This is the ultimate product for eliminating nail biting activities.  In fact, it can also be used for other things like eliminating the pacifier or thumb.  Warning:  It’s extremely bitter and tastes disgusting.  I’m sure there are other products similar to this, but for both Vanessa and Natalie, it has been effective for a variety of “unique” habits.
Vanessa is the ultimate nail biter.  I don’t know why children do it, it might be a fun habit to keep them busy - but I haven’t been as firm in using this …

This is a question I am asking myself.  It’s also a big topic of discussion at work and amongst friends with children.  I wasn’t in Hong Kong at the time of SARs, but I was in Toronto and on one particular weekend (when the first outbreak was detected) and I remember the Chinese malls being literally void of human presence.
But things are different now.  I have 2 young children who are considered high risk during flu season, nevermind the fact that there exists contagious drug resistant strains of the flu …

Most Chinese people are rather reserved - especially when it comes to children stepping in water puddles.  Well, quite frankly, I am not and I give my daughter free reign on where she steps.  Of course, I’m not talking about a puddle one foot deep (although there rarely are).
Here’s how it plays out on most rainy days.  I let Vanessa wear her Thomas The Train rain boots and then I pretty much let her run around and splash where she likes.  The reactions?  HAHA… here’s the kicker.  Most people …

Should prams/strollers be categorized under the “no-charge” fare for Taxis in Hong Kong?  YOU BET!
I sometimes do get charged for putting my stroller in the trunk of taxis.  For a $18 HKD cab fare, they will charge me $5 HKD.  Unbelievable!  That is 22% of the total cost of travel - which is absurb.  My sister recently got charged for putting her stroller in the back of the taxi as well and you know me and my family (if you follow our blogs) - we are rather outspoken and verbal …

I’ve been to concerts before, but not children’s concerts.  In fact, I really didn’t know what to expect, except for some singing and dancing and Vanessa jumping up and down like a crazy kid on a sugar high screaming at Barney.  As it turns out - Vanessa was a very demure and quiet child.  She sat in our laps the whole time, just staring at the stage, and clapped only at her favourite songs. 
For $495 HKD a ticket - we got relatively good seats.  Although we weren’t sitting at …

In yesterday’s Standard, “Toddler dies in yacht accident” is one of the key stories on the front page.  It saddens me to know that this could have been prevented.  Yes, there are freak accidents, but in this story, I lean towards blaming both the parents and the domestic helper for causing this boy’s death.
The story is that an 18-month year old boy and his domestic helper were on this yacht.  The domestic helper leaves the boy to go make lunch and when she hears nothing, returns to find the boy strangling from …

Vanessa brought home the CUTEST experiment for a 3-year old child.  They were growing beans in Nursery school the past few days.  BEANS!  I didn’t grow beans until I was in grade 2, at the age of 7.  Vanessa explained to me that this was her plant and that she grew it.  She then proceeded to pick off parts of the plant, in which I explained to her that growing a plant is a big responsibility.  I explained that the plant was like a baby.  It needs food (water and …

Ever since my mother bought me 5 large bags of Quaker Instant Oatmeal to give to my children, I’ve been TRYING to plow through it without much creative luck.  At first, I just boiled it and then added milk - very standard.  They ate it and then after awhile, it probably got bland.  “Mother mother, same old, same old.”  So I’ve gone and tried to be creative with the oatmeal so that they can get more oatmeal goodness into their little bodies.  Oatmeal is cholesterol free is low in fat …

Here’s a quick update on the progress of Vanessa’s newly introduced chore chart.  For those who haven’t been following what I’ve been doing, read this first.  This is basically my idea of a child’s chore chart.  Vanessa is 2 years and 10 months in age and definitely ready to be doing some chores and her fair share of cleaning up in the house.
Objective of this exercise:

Promote healthy, positive and helpful behaviour in and around the house
Encourage usefulness and independence
Develop and understanding that “everyone pitches in”
Make cleaning and tidying up a …

Vanessa and I were watching an episode of “Sid: The Science Kid” and he was talking about how he hated charts - especially chore charts.  The entire episode explored the concept of charts and I casually mentioned to Vanessa that maybe we could start a chore chart to get her motivated in doing chores.
After some research on the web and some filtering through my JA (Junior Achievement) material - because they are afterall, a great resource for financial literacy, I decided that moving forward with an age appropriate chore chart and …