Colin is almost 2

What? Colin is almost 2 years old? We have been through quite a bit (actually, ALOT!) since my last update.

Colin started attending childcare (Wesley Child Development Centre) in January 2014 and he fell sick as often as he attended school. For every day, or week, he went childcare,  he would be home the next 1 to 3 weeks recovering. See, the issue was that other parents send their barely recovered kids to ensure virus continuity, and the younger ones with little immunity almost always gets it.

What's worse? We can't fault anyone. The childcare accepts children as long as they do not have fever or hfmd. As for parents, there is only this much leave a working couple (without childcare support) can take to look after their sick kid. So their kids resumes childcare once fever subsides.

When Colin started childcare, everyone was working. It was a very bad time (impossible) for Edward to take leave, I didn't have leave cause my job then was a new one with limited benefits. My mum had to ask my uncle to stand in for her at work so she could look after Colin. Life got better after lunar year because my dad decided to retire. So he was the one looking after Colin when he's sick. In the end we withdrew Colin from childcare cause we couldn't bear see him sick so often (he was barely well and losing weight for the whole 3 months).

Less than a month after my dad became the main caregiver, my neighbour commented that Colin is getting chubby again, looked much better.

My dad has always been great with kids and he surprised me even more by preparing nutritious food for Colin. Colin on the other hand loves his grandpa to bits. They play with each other all day.

More about Colin in school

Initially Colin often held on to the metal gate, jumped and cried for us not to leave him in childare when we said our goodbyes. It progressed to no cries when his favorite person, Alice, the centre's admin, welcomes him at the gate. Then to no crying goodbyes at all. Picking him up from childcare progressed from crying (what took you so long?!!) to smiling, or sometimes not wanting to go home.

During the meet-the-parents session, Colin's teachers told us that he is sociable, loves music and dance, loves readimg books, sings and speaks a lot, physically strong, good psychomotor skills and very active. He is very messy during meal time cause he would empty his cup of water onto the table and start swiping with his hands. They often found him washing hands (playing with water) at the toilet sinks too.

I could tell Colin enjoyed childcare. It's a pity he had to be withdrawn.

Books Colin chose during the mobile library event. His teachers said he was so drawn to books he sat down and read by himself!