How to Teach Teenagers to Save Money

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Few years back I wrote about ways to teach kids to save money. My first-born son was just 4 years old back then. Now he's 13 years old, officially a teenager. How time flies right? By the way, in case you didn't know I have an almost 3-year old son again. So I have two boys!

Let's go back to saving money. As early as two years old, my eldest started his own savings account. Just last month, we have transferred his junior savings acount to a regular account. But before this, we talked to him about his savings and how it is important to have his own savings too.

I always tell and write about how the recent health pandemic made us realized the importance of saving money and having an emergency fund. Good thing it's over and I hope that everyone learned a lesson from it. As a parent, we always want to make sure about the future of our kids and the first thing we do is to save money for them.

It is not just saving money, I should say. But it's also about teaching them the importance of saving money and how to save money by themselves. Now, having a teenager is different from having a toddler. Let me share how to teach teenagers to save money.

Start them young

Teaching kids to save early is always on my first list. Kid's brains are like sponges taking in everything around them so teaching them to save early will make our job easier over time.

Setting up a savings account

Like what I have mentioned our teeanger already have his own savings account since he is 2 years old. Since he's already 13 years old, we can transfer it to a regular account with a passbook and an ATM card. We talked to him about his savings account to let him be aware that we save money for him and whatever he can save, he can also add up to that savings.

Give them a regular allowance

I let my son handle his allowance and watch how he spends his money. Mostly, he spends on food and the things he needs at school. However, if he still has money, he don't ask for his allowance. We are the ones reminding him if he still has money. And so we decided to give him a regular allowance and remind him to save half of it before spending.

Show them how you manage finances

Teenagers are sometimes carefree with money. Letting them know how we manage finances, our good practices, and discipline are the best examples we can give to our kids.

We let our teenage son go shopping with us for our household essentials. We always tell him to check and compare prices. Sometimes, when he wants something and sees the price, he will tell us that it's very expensive and he doesn't need it anyway. Aside from that, we tell him how much we earn per day so that he will remember it every time he spends money.

Let them be part of our monthly budget planning. To make it easier, you can use ae budget planning calculator like the one below.

Help them earn their own money

It's not necessary for them to have a part-time job. They can earn from their hobbies, like arts and crafts, cooking and baking, buying and selling, etc. If you have your own business, let them help and give them a commission. This will help them see the correlation between hard work and money earned. If they do their chores, they'll earn money, and if they don't, they earn nothing.

Teach them the consequences of having debts and overspending

Let them handle their money and make mistakes to learn the consequences. If they spend more than their allowance or budget, they need to learn which category of their budget they have overspent and cut it down next time. Teach them how to monitor their spending as well by keeping a pocket notebook where they can write their expenses.

Practice delayed gratifications

Practice delayed gratification with your teenagers and resist buying things they want versus what they really need. If your teenager wants a new phone, let them wait for a week or a month and ask if they really need it or just want to keep up with their friends or classmates. If they really want it, let them contribute to its cost by saving. Chances are, with time, the desire will likely fade. This also teaches them to save first.

Luckily, our eldest doesn't ask for too much of what we can afford. He knows what is expensive and what he can buy with the value of money. It's because he knows how hard we work to earn money, and I am always thankful for that. Both our sons are patient, and they are content with what they have.

To sum up, teaching our teenagers about money should not only be about how much is available for them and us, but also about establishing good money habits for their future. Let them commit money mistakes to learn its consequences and become financially responsible for themselves. Lastly, there's no one "right" way to teach our teens to save money because every lesson depends on them, on the family's financial status and capabilities, and on our values.

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3Fs to Guide Parents on Kids’ Return to School

It's been more than two months since my son returned to his face-to-face classes. Although assignments, examinations, projects and other school activities are draining his energy, I can see that he's having fun and getting along with his new classmates and friends, and his teachers as well.

It's important that our kids enjoys school. Let me share Nestlé Philippines' Kasambuhay sa Kalusugan of Filipinos with the 3Fs – Feelings, Food, Fun – to guide parents as they take on a new assignment of their own: preparing children mentally, physically and emotionally for face-to-face classes.

From the Press Release kit:

As mobility eased and the threat of the coronavirus became more manageable, the Department of Education recently mandated schools to prepare for full-on face-to-face classes by November 2022. This comes after more than two years of distance learning due to restrictions resulting from the pandemic. Teachers and parents alike adapted to take on bigger roles to ensure that school-age children were able to attend to daily lessons and corresponding assignments at home.   

