Parenthood Tips and Essentials From The NTUC Good Start Bundle

by  in Marriage & Family
0 Comments

What is the NTUC Good Start Bundle

Being a parent is truly one of life’s most blissful moments. While parenthood can be incredibly exciting, there are likely to be some challenges along the way as well. To better equip parents embarking on this journey, NTUC and its social enterprises have partnered the Embracing PArenthood Movement to put together the NTUC Good Start Bundle. It consists of necessities, parenthood tips and perks that will benefit any parent with a newborn.

How Parents Can Benefit From The NTUC Good Start Bundle

The NTUC Good Start Bundle is helpful in a variety of ways:

1. Necessities a newborn needs

The NTUC Good Start Bundle includes the FairPrice FairMily Kit (worth up to $100) which consists of milk powder (for babies above 6 months old) and grocery essentials. It also includes an exclusive FairPrice Online Deal, which is a god-send as parents could be too busy and exhausted from tending to their newborns. With this exclusive online deal, parents can now shop from the comforts of their home without ever leaving their newborns out of sight!

2. Mother Tongue Reader to ignite your child’s love for her Mother Tongue

Parents may receive a Mother Tongue Reader or Parent-Child Activity Book at PA’s Embracing PArenthood Community Celebration events. The Mother Tongue Reader comes with 3 sets of mother tongue language stickers and is a fun and interactive way to grow your child’s love for their mother tongue language. Early experiences matter, so remember to get either book for free and start them young!

3. Exclusive birthday celebration packages (worth $149) at Downtown East

NTUC understands that planning for the baby shower or first birthday celebration could be the last thing on the minds of busy parents. That is why the planners at Downtown East stand ready to organize these important milestones. With such experienced hands on deck, fatigued parents can focus on spending precious time with their babies and simply turn up to bask in the joyous occasion.

Why Should Parents Sign Up For The NTUC Good Start Bundle

Besides the goodies mentioned above, there are other perks and privileges within the NTUC Good Start Bundle that await parents and their babies:

  1. Complimentary entry to The Little Skool-House Early Literacy Centre every Thursday;
  2. Complimentary Plus! Card for non Plus! Members;
  3. One-year complimentary health insurance for your newborn

The best news is that the NTUC Good Start Bundle is completely free! There is absolutely no reason to say no to these goodies?

Sign Up For The NTUC Good Start Bundle

All families with Singapore citizen babies born between 2016 and 2019 are eligible to receive the NTUC Good Start Bundle goodies! Getting your hand to these amazing goodies is as simple as the following steps:

  • Head over to the NTUC Good Start Bundle website
  • Fill in your family details (both parents + child)
  • Wait for NTUC Good Start Bundle to contact you shortly!

If you are an eligible parent, give your child a head start by signing up for the NTUC Good Start Bundle worth more than $300 for free!

Read More...

How To Plan A Wedding Without Getting Fired

by  in Marriage & Family
0 Comments

For many people, planning a wedding can be a time-exhausting task. It can feel like you are taking another full-time job on top of your current one. Do not fret just yet!

Proper organization, delegation, and time segregation can keep you sane throughout the planning process. Not to mention, you will still be able to keep your beloved job!

ORGANIZATION

To keep the boat afloat, organization is the key! You can either organize your wedding tasks traditionally (i.e., using paper and pen) or digitally (i.e., using computer software and apps). Traditionally, you must keep your wedding tasks and calendar in one notebook. Do not forget to give your partner a copy! Fortunately for you, you can easily update your partner or your wedding squad by creating a digital file.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Go digital to enjoy the ease of accessing your wedding tasks while you are at work or while you are on the go! Google Drive, its computer software and its phone app, is a good option to seamlessly keep everyone on the wedding planning loop. Remember to use your personal email when getting back and forth with the suppliers and other people. You do not want to use the company’s email to complain about your supplier!

DELEGATION

Whether you like it or not, your career should remain your top priority during the wedding planning process. As such, you must turn to your friends and relatives for help. Treat wedding planning similarly as a big project in the office. Delegate wedding tasks to your wedding squad and provide everyone with a clear description of what they are responsible for. Pass the tasks that you know they will be great! Then, keep the communication lines open to review their works.

