Category Archives: Insights

These are heartfelt and real stories of our journey in parenthood and in marriage.  We hope that with these stories will bring you to know Jesus and the God we love and serve.  We hope you will find joy in these stories or relate to it.

Watching Him Grow

Posted in Insights, Personal Picks by

In the last 2 months, I have been so amazed at my son’s development. I am so impressed with his ability to absorb knowledge.  Joshua knows numbers and knows how to count. He can identify colors and shapes.  He also memorized songs and sings them. He holds a pen very well and can draw circles and scribbles.  When I see how much he is learning, I am more convinced to just home school him so he can keep going on his own pace without limitation. Joshua now is 23 months old.

Unlike what some doctors recommend of not exposing children his age to the digital world, I seem to disagree. There are so many good videos that teach songs, colors, shapes, numbers, alphabets to preschoolers.  It is really a matter of supervision.  I do understand that over exposure is not good, but for me limited exposure has its benefits.  I will not deny that many of the things Joshua knows are because of these preschool videos found on youtube. Of course, we supplement what he watches with tangible learning tools to help him understand fully the concept presented on the videos.

IMG_0123

I am so happy that there are many educational toys available.  I am also blessed that with Joshua, he enjoys educational toys.  He is the type that likes building blocks, play doh or home-made clay, and wooden puzzles, books, more than toys (e.g. cars, stuff toys, etc.) Let me share with you what gets Joshua busy and stimulated throughout the day.

1. Mega Blocks – These are great toys for kids below two. It helps them assemble towers and gives them imagination on design.  Joshua enjoys this so much because he can identify colors and build new designs every time. He also enjoys destroying what he builds and start over again.

IMG_0509

2. Play Doh – I first made home-made clay. I got a recipe online made of salt, flour, cream of tartar, water, and food coloring.  He was only 1 year and 9 months old when I decided to introduce him to home-made clay and I bought a few cookie cutters to help design shapes and so he can identify them. It was fun!  Then as time passed the clay was not properly stored they became hard and we had to throw them away.  So, he probably had a month of no playing with clay.  He kept watching the youtube review on play doh and watched how they were making ice cream and food with play doh.  So, Daddy Steve decided to buy him his first play doh set.  He was so thrilled he kept saying “I love play doh”.  We still play with play doh every day and we talk about colors, shapes, and food!

IMG_0373

3. Wooden Puzzles – I found a wooden puzzle in national bookstore that had numbers on it and as you removed the wooden piece it would show the fingers corresponding the numbers.  When I first introduced this to Joshua, he was totally enjoying the puzzle. He played with this puzzle the whole day without looking for his “baba” (or what he nicknames his tablet).  He had on his hands the numbers that he was watching on youtube.  The amazing thing is that he does not only recognize numbers, he actually can count stuff.  He actually did a count of the slices of grape fruit and it confirmed he understands.

IMG_0521.JPG
4. Magnet alphabets and numbers – This is such a great educational tool too! We would stick letters on the fridge and say its name and sound.  We kinda have to stay near the refrigerator but that is fine.  He finds it quite interesting that he can stick them one by one and pull them out. Its pretty stimulating.  I also bought a smaller version with a magnetic board for travel because its just good fun!

5. Colored pens and papers –  Joshua was holding a pen quite early.  A little after he turned one, we have been making him scribble on the white board.  Then later, I decided to buy him a set of colored pens so he can start drawing on paper.  He likes to write, and its part of his daily routine to either go on the white board or to scribble on paper. He really enjoys it!

It is never too early to introduce our children to explore new things.  I really suggest to my mommy friends to go ahead and try… dont wait for your child to enroll in a pre-school to learn something new. You can do it at home together. As I watch my son grow, I am so blessed to have this opportunity to be part of his development and not miss it!

IMG_0413

Parenting Seminar

When one becomes a parent, the thought of it is bliss but in reality it is all whole lot of work. Most parents have no idea what they are doing and that’s the blatant truth. We only know how we were raised. And truthfully, not everyone feels that they were raised perfectly. In fact, if you ask most people they would say there would be things they would change and apply to their kids because they had harsh or hurtful experiences with their own parents growing up. There’s very little preparation or perhaps no preparation at all for anyone to become an intentional parent. No school teaches that, and most just ouido it.