With this directive, however, comes a new set of changes for Filipino families as their households once again adjust to a back-to-school routine. To help with this, Nestlé Wellness Campus (NWC), the flagship advocacy program of Nestlé Philippines for nutrition education, shares the three Fs – Feelings, Food, Fun – to guide parents as they take on a new assignment of their own: preparing children mentally, physically and emotionally for face-to-face classes. 

1. Feelings

“Parents must open the communication lines with their children,” said Karina Crisostomo, a faculty member of the Counseling and Educational Psychology Department in De La Salle University. “It’s important for parents to ask, know and understand how their children feel about going back to school,” adding that this will help them in addressing any anxiety that the youngsters may have, while also trying to explain the benefits of attending onsite classes. 

It’s equally important for parents to reiterate facts about COVID-19. By instilling the importance of proper hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing of masks indoors, students will be able to feel safe as they leave the confines of their home. “How we communicate and explain these to our children are very important as we move to more face-to-face activities,” she added. 

2. Food

 As a parent herself, Crisostomo reiterated the importance of a nutritious breakfast and how it can set the stage for a great day ahead. “I always make it a point to serve breakfast and ensure that no one in our household leaves without having this most important meal of the day,” she emphasized. 

Mornings can be busy and rushed, and getting kids to eat breakfast can be challenging at times. However, giving them a delicious and nutritious breakfast is possible with a bowl of whole grain cereal and milk. Cereals like Koko Krunch not only contain essential nutrients to kickstart their day right, but it also has the chocolatey taste that kids have come to love over the years. Based on the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake1, one serving of Koko Krunch already provides 38% of iron and about 60% of Vitamins B2, B3 and B6 per 30g serving. This can help them develop a good breakfast habit, while building on their excitement for a fun day in school. 

Baon is also making a comeback and parents need to plan this ahead. Students will likely lose interest and attention in school activities when they are hungry, according to Crisostomo. As such, snacks are important to keep them focused in class and energized for play. Parents can even incorporate healthier choices by adding lettuce or tomatoes in sandwiches or prepare rice meals, fruits and veggies should their children want to eat more during recess.  

1Iron, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and vitamin B6 percentage is based on the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI) per 30g serving. This Percent RENI value is based on FNRI reference child requirement of 7-9 years old (RENI, 2002).

3. Fun

Being in isolation for much of the pandemic has made students, especially the younger ones, forget what it was like to be with people outside their immediate family, explained Crisostomo. That also meant missing their friends and playing together like they used to. Parents can take this opportunity to explain and remind their children that going back to school can be twice as fun with their friends around. Not only will they get to see their buddies again, they will also gain new friends this school year.  

“Families will need to re-establish a routine at home,” Crisostomo said. This includes meal times, setting aside time for homework as well as a target bedtime for kids, especially those who need to get up early for school the next day. 

As the Kasambuhay sa Kalusugan of Filipinos, Nestlé Philippines understands the need to support parents as they prioritize the health and wellness of their children who are returning to school this year. According to Kevin Carpio, Nestlé Wellness Campus Program Lead, parents can join the NWC Parents’ Facebook Community for additional guidance and tips in transitioning to face-to-face learning.

“Returning to school can be an exciting albeit anxious time for students. But with proper guidance and support from their parents and the Nestlé Wellness Campus, we can work together to ensure that the children are best prepared to adjust to the return of onsite classes. By living out the 7 Healthy Habits, students and their families can look forward to a happy, healthy and learning-filled school year,” Carpio said. 

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Pampers Shares Touching Story of Single Moms

I was a first time mom 10 years ago and I was a second time mom 2 years ago. In short, I am a mom of two now. Being a mom is not easy. Raising kids is not easy. Raising your kids alone is not easy. So I salute all single moms out there who bravely face the challenges of parenting their kids alone. 

Recently, Pampers Philippines launched a campaign called #MoreThanGold, which aims to support the World Vision Philippines’s Go Baby Go program. This program gives holistic early childhood development assistance to single-mom children belonging to World Vision’s communities. 

