Parenting Archives

March 4, 2024March 4, 2024

Instilling Responsible Spending Habits

Responsible spending habits are an essential skill that everyone must have. As we have observed in Milchel, children have different spending habits. Some as responsible, but others are excessive in their spending. One this is for sure – they learned their spending habits from their parents. Directly or indirectly, it’s the parents who have taught them whatever they know about money and spending.

If you have young children who are just beginning to understand the concept of money and spending, now’s the good time to teach them responsibly spending. As they say, it’s best to start them early. At an early age, children must learn to distinguish between needs and wants. Do they really need that new toy? Or do they just want it? Do they really need that insanely expensive bag? Or do they just want it?

While we teach our children to think about their needs and wants before making a purchase, we also encourage them to think critically. Do they really need that top of the line gadget? Or will a mid-level one do the job? Is it really wise to spend their pocket money for the month in just one weekend? The more they practice critical thinking, they easier they will develop a good judgement when it comes so spending their money.

Finally, let me circle back to the start of this article. We said that whatever spending habits your children have, they definitely learned it from you. So the best tip to remember in instilling responsible spending habits is to lead by example. Whatever our children see from us are incredibly influential in our children’s attitudes towards money and spending. That being said, reflect on your own spending habits and what your children are learning from you. If there’s still a room for improvement, enter that room with your child and change your spending habits together.

Over-all, it all boils down to your family’s values that you pass on to your children. Once they know the difference between needs and wants and the importance of being reasonable in spending, they can then think critically about their spending habits. Later, they can make good decisions about the hard-earned money that their parents regularly top-up in their pockets.

February 7, 2024February 7, 2024

The Importance of Spending Special Occasions for Foreign Students in Singapore

Being away from home can be both an exciting adventure and a stressful experience for international students studying in Singapore. Getting to celebrate important events with their family back home is one factor that is vital to their general well-being and academic achievement. For many Milchelians, going home for holidays like Chinese New Year is especially significant. This post discusses the various reasons why spending special occasions with family is essential for foreign students in Singapore. Here, we emphasize the positive impact it can have on students’ mental, emotional, and academic well-being.

Cultural Connection

On special occasions, Milchelians especially those from China and Thailand, among others, like to return to their home countries. For them, it is a way to keep a strong bond with their cultural roots. Chinese New Year is rooted in cultural traditions, and being home during CNY connects them to their tradition. This connection provides a sense of identity and belonging, contributing to a more enriching cultural experience.

Emotional Well-being

It might be challenging and isolating to study abroad. Celebrating joyous occasions with family provides foreign students a much-needed emotional lift. The comfort and warmth of family gatherings during festivities create a supportive environment that helps reduce stress. This emotional recharge is crucial for maintaining mental well-being, promoting a healthier mindset, and enhancing the overall study abroad experience.

Motivation and Energy Boost

Special occasions offer a break from the students’ demanding academic schedule. These let students to recharge and return to their studies with renewed motivation. The upcoming celebrations serves as a motivational factor, providing students with a goal to strive towards during their studies. Knowing that a reunion with family is coming can serve as a powerful source of energy. It helps students overcome academic challenges and navigate the stresses of studying overseas.

Family Support

An important factor in a student’s academic career is family support. Having special events spent with family promotes encouragement and support. With the knowledge that their family is at their side, students resume their studies with a stronger support system. Students who get this support may perform better academically because they feel more safe and confident in pursuing their academic goals.

Creating Lasting Memories

Special occasions are opportunities to create lasting memories with family. These memories become a source of comfort during challenging times and contribute to a well-rounded overseas-studying experience. Having shared experiences with family adds a layer of depth to the overall narrative of a student’s time abroad, making it a more fulfilling and memorable chapter in their life.

The importance of Milchelians and other foreign students spending special occasions with their families, for example during Chinese New Year, cannot be overstated. Beyond the cultural connection, it provides emotional well-being, motivation, family support, and the creation of lasting memories. These factors contribute to a more positive and enriching study abroad experience. They also help students navigate the challenges of being in a foreign land and empower them to succeed.

Of course, we have activities planned for Milchelians who are staying in Singapore during the Chinese New Year period. Our dear kids will not be missing out on the festivities. From gatherings, snacks, and games, we make sure that they feel the festive spirit here in Milchel, their second home.

