tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292354852024-03-13T18:38:27.154+08:00MummyHugsAdventures of a mom with 4 boys, teaching, learning, homeschooling, playing, cooking, eating & travelling.Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-70686345399236309952023-08-25T03:17:00.003+08:002023-08-25T03:17:54.640+08:00Gap year WorldschoolingOur family of 6 is embarking on a year long journey to travel the world to learn and to serve and volunteer where possible. Where this idea came from was the fact that we live in Singapore. A small red dot on the map of the world. Dont get me wrong Singapore is an amazing country! In a short span of 50 years our nation was transformed from a small, backward, fishing village to one of the most Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-12162668921287439752022-01-23T02:38:00.003+08:002022-01-23T02:50:03.984+08:00We are back to homeschooling a Preschooler and a High School kid.Yes! My 2nd boy is out of school, first big question I faced is WHY? Why did we decide to take him out? How are you going to homeschool secondary level? What is going to happen next? Well, I thought 2 years of homeschooling a Primary kid in P5 & P6, ended in PSLE. Maybe I thought since he is a little older, a little more mature to handle whatever stress school, and I am convinced IShirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-76294474884261397912020-11-08T04:01:00.008+08:002021-11-19T02:49:49.596+08:00Finally out of Hibernation! Some thoughts on Homeschooling and Education . Inspiration way passed midnight.I have some random questions in my mind which I have been thinking about.Why do kids say they are not good in anything?Why do kids feel they are bad at certain things?Why do kids get bored easily?Can kids be motivated to learn?When I tell them I took my son out of school to homeschool at P5. People either say: "wow.. You can la! I can never teach my own. I Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-38150425269049093602019-10-05T01:48:00.001+08:002019-10-05T01:59:05.854+08:00Fear Of Missing Out
Advertisements are everywhere!!?!?! We are slapped with so many statements to tell us we are not good enough, we need what they are offering to feel happy, to succeed, to be rich, to be able to fly???
Facebook, youtube... everywhere I turn is showing me what they think I am interested in... For my case is educational related ads. Firstly I am being tracked.. Hhmmm not comfortable with that.
Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-2873254252527386032019-08-31T17:07:00.002+08:002021-07-12T02:01:45.368+08:00Views on learning and education.
When we first move to Singapore, I often regret about the move. Leaving begin comfort and familarity. But after 4 years, looking back, I realised that we were destined to move here. Things have happened along the way that have changed the way I look at things. My experiences homeschooling a toddler-preschooler, experiences in forest school, having met so many amazing homeschooling Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-6759916047713636562019-07-09T03:49:00.002+08:002021-07-12T00:52:20.577+08:00We are officially homeschooling a primary 5 kid!
Well...I know this is old news. I actually wrote the title to this blog last year- Nov 2018. That is when I started the application to homeschool Trevor. I didn't complete and publish it till now because I wanted to really give it a go for a few months before I talk about the imaginary ideal homeschooling life we would have.
So here we are, 4 months down the road... and we are still Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-13917209236937295772019-02-15T02:48:00.003+08:002021-07-12T01:19:12.878+08:00Do you believe children love to learn? What happen to the years when they are so curious about things around them? From birth to the time before they start school, they have already acquired so many knowledge and skills. They learn to crawl, walk, run, speak, sing, cry, read, write, draw... etc. They have this light in their eyes, the burning desire to discover things, the motivation to find out more, to read, to acquire knowledge, Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-9886151047288421302018-11-04T04:41:00.002+08:002021-07-12T00:53:56.781+08:00Mending bridges with my son.
This year has been a tough year between one of my son and I. I have been feeling increasingly frustrated and angry at him and his behaviour. Not knowing why is he becoming increasingly 'difficult' or why am I being so impatient with him. I vaguely recall this happening with my eldest a few years back. When it felt like it was so hard to show love to him.
Just recently I finally see a light Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-76730179986238284762018-10-20T01:46:00.001+08:002018-10-20T13:53:04.483+08:00Raising 4 Boys!Hi, I am Shirin. I have four kids. And all boys!
