BEST FRIEND IN SCHOOL

In my whole school days, from preschool up to college, I have always had a girl best friend. Well, yes, I have more than her because I usually belong to a group...but in a group there always is that someone closest to you. And mine had always been another girl.

And so I find it ultra cute to have learned that my little one's ever first best friend is not the common girl-to-girl best friend. She told me herself that her best friend is Noa. He had been a classmate in her summer introduction school. She skipped nursery and kinder and is now Prep...and she felt most at ease with one of her four her seat mates, Noa. He's a mild mannered kid, he is nice and most of all he have the same level of thinking with my Anya. She admitted that he is the one easiest to talk to. Since my daughter grew up with adults, and no kids around, she thinks and talks like adults. And whenever she is with other children she easily gets bored and is not as patient when they talk differently (which is actually normal kid talk at their age) or when they get so childish blabbering and laughing uncontrollably.

I am so happy for her that she found her best friend. And that best friend Noa is pleasing enough for me to be glad that he is indeed her best friend. I value friendship and I see how Anya and Noa values it too. They take care of each other. They play after school and they make each other smile when one is in tears. They look out for one another. And at that early age of 6, I fear for nothing beyond friendship. Wait until they reach teenage years...then I will have to be more on the look out for friends that may not be in their same gender. But hopefully, this friendship they have lasts a long, long time. For me it will be Noa and Anya, the best of friends.

WHEN YOU THINK OF JUNE, YOU THINK OF...

...BRIDES.
...RAINY SEASON.
...AND for me, SCHOOL!

It is a wonder and a joy that my little one have nothing against going to school. She is excited. In fact she can't wait for it to start!!!

Years ago, I see children crying when their moms bring them to school. They have tantrums, they become difficult. And so it has been a concern for me when my Anya started growing up.

But I guess I prepared her well =) I gave her idea of what school is. We played pretend school, I thought her basic knowledge (and not so basic like reading hehe). I did not push her to go to school. I made an agreement with her when at 4 she still is hesitant to go but not as much as when she was adamant when she was 3...we agreed that when she's 5 she will go to school. And now she is 5. The fruit of my labor with the training worked. She's very willing to start now. I made her try summer program and she's a genius! She's active and she's confident.

This June it will be her first time to go to school, but she skipped two years. She perfected her entrance exams for Prep!

And so JUNE WILL ALWAYS BE...SCHOOL for me and for my schooler ;)

MOTIVATING YOUR KID TO GO TO SCHOOL

Admit it or not, you are also trying your very best to make your kid be excited to go to school. We are a little agitated that this year we might have a problem in making them wake up and go to school. Either they are getting bored or fed up with the routine or something else, we just have to help them finish year after year. What more for beginners?

It is just a matter of motivating them. Proper introduction by telling them stories of GOOD childhood experiences, personal or not. Tickle their imagination. Make them crave the same experience. And give them nice things that will push them more into wanting to go to school. Let her see the beautiful turtle nap mat you are planning to get for her, or the stephen joseph bag and lunch tote she will be using.

Remember, kids and adult alike love having beautiful things to show our friends, classmates, or colleagues. Making them have something if not everything is one reason to make them want to go to school.

YOUR KID NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION

It's not always you guiding them, reprimanding them, teaching them, or caring for them. They also need you to simply PLAY WITH THEM.

The time you give them making them enjoy you is as vital as those other times you are with them. They feel loved and cherished when you do things they love doing. And there's no greater love for them than playing. A few minutes each day is good enough bonding time, what more of an hour or two...or even a day. After all, they are the most important blessing given you!!!

NEW AGE LULLABY

This Lullaby has been heard of for centuries. Wikipedia defines lullaby as a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process.

But what is the new age lullaby? Is it still the Rock-A-Bye-Baby that has been one of the traditionally heard of lullaby's? As per notice, different songs are used to rock our babies to sleep already. More often than not, those songs sung were based on the parents preference or whoever is putting the baby to sleep. My little one had been put to sleep by her grandparents and was sung their personal favorites, a composition for papa and an old song for mama. The yaya sung her Filipino rhymes and native songs like "Ako ay may lobo", "Bahay Kubo", "Tatlong Bibe" and the likes. Her dad sang her "Buttercup" in low tone and slower version that goes with his steps and bounce. She loved my own composition of hums and some jazz music. BUT in general, she loved all of them since she calms down and feels right into deep sleep after being cuddled and swayed or rocked in those tunes. I believe those other kids have their own favorites as well. Even rock music for some had been effective...as long as they get used to it and acquires it from their love ones.

What of yours?

KIDS are funny though not trying to be

Kids are just so funny...mostly when they are not trying to be funny! Here is something I surprisingly got from an email of a long ago acquaintance. Hope you enjoy it as I did...

