Kids Archive

What my kids are like, and how to raise your child/children in this day and age.

The Challenges of Raising Multi-Achievers

Sometimes I question myself why I always put my life on hold every exam week. You’d hear me saying no to events, to meet ups, to almost anything I can say no to because it’s EXAM WEEK. Even the laundry suffers. Actually, it’s not just during Exam weeks.. even when they need to perform in a school program or when one of the boys will compete in sports.. I just have to stop whatever it is that I am doing and be there for them. And most of the times, it’s stressful for me. I have little sleep and more wrinkles!

But even before I finish questioning myself, I already know the answer. I have multi- achiever kids. I have FOUR Multi-Achievers. They have potentials and it’s my responsibility to enhance their potentials. Exam weeks and school programs are only a part of enhancing their potentials. Daily, it can be quite challenging. They are very curious and they won’t stop until they get an answer. They’re full of energy and they all have different personalities! As I have said, it is my responsibility, so I face these challenges easily using some of these:

1. Keep them busy

A child with multiple intelligence is a child with a very busy mind, make that 4 children. So to keep them busy, we make arts, we do some reading, watch series together and discuss theories. Our recent art works was for Valentine’s Day where we only used heart cut outs (check our finished product here: Activities for Valentine’s Day).

Kids love gadgets, I cannot deny that fact. And I have learned how to make it my ally instead of my enemy. They can only use their gadgets after giving me some passwords. Passwords are words (usually 5) starting in the same letter, and each is used in a sentence. Only one word for Sati and 3 words for Chico.

2. Let them answer their questions

I can’t remember the most bizarre question my kids had asked me. I was never caught off guard because I always return the question to them. It’s the most effective way of knowing what your kids think and how to answer them properly. Questions like “How babies are made?” were answered with “How do you think babies are made?”

We don’t give them answers, we ask them to think and look for answers. It encourages them how to think analytically.

3. Chanel their energies

Is it just my kids or yours too? because as the clock strikes 5 PM, they’re a bunch of movers! This is the pick of their adrenaline rush (it’s kinda exaggerated but that’s how it is during this time). Stopping them is not the answer because 5 minutes after, they’d be doing whatever it is they’re doing again. The best way to deal with this? Chanel their energies through dancing or singing or running or a simple game of tickling (which sometimes turns into wrestling). It also helps me lose weight!

4. Be one of them

As I have mentioned, I have 4 kids with different personalities. My oldest is 11 and youngest is 5, so just imagine how broad their interests are. Luckily, all 3 boys love Nerf, The Flash and Agents of SHIELD while the little girl loves watching Youtube videos of Barbie and Peppa Pig. So to keep our afternoons or mornings or long drives more interesting, we have discussions about the possibilities of time travel and earthquakes. Sometimes, we play pretend on who’s Barbie and who’s going to be Chelsea.

5.Equip them with proper nutrients

To help them build their multiple intelligence, I also give them proper food and Progress Pre-School Gold as milk supplement.

I have learned so far, when it comes to my kids and their achievements, they do better when they see or feel our support for them. They do better when they hear encouragements from us. They think more when you given the chance to think. And they are more confident when they know that we trust them.

Sooo how was their exams? I am more than proud with their brain smart achievements.. more kwento after their recognition! It will be FUN! Promise!

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Oh Hello There March!

Sooo it’s been a while since my last PARENTING related post, aka post about my kids. Well, I am not planning to turn this blog into a beauty or food blog though most of my recent entries were food or beauty related.. Juice colored, wala pa akong lakas ng loob na maging beauty blogger! Nagkataon lang na panay lafang at pagpapaganda ang nangyari sa akin lately.

Aside from that, our household has been very very busy the past few weeks. We’re busy trying to cut out our expenses. I have mentioned before that we’ll be moving to our own house this year and you know how costly it can be. Also, this week, my multi- achievers will be taking their 4th quarter exam. Madugo ito mga inay!

We’ve been to Baguio last January (related post: Baguio Hotel Review: Venus Parkview Hotel ) and it’s the most TIPID trip we had so far (more kwento on that as soon as time permits). After our Baguio trip, the kids got busy preparing for the school’s English Month Celebration. And that’s when things got more exciting.

As you know, my two older boys were both active in school. My 3rd born on the other hand, who’s in Grade 1, is still trying to figure if he’s going to be shy forever or if he should start being active like his kuya and diko. Guess what? He finally realized that he can do it! He was one of the contestants for the story telling competition. I am not expecting anything from him, all I was praying was him to finish his performance! And he did!!!

