The All-around Mom

Using Beads to Create a Mosaic Mirror

2012-05-30T17:36:00.000+08:00

There has been a resurrection of interest in mosaic art over the last decade. New mosaic artists are appearing all over the world. Clubs and mosaic societies are being formed as mosaic art enthusiasts use an enormous variety of tesserae to create their mosaics. One of the most popular media to use is beads.

Any types of beads from beadsbarn work for this project. The choice is that of the mosaic artist. Begin with a 12” mirror with a flat wooden frame. Measure off 3” squares and mark with a pencil. Each square will be treated as a separate bead design area. One can either plan out patterns ahead of time, or use a freestyle technique and plan the design as he or she goes along.

This project will use joint compound as an adhesive. It does not require the use of grout, as each bead will be embedded in the joint compound. Use a wooden Popsicle stick to apply a ¼” thick layer of the adhesive to one of the squares. Do not go beyond that one square, as the joint compound might dry out before the project is finished.

Begin to embed the beads into the joint compound, one square at a time. Some people like to put a larger, decorative bead in the center of each square and build out from there. Work around the mirror until the surface is covered with beads. Wipe any extra joint compound away and paint the edges of the frame any color.

We Had a Blast at the 3rd Baby Blast!

2012-05-25T17:31:00.001+08:00

It was my first time to be a part of the Baby Blast event that was held at the Trinoma Activity Center last month (April 22, 2012, Sunday). It would have been a great bonding activity for our family, but since my girls were spending their summer vacation with their grandparents and hubby was busy with work (yes, even on a Sunday), it was just my son and I who went to the event. My son was giddy with excitement throughout our trip going to the event venue, especially when we rode the MRT from Ayala to North Avenue. It was his first time to take the MRT and he can’t help but smile throughout the train ride and marvel with amazement as he points to the vehicles right below us and to the buildings alongside.

Baby Blast 3 venue at the Trinoma Activity Center

dance performance and a song number rendered by Luke Mijares

celebrity hosts Christine Jacob-Sandejas and couple Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles

different activity corners and booths offering products and free treats at the venue

some of the speakers at the event

The program was already starting when my son and I arrived at Trinoma and throngs have already made their way inside the venue. It seems that every family really planned to be there that day to have fun and learn from a number of guest speakers on how to nurture and strengthen family ties and to give the best care to our children. The event featured 4 different corners for the family/ guests to visit: Imagination Corner, Play & Learn, Pre-Schools and Family Wellness Corner. It was just unfortunate that I wasn’t able to pre-register online for my son to avail of the spa service from Little Lamb's Kiddie Spa and Salon. It would’ve been nice to have my son experience this pampering service that kids deserve to have, too.

My son enjoyed a number of activities that were available for kids to do on the event and it was pretty hard to convince my son to tag along with me to go booth hopping and stroll throughout the activity area. So while he was really busy and engrossed with play, I told him I would leave him for a few minutes (which he acknowledged with a nod) to take pictures around the event…and also get free ice cream. Well, I was just a few feet away from my son while I was clicking away so I still had my eyes on him while he was busy enjoying himself.

my son at the Eton International School activity area

Gerard enjoying at the Imagination corner

more play pics of my little boy :)

It was truly an enjoyable event for the whole familyand I would say the 3rd Baby Blast event was truly a success. Well, it would’ve been great if my daughters and husband were with us, but nevertheless, my son and Itruly enjoyed the Baby Blast experience. I know my son would’ve wanted to stay longer (we stayed up to 4pm) but I was already tired and I could tell he was also tired, so we headed home. I look forward to having a blast again at next year’s Baby Blast – hopefully with the whole family.:)

A big thank you to OBM Events for inviting me to be a part of the 3rd Baby Blast event.

This Mom’s on Entrepreneur Mode

2012-05-23T12:23:00.000+08:00

You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t been posting regularly on this blog. Well, it’s the same scenario on my other blogs. If you’ve been regularly reading my blogs and have been looking forward to new and inspiring or informative posts every week, I apologize if I haven’t been consistent in delivering these posts to you. I have been devoting most of my time to doing administrative tasks for our new business. Yes, finally, we now have our very own business and we’re all excited and happy that clients are consistently coming in to avail of our services. We rented a place not far from our house a week ago that will serve as our office and we’ve been occupied fixing and setting up the place. We’re looking into a couple of more weeks before we can fully settle in our very own office. For the meantime, we accept phone calls and fax messages here at home.

Well, this doesn’t mean that I’ll no longer be blogging. I will still find time to update my blogs and share information that I know will be helpful to all of you. I hope you won’t stop visiting and supporting my blogs as I really intend to be as active as I was before. I just need to help and support our family’s business for now. I need to provide all the help I can give to my husband knowing how important this is to him. I have always encouraged my husband to start his own business and now that he’s finally at it, I have to support him all the way – all the way to the top!

I’m truly happy for this great blessing to our family and extremely excited of the great things that are sure to come for our business. :)

Almost Ready for School

2012-05-23T12:21:00.000+08:00

Time really flies! A couple of months ago, we were all raving about summer vacation and now, it’s back to school once more. I’m excited for this school year because all of my kids are going to school. Yes, my 4-year-old son will now start school and all of us at home are excited for him. My daughters and I were reminiscing a couple of days ago of how it seemed like yesterday when I gave birth to Gerard and they were the ones who were at school (Gaby was at Pre-school and Gwen was starting Grade School). I’m happy and extremely excited with the fact that all of my children are now students. :)

We’re thankful that our children are now prepared for the coming school year – they now have their school supplies, bags and shoes ready which we bought last weekend. My children can’t help but look at their new school things from time to time, especially my little boy who is so overjoyed with all his new school stuff. He’s really excited to go to school! The books and school uniform will be released this coming Monday so we’ll make a trip to their school and get their books so that we could label it with their names and cover them and buy new sets of uniform for my son. I can’t wait to see all of my children dressed and ready for school!

