The past weekend was a long one. On Saturday we decided to go to Sepang Gold Coast to find out what it is about after we have heard so much about it.

After checking with some friends, all but one has ever been there. Even then, the feedback was not that encouraging. Since we had never been there, there was nothing to lose. At least we should give it a fair try.

Do you impose views on your child?

There are still parents who directly or indirectly influence the future of their child. I know many Asian parents used to do that even though the number is dropping now.

Without considering the talents and interests of a child, the parents are quick enough to lead the child into a profession, such as medicine, law, or accounts, just to name a few.

Celebrities aren't the only ones giving their babies unusual names. Compared with decades ago, parents are choosing less common names for kids, which could suggest an emphasis on uniqueness and individualism, according to new research.

Essentially, today's kids (and later adults) will stand out from classmates. For instance, in the 1950s, the average first-grade class of 30 children would have had at least one boy named James (top name in 1950), while in 2013, six classes will be necessary to find only one Jacob, even though that was the most common boys' name in 2007.

The researchers suspect the uptick of unusual baby names could be a sign of a change in culture from one that applauded fitting in to today's emphasis on being unique and standing out. When taken too far, however, this individualism could also lead to narcissism, according to study researcher Jean Twenge, of San Diego State University.

Full story: http://www.livescience.com/culture/baby-names-uncommon-100224.html

What Is Nanny 911?

We just got back from my village town yesterday for Chinese New Year celebration. We were there for 6 days.

It is a tradition for us to get together with family members and friends during this festive season.

Children must be actively encouraged to feel good about themselves if they are to lead fruitful and satisfying lives

“Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness” – Sigmund Freud

I have recently learnt a very important thing about myself - I am very task orientated. I love interacting with my children, but I am not too good on free play and just hanging out. I benefit from a little structure and play with a focus. I don't mind if the game goes off on a tangent, but I do need that little bit of structure to feel really relaxed with my children.

Children who learn from their mistakes will grow up into self-assured adults

EVERYONE makes mistakes – we adults know that for sure but not all children do. When a child makes a mistake or worse still, faces failure, we need to guide them through the experience in order for them to come out of it positively.

A child’s experience with a mistake or failure could lower his self esteem. The last thing you should do is react with disappointment, anger or impatience. Be calm when they make mistakes. Be calm when you make mistakes yourself, especially in their presence.

Yesterday, Sunday January 24th, my wife and I took our kids to a concert by Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. It was the second time J and K went to concert.

Nutritionist Joy Bauer shows TODAY’s Al Roker favorable alternatives to grilled cheese, chips and popcorn.

Having a headache coming up with healthy recipes that your children will love? Then you must check out Menu Planning Central.

For some reason, both my children had been sleeping with us ever since they were born.

We were always in the same bedroom. You know how inconvenient it is to have intimate moments with your spouse with children tagging along in the same bedroom. But I have always believed that one day my children will raise their hands and volunteer to move out of our room. This is a common belief for parents who follow attachment parenting. AP practitioners believe that children will never grow too attached and they will become independent when the time comes.

Monday was my daughter’s first day in primary school.

It is a bit of a challenge for J as she is not the most sociable child in the world. And life must be too overwhelming for her as she will be surrounded by more than 350 students of the same age – out of the sudden. Not to mention her seniors in the afternoon session.

In these busy times, when parents and children have schedules packed to the max, family closeness can fall by the wayside. Most of us have to make an effort to guarantee that work, school, sports, and chores don’t swallow up the very relationships that make those things important.

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Having a family was the best thing that ever happened to him, Tiger Woods said in a major interview recorded before he became embroiled in a sex scandal.

The interview, for the pay-television Sky network, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, was conducted in Melbourne last month and broadcast in New Zealand on Tuesday.

The broadcaster had intended to screen the interview on December 25, but brought it forward after the world number one said last Friday he would be taking an "indefinite break" from golf and admitted to infidelity in his marriage.

The interview, conducted by respected sports broadcaster Murray Deaker, principally focused on Woods' relationship with his New Zealand caddie Steve Williams, although Deaker did ask Woods about his family.

"Family first and golf second. Always be like that?," Deaker asked.

"Always," Woods, who was mostly stony faced throughout the interview, replied. "It has been great actually. It has been the best thing that ever happened."

Woods said he learned family values from his mother Kultida.

"She was the disciplinarian in our family. You would think with my Dad (Earl) being a former Special Forces operative he would be the tough guy, but no, he was the softy.

"My mum was tough," he added while breaking into one of his few smiles.

Woods said since becoming a father he now had less time to devote to his game, although time management skills he learned at Stanford University, where he had to juggle study, fitness training, practice and playing, had been invaluable.

"I learned a lot at Stanford and certainly it has applied once I had a family.

"I don't practice as much as I used to. I don't spend as much hours on the golf course as I used to.

"My focus is so much more intense than it used to be, because I don't have the time.

"Whatever I have to get done, is in a shorter amount of time."

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BE1A920091215