Parenting Archive

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

Must Have Educational Materials

Having 4 kids of different ages, my living room looks more like a classroom than a living room. No fancy decors, no lamps, no carpets, just posters of Alphabets, numbers and the likes. I still feel that it lacks the basic educational materials that my kids can use. So I made this post to remind me as well as to share with you some basics or must have educational materials on your home.

For kids ages 1- 3 years old:

Simple Alphabet Chart. Look for charts with colorful illustration but refrain from buying charts with unfamiliar words/ objects. Also if you can find charts with pictures only and now words, that would be better. I know we want our kids to learn how to read early, but words may just confuse the early learners or they would resort to memorized reading.
Primary and Secondary Colors Chart. It would be better if shapes are integrated on the chart 🙂 I don’t buy color charts, instead I create mine, like making a yellow triangle, red circle and so on..

Simple 1-10 Number Chart. Your goal is not for them to learn counting by age of 3 but more on to familiarize them with counting and numbers. Choose a chart with familiar objects on them. Or you can make your own chart too.
Board Books. Based on experience, this is the only kind of books that can tolerate the chews and what not of a toddler.
Crayons and Pencils and some papers. Though they won’t be learning to write too soon (there’s a proper age to teach the kids to write)

For kids ages 4-6 years old:

Alphabet Chart with more complex images as well as with words/name of the image
Number Charts from 1-100. It will expose them more to counting but make sure that your kid already knows how to count to 20 and slowly with the help of the chart, they will learn how to count to 100.
Color Chart in complex objects. It would be better if you have objects with different colors on it, it will help their eye coordination as well as their sense of comparison.
Comparing objects chart. Buy charts with small and big, short and long and so on.
Paper book.. yes by this age, I am sure they already know what to chew and what not to chew. Buy them simple story books and more alphabet book as well as simple text books.
Paper, Crayons, Pencils, Scissors and other art materials.
Days of the week chart. This chart will give them the idea of time and as the days go, you can also add a clock on your educational materials
Simple Puzzles

For kids 7 and up:

More complex Math charts (Roman Numerals, Multiplication Table). This charts will be very helpful since this is what was taught in their school.
Maps and Globe. Kids at this age are very inquisitive of places and location, make your life easier by having a ready map and a globe in your home.
Dictionary. Also at this age, they start to learn new words and would often ask their parents what’s the meaning of it. Teach them how to use the dictionary. It will also help increase their vocabulary
Books, pocket books, almanacs and the likes.
Art and Crafts materials.
Board Games/ Puzzles

Now, as I go through my check list, I still have to buy a lot! Starting off with the map.. I have an obsession with locations eh.. and I think my kids are as curious as I am.. It will also make travelling more fun!

As long as I can.. I will protect you (the new Johnson’s Baby TVC)

I always believe that every mom is a part time worrier..just like me. We worry about almost anything about our kids and yes we do everything in our power to protect them.. and watching the Johnson’s Baby TVC, I can relate so much with the video’s message.. I feel so much the same.. that as long as I can.. as long as my kids would let me, I will protect them..

Now, excuse me as I sniff and sniff while I write my letter to my kids:

Dear Kuya,
You know, even if always complain of having to do some of your project or that I have to stay awake the whole night, just to complete your school requirements, I never really mind all those. In fact, I am proud and glad that you let me to those things for you. My happiness is in-explainable whenever you express how lucky you are for having the best mom. Kuya, I know most of the time, you don’t need mommy’s help but I am happy to be able to help you and be there for you..

Dear Dico,
Always be patient baby, never let your frustrations rule you. Mommy will always be here to hold you when thing become incontrollable. Mommy will protect you from any harm that you think might happen to you. Baby, I love you no matter what.. no matter what you do, even if say my patience is running out, I will never get tired of holding you..

