Nicole
-
Flexible Work Email Footers: Can a Polite Signature Really Create a Family-Friendly Culture?
When an office introduced a footer disclaiming late-night replies following August's child support announcements, staff questioned management's motives. While clearing messages after bedtime helps parents manage routines, late notifications still disrupt personal time. Here is why scheduled sending and realistic workloads achieve far more for working families than a polite email disclaimer.
-
Real Singapore Incidents That Every Parent Reads With A Heavy Heart
As parents, we worry about everything. But some headlines hit too close to home because they happen in everyday places like our carparks and schools. Here are horrific real-life incidents that remind us how quickly an ordinary day with our kids can turn bad, and why we need to stay alert.
-
Did the Kids Buy It? The Curious Case of the "Karma" Wheelchair
A breakfast trip to Hougang left a reader wondering why an elderly uncle was using a wheelchair branded "Karma". Did he pick it himself, or did his grown children buy it without reading the frame? We look into this common brand and the unintended meaning it carries in the neighbourhood.
-
The Best and Worst Swimsuit Colours for Children's Water Safety
Most parents choose children's swimwear based on style, yet underwater tests show that fabric colour affects how easily a swimmer can be spotted. While blues and pastels wash out under surface chop, fluorescent yellow and orange remain noticeable. Here is how each colour performs underwater and how to select safer swimwear.
-
ECT Awards Maximum S$19,800 Payout to Woman Dismissed Over Pregnancy and Maternity Leave
An Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) has ordered an employer to pay S$19,800 to a former employee who was pushed out of her job on account of her pregnancy and impending maternity leave.
-
Viral Dumpling Squishies: The Health Hazards Inside Squeeze Toys
Those cute little dim sum squishies in mini steamer baskets might look harmless, but safety agencies overseas have pulled them from shelves. Testing revealed cancer-causing chemicals on the surface, plus expanding water beads and bacteria inside. We explain how to spot unsafe fluid-filled buns, what local guidelines say, and when to seek medical help.
-
Beyond the Office: The School Leader Who Watches Over the Carpark
School leaders usually manage operations from behind a desk. However, a XMPS parent wrote in after seeing Vice Principal Mr Lim stationed by the school gates every afternoon. Rain or shine, he ensures children cross the carpark safely and arrives early to greet parents. Here is the letter honouring his everyday commitment to students.
-
The Everyday Rage-Bait Parents Hear Every Single Week
Nobody means any harm when they suggest replacing screens with books or booking impromptu trips. Yet to someone balancing bedtime routines and preschool bugs, these remarks hit a nerve. Here are some well-meaning statements heard over lunch, along with the daily parenting realities that explain why parents react so strongly to them.
-
Pocket Money or Picking Rubbish? When Recycling Becomes a Child's Side Hustle
As Singapore rolls out the "Return It Right" scheme, recent stories of primary school boys collecting hundreds of empty cans for cash have drawn praise online. But is this resourceful saving, or are our children starting to forage through public rubbish? Here are the questions parents need to consider.
-
Screens During Meals: When Getting Food In Comes First
Seeing a child watching cartoons during lunch often looks like lazy parenting. But having lived through those seasons, we look at that table differently. When an ulcer makes chewing painful, distracting the child to swallow simple spoonfuls is what counts. An empty bowl was the real priority.