing no significant relations between tumors and mobile phone usage, the above article's author only suggests that "Children may be more susceptible," and a single study is usually insufficient to draw good conclusion, it is still better to act safely than to subject to risks unnecessarily.
I wonder, does it help to use VoIP phones, or using applications such as Fring through wifi enabled phones such as my Nokia N80? I think so as the signal strength should be much lesser since wifi range is smaller than GSM.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Be truthful first
There have been much emphasis on speaking positive and encouraging words to children, or anybody, rather than negative ones. Our words are either blessing or curse. Yet, some may over do it by ignoring the need to be truthful, and just say positive words that paint a false picture. Especially when the facts are, sort of, "negative". For example, what should we say to a kid who had scored badly, say 10%, in a test? ... What would you say?
Should we tell him that he hadn't done badly, and should be thankful that he still managed to scored 10%? Is this better than telling him how stupid/lazy he is that he failed badly and scored only 10%? The former is "positive" but to say he hadn't done badly is falsehood. The latter is obviously negative, but rightly state that he failed badly.
In a post a few years back, I mentioned about an article I read that stresses on the importance of consistency in raising up children. Once we started speaking words that are not true, children will notice our inconsistence, and eventually treat our words as unimportant.
Another article I read more recently talks about when parents praise their kids, they need to do it in alignment with the facts. When parents over praise their kids, like the above "positive" statement, kids will be less willing to strive harder for better results.
I think the first pre-requisite in speaking is to be truthful. Then, we choose to speak it in a positive way. In the above example, we should let the child know he has failed badly in the test. Try to substantially work with him on how can we, together, make it better next time. When a plan has been worked out, we can positively emphasize that we appreciate his willingness to want to improve. Thus, there is no falsehood, there is encouragement, and there isn't condemnation.
This is not only about kids. In general, being truthful is so much more important than speaking positively.
Should we tell him that he hadn't done badly, and should be thankful that he still managed to scored 10%? Is this better than telling him how stupid/lazy he is that he failed badly and scored only 10%? The former is "positive" but to say he hadn't done badly is falsehood. The latter is obviously negative, but rightly state that he failed badly.
In a post a few years back, I mentioned about an article I read that stresses on the importance of consistency in raising up children. Once we started speaking words that are not true, children will notice our inconsistence, and eventually treat our words as unimportant.
Another article I read more recently talks about when parents praise their kids, they need to do it in alignment with the facts. When parents over praise their kids, like the above "positive" statement, kids will be less willing to strive harder for better results.
I think the first pre-requisite in speaking is to be truthful. Then, we choose to speak it in a positive way. In the above example, we should let the child know he has failed badly in the test. Try to substantially work with him on how can we, together, make it better next time. When a plan has been worked out, we can positively emphasize that we appreciate his willingness to want to improve. Thus, there is no falsehood, there is encouragement, and there isn't condemnation.
This is not only about kids. In general, being truthful is so much more important than speaking positively.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Even the devil can cite Scripture
Shakespeare said it this way: "Even the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."
I think it happens in this research: A function for "gay genes" after all?
Just because gay men do not have their own family to take care of, and therefore ... are available to offer more time and care for their nieces/nephews, the researchers suggested this as an evolutionary support for gay way of life.
Rather than suggesting an obvious common sense that children with more adults who, regardless of sexuality, are available to take care of them are better than those with only their own parents, the researchers seem to have preset what their conclusion should be and designed a limited research for their purpose.
Furthermore, this is done with the knowledge of many other similar failed research attempts to make such conclusion in modern societies. Instead, they argue, or rather blame and accuse that, it is due to "anti-gay biases", gay men couldn't do the same as in the selected "relatively un-westernized land", Samoa. By the same logic, I say it is because the modern societies lack "traditional, tribally-based cultures, that often have tighter-knit families," such that little support for adults, regardless of sexuality, to take care of their nieces/nephews.
It is not "anti-gay biases," but "family and marriage unfriendliness" in modern societies that we should focus on!
I think it happens in this research: A function for "gay genes" after all?
Just because gay men do not have their own family to take care of, and therefore ... are available to offer more time and care for their nieces/nephews, the researchers suggested this as an evolutionary support for gay way of life.
Rather than suggesting an obvious common sense that children with more adults who, regardless of sexuality, are available to take care of them are better than those with only their own parents, the researchers seem to have preset what their conclusion should be and designed a limited research for their purpose.
Furthermore, this is done with the knowledge of many other similar failed research attempts to make such conclusion in modern societies. Instead, they argue, or rather blame and accuse that, it is due to "anti-gay biases", gay men couldn't do the same as in the selected "relatively un-westernized land", Samoa. By the same logic, I say it is because the modern societies lack "traditional, tribally-based cultures, that often have tighter-knit families," such that little support for adults, regardless of sexuality, to take care of their nieces/nephews.
It is not "anti-gay biases," but "family and marriage unfriendliness" in modern societies that we should focus on!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
My Big Fat Moonie Wedding
Did you arrive here while searching for the above "documentary"? If so, then you must watch this too.
The director is a child of one of those marriages.
The media industry seems to be going from reporting facts to selling whatever can sell.
I watched a few episodes of a documentary about "UFO" that tries to fairly present arguments from both sides, at least I feel so. Thus, I do feel unfulfilled after watching as it always ends without making a stand. This might affect its sales as people from either side will not fully endorse it.
Anyway, a 1L glass containing 500ml of water can be perceived as half full or half empty. Interviewing less than 10 failures out of 2000 over marriages should suggest high success rate. Otherwise, there wouldn't be more of such event, with growing numbers, including many of their children.
Update:
If you didn't come here from Mhax Prosper related post, I recommend you to pay a visit there for further updates.
The director is a child of one of those marriages.
The media industry seems to be going from reporting facts to selling whatever can sell.
I watched a few episodes of a documentary about "UFO" that tries to fairly present arguments from both sides, at least I feel so. Thus, I do feel unfulfilled after watching as it always ends without making a stand. This might affect its sales as people from either side will not fully endorse it.
Anyway, a 1L glass containing 500ml of water can be perceived as half full or half empty. Interviewing less than 10 failures out of 2000 over marriages should suggest high success rate. Otherwise, there wouldn't be more of such event, with growing numbers, including many of their children.
Update:
If you didn't come here from Mhax Prosper related post, I recommend you to pay a visit there for further updates.
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