Dear Chico,
Baby, you never failed to keep my mommy’s sanity on the verge.. your playfulness makes me nervous all the time.. just like today..baby, I love you so much and mommy will do anything beyond my power to protect you and be there for you.. I always feel that it is you who needs my protection the most. Baby, mommy will never give up on you. Mommy is your superhero and that’s a promise.

Dear Sati,
As I always tell you, we are the luckiest for having you.. when you came to our life, you complete our family. You know until now, I cry whenever I remember the day I knew you were a she. And yes honey, because of you being the only girl in the family, expect over protection not just from me but as well as from daddy, kuya, dico and sangko.

Habang kaya ko pa mga anak, sisiguraduhin ko, walang makakasakit sa inyo.

That was quite a letter no…actually, if I can write a letter every night, I would do. Being a mom, I am always full of love, emotion and protection for my kids. And of course I am always thankful for having them and for completing me.

And I know moms, you too feel the same, I know how much you can related to the video above, why don’t you visit and like Johnson’s Baby FB page and share what you thought about the new Johnson’s Baby TVC!

Gaya nga ng sabi sa video:

Bilang mga mommy, we try to always protect our child. Habang baby pa siya. Habang pwede pa. Like kung napangiti ka. Share kung naka-relate ka.

Getting To Know Dermatitis: Cause, Symptoms and Treatment

My third soon often complains of itchiness behind his knees.. I thought it was just ants, then we noticed that his skin on that area becomes flaky and reddish. His pedia said he is suffering from Dermatitis. She said it was infantile eczema or Atopic Dermatitis to be exact. It was my first time to heard such as thing, so as any mommy would do, I asked the big G for more information: what is atopic dermatitis? what causes atopic dermatitis, what are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, how to treat atopic dermatitis and how to prevent atopic dermatitis. What is Atopic Dermatitis? Well, according to our pedia, it is a skin inflammation. She said it was not nakakahawa or contagious. It can be very itchy and the child suffering from it experience discomfort. It can lead to infection though as when the child scratch with dirty hands. What cause Atopic Dermatitis? Pedia said it varies, it maybe food allergies, the sudden change in temperature, clothes material, dry skin or even due to auto immune reaction. Our pedia advised us to be very observant with my third son.. take note of the food he eats and see if this is the cause of his AD (atopic Dermatitis) What are the symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis? Itchy and flaky skin. Blisters due to scratching. How To Treat and How To Prevent Atopic Dermatitis? As the cause of AD varies, to prevent it, is to know the cause. If your kid is suffering from AD and the culprit is the food, pinpoint which and stop giving them that kind of food to prevent AD. Treating Atopic Dermatitis also includes pin pointing the cause so as to prevent it from getting worse. My pedia recommended the following:

Foskina B tow times daily
Use hypo allergenic soap such as Cetaphil Wash
Use lotion twice daily
Take a bath daily

Lucky me, I was given some Cetaphil products, I can give this a try and see if it can help cure my son’s AD. Here something about Cetaphil:

From the makers of Dermatologist and Pediatrician recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers is Cetaphil Restoraderm. Cetaphil Restoraderm is formulated for very dry itchy skin. Cetaphil Restoraderm may help reduce the signs and symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis, improve quality of life, and prevent flare-ups and prolong remission. Cetaphil Restoraderm has two variants: moisturizer and wash. The Cetaphil Restoraderm Moisturizer contains filaggrin breakdown products and ceramide precursor, which help restore the skin’s natural moisturizing factors and rebuild a healthy skin barrier. The Cetaphil Restoraderm Wash has a patented foaming technology called “Miracare” that contains high levels of nourishing oils to hydrate atopic skin. Cetaphil Restoraderm Wash is non-soap, lipid-free and has a neutral pH. Cetaphil Restoraderm Moisturizer and Wash are both clinically proven effective and safe for use among babies, early as 3 months, and toddlers.

We learned that his AD was caused by eating chicken, mango, watermelon and egg! poor boy.. those are his favorites!