How about you? Are you as excited as I am to see your kids start school this coming school year?

British Gas: A Company That’s Constantly Evolving

2012-05-16T13:54:00.001+08:00

As one of the big six gas and electricity suppliers in the UK, it is estimated that British Gas provides energy to thousands of customers at home and abroad. Like many of the other leading gas and electricity companies, British gas has recently undergone policy changes to make their service better. This is because most of the gas and electricity companies experienced customer migration problems following uproar about increases in the wholesale price of energy. With the guidance and encouragement of energy watchdog OFGEM, British Gas tariffs are now simpler and more efficient, making bills easier to understand.

Furthermore, customer services at British Gas has also made changes to their customer service, branching out from general assistance and queries to more specialist areas such as energy efficiency and conservation, energy solutions for SMEs and corporate businesses , and biomass energy production. This allows British Gas to make a contribution to the community than just an energy supply, getting involved in environmental projects which will help to keep the planet in good condition for generations to come.

Despite the troubles that the energy sector has faced during the recession, British Gas has remained one of the most popular gas and electricity suppliers in the UK, due to their ability to evolve as a company and respond to customer needs.

How To Create a Homework Routine

2012-05-09T09:54:00.000+08:00

Anyone who has ever been in school (in other words, everyone) knows that having to do homework can feel like a huge hassle. After a student spends between four and eight hours in class, the last thing he or she wants to do is come home and do even more school work. Setting aside enough time to get all of one's homework done can be difficult, but it is also a necessity. Doing homework is a big part of being successful in school, whether we like it or not. It needs to be done, and the best way to do that is to set up a routine.

A homework routine can mean different things to different people. After all, no two people learn exactly the same way, so it stands to reason that there is no one perfect routine. Still, there are some mainstays in creating reliable homework routines for successful students. Those who really want to learn more about how to best implement such a routine or learn about other good study habits may want to check out Educational Leadership Programs. There are plenty of job opportunities available to teachers, tutors and other educational professionals who are knowledgeable about good study habits.

On the other hand, if you would like to know about setting up a successful and effective homework routine for yourself or your children now, here are a few tips that you may find useful.

Set aside a regular time to do homework. The first and perhaps most effective step in setting up any routine is to make sure that a particular task is performed at the same time every day. This way, it will be easier to remember to do one's homework and to schedule other activities and events as needed. The best time to do one's homework is usually right after school in the late afternoon while what has been learned is still fresh in the student's mind.
Pick a good place to do homework. The best way to study or do any kind of homework is to simply do so in a comfortable and quiet place free of any distractions. This can be anywhere from a bedroom, a library or even the kitchen or dining room table. It will help keep everything organized and make the job that much easier.
Remove all distractions. This really goes hand-in-hand with finding a good place to do one's homework. This may not be a big problem for students who work in a quiet bedroom or a library, but it could become an issue if a designated homework place is in a common area such as the kitchen or dining room. Keep conversations quiet, turn off the TV and otherwise remove anything that could break one's concentration.
Have plenty of supplies at hand. There are few things more annoying than having to scramble for a pen or pencil when you need to write something down, and this can apply to doing homework in a big way. Anyone doing homework should have everything that he or she may need on hand, whether that is a pencil, an eraser or even art and craft supplies such as paints and gluesticks. It's always better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it.
Pacing is key. While it's always important for a student to get all of his or her homework done, there is such a thing as doing too much. One great study habit is to do only as much homework as one can handle. How much this is really depends on the student, but too much work too fast can be overwhelming even for the brightest of students.

Depending on the student, doing homework can be either incredibly simple or very difficult, but keeping a routine is always important. If you would like to know more about teaching students about proper study habits and you live in the state of California, you may want to consider becoming a teacher yourself. You can find more information about earning a California teaching license here.

Sources

"How to Create a Livable Homework Routine for Your Child." BlissfullyDomestic.com

"Make Homework Routine." SchoolPsychologistBlogFiles.Blogspt.com

The Best of the Bests at the FAM-O-LYMPICS

2012-04-19T05:55:00.001+08:00

The Manila Ocean Park and Crispy Fry Breading Mix team up to present Fam-O-Lympics to promote engaging sports and memorable family bonding activities to Filipino families this summer. A series of outdoor challenges tests the dexterity, wit, stamina and team work of six (6) teams/families or a total of 24 participants to vie for the most coveted Championship title. As early as 10:00 AM, throngs of families troop to the Manila Ocean Park to witness the opening ceremonies enliven by young talents led by the Ramon Magsaysay High School Band. The main competition begins in the afternoon, where players undergo three (3) rounds of various competitions to spot the best among the rest.

Christine Mae Castillo confesses that joining the Fam-O-Lympics is her idea and she is happy to see that her husband and kidsare enjoying their quality time together. Arcturus, the head of the Catbagan family shares that their team strategy is very discreet, each one knows what the other is thinking, which allows them to gain more confidence in tackling each obstacle. Everybody believe that team work is very important in this competition. Each member has a valuable contribution as each game requires different sets of skills and capabilities. In fact,the youngest contestant Laura Mae Lim proves to be very competitive in trying to conquer her matches.