3-year-old Reese: 'Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen.'
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A little boy was overheard praying: 'Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am.'
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After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.'
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One particular four-year-old prayed, 'And forgive us our trash baskets As we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.'
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A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to church service, 'And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?' One bright little girl replied, 'Because people are sleeping.'
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A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. 'If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.' Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, 'Ryan , you be Jesus !'
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A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand. 'Daddy, what happened to him?' the son asked. 'He died and went to Heaven,' the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said, 'Did God throw him back down?'
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A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, 'Would you like to say the blessing?' 'I wouldn't know what to say,' the girl replied. 'Just say what you hear Mommy say,' the wife answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, 'Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?'
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FUN DAY AT FUN HOUSE

A few hours at the Fun House garners me an “I love you, mom!” from my charming li’l one. I bought her 5 tokens only at a cost of P25.00 (just so we can go right away) but then she won more and more with the matching game, and lots of tickets form other games available she exchanged for small items she again thanked me for with “Ang bait mo talaga, mom” (“You’re really so kind, mom”)

Nothing can surpass the love and happiness I feel when I see that twinkle in her eyes and the kisses and embraces I get with just a few quality hours with her.

They grow so fast…let not a single day pass you by!

A PROMISE MADE TO HEAVEN

I honestly cannot stop myself from staring at my little princess time and again. I see her and I stop and stare, swelling with love for a God-given jewel.

I remember how hard it was for me from the moment I conceived her to about two years. As early as the first trimester I was asked to go on bed rest for possible abortion. In fact at 4 months I already am at 2cm. I go on and off work but never laid low on going to church. If truth be told, many people asks me every time not to go anymore for fear of losing the baby on the way there. But I believe that wherever I am, if the Lord decides to let it happen IT WILL HAPPEN. So I'd rather show Him that I am His faithful servant and that I yield to His wishes.. And so I reached the latter phase of my pregnancy, 3rd trimester, at 4 cm. Still, I go to church. Still, I kept on praying. Well, I am not outright asking Him NOT to take the baby away, but that His will be done. My OB told me that by September 17th, I can put down my guard because by then it will be safe for me to give birth. That very day, I was out to the Central Church being baptized. Everyone fears for me, but not me. I was so happy right after and uttered even that I can now go to the delivery room if need be. Well, it so happened that it took 17 days more before I finally did!

And here goes the promise...I asked the Lord (can't recall when I did this, but anywhere in between those 9 months definitely) to make my baby healthy and complete, pretty, smart, nice and wonderful enough to be loved by everybody and I PROMISE to introduce Him to her the earliest time possible. That I will ensure that she will believe in Him and love Him as I do. (I know that a promise made to God is something that should never be broken or else... but I did whole-heartedly!) And I did what I promised (not only because He gave me what I asked for because I really will do that anyway)...my little one at 4 have a faith I never knew possible for that age! And I will continue to push her closer and closer to God...because each time, I am reminded that God is with me and my Anya, for every prayer we ask together is being given ;)

THIS IS MAGNIFICENTLY TRUE...and I hope you try reaching out to Him with Love and dedication and benefit such wonderful gifts of Love in return.

CHOOSING THE BEST MILK

Every kid is unique. And being the mother, it is our responsibility, preference or identity needs. May it be clothing, activity, things, food, supplements… and milk.

My little one, right now at four, have already established having her own preferences. She chooses what she wants to wear for the day, what she hopes to eat for lunch or even snack, what she thinks between scents, or even what music pleases her. I may allow her preferences but have limitation to her choosing also, especially if her health and attitude is to be affected.

Thus so with her milk! I get to choose which is the best that can give her the needed nutrient but she also decide if she likes the taste of it. Like now for me it’s Pediasure or Sustagen Kid 3, and for her it’s both Pediasure and Sustagen alternating. Fine by me…fine by her!

STIMULATE YOUR KIDS DEVELOPMENT (PART4)

24 months and up and your baby is running full speed already, or for some walking steadily on her own and can run. Some parents are so assisting that their kids becomes so dependable and unsure that she can actually run just like the others do. But she definitely have fine motor skills and can draw. By this time she can talk in phrases and sentences with probably around 300 words. My Anya actually talks none stop already and as good as you and me at two. She started conversing earlier than walking steadily on her own,yous truly being amongst those "assisting parents" fore mentioned (haha!). At 2 years old its is natural to still be very possessive buts enjoys playing with other children already. They imitate adults and likes repetition. They enjoy taking things apart and putting them together again.

If they call this stage "terrible two", I personally call it the "fantastic two". It is because I love seeing them observe and try this and that, and to be independent. Their development is so obvious that nature continues to amaze me. Roll playing is a nice stimuli since they imitate adults and so dolls and doll sets will be nice. So with phones, tools, computer toys. Art supplies should be provided to stimulate their creativity and imagination. I started giving my little girl picture books at an earlier age since I noticed her advancement. Even before 12 months we gave her those soft books that I believe helped with her attention span. I remember the family of squeeze bears that I make talk to her as well. At this stage, it would be appropriate to enrich vocabulary of your babies by talking to them a lot and picture books is a great tool. I also have learned long ago that parent should never use baby language or to baby-talk as you speak with them. Use the common language that you use for them to get used to NORMAL words and language. As we all know "they are like sponge to absorb everything she hears". so be very careful also of anything that comes out of your mouth. No profanities please (wink! wink!)

