MQW6 - Meeting the Challenge of Motherhood

Nice's question of the week goes…

What adjustments did you make in your life to fit the role of a mother? Can you share some tips to make your tasks easier?
Here's my thoughts on this question:

Before I became a mother, I was already taught and oriented on what to expect about parenting. But along the way, I never knew that it’s not going to be that easy. A real experience is quite different from stories.

When I became a mother I had to do a lot of adjustments. I became more careful about the things I say or do…the environment that my baby is into and the people around us. I learned how to stretch my patience…how to prioritize…how to budget…I became interested in things that will make me become a more responsible and good mother, reading different books and articles, searching for parenting guidelines, etc. I started to like things about motherhood and parenting. I thought less of my self and more about my family.

Of course, everyday we learn new things. Just by reading articles in book or the internet, or hearing stories from different mothers or parents, nuggets on parenting can be learned. But of course not everything is appropriate to us so we can just pick those that are fitting to our way of living and parenting style.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned:

  1. Don’t go with the flow. Be practical. Not because everybody is raving about something, it’s the best. Not because everybody is using it nor have it you should also have it. I mean, if you can afford it then get it. But you must study first if it’s necessary or just a waste of money.
  2. Like Nice, I learned to become Reasonable. Sometimes I feel guilty that I am a working mom. I feel guilty of leaving my baby to the care of a nanny but looking into the benefits of my present work, I’m having second thought of giving it up knowing that my salary also contributes to our finances. Maybe if we are confident enough that hubby’s salary can sustain us, I’ll won’t have any more second thought and be a SAHM or maybe a WAHM
  3. Stay connected. Because I am a working mom, I find it helpful to have a daily phone call to my baby and her nanny. It’s my way to find out how my baby's doing and a good way to stay connected to her. It eases the pressure of work loads when I’m able to talk to her and at the same time, my baby is assured that I am still with her even though I’m at work.
  4. Be there. Don’t let your children become “emotional orphans.” It is possible to be home a lot and not really be there. Children won’t remember how clean the floor was, but they will remember the quality time that you spent with them. That’s why I always see to it that when I’m at home, I play with my daughter, feed and bathe her, listen and communicate and pay attention when she’s talking to me
  5. Get organized and be consistent. Decide what NOT to do, when you tend to overdo. I have been doing this when I was still single and now that I got more responsibilities I find this very helpful specially that hubby's away and I'm temporarily running the household alone. I make a daily to-do list dividing it into tasks for work and tasks for home. I write in a notebook and also put it on my phone calendar. That way I am able to identify what I need to do, what can wait — and what I can skip entirely. I also created a weekly meal plan and a daily activity plan for my baby and her nanny to do everyday. I may not able to personally do this with her but through this I’m able to identify what they are doing even if I’m not around.
  6. Have a time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty to relax when necessary. We need it. Having a time for ourselves also help us think reasonably.
  7. Get help. Let’s admit that we want to be the best mom in the world but we are not a SUPERMOM! As for me, when I’m uncertain about something, I asked my mom or my sisters. When I am having a hard time with my daughter, I tell my husband what I feel. When I’m sad or overwhelmed confuse or bothered by something, I always seek help.
Above all, maintain a positive attitude. We, as a mother, should work on being confident about who we are and what we want. Know that we are a living example and that we are the most important person and role-model in our children’s world. We are the one whom they look up to, imitate, and follow.


Mom's Real Spa Treatment

Eds passed this funny tag..it made me smile :D


If going to the spa is beyond your budget, try at-home treatments…


::: Eyebrow Threading :::




::: Microdermabrasion :::



::: Aromatherapy :::



::: Body Wrap :::



::: Blowout :::



See..that’s the REAL Spa treatment!!!


Coke Olympic Contour Glasses from McDonald's

I want to collect all five of this. A coke collector's item Luminarc glasses for P20 in every value meal! Hmmm, not bad, right?

So, yesterday I bought three value meals from Mcdo just to get three. But the crew gave me two glasses of the same design. So that means I need to get the three remaining designs.