In the end, Team 4 wins the Fam-O-Lympics.Remoly Ortega recounts what has been their winning strategy, “The ‘buddy system’ that we formed among ourselves became handy in selecting the person or pair to best represent the team in each challenge. They also made me their team leader and I could not ask for more because all of them put their hearts and minds in accomplishing each task. Last but not the least, we prayed for safety, guidance and to win the Fam-O-Lympics.”

All teams receive cash (the grand prize amounting to PhP 15,000), tickets to Manila Ocean Park Attractions, overnight accommodations at Hotel H2o and other gifts from the sponsors.

Other families also take part in games, parenting talks, cooking demonstrations and story telling that the event sponsors organize at the Concourse area of the Manila Ocean Park. One such activity is Crispy Fry’s 2 Minutes to Cash: Fried Chicken Eating Contest, which is a welcome treat to kids young and old.Winners received up to PhP 5,000 pesos in cash and products bags from Crispy Fry.

Fam-O-Lympics is presented by Manila Ocean Park and Crispy Fry Breading Mix. Manila Ocean Park is the all-season holiday destination within the city and is home to 10,000 marine life species indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. On the other hand, Crispy Fry Breading Mix is a product of Ajinomoto that guarantees the crispiness and yumminess of fried chicken; it comes in three variants – original, garlic and spicy.

"Money For Kids" Workshop from Colayco Foundation

2012-04-17T18:45:00.001+08:00

Colayco Foundation for Education Inc. is holding a "Money for Kids" Workshop for kids aged 7 to 13 years old on May 12, 2012, Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Social Hall, City State Center Condominium, 709 Shaw Blvd. Pasig City.

With this Financial Literacy for Kids, CFE aims to teach children at an early stage of their life to establish a good financial habit that can help them win a better and wealthier future. It will teach kids practical ways of saving, wise spending, and investing in simple, creative and enjoyable manner.

The workshop's objectives are:

1. To make kids understand Basic Money Concepts in a fun way.

2. To help kids learn the value of money in an entertaining way.

3. To teach kids the value of saving and spending wisely.

4. To encourage kids to manage allowance and chores.

5. To inspire kids to establish good financial habits.

Regular workshop fee is at Php 3,000.00

EARLY BIRD RATE 50% DISCOUNT: PHP 1,500.00

(1 Child Participant + 1 Parent/ Guardian)

For inquiries and reservations, you may call the following contact numbers:

637-3731/ 502-4590/ 0917-8088857

or e-mail: renzie@colaycofoundation.com

The Bright Side of My Kids Having Summer Vacation away from Home

2012-04-17T18:28:00.002+08:00

My two daughters are currently spending their summer vacation with their grandparents. I’m not sure how it really started but my daughters were all of a sudden “obliged” to spend summer in my husband's hometown and it has been like that for about 3 years. Well, our family always spend Holy Week at my in-laws' place every year, but that’s just it. We don’t leave our kids behind – at least I know I don’t want my children away from me for a long time. My husband, I’m sure, is completely okay with leaving our children in the care of his parents.

Well, to be honest, I really don’t like the idea of my children spending time away from me. I know my in-laws will take care of them and all, but I just don't like the idea of being separated from my kids for a long time. I know some of you can relate to that feeling that you want your kids to always be with you and even though it’s chaotic and all at home, it’s okay, so long as you’re all together and you know your kids are safe with you. But I understand that they have to spend time with their grandparents, too, that’s why I try my best to accept the fact that every summer’s going to be like this – that my children will have to spend their time with their grandparents. My son’s with me for now, but eventually, he’d want to join his sisters in vacationing every summer with their lolo and lola.

What We’re Considering in Buying a New Home

2012-04-17T18:00:00.000+08:00

image from loanmortgagecredit.com

When my husband and I were starting out our own family, we had no other option but to live in my parents’ house. I didn’t want to live in my husband’s hometown because it was very far and since my mom is away and my sister decided to live with her boyfriend, well, I have to be with my dad so that there'd be someone to look after him. Besides, we didn’t have a ready place when hubby and I got together, so living in my parents’ home was really the only option we’ve got. But it turned out helpful because we were saved from paying monthly rent. But still, we’re thinking of buying a home for our family – something that we can call our own. We might use it as a vacation home or use it as a source of income (house for rent) while my dad still needs us to be here, or have it as our retirement home by the time our kids would have their own family.

Buying a home is an investment that should be carefully planned and thought of so we’re not rushing into it, but we’re slowly preparing for it. We'll be basing our choice of home on the following factors:

• Foreclosure or New? Foreclosed properties are often much cheaper than buying new/pre-selling homes. If the location is good and there’s no eerie story behind the foreclosed property then we might consider it.

• Trusted Developer. If ever we’re going to purchase a new/pre-selling home, then it must be from a developer who’s known for developing quality homes. We’d want to make sure that our newly built home will be sturdy for years to come.

• Location. Proximity to school, shops, mall, hospital and church is a factor that’s important for us in choosing a home. It should be conveniently located in establishments that are important for the needs of the family. And, of course, the neighbourhood should be safe.

