Nanayhood

Zero Screentime is really beneficial but it's hard to do. I really admire families who can do it.  But for those who can't avoid screentime for their kids, just like us, don't feel bad. You can still choose to give your children LIMITED screentime and choose the right kind of shows for them. I regret that I learned about this show just recently. Thank you to @mamatheexplorer. These are just some of the many life lessons that kids can get from it.  "All feelings are valid." "Use your words to express how you feel so that the people around you can understand you and can help you." "Sometimes, you feel two feelings at the same time, and that's okay. You can be excited now and scared later. You can be happy now and sad later." "There is no need to compete with others. Your best is the best for you." "Even adults feel scared, too." "Friends always help each other." "Getting mad is normal. Calm yours...

"Tahan na! Huwag ka nang umiyak."  "Hindi naman 'yan masakit. Okay lang 'yan." "Kumain ka na. Kapag hindi ka kumain, hindi ka pwedeng maglaro." "Huwag kang malikot kung hindi papaluin ka ng Tatay mo." Ito ang madalas na sinasabi ng mga magulang ngayon sa kanilang mga anak. Ito rin ang palaging sinasabi sa atin ng ating mga magulang noon.  "Hayaan mong umiyak sa umaga para lumakas ang baga." "Huwag mong buhatin palagi. Baka masanay sa karga." Ito naman ang madalas na sinasabi ng matatanda sa mga bagong magulang, na siya ring nakagisnan na nila noong sila din ay magkaroon ng anak.  Wala namang masama dito. Naging parte na din ito ng tipikal na pagpapalaki sa mga bata. Pero kung pakaiisipin,  sinasabi o ginagawa ba natin ito para sa ating mga anak o para sa ikaaalwan natin bilang mga magulang? Noong bago ipanganak si Mav, ito lang din ang alam kong gagawin ko sa pagpapalaki sa kaniya. Kung ano ang sinasabi sa ...

Dear Nanay,  I just want to say that I know everything about you. When I was still inside your womb I knew how excited you were to hold me in your arms. I felt your fears and your intense pain during the hours of labor. I saw the tears of joy that rolled down your face the first time you saw me. I knew then that you would be the best Nanay in the world. I know how proud you are for every milestone and every achievement I make. I see how you try to document my "firsts." I know how you try to keep yourself from posting everything about me in social media. I know how exhausted you are after a day's work yet you still manage to play with me and act crazily just to make me smile. I know that you try to keep calm and not get mad when I become clumsy and careless, like spilling water on the floor, breaking a glass or a plate or writing with colorful pens or crayons on the wall. I know I annoy you with my tantrums during nappy change and bath time.  I know that while ...

If you want to make your child good at Math,    or at memorizing, or at singing and dancing, or if you want to make him the most talented, give him follow-up milk.  If you want your child to be the tallest, the healthiest and the smartest  kid in town, give him vitamins. If your child turned one year old, choose the best grown-up milk and vitamins. That's what we see and learn from tv commercials and advertisements. Very convincing. Since we, as parents, only want what's best for our kids, we easily fall into their trap. Plus the fact that we live in a society where vitamins and toddler milk seem to be the healthiest options for children and the greatest advice one can give to a first time mom.  Tapos nagtatanong tayo kung anong sikreto ng mga Lolo at Lola natin kung bakit malakas at masigla pa din sila kahit matanda na. Nagtataka din tayo kung bakit madaming nauusong sakit ngayon na hindi naman halos kilala noon. Bakit nga ba? We always hear it's be...

How to teach a child? I think you don't have to teach her. You just have help her EXPLORE, EXPOSE and EXPERIENCE. From there, learning will take place.   Before Mav, I used to think that the best way     to raise a child is by teaching her everything. I told myself before that at an early age, I will teach her how to read, how to write, how to count numbers, how to tell the colors and how to tell the shapes. I imagined myself teaching her how to play the piano or play the guitar, even the violin. I promised myself I will make sure that she'll learn to dance ballet, or sing the highest melody. But everything changed when Mav was born. Thanks to social media, where I learned a lot. Had I not read about numerous  principles of parenting and child development, we could be teaching Mav, instead of exposing her. Perhaps, you can also consider the difference. You can do good, but there is always a better way.  Good: Look at these letters, say A, B...

"Share your toys." "Let them borrow your things." We often say these words to our toddlers but they still won't share. The only answer we get is, "No. Mine!" Are they being selfish at an early age? Will they grow up to be like this? Of course, not! My little one plays with children who don''t know how to share. Being a toddler who has a very absorbent mind, she does whatever is done to her with other kids. She also doesn't share. As a mother, we want to teach our kids good manners as early as possible. We want them to be respectful and compassionate. One time, I got really sad and bothered upon observing that my toddler looks selfish for not letting a new kid in the neighborhood borrow her things. I felt bad when I saw her snatching her toys away from the kid. What's really bothering was the negative image of her to the kid's mom. She might think that my child is "madamot."  Then, I remembered Maria Montesorri...

11.07.17 Dear Mav, One day, you will wean from my milk. You will no longer need me to feed you while strolling at the mall, while attending the mass, or while eating at a restaurant. You will no longer point to my chest for your food when you're sleepy, when you're anxious, when you're upset or when you just want to be cuddled. You will no longer wake up at the wee hours of the night crying that only my powerful breastmilk can soothe you and put you back to sleep. One day, you will walk on your own. You will no longer need my hands to guide you and take you to the place where you want to go. Your little feet will no longer follow me to the kitchen, to the bedroom, to the comfort room. One day you will decide what clothes to wear. You will no longer play peek-a-boo while I dress you up. You wiñl no longer approve my fashion style. One day, I will no longer feel the warmth of your arms wrapped around my neck as I try to calm you because you're scared, or hurt, or...