May ... I thot the same too, when ds#2 caught the flu virus at 3mths old from ds#1 ... but it can't be helped esp when the older one goes to school. And people always tell me that it'll be worse without the bm. And true enough, I find ds#1 doesn't fall sick as much and recovers faster now that he's older .... jiayou! If it does help, do try to keep your diet to good, nutritious food. I eat a lot of junk now.
re : writing. I'm letting ds#2 do a lot of tracing now. I find it helps in refining the strokes. ds#1 starts writing (prob. officially) when he's 5 yrs old and when he first started, I've to remind him to do the curve for the "r" properly or write the "d" neatly, etc. I'm not rushing into the writing part, but more keen to develop the reading part. ds#2 is very keen to read new words and that's something that was developed in ds#1 later than 3 yrs old.
SSF
re : piano lesson.... noone will take in 3 yr olds ... hm, prob the private teachers as I do see some on youtube or blogs where the kid can play... but since the attn span of the child is very short and the strength is not there, I personally feel that should not start so early. I'm comparing btw the situation when ds#1 start at 4 and he has problem stretching till now at 6, he can more of less play both hands and stretch with more ease.... likewise, many kids I hear start at 5 with private piano teachers and I see the speed they do is much faster ...
re: maid. yes, can just sign for 1 yr. When I had my maid, we did not sign any contract n everything is verbal. I bought insurance for 1 yr only (if I remember correctly).... u may wanna use this 1 year to do the caregiving arrangement changes ...
.ky.