• Financing Options. If we have an outright cash of, say, P2M to pay for a new home, then there’d be no need for this, but since we’re not yet blessed with that opportunity to save or earn that amount of money, we’d have to avail of financing options either from Pag-Ibig, from the Bank or from the developer thru In-House Financing. I haven’t heard of refinancing institutions here comparable to streamline refinance rates that helps people save money by refinancing their home loans at a lower loan rate, but if there is one, we’d be sure to check that out and probably consider it.

• Costs. Our new home should be something that we can really afford to pay for and maintain. Monthly costs like the monthly amortization (with insurances and such) plus homeowner’s fees and property taxes should be something that we’re prepared to pay for.

• Approved by the Family. In any decision, such as buying a new home, it should be something that we’ve all agreed upon. If we can afford it and the whole family likes and feels comfortable in the place, then it’s definitely the home we’ll buy.

How about you? What were the different factors you considered when you planned for/ bought your new home? Feel free to share them with us here. :)

Krispy Kreme’s Flowery Treat for Moms

2012-04-16T10:39:00.001+08:00

With Mother's Day being less than a month away, Krispy Kreme has a yummy (and pretty!) treat to all the wonderful moms. Read the details on their press release below:

This Mother’s Day, show your mom how much you care by getting her a box of Krispy Kreme’s flower-shaped doughnuts.

That’s right! On its 75th birthday, Krispy Kreme honors every mom by releasing its first-ever flower-shaped doughnuts. Made especially for all mothers out there, these melt-in-your-mouth treats come in three fun and festive colors that are sure to bring a smile on everyone’s face—pink, yellow and white.

Krispy Kreme’s flower-shaped Mother’s Day doughnuts are only available from April 13 to May 31, 2012. So hurry and go to a store near you. Grab a bouquet before they wither away.

Serving world-class doughnuts and coffees since 1937, Krispy Kreme made its way to the hearts of Filipinos when it opened its first branch in the country back in 2006. Today, Krispy Kreme has outlets on 27 different locations nationwide, with hotlight stores in SM Mall of Asia, Greenhills Shopping Center, Festival Supermall Alabang, Bonifacio High Street and Cebu IT Park. Dubbed as the doughnut theater, Krispy Kreme’s hotlight stores serve everyone hot, freshly-made doughnuts straight from the fryer.

To get more information and updates about the brand and its products, you may become a friend of Krispy Kreme by visiting www.krispykreme.com.ph or by liking Chloe at www.facebook.com/ChloeKrispyKremePH.

For Test Success, Get Rid of the Stress! by Ben Bernstein, Ph.D.

2012-04-16T09:41:00.002+08:00

In his new book, Test Success! How To Be Calm, Confident and Focused on Any Test, Performance Coach Dr. Ben Bernstein points out that an individual’s test performance is directly affected by stress levels, and so for us-especially our children-to perform well in tests, we must get rid of the stress. (You can read my review on the book by clicking on this link)

I’m sharing below a few of Dr. Ben Bernstein’s invaluable suggestions on how parents can help their children deal with the four (4) primary causes of poor scores.

Trouble with the Content

Understanding the material is the first and the most key issue.

• Ask your child the following questions:

- Is there something in the material you specifically don’t understand?

- Do you feel like this material is just too difficult for you?

- What doesn’t make sense to you?

- Are you having trouble memorizing?

- Are you just bored with this material? (Caution: When children say something is “boring,” they might mean that they don’t understand it or like it.)

• Ask the teacher to shed light on the situation. The teacher may be familiar with your child’s learning style, so ask for his observations. Also, see if he can explain the material to you. Do the explanations seem clear? Can the teacher show you a way to help your child?

• Consider arranging for a tutor to work with your child. Tutorial resources are increasingly available and don’t have to be costly, such as peer tutors (fellow students), after-school programs that include a homework component, and college students looking for extra income.

Physical Tension

Jitters and tension make it hard for anyone to concentrate. A bad case of nerves can seriously undermine students’ test performance because it robs them of their concentration.

• Make sure your child gets enough regular physical exercise. Physical activities release tension and give your child the opportunity to let off steam and “restart” her system. Watching TV, talking on the phone, and playing video games are not aerobic. All too often kids try to study after long hours of these activities when their energy is already zapped.

• Check whether your child is getting enough sleep. Children need at least nine to ten hours of sleep a night, and anything less can severely hamper their school performance. Recent research shows that inadequate sleep can cause problems that look like attention deficit.

• Review your child’s diet. Unfortunately, a diet high in carbs, sugar, and caffeinated drinks is all too common in our culture. A healthy, balanced diet keeps glucose levels from going on a roller coaster and has a positive effect on metabolism, energy levels, and brain function.

• Learn to calm down yourself. You can increase your chances of reducing your child’s stress if you learn how to keep yourself calm no matter what is going on with your child.

MILO Heats up the Summer with Sports Programs for Future Young Filipino Achievers

2012-04-16T09:35:00.003+08:00

Engaging your kids in sports is definitely one of the worthwhile activities for your children this summer. Not only will they be physically fit and active but they will also learn important values such as discipline and sportsmanship. As you all know, MILO has always been offering Sports Clinics every summer for the young and aspiring sports champions. Read on to know more about MILO’s Summer Sports Clinics:

MILO once again makes summer the perfect time for active play with the MILO Summer Sports Clinics. With its goal to make children into champions, MILO ensures that the participants of its trusted sports programs not only get the training they need to become future world-class athletes but also the necessary values that they would need to succeed in life such as determination, commitment and teamwork.

