More support for Singaporeans to start and raise families
The government has announced a one-off S$3,000 grant for parents of Singaporean children born from 1 October 2020 to 30 September 2022.
The Baby Support Grant is introduced to lend additional support for families amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This will supplement the existing Baby Bonus Cash Gift which can goes up to $10,000 for each child. The cash will be deposited into the nominated bank account from 1 April 2021 or within 1 month of enrolment in the scheme.
The Baby Bonus Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2001, supports parents’ decision to have more children by helping to lighten the financial costs of raising children.
via msf.gov.sg
Parents will receive the enhanced Cash Gift in 5 instalments, over 18 months.
My preferred form of entertainment is watching movies and series. I consider it a way to put my spare time to good use.
One of my favorite movie media (I prefer to call it a medium, because that’s what it is.) is animation. People are quick to brush it off due to it being largely made for children.
But a mark of media maturity is accepting and appreciating the workmanship and skill that goes into these movies. These stories resonate not just with children, but with everyone!
Another good thing is that they work around narrative limitations. That’s something only skilled and talented people can do with the right amount of grit and luck.
Anyway, if you’re convinced, I’ll help you give animation a try. Here’s a list of good picks that you can watch with your family.
A 1998 animated film of Dreamworks, this movie is an adaptation of the story of Exodus from the Bible. This movie pulls no punches with its harsh, mature themes, and definitely does not talk down to its audience.
Even after 20 years, the 2D animation still holds up well. Every single aspect of this film is simply phenomenal: from the voice acting, to the art direction and the sound design, it hits all the right notes for an animated film.
And since it’s a musical, the music is amazing. From the heavy-hitting “Deliver Us” that throws you into the setting of the movie, to the gentle and powerful theme of the Burning Bush.
This is a movie that’s worth the watch, and deserves to gain more recognition due to the artistry, effort, and respect for textual accuracy. It also brings human themes front and center to make it resonate with many people, regardless of their faiths.
Song of the Sea was created by Cartoon Saloon, the same studio that brought you The Secret of Kells and The Breadwinner. All I can say is that studio is the Irish equivalent of Studio Ghibli, which is high praise indeed.
Song of the Sea is made with hand-drawn animation, a feat that’s impressive considering that animated films now often come in 3D animation. What makes Song of the Sea unique is that it has a story and aesthetics borrowed heavily from Irish folklore and culture.
The story tells of a young child named Ben who lost his mother while she was giving birth to his little sister, Saoirse (Sur-sha). Little did he know that his mother was a selkie, and so is little Saoirse, who needs to sing the Song of the Sea to help faeries go back to their world.
The themes of this movie focus heavily on loss and the grieving that follows said loss. It also deals with the harmful concept of bottling up your emotions to avoid managing them.
So if you ever need to gently explain the very human, yet difficult-to-deal-with emotion of grief to your kids, this is the movie that you should put on for them.
One of the best adaptations of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this movie can be good for people who have their parents micromanage their lives to the point where there’s little air to breathe.
The main character has that problem as well, but she seems to do swimmingly with it, until she meets her next-door neighbor who tells her the story of the Little Prince, whom he met years ago in a desert while working as an aviator.
This movie covers the themes of growing up too fast, and teaching people what is essential.
Who knew that you’d bawl your eyes out from watching a robot voiced by Vin Diesel? The Iron Giant is one of those cult classics that are wonderful to watch over and over again.
The story is set in the late 50’s where the paranoia of the Cold War has begun to set into suburban America. A child discovers a giant robot that has lost its memories, and befriends it, but this comes with its own set of problems when a government agent appears and questions where it came from, believing it to be some kind of weapon.
This movie poignantly explains death and loss to children, and does so through Hogarth’s understanding: “Things die… It’s a part of life. It’s bad to kill. But it’s not bad to die.”
It also explores the theme of autonomy, and choosing who you want to be, regardless of where you came from.
Megamind is the only entry on this list that’s a 3D animated film, and there’s a good reason I saved this for last (but it’s not necessarily the least). I’ve always said that Megamind is simply a victim of being released at the wrong time.
That’s why it’s so criminally underrated: if it had been released around the advent of Marvel films, then it would have gotten the attention it deserved. This subversion of the superhero genre is jam-packed with fast-paced humor and a strong narrative.
This movie is filled with themes of nature vs. nurture. But what makes it so interesting nowadays is that the arc of the actual villain focuses on his unwanted advances and feelings of entitlement towards a woman.