He didn’t won but it was more than winning for me. I am so proud of him. This little boy of mine who’s the shyest of them all, just performed in front of everyone! He’s becoming as people smart as his kuya and diko are!

Last Valentine’s, we went a little crafty and made a few art works using HEARTS!

After this week, they will be busy practicing for recognition (IF they made it to the list of honors! waaah).. After that we’ll be busy with our new house. We’ll be looking for activities this summer to enhance their Multiple Intelligence. Any tips you got there? Summer workshops? I think we will be focusing on them being body smart this summer.

Sooooo.. how about you? What have you and your kids been up to lately? Exam week na din ba ng multi- achievers nyo? Kwento!

5 #FunBrushingTip For Hapee Tooth-brushing!

It would have been easier if she goes to school everyday, brushing was a part of her morning routine. The recent “vacation” put us out of track again… yes, another vacation just a few days after the long Christmas vacation. Tell me, I am not the only one who’s still picking up the pieces (or getting back on track and on shape haha). It was never an issue but recently, we’re having a hard time with brushing. Sati’s the kind of girl that you cannot push, no amount of angry tone or bribing can make her brush if she does not like doing it. And she’s only 5! She already knows how to trick me, keeping me entertained until I forgot that she hasn’t brushed her teeth yet. Witty Girl!

But this mom is smarter than she is! Thanks to Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste’s fun and exciting dental tips, brushing would be more exciting for her!

The first tip I got from Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste Facebook Page is this:

GIVE HIM A CHOICE – Allow him or her to choose his or her own toothbrush, and toothpaste flavor. A colourful toothbrush, an attractive packaging and a fruity flavor for toothpaste like Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste will add excitement to every brushing time.

Bakit hindi ko naiisip to? Yes! Give her a choice! This little girl likes that so much. She finds peace knowing she have a say on things. Remember how she meticulously planned her 4th and 5th birthday party? As Hapee puts it, an attractive packaging and a fruity flavor can seal the deal.

And from the seven flavors Hapee has to offer, she asked for Strawberry Bloom with Dora Design. Anything with Dora! Sorry Elmo!

Tip number 2 (still from Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste): Sing along!

Brushing should be 2 minutes, we already know that and singing along makes that 2 minute a little shorter and more fun.

Some nursery rhymes for brushing teeth:

Row, Row, Row Your Boat (repeat 10x)

Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream.
Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. If you see a crocodile, you have to scream.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star ( repeat 4x)

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are

Rain, Rain, Go Away (this song is really short, like 10 seconds only, so you need to repeat it for 20 times! TIP>>>think of 20 people that wants to play!)

Rain, rain go away Come again another day. Rain, rain go away Little (name of the child) wants to play.

Itsy Bitsy Spider (repeat 10 times

Itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout Down came the rain
And washed the spider out Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again

5 Little Monkeys (Just finish the song until no more monkeys are jumping on the bed and you’re done with the 2 minutes!0

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said: “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Jumping on the bed! Jumping on the bed! And falling of the bed!
Jumping on the bed! Jumping on the bed! And falling of the bed!

But for those who can’t sing like me.. tip number 3 is more appropriate: Brush with her

because for her, everything we do together is FUN! #funbrushing #dentalhealth
A photo posted by @mommypehpot on Jan 20, 2015 at 12:18am PST

This little girl is obsessed with me. It’s best to tell that part in person, and show how she makes gigil to me. And she’d do anything I would.. one of the reason why I am wearing dressy clothes lately and being girly more than I used to be.. and the excessive skin care routine that I am obsessing (yes, partly, it was to set a good example to her.. and partly, I am planning to stop the time). I am losing track, yes? Ah back to brushing. It would help if I brush with her. Moms with daughters, have you tried that technique? How effective it was?

#FunBrushingTip number 4: Don’t be too hard on them. If they missed a spot, do not make a big deal out of it. Yes… sometimes I pushed her too hard… must stop doing that. I am not like this with my boys.

As expected, your child won’t be as good as you when it comes to brushing. Don’t stress over when he misses some spot. The more important thing at this stage is to make brushing a fun habit with Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste and its cute cartoon characters. With practice, he’ll improve sooner

Lastly, Encourage them, praise them and make a big deal out of brushing.. dental care is big deal! Hence the lengthy post LOL (ang mahal ng dental fee no!)

They say it takes 2 months to form a habit.. but even after 2 months, I would still be checking on her from time to time (just like I did with her older brothers). I know that with the right brushing tools like Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste, she’ll be saying hello to “Hapee-ier” smile and say goodbye to cavities. I can’t wait for the moment na sya na ang mag papaalala sa akin na it’s brushing time.