Shanghai Mommies Club

joannek

Dianakay,

That's the market price in SH. If possible, take one to SH.

Dianakay

Dear Joannek:

Thanks for your advice !

bdgs

sandydojo

Joanne,

How much the Gymboree asked for if Oliver joins the course? I found BabyArt, Early MBA & Gymboree near at my living place, and many parents take their kids there!!! Last Sat, we went to HQ Parkson and walked pass the EarlyMBA, I was surprised that there were alot of parents (or maids??) at the reception, seems that they were waiting for their kids. Some of them even slept on the sofa! Of course, no one likes to wait for their kids under 35 degree at outdoor! In my thinking, currently the mainland parents are really willing to spend money on their kids, as the course is pretty expensive!

Ha...I think your husband must be a good business man! Don't know if it is a culture of Taiwanese, friend's husband is more serious, almost need to entertains his clients everyday, and now he is in the States for a month long for sales trip! Luckily, we have kids, so you might kill your time easily with your boys, but my friend is so boring without husband being with as she is just new wedded!

My husband likes to say: Customer is "God". If customers are happy of their entertainment (i.e. dinner, drinks, KTV), he could maintain the business long and earn more! Then...he must say that why he entertains the customers is for the family...I always have nothing to say abt this, as he is the only one to earn the living for us!

sandydojo

I want to share somethings here, it made me so upset and angry :evil:  :evil:

Yesterday we shopped in Parkson with Misaki. When we stopped at one corner to take alook of the stuff, one little boy (think he was around 2-3 yrs old) was running towards our baby stroller, and going to hit Misaki's face as he put his hand into the stroller! In one second, the boy's mom immediately stopped him...We stared at the boy and mom with anger, and my hubby shouted at them in dirty words.  Though Misaki didn't get hurt, and that mom said sorry to us, but I couldn't calm down my emotion, can't believe such a little child could act likes it to harm the baby!!! I wonder what kind of family education is leant from that boy??? Also, I am worried if the kids here are educated in this bad way, what the manner will they obtain when they are growth-up :cry:  :cry: (Maybe I think too much, but it really upset me in certain extent!)

Little_Wing_Mom

Critic,

Thank you very much indeed.  I am interested to learn from you on how to teach kid's English.  Presently, I just read book and visual dictionary with Wing.  She also likes some puzzle flash cards and she can learn some from the game.   Also thank you for your offering in teach Wing English every Saturday. I will talk to you when I am back.

BTW, have you heard about a book, "The Writing Road to Reading", which is discussed by BK members in other forum?  It helps parents / teachers in English teaching for kids.   I shopped around the book stores and has ordered one and will have it next week.  I hope I can learn more in teaching Wing.

critic 寫道:
Little Wing,

Glenn Doman flashcards method does not work on my son. In his case, he can really 'learn' after he understands what we're talking.

When you come back, I share with you my teaching method as Wing Wing is 3+, won't be any problem. Just spend 10-20 mins/day is enough. (be prepared that you've to learn & study too, I am preparing each lesson one day in advance)  If you're lazy, you can send Wing Wing to me every Saturday and I'll teach her.   

I've started the phonics program for one week, my son knows all the letter sounds but I'm repeating one sound per day and introduce blending to each lesson. (I feel it's better to follow the program & material)  After each lesson, I will use the letter word to blend some words & ask him to read, he is doing very well and able to read the book 1 on his own. (It's very easy, e.g. Sam, Pam, Hat, Bag)

Little_Wing_Mom

Hi, Sandy,

Totally understood your feeling.  But I tell you, when Misaki grows up and you have chance to bring her out to garden to play, you will meet a lot of naughty and poor manner kids.   

I usually bring Wing to Garden after schooling.  I have seen the children pushing Wing when she was playing slide; stopping Wing to use the facilities........ many many cases.  What I did was I closely watched Wing to play and tried to protect her from being hurt by other kids.

critic

We were in IKEA today and totally understand how's the local educate their kids.  IKEA has displayed a train set in the Toy's department, every kid is fighting for the set. Some parents torn the brand new train pack, gave the train to the kid to play on the track.  I've found more than 20 set are without the train. I believe some people simply take home after playing and without 'paying'.

