Let’s talk about an average family in Singapore. Dads and moms are full time employees. Kids go to school. All are well fed and well clothed. Three meals a day makes no issue. Some are even showered with contemporary ipads and iphones. Some own posh homes. Some goes to the not-so-affordable (but yet they can afford) enrichment class. Fast food once a week don’t seem to be costly. Costly school bus fees and tuition fees are still ‘affordable’. Domestic helpers and irobots are pretty common. These is how a typical Singaporean child is being brought up right now.

Well, that seem to be a normal lifestyle for most young families. Read more »

Hey parents! I know it isn’t your hobby to look after the kids. You rather bring bacon home than to clean their ass – literally! Understandably, some kids are noisy, energetic, careless, messy, or naive. Others are naughty, obnoxious, oppositional defiant disorder, lazy, nerve-wracking, or terrifying. So, we simply excuse ourselves by going to work and delegate the care-giving role to granny, nanny or Handy Manny (yes, some asks the TV to baby sit). Read more »

by James Lehman, MSW

Getting kids to do chores is one of the most common arguments families have. Who can’t relate to this picture? You’re yelling, “Why haven’t you cleaned your room yet?” while your child is on the couch watching TV, shouting back, “I’ll do it later!” The reason kids don’t like doing chores is the same reason adults don’t like doing chores: household tasks are generally boring. Read more »

I was on the train. The sight of a domestic helper carrying the kids’ schoolbags caught my eyes. The two kids looked like they’re 7-9 years old and totally capable of carrying their own schoolbags. This is probably a culture created from home and the most common sight in the society. Read more »

I’ve never been hugged by my parents since young until I turned 23 and I was about to leave Malaysia for Singapore, my parents gave me a big hug. Words can’t explain how I feel but tears seems to be forming from my throat as i recall this.

Ever since, I told myself when I have kids one day, I’ll never miss out this bonding miracle action. I’m serious about this. Hugs are real natural medicine. Whether your kid is 3months or 30 years old, hugging is an exceptionally good way to bond. Read more »

Kids are kids because they are not grown up. It takes time for their physical and mental to mature. While they are growing, children will display the most unacceptable behavior such as biting, hitting or screaming. How do you think you can get help with such behavior? Read more »

The Happy Child Guide is proudly replaced by DEMOCRATIC PARENTING from Mar 2012.

It’s official. The Happy Child Guide has published its 4th edition. Released in 2010 with 80 pages more as compared to the 3rd edition bringing it to a total of 179 pages of non-stop comprehensive parenting tips. Read more »

The Happy Child Guide is now proudly replaced by DEMOCRATIC PARENTING since Mar 2012.

Author: Matt Barnes

Are you frustrated, exhausted and out of patience trying to deal with a misbehaving and a non obedient child? As a parent of two young children myself believe me when I say this, I can relate to your frustrations! Some days are better than others! We all want our days to go smoother and our children to behave well. Just Read more »