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023

Tips for Parents on Supporting Children in the Digital Era

In our previous article, we talked about the importance of educating children about responsible and ethical online behaviour. In the current one, we will talk about how parents can support their children in this vastly digital era.

As parents navigate the challenges of raising children in the digital era, there are several strategies they can employ to support their children in developing responsible online behaviour.

Strategies in developing responsible online behaviour

First and foremost, teach your kids about cybersecurity. Instruct your kids on the value of having strong, one-of-a-kind passwords and the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. Establish the practice of changing passwords on a regular basis and spotting phishing attempts.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Second, parents should lead by example at all times. Children learn up knowledge from seeing their parents. Act responsibly when using technology by keeping yourself clean online, being considerate of others’ privacy, and using it mindfully.

Maintaining open communication channels is another useful strategy. It’s essential to have open channels of communication with your kids. Urge them to open up about their experiences—both good and bad—on the internet without worrying about being judged. By doing this, you can build their trust and effectively lead them.

ethnic mother sitting at table and watching paintings of little kids — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Additionally, establish boundaries for internet usage. Provide explicit rules about acceptable websites, screen time, and sharing personal information. Setting clear limits enables kids to learn the value of moderation and responsible use of technology.

Lastly, parents need to be informed at all times. The digital world is ever-changing, with new platforms and trends appearing all the time. To effectively guide your children, stay up to date on the most recent advancements in technology, social media, and online safety.

Of course, above is not an exhaustive list. It is just a set of simple steps that you can take to help your child. Continuous and consistent guidance to your children strongly anchored on the family’s shared values will be crucial in raising responsible digital citizens out of them. Ultimately, responsible and ethical online behaviour that they will learn from us will benefit them throughout their lives.

September 11, 2023September 11, 2023

Bridge the Miles: Maintaining Connection During Your Child’s Overseas Studies

As parents, nurturing a consistent bond with our children during their overseas studies is of crucial importance. Sometimes, it is us yearning to hold on as they embrace their newfound independence, while other times, they are the ones eager to explore the world beyond our embrace. Regardless, maintaining connection remains a shared goal, and with the aid of technology, communication is more accessible than ever. Yet, there are additional strategies to enrich this connection:

Establishing regular communication

First and foremost, establishing a regular communication routine is crucial. Initiate regular calls – perhaps once in the morning and once at bedtime. Adapt the frequency to your child’s age and level of attachment, all the while reassuring them of your proximity. Remember, your intent is their well-being, not appeasing your own longing.

person holding iphone showing social networks folder — Photo by Tracy Le Blanc on Pexels.com

Show genuine interest in their life abroad

Moreover, exhibit genuine curiosity about their life abroad during these conversations. Inquire about their academic endeavours, staying informed without micromanaging. Show interest in their burgeoning social life, and if they’re comfortable, engage with their friends via video calls. Sharing updates about home, relatives, and friends bridges the physical gap and ensures they remain rooted to their origins.

caring mother patting little son on head on bed — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Send care packages

Sending care packages is a time-tested way to evoke joy in our children. Witness their faces light up with happiness upon receiving these tokens of affection from afar. Whether eagerly anticipated or a delightful surprise, these packages, filled with their favourite snacks and goodies, are proudly shared with newfound friends, solidifying their connection to home.

unrecognizable person packing clothes — Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com

Schedule a regular get-together

Additionally, scheduling regular in-person get-togethers trumps any phone or video call. Plan visits to their overseas location, allowing them to proudly showcase their new surroundings. Alternatively, arrange for them to return home periodically, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt their studies. Exciting trips to either a favourite overseas city or a fresh destination provide a beacon of hope during bouts of homesickness.

photo of planner and writing materials — Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Encourage independence and growth

Lastly, while maintaining a strong connection is paramount, it’s equally vital to foster independence and personal growth. Encourage them to seize every opportunity in their second home, to form lasting friendships, and to develop a sense of autonomy. Strive to strike a balance between staying involved and granting them the freedom to flourish, avoiding the pitfalls of micromanagement.

person holding a green plant — Photo by Akil Mazumder on Pexels.com

In conclusion, by establishing regular communication, showing genuine interest in their overseas life, sending thoughtful care packages, scheduling personal meetings, and encouraging independence, we can nurture a meaningful and lasting connection with our children as they embark on their overseas adventures.

December 18, 2019May 31, 2023

Category: Parenting