- Esther & Samantha
One of the most difficult thing that I feel being a parent is discipline. I remembered the very first time I had to spank Esther, and boy did it hurt me more compared to her. For her, probably the physical pain will wear off for a while. But the hurt that was inside me, was unbearable. Right after I spank her, and she went and throw her tantrum all over the place we eventually make up in the end. And the good thing about Esther is that, eventually after trying to explain to her why I had to do it she’ll forget about the whole thing. And wouldn’t repeat the same mistaken again for maybe after a while. So before she tries to do anything funny again, then I would normally remind her what would happen and then she may restrain herself from doing it.
- Esther @ Cat Statue along Waterfront
But there were times when she made a mistake and after numerous warnings been given to her, she even went and asked for it. Thinking that I won’t do it, because most of the time she always give in after 2 times. So after the 3rd time of warning her, she even purposely gave her hand to me and I had to whack her using the rotan. And boy was it hard on me, and pretty much shocked her as well because I actually went and did it. After that, she started throwing things all over the place and again the rotan eventually had to strike again. After she got spanked another time again, things just got from bad to worst. Till Deluxe had to step in and tried an alternative, and pretty much explained what she did wrong and was asked to apologize.
Esther sitting down at the nearby cafe
So when she was naughty again, this time instead of using the rotan. This time I decided to take away her toys, and yet again it didn’t do much good either. And apparently now she begin to feel a bit protective over her things being taken away and given to someone else. Maybe that was one of the reason why she have problems with sharing, because she doesn’t understand on how to share. It was so bad until she wouldn’t even share her xylophone with me, so maybe that’s why she feels upset whenever something is taken away from her or does not get whatever she wants without any reasons.
Deluxe and Esther at the park near Chung Hwa No.3 Primary School
Right now the current method that I’m using with Esther in terms of discipline, is pretty much punished her by doing chores. And apparently she seems to enjoy doing it, as if it was a game or something. For instance if she went and purposely spilled her glass of water onto the floor, I gave her a cloth to wipe it. And what motivate her to clean it up, is by telling her “I wouldn’t want to friend her anymore” nicely. And being Esther, she does not want to lose anything especially her daddy. So she quickly took the cloth and began to clean up the mess, and in the end we hugged and make up.
Playing with the steering wheel
I don’t know about you, but back when I was a child I remember being whack when I did something wrong. And if we tried to answer back, you can expect another whacking to come. Now it’s we need to reason with her and tell her nicely what she did was wrong. I guess, time indeed has changed a lot compared to last time. But I think it all goes down to how firm parents will need to be with their children. And of course, there will always be a good cop, and bad cop scenario. And you guys pretty much guessed it that I’m the bad cop. So I guess it wasn’t that bad now, when I recalled my parents whacking me whenever I did something wrong. If not, then I could have either hurt myself or even worst got lost somewhere.
Esther and Me with the big cat
Never the less, in conclusion. I do hope when Esther grows up and she read the stuff I write about her. The reason why I did all this was for her own good and out of love. Maybe that’s why after a while she would run to me and we would patch up even though I went and discipline her. But one thing I was told was that, when spanking a child is that always use a rotan to do it and never use the hand. The rotan is to discipline, while the hand is use to love and comfort your little one.
Goodbye friend. See you tomorrow 