Let me share how ‘Teary-eyed, proud,’ Moms thank Pampers for sharing touching story of single moms in latest campaign

From the Press Release Kit:

Parenthood is hard work – but even more so when you’re a single mom. In the Philippines, about 14 million are single moms (95% of estimated 14 to 15 million solo parents) according to a World Health Organization-funded study by the Department of Health and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health. Many of whom must juggle multiple jobs, household chores, their own education, and childcare all at the same time. Some single moms from urban poor and marginalised communities also experienced an increase in unpaid care work during the pandemic, spending over five hours more a day, according to an Oxfam International survey.

It is precisely this inexhaustible strength and incredible love for their child in the face of the unique challenges of single motherhood which inspired the latest program of Pampers Philippines called #MoreThanGold. It aims to support World Vision Philippines’s Go Baby Go program which gives holistic early childhood development assistance for single-mom children belonging in World Vision’s communities.

The campaign was launched with a heartwarming 60-seconder film that reflects and celebrates the extraordinary achievements of young, single mothers. We see the single mom in the film working many jobs to be able to provide for her child, finishing her studies, and taking care of and raising her firstborn. And through the eyes of her baby, as told by the tug-at-the-heartstrings voiceover, we see that it is through her strength and her determination in facing her unique motherhood journey that makes her a real treasure. Indeed, we realize that she can be anything she set herself to be – and that she is more precious than gold.

“Pampers’s purpose is to champion and care for all families and their babies’ happy and healthy development. As we continue with this commitment, we also recognize the reality that no parenthood journey is the same and that there are single moms who have been doing things beyond the extraordinary,” says Charm Banzuelo, Senior Communications Manager for Pampers Philippines. “As a brand, we want to do more and be a force for good by using our platform to share their story and extend assistance through our partnership with World Vision.”

World Vision’s Go Baby Go! (GBG) Parenting Program model aims to strengthen caregiver confidence and competence, and to provide nurturing care to babies during their first 1,000 days—from the moment of conception inside the womb until the baby turns three, so that they can reach their full potential.

World Vision’s Resource Development Director, Jun Godornes, expresses his gratitude to Pampers: "We're truly delighted to be part of P&G Pampers’s More than Gold campaign. The campaign highlights the joys and challenges of parenthood that resonate with all Filipino parents. Pampers has become a household name that is now synonymous to the word ‘diaper.’ We laud Pampers for dedicating this campaign to single moms to support them in raising their children as best as they can. At World Vision, we believe that given the right tools and opportunities, girls can overcome adversity and become changemakers and leaders of our nation. Congratulations to Pampers for inspiring more Filipinos through this heartwarming campaign!”

Unsurprisingly, the short film quickly rose to the top of online Twitter trending charts last Sunday, giving netizens all the feels. The film also prompted moms, including online mom personalities like Vien Iligan and beauty queen Jehza Simon to share experiences of their single motherhood, and tagging fellow young single moms in their re-shares of the film.

Witness a single mom’s golden moments and watch the #MoreThanGold video here: LINK 

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How To Keep Your Relationship Strong When You Have Kids

We all live for those magical moments of joy and celebration of love in its highest form, a child. However, when the obligations rise, life starts to change, whether you want it or not, and your relationship with it. So, here you are in the middle of happiness and chaos, wondering if you can ever bring back what you had with your partner. But let me tell you, this is the perfect time to step back and remember that all of this started because of one person - your partner.

Behind the image of a strong and happy parent is an exhausted mom or dad waiting to hug the bed instead of the partner at the end of the day. So, it's totally fine that you need a good sleep after an exhausting day of cleaning, doing the dishes, taking baths, changing diapers, and cooking meals. Just the thought of doing the same routine tomorrow is exhausting! You probably don't even have the time to think about yourself, let alone sex. But it's in these moments when life's little pleasures can do a lot! It's always the right time to reignite the fire with your partner, so the real question is how to get back the suppressed spark? Here are some tips on how you can do that.

Redefine intimacy

In every healthy relationship, intimacy is so much more than sexual pleasure. Growing toddlers is exhausting and requires a lot of patience and energy, especially if it's done mostly by one of the partners. To find a way to get more intimate with your partner, try doing the responsibilities together or as equally as possible. Don't leave the burden to one side only. Doing things together will also help you stay emotionally closer and help you connect on a deeper level. The real intimacy is in the small everyday things.

Take a break

Finding time for yourself is a real struggle when you have kids. You've just woken up, and before you realize it, it's bedtime again, so you've probably contemplated running away and getting a break in your head a few times. It's crucial to be honest and talk things through with your partner during these moments. When you've had enough for the day or week, step aside and take some solo time to relax or do something you enjoy. Only when you're healthy, well, and happy will you be a good partner for your spouse and a good parent for your kids.

