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“Because parenting doesn't come with a manual
- but it should!”
Growing with care & love
The Silent Mental Load of Living Abroad
No one really talks about the brain fog that comes with moving abroad.
Sure, people ask, “How’s Malaysia? You must love it!”And yes, I do love the food, the jungle, the people, and the fact that I can get a solid iced latte for RM8.
But what I don’t always say is: I’m tired. Not from parenting. Not from work. But from thinking all the damn time.
Luna Dawson
Jul 22, 20253 min read
Making Friends After 30 in a Foreign Country (Without Crying)
Let’s be honest: making friends in your 30s is hard enough. Add in a foreign country, a timezone mismatch with your old mates, and a child hanging off your leg like a koala on Red Bull — and suddenly, “making friends” feels about as realistic as finishing your coffee while it’s hot.
Luna Dawson
Jul 22, 20254 min read
Mental & Emotional Health in Children: Helping Kids Grow Inside, Too
Here’s the thing nobody warns you about: your child’s emotional growth doesn’t wait for them to “be ready.” It’s already happening — in the way they cry when their toy breaks, hide behind you at a party, lash out at their sibling, or whisper “I’m scared” before bed.
t4tots editorial
Jul 20, 20254 min read
Sniffles or SOS? Common Childhood Illnesses — When to Worry (and When to Just Breathe)
There’s a moment every parent experiences: your child spikes a fever, sneezes like a tiny hurricane, or throws up something suspicious — and your brain goes into overdrive.
Is it just a bug?Should I call the paed?
t4tots editorial
Jul 20, 20253 min read
Early Literacy & Language: It Starts with Listening, Not Letters
Before a child can read a single word, they need to soak in the sounds of language. That’s how babies and toddlers begin the incredible process of learning to talk, understand meaning, and later, learn how to read and write.
t4tots editorial
Jul 20, 20253 min read
Creativity & Motor Skills: Let Their Hands and Imagination Lead
From the moment your child grabs a crayon like it’s Excalibur, something magical starts to unfold: the link between creativity and motor skills. Whether they’re finger-painting, building towers, or attempting to cut paper into the shape of a “dragon spaceship rocket,” your child isn’t just playing — they’re wiring their brain for coordination, confidence, and cognitive growth.
t4tots editorial
Jul 20, 20253 min read
Clean Enough to Cuddle: A Parent’s Guide to Kid Hygiene
kids are not known for their personal hygiene.They are, however, known for smelling like outdoors, having mystery gunk behind their ears, and somehow getting chocolate on their scalp even when they didn’t eat chocolate.
Whether your child is still in the “hates water like a gremlin” phase or has entered the “I’ll shower later, I’m not even sweaty” era, here’s your survival guide to keeping them clean enough to cuddle — without losing your mind (or your nose).
t4tots editorial
Jul 19, 20253 min read
Fatherhood Isn’t Babysitting — It’s Showing Up, Every Day
Being a dad isn’t about stepping in when mum’s busy. It’s about being part of the rhythm — the daily, messy, joyful rhythm of family life.
You don’t need a degree in parenting, or a 10-step strategy. You just need to show up. With love, with patience (most days), and with the willingness to keep learning as you go.
t4tots editorial
Jul 17, 20252 min read
It Wasn’t Just the Baby Blues”—Understanding Postnatal Depression in Malaysian Mothers
When the baby finally arrives, most people expect joy, excitement, and happy tears. But for many new mothers, the emotions that follow birth can be far more complicated. If you’ve felt overwhelmed, numb, irritable or even unlike yourself in the weeks or months after giving birth—you’re not alone. You could be experiencing something called postnatal depression (PND).
t4tots editorial
Jul 16, 20253 min read
Let the Children Out: Rediscovering the Magic Beyond the Screen
Playing outdoors allows children to use their whole bodies and all their senses. The rustle of leaves, the texture of tree bark, the scent of fresh air — these seemingly small things spark curiosity, confidence, and creativity. A trip to the playground isn't just a break; it’s a vital opportunity for learning through movement, imagination, and interaction.
t4tots editorial
Jul 13, 20251 min read
Traditional Spoon-Feeding vs Baby-Led Weaning—and Why Your Floor Will Never Be Clean Again
Your baby hits 6 months and suddenly everyone’s asking,
“Dah start makan?”
Welcome to the messy battlefield that is starting solids. Whether you’re team “Here comes the airplane” or team “Eat it yourself, baby,” one thing’s for sure: your floors will never forgive you.
t4tots editorial
Jul 13, 20252 min read
Flavours Can Wait: No Salt, No Sugar, No Problem
Let’s get one thing straight: your baby isn’t a mini MasterChef contestant.They’re not out here craving nasi lemak with extra sambal or comparing rendang recipes. They literally just learned what a spoon is.
t4tots editorial
Jul 13, 20254 min read
The Picky Eater Files: A Tale of Toast, Tears, and Ten Nibbles of Nothing
You’ve slaved over a lovingly homemade chicken porridge, chopped everything into Pinterest-worthy micro-pieces, sang two renditions of “Baby Shark” just to get your toddler in the high chair…
…and they look at your efforts and say:
“I don’t like it.”
They haven’t even sniffed it. They just know. Welcome to the picky eater chapter of parenting — where toast is gourmet, and green things are the enemy.
t4tots editorial
Jul 13, 20253 min read
Why Screen Time Isn’t the Whole Problem: It’s What Children Miss That Matters
By now, most parents have heard the advice: “Limit screen time.”
But here’s the truth: the screen isn’t always the enemy.
What really matters is what the screen replaces — the real, rich experiences young children need to grow.
t4tots editorial
Jul 13, 20255 min read
Straight from the Sandpit: What Preschool Teachers Really Want You to Know
Preschool teachers spend their days with messy, magical little humans — teaching them letters, life skills, and how to line up without tears. But behind those smiles and storytimes are a few things they wish every parent understood.
t4tots editorial
Jul 13, 20252 min read
Books before Babbles: When to Start Reading to Your Baby (Hint: Now!)
Many parents ask, “When should I start reading to my baby?”
Our answer is simple: Start now — even if your baby is only days old.
t4tots editorial
Jul 12, 20253 min read
Top Toys That Actually Boost Brain Development
Not all toys are created equal. Some entertain for five minutes… others support real, lasting brain development.
t4tots editorial
Jul 12, 20253 min read
It's Not Just Counting: Growing Logical Thinkers from Day One
When we think of math, many of us imagine schoolbooks and memorising formulas. But for kids, math begins long before school, and often without a pencil in sight.
t4tots editorial
Jul 12, 20252 min read
School Prep & Education Guidance for Malaysian Parents
Whether your child is just learning to walk or already asking “When do I go to school?”, it’s never too early to start thinking about their learning path. But with so many terms — preschool, tadika, taska, SK vs private — it can feel confusing.
This guide breaks it down, so you can make confident choices based on your child’s readiness, personality, and your family’s values.
t4tots editorial
Jul 12, 20256 min read
Poop Talk: What Feeding Has to Do with Diapers
Nobody warns you how much time you’ll spend staring into diapers like you’re reading tea leaves. But here we are—tracking texture, sniffing suspicious smells, and Googling things like “green seedy poop at 3am???”
So let’s break it down: what’s normal, what’s weird, and when to call the doctor.
t4tots editorial
Jul 12, 20252 min read
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