This is something that has come into cultural focus, and Megamind was beyond its time (this was made back in 2010) for discussing such a delicate subject and being one of the first movies of that time period calling out such behavior.
This may be made for kids, but it never talks down to its audience, and it’s more appreciated by adults for its mature themes without resorting to vulgarity.
You can watch any of these picks on different streaming services. Or you can watch them on different devices. I, for one, recommend watching them on a flatscreen TV to immerse yourself in the experience.
To enhance the experience, an expert at TV Repair Singapore who is also an animation junkie, gave me advice on adjusting the color grade of my TV to make animation colors pop out.
I’ll share it with you so you can use it when watching the above films: since animation has a tendency to lean towards bright colors, he advises to lessen saturation and adjust brightness accordingly. Enjoy!
Babies are tiny, delicate, and defenceless. So, as their parents, it is up to you to make sure that they remain safe and happy at all times. Now, there is no denying that this can feel like a rather overwhelming responsibility.
The good news, though, is that there is plenty of support available to you. Since baby safety is a global priority, there has been a fair amount of research conducted on the matter. So, on this note, here are the top things that you should know:
Double Check Safety Standards
You would imagine that all baby items will have been put through strenuous testing to ensure that they are functional and safe. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are many dangerous and unsatisfactory products on the market. This is why you have to often do the research yourself.
Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult thanks to government regulatory agencies. They often test various products to let you know if they are safe to buy. Still, you should bear in mind that these agencies tend to stick with big-ticket items such as strollers and carriers. Thus, it is up to you to check on the rest of the items. You can do this by double checking safety standards and remaining up to date on any recall notices.
Practice Sleep Safety
Your baby tends to be particularly vulnerable while they are sleeping. So, you should make a special effort with their sleeping arrangements. It starts off by finding the right crib. As consumer advisory Little One Mag explains, there are several safety features to watch out for.
To begin with, the frame must be sturdy and have limited flex. Also, the foundation for the mattress must be completely flat. Furthermore, the slats should have limited space between them and be firm.
This aren’t the only guidelines to consider, though. It is just as important to select a firm mattress that has very little give. Also, keep the crib clear of toys, pillows, and blankets. It is far better to dress your baby in warm layers and then to add or remove the layers as necessary.
Always make sure that your baby sleeps on their back. If they roll over onto their side, make sure to correct their sleeping position each and every time.
Pay Attention to Toy Features
As a new parent, you are going to want to buy lots and lots of toys for your little one. Before you do, though, you will need to examine each and every feature to ensure that it is safe for your infant. First and foremost, toys should always be big. This reduces the risk of them being swallowed.
At the same time, the toys shouldn’t have any components that can be removed and swallowed. This includes plastic parts on toys as well as eyes and buttons on stuffed animals. So, always check them out before giving them to your baby. It is best to follow the age recommendations of each and every toy.
Avoid giving your baby old toys or ones that have come from unknown sources. These probably haven’t passed the necessary safety standards. As such, you can’t guarantee that they are suitable for your little one.
These are the top baby safety tips that parents should know. Once you begin to practice them, you will have greater peace of mind concerning your baby’s wellbeing.
Due to the safety measures and social restrictions brought by the pandemic, we tend to spend most of our days at home. Now is the perfect time to declutter and reorganize your own space! From creating your own key holders to storing your stuffed animals, these tips will squeeze your creative juices without breaking the bank.
Use what you have as you organize your home with these cheap storage hacks:
#1: MULTI-PURPOSE FILE DIVIDERS
Do not throw your shoe boxes just yet! Shoe box, usually made of paper, is more than just a storage for shoes. It can also be used in packaging several items in retail stores or in your home. If you have a collection of bills, photos, sewing supplies, tools, and other small items, you may store it inside a shoe box for easier access.
Divide the sections of the shoe box by cutting the cover into rectangular and square pieces. Get creative! You may also cover the shoe box with a patterned fabric to echo the décor of your room.
#2: HAIR TIE HOLDERS
Let us face it! Hair ties always get lost. The solution? Store your hair ties on an empty tissue roll core. Widen the hair tie and insert it on the empty tissue roll core. This way, you will know where to find them.
Aside from hair ties, the empty tissue roll core may be used to store your cords. Prevent getting your cords tangled by tucking in the cords inside an empty tissue roll core. Put a label on the cardboard tube so you will know which cord is which.
#3: STATIONARY VASES
Jars can be ideal for preserving jams, jellies, sauces, mustards and flavored vinegars. Basically, it is storage for your food. But aside from that, you may organize your office supplies with a jar. Let the jar act as a stationary vase for your paper clips, pens, staplers, highlighters, and more.