I decided to take my lunch today at a nearby McDo restaurant hoping to get another glass..but alas....They're OUT of STOCK!

Kainis!! Sayang ang value meal..hmpf!

That means, three more meals from Mcdo for the rest of the week...kakaumay...sigh....


I'll see if I can get one again at McDo Sumulong tomorrow.




Friday Fill-Ins#6



  1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you is worth a careful thought before trying.
  2. If you're good at something, be productive at it and share it to others.
  3. Why so serious?
  4. Something is out there, it's Opportunity knocking at my door!
  5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled Why? Oh, That's Why.
  6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see my daughter playing with her bicycle, her dad behind her making sure she's not going to fall.
  7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to my post birthday celebration at church with my friends fiesting with baked mac and garlic bread I prepared, tomorrow my plans include try fixing my pc, visiting my parent's house, and going to the mall, and Sunday, I want to go to church and have a rest after.

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Who is responsible for what?

Who is responsible for your child's maturity and readiness for the world -- You or your child? This important question deeply affects a parent's attitude towards a child. Answers to it fall on opposite ends of the spectrum. Some see the child's successes of failures inlife as primarily the parent's responsibility. These parents diligently do whatever they can to help they child grow, and they feel that the child's adult years reflect on how they parented. Others see the child as taking the weight. "I did my best, and he had a choice," they say when problem arise.
We believe in the following three principles about responsibility:
  1. Responsibility lies on a continuum between child and parent, and where it lies on the continuum changes over time. The child's only responsibility at the beginning of life is to need and to take in the sources of life; parents have total responsibility for the child. As the child begisn to assert himself, learn tasks, and become more self-sufficient, he takes more ownership of his life and the parent take less. Around the beginning of the teen years, the parent actively begins "de-parenting", that is exchanging a controlling role in the child's life for an influencial one. By the time he reaches the late teens, the child should be taking over total responsibility for his behavior, finances, morality, and relationships

  2. Eventhough responsibilityshifts, both parents and children still have their own unique and distinct tasks. Parents provide safety and love, and they also structure experiences to help the child mature. The child responds to these experiences, takes risks, fails, and learns lessons. Parent;s and children can't do each other's job; they must do their own. Parents who ask their child if it's okay to be a parent are in trouble. The question, "Is it alright with you if I set a curfew?" does not show parental authority. And the child who tries to take responsibility for her parent's feelings also has a problem.

  3. The child must bear the ultimate responsibility for his life. No parent is perfect, and all children suffer some injuries along with the benefits they recieve from their parents. early childhood experiences are life-changing. In major ways they determine the kind of adults children grow up to be. Yet, in the end, a child will be evaluated not as much on his circumstances and environment, but on how he responded to what life handed out: Did he love? Did he practices stewardship? Did he gorw, change and forgive?

The bible says that at the end of life, we will be called to account for the good and bad we did in life (2 Corinthians 5:10). While your child is coming to terms today with what his tasks are and are not, he always needs to be moving forward full responsibility for his life and soul.


___________
an excerp from the book: Raising Great Kids: A Comprehensive Guide to Parenting with Grace


Yen's Question of the Week #24


My first entry for YQOW :D

1. How was your day yesterday?
Good. I was able to go home early. Had a good conversation with hubby. And work is fine

2. Who do you dislike most? People who are so dull to talk to, people who don’t recognize your talent, or people who are better looking than you?
People who are so dull to talk to. Nuff said :)

3. When you we’re still single or if you’re single, do you tend to date people younger or older than you?
Older.

4. Do you have any fears, phobias, or concerns about doctors?
None.

5. What five things that you have done in life that you are most proud of?
Finished college. Giving birth. Wonderful husband. Helped others through good advices. Blessed life.

6. Are you an optimist, pessimist, or realist? Explain.
Optimist and realist. I operate thru positive thinking but not to exceed realities of life.