Normally people react to this with a jaw dropping reaction. 4 kids? And 4 boys??? OMG!! They somehow say that with some sympanthy.
Actually I am a happy mother of 4 boys! I haven't given much of a serious thought of the 4 part or the boys part actually. We sort of just took it as it came and we dont know better. When I was blessed with the Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-51916698735319099432018-10-16T02:13:00.006+08:002021-11-19T02:52:23.605+08:00Nature Play Co-op Homschool Singapore- Sharing at the Play-ful Conference.
I was honoured to speak at the Play-ful Conference on behalf of our Nature-Play Co-op about what we do at the weekly Friday nature meet-ups. I felt great to be able to contribute to the community and to have someone recognize our efforts is truly rewarding. Here is sharing my speech/notes.
A sharing by
Nature Play Co-op Singapore Homeschool by Shirin
Tan 13th October 2018
Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-51596758660554275632018-09-13T18:43:00.000+08:002018-10-20T13:54:02.594+08:00Journey in cloth diaper-ing. Part 1I used the traditional nappies - lampin, for my previous 3 babies, but never really went into cloth diapering proper. I bought 3 pocket diapers before and just use them once in a while. My nanny had a great idea of emptying the contents of disposable tape diapers and use the shell as covers for nappies. Brilliant DIY cloth diapering! I wish I have a photo to show, but I don't do it now. Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-37702467218797605592017-06-25T03:49:00.001+08:002018-10-20T13:54:43.136+08:00Parenting my growing child, letting go and finding myself.For a long time... I am afraid of letting go, epecially when Tyler, my number 3 was born. Every milestone he achieved I felt a mox feelings of happiness and of sadness, sad of losing that precious moment, my last time experiencing or witnessing that moment.
I love parenting a baby. Maybe because that is something I am confident in and have success in. I absolutely love the early years of nursingShirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-76477919135956846342017-02-09T00:27:00.002+08:002021-07-12T01:22:34.790+08:00Seeing the best in our education system, seeing the best in our child.
Just returned from a parent teacher briefing, some reflections today... The teachers are very dedicated. In the briefing, they are educating the parents on the curriculum and what to take note. The parents are asked to attend workshops so we can also learn and coach them at home. I noticed the part where everyone took out their phones to take picture was when the teachers talked about Exams, Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-59994074505468903232016-10-26T02:29:00.004+08:002021-07-12T01:22:53.425+08:00Exams... the new killer.
Exams... Examinations... Assessments...Test...
What's the purpose of it all?
It is formed on the basis that children need to be motivated to learn, that learning must be imposed, learning is not natural, that humans are born with brain with nothing and we need to fill it up with knowledge. And therefore exams are there to "make sure" kids learn.
My boys, 8 and 10 years are having exams Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-9534802729141892622016-09-29T01:31:00.001+08:002021-07-12T00:55:50.694+08:00A life well lived.Today we attended a Baha'i funeral of a dear family friend, a wonderful soul whom we dearly call her Aunty Peng. I was asked to give a speech... as I was preparing the speech, I thought about my life and realised that Aunty Peng was a big part of it when I was growing up. For without her guidance, I might still be that timid and shy girl. When we encounter death, we would learn a lot about life. Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-64291140798579719122016-01-14T01:51:00.004+08:002021-07-12T01:23:42.828+08:00A new year! New challenges! New uncertainties! Keeping hope.Its the new year! I'm trying to keep positive and driven but it's getting off on a rocky start with doubts and uncertainty.
For many years now, I have been 'obsessed' as so to speak about education as I believe that the only way to make this world a better place is to educate the young minds in the 'right way'. I hope to do my part amongst all these chaos... bitterness.. injustice...inequality..Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-65974039022042501962015-10-15T03:51:00.001+08:002021-07-12T00:57:50.859+08:00Getting use to life on the red dot!