Don't forget to communicate

No matter how long and well you know each other, it's always easier to communicate your needs or feelings rather than being angry. Being a parent with all those responsibilities puts a lot of pressure on people, and everyone reacts differently to it. Often, the things we don't say end up speaking louder through our actions, so take note of these nonverbal signs and react. Always acknowledge and verbalize your partner's effort and be grateful for the things they've done. Make them feel supported and appreciated for their work, and you'll notice the positive emotional cues straight away.

Make time for yourself

The first five years of your kids' lives will be the most demanding. It's the time when the kids are dependable, so you need to be present in every activity they do. During this period, it's essential that you don't forget about yourself and your wellbeing. Whether it's a 30-minute coffee break on the porch, yoga, or a quick chat with your friends, you need to do something that makes you happy. Parents convey their energy to the children and channel their emotions, so take time to fill your batteries and embrace the things that make you happy.

While you're at it, make sure that your partner has his own time off too. You are together on this journey, so easing the pressure from time to time is beneficial for your relationship.

Sneak out and make out

When was the last time you did something adventurous with your partner? Sounds tempting, right? So why not do it? Once a month (at least), find a couple of hours for just the two of you. If you can find someone to take care of your kids for a whole night, even better! You can take a trip where you first met, have a romantic dinner, spice things in the bedroom with something new like strap-ons for couples, or just enjoy cuddling all night. Do things that will strengthen your relationship and keep your partner emotionally invested. Don't lose yourself and your spark among the responsibilities. Take your time and cherish these moments of romance.

Grow together

If you find yourself in a situation where you think you've had enough, remember it's just a phase. Your relationship and marriage will have ups and downs, but you must remember that it's all relative. Once the kids grow up and become independent, you will have more time to enjoy each other again. Meanwhile, there will be obstacles pushing you forward and making you a stronger couple, appreciating the life you created together.

 
Final thoughts

Remember, a healthy relationship takes commitment, work, and adapting. Try to make it work because your marriage matters to your children, not only to you and your partner. If it's any consolation, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Regardless of how your marriage or sex life is doing, there is always someone to talk with, so don’t feel ashamed of it. Keep your head up high and keep working on your relationship with your partner. The rest will follow.

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3 Ways To Encourage Intellectual Growth In Children

 

Every parent wants their child to be intelligent, and for good reason. The world is set up for those with intelligence, and it is much easier to live a successful life if you have good social and problem-solving skills. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to encourage intellectual growth in your child from a young age.

One of the most important things you can do for your child at a young age is to enroll them in daycare. Most parents view daycare as a solution to the problem of day-to-day childcare, but in reality, daycare may be one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child. Daycare sets up your kids to have better social skills throughout their entire life. Studies have shown that parents that enroll their children in a daycare similar to Severna Park MD schools report higher achieving and happier children in the future.

Another thing you can do to encourage intellectual growth from a young age is read with your children. By actively engaging with your kids and teaching them how to read books, and associate words with images, you can get them excited about learning, and foster linguistic talent from the get-go. Online resources can help you develop reading skills quickly and easily.

The third way to foster growth in your children is by praising them when they make an effort to learn. By providing positive external feedback, they will come to associate learning with external rewards, and they will learn that learning is a healthy and fun activity.

It is important to consider the needs of your child when attempting to promote a growth mindset. Remember that every child is different, and each child will respond to different methods. Do not get frustrated if one is not working, just laugh it off and move on. Always keep things light.

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How to Prepare for a New Baby

 

photo source

Expecting a baby is an exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking time. You likely find yourself busy buying cute clothes and wanting to baby-proof the house before the baby comes, all while dealing with the exhausting side effects of pregnancy.

Infants don't need toys, and they certainly won't be getting into the cleaning cupboards, so you don't have to worry about baby-proofing right away. Instead, you want to make sure that you focus on the things that matter most when preparing for a new baby.

Prepare the Nursery

For the first few weeks or months after you have the baby, you're likely going to be exhausted. Because of that, you want to do as much to prepare the nursery ahead of time as you can. Put together the crib and stock the changing table. Most newborns go through an average of 10 diapers a day, so you'll want to ensure that you have plenty on hand so you don't find yourself constantly running to the store for more.