Beginning April until the end of May, MILO will be opening its sports clinics in over 20 cities all over the Philippines. Kids ages 7 years old – 16 years old have 10 different sports to choose from: badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, karatedo, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball. Every day, for 2 – 3 hours, each child will be enjoying their summer playing the sport that they love and learning to be the best person they can be.

“MILO goes beyond our role to develop a child’s physical growth,” said MILO Sports Executive Andrew Neri. “Instead, our sports clinics combine sports excellence with character-forming values that will hopefully lead to the maturity of well-rounded young adults.”

Johnson’s New Gen Care for the New Gen Mom

2012-04-02T05:56:00.000+08:00

When it comes to baby care products, Johnson’s has remained the trusted partner of moms worldwide in providing the best care for her baby, her family and herself. As the needs of moms and babies change from generation to generation, Johnson’s has also evolved to meet these changing needs. That is why a new range of NEW GEN CARE products was introduced by Johnson’s on Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Atrium of the Enderun College in McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City, to meet the ever-changing needs and lifestyle of the NEW GEN MOM.

So who is the NEW GEN MOM? To better help us describe what characterizes a NEW GEN MOM,an extensive study was conducted by Johnson’s in partnership with BBDO Philippines, an advertising agency, that yielded these five remarkable traits of this new generation of Moms:

1. ACTIVE SEEKER – She actively seeks new and improved ways to care for her children. She reads about the latest in nutrition, educational systems and baby products to ensure that her children always receive what’s best. She’s not afraid of challenging the traditional and is first to adopt what’s new if it is more beneficial for her family.

2. MULTI-ROLE MANAGER – She knows that there’s more to life than being a Mom. That’s why she happily juggles her other roles like wife, entrepreneur, friend, fashionista and adventurer. She maintains her individuality while keeping in mind that her family is top priority.

3. EFFICIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM – She lives by the saying that “It takes a village to raise a child.” She relies on her support system to help care for her kids from her hands-on hubby, helpful Lolas and efficient Yaya.She does not, however, surrender all her duties and rather relies on such support to allow her to be the kind of Mom she wishes to be.

4. EMPOWERED BY TECHNOLOGY – She uses technology as both a resource and a tool. She’s constantly on Babycenter.com.ph to search for new vegetable recipes or arts and crafts ideas. She shares the same information with her fellow Moms on Facebook or Pinterest. Her IPAD is loaded with videos and games to keep her kids entertained.

5. HIGHLY EXPRESSIVE ORIGINATORS – She takes pride in being the “first to know” and the “first to share.” She is quite discerning in her discoveries and choices for herself and her family. And when she has a great, new find, she shares with her fellow Moms, who love hearing about this.

A NEW GEN MOM herself, Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, hosted the event and was joined by other NEW GEN MOMs, who shared meaningful tips and inspiration on how they balance their time and efficiently perform their many tasks as a mom - from child rearing to home management - and also as a career woman.

Test Success! How to Be Calm, Confident & Focused on Any Test Book Review and Giveaway

2012-04-01T14:16:00.000+08:00

The purpose of your life is to face every challenge, every test, as a chance for you to become the person you are meant to be. Life is a test for you to become your highest self.

How do you feel about taking tests? Do you still remember how you would feel a day or two before your final exams? I know I was always nervous and a little bit stressed when I was in high school and college whenever our exam day draws near because there was a lot of pressure in trying to review and memorize all of the lessons included in the test, and of course to get a passing score in all of it. Did you have the same feelings as I did about tests when you were still a student?

Now that you have children, how do you help them prepare for tests? Is it easy to get them to review the lessons that they need to review or do you have a hard time getting them to focus on reviewing? Sometimes when children think ahead that their lessons are too hard to understand or that they have too much to study, they have a hard time focusing on reviewing and that is one of the biggest challenge that I encounter with my daughters.

I am thankful that I can now help my children ace their tests with confidence through a new book authored by an award-winning educator and psychologist, Ben Bernstein, Ph.D.

Family Congress 2012 – BFF: Building the Filipino Family

2012-03-31T21:49:00.000+08:00

Here’s a more in-depth information on the upcoming Family Congress happening on August. Read the details below and I sincerely hope that you can all be a part of this wonderful and enriching event:

When we talk about the family, no issue is small, nor silly, nor irrelevant.

Maintaining connections with loved ones need work. And despite the advances in technology in this digital and fast-paced era, the proliferation of electronic gadgets and other high-tech distractions, among other factors, has actually made relationships more challenging to preserve.

Months ago, parenting and relationship expert Maribel S. Dionisio had the idea of organizing a family congress. She invited Fides Reyes, a PR and events organizer, to join her advocacy after the two met in a mommy learning event that Fides organized. Soon after, Maribel also invited Rowie Matti, CEO of the Galileo Enrichment Learning Program, who had been, in turn, inviting Maribel to give talks for Galileo events.

The three friends, who are all very passionate on learning how to be the best parents they can be, also have a sincere vision to help educate other families about relationships and love.

This coming August 25, 2012, join them as they present a variety of topics that parents, teens, and singles would find very useful. The Family Congress team invites:

1. PARENTS who want to: improve on their methods or styles of bringing up their children; know the value of modern technology and how they can manage it, learn more about bullies – managing and preventing this

2. COUPLES who wish to nurture, maintain, or improve their relationship.

3. TEENS and YOUNG ADULTS who are confused with their emotions and want to learn more about relationships - Crushes, Sex , Dating and Love

“Our vision is to equip every individual with the knowledge and skills they need for their particular relationship stage,” express the organizers. Thus, congress attendees can choose one session in the morning and another session in the afternoon from among 10 varied and very interesting topics:

Morning sessions:

1A - Migrating and Managing the Digital World by Queena Lee-Chua, Ph.D.