Yes we have officially moved to Singapore! This is a first move to a new country, although it's just a stone throw away, living in Singapore is very much different from JB.
Some years ago, we wished to live and experience life in a different country. But years passed, and that opportunity didn't' arrive and so we settled down in JB - the southern most city in Peninsula Malaysia. Recently, the Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-57414054074844925472014-08-07T02:36:00.003+08:002021-07-12T00:58:32.088+08:00What to think about when choosing a school? Here's my list...
It's time for Trevor to register for Primary 1. His Montessori pre-school days are coming to an end... I wish there is a Montessori School all the way up to High School. But no... not here in Malaysia. The last time I 'shopped' around for Primary school was 2 years back when Tristan was entering Primary (just in case we didn't get a place in Marsiling for him and if there are any better options)Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-61791475663725958242014-07-11T00:38:00.001+08:002014-07-11T00:41:37.543+08:00Yam Rice with Pork Belly and Mushroom
Inspired by fellow blogger mummies, I'm going to do a food blog post. My first attempt to cook this simple food we eat all the time. My dad and my father in law love to eat yam, and Yam Rice with Pork is a traditionally home cooked comfort food for us. So here's some pictures to share. :)
Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-52529505197431478382014-06-23T01:49:00.001+08:002014-06-23T01:51:09.529+08:00I'm cooking!I love to eat.
Under the strong influence of my husband and his family who loves food, I have learnt to eat everything. However it's not till lately that I started cooking. I love cooking but never really had the need to do it as we always eat at my mom's place. My nanny whom my kids call 'Muk Muk' (which means Grandma in Bidayu her native Sarawakian language) cooks really well. And sometimes weShirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-90651320895809327642014-05-01T03:06:00.001+08:002014-06-23T02:40:48.362+08:00New garden awaits!I changed the layout of my blog site to this garden patch background. I thought it looked cute and most importantly it's what we are into now!
I never had a green finger, or so I thought... every plant seem to die in my care... but but but... for the children's sake I am taking up my courage and take up planting!
Here are some photoes of my garden, before and after.
And we arewaiting for some Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-63870368419561992992013-11-04T23:44:00.000+08:002013-11-05T02:40:45.635+08:00School Holidays are here! Travelling with kids?Can't believe it, another year is coming to an end! In another 2 weeks, the school holidays will begin and we are taking our first 3 weeks overseas trip as a family of 5! When we were planning for the trip, it seemed exciting but as the weeks get closer, I'm starting to freak out... What am I going to do with 2 kids and a baby on the 8 hour flight and days of traveling from one place to another! Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-67334352115366632222013-10-27T04:12:00.003+08:002021-07-12T01:21:51.944+08:00What is the purpose of sending our kids to school? A lot on my mind and in my hands lately, having trouble sleeping.
I'm attending a Baha'i Children Class Grade 2 teacher training, it's been inspiring and thought provoking. And at the same time I read some articles someone posted on facebook and met many children and realised that we seriously need to change the way we educate our children! Or at least let me start in a small way, and Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-5094720821503398032013-09-30T01:05:00.003+08:002014-08-06T15:52:49.680+08:00No more ipad, iphone for my boys!During the last Parent-Teacher meeting in school, Trevor's teacher suggested I stop all iphone/ipad for him. This is same for all the other kids in school as there's an increasing trend of kids getting disengaged in learning, poor socialization skills, kids wearing spectacles and most importantly of all I feel is the addiction! Even when the kids are not playing the games, they are constantly Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235485.post-77263303391413834312013-09-25T14:27:00.003+08:002014-08-06T15:50:57.212+08:00Spending one on one time with each child, tough but it's the secret to obedient children!
I have been having some tough time with kids last couple of months getting them to listen to me and getting them to do simple routine everyday task like brush your teeth, eat your breakfast, wash your hands, go and bathe, do your school homework..etc.. No one knew how tough it is to get kids to do these task independently!
A few months back, I came across Amy McCready's Shirinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02486001057827150497noreply@blogger.com0