A Letter to my Daughter

Dear Dotty,

U hate my Nagging. I know that. U think it is the worst thing on earth. I know that too. U think that it is my favorite time-pass. I know that . But that is not why I do it. Read on …

U see, Nagging is a part of the job description of a mom. As a mother, I find it the most effective tool, in getting things done. The fear that “Oh no, I don’t clean up, she will get started again. And God knows when it will stop….”, is an extremely powerful motivator. Fear of nagging will empower U to overcome ur laziness to do ur work, temptations to watch the idiot box, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Just picture this - ur mind flashes the image of mummy (monster) in full nagging mode, triggers u into action mode and viola ! the seemingly impossible work is done.

As parents, we worry about all kinds of Qs, IQ, EQ, NQ(nutrition quotient not "No Q"), SQ(Social quotient) etc.....  the list of worries goes on..  I am a parent who particularly cares about EQ or VQ(values quotient) because I feel that this forms the basis of several decision process and decision-making is a major part of our lives.

Recently I visited my favourite mobile "bookstore" and chanced upon this set of books for EQ.... Instinctively I realised there would be hope for those who missed the "幸福的种子".   This set of books is equally colourful and fun for children to flip.  The authors of the original stories are from European countries, translated into Japanese and then to Chinese.

I did some research on major orthor-k providers in Singapore. Here is their service and price comparison. Hope can benefit other parents as well.

The Point Optical group
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Price range: $1500-2200 for two years
The full package include:
- every 2 month eye checkup
- lense cleaning service
- 1 pair of spectacle for backup
- Free change of the lenses if eyes grow within 2 years

Replacement of the lenses: $800-1100 per pairs

I negotiate with the boss for 1 month trial for $200. If not suitable to wear, can change to other product.
As my child's myopia is consider low, I am not sure about other degree. You can mentioned my case to see if can get the same rate for the trial.

St Issac
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- Price range is $1800-$2400 for 1st year
- consultation fee: 1st time $55 for a year
- Subsequent year at $45 yearly registration.
- replacement lens at $650/pair
- do not provide cleaning of lens
- No trial period

Optic point@Shaw center
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- price range: $1950 for 1st year
- subsequent follow-up $250 every year
- replacement lens: just increased to $900/pair
- provide free lens cleaning

I heard of ortho-k lense 4 years ago. At that time, my daughter's myopia just started with 50 degree at K1, then jump to 100+ once she entered to p1. I refused to let her wear the normal spectacle as I believe that would make eyesight even worse from my past experience (Did you see anyone with myopia getting better or myopia being controlled by wearing normal minus lenses? The answer is No.) so I did research and tried many methods to improve her eyesight, such as bates method, eye massage, see the wall chart, eye exercise, let her eat the eyefood and worn plus lenses for a years, etc.

Just read an article today on parents sending their kids for tuition. With the GEP selection tests this month, some even send their kids for $200 a session to get trained for them.

Speaking as a mom who has a kid going through the first year in GEP, I would like to share my experiences and why I strongly advise against training for these tests in order to get into GEP.

My child was highly excited about the GEP selection tests, not because we had put any emphasis on it, but more from his peers in school at that time. I suspect it was a measure of 'how smart they are' when they compared among themselves.

DIY Cards

Let your child make and design their own multiplication cards. Like i always reiterate almost like a broken recorder - Children learn best when they work with their hands, "What goes through the hands... goes to the mind."~Maria Montessori. This will also enable your child to practice his or multiplication tables, while being creative.