Little Wing,
I have read many books about teaching children to read from library, I'm not sure if I've read the one you've mentioned. There are many good articles from website, you can read them when Wing Wing goes to school. I've bought a few books recently and found they're fun for us to learn & teach our kids. I'll give you the names later.

Have you learned IPA (Phonetic?)  If not, try to take a course in HK during your holiday, it helps a lot in teaching English to our kids:

IPA Course in HK

I can only share more with you after you take the course. If I remember well, it's 6 lessons, one lesson/week. Highly recommend!

joannek

Sandydojo,

Have u clamed down yet? Did Misaki cry after the attack? Hope all of u alright.

Most of the local kids are 'agressive'. It is fairly common of 'hitting' btw kids in here, just likes what LittleWing said. For the kids btw 1-2 yr old, they may 'hit' a little friend to show his friendship, because they do not know how to present or say hello to his friends. It is a normal progress.

To be honest, I appreciate the little attacker's mum; at least she apologied, better than nothing.

Tell u a story. When Tsun Tsun was 2.5 yr old, he was hit by a 4 yr old Korean girl almost everytiem they met...but Tsun Tsun still wanted to play with her... just because the Korean girl was riding a bike and he wanted to follow her. However, the girl disliked his action and hit him...In this case, I did not involve, just let the kids to solve the problem...

Of course, we have to 反击 sometime. Especially when u meet those uneducated/low educated maid/parents/grand-parents. We have to be strong in front of these kinds of person.

I'm very tired now. Share more next time...

critic

All,

Yamaha will open a Music School in Oct. First school in Shanghai, it's located on the 7/F of Sogo. They'll start to enrol in Aug and classes will start in Oct. I have no idea what courses they are offering.

sandydojo

Little Wing,
I do always remember what you told me in the taxi last time! Yes, you are right! We should not only teach our kids how to be polite to others, but also to protect themselves by not getting hurt.

Joanne,
I am fine now, just feel abit nervous when carrying Misaki out! This afternoon, We went to McDonald and two little girls were so curious on Misaki's stroller, I am afraid that if the event likes last Sat happened again, so immediately close the stroller cover completely. Two girls seems to be abit disappointed!

Ha...Sound's like little Tsun Tsun "fallin love" with that Korean gal! So...the gal hit him may be a kind of signal - 打者愛也      (joking!!!)

Critic,
One other weekend before, we went to IKEA for buying baby stuff. You know, we almost went mad, as many many kids were making the stuffs so messy, their parents just played with them instead of adviced them not to broken it! I wondered if it was a playground or a shopping place, why the sales ppls never stopped them    My hubby "sweared" that he will never come to that place again!  

sandydojo

Today, I am extremely tired as my maid takes a leave until Thursday! Without maid, I believe I will die young   

critic

Sandy,

I think we won't go to IKEA again, unless we really need something there.  My son is sleeping in a bigger size baby bed (5 feet), according to other moms advices, I have bought him a mosquito tent. His bed is surrounded with fence and we want to take them away but afraid that he'll fall, we went to IKEA is looking for a detachable fence. Anyway, they don't have it. I think I better put a thick mat or whenever on the floor instead.

Remember, the local people always like to approach babies without knowing that how dirty they're. You better hold Misaki or carry her with carrier. Do you have a net for your stroller? just zip it up. I've seen so many people pick their nose, mouth, they don't wash hands after going to bathroom.

Do you know there another baby center maybe suitable for Misaki? Bee Bee Playland for 0-6 babies. It has something to do with Victoria Education in HK.

You won't die without ayi, I'm still alive after almost a month without ayi + I have to work & send/pickup my son to school.

joannek

Sandy,

Bring the baby wipe with u all the time. You can clean Misaki's little hands and face whenever u need. If it is possible, put the little gloves and socks for her when u go out. If necessary, tell them off.