You may also style your jar by painting it with enamel or a chalkboard paint. A chalkboard paint allows you to create a blackboard area with a durable black finish. This product can be applied to any smooth non-porous surface such as drywall, plaster, metal, and glass.
#4: STUFFED ANIMALS STORAGE AREA
Keep all your child’s stuffed animals in one area by sticking a few Velcro strips or hook-and-loop fasteners on the wall. Attach the half of the strip on a lightweight stuffed animal and the other half on a wall. Use the soft side of the Velco or the hook-and-loop fastener to avoid getting potential scrapes on your beloved little one.
#5: REUSABLE STORAGE BAGS
Tired of seeing your children’s toys scattered around? Do not forget the smaller ones such as the action figures or doll clothes that are lying on the floor. Well, re-sealable or reusable zipper bags may come in handy. The most famous brand is the Ziploc bag, but you may also use other variations of this. The see-through exterior provides easy identification of the stored contents.
Just store your child’s toys, crayons, and markers in a labeled reusable storage bag to keep it organized. You may also keep some manuals and brochures inside.
#6: FRAMED KEY HOLDERS
You will be surprised to know that a picture frame may be revamped as a key holder and a dry-erase board. Let us start with the key holder. Create your own aesthetically pleasing key holder with a single picture frame. Simply remove the glass and paint the background or cover it with fabric or colored paper. Then, attach several key hooks using a strong adhesive. Hang the frame near the exit door. This will ensure that all keys are kept in one place.
Lastly, you may create a dry-erase board with a picture frame. Stay on top of your tasks and errands with a DIY dry-erase board. Use an old picture frame and put a fabric or a wallpaper inside. Use a whiteboard or a dry-erase marker to note down your reminders on the glass.
#7: BEDDING BAGS
Tote bags, made of canvas, are usually inexpensive. Take your beddings and blankets and put it inside the tote bags for heightened organization. You may also put your old or underused clothes inside the tote bags and donate it to those who need it the most.
A 46-year-old Indonesian maid, Rina Tilaar, was sentenced to four weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to two counts of theft as a servant and one charge of theft.
For theft by a servant, she could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined.
Started stealing between February and May 2020
Rina started work with her employer and family at the end of January this year. Over a span of four months, she started stealing cash and items from her employer’s family.
Employer’s mother noticed missing cash and her coin pouch
Image Credits: Braun Buffel
During the crime period, the employer’s mother started noticing missing cash amounts from her wallet in her bedroom. Her Braun Buffel coin pouch worth S$150 also went missing.
Employer and his wife also not spared
The employer’s wife also experienced missing items in March. She had placed a cardholder with cash of S$52 and an EZ-Link card on a table in the living room, but could not find those items after.
Following the incident, the wife found out in April that a total of S$200 in cash was missing from her wallet in her bedroom on four occasions. On May 19, she discovered S$20 missing from her wallet.
Between mid-April and May, Rina’s 39-year-old employer also realized that a total of S$300 had gone missing from his wallet.
Police were informed on May 21
Image Credits: todayonline.com
On May 21, the couple checked Rina’s belongings while she was out. They found a total cash amount of S$1,203.95 in a Braun Buffel coin pouch.
At the start of her employment, Rina had signed a declaration form stating her possession of only a cash amount of S$17.70 and 200 Indonesian rupiah (S$0.20). Her employer also transfers her monthly salary directly to her Indonesian bank account, said State Prosecuting Officer Nasri Haron.
Since the amount was higher than what their helper had initially declared, they called the police.
Rina pleaded guilty
She confessed to taking cash of about S$1,000 from the family, a Braun Buffel coin pouch belonging to her employer’s mother, and the cardholder and EZ-Link card from her employer’s wife.
Her side of the story
“She drop porridge on my hand and (poke me) with the chopstick,” she cried via a video-link from her place of remand.
“I never use this money. My employer lie to me. She do wrong to me, I never complain to police and MOM (Ministry of Manpower). But I just quiet because I want to work.”
She said she did not use the money she stole and had taken it because her employer treated her like an animal. The judge rejected her plea as she did not admit to the acts. To which Rina reversed her claims and pleaded for leniency instead.
“I am very sorry to the court, to my employers and to my agencies and also to Your Honour,” she said.
Considering the recovered amounts and items, District Judge Ong Hian Sun gave Rina four weeks’ jail.