Take Safety Courses

While it's scary to think of something terrible happening to your baby, you're always best off when you prepare for the worst-case scenario. You can do this by taking neonatal CPR Santa Monica CA and Heimlich maneuver classes. When you take classes and prepare for something to happen, you'll likely find that you're much calmer and better able to handle a situation if it does come up.

Find Childcare

If you have to return to work after your leave when you have the baby, you don't want to wait to find childcare. Many facilities don't take infants or have a capacity for how many they can bring on. You want to take the time to interview the facility and ensure that you feel comfortable with them, so you don't want to simply pick the first place you come across.

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Activities To Do With Kids On A Budget

RONTECH3000/SHUTTERSTOCK

Finding inexpensive, yet memorable activities for the kids can be a challenge. You'll find activities that will keep your child engaged while also teaching them new skills. From cooking together to exploring nature and local attractions, these are the perfect family-friendly activities. You can have a memorable experience without spending a fortune.

Explore Free Museums and Attractions

There may be many local museums and attractions that are free or very low cost, or allow children for free. Your local library may also have a calendar of events and activities for children of all ages. Your county or city website also may have a list of these attractions and events.

Camp in the Backyard

If you want to stay closer to home, pitch a tent in your backyard and play camp for a few days. Make s’mores or other camp meals over a fire or grill. Tell stories and play outdoor games. You could treat all the activities about your backyard camp like a theme week, which is what a day care center Poway CA would do to create learning connections in children. 

Make Crafts from Nature

Whether or not you choose to make a backyard camp, you can make use of many free craft materials right in your backyard to make easy crafts. Use collected leaves or flowers to make collages on paper. Paint flat rocks and return them to your yard or a local park. Coat pinecones in peanut butter and sunflower seeds to hang for the birds and other small animals. 

When you have kids, it can be hard to find something new to do, especially when most of the options seem expensive or too far away. You don't have to break your budget or spend a lot of time looking for something fun for your family. There may be many activities available around you for free which you and your family can explore.

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Small Things Every Parent Should Do for Their Child

It's every great parent's and guardian's charge to love, protect, care for, and support their children. They must make it a priority to nurture a child's mental and physical health as they grow into adolescence and adulthood. Creating safe and fun environments for children to make memories is an essential part of parenting and guardianship.

For some parents, it may feel like a child is growing up fast, which can motivate them to preserve treasured memories of their little one's infancy, childhood, adolescence, and teenage years by taking many photos and videos. Many people save and print their family photos, so they can put their memories on display and share them with others.

Advancements in technology, photography, and videography have made photo saving and sharing easier. Parents can upload photos and videos to storage sites such as Google Photos, Pinterest, Flickr, and Photobucket and online photo storage services, including OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, and more.

A practical storage option is a smart home device that allows people to store photos from any mobile device or smartphone. A photo manager like ibi is an excellent solution for online photo storage and sharing. This device is like a personal cloud for one's photos and videos. With a capacity of 1 TB, ibi is beneficial for parents who have many pictures and videos of their children on multiple phones, computers, hard drives, and social media accounts.

Maintaining involvement in a child's education and extracurricular activities is something every parent should do. Reading to children, helping them with homework, and supporting after-school events they participate in are some actions that can have an immensely positive influence on kids.

Parents should begin inquiring about their child's or children's physical, mental, and emotional health when they become adolescents and teenagers if they hadn't started doing so already. During adolescence and through young adulthood, people are more likely to experience increased stress, anxiety, depression, and mental health conditions. Questioning a child or teen about any academic and social hardship or life changes they experience can help parents understand their children better and gauge if they're having issues. Asking someone how they're doing is something essential to do that could be comforting. Such questioning could mean a lot to a child, especially from their caretakers.

For professional care of a child's health and well-being, parents should find a family pediatrician. A pediatrician, defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as a doctor who focuses on children's development, health, and welfare, provides preventive care, makes diagnoses, and treats acute and chronic diseases. A pediatrician's education and training give them an understanding of the way biological, environmental, and social factors can influence a child's development.

Every parent should practice healthy habits at home that can benefit their families, such as following a balanced diet. Children require different amounts of specific nutrients from adults, depending on their age and developmental stage. Cooking nutritious meals for children can strengthen their bones and bodies and promote growth and development.

Every parent should give their children vitamins to take for their bodies to function correctly. Each vitamin and mineral has a unique effect on a child's growth.

