Parenting Archive

My thoughts on parenthood, and what it's like to be a mom in the Philippines.

Breastfeeding Month

August is breastfeeding month.And if you must know, I support breastfeeding and I advocate it. There is so much benefits breastfeeding can give. Imagine being able to feed your baby even if you’re only on your lingerie. If you are on bottle feeding, you need to wear your robe, your shirt before even standing up to prepare a formula for the baby. That’s actually the most convenient benefit of breastfeeding. No need to get up in the middle of the night to feed the baby. All you have to do is open your shirt or clothes and the baby will know where it is.

Of course in terms of health, breastfeeding has a lot of benefits. I can attest to that as all my kids are breastfed. I breastfed them exclusively for a year. And during that time and until now, they seldom got sick (except when they were infected with Primary Complex). And though they are always on the slimmer side, they are healthy and they are very active kids.

Then there’s the financial benefits of it. Imagine not buying baby formula for a whole year? You can save a lot! And also, when you breastfeed a baby, they seldom wet their diapers, so that’s another one. You won’t have to change their diapers often.

Emotionally, in my own opinion and in my experience, I feel bliss whenever I breastfeed my baby. There is so much contentment on it. Imagine being able to give life and being able to nourish that life, that is just too much. I am talking here on the emotional benefit on me.

Breastfeeding is not easy. I have been there and it was really hard. You need to be focused on your goal. You need to exert effort. You need to know that if you choose to breastfeed you have to work hard. Not all woman are lucky enough to express milk right after their baby’s are delivered. Like me, I worked two weeks before any milk comes out of my breast. It was painful but I am determined to breastfeed my baby. All my efforts were all worth it.

I don’t criticize moms who did not breastfeed their baby but to me, it’s the most natural thing to do, so why not feed your baby.

I hope in the future, I will be able to help new moms on how to breastfeed and how not to give up on it.

Should You Give Money Allowance To Your Kids?

Last year when I still have two pre schoolers, I prepare their snacks and they don’t bring money with them. I am all against to pre schoolers having money allowance for their snacks. I do believe that giving money at this very young age is not appropriate. This can lead to kids not eating enough. How can you be sure that the kids are buying nutritious food? or what if they are not buying food at all? I am just glad that the pre school section of my kids’ school have no canteen.Now, this year, my oldest boy is in Grade 1. And during their classes, they were toured around the school (including the canteen). That spiked an interest on my boy. It’s very simple to him, there’s a place where he can buy things, so why won’t he buy there? Knowing him and his curiosity level, I just have to give what he wants. Of course, I need to moderate it. So I told him he can only bring money on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first week was not successful, he bought candy and a lot of other stuff (I gave him 20 Pesos). The next week is worst. His dad gave him 50 Pesos! So he bought erasers and even gave some of his money to his classmate. I know that the intention of my hubby is to teach him how to handle money. But I think it is rather too early. So the next week, I threatened him that if he buys a candy again, I will no longer give him money for allowance. And of course I have to give him a smaller amount. Now his allowance is only 10 Pesos, just enough to buy him cookies.

How about you? Do you think you should give money allowance to your kids? Why and why not?

ParenTIN TV Turns 1!

I blogged about it here, the first time I heard it. I knew it will make big, it’s the first of its kind and the concept was really great. Imagine how much convenience it gives to all us moms. We can watch our favorite parenting advice anytime of the day, any day we want. I must congratulate Tintin Bersola- Babo and her team for conceptualizing the first Philippine parenting online show. Tintin really knew how it was to be a busy mommy.

July 3 2010, ParenTin TV turns a year old and to celebrate it, a grand event was held at SM Megamall events center. The event was fun filled. There are more than 3 sets of Little Tikes raffled off to ParenTin TV members who registered online. And it was such a joy that my friend JOY won one of of the products and the best one on the list. To make the gathering more fun, it was hosted by Mike M, the man behind 100 voices and though he did not showcase all his 100 voices, he showed us enough to convince us that indeed he was a man with so many voices.

Oh Joy was also awarded as the most active ParenTin TV member. Aside from all the fun I mentioned, the kids enjoyed most the puppet show courtesy of John Lu. And I did too! Nikki Valdez also graced the event and sing to us some Mommy songs. A young singer also entertained us. All in all the event was super fun. I enjoyed mingling with other moms and some bloggers (Fedhz, Chris, Tetcha and even new mom Lace!) were there too (will blog about that in a separate post).

There were lots of booths, food booths courtesy of Magnolia Pancake, Josiah’s Catering and a game for kids from El Real Pasta. There were also baby products booths, one from Ainon and the other one from Baby Company. Anchor was there too to give a free check up to our kids and this one deserve its own space here. I had so much to thank about Anchor. Galileo was there (an enrichment program). There were also games for us moms and thanks to Miss Agnes of Ainon for inviting me to be one of their participant (so I tag Fedhz along nyahahaha, oh yeah she as there too). We won an umbrella!

ParenTin TV also awarded people who like Suzie Andrada and husband, Maricel and Anthony Panagilinan and people who have a significant contribution on the show’s success. I was not able to take pics of other awardees as I was busy breastfeeding Sati but I believer there was a breastfeeding advocate who was awarded too. I want to meet her badly because I want to be involved in breastfeeding advocacy activities. I have a strong belief with regards to breastfeeding. Our loot bags are full of nice products from EQ Diaper, El Real Pasta, AiNON baby products, a health card from St Luke’s (Tintin mentioned about a St Luke’s event this coming August), stuffs from Cordlife and a magazine.

soo will post about the details of each activities I mentioned.. this will look long and boring if I put it all here.. there are so many stories to tell. Parentin TV made my Saturday more special than usual. Yay! Congratulations Tintin and Parentin TV Staff! See you again next year!