J Summary (4Y4M16D) - I Want to be An Astronaut

J tells me that he wants to be an astronaut, when he grows up. This is not the first time that he is telling me.

I asked him why?

He said he wants to be an astronaut because he wants to fly up there to meet Jesus.

Actually, God is in our heart, and no one is allowed to God, but I don't think I could really explain it in a manner that he could understand (so many of us as adults do not fully understand as well, and I do not claim to understand it well) and I don't want to dampen his enthusiasm. And actually, I would rather that he has a more "down to earth" career such as being an engineer, lecturer, teacher, doctor, IT, etc. and frankly, I really don't want him to be an astronaut, as it is too dangerous. But I don't have to worry, as there are such stringent requirements that it would be in a million chance for anyone to qualify.

Although I don't want him to be an astronaut, I will take full advantage of his passion right now to teach him all about astronomy and help him to understand the importance of being a well-rounder, meaning exceling in Maths, Science, English and Chinese :-). (Ok, I know moms out there would say to follow your child's heart and aptitude, which I do too, but I think we have to follow them in such a way to help them maximise their full potential. I for one is a good example. As a child, I just did whatever I wanted, and I did nothing much, just wasting my time away. I discovered that I really like Maths and could do better with Maths at a very late age, although I have been placed in the Arts stream and suffered, until I made a switch to the hard subjects, when Denmark gave me a second chance. Switching from a totally Arts background at a late age to pursue Statistics, which required a lot of Maths, during my Masters was a tough switch and required a LOT of hard work, but I obtained an above average grade point average. If only someone has allowed me to work on a broader range of subjects that included Maths than such early streaming in Singapore, I would be better adjusted today, and not suffered so much in school, trying to make sense of Shakespeare's thou and thee, which made no sense to me).

I told him that he needs to have excellent grades in Maths and Science, as well as English and Chinese (since you have to be a citizen of one of those countries which has a space agency capable of sending humans to space - thus it would not be small little Denmark or Singapore. It would mostly likely be USA or China). I explained that he also needs to get into a top notch university and graduate with top grades in either engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics, which he of course did not understand what I am talking about at this age. I haven't told him that he needs to have (near) perfect eyesight, blood pressure lower than 140/90 in sitting position yet. But I will skip the height requirements of between 158 - 190 cm. I will tell him that he would first need to be a pilot and he needs to be very brave to be able to fly a plane and thereafter a spaceship. I will also tell him that he needs to be very responsible, reliable, organized and have an eye for detail and precision, as being in a spaceship does not tolerate any carelessness or error. In this aspect, he is so far on the right track. For a 4 years old, he is a very responsible and reliable boy. J will make sure things are looked after, and will even remind us what things not to forget, when we are in a hurry to leave the house.

J picked out three relevant books from his Chinese encyclopedia shelf and requested me to read to him - books about the planet, aeroplane and volcano:

J requested that I prepare a Montessori activity on the Solar System, but Science is the least of my training - Help! I am passing it over to Daddy who said that he thinks he would be able to prepare a Montessori lesson on Solar System. I have also found some Montessori activities on Solar system that I am going to get some inspiration from:

http://mymontessorimoments.com/2013/07/11/montessori-inspired-solar-system-unit/

http://livingmontessorinow.com/2012/10/04/montessori-inspired-solar-system-unit/

It is too time-consuming to prepare such Montessori activities, and unfortunately time is not what I have on my side right now, unless Daddy could live up to his promise with this Science activity. Until I get my acts together for this Montessori activity, I am just going to read him books about space and the solar system. I found this children encyclopedia that covers:

1. The Universe

2. Calazies

3. Ball of gas

4. The Solar System

5. Flying rocks

6. Eye spy space

7. The Apollo program

8. Exploring space

9. The red planet

It is available from Amazon:

I will also be reading these Chinese books which I bought from the Popular Bookshop in Singapore:

The Science and Space video section of National Geographic is a good source. Here are some of the videos that I would like to show to J:

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/science-space-kids/solar-system-101-kids/

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/science-space-kids/space-shuttle-sci-kids/

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/forces-of-nature-kids/volcanoes-101-kids/

References:
http://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Astronaut

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/question534.htm

Suitable Jobs for People with ADHD

Two days ago, I attended a very interesting career workshop conducted at my workplace. We live in a changing world, and we need to keep up-to-date and adapt. We were given practical tips on what we can do to advance our career. To quote the one thing that I took away from the career workshop:

"Luck is preparation meets opportunity."

