That Mom Of Four

When we are in our comfort zone, that is when we also become complacent and too comfortable. But that is also when our growth and development slows down and we don’t feel the need to strive and learn more or improve in our performance or knowledge. Putting ourselves to the test or giving ourselves a challenge to overcome can very often allow us to discover something about ourselves that we’d otherwise never reveal if there wasn’t a need to breakthrough a situation or find a solution to something. I thoroughly enjoy looking at things from different perspectives and appreciate the topsy turvy situations when they arise because I’m pretty darn sure that I’ll learn something along the way that I don’t know yet. With a two years old who has been down with a cold for two days, two older kids who are taking their common tests and a 6 year old who needs a lot of attention, I do feel a little off balance especially when it’s a a packed week from morning till night for me with teaching, prep wor...

Some days can get so crazy when I’m juggling between work, teaching, meetings, managing the household and meeting the needs of my four babies and a dog. It literally can get quite hair-raising sometimes but whenever I think about the kids, all that craziness just disperses. No matter how busy I am during the weekdays I’d always make it a point to see the kids during the pockets of time that I have after they’re back from school and extra curricular activities. This means quite a fair bit of shuttling in my mommy-mobile and being on the road. And I’ve lost count how many times I just wished that we could teleport. This morning as I was driving to work, I saw yet another accident on the road and as the ambulance and tow truck drove past me towards the accident site, I just couldn’t help but wonder who was involved in that accident and if those involved have little kids waiting for them back home. I take good care of my wellbeing so that I can be there for my kiddos. But oh how I wish we ...

Throwback to New Year’s Eve when my hair was done up by Small here. She’s always been the fashionista among the four of them and enjoys drawing dresses with unique designs on them since she was 3.  As the girls go back to school today, I know they will all be tieing their own hair and wearing their own uniforms as they prep for school (except for Extra Small) and once again I can’t help but feel a little sad that they’re growing up so fast.... I will tie your hair for you for as long as you’ll let me Happy first day back at school my babies ❤️. .

*Media drop* Thank you @honestbeesg for the surprise this afternoon right afternoon my lunchtime class! And you gave me just what I needed to refuel 💪🏻. The freshness of the fruit in the hamper was very much appreciated too!  . As a mother of four and business owner my time is very precious. So the fact that honestbee can now deliver my groceries as fast as the next hour or on the same day, it truly is a very welcome convenience for me.  . Fresh by honestbee is the newest addition to the the honestbee family and was just launched islandwide.  . Download their app to your phone or visit their website at www.honestbee.sg to purchase from Fresh. . #honestbee #freshnyhonestbee #thatmomoffour #fresh #groceryshopping #convenience #bloggermom #sgblogger #sgbloggers #smile #instagood 

Bringing up an army of girls and toughening them up ain’t an easy feat. As a parent I teach them to be hardy and have grit, but I also nurture them to have kindness and love for others in their hearts.  This school holiday I’ve taken them along with me to several charity initiatives where they’ve had to carry heavy groceries and deliver them door to door to the elderly and drop off bags of necessities to the Boy’s Brigade. And today they  got involved in an initiative #bethegift where the wishes of the less privileged children to gift something to their caregiver is fulfilled.   All these involvements open their eyes and hearts to something bigger and I can only hope that they will continue to benefit and bring love and care to the less fortunate when they’re adults. ❤️. #girlarmy #dawnsgirlarmy #girlsquad #daughtersrock

What is your biggest source of purpose for what you do? Is it family, religion or even your work. When we have meaning in what we do it buffers us against burnout and exhaustion.  As a working mother, on most days I only get 4 to 6 hours of sleep but getting to do what I love and having a meaningful impact on those I interact and deal with just energizes me and I feel better able to handle the difficult stuff. And it harder for me while my other half is stationed for years overseas for work. There is more than one way to look at a situation but when you give meaning to what you do, notice how everything changes. No matter how tired I am, the thought of heading out to play with these guys and making memories just works better than 4 cups of espresso. Family is definitely one of my main source of purpose. ❤️

In between taking care of the 4 of them, teaching classes, managing my clients and running a business, there’s not very much time left for myself but at the end of the end of the day I always feel like the luckiest girl on earth. The four of them have taught me so much about life and love and given me so much joy that I could burst. No matter how tired I am there is always enough energy to do stuff together, even if it means I have to be the sofa for the baby. Yes my hands are full and some days I literally crash into bed, but my heart is also filled with so much love and gratitude. And I wouldn’t want it any other way ❤️

As I'm typing this, were still on the airplane and just an hour from arriving at Los Angeles. And I must say I'm very impressed with the girls and how the 3 older ones helped me make this 18 hours commute from Singapore to Tokyo Narita and finally to LA such a smooth one.  From my 10 years old helping me escort Number 3 to the bathroom to everyone helping with the luggages..... and even number 2 and 3 helping me sing to the baby and tap her to sleep..... I couldn't be more grateful. Yes there were moments when I struggled to keep my limbs and my butt alive while my 18 months old slept peacefully, or when I had to clean her up after she produce a smelly surprise in her diaper. In fact I think it was a feat that food didn't end up flying in the air when I tried to eat with the baby on my lap 😂 And moments like these are still precious. I know I keep saying this, but thank you Universe for letting me be the mother of these girls ❤      

Today marks the 10th year that I get to celebrate Mother's Day as a mom...... and it keeps getting better. Even though I thought I'd get to sleep in but Number 3 (Miss LaLa) woke me up at 6.30am to wish me Happy Mommy's Day because she had been waiting since yesterday to say it to me. The fact that I have children between the ages of 1 and 10 does make it slightly more challenging when I plan for activities, discipline, shop for their needs and educate them. But that also teaches me so much about adaptability, patience, creativity and communication. The best part about all this is....... I get FOUR times more of that love coming back to me! ❤   Yesterday this mob of girls surprised me with a bunch of gifts that they so thoughtfully picked out and paid for with their hard earned money from doing chores and washing cars.   One of the handmade cards that I got from the girls this year. It folds up to become a heart ❤️    Their differing personalities means my approach t...

Number 2....... Also known as Medium, The Wild Child and Mini Dawn. For the first year after she was born, it felt as though I hadn't given birth because she would be wrapped against my chest while I did all the chores, practiced, took care of her and Large and of course shopped for groceries.  When we later moved to the States, I remember how shopping for groceries was such a breeze not just because you and your sis would hold my pockets while I pushed the trolley..... but really because even at a tender age of 3 you could remember where some of the items I needed were located. Thanks brainy. Always the first one to race me up a tree and roll out the mat to practice together, stalk wild iguanas and snakes or just hang out (upside down) on our hammocks..... Medium has always gotten the hang of things at breakneck speed with a smile on her face. If only she could do that when it comes to finishing her meals 😂 Love you baby cakes ❤