The children's multivitamins produced by Hiya Health are reliable and clean, lacking the junk, sugar, and chemicals that other vitamins on the market have. Hiya Health's multivitamins, created through collaborations between scientists, nutrition experts, and pediatricians, consist of 15 essential vitamins and organic fruits and vegetables, promoting lifelong total health. Giving a child vitamins that lack preservatives and synthetic junk they shouldn't consume is a small action that can result in significant, positive long-term health outcomes.

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Tips for Managing Postpartum Depression

There’s no shortage of information and advice for those experiencing motherhood for the first time. From breastfeeding to understanding how a baby behaves, new mothers are practically smothered with knowledge of how to successfully embark upon the beautiful adventure of helping a newborn get acquainted with life.

With that said, there remains a factor of motherhood which is too often considered a taboo and not adequately addressed: postpartum depression. You’re a mother caring for a baby and you’re inexplicably sad and upset? The breadth of information accumulated over thousands of years of parenting appears incapable of providing effective assistance. If this is the case, don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re alone. While postpartum depression may come off as abnormal and something to feel bad about, the truth is it’s a condition that affects upwards of 50% of mothers with a newborn. You aren’t alone, and you’ll never be alone.

photo source: SolStock/Getty

While postpartum depression is undoubtedly not as bad as it might sound, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for new mothers to confront the condition head-on. The following is a basic guide to overcoming postpartum depression:

Seek help

This is a pretty simple tip to follow. If you think you’re experiencing postpartum depression, seek help. The therapy and treatment which is most effective will vary from one woman to another. You might get substantial benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy; research CBT therapy to see if it might be the right fit for your situation. Or, you might respond better to alternative approaches to addressing the struggles of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression patients, especially those who lost their babies, would be recommended to undergo doll therapy. This treatment process requires the use of baby dolls that look real to help them recover from their loss.

The key is to accept the need for help and take steps to get help.

Exercise

It comes off as a catch-all solution to many of life’s problems, but the truth is exercise can do wonders for treating anxiety, depression, and stress. Go for a three-mile walk. Jog, run, or ride a bicycle. Lift some weights or swim some laps in a public pool. If sports are more your thing, play tennis or racquetball. Ultimately, the way you exercise after giving birth is irrelevant as long as you do it. While the ways in which exercise help those dealing with postpartum depression may not be apparent at first, you’ll more than likely come to realize the benefits of fitness. Just give it time.

Eat well

Being told to adhere to a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats is a piece of advice you’ve heard so many times it loses meaning, but doing so can be incredibly effective in helping alleviate the symptoms of postpartum depression. While a change in diet will not outright cure the condition, it will result in feeling better in general. Ensuring your body gets the right ratio of nutrients via foods is a building block for health and wellness. Doing so will, at the very least, lead to being healthier. The result is being a person in a better position to manage the symptoms and outcomes of PPD.

Resist isolation

One of the hallmarks of postpartum depression is a mother’s desire to avoid others. If you’re dealing with PPD, you probably want to be left alone as much as possible. While it’s undoubtedly alluring to avoid other people, taking steps to resist isolation is key to overcoming postpartum depression. It’s easier said than done but urging yourself to be more sociable than you want will give you the chance to embrace aspects of life you may otherwise neglect. Simply put: avoid isolation and take the step to socialize. You’ll be surprised by the results.

Postpartum depression can often seem like an alienating condition. The truth is you are among millions of mothers who have experienced PPD. Never fear. You will overcome.

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I Won’t Always Cry Mummy

While browsing the Facebook memories, I saw a post of mine 5 years ago when I shared a poem entitled "I Won’t Always Cry Mummy".

It is a very touching poem, especially for moms, about how time flies and why we need to cherish every moment we can spend with our little kids. Because one day they will not be so little anymore. We can no longer carry them. We can no longer find them inside our home. No scattered toys, no messy floor, no noisy kids.

So as much as we can, spend quality time with them. Play with them, get messy and noisy. For soon, one day, they will have their own friends, their own life and their own world.

I am praying that my son will never outgrow his love for me.

I won’t always cry, Mummy,
When you leave the room,
And my supermarket tantrums,
Will end too soon.

I won’t always wake Daddy
For cuddles through the night
And one day you will miss
Having a chocolate face to wipe.