According to the speaker, preparation for job interview takes place years earlier, and not just before the interview. Preparation in terms of getting the progressive education and experience needed towards the job. How true. We are advised to prepare ourselves well so that we are ready when opportunity comes. We are very fortunate and privileged to have the opportunity to attend career workshop, to have these resources well-organized and available for us to help us succeed.

As I sat in the career workshop, I could not help, but think of my nephew who is struggling with ADHD. ADHD is characterized by restlessness, an inability to focus, disorganization - all the things which may prevent a person from getting and holding on to a job. To give JN the credit, compared to a year ago, when I went to Singapore to help provide a structure and routine to his day, JN has actually improved in his organization skills. And a peaceful home environment would help in his organization skills development.

What can he do to make a living when he grows up? What kind of career options could he explore? I can't help but worry, and yet we should not worry. Instead, we should just be proactive. Each one will find his way, but as I can, I will lend a helping hand. The career workshop actually helped me to help my nephew to find his passion. It takes of course trial and error to find out, and it is a good time to start now.

The career workshop led me to think hard and to research more into the type of career options that would be suitable for people with ADHD, that my nephew could explore and prepare himself as he grows up into an adult:

1. Salespeople
2. Entrepreneur
3. Photographer
4. Tour guíde
5. IT Helpdesk
6. Web designer
7. High-intensity working environments such as emergency department of the hospital
8. Logistics specialist
9. Nurse
10. Chef
11. High-intensity logistics & Humanitarian relief operations
12. UN volunteer
13. Technical jobs requiring field installation and repair of high-tech equipment
14. Mechanic
15. QA Inspector
16. Fitness instructor
17. Sportsman
18. Camp counselor
19. Counselling and ministerial jobs
20. Scientific exploration
21. Scientific exploration
22. Advertising
23. Entertainers
24. Designer
25. Architect
26. Musician
27. Artist
28. Detective
29. Hair-dresser
30. Police officers
31. Firefighter
32. Civil Defence
33. Taxi driver

I believe that everyone has one's own special talent and there is a place for everyone. We just need to find the right fit and prepare children with ADHD for the future, as much as we can, and for the rest, we leave it in the loving hands of our God.

No, I am not sorry that my nephew is born to struggle with ADHD. God has a special purpose for him. Having someone in the near family struggling with this helps me to accept differences people in a more heart-felt way. It helps me to understand that the naturally strong organization talent that I have is not something that comes easily for others, that some people actually struggle so hard with it. It teaches me to be patient with people. It also helps me to be a better manager at work, to be more tolerant.

God created my nephew special and God created all of us special. Despite the social challenge, we are thankful for ADHD. There is a purpose for it. We just need to live out each of our life's purpose.

I hope J would grow up to be tolerant of different people too. I thank God for the "ADHD" blessing.

This actually gives JN and me another conversation topics that we can talk about :-)

References:
http://www.spark.org.sg/faq/faq_28.html
http://www.careercast.com/adult-adhd-career-success
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/10-best-jobs-for-adhd
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1497.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/good-jobs-adults-attention-deficit-disorder-496989.html?cat=25
http://www.everydayhealth.com/adhd-pictures/best-careers-for-adults-with-adhd-0316.aspx#/slide-1
http://www.unv.org/how-to-volunteer/other-volunteer-opportunities.html
http://www.unv.org/en/how-to-volunteer/register-to-be-a-un-volunteer/qualifications-and-conditions-of-service.html
http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/
http://www.unv.org/fileadmin/docdb/pdf/2013/corporate/Professional_background_in_demand_.pdf
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/relandsoc/WWK15

Exploring Meaningful Career Options for Your Child

I know I might be accused of being a kiasu mom, already thinking of career options for Joshua, who is just 2 years old. But if I come across interesting options, why not file it up in my blog :-)

I remember when I was growing up, I was drifting a lot, indecisive and not knowing what to decide on my courses and specializations. I wanted so much to ask my parents, but unfortunately they could not guide me as they themselves had only received limited education. As such, I have taken a long detour. If I can in some small ways make the detour shorter for Joshua, why not :-)

I will observe the strengths and aptitude that God has given Joshua, then use my radar to survey the world for careers suitables for such strengths and aptitude, planning what path to take to reach there and prayerfully ask for God's guidance :-).

Below is the first link to my compilation:

http://www.maf.org/serve