2A - Handling the Bully and the Bullied by Honey Carandang, Ph.D.

3A - Built for Forever: Preparing Singles for a Lifetime Relationship by Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

4A - Teen Talk about Love, Sex, and Dating by Dan and Nabelle Caballes

5A- From Wellness to Wholeness (for adults 21 & up) by Harriet Hormillosa, M.A.

Afternoon sessions:

6P - Being Friends Forever in Marriage: Learning the Art of Fighting by Allan Dionisio, M.D. & Maribel Dionisio, M.A.

7P - Teaching Parents to Talk to Kids & Teens about Crushes, Sex & Relationship by Michele Alignay, M.A. & Aiza Tabayoyong

8P - Managing Teen Emotions by Obet Cabrillas

9P - Career, Relationship, and Life Plan for Singles by Pia Nazareno-Acevedo

10P - Beyond the Tears: Griefwork by Cathy Babao-Guballa

Aside from attending two sessions, guests will also get to hear inspirational messages from Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and motivational speaker Francis Kong.

The Family Congress’ mission is to provide a venue for learning by gathering the best experts in the field of psychology, parenting, and relationship to share their knowledge to family members, educators, and organizations in the most effective and simplest way.

The Family Congress 2012 will be held on August 25, 2012 from 8AM to 5PM at the Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City. It is presented by The Love Institute in partnership with Galileo Enrichment Learning Program and F.I.D. Event Services.

What to Have When You Bring Your Newborn Home

2012-03-31T21:17:00.000+08:00

So you’re pregnant, possibly with your first child, and wondering what you really need to have on hand when you bring your baby home. If you stick to department store newborn guidelines, you won’t have any room left in your house to actually fit your baby, so forget the approach of buying everything and the kitchen sink. You know the true essentials: Diapers, clothes, bedding, first aid, feeding stuff, a crib, a diaper bag, and a car seat. While these will keep your baby relatively comfortable and healthy, however, they don’t necessarily do much to improve your sanity. Here is a quick list of must-have essentials to maintain your peace of mind:

Two Baby Monitors – You probably know that a baby monitor is a necessity for keeping an eye on your child while they sleep (or don’t sleep) at night. They’re good for your piece of mind and let you know that all is well those five feet across the hall. So why do I say to purchase two baby monitors? You’ll be moving your newborn around the house, placing them in a bassinet in the living room while you do the dishes pr whatever needs to be done around the house. By having two monitors, you can use one for the bedroom and one for bringing with you around the house. Trust me, moving the one monitor gets annoying and it can also turn you into a paranoid: “Wait, did I move the monitor back to the bedroom?” Give yourself a break by having an extra one on hand.
A Child’s Tape/CD/MP3 Player – For some newborns, music can be incredibly soothing. It can calm down a crying jag and help them get to sleep at night. I beg of you, however, not to sacrifice your own music playing device to the sounds of your child. While I know you can fit 100 gigabytes onto your giant MP3 player, like the baby monitor issue, you want a music playing device that can stay wherever your child is. There’s also something to be said for keeping small pieces of your life “baby-free” (I say that while laughing and slapping my knee, as it is actually impossible but a fair goal, nonetheless). While your baby will subsume your life and this bonding is important to your child’s psychological makeup, sometimes you want to turn on your CD player and hear your music rather than Thomas the Train.
A Baby Swing – The bouncing up and down motion has an interesting effect on some newborns. They can bounce happily for hours, leaving you to lie on the couch, fix yourself some lunch or call a friend. Once you’ve got your baby at home, you’ll realize how amazingly valuable these spurts of time truly are and all afforded by the humble baby swing. Be forewarned: some newborns don’t particularly like swings and this meditative effect won’t be apparent. My thoughts? Sometimes you have to take a risk to get a reward. They might not like it, but if they do, that swing will be worth its weight in gold.

For more pregnancy and healthcare resources, such as how to be a sonogram technician once you return to the workplace, check out online resources.

Sources

Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science (2012)

Indiana University Emergency Medicine (2008)

Meet The Family: A Bloggers Gathering for the upcoming Family Congress

2012-03-31T07:13:00.003+08:00

It was a privilege to have been invited to learn about an upcoming family event which was shared to us at the Forum of Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street, BGC, on Monday, March 26. Together with a few other mom bloggers, we were briefed of the upcoming and first ever Family Congress, BFF: Building the Filipino Family, happening on August 25, 2012, Saturday at the Valle Verde Country Club, Capt. Henry Javier St., Pasig City.

Family Congress Event organizers: Ms. Maribel Dionisio, Ms. Fides Reyes and Ms. Rowena Matti

Buying the Best Flowers for Your Anniversary

2012-03-30T13:44:00.000+08:00

Flowers have been used as gifts to mark occasions and honour commitments for centuries. From huge fifty flower bouquets, through simpler sprays to single stems of our most elegant blooms, interflora are passionate about only providing the very best. That’s why you can trust interflora anniversary gifts to help you select the ideal present to celebrate that special day with your partner.

