Just to let older users know - “slmkhoo” has now become “sharonkhoo”!

A few days ago, my “slmkhoo” username was accidentally deleted/removed - not sure why or how it happened. Thanks to the KSP support team, although they couldn’t resurrect my original username, they were able to let me register a new one, and have my old posts gathered under the new name. My profile says that my new username has over 15K previous posts, so it seems to have worked.

Special thanks to @thebottomsupblog who has been my contact through this process!

@Raajbeary I do sympathise with the situation your son is in. Unfortunately, not all schools are accommodating to individual requests, and there’s the issue of fairness to other students who may be in a similar position.

If the school is unwilling/unable to do more, one option is to follow zac’s mum’s advice and opt out of CCA altogether, but it does mean that there may be repercussions later on if CCA record is a necessary prerequisite (e.g. participation in other activities, trips etc.)

I’m sure you’ve tried already, but is there any way you can persuade your son to accept the CCA he has been allocated? Can he participate in the most low-key way, just doing the minimum? Attendance is better than not having any CCA at all.

I don’t want to offend, but is there a reason why your son is so against accepting what he has been allocated? It was his 3rd choice, so is it something he really hates or can’t cope with? There are many kids who accept what they have been assigned, however unwillingly, and grow to at least tolerate it, and maybe even like it. Learning to accept what he doesn’t like can be a learning experience. Of course, none of us would want this for our kids, but sometimes it can’t be helped.

My younger daughter returned from overseas in mid-Sec2 and also had a similar experience trying to get into a CCA. She was refused by her first few choices, but was finally accepted (after appeal, interview and audition) by one that wasn’t among her top choices. We encouraged her to make the best of it, and although she didn’t always enjoy all of it, she made a few friends and gained some experiences that she otherwise she wouldn’t have. Overall, she now looks back at it with fondness for what she learned and experienced.

Wishing you and your son all the best in making your decision.

@thebottomsupblog “tankini” is a new word to me! Yes, that’s the kind of swimsuit I was thinking of, though I didn’t know that’s what they were called! Will go an have a look. I think I last bought a swimsuit more than 10 yrs ago.

I don’t completely avoid “fast fashion”. I think how you use the items matters - e.g., we don’t wear and toss, and we tend to reuse them many times.

@thebottomsupblog I’m about a third of the way through a course entitled “Masterpieces of World Literature”. Quite interesting, but there’s a quiz (20 MCQs) at the end of every work presented. I do a section when I have time.

@thebottomsupblog Exciting times! I went to the UK for undergrad studies, as did my husband and one daughter. We all enjoyed our time. My husband and I did find returning a little harder than my daughter did, but we didn’t have as much practice as she did, and times have changed!

Returning is slightly less challenging for 20-somethings because they have more memories of Singapore compared to younger kids. And nowadays (compared to my time 40 yrs ago), uni students travel back to Singapore more often and it’s easier to keep in touch with their Singapore friends on social media. But transitions are always challenging, no matter your age - the only thing I can say is that every subsequent transition gets a bit easier if you’ve learned how to to cope. So the 10th transition should be easier than the 1st!

The book is available already - print or ebook depending on your preference. Scan the QR code in the image for info.

Happy 2026!
I have just set up an Instagram account “singaporetck” (link below) with bite-sized tips to help families with Singaporean Third Culture Kids in their journey overseas and back to Singapore. This complements the book I published last year: Rooted, Resilient & Ready: Preparing Singaporean Third Culture Kids for “Home” .

Do have a look and follow the account! If you know a family planning to head overseas or return to Singapore, please share it with them. I will be adding more material regularly. Thanks!
https://www.instagram.com/singaporetck?igsh=YWMzYTR2Z3JmaXdj

Happy New Year to all! Hope the plans we have for the coming year come to fruition!

@aliciang If it’s plantar fasciitis (and that’s one of the most common causes), stretching, not rest, helps. Look online - there’s lots of advice. I suffered from plantar fasciitis several years ago, and did the stretches every morning and it got a lot better. I rarely have pain now, and when I do (because I don’t do the stretches much now), a couple of days of stretches fixes the pain. I would recommend you try stretching first, and see. If stretching doesn’t help, then see a doctor.