7. Which is worse, seeing someone chewing their fingernails or picking their nose?
picking their nose. :D

8. Would you rather kiss a stranger or someone you hate?
a stranger.

9. Would you rather be lost at sea or in a desert? Why?
Dessert. I afraid of drowing :D

10.Would you rather speak with God for one minute or add one year to your life?
a minute of speaking with God would be great!

join us here.


A perfect afternoon.







Friday Fill-Ins #5



  1. Oh, I can't wait until I have a new DSLR camera:D.
  2. Water is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator. (lol!)
  3. I never leave home without my wallet and mobile phones.
  4. If I were a condiment, I would be salt because without salt, a lot of food would taste bland. And to relate, I know I'm important just like the salt.
  5. Drivers who do not respect pedestrians and pedestrian lanes is really high up on my list of pet peeves.
  6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was my conversation with hubby.
  7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching my favorite tv show, tomorrow my plans include general cleaning of the house and Sunday, I want to go to church then watch DVDs at home
For more Friday Fill-Inns participants, visit here.

Easy Chicken Binakol

I've never used fresh buko meat before as ingredient to a viand but last night I tried and I got positive feedbacks.

I wanted to cook chicken differently so I tried "Chicken Binakol". I think this dish originated from Batangas. It's like chicken stew with fresh buko meat. I was not able to take a photo of the finished product since after a few minutes of serving it at the dinner table, it was gone! :D

Anyways, here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1/2 kilo Chicken
1 fresh buko (juice and meat)
1 large potatoes peeled and cubed
1 cup of fresh tomatoes sliced
3/4 cup kamias sliced
1 onion sliced
pepper corns
a dash of salt
half of 1 knorr chicken cube

Procedure:

In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except chicken cube. Cook in high temperature until broth thickens. Lower the heat, add chicken cube and simmer until chicken is tender. Serve. (Cooking time is 20-30 minutes :D)


My brother-in-law love it and even requested me to cook it again :)


Luck Me, Lucky You, Lucky Us.. Lucky Lamp!

I got this lucky lamp tag from C.A...thanks sis! :)

Alakazam!

The mighty Genie King and the beautiful Genie Princess from the magical Land of Faraway are back! Upon escaping the clutches of their Evil Master after being held captive for 1000 years, the magical genies have been busy flying on their Magical Flying Carpet, granting wishes and spreading love throughout the blogosphere.

And now, the genies are back with a special gift for everyone! Behold the sacred, Magic Lamp of Luck! With this magic lamp, your blog will enjoy much good luck and fortune, warding off all things evil lurking around in the blogosphere. We would like to share this magic lamp with you so please pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to those in need of some good luck. Remember, do not be greedy or unkind, evil or vengeful and good luck & fortune will always be with you! Join us on another exciting magical adventure as we spread goodwill and good luck to one and all!

*Start Copy Here
1. Add your site(s) to the list once you have received the Magic Lamp of Luck.
2. Pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to as many people as you like. After all, everyone needs some good luck!
3. Leave a comment
HERE once you’ve passed on the Magic Lamp of Luck. Once the Genie King and Genie Princess have visited your site to make sure your links are complete and proper, you will then be added to the Master List.
4. To ensure everyone receives equal link benefit, please UPDATE your list regularly!