It is more efficient to split the delegation with your partner by creating a wedding checklist that includes proposed deadlines. These deadlines will help you to accomplish everything on time.

TIME SEGREGATION

Time management begins by scheduling your couple calendar according to your wedding tasks. This way, you will know you set aside the necessary time to tackle important matters. Moreover, you will be able to set your phone’s alarm to keep track of everything.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Now, let us go to your downtime. Maximize the time you spent on commuting or relaxing by setting appointments with your wedding suppliers or by finalizing some details. It is better to search Facebook or Instagram with a goal in mind!

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Home Renovation Hacks That Will Save You Money

by  in Marriage & Family
0 Comments

As I enter the complex process of spearheading a school’s renovation, I am embroiled in a tedious task of finding the most cost-efficient options. I have been saving those picturesque renovations and design ides on my Pinterest mood board. However, a renovation design only works when you add the element of realistic budget.

When it comes to build-to-order HDB, the average spending on renovations is between S$30,000 to S$50,000. A resale flat can cost you around 50% more! Imagine that. The huge amount of money highlights the importance of preparation. You need to prepare for the upcoming costs! Moreover, you must find ways to save some money.

LESS IS MORE

When it comes to home renovation or alteration, many people turn to Pinterest for inspiration. A home with a minimalist interior is likely to be more affordable to renovate than a home with an opulent interior. Your renovation’s theme can dictate its costs and your savings. Having said that, you must go back to basics. You do not need to compromise style to save money! After all, simplicity is beauty.

WALLETS ARE TIGHTENED

Upon the completion of your desired theme, do your research on the items that you need to purchase. List down the prices of each essential purchase. As much as possible, compare the prices from online and physical retailers. Stick to this planned budget!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

There may be unforeseen circumstances whereby you need to address costs that exceed your planned budget. To tackle this issue, you must give yourself an allowance of about 20%. Who knows? You might end up with an unfinished kitchen.

RECYCLING AND REVAMPING

There are two types of home or flat owners, second-hand or first-hand owners. It is very tempting to customize every inch of your new flat. However, you must keep in mind that you will not be able to bring these customization to the next home that you will purchase. The same idea can be applied to second-hand owners.

For people moving in to a “new” home, consider the things that can be kept. Revamp furniture or structural elements that are still in relatively good condition.

PLANNING PURCHASES AHEAD

Much like the two types of owners, there are two types of purchases. There are often urgent items or an items that can wait. Nonetheless, you must look out for warehouse sales to enjoy bargain prices. Go to various fairs such as Home Planner Furniture and Renovation Fair, which attracts a range of merchants selling products you might need. Compare prices online and often you can find the best deals out there including tables, chairs and smart mirrors.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You may also consider scheduling your purchases during special holidays such as the Great Singapore Sale, National Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Yuletide Season. These are the periods wherein retailers exhaust their efforts to provide attractive discounts. Planning ahead can save you a lot of money!

Sources:1 &2

Read More...

7 Exciting Activities You can Enjoy with Your Family at the Beach

by  in Marriage & Family
0 Comments

BAC MY AN BEACH

Many people love going to the beach to relax, swim, and sunbathe. However, some people get bored easily with these ordinary activities. There are numerous exciting activities you can enjoy at the beach.

What’s more, you can even take your entire family for a fun day out at the beach, and enjoy more than just resting and relaxing. Here are 7 activities you can engage in with your family at the beach.

1.     Collecting Seashells

Seashells are available in almost all beaches. While this activity sounds easy, you should prepare for your adventure adequately for maximum experience. Get a container to put your shells. You can choose a bag, a pail, or even a bowl depending on how much shells you plan to collect. Ensure your shells do not have live animals inside.

Remember, collecting live shells is against the law in various beaches across the world. Adhere to the laws of the country you are visiting when on holiday. Clean your shells once you get back home or to your hotel. You can make the activity more fun by identifying the shells and naming each type of shell you collect. Make it an exciting and learning activity for the children.

2.     Splash the Water

Young children get excited at the sound of splashing water, an activity which has been practiced for ages. Adults can also participate in water splashing, an activity which is not as simple as it may sound. What you need is have everyone hold as much flat and smooth stones as their arms can hold. Head over to the shoreline and throw the stones one by one. The aim of this activity is getting the least bounces before the stones drift down the bottom of the ocean.