Early in my marriage, Steve and I decided to attend the parenting seminar given by CCF (Christ Commission Fellowship). Pastor Peter Tan-chi, his wife, and children really inspired us to look at bible-based parenting principles. We learned so much about disciplining your children, making TIME for children, Forgiveness and grace in the family, having a family legacy… etc. We took that course quite early because our firstborn came 7 years later.

This time, since I am in actual practical parenting mode, I have committed to attend the Counterflow event which is a parenting seminar with Biblical perspective. There are 3 main speakers this year — specifically Dr. Peter Tan-chi, Francis Kong and Larry Fowler. This will be held in CCF Main in Ortigas Avenue, Metro Manila on October 25, 2014. Tickets to the seminar is P500 per person.

Counterflow 2014

Counterflow 2014

If you want to learn how to intentionally raise up your children, I’m encouraging you to take this seminar with us. I would also love to hear if parents in Socsargen will be interested with a seminar like this locally. Because if we get a big confident nod, then God-willing we are planning to take Counterflow to Socsargen area next year!

Training to Potty

Sometime ago, I wrote about buying that toilet seat for kids that you place above the adult toilet. My son was able to poop on it and I was so mighty proud. Little did you know that he did that only once. Since then, that toilet seat has become just an point of reference on where people should sit when they need to go to the bathroom .

For months since that successful event, we have tried to make him sit on that toilet seat and see nothing happen. We would still end up with soiled diapers for he refuses to poo sitting on that high toilet seat.

Now at 1 year and 9 months, I need to get some intervention. My son’s change of diapers have increased and that’s because he urinates more and poos as much as twice in a day. I know my son is very smart, but on the potty a bit lazy.

It was last week that I went to the baby store to see the kind of little potty they had. I needed my son and husband help me make the decision on what to buy. And we finally did our purchase — the Safety 1st Comfy Cushy 3-in-1 Potty.

We brought it home and Josh kept playing with it like a new toy. He would open and sit and then close his potty. We also kept instructing, “this is where you pee and poo”.

However in the evening, I got frustrated because despite the push to use his potty he still chose to soil his diapers. I decided to not let him wear any diaper and just walk around the house in his shorts. It was only then that he wet himself and the floor. It became our teaching moment. We explained to him that when he feels like peeing to go to the potty. His daddy also demonstrated what Josh should do.

In my frustration, I really prayed out loud. “Lord teach me what to so I can effectively teach my son to potty!” I was losing my patience over this, so I rested from the potty training obsession.

The next morning, after Joshua wakes, he tells me to change his diaper because it is “puno” or full. When I was changing him I saw he was ready to pee again. So I raised him out of bed to his potty. Then with time and encouragement he finally succeeded! His smile was ear to ear with all the words of praise and high fives.

IMG_0016-0.JPG

He was so happy with his achievement he called his Yaya and showed her his potty. Then on his own, he sat on the potty and also poo-ed on it. What a bonus! I thanked God for the blessing and I pray that my son will be potty trained fully. As they always say repetition makes perfect!

A Season to Stay Put

Posted in Insights by

Everyone goes through different seasons in their life. As for me, I am currently in gestation and it has made me less mobile. I have to prioritize my time according to what I am able and to what is most important. I don’t get to attend many events. I don’t get to socialize as much. I must admit, I feel like I am missing out on many things. But, I know this is my season to stay still.

There are blessings that do come with this season. I get to spend time with my one year and nine month old baby. I also get to see him reach his milestones. Today, Joshua began counting not just verbally… but he took his play nails and counted them… He set aside one after saying the number 1, 2, 3, & 4. He also knows their colors when I ask him. Deep inside me I am overflowing with joy.

My son enjoys conversing. He also pretends that he knows how to read. He would get my bible and scan it and then stop and point his fingers on the page while dabbling along. Not everything I understand yet, but I affirm him that I am listening.

My mornings are filled with delight. As Joshua wakes up, he would walk around the house and sing. Currently in the repertoir are the theme song of the cartoon “Boboboi”,”Let it Go”, and “O Holy Night”. He makes up his own songs sometimes too. He has a pretty good voice and he sings in tune.

