Can Kids Have OCD?

I've been wondering since 2 nights ago, when hubby and I awoke in a daze at midnight to find Beth busy emptying drawers and sorting the contents while talking to herself! After that, she came round to tuck US up in bed, making sure the blankets were covering us completely and kissed us, before she sat down in front of the toilet (the only lighted area in the room) to READ her Mr Men books.

Last night, after I'd finished throwing out unwanted brochures and rental listings and restored some semblance of order to our Centrelink, Family Assistance and other bureaucratic mishmash, Beth took over as I crawled into bed. Again, emptying drawers, laying the contents neatly on the floor in a pattern (so each item had a partner, she explained), getting ready for when we would move out from this place. I had to explain that we were moving out only in a week's time, but she stubbornly hung on to my earlier comment about not packing at the last minute, and kept right on with what she was doing.

This morning, Daddy had to vacuum the room, so now all the drawer contents (CDs, books, toys) are neatly arranged in a row on our bed...pending further rearranging.

When we were inspecting houses, she crossed off all those that weren't little red brick houses or that didn't have tidy front lawns. I reckon she got that from me, since I have a fondness for neat little red brick houses (contra white weatherboard ones) with manicured front lawns. But still.

I have a girlfriend who confesses to a serious case of OCD (she gets up in the night, every night, to inspect the light switches and make sure they're really off), but for Beth to start at 4...this is scary.

The Croc Hunter's Legacy

Tonight, we were watching the exclusive interview between Channel 9 and Terri Irwin when Beth turned to me and said, "Mummy, I want to go to Australia Zoo. I want to visit Bindi."

We've been following the publicity surrounding Steve Irwin's death by stingray barb, particularly because his accident took place the day before we arrived in Melbourne. Beth has been fascinatedly picking out media pictures of the Irwins and knows them as if they were her personal friends.

Beth seems to feel some sort of connection to Steve's 8 y.o. daughter Bindi, who has been held up as her daddy's successor in the Wildlife Warrior movement. She is so brave and articulate and passionate for her age, it's just amazing. I believe she will have a tremendous positive influence on the youth of her generation.

Likewise, I'm very touched by the love story of Terri and Irwin, by his love for his family, by his passion for wildlife conservation. It makes me look into myself and ask: what is my legacy for my children? What are my hubby and I leaving for them? Will they know how much we love them? If one of us is not able to be around for them, will they still grow up well-adjusted?

Meanwhile, we will have to think about how to fulfil Beth's wish of visiting Australia Zoo and even meeting with Bindi. Who knows how Beth's life will change after that.

Beth turns Career Consultant

Tonight, Beth and Daddy were in bed when Beth offered her advice on what he should do to find a job in Oz.

"You can do any job, Daddy," she began earnestly. "You can work in Hungry Jack's. Red Rooster also can. Or that restaurant with spicy food..." and on and on she rattled a list of eateries we'd visited, ending with her absolute fave - which she whispered into Daddy's ear, making him laugh uproariously - MacDonald's!

To cap it off, she announced her life's ambition: "When I grow up, I want to work for MacDonald's."

"Why?" laughed Daddy. "So you can eat fries everyday?"

Hide'em In Your Heart

I love how Steve Green's music has helped Beth to worship. His songs are catchy, simple, Scripture-based tunes that leverage on his soulful tenor together with the wistful, innocent voices of kids. In all, a perfect way to help kids (and adults!) memorize truths they can hide in their hearts for tough times.

Whenever I hear his songs, I always get a twinge in my heart - and sometimes, a tear in my eye! I keep getting a feeling that his songs would make a great ministry in Sunday School. Back in April when I was teaching SS in my home church, I did try to introduce 1 or 2 songs to the Nursery kids, but within the short 1-hour time frame, it's a bit hard. You need a sustained effort and let the kids hear the songs often enough so they remember them.

Perhaps I'll get to do something about that here in Melb...

Power of Commercials

Beth has been reciting TV commercials:
"7-11...It's a store and more!"
"Duo yi ge, duo yi ge, zai duo yi ge!" (the Marigold pudding one in Mandarin)

And singing TV ad jingles:
"Pizza Hut!"

With very little to do at night in our room, she almost gets free rein over the remote control. With just 4 working channels (none of which include Discovery Travel and Living - sigh!), she's exposed to too many adult programmes.

I muttered unhappily to hubby about this fact. He got the hint, turned off the telly and asked Beth if she would like to read together.

They are now cuddled up in bed reading from her Clifford the Big Red Dog series.

Am relieved and thankful that I remembered to pack her books and colouring materials.

Health Reminder

Tonight, hubby was moaning about when he would recover from the flu which has plagued him since we arrived in Melbourne a week ago.