We use only the best florists and the highest quality blooms, so you can rest assured you are getting only the finest finished products. If your tastes err on the side of beauty, but only when ethical, we have a seasonally changing selection of fair-trade flowers available, from certified flower farms. Right now, for example, we are pleased to be able to offer a simple yet dazzling bouquet of fair-trade sunflowers, or an exotic mixed arrangement of sunflowers, Tropicana roses, gypsophila and more. These striking blooms will brighten your partner’s day, and there is absolutely no need to worry about the sources. All these stems are from fair-trade certified farms, so you know the farm workers are being paid a fair wage, and the farmers are also benefiting form the fair-trade premium.

Mathemagis - Singapore Math For Your Kids

2012-03-29T18:17:00.001+08:00

My kids and I spent our Saturday morning last weekend at the Mathemagis Center in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, where they offer enrichment lessons in Math using the Singapore Math method. I’ve always wanted my children to experience taking enrichment lessons or other extra-curricular activities during summer, but since they’re always required to spend their summer with my in-laws, I can’t enroll them in these kinds of classes. So I’m really thankful that we were given the opportunity to visit the Mathemagis Center where my daughters both took an assessment test intended for their level while my son spent his time playing with puzzles and drawing.

NIVEA Baby Products Review

2012-03-29T18:06:00.000+08:00

NIVEA has been known for their skin care line for adults, such as lotion, deodorant and creams, which I have all tried and liked using for my skin care. Now, they have their own line of products that moms can use for their babies.

I’ve never tried other baby products, so I was happy to have been offered the opportunity to use and review a couple of their baby products. Among all their baby products, I chose the Calming Baby Powder, Gentle Nourishing Lotion and Tenderly Caring Cream Soap to use for my 4-year old son's skin care.

The first thing that I look at when choosing products for my kids’ use is if it is safe and free of harmful chemicals-which I know is also the no.1 priority of all moms when choosing products for their child- and it’s good to know that NIVEA’s baby products are free of alcohol, colorants, parabens (especially for the lotion) and preservatives that may be harmful to baby’s skin; that their products are formulated with skin-friendly ingredients that reduces the risk of allergies; and that the products were developed in cooperation with dermatologists and pediatricians to ensure that the products are really safe and would meet the skin care needs of the baby.
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Baby Blast Event 3: It's More Fun With the Family

2012-03-28T18:45:00.004+08:00

Here's another fun event that the family can go to for a whole day of fun, learning and bonding this coming month of April. I'm sharing this information I got thru e-mail about this event. Read on:

Following the very successful launch of “Baby Blast: Fun Learning Starts Now” in 2010, and the well received "Baby Blast: Fun Learning Continues" in 2011, we again encourage you to join us in celebrating the wonder of life at its early stages! Recognizing that Early Head Start (EHS) is crucial in the social, intellectual and physical development of children age 0-3 years, EHS advocates, teachers, experts and parents together with their kids, will once again gather on April 22, 2012, from 10am-7pm at the Trinoma Activity Center.

EHS has been in existence in the US since 1995, and in the Philippines, it has already gained a following from parents that appreciate and see how it benefits their children. Several institutions already offer programs that promote enjoyable, unforced learning, as well as hands-on play and parent-child bonding. Even the government has taken notice. “We ought to ensure continuity in making efforts to provide holistic development for children in their most important period where they gain the foundation of future learning. Behavioral science said that there is nothing more critical in a child's life than this early formation," a statement issued by Sen. Edgardo Angara, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture.
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Four Bad Parental Behaviors - and What to Do About Them

2012-03-28T09:07:00.002+08:00

As parents, we always have the best interest of our child/ren at heart. But sometimes we tend to overdo our being caring and supportive to our children, not realizing that we are already harming them more than we are helping them.

Below is a parenting advice that I would like to share with all of you which I got from the book I'm currently reading (which I'll also be reviewing), Test Success!: How To Be Calm, Confident and Focused on Any Test by Ben Bernstein, PhD. on four "bad" behaviors that we parents are sometimes guilty of committing and what we can do about it to have a better relationship with our child.

Are You Comparing Your Child to Others?

Stop! The best thing to do is to focus on what is going on with your child and what he needs, no on what anyone else is doing or has done. Go out of your way to ask your child questions so you can understand his needs.

Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for Your Child?

Sometimes parents idealize their children and see them as mini superheroes capable of doing just about anything. This mentality gets in the way of seeing your child for who she is. Be your child's greatest advocate and most enduring source of support. But be realistic by recognizing her true strengths and weaknesses. You have to acknowledge and - this is harder - accept the things she likes and the things she doesn't and be honest about her possibilities and limitations.

Do You Think Your Child's Performance Is a Reflection of Your Parenting?

If your child performs poorly on a test, it doesn't necessarily mean you have done a bad job as a mother or a father. It could just mean your child needs some help. Don't take it personally. Find the real problem and get the right help right now. If you have difficulty separating your child's performance from your own self-esteem or from your own performance as a child, you can avail yourself of various forms of support such as parenting books, online help, peer counseling (talking with other parents), or professional therapy.

Are You Micromanaging Your Child?

Stop helicoptering to rescue your child from every little difficulty! Give your child room to grow. It's hard to watch him make a mistake or make the wrong choice, but true learning and growth come only through personal action. Wind him up and let him go. Let him fall and learn to pick himself up again by himself, on his own.

You can read more about the book and the author by visiting www.testsuccesscoach.com

ASCOF Lagundi: My Trusted Partner for Cough Relief

2012-03-28T08:41:00.001+08:00

Two of my kids have asthma which started when they were barely a year old. A simple cough would develop into an asthma attack and they would need to take medicine and sometimes antibiotics. Of course, I have no choice but to follow the doctor's prescription but if I had my own way, I wouldn't want to give my children antibiotics knowing that it can have a harmful affect on their health.

