My Kampung Boy
I guess it’s the raining season again, and it’s been raining occasionally in the evening. Justin is pretty disappointed as he can’t go out and play. There’s nothing much for him to do indoor as he’s not attached to TV yet.
Luckily the rain stopped early one evening, and Justin could go out and play. The ground was wet, but I didn’t stop him from walking around. Anyway, he’d only be wet and messy, and I could clean him up later. He enjoyed stepping and splashing the water until he’s all wet from head to toes! He seemed to be having a good time.
Xin Yi and Li Wei joined in the fun too. But I was worried about my SIL’s reaction when she got back from work. True enough, after a while, their mum got back and was shocked seeing them playing with the dirty water. She was angry and asked them to get in the house and clean themselves up. I didn’t say anything, but let Justin continued playing. Then, Justin proceeded to the muddy grass and played for a while. He got a few mosquito bites from the garden, so I told him it’s enough and brought him into the house.
I’ve been thinking about the way I’m bringing up Justin. I think he’s more like a kampung boy and a city kid. Of coz, Ipoh is not a big city comparing to KL or Penang. But most mums I know won’t let their kids play with messy stuffs. My friend said that’s because Justin has strong immune system and won’t get sick easily, that’s why I’m so “fong sam”. Most kids get sick easily, so have to be more protective.
Maybe they’re right, I’m really not as protective as other mums. I like Justin to explore as much as he can, but not to the extend of seriously hurting himself. I think I’m bringing him up as a kampung boy.
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April 3rd, 2006 at 8:44 pm
well, I don’t think he will be a kampung boy. I do agree with you, their age, we just let them explore, it’s very fun for them. Must try to be fuss free mah..or else next time justin oso become too protectice, which I think is not good.
I also let Faythe run around the our car porch, and even play with the water in the fish pond, so long as under monitor and she don’t put her fingers into her mouth, I’m ok. Once a while messy also nice
April 3rd, 2006 at 8:45 pm
I prefer this way - the kampong way. At least children has their space to explore and learn things naturally. Sometimes I feel that I protect Ian too much, really need to let go.
April 3rd, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Jazzmint, give me 5! Not many moms think like us already. You have a fish pond? Not deep right? Oh, about putting fingers in the mouth, that’s something I can’t help much. Justin likes to do that, the more I say no, the more likely he’ll do it. So, sometimes I just tutup mata…
Suzette, it’s normal to be protective, especially to our first kid. Well, it’ll be less stressful to us also if we let go sometimes.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:15 pm
Kids are supposed to get messy. They learn more that way, by touch and smell and sight. Sometimes when my kids “help” their father wash the car, it always ends up with a water fight. I just laugh and stay well out of the way, with a towel in hand for afterwards. It’s moments like this that we should treasure.
April 3rd, 2006 at 11:38 pm
I have the same thinking as you! I was a Kampung girl too when I was kid, playing in the longkang, river, climbing tree etc! I think that help to boost my immune system coz as an adult, I hardly fall sick.
For my girl, I will let her explore as much as she want but not to the extend of hurting herself though hubby not agreed, he is hygiene maniac.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:09 am
i think i am over protective over oscar. but i tried not too but then again, we can’t help it cos nowadays you heard of the HFM Disease, Dengue etc etc… we stayed in an aptm so its quite difficult for oscar. the only play time is during sundays when we bring him to the park… poor oscar. must not be so protective la me…..
April 4th, 2006 at 3:04 am
Along, kids like to play with water. I let Justin helped to washed the car once, he loves it!
Lazymama, you grew up in kampung? Me too! But only the years before I entered kindergarten. I used to stay by the beach in Tanjung Tokong, can go catch siput everyday. Miss those old days. Maybe the way we grew up makes us less protective huh?
Mylittlechampion, I understand that staying in an apartment, the space can be quite limited. My mum’s place in Penang also quite small, and Justin has not much space to explore like Ipoh. That’s why he’ll come back with us even if he likes my parents!
April 4th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
I love kampung live, cause can play what ever i like but in city cant
Lukily after i 9 years old move from city to kampung so i can taste the kampung live. Not like nowaday all children just know about the computer and TV show, nothing to do so boring.
This bring back the memories that can catch fish at longkang, nowaday where can see children catch fish at longkang?? Can cycle ever where we want (less car in kampung)
April 4th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
1+2mom, now longkang also has no fish!!!
BTW, most moms will sream before the kids even got near the longkang, how to play there? I misses the days I grew up too…
April 5th, 2006 at 2:42 am
We’re oso staying in an apartment, so, Destinee is not able to play with what the ‘kampung’ kids are enjoying. I think I’m over-protective like what mylittlechampion mentioned. “Don’t touch dat, very dirty, don’t go to the tar road, u’ll hurt urself when u fall, don’t play with this, don’t play with dat, etc. etc. etc.” - the usual warnings from me. Guess I’ve to resolve in allowing Destinee to grow naturally too but then again hor, still ’sked sked’ (borrowed from Zara). *Hee, hee, look who’s talking?*
April 5th, 2006 at 2:57 am
Me & hubby are kampung kids too! So both of us will not over protect the girls too….
My MIL even bought one big pail of sand and let them play, after that chase them to take bath! They hv fun though!