Keeping the marriage 'alive'

had a conversation with a friend who thinks that her marriage is on the rocks... as things just don't seem to be the same anymore.

i've been thinking...how so often do we get so caught up in our 'rush-ian' schedule (everything rush rush...) that we very easily and often (may i add) neglect our spouse...?

do you still make an effort to cheer each other up? or remind each other to take things easy...? or even to ask how each other's day had been..? we ALL need the TLC. Tender Loving Care, that is. We strive to be good parents, fulfilling our multiple roles at work and at home, and it's just so easily that we take our marriage for granted! We always think that our spouse will be there, sleeping next to you, coming home right after work, to change the light bulb, fix the tap etc etc etc...

but, do we ask the question: are we also being a nice spouse? have we said 'I love you' today? did we even touch today? everyday passes so quickly, we forget the anniversaries, birthdays, special occassions.

do we also realise that the people our spouse sees more often everyday, is their colleagues and co-workers, or even their clients?

is it of any surprise that in this group of people that our spouse sees more often than he/she sees us, that there's someone that he/she feels closer to...

however, friends being friends. a married person does have the responsibility and commitment in a marriage to remain faithful and honour the spouse, no matter what.

therefore, it requires both parties to put in the effort to keep the marriage together.

it is just so natural to deny and even accuse the other party when things go wrong. i suppose, sometimes we just need to take a step back and reflect on what we could have done better.

would it be too much to ask for, if we could 'bite our tongue' and not jump the fire even when we have in our hands the so-called 'evidence'? why not work on the marriage and spend more quality time together, and get the kids involved to gel the bond better? children, in this case, can really do the most wonderful wonders!

keep the communication open. talk with each other. stop interrogating your spouse for something that will just become a vicous cycle of accussations. And, remember to resolve conflicts out of sight of the children. - golden rule.

"The most important thing about marital conflicts is not how to avoid them, but how to manage them."

Laughter and Humor - do you have them in the family?

One of the great joys of marriage is the time that you, as a couple, spend laughing together and enjoying your sense of humor.

Here are the benefits of laughter and humor, and ways to increase laughter in your marriage.

Laughter is a marvelous gift. It releases chemicals in your brain which can enhance your day and reduce your stress.

Additionally, laughter and humor are vital to good health. Laughter is healthy for a marriage, both emotionally and physically.

Benefits of Laughter
· Reduction of stress and tension.
· Stimulation of your immune system.
· An increase of natural painkillers in your blood.
· A decrease in systemic inflammation.
· Reduction of your blood pressure.
· Lifts your spirits.
· Laughter and humor relieve tension, lift spirits, and bring couples closer together.
· Having a sense of humor as a couple can help keep your relationship fresh.

Ways to Increase Laughter in Your Lives
· Be aware of the humorous moments in each day.
· Make it a habit for everyone in your family to share at dinner something funny that happened to them.
· Take delight in comedies on television and at the movies.
· Watch classic funny movies and television shows.
· Share funny jokes and cartoons with each other.
· Create funny Halloween costumes as a couple.
· Reflect on funny times in your past together.

Together, work on building your sense of humor. Couples who can laugh at themselves or at their situation usually feel stronger when problems arise. Laughter can sometimes release negative tension both physically and psychologically.

[adapted from http://marriage.about.com/od/humor/qt/laughter.htm?nl=1]

Make a Tree ! - brought to you by the NLB


Open to youths from 13-25 years old!
How does climate change affect the environment? Want to see the impact on trees close up? Imagine watching movies all the time and wondering how they are made.
Join us behind the scenes as we learn about the impact of climate change through tree replicas, a tree trail and learn about the works of filming on a visit to a one of Singapore's most established production houses!
ASPi stands for Aspirational Pathfinder and is an experiential programme. The objective of this programme is to take participants out of their usual areas of interest and bring them on diverse experiences. With these diverse experiences, participants will gain new insights and ideas to spur on learning.
This programme is held at Tampines Regional Library at 10am. Pick up point is available at National Library at Victoria Street (Bugis) on 8 November at 9.30am. We'll provide the necessary transport, tea and lunch.
Especially for youths, so join us if you are 13–25 years old. Registration is required.
To register, go to http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/ or you can also register via our eKiosks!
~ This programme is brought to you by the National Library Board.