The price or Gymboree is from RMB135 to RMB223/lesson. I will try to visit another play group in pudong this week.

Critic,

How's the train museum? Are you going to take your son to Disney Ice Show next week? Friend told me that English Times has a centre in People Square, do u know about it?

I will visit another kindergarten (孔祥东音乐幼儿园)tomorrow. It is a new musical kindergarten with similar school fees (school fees 1,200 + piano lesson 700 + others) while our current school fees is 1,700+ others). As my son is young, he does not need to learn playing piano in K1. 孔祥东 is 100% different from Fortune. It would be a 100% local kindergarten. Even they have English lessons, I don't think Tsun Tsun could learn well English from there. The only advantage is he could learn some music insturments and improve his right brain. However, I won't make the decision till next Feb, cos' his English teacher will stay till next Feb.

joannek

Hi,

Due to the rain, I have not visited 孔祥东音乐幼儿园 yet. My kindergaten in my estate will open in the coming Sep and the organisation is confirmed last week. I couldn't believe that it is SH Victoria. It also divided into domestic and int'l class. The docmestic is RMB230 (for Shanghaiese) and RMB900 (for foreigner). Int'l is approx. RMB2,500 (for my estate) and RMB3,600 for the others. All others fees are excluded.

I do not need to visit other kindergarten now. Just to consider to transfer to SH Victoria in Sept or before winter.

SH Victoria has 3 kindergartens in Puxi. Anyone of u know that it is good or not? Any comments of HK Victoria. cos' I don't know how good the HK Victoria is.

sandydojo

Joanne and Critic,

Thanks for your advice! I do always bring baby wipes & wet towel for cleaning Misaki's hand & face, however, I feel "hm hoi yee see" to ask the ppls not to touch Misaki! Only the way I can do is to "escape" from them, or put the stroller's cover down completely to prevent ppls approaching her! I also considered hold Misaki by carrier, it's more convenience to go out. BUT, you know...currently the temp. is over 35 degree, just awhile I hold her on my chest, she sweats, and I sweat, finally we both are smell so stinky    

These few days, I was like a prisoner to stay in my home. 1) Don't wanna go out with Misaki in rainy days; 2) Without ayi, I have to do housekeeping; 3) No need to cook for my hubby as he had entertainment at nights; 4) Many many things I need to buy in Caree Four but impossible with Misaki...

This weekend, I may take a look of Gymboree in Gubei! See how much they quote for me if Misaki will join in her 6-month!

Thus why, I really admire Critic! How you can be so tough and energetic to well-perform three roles i.e. housewife, mother & working woman in the same day?! Also, I do always appreciate your teaching ways to your boy, you are so creative!  

critic

Sandy,
I’ve trained to be superwoman. You can force yourself to do it if you don’t have a choice. Have you heard of I love gym?

Joanne,
I’ll go to Railway Museum tomorrow; they only open Tues, Thurs & Sat. I think I’ll go there even if it rains as we did not go anyway for a few days and we’re bored.

I planned to send my son to Victoria HK before we relocated to Shanghai. I did not do much investigation but everyone is telling me that it’s the best bilingual kindergarten and most of my friends send their kids there. I visited the one in Hong Qiao last year, I don't like the school is located in an estate (unless you live there) and they don’t have outdoor area.  You better check if they have one English teacher per class or the English teacher is shared by a few classes.  Why there’s a big difference between domestic and int’l school fee? Are they using different teachers or what?

BTW, not sure if it is true or not, my son is attending the morning Chinese reading course and the head-teacher (owner?) told me that the nursery here only teach 50-100 Chinese words before they go to primary school. Most moms here will teach them at home, they learn over 800-1000 words at home. (I never count so really have no idea on it’s that too many or not?)  In that case, if we don’t teach them at home, they may have problem comparing with their peers in primary school.   According to what she said, we don’t even think they can learn a lot of English in nursery.  I’ve studied the local English curriculum, its unbelievable simple, in the first year, they learn about: “Hi”  “Hello” etc.