1-Mariuca 2-First Time Dad 3-Mariuca's Perfume Gallery 4-Emila's Illustrated Blog 5-The Other Side of Emila 6-My Sweet Escape 7-Bay Head Blog 8-Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 9-LadyJava's Lounge 10-Petty Ramblings of a Petty Queen 11-The Real Deal 12-Pinay Mommy Online 13-Perpustakaan 14-LadyJava Life's Pages 15-Make Money Online 16-Cat Tales 17-LadyJava's Food Paradise 18-Being Woman 19-Spicybug 20-Biz-N-Honey 21-Aeirin's Collections 22-Sasha Says 23-Project Heavy Traffic 24-Picture Clusters 25-My Wanderings 26-Maiylah's Snippets 27-Moments of Colours 28-Life Quest 29-BigMoneyList 30-The Best Parts 31-Morphed 32-Buhay Pinoy 33-Galatayo 34-Blogging Tips 35-Apples Of The Eyes 36-My Own Utopia 37-Sasha's Corner 38-Under One Roof 39-Say Cheese 40-A Great Pleasure 41-A Life in Bloom 42-Because Life is a Blessing 43-Digiscraptology 44-Xixi 45-Ode to Adrienne 46-CrankyDave 47-Simple Life 48-Dew Drops 49-The Journey 50-Mastering Your PC 51-Day Break 52-A Little Girl Talk 53-Mom Knows Everything 54-Day to Day 55-1 of a Kind Wis 56-It's a woman's world! 57-Breather 58-Photo Hook 59-Letterbox 60-Asian Mutt International 61-Dream Doe Philosophy 62-MommyAlehs Up-Close And Personal 63-Livin' the Life! 64-Restnrileks 65-English Corner 66-English Grammar 67-Bodybuilding & Fitness 68-Everything you need 69-One Stop Games 70-Blockbluster Movie Trailers 71-Bodybuilding & Human Growth Hormone 72-World of Tennis 73-Men's Health & Tips 74-Internet Marketing Strategy & Tips 75-Latest Technology 76-Tentang Binaraga 77-Berita Seputar Selebriti 78-Panduan Kesehatan 79-Insurance For You 80-Crissy's Zone 81-Crissy's Library 82-Crissy's Haven 83-sHeNzEe's wOrLd 84-Voice Of The Spirit 85-Best Cuisine Recipes 86-Stand My Ground 87-SeeNRead 88-This Is A Miracle 89-I AM KCAT 90-Traipsey Turvey 91-GBeX & DOm 92-Spun By A Seanachie 93-ISL Family 94-D' Cooking Mudra 95-'Story' the Great 96-UmmiRosma 97-Munirah Abd 98-Atie 99-Hit-or-Miss 100-Twisted Sister 101-Laketrees Artist 102-Blessed Sanctuary 103-Comedy Plus 104-Blogging By Sandee 105-Living Life to the Fullest 106-Speech-Less 107-Happy Life 108-My Discoveries 109-Strangely Out Of Place 110-Rooms of My Heart 111-The Paper Vision 112-Luxurious Retreats 113-Reef 114-Weekend Snapshot 115-Next

I'm passing this to Lutchi, and Lilet :)



Friday Fill-Ins #4



1. Holidays in the summer are a great time to schedule family reunions.
2. Hotdogs, barbeque and corn in cob are my favorite things to grill.
3. My thoughts are filled with apprehensions, about getting a new house, thinking of our finances and thinking of quitting my job.
4. A fun day at the mall is what I'm most looking forward to this weekend!
5. My favorite book so far this summer is none, haven't started a book yet.
6. Praying is the best way to begin a day.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a great rehearsal for Sunday's service, tomorrow my plans include visiting a house for sale with an agent, and bonding with my daughter and Sunday, I want to go to church.


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For Jaden, a poem

I have quite a busy day yesterday. It's a holiday but my schedule was full. I haven't had the chance to bond with my daughter. The reason why I feel so guilty... In times like this the thought of resigning from my job pops in. I know I am not giving enough of time to my daughter. I know this is not right but I envy those SAHMs or WAHMs...if only I can just be like them. Because of this thoughts, I was able to compose this short and simple poem...

For Jaden

I am someone who wants to be
Beside you everyday

I am someone who wants to be
Yourdefender, comforter and friend

I am someone who wish to share
My time and all for you

I am someone who wants to teach
Everything you need to know

I am someone who wants to give
All the best that life can bring

I am someone who wants to lead
In achieving your dreams small or big

I am someone who wants to know
Every tiny details about you

I am someone who loves and care
Nourish, protect and just be there

I know I can't be with you every minute, every hour

Not quite yet, but just one thing...

For you my daughter, I can be anything
Coz you’re my child, my sweet little darling…

I love you, my Jaden...