Wind down at one of its numerous pristine beaches, get that IG-worthy shot at the “Golden Hand Bridge”, or cruise on a UNESCO World Heritage site. Still wondering where? Say “Xin chào” to the new travel destination for families — Vietnam. With stunning scenery, heaps of culture, and a favourable exchange rate, Vietnam should be on your family holiday radar. Relax at beach resorts for stress-free getaways with younger ones, or venture into the heart of culture to explore Vietnam to the fullest with older children. (See also: NATIONAL DAY 2023: FAMILY-FRIENDLY NDP FUN & ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYO ..read more

As we gear up to celebrate Singapore’s 58th birthday, you might be wondering about how you can maximise the public holiday. After all, National Day 2023 falls smack in the middle of the week — on a Wednesday, no less. This means you’ll have to take two days of leave on either side of the day itself in order to enjoy a long weekend. (By the way, parents, Thursday, 10 August, is a school holiday). No leave to clear? Don’t worry. This year’s National Day celebrations do not start and stop on the day itself. In fact, the fun goes on for almost the whole month of August, and even beyond in some cas ..read more

As the Lion City gears up to celebrate its 58th birthday, it’s time to indulge in all things local. Dress up in your red-and-white best, and gather your family, friends, and neighbours. It doesn’t matter whether you choose to dine out or party at home while watching the National Day Parade on TV. Either way, it’s time to mark National Day 2023 in true Singaporean style — with fantastic feasts encompassing brilliant buffets, sumptuous snacks, decadent desserts, and more — all August long. 1. A Toasty Shell-ebration – 25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar Over at Hotel G Singapore, 25 Degrees serv ..read more

Singapore’s reliance on domestic workers is undeniable. As of December 2022, the number of Migrant Domestic Workers in the country stood at 268,500. Hiring a domestic helper can be a daunting task for many first-time hirers, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. If it’s your first time, a good agency will help you through all the official business of contracts and work permit applications. But as experienced employers know, the process doesn’t end there. In fact, it’s only just beginning. In this simple guide, we walk you through the nitty gritties of hiring a domestic helper, fro ..read more

Pilates has become a popular workout in Singapore, with the addition of at least four new Pilates studios and classes in Singapore over the past year. Whether done on the mat or on a reformer, it can help practitioners achieve a long, lean, frame through strength-training exercises that sculpt the body. But Pilates is especially excellent for mums-to-be and new mums, Deborah Wong, director and senior instructor at Breathe Pilates tells us, because it focuses on the pelvic floor, diaphragm and abdominal muscles. “These are where we need the most help during pregnancy and postpartum,” the mother ..read more

Get your air purifiers ready: haze may be coming our way soon. This is due to a high likelihood of El Nino conditions which will bring hotter and drier weather to our region, thus increasing the risk of transboundary haze affecting Singapore and the region, the NEA has reported. While it’s unlikely to be as severe as the one in 2015 which led to school closures, we kiasu Singaporeans know that it is always better to be prepared, right? These can help: 10 foods and drinks that help fight the effects of the haze Foods that boost the immune system ‘Cooling’ soups and drinks that soothe sore throa ..read more

Did you ‘revenge travel’ with your family during the recent school holidays? And if so, did you remember to buy travel insurance? Travel insurance helped ease the cost of inconvenience when my friend’s luggage was lost in transit during her multi-city jaunt recently. Stuck in Istanbul with only the clothes on her back, the mother of two made do by handwashing her clothes everyday. She managed to claim from her travel insurance, but cautioned that you need to “check the insurance clauses, and follow up immediately with all papers and receipts.” A spokesperson from the General Insurance Associat ..read more

Stock photos like the one above, and children’s stories generally paint the elderly as a wise, benevolent lot with calm, patient smiles, and a loving word for everyone. But this is not always a true picture, is it? During the pandemic, older adults experienced increased stress. Their mental health was significantly affected, SMU’s Centre for Research on Successful Ageing found. This was due to decreased social participation, reduced physical activity, and increased sedentary behaviour (source). But even post-pandemic, seniors, particularly those aged 65 and above, experience higher levels of s ..read more

Stress is a normal experience in daily life, and a certain amount of stress can be helpful in getting things done or improving motivation. However, there are times when the level of stress goes beyond one’s personal threshold, and stress begins to have a negative impact on the individual’s ability to function in day-to-day life. Exams, peer pressure, fear of failure, and not meeting expectations – it’s an open secret that children in Singapore face multiple stressors at school, at home and in society. The question is: do they have the skills to cope with stress? How can we nurture resilience i ..read more

When we think of physiotherapy, the first thing that often comes to mind is recovery from injury. But beyond physical injury, there are a host of issues that physiotherapy can help with. These range from chronic back and neck pain that come hand-in-hand with our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, to post-surgery rehabilitation. However, one of the less widely discussed topics of physiotherapy is its role in women’s health. Physiotherapy specially catered for women’s health issues can help treat pelvic or vaginal pain, prenatal and postpartum musculoskeletal pain, and o ..read more