There are more things that fills my heart each day with gratefulness and joy. I thank God for the privilege of being a mother. I think about Mary how the bible described her feeling when she was raising up the child Jesus.

Luke 2: 51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Imagine unlocking what is stored inside every mother’s heart? There are so many memories, so many stories, and so much love. And to think, I am just at the start of this journey… there will be so much more in the days, months, and years ahead.

While everything seems to stand still for me, God is showing me that I am not missing out on the most important things he wants me to see and experience. A great reminder for me is this verse, 1 Thess 5:18 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

image

Im in hibernation

Posted in Insights by

After the successful Sarangani Bay Festival in May, I started feeling really sick. I would get headaches and body pains and I was fatigued most of the time. I was irritable while breastfeeding my one year old son and was just not myself. It was not too long before I found out I was pregnant again!

I was very happy with the news. However, this happiness did not last long. I was seriously part of the 85% of women that got morning sickness. This morning sickness was way more intense than my last pregnancy. I was vomiting every meal ( and I honestly hate vomiting!!!). I lost 10 lbs in one week! I could not eat much because eating caused me abnormal gas and acid. After that week, I begged my doctor to confine me to hospital. It was the best decision. I was totally dehydrated and it could have been detrimental to me and the baby.

God is faithful that despite the rough first trimester, the results from the doctor indicated a healthy baby. I have to say, I could not accept any visit from friends. I was incommunicado. I did not leave our house and harldly got out of my room. I would cry and pray constantly and started to wonder if I was headed towards depression.

Another issue i was dealing with was having to wean my son off breastfeeding because I felt under-nourished, and for the safety of the other baby I had to reserve the nutrients I could hold down for the “baby in the oven.” Joshua, our toddler, had to go through the weaning process and he did so with a lot of crying and screaming. Not something you want to hear going through a tough first three months.

I was so thankful that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to visit. They gave Joshua the attention he needed, because I could not. My husband was very kind to care for me the best he could given his busy schedule. He would make all the calls to the doctor and try to pick up the slack with my other household chores. He was also very patient because I was really not the same woman. So much so, that I was warned by my doctor that if I don’t pull myself out of this emotional rut, I would be a candidate for postpartum depression. I immediately rebuked that statement by calling upon the Name of Jesus! Since that day, I prayed harder and started to read the bible again.

Since yesterday, I have been feeling better. I know so because now I can look at my computer again without feeling nauseous! Also, I have been eating closer to my regular diet. There is a time for everything, and God has reasons for the seasons in our lives. To all my friends who know and who prayed for me… thank you!!! I really need your prayers. To those who wondered why I have not responded to calls, messages and social media, I was trying to get “over the hump.” Hopefully, by God’s grace, I will see you soon.

Age of Discipline

This topic could be very trivial to some moms. I know some parents do not believe in physical discipline. But after attending parenting seminars, I am convinced that discipline help train up a child.

When my son started showing tantrums, I had to assess if I should start giving him the spank or not. Many times when he was 11 to 12 months I would tell him “no” to certain things (such as not placing his hand on the electric fan). I had to make him understand that there could be situations that he could get hurt. But his explorative stage made it a little confusing. So, I had to stand firm when I say “no” and remained consistent with it. It was repeated to him over and over, so he began to understand.

Joshua had limited words as a one year old. I feel that he would get frustrated because I don’t understand what he is expressing to me and he would have some angry fits. Initially, I did not know what to do when my little boy would get angry. I would try to calmly talk to him, but that did not work. Soon, his anger would now include him throwing things on the floor or at me. I would talk to him in my angry voice and say “no! Stop throwing”. Oh that worked for maybe 6 times only. Soon, it did not bother him that I raised my voice. He would throw things on the floor, and look at me. I would say “no!” again. He would get another book or toy and throw it and look at me with his little angry eyes. You may think I am exaggerating. I am not. I could not believe that my little angel would have that kind of angry fit at that age. After letting it go for about 1 week, I decided not to delay discipline any longer. If I do not bring this to Joshua’s attention, he will try to overpower me with his tantrums.
image