@motherhoood_love I think getting medical attention is a good idea, but is it necessary to get specialist attention for what could be fairly minor? I would seek out a GP first and see what they say. They will refer to a specialist if they think it’s necessary.

@thebottomsupblog I’ve looked at these courses - they tend to assume that you’ll be wanting to start a business (probably true for many), but not really for hobbyists. I’ve seen various online courses and videos, some better than others. Currently, my method is to first decide what I want to do, then look for a video! But it’s not the same as being guided in-person.

@thebottomsupblog I’m lazy, so I just keep things simple. I’ve done skirts (rectangles, elasticated waists, with a side pocket), slip on dresses and blouses (squares/rectangles with appropriate holes!). I guess what I need might be tuition in the finer things like zips, cutting accurately, and how to make use of different needles and feet of my sewing machine (too lazy to read and experiment). Quite a lot of my earlier things were done by hand as I didn’t have a machine when I was overseas.

Learning to upcycle old clothes into new items might be fun!

Re: [Rooted](Resilient & Ready - a book for Returning Singaporean families)

I wrote this book for Singapore families planning to go overseas, already overseas, or planning to return to Singapore. Children who have lived away from their “passport countries”, also known as Third Culture Kids, face unique challenges - making and keeping social connections in more than 1 country, issues of identity and belonging, returning to Singapore schools, NS, etc.

To celebrate National Day this year, I’m offering one copy free with every purchase of a book (print books only).
S$20 Buy 1 Get 1 Free, with free postal delivery within Singapore.
Buy one for yourself and another for a friend!
Click the link to order:
https://forms.gle/UGbSTp347gwQqsWX8
Offer ends on 31 Aug 2026.

To find out more about my book, see this earlier post:
https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/109682/rooted-resilient-ready-a-book-for-returning-singaporean-families?_=1783061324398&sort=newest_to_oldest

Follow my Instagram account (@singaporetck) for more!

@thebottomsupblog I’m constrained by wanting to get home for dinner (and I’m the cook!). We don’t really like eating dinner out unless it’s an event. Having a pool nearby is great, if only I can persuade myself not to be too lazy to use it! Will try to go once this week, and establish a weekly rhythm. Having a swimming buddy would be nice! My husband doesn’t swim as his skin doesn’t react well to pool water, and he prefers to run anyway.

@thebottomsupblog Further update - the Shopee seller didn’t dispatch the item, so my order was cancelled! But I went to another Sun Paradise earlier today and managed to find the same item at the same price, so I now do have a swimsuit. That removes one more excuse for not swimming.

I’m don’t like long walks in Singapore as I sweat a lot. Also, the pool is so near home that I really don’t have much excuse now that I’ve cut back on my commitments. Earlier, I had younger kids and more work, then there was Covid, then the pool was being renovated… Will try to get to the pool later this week!

@thebottomsupblog Update: I visited Sun Paradise and had a look (all Arena brand), and also tried a couple to get an idea of sizing. I didn’t realise that swimsuits were so expensive! Original price $115, but some had 40% discount or 15% discount. When asked about the cheaper ones online, the friendly salesgirl told me that they were probably older models from previous years. Cheapskate me decided to have a closer look online first, and I eventually bought an older model for $59. Waiting for it to arrive!

Anyone interested in swimming at Queenstown Swimming Complex which has just reopened? I haven’t been in a swimming pool for about 10 yrs, but I feel I really need to get more exercise. I used to love swimming, so maybe the love will return.

@thebottomsupblog “tankini” is a new word to me! Yes, that’s the kind of swimsuit I was thinking of, though I didn’t know that’s what they were called! Will go an have a look. I think I last bought a swimsuit more than 10 yrs ago.

I don’t completely avoid “fast fashion”. I think how you use the items matters - e.g., we don’t wear and toss, and we tend to reuse them many times.

The sports centre near my home is finally going to reopen after renovations! My old swimsuit is no longer usable and I need a new one.

Recommendations for where I can buy a new swimsuit? My criteria:

• an actual shop, not online (prefer to feel material, try on)
• not too expensive (what is the price range these days?)
• “conservative” for me means preferably shorts/skirt and not too much bare skin (no exposed midriff, no cutouts front or back)
• cut should be comfortable for a senior (but not plus size)

Grateful for suggestions! Thanks in advance!