Tip 218: Helping daddy join contests

As Haruka grows past 2 years old, she is constantly seeking approval from daddy and mummy. She has understood the concept of work (shigoto in Japanese) and she wants to be as busy as daddy and mummy. She gets excited when minor chores are assigned to her as she feels important. She feels she is becoming more of an adult when she can do tasks that adults do.

In the photo above, I let Haruka be part of my contest participating activity. She peels the lucky draw cards that I have collected, takes the stickers out and passes them to me. It seems like an easy task, but it requires knowing how to peel and tear on a dotted line package. As she does it frequently, since I am sending many entries for this contest, she improves on it. It is Haruka who feels a sense of achievement while daddy gets free child labour.

Exposing a young child to adult activity can provide good learning experiences and a sense of pride and satisfaction in work. A child can learn from play, but they can also learn from doing house chores. Tomomi buys a child knife that can cut small items such as cucumbers and trains Haruka to assist in the kitchen. When I come back from grocery shopping with lots of bags to unload, I identify the items that Haruka can put into the fridge. When she does it often, she knows where those items should be and accomplishes the assignment instantly.

It does require some time to identify such minor chores. Also some patience to teach the young wannabe. Yet, its these priceless moments that Haruka appreciates spending time with daddy. When the relationship has such learning moments with daddy, it balances up the moments when Haruka feels unhappy when daddy lectures her to behave. It can be sad when daddy comes home from work only to lecture and scold the child each time, yet not have the time to teach patiently and gently guide the child. The child needs moments when daddy can be proud of her. I am now waiting for the moment when Haruka contributes to my winning contest entry. She can then be proud that the prize was her contribution.

(Photos show Haruka being proud of helping daddy with the Haagen Dazs Word Hunt contest

and the scene from the 31st floor of Standard Chartered Building when the Marina Bay Sands was still under construction. Contest lovers feel free to contact me about this contest and other contests.)