So, I learned from parenting class that discipline should be for 2 reasons only. It is for DISOBEDIENCE and DISRESPECT. With Joshua, it was his disobedience on my instructions of not throwing things when he was told. That first time I spanked him it was a epic failure. He got his tantrum because he did not get the toy he wanted to play with. He was angry and started throwing things even when I told him not to. Then I decided to call him and told him, “Come here, I am going to spank you.” I then panicked because I had no object to spank him with. I have no heart to use my hands. I learned that our hands are used for loving and embraces so I needed another object to spank/discipline him with. Guess what I found?… a Lei with a button pin that says “Philippine Councilors League”. (Yes you can laugh at me now!) I made my little Josh bend over and I took a swing with that lei on his butt. However, I forgot he had diapers on. So it hit only his diapers! Talk about a capital “F” for failure! Hahahaha!!

image

My spanking object

So, the very next day, another incident made my son start throwing things in his anger. After I warned him and said “no”, he again continued to throw things at me. This time, I told him, ” Come here, I am going to spank you”. I had the lei with the button pin ready and put down his diaper and gave that swing on his buttocks. Joshua cried and looked at me, and ran towards me in tears. I hugged him and I kissed him, and I told him “Joshua mommy loves you, so please no more throwing. If you continue to throw, I will spank.”

Joshua learned after 2 more spanks that I was serious about the no throwing of things when he was upset. Don’t get me wrong, I allow my son to feel angry or frustrated. I am just not allowing him to throw things at me when he is upset. After teaching him that, I only have to say, “Mommy will spank”. He automatically changes his mind about throwing that toy or book. I also can just pull out that Lei and ask him, “you want spank?”. Then, he would walk away from that item he intended to throw at me.

I had to also ask my other mommy blogger friends how old they started disciplining their kids. The result of the survey is as early as one year old! Even one year olds, can challenge their parents on how far they can get their way. If discipline is not applied, we would be raising spoiled and whiny kids. We had a great discussion on the reasons and styles of discipline. I honestly felt like I had a support group that agreed with this method.

image

SoX Women & Mommy Bloggers

Just last night, Joshua was whining and he was again tempted to throw his book at me. I whispered in his ear, “Please do not throw. If you throw, mommy will spank”. He became quiet, looked at me, and with laughter he turns to embrace me. My 1 year and 4 months old understands discipline! Here are some encouraging verses from the bible about discipline.

Proverbs 13:24 (CEB)
Those who withhold the rod hate their children, but the one who loves them applies discipline.

Hebrews 12:11 (CEB)
No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

Its definitely Summer

Posted in Insights by

It has been quite hot in the past weeks. Some afternoons, the airconditioner would blast on high cool and yet the air still feels like room temperature air. There are limited activities a one year old toddler can do during the summer. In my case it was my son who showed me what fun we can do this summer.

He whined himself out of the house and walked toward the hose. We have introduced the hose to Joshua so he could learn watering plants. That particular afternoon was different. At 230pm on that sunny summer afternoon, Joshua strolls himself around the house with the hose. We let the water run and suddenly he became quite creative. He starts playing with the water and showers himself with the hose. It was fun to watch. He super enjoyed the sprinkles of water on his face. With the summer heat, my son taught me to have fun in a more practical sense!

Summer is here

I also bought a inflatable swimming pool for Josh to enjoy at home. The first time we set it up, I got all excited and took liberty to be in my swim suit to play with him in the pool. But after two photos with him in the pool, Joshua insisted to kick me out of the pool. I was not even a minute in the pool! Hahahhaa.. It was like him telling me, “I can take care of myself mom.” He can be really independent some times. In fact, he makes me forget that he is just 1 year old.

Mom and babe in the pool before Mom gets kicked out!

Mom and babe in the pool before Mom gets kicked out!


I guess swimming and hose playing are a good way to cool down this hot summer. Also it is good to keep babies hydrated with them drinking water and juices. This heat can be really fun if we allow our little ones to enjoy it. Playing with water can be really, really fun!

