So long, dear readers

> After almost five years of sharing stories and tips about families, the time has come to put this column to bed

LAST week I wrote about letting go of our children. That was a hint for what is coming today. The Family Teh Time column was born on July 2, 2013, which means it is now four years and eight months old.

My brief from the editors was to focus on family issues, addressing in particular young parents.

Occasionally my articles targeted the older generation, because they impact the younger folks too.

For instance, young parents would recognise how cool their children’s grandparents really are in How to be a cool grandparent.

But all generations have been written about in the column – babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, schoolchildren, teenagers, mothers, and fathers.

My own family members have made cameo appearances too, though I have tried to keep them to a minimum to prevent cries of: “Mummy, why you write about me in the national newspaper! One day I’m going to write about you!”

Every now and then, I get feedback from readers.

Although I have received several emails which have sent me to cloud nine, I have also got a handful of brickbats which have plunged me to the pit of despair.

Thankfully, these can be literally counted on one hand.

It is all right for people to disagree with what I write. We all look at things through different lenses of upbringing, background,

LIFESTYLE

and experience.

Being criticised is part and parcel of a writer’s journey after all. We feel the stab of pain, but we recover and move on.

I want to record my appreciation to Sebastian Lim, the editor whom I worked with from the start of my column, right up to last December when he retired.

He was a gem, accommodating whenever I had to push the deadline, and uplifting when I was down.

Sincere thanks to the editorial team who have edited my column for clarity and grammar boo-boos, and the artists who have drawn beautiful illustrations to accompany most of my articles.

They were so attractive that someone even asked me to refer the artist to her!

To my faithful readers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, especially those who have taken the trouble to write in when some articles have touched them in some way and to share their experiences with me.

My gratitude also goes to friends who constantly cheer me on.

I hope this column has been beneficial to parents young and old, and everyone who has read it.

For those who have missed out many issues and want to catch them all, don’t worry. I will be compiling the articles into a book later. Do send me an email if you want to be kept in the loop.

Like raising a child, writing this column has its ups and downs. There were moments of euphoria, clueless days, sleepless nights and occasions when I want to hide in a hole.

To everything there is a season. It is now time to let go of this column.

I bid you adieu.

Lydia Teh is a mother of four and author of ten books, including the latest, How I Wrote Ten Books. Send comments to lifestyle.lydia@ thesundaily.com.