Parenting Archive

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

Where Are My Rugs?!?

Remember my helper who excused herself for a while to rest and recuperate? Oh well it seems her rest is permanent (not the rest in peace kind of permanency). I think she don’t want to work with us anymore. Hey don’t use that imagination of yours yet. Don’t think I had a whip here no.. And I am not a bad employer. In fact she has a lot of perks here. It’s just that she is too old to work. She just turned 55, but she actually looked like my mil who is 70 plus. And so we’re all alone again. No worries because I can manage, I knew I can. This is the problem that I had to face every time a helper leaves.. WHERE ARE MY CLEANING STUFFS?

I can’t find my favorite rug that I use to clean the floor.
I can’t find some door step rugs.
I can’t find the cleaning brushes.
I can’t find this and that..

WAAAH..

BUT.. The kids are happier! Specially Chico. Yesterday was officially our all alone day. Days before that, mil was here to, oh well, she was here. Now she’s gone, I noticed that the kids like this set up much better. And I am happier too.. no more blues! I am back to my ~~old~~ cheering self. LOL.

I’ll try not to stay on the computer that long. Chico is growing and he really wants interactions now. HE loves playing tickle or just lying down with me. He also likes practicing walking by himself. the two boys I need to focus on Mico for academics. I bought Kayil a drawing guide for vehicles and promised to teach him how to on Tuesday. I will be busy again but it be will super fun!

Looking For A Place In Baguio?

Are you spending Holy Week in Baguio? Tired of looking for hotel to stay? Or not even sure of what kind of accommodation you want to rent? I am the answer! Just kidding guys, I sound like I am a promotional person no. Actually I just have some places to share. You know how my kids (and moi) love Baguio. Aside from blogging (blog hopping included), I usually surf for cheap accommodations, I have seen hotels from Baguio to Boracay (on pics only of course).

I usually look for accommodations with cooking facility. Traveling is expensive, eating out makes it more expensive. We experienced going to Baguio and staying in a hotel (not that much of a hotel actually). Our total bill in the hotel is not even half of what we spend eating out. Can you just believe that? I tell you it really is cheap if you will just cook, specially if you are traveling in a large group. If in case you have the moolah and you like hotels that much, here are my two recommendation for you:

Venus Parkview Hotel. We stayed here twice and the staffs were nice. The place is not bad, it is not the best but it is cheap. We like this place for one reason, it is very near Burnham Park. Actually it is just a road away from the park. Yup, you just need to cross the road and you’re there, that’s why Parkview. The food? er, just dine somewhere else. The rooms are not that great, I just love this place because it is a few meters away from the park. There was one time when we went there and the kid were playing in the park then it suddenly rained, the convenience of just running to your hotel room (when it rains) got me.

Veniz Hotel. I have never been here, but it was our first choice when we planned our first Baguio trip. Why? well Veniz is in the heart of Baguio! Session road is just steps away, market is almost at the back. Burnham is some meters away, jeepney terminal is just there. There’s Mc Donald’s, there’s 7eleven. Why we stayed in Venus instead in Veniz? It was my mom’s fault. Apparently, her friend knew the owner of Venus and guests who are from my hometown are given a discount in their stay. We got 25% off on our bill.

For some not so hotel type of accommodations, you can go from native huts to dormitory types.

One of my dream accommodation is in Tam Awan Village. Have you been there? It is a tourist attraction in Baguio that gives you the feel of the natives.

In keeping with the spirit in which the village was originally conceived, Tam-awan Village has become a venue for art exhibits and workshops envisioned to foster a deeper understanding, respect and pride in the cultural heritage of the Cordillera people.

The village is an experience in itself. By living in the huts, guests get an opportunity to immerse in an atmosphere that allows them to get a glimpse of village life.

On a clear day, a magnificent China Sea sunset can be viewed from the village, being true to its name as Tam-awan, that is, vantage point. (source)

I dream of sleeping in one of the huts, accommodation is cheap, but the bathroom.. ahh forget it..

Robol 88 Hotel is another cheap place. This is not actually a hotel, more like a 4 story building with units. Each unit has cooking facility and 2 bedrooms. I have never been here but according to my brother in law, who stayed here last December, the place is OK. Another thing, the place is very near to the market (now that’s a thumbs up).