See if you’re interested (it’s a very nice English bookstore located in a newly renovated old house):

At Garden Books 2nd floor kids corner, 325 Chang Le Road
Sunday, July 24th
3:30 pm-4:30pm (3-5 year)
Story telling, fun games & painting
Conducted by Gymboree teacher, Amanda Kellett from Canada!
Fee : RMB 50 per family (includes one FREE ice-cream coupon)
Maxi : 20 kids

Dress up your kids in their most fairytale costume!

critic

All,

I've book the table 11:00 am at 8/F Sogo. See you.

joannek

Tsun Tsun has a low fever since yesterday. It turns to high fever this afternoon (103C). Luckily my husband is at home tonight and he has taken him to Fudan Childern Hospital. I will not send him to kindergarten tmr and I am so sorry that I can't join the 'yum cha' tmr.

Critic,

Heard that there is no domestic class in SH Victoria Puxi. In Pudong, the domestic class will not assigned any foreign teachers and no English class. So far, they say the int'l will have 1 local teacher+1 foreign teacher + 1 ah-yi to look after 25 childern.

My current decision is: stay in Fortune till winter. I like Fortune's campus so much: large classrooms and huge playground. I 'feel' the principle and teachers in Fortune are more friendly than Victoria.

I try to teach Tsun Tsun to recognise some chinese words but seems that he dislikes it. Perhaps English looks simplier than Chinese.

Little_Wing_Mom

Dear Critic, Joannek, Sandydojo,

Long time no chat la.  Both Wing and I are OK in Hong Kong.  I do go shopping everyday especially when Wing has gone to school.  I have no eye to see my credit card bill........

My husband will return to HK tonight and will spend with us for a week (but he has to report duty in his HK and Punyu Office, too bad).

Last Wednesday, I have chance to meet some ready-to-go SH mommies in HK, they are QQMOMQQ, M_Law, Angelachan, Dianakay and 黃子.  They will relocate to SH on either August or September.  We will have more members in our Club (if they also like to join us).

Please help me to say hello to Monica and others when you have gathering next time.

Joannek,

What's matter to Tsun Tsun?  Is he OK now? take good care of him la.

Critic,

Have you started working with your employer?  If yes, so far so good?  Hope everything find with you.  Anyway, you are a superwoman. he..he....

Sandydojo,

Try to find a full time Ayi la so that you won't feel pressure in taking care of your family.

joannek 寫道:
Tsun Tsun has a low fever since yesterday. It turns to high fever this afternoon (103C). Luckily my husband is at home tonight and he has taken him to Fudan Childern Hospital. I will not send him to kindergarten tmr and I am so sorry that I can't join the 'yum cha' tmr.

Critic,

Heard that there is no domestic class in SH Victoria Puxi. In Pudong, the domestic class will not assigned any foreign teachers and no English class. So far, they say the int'l will have 1 local teacher+1 foreign teacher + 1 ah-yi to look after 25 childern.

My current decision is: stay in Fortune till winter. I like Fortune's campus so much: large classrooms and huge playground. I 'feel' the principle and teachers in Fortune are more friendly than Victoria.

I try to teach Tsun Tsun to recognise some chinese words but seems that he dislikes it. Perhaps English looks simplier than Chinese.

joannek

Hi All,

How's the 'yum cha' today? Kids made me exhaused today. Wanted to nap but no time to nap...

Tsun Tsun is back to normal temperture now. It was flucutuating btw 98F to 101F. He has the fever since Wed and today is the 3rd day. I have no idea of what kind of virus he got. He is mainly having the fever, no coughing, no running nose or sore throat. His classmate just has the fever tonight. Hope she's alright. If he still has the fever tmr, I may take 2 kids to HK by myself on Sunday...

My neighbour tells me Tsun Tsun could join the RMB230 local class in SH Victoria. I will check it with the kindergarten next week. If so, I am thinking to send him to the cheap local class + English lessons outside, or join the int'l class which the fees is 11 times more...

It will be getting hot again....take care....