Genting Holiday for the family!

We're organising a getaway to Genting in December 2008.

Cost :$150 (includes 26-seater VIP Coach and 2N hotel stay at First World Hotel)

Call Kg Chai Chee CC: 6241 9878 for enquiries and booking. Soon! =)

Family 'OBS' - Outdoor-Bonding-Symphony: Dec 08

Hi you adventurous ones out there!

The long-awaited outdoor adventure to Pulau Ubin is finally scheduled in December!
The title of this event is called "Family Outdoor-Bonding-Symphony" (OBS in short), not that we're taking you to do Flying-Fox and all that at the Outward Bound School! For some of us, perhaps we'd always had the impressions that it's just so out of the way to visit Pulau Ubin and all that...

Anyway, I tell you, Pulau Ubin is still so beautiful and well-preserved. We'll also be having guides to bring us around the island and enlighten us on the culture and history etc, mostly in the comfort of an air-conditioned mini van. As we'll be walking on the board walks, i'm not sure if parents want to bring kids younger than 5 years old. We'll discuss further on 6 Dec at the briefing.

This event is open to members from Interactive Parenting Club (IPC) ONLY!
So, register as an IPC member now to enjoy the fun! (Just fill in a form at the CC, or email me for the form!)
There'll be a briefing that you have to attend at Kg Chai Chee CC on 6 Dec (Saturday, 10am - 1 pm... lunch is on the house!), and on 13 December 08 (Sat), we'll set off to Pulau Ubin island in a chartered bus to the jetty.

Itinerary will be disclosed at the briefing. hehe... suspenses leh! (But don't worry, there'll be minimal walking - we've rented vehicles on the island!)

And after the outing to Pulau Ubin, there'll be a 'Outdoor-Bonding-Symphony Flashback' back at the CC on 20 Dec 2008 to watch a video montage of all the photographs taken.

Summary:
Date (Day) .............. Time ......................... Venue

6 Dec 2008 (Sat) 。。。10am - 1pm 。。。 Kg Chai Chee CC - Lunch provided.
13 Dec 2008 (Sat) 。。。 8am - 2pm 。。。 Meet at CC, chartered bus to Jetty.
20 Dec 2008 (Sat) 。。。10am - 12noon 。。。Kg Chai Chee CC - Refreshments provided.

Fees? $15 for adult, $10 for Child below 12 yrs old. - for entire programme (3 sessions!)

For more details or registration, email: ipc_elise@yahoo.com.sg
Tel: 6846 2068

Limited to 20 family units only!
Registration forms for IPC membership (Free of charge!) and Family OBS are available from Kg Chai Chee CC (near Bedok Bus Interchange, contact tel: 6241 9878)
This programme is brought to you by FAMILY LIFE CENTRE (www.familylifectre.org) and co-organised by Kg Chai Chee CC Women's Executive Committee, and with the fantastic support from South East CDC - Family HUB.

Kids Colouring Contest - Racial Harmony Day

Photos wil be uploaded soon! ~ thanks for your patience ~

I know you guys were so excited at the beautiful artwork your kids have completed! Congratulations to all winners and every child too! I took many many photos of the children deep in concentration while colouring! I am so impressed with the creativity and efforts of these kids!

Summer had great fun too! It was also a time for her to meet her ex-schoolmates from nursery too! haha...

Don't you agree that the performances by the Kg Chai Chee Chinese Orchestra was indeed captivating?!

Enjoyed the Murukku from the Indians, Tea-Appreciation demo from the Chinese, and the many childhood games and toys (5-stones, chapteh...) that the kids obviously got a thrill from!

It was a great turn-out indeed, with more than a hundred families participating last Sunday at the Kg Chai Chee CC Hall. IPC looks forward to our next gathering on 6th Sep (Sat).... watch out at this blog! hehe...