For more listings of houses with cooking facilities, you might want to check this site. They provide the rates and some pics of the house.

Happy Hotel Hunting!

A Mom and a Wife Tag

I saw this tag from Enchie and Chris and I just could not resist it. This tag seems to be fun..

Rules PLEASE:

1. Link with the person who tagged you.
2. Copy above images. (whoa! I can’t find the image!)
3. Post this on any or all of your Blog/s.
4. Answer the two-part questionnaire following these Rules. (Feel free to elaborate your answers. For questions 8 – 14, post only the one (1) which you believe best describes your choice.)
5. Share this with at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll.
6. Come back to Living A’ La Mode (DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK PLEASE.) and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.

Parenting Style

1. Do you exercise full or minimal control over your child’s / children’s behavior?
Yes, I am the one in control and I believe all parents should be in control over their kid’s behavior. We are responsible in teaching our kid’s what is right and what is not.

2. Do you expect your child / children to obey 100% or let her / him / them do what pleases her / him / them?
It really depends on the situation, sometimes I let them pass, sometimes I don;t it really depends, but mostly we base our decision on logic.

3. Do you welcome discussion or you simply set rules?
Of course we do, we encourage them to say what’s on their mind but there are times when I tell them, if mommy says no, it means no..

4. Do you reprimand?
Yes

5. Do you use spanking for punishment?
I used to, but now, I promised myself I will no longer hit them. I have my reasons.. and plan on writing about that and hope to discourage moms from spanking their kids..

6. Do you use some kind of a reward System for motivation?
I try to, but it is not effective, logic seems to work best with my kids.

7. Do you enjoy being a Parent?
Oh my, do you really have to ask? LOL

8. Are you a hands-on Parent or do you have a full-time Nanny?
Full time, hands on, feet on, breast on.. everything..

9. At what age would you let your child make simple decisions for himself / herself?
As soon as he already knows the concept of himself..or what he likes.. Like my youngest baby, if he wants to play this kind of toy, I just let him.. after all it is what he likes.. as long as it won’t harm him.. but if my 5 year old suddenly decides, he’ll be marrying soon, that.is.another.story.

10.Do you and your Husband have the same Parenting Style?
I really don’t know, but I always tell him that I should be the one disciplining our kids. He should not, as much as possible, be mad at them. He is working and spend less time with his kids and I believe that he should spend it wisely. So it is understood that he is the spoiler and I am the disciplinarian.

Wife Style

7. How long have you been married?
6 years

8. How do you feel about being a Wife?
* It’s fun.
* It’s just a duty.
* OK.
* I hate it.

It’s fun but I feel and think that it is also a duty, a responsibility.

9. What has been your typical sleeping attire since you got married?
* A cotton night gown.
* Sweats or Shorts
* Something sheer & soft.
* Nothing.

I wish for nothing..LOL.. a sando and pyjama and socks

10. How do you show how appreciative you are of your Husband?
* By being always affectionate.
* By giving him presents even if there is no occasion.
* By cooking his favorite dishes all the time.
* I do not show him anything.

I show him EVERYTHING! LOL kidding aside, by being passionate always

11. What do you do when your Husband annoys you?
* Keep quite for a little while.
* Just ignore whatever it is.
* Talk with him about it immediately.
* Scream at him.

Keep quiet.. it works..always..

12. You are buying or planning to buy your first house as Husband and Wife ….
* It is / going to be a large estate.
* It is / going to be in a suburb close to a big city.
* It is / going to be in a metropolis.
* It is / going to be a fixer-upper but with tremendous potential that you can fill with first-rate furniture and appliances.

It is going to be in a suburb inside a city.. we are renting on a place like that and hope to buy our own here..

13. How does your house look like at the end of the day when Hubby gets home?
* Immaculate and spotless.
* You are still finishing up your cleaning.
* Unmade bed, unwashed dishes and children’s toys all over.
* Husband’s clutter are left for him to take care of.

It never bothers him if the house is spotless or unmade, as long as there’s food on the table..

14. How do you feel about running a household?
* Always motivated.
* Dislike it, for the most part.
* Oftentimes pretending to like it.
* Whatever!

Heaven!

15. What is the sweetest gift you have given your Husband so far?

The sweetest? I really don’t know because he is not the type who dwell on sweet things, how about the sweatest? LOL

Grab this tag while it is sizzling hot!