Creative Play

Posted in Insights, Teach at Home by

The daily routine of my 16 month old boy includes alot of play.  We use toys, we do role play, we have books and story telling, lots of hugs, affirmation and laughter. We have toys that are battery operated and makes alphabet sounds and music when certain buttons are pressed.  It has helped Joshua understand cause and effect. It also helps him with the mastery of his fingers and hand motor skills. Music also communicates an idea more creatively. Its good to have music and sounds as part of the play.

What amuses me the most, are the “accidental toys”.  These are household items or stuff I intended to throw, but in a surprise has become a valuable toy in the eye of my little boy.
One of the most enjoyed items Joshua has been playing are bottles. Shampoo bottles, lotions bottles, water bottles, and other toiletries are actually fun to arrange and rearrange. Joshua can actually play a while with these items as his imagination takes over.  He stacks them, rearranges them, packs them in boxes and likes to discover the object’s shape and function.

Another one he enjoys is making the monoblock plastic chair his ship.  We make him stand on it and we just push it around the dining area as if he was the captain sailing away.

20140416-215648.jpg

Recently, my husband received a gift that has become one of our objects of creative play. Its a wooden set of coffee confectionary. Joshua has made it his imaginary kitchen and role plays that he is cooking up a great dish. We have fun pretending to be chefs and making up recipes. I really enjoy watching him pretend to stir the food and take a taste with the spoon as he says “uhhhmm!”

Another toy that has become cool is just a box. His nanny saw that he would fit inside that box. She puts a ribbon at one end and made Joshua sit inside. With the ribbon we dragged him around the house making the box his make shift car/jeep. Its been a lot of fun!

20140416-221851.jpg

Playing does not need expensive toys all the time. We can just look at our closet or pantry and find lots of interesting stuff for our toddlers to play with. What we parents need are just a bit more imagination and creativity…

20140416-222942.jpg

He decided to potty!!!

20140411-230457.jpg

I bought that baby toilet seat about a month ago for my 15 month old. I was trying to make him understand that poo-poo should be done on the toilet seat. Joshua did not fully understand at first. I would make him sit on the baby toilet seat and hold him with my facial expression of pushing bowels and making that sound “uh-ohhh… Uh-ohhh”. He would try to follow my face but still not get it.

For the first time today (April 11), in the middle of our play time, Joshua looks at me and makes the “u-o” sound. So I asked him, “do you want to poo-poo?” I was surprised to see him turn away from me and run to the bathroom.

We rushed to follow him, and took off diapers and placed his potty training toilet seat on top of the main toilet seat. He sat without protest. He kept pointing to the toilet paper. It was not long when he finally dropped those baby bombs! Yes! My son at 1 year and 3 months got himself to successfully do #2 in the toilet. I am so thrilled!

Joshua has caught me using the toilet several times. I surmise he figured things out by what he saw. This son of mine never ceases to amaze me. He really is such a smart little boy!

20140412-082921.jpg

Music and intelligence

Even when my son was in my womb, I had sung to him songs. I made him listen to my ipod tunes. They say, if you let your child listen to classical music, they get brain stimulation. For me, any music can stimulate a child.

Maybe its partly genes that my son is just a natural music lover and dancer too! But I am more inclined to believe that exposing a child to music at an early age just helps in their development.

I have never stopped singing to Joshua. I sing songs I know, I have also discovered and reconnected with many childhood songs, and I also put melodies to my own sentences. Music is part of our mother and son relationship.

I also bought him musical toys like a small xylophone. He also liked playing with a baby drum. I also downloaded a baby piano and a baby drum application on my tablet. He started playing with these as early as 4 months.
image

A few days after Josh turned one, I decided to take him to a kindermusic class in gymboree. It was there I discovered that Joshua was quite ahead. His exposure to music at home gave him so much confidence. I was a bit embarassed actually. He was getting all teachers attention while the other kids were still figuring music out.

image

listening to percussions at a wedding

My son at 15 months can do the actions of several nursery songs (about 8 children’s songs or more). We are constantly exposing him to instruments and music. Its been a wonderful thing to do songs together and affirming him when he gets it right. It is a new level of fun!

As a parent, I can’t stop praising God for the joy I experience with my toddler. Music has been a great blessing to my little intelligent baby too.

“Thank you for the music… the songs Im singing… thanks for all the joy they’re bringing”