3.     Enjoy a Beach Barbecue Party

The beach is an ideal place to enjoy your barbecue sausages and chicken wings while marveling at the rolling waves. Besides, it is a perfect time to bond with your family and enjoying the cool sea breeze.

However, not all places allow barbecue parties. If you are staying at a beach club Bali, talk to the management and have them organize a party for you and your family. You will find it more fun. After all, all you will need to do is pay for the service and get served at your convenience.

4.     Go Crab Catching

With a bucket of water and a net in hand, proceed to the rock pool and allow your children to enjoy catching crabs. Join them and catch as many as possible. You can use this as a learning activity as well. Once you are done, return the crabs back to the sea.

5.     Make a Raft

Outdoor activities give children an opportunity to think and be creative. Excite their adventure feelings by constructing a raft. You will require an object that can float such as driftwood, which you can easily find at almost any beach. Get a string. You can search for a strong seaweed and execute the plan. Your children will not only love it, but they may just give you the captain of the sea title.

6.     Enjoy a Picnic

While you can easily find different types of food beside the beaches, they can be quite expensive. Rather than buying expensive food, you can organize a picnic and pack home prepared food and drinks. What’s more, your own food is much healthier and filling.

Your children will also enjoy eating while having fun. Remember, some beaches discourage alcoholic drinks. Carry water or juice instead just to be on the safe side. Ensure to store your food in a properly insulated cooler and eat fast to avoid contamination and food poisoning.

7.     Listen to Music or Read Your Favorite Book

Reading a book or listening to music while at the beach can be exciting. What with the lovely sunset, amazing waves, lovely environment, and the soft sand beneath your feet? The beach is the perfect place to listen to some lovely songs while you chill and relax away from the hustles and bustles of the city. Carry your earphones and get lost in a momentary world of your own.

Finally

Enjoying fun times with your family at the beach can be both exciting and adventurers. Head to the beach and watch your kids engage in exciting activities. You can choose to relax, go swimming, or join them in performing their fun activities.

Read More...

Cleaning Queen Marie Kondo’s Guide To A Joyful Home

by  in Marriage & Family
0 Comments

As “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” debuted early this year, cleaning queen Marie Kondo went from a best-selling author to a Netflix star. Viewers were inspired by the KonMari method and started cleaning up their own messes at home. However, what stood out was her specific way of folding clothes.

Aside from the special way of folding clothes, here are some tips that you can employ to spark joy in your home.

INSTILL RESPONSIBILITY ON EVERYONE

As parents, is your duty to encourage the maintenance of cleanliness and orderliness inside the home. Your children should be responsible for cleaning up their own space.

You should lead by example and start giving your toddlers minimal tasks such as sweeping or wiping. For instance, my two-year old students can sweep pieces of paper when prompted. Make cleaning a bonding activity for the whole family.

PUT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

Minimalism is one word that encapsulates the KonMari method. Let us apply minimalism in the kitchen. She organizes her kitchen by putting as little items as possible on the counters and around the sink.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For her, de-cluttering the kitchen should be based on the ease of cleaning. Which items will save you more time and space?

STORE YOUR POSSESSIONS BY CATEGORY

As mentioned above, ensure that your children are responsible for their own belongings. Your job is to help them find a designated place to store their items. While, their job is to put back their belongings to the designated place/s.

Start by gathering your clothes, books, documents, miscellaneous, and sentimental items. Organize your belongings following this order. When going through your clothes, ensure that you toss the unwanted items in one massive pile.

According to the KonMari method, you must only keep items that spark joy to your life. If it does not bring joy then, toss it out.

FOLD YOUR CLOTHES SIDE-BY-SIDE

Marie Kondo’s popularity can be attributed to the way she organizes her drawers by stacking clothes side-by-side. She teaches a strategic way of folding clothes whereby a properly folded article of clothing can stand on its own. Not only does it make for some very Instagram-worthy portraits, it also allows you to see what is inside your drawer at a glance.

Image Credits:pixabay.com

Through this, you can survey which articles of clothing to you spend most on. Which articles of clothing should you stop buying? Which colors do you invest more on? What do you lack in your wardrobe? Asking these questions will help you make more informed shopping decisions in the future.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

Read More...