STIMULATE YOUR KIDS DEVELOPMENT (PART 1)

Being parents, it is our utmost desire to ensure that our babies and kids are being provided with everything they need (and sometimes even what they want). Furthermore, it is our responsibility to give them the best that we can for their development as they continue to grow.

And so the moment they are out into our world our eyes are ever focused on them, on what they do, on what they are capable of and of what is important or needed for them to keep improving.

NEW BORN are the agitating times for parents not perfectly sure yet of the babies normality. Thus we observe if they are following moving objects. If their gazes shift from a moving item to the next or even if they are blinking. We also talk to them and see if they recognize different voices or if they turn to sounds. Our touch is comforting to them as theirs are to us. We wait for them to grasp our fingers when we hold them, and we also look as they explore their hands, mouth and feet. A smile, more so a laugh brings greater joy to us especially when they do so in response to our baby talks. Their melodic cooing sounds to their wails and cries are both welcome sounds to parents awaiting for expression of emotions.

These are common enough measures of their being a healthy baby,,and we can stimulate them still by putting mobiles to promote eye focus and hearing. If they are to stay in their own nursery room bright colors and bold patterns are added stimuli to attractions. And since they need security but we cannot be constantly cuddling them, provide a cuddling toy for security and tactile stimulation. Nothing can surpass our personal touch of course for them to feel your love and comfort. Musical toys helps build attention span plus the added soothing effect it gives them, as well as for sound awareness that it gives like those of the rattles. Unbreakable mirrors are an amazement for them since this is a way to discover themselves. It also encourages them to lift their heads from constant rest providing more neck stability.

MY KID SWEATS A LOT, IS IT NORMAL?

4 years and I am still learning everything there is to learn about kids. And as of the latest, I wondered why my li’l girl sweats a lot especially while she sleeps. It is common occurrence, may it be a warm day or not, to find her hair plastered to her head with sweat and her pillow drenched with more upon waking up.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician and author of Baby and Child Health: The Essential Guide From Birth to 11 Years ensures it to be normal. That kids’ sweat when they are in a deep sleep, which is more frequent than adults. It is also because that their temperature regulation is still not fully developed. We just have to keep them warm at bedtime by adjusting the room temperature if necessary and by just padding them lightly. This sweating though decreases as age increases. She also made mention of the difference in normal night sweating and overly heated child; that an overly heated child feels warm before reaching deep-sleep. In my case, I have observed of my li’l gir’ls warmer than normal palms and feet.

Still, “in every rule there is an exemption”. We have to be perceptive also of probable infection which will make her sweat as she fights it; of a sleep disorder called apnea which is the difficulty in breathing thus also makes her sweat as she tries to grasp more air; or of alarming signs as run down by Dr. Sue “fever, snoring, gasping, pauses in breathing, and any symptoms of illness. In any event that these are observed, call your doctor. In fact, anything that makes you feel that something is not normal, do not hesitate, after all we don’t want it to be too late.

At least now, my curiosity has been fed as to why kids sweat more than us adults specifically when they sleep.

BRIBERY

Wikepedia defines it as a form of pecuniary corruption, is an act implying money or gift given that alters the behavior of the recipient.

It has always been a negative form in my own vocabulary, and anything negative is something I avoid giving or exposing my love ones to, more so my kid! Being a parent, I feel responsible to whatever “something” that will affect my kiddo’s view on life and on what this will make her the person she will be in the future.

Bribery will make her the USER those people resorting to this as well. So as to get what they want, they will feed you with what they know you will bite. She will also be demanding of that bribe making her a prisoner of that need. We don’t want our kids to be ruled by things of the darkness. We want them living as at peace and as happy as they can be.

Above all, I have this Holy Fear in my Creator. That it is not within His allowed thing-to-do. So why do something that will make you regret forever?!

CHANGE FRIGHT

I guess it is but natural for kids to have this change fright, them wanting and needing permanence in relation to security. That each change in their routine, common practice, or simply their world is stressful and necessitating adjustment.

I have proven this time and again like her opposing to transfer in country , or even just residence, or even as minimal as her not wanting her things given away.

As adults, it is but fitting for us to understand this anxiety in them. Let us be perceptive to the possible effects this will bring them, and do appropriate measures to let it be subtle and tolerable for them. Be sensitive to the need to talk it out to them, tell them of the importance of it. Make them understand, but also be firm in letting them know that it is a decision made already.

TALKING IN YOUR SLEEP?

I DON’T! But my daughter does! And her dad, and her aunt, and her great-grand dad as well. In this line of thought, it says that it is hereditary. It amazes me, this part of creation…the genetic make-up. Truly magnificent work of art! Or it is common to kids, and most of the time fades away as one grows older?

In fact it is funny that my Anya can sleep with one leg crossed the other, as if she’s just sitting down in a couch cross legged. And that came from one maternal granddad and my sib.

I’m glad though that she’s not sleep walking! That’s different, and dangerous! That reminds me, my granddad also talked in his sleep and it is dangerous sometimes...FOR MY GRANDMOM who have to be alert when he is dreaming of fist fights! ;)