But now I'm just thankful that there's a natural cough relief that our family, most especially my kids, can use. We've been using ASCOF Lagundi for years now and it has truly been an effective remedy for cough problems. I have my children (especially the two who are asthmatic) take ASCOF Lagundi at the first sign of cough and I'm thankful that we're able to prevent their asthma attacks this way. ASCOF Lagundi has truly been a reliable partner in keeping my family healthy, knowing that it provides a safe and natural means of healing.

Thanks ASCOF Lagundi for sending us these ASCOF products!

About ASCOF Lagundi:
ASCOF Lagundi is made from All-natural Lagundi leaves and is commercially available in Ponkan, Menthol, and Strawberry-flavored 60-mL and 120-mL syrup variants. It also comes in 300-mg. and Forte 600-mg. tablets.

As one of the 10 herbal medicines endorsed by the Department of Health, Lagundi is an effective natural medicine with proven therapeutic value. It has been clinically proven effective in treating not just cough but also bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis. Moreover, the Department of Science and Technology has performed numerous studies on Lagundi – these studies have shown that Lagundi contains chrysoplenol D, a smooth muscle relaxant with anti-histamine properties.

Moreover, Lagundi has been clinically validated to inhibit the release of leukotrienes, which makes it effective in controlling asthma. Some doctors even prescribe Lagundi to assist in the treatment of asthma, as regular doses reduce the severity of asthma attacks. Aside from having no side-effects, herbal drugs are less expensive than their synthetic counterparts.

Be a part of the ASCOF Community!
Website: http://www.ascof.com.ph
Blog: http://naturalmomsph.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/NaturalMomsByAscof
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NaturalMomsPH

EXPO KID Year 4!

2012-03-08T17:02:00.001+08:00

Here’s another reason to welcome summer with a smile. The EXPO KID-now on its 4th year- will be happening this weekend, March 10, 2012, Saturday at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City.

I’m sharing below the details I got thru e-mail, in case you and your family can join the fun at this year’s EXPO KID:

ACTIVITY PARTNERS:
CAMP ADOBO - a kids camp that stirs up and entices your child's awareness and appreciation for the Filipino culture and it's rich cultural values (http://www.lenpluscreatives.com/campadobo/campadobo.html)

MY MASTERPIECE MOVEMENT - one of the most dynamic multi-arts schools in the country today (www.welovemymasterpiece.com)

HAPI HOMESCHOOLER - the homeschool association of the philippine islands gives us a taste of a homeschoolers' life (www.hapihomeschooler.com). They will also be accepting registration for the Phil. Homeschool Conference that set for May 19.

ENDERUN - gives us a taste and sneak peek into their unique course offerings for moms and children this summer (www.enderuncolleges.com/)

SCHEDULE OF ONSTAGE PROGRAM (STARTS AT NOONTIME):
12:00nn Hapi Homeschoolers
2:00pm Dance Performance by Ethan & Ivan
2:15pm Mad Science
2:55pm My Masterpiece Movement
3:30pm Musik Garten
4:10pm Excerpts from Coppelia by Danspace Ballet School
4:40pm Mama & Me Fashion Show
5:10pm Camp Adobo
5:55pm KinderMusik with Teacher Jeannie

TREATS FOR ALL ATTENDEES & AMENITIES:

yummy Lulubelle Frozen Yogurt samplers
family photo from Fantasy Kiosk
Crystal Clear water stations situated around the venue for free drinking water
kids inflatable at the foyer area courtesy of FUN RANCH
breastfeeding lounge for nursing moms

EXPO AREA (where moms can shop and learn about the latest products and services) FEATURING THE FOLLOWING LIST OF SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS:
Co-presentors: Mommy Mundo, Shop Mommy Matters (www.shopmommymatters.com), Philippine Association for Childbirth Education

Sponsors: Cycles & Cradle, Crystal Clear, Tiny Buds, Lactacyd Baby Bath, Lulubelle, Fantasy Kiosk

Media Sponsors: Manila Bulletin, Sense & Style Magazine, Style Weekend, Working Mom Magazine, SmartParenting Magazine, Crossover 105.1 FM

Exhibitors: Fun Ranch, Moringa 02, Aenyx Marketing, Hurom Juicer, Tiny Tots, Fancy Van, Cast & Frame, Tot Couture, Kids Juke Box, Hatch & Latch, Starkids, Global Art, Little Red Shoe, Kiddie Tunes, Lassig, Princess & Tutus, Silly Monkey Clothing, Mama & Me, The Yellow Mustard Seed , Spinkie, Bulilit Bookstore, Green 360, Charlie Banana, Stork Studio, Healthy Innovations, Tyler Marketing, Bug & Kelly, Indigo Baby, Brainfit Philippines, Mustela, Organic Baby, Musikgarten, Tomatoberry, Baby Shower Studio, Fiddletops, Mad Science, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

Food Booths: Classic Roast, Edible Option, Cake Avenue, Snowcone & Hotdogs

Entrance fee is only Php25 per person. Kids below 12 years old and Mommy Mundo Passport Holders get in FREE OF CHARGE (just make sure to bring your card if you're a Mommy Mundo Passport Holder to get in for free). And as with the other events, 100% of the registration fees go to MomShare outreach projects.

Be there this coming Saturday and welcome the summer and have fun with your entire family! :)