You won’t always wake to find my foot
Is kicking you out of bed
Or find me sideways on your pillow
Where you want to lay your head

You won’t always have to carry me
In asleep from the car,
Or piggy back me down the road,
When my little legs can’t walk that far.

So cherish every cuddle,
remember them all
One day Mummy
I won’t be this small

~ Stephanie Turner

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Matthew's Recognition Day 2019

I know its' been 2 months but I can not let it not shared with you.

Here's my chubby cheeks showing his McDonald's Happy Meal toy.

That was his reward for getting these awards.

I didn't tell you but he represented his school to a Spelling bee contest and for another Tula contest. 

Though he didn't won, being chosen to represent his school was already a big honor for him. He is a a creative thinker and an excellent reader, which makes him a winner.

And not only that, he's a consistent honor student.

Which makes me and his daddy very proud.

How can we not be proud of him?

Kahit makulit sya, he still excels in his class.

When it's study time, he never give me a hard time.

He loves studying and he loves Mommy.

Would like to thank his school for always believing in him.

To his adviser who never get tired of teaching and guiding him and his classmates.

To his Lolo Papa na always to the rescue when there's no one to take care of him.

What is more admirable of this boy is his simplicity. Kain lang sa favorite nyang McDonald's happy na sya.

Because he got to finally taste this  McDonald's Chicken Katsu he's been craving since he saw it on TV.

To our little boy, let me remind you that it's not the medal that gives you honor. It's your character and personality that matters most. Just continue to shine and be the best that you can be. Always remember that we are here to support and love you always.

Read also: Matthew Andrei's Recognition Day 2018

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Matthew's Christmas Party 2018

Two weeks ago, Matthew's Christmas Party was held. Can't believe how time flies because this little boy grow so fast. Look how big he is now.

I am not sure but for this year I think they don't have the usual program because it was examination week. Actually, it was the last day of their examination. 

Instead, they had their party in their respective rooms where they eat their Jollibee meals.

They also had their usual exchange gift.

Because I want to instill on him that it's better to give than to receive, we prepared gifts for his teachers and classmates.

I told him by giving he should not expect something in return. Just be happy and enjoy the day with his friends and classmates.

Which he did!

And he went home with this cute panda cap.

He loves it, isn't it obvious? Haha.

He wore that hat the entire day and night!

That's another mommy story I want to share with you. I really missed posting something like this, sharing stories about our not so little boy or just sharing my thoughts. I have to admit that because there's Instagram and Facebook already, which is a faster way to share stories now, it's time consuming to write personal post like this. Still, I am writing here at my online mommy diary to remind everyone that blogging is still fun.

Hey, I want to hear read your stories too. Let's share?

(Read: Matthew's Christmas Party 2015)

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Matthew Andrei's First Holy Communion

More than two weeks ago, our little boy received his first Holy Communion. But before that let me share some kwento. 

I took a leave from work that day. Daddy can't make it since he had a prior commitment he can't cancel. So solo parent ako. Anyway, Matthew's class was suspended to have ample time to prepare for their Holy Communion that is scheduled later that day. To not waste our time, I let him review his lessons since 3rd quarter exam na the following week.

After reviewing, I cooked our lunch. Oh, should I say I fry our lunch, which is tinapa from Nueva Ecija.

The clock ticks so fast that after eating our lunch, my little boy was rushing me to dress up. Malalate na daw sya. So here, we were able to make it on time naman. 

Ang bait lang nya tingnan hindi ba? Well, he did behaved the whole time since he was chosen as one of the children who will read the gospel.

Here's our little boy with the rest of the children who will read the gospel.

It was so hard to take photos because he was at the side of the altar.

Also, there's an official photocgrapher para daw hindi magulo though I still manage to take some photos after they finished receiving their first Holy Communion.

I also took a photo with Father Roger (but I am not sure of his name, please forgive me father) who gave his first Holy Communion.

I almost cried when I saw him received the body of Christ. Because almost 8 years ago, in that same spot he was baptized.

He was a big 6-month old baby when he was baptized but look at him now, he's a big 8-year old boy

Our little boy is growing so fast. The next thing thing I know, I will be attending his wedding na. So, how can I not be emotional? I have all the right to be, right? Haha.

So this is another important mommy story I would like to share. Maybe I will be sharing less na since my little is growing and sometimes he wants his privacy.  

How do you deal with feelings like this mommies? 'Till next mommy story!

(Read also: Teaching Kids To Be A Leader)

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