We all need to give and receive criticism at some point in our lives with our colleagues, family or friends. Being a critic doesn’t necessarily make you a mean-spirited person if you give it at the right time and in the right way. Nanzinc.Com gives you some tips on dispensing well-meaning criticisms in a respectful and gracious manner. By: Ng Lin-Li Don’t criticize when you are angry Before you say anything, calm yourself down and have a good think about what you want to say. When you criticize someone in an angry or sarcastic way, it is hard...

Do you feel like your marriage could do with a little improvement, but not sure how to go about it (since nagging doesn’t seem to work anymore)? Here’s why being open to changing yourself is the first step to changing the relationship dynamics with your loved one. By: Ng Lin-Li Change what you can control In an ideal world, our spouse would do exactly what we wanted, when we wanted (after all, they are the ones with the problem!). However, in reality, the only thing within our control is our own actions, attitudes and character. Rather...

It’s hard enough being a nice person in real life. Social conventions are constantly evolving, making clear and courteous communication a challenge. Take your conversation online however, and the level of difficulty goes up a notch because of differences in real time, physical proximity and lack of visual aids. Nanzinc.Com gives you a basic guide to netiquette and how to prevent misunderstandings with online communication. By: Dorothea Chow As author Virginia Shea puts it in her book “Netiquette”, we may forget that even though all online...

Having a successful relationship and marriage is not easy—it takes hard work from both sides of the bed! Jazz up your relationship by romancing your man, so that he can feel the lurve. Nanzinc.Com shares how your man likes to be loved. By: Audra Lim You heard us right. The men really don’t get it much. Yes, men need to be romanced too. These neglected other halves are often reminded, prodded and taught that women need to feel loved and be pampered. Yet that same romancing is seldom reciprocated. After all, men are macho tough cookies, right? Not...

Kids love the June holiday break but it can often be a headache-inducing affair for parents with young children. The most common solutions are summer camps, the latest computer game, or enrichment workshops – anything to keep your little ones gainfully occupied. But you don’t have to outsource all your entertainment: Nanzinc.Com has some suggestions for fun family projects that can keep your kids happy, keep their minds active in a healthy way, and draw your family closer together. As we like to say, the family that plays together stays...

Think back to a time in your childhood when your family had a holiday together. What do you remember the most? You might not remember seeing the Great Wall or visiting the Louvre museum, but it’s likely you remember laughing together with your siblings in the car or splashing in the waves with your parents. Whether your next family vacation is oceans away or across the Causeway, how can you make it special for your loved ones? By Sharlene Tan “Travel is the greatest learning tool we have — teaching kids independence and growth. Parents...

When her eldest son was just two months old, Koh Ah Yan’s instincts told her something was seriously wrong with him. What then followed was a tumultuous journey of numerous visits to doctors to seek medical solutions for epilepsy, and a diagnosis of a rare brain tumour. This mother of three shares with Nanzinc.Com about her journey and how she has remained strong despite the hurdles she faced. By Lianne Ong When Koh Ah Yan’s firstborn son, Isaac, was two months old, she had a suspicion that all was not right when her son would not sleep after...

Want to find out if you’re someone that others can rely on when it comes down to the crunch? Take our Flaky quiz to see whether you do (or don’t) measure up! How many times have you forgotten an appointment? It happens, but appointments are stuffy in the first place. Never, you have everything written nicely down in an organizer. 2-3 times a year, it’s usually when you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’ve arranged to meet your best friend for lunch at 1pm. At 1.05pm, you still can’t find parking. You: Text her to inform...

It is not easy being a Supermom. You juggle the many roles of Superwoman, ultimate mommy, wife, housekeeper, entertainer, referee, banker et al, attempt to carve out time for yourself while trying to remain sane in the midst of daily mayhem. Some days, the pressure gets so great you cry at the slightest thing, and feel like packing your bags and leaving it all behind. If any of this is happening to you, you are officially having a Mommy Meltdown. Nanzinc.Com shows you some ways to destress so you can bounce back to being a Supermom again! By: Audra...

Do you find your friend count has drastically dropped since you graduated/got married/got divorced/grew older? Are friends necessary? We say yes! Here’s why you should make more of them. By: Melanie Lee Each of us finds our comfort zones and sense of identity through good ol’ friends who have been with us through thick and thin. While it’s important to treasure these dear childhood buddies, it’s just as important to get to know new people and let them into your life – it’s all part and parcel of growth and new discoveries in life....