I muttered that perhaps he should change his diet and stop eating "rubbish". (Not having found a house, we're living out of a suitcase and subsisting on lots of instant meals and fast food takeaways, hardly the best thing for the baby inside me!)

Out of nowhere, Beth chimed in, "You must have a balance(d) diet."

We both went "Wah...!"

Beth went on: "...so you will have strong muscles."

And went back to cleaning the top of the little fridge in our room and singing to herself.

Well said girl! We shall start tomorrow, with lots of fresh fruit and veg. No more pizzas, burgers, fish 'n' chips.

To bathe or not to bathe, that is the question

Beth has been on strike the past 3 days. She absolutely refused to bathe! I tried cajoling, reasoning, threats - but she would just whine and dig her heels in. Each time, I had to settle for giving her an all-over wipe, which was the best I could do, but which made me feel like I was condemning her to a life of infections and rashes.

At church on Sunday, a sister shared a tip she'd learnt from another mother - it's ok to alternate baths with wipes in cold weather. Children, unless they've been running around, tend to perspire less and stay clean longer, particularly in cold weather. Too many baths can actually strip their tender skin of its natural barrier of protection and cause skin irritation. She has resorted to wipes with QV Bath Oil, which I've made a mental note to get on my next trip to the pharmacy.

Tonight, I was speaking with another girlfriend who moved to Melb 2 years ago and is the mother of a one y.o. boy. She totally empathised when I related my struggles getting Beth to bathe. Her strategy is to make the bedroom and bathroom as warm as possible, and to make shower time really quick. She also advocates alternating wet showers with all-over wipes. Coming from SG where we perspire all the time, we've grown used to daily showers, but these are not necessary here, she says.

After the conversation, I made another attempt to talk sense to Beth - after throwing up a quick prayer for help and secretly doubting if it would make a diff. I told her that she needed to have a bath after dinner and that I would make sure the water temp was ok and the water flow not too strong. Besides, I promised, if she bathed tonight, she wouldn't need a bath till the day after tomorrow.

To my pleasant surprise, she agreed! and we curled our little fingers to seal the deal ("gou gou shou zhi"). She was as good as her word. She didn't put up too much of a fuss when it came time to shower, and proudly declared to her Daddy that she "chong liang le". I was so relieved and thankful.

Lesson to learn?
Pray.
Talk to the experts.
Try every tactic. You'll never know what works.

The Most Resilient People in the World...

....are Children.

Today, we brought Beth to my cousin Sean's church on Lygon St. (Christian Chapel - Church of Christ). As we were chatting with our new acquaintances Charles, Andrew and Boz (she's a pri sch teacher!), Boz announced that she was taking Beth to Sunday School.

Now, we're pretty cool as parents, if I may say so myself. We've no problem letting Beth experience new situations like this and we're definitely not overprotective. So we said yes and off she went.

A half hour later, we were deep in conversation with Adrian (a new migrant like us, and brother of Benjamin, who has been here for 2 years). We poked our heads into Beth's Sun Sch class and there she was, hard at work colouring her sheet. She was totally immersed and comfy with her new surroundings (as confirmed by her teachers). As a parent, I feel joy + pride + delight at her personal development.

Children have so much to teach us.

Beth The Entertainer

Beth is in her element this evening.

First, it was a song-and-dance routine to the tune of "Xiao Bao Bei" (Little Precious) and an Indian song (containing the phrase "vee ney ney" sung over and over), stuff she's learnt in school.

Afterwards it was a vigorous hip-shaking routine with no words.

Then she suddenly burst into "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done" from Our Lord's Prayer (sung), which we've sorta been trying to teach her.

The spontaneity of children is truly fascinating....and admirable.

Baby Names

This morning, Beth woke up and announced: "My mei mei's name is Alisha. It's found in the Bible."

She spent the rest of the day with our friends Aunty D and Uncle KH. That evening, as we were in Uncle KH's car on our way to Beng Wan Road to board Scottie until his flight to Melbourne, Aunty D said, "I asked Beth what her mei mei's name will be and she said... Alisha. If it's a di di it will be Barnabas."

So we're now on the Internet looking up biblical girl names to find something as close to Alisha as possible. The only biblical equivalent I know is Elisha, and that's the name of a male prophet in the OT.

Hubby has suggested Nathalie instead, as bb is likely to be born around Christmas Day. Bethany and Nathalie. Hmm. :)

The Mandarin Phase

Beth:
Wo ai ma ma.
Wo ai ba ba.
Wo ai xiao gou.

Mummy:
Ba ba ma ma ai Xuan Xuan.

This is a fairly standard dialogue with Beth. It's simple but so innocent and beautiful.

I love our little chats in the car/cab on the way somewhere, when Beth will cuddle up to me and start talking about anything at all. Chatting with a child is one of the most fulfilling things I've discovered, and to think I waited so long to have one of my own.

Thank you Lord for the gift of children. :)