One of our duties as mothers is to disciple our children and plant in their hearts, the seeds of faith that will help them become followers of Christ. As a new mom back then, I was not able to take this seriously other than the usual religious rites my children must go through. The daily rigors of meeting their basic needs such as breastfeeding, bathing, and then later on cooking, tutoring, among other activities were the front and center of my motherhood journey.

But now that they are growing and developing their own personalities and character, I was roused to the fact that I should start taking discipling even more seriously. I figured that investing in their spiritual growth is intrinsic since life is short, and no parent can say that they can always be there for their kids when they face life’s challenges. Life happens, we can all get called by our Creator anytime.

Investing on our child’s spiritual growth

One of the reasons why I am eager to invest in my children’s spiritual growth is the fast-paced changes of this modern world. It really is scary that we are living in the present times, and depression and suicide are but common solutions despairing people turn to when life’s challenges seem to overwhelm them.

By trying to help my children nurture a personal relationship with the Lord, I get the peace of mind that even if I am no longer here on Earth, they know whom to turn to for guidance. They will know whom to run to when their problems are too big for them to handle. They would not have to resort to vices, to other people who might break their heart and not truly look after their good, and they would not even think of ending their lives. 

Encouraging kids to follow Jesus

I want them to know that by following Jesus, and abiding by the Lord’s commandments, they get shielded from huge troubles. While they could not understand this principle fully given their young age, there are ways to explain it to them that they could understand. And as moms, that will be our challenge.

And the good thing about taking on this challenge is we get to accomplish God’s commandments while we are at it. Deuteronomy 6:7 says “Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.”

Moreover, teaching our children (and others) to abide by the Lord’s commands also come with a promise to those who teach. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, it was said that “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)

Four ways to plant seeds of faith to children

So here are some ways we can plant the seeds of faith into our children’s hearts. No matter what age they are, I am sure you can adjust these suggestions based on how they could understand and absorb it:

1. Introduce Jesus to them. Talk about Jesus at home by teaching your kids how to pray and making a habit out of it. I taught my children to pray before and after meals and before sleeping at night. Tell them about your past experiences and how God has helped you with all that. Teach them to thank the Lord for everything.

2. Bring them to church. No matter what religion you belong to, it is important to bring your kids to church. And it is not just enough to bring them and to make them observe the religious rites. Explain it to them, and try to explain the priest or the pastor’s message for the week in terms they will understand.

3. Expose them to the Word. If there is a catechism or Sunday School in your church, then by all means bring the children to them. It is important to expose them to the good news of salvation in a way that they will understand. Read the bible with your children and try to impart some snippets of messages that they could understand. If they are into gadgets then download a bible app for them to discover and use. 

4. Make learning about Jesus fun and understandable. Purchase or borrow kids bible story books and read it with your children. If they are older kids, then buy or borrow age appropriate devotionals that they could read during their daily quiet time. Let them watch films and videos about Jesus and the Bible. The Chosen is one of the best series to stream and watch as a family. You can watch it for free online in their official website here.

All the above mentioned ideas will be more effective if you become a good example of Christ follower to your children. If they see Jesus’ light in you, then they are bound to bask in that light. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). As parenting experts say, “children will follow your example, not your advice.”

Thank you for stopping by and till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post How to plant seeds of faith in your child’s heart appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Hello everyone, with your indulgence, I will try to restart another weekly series, this time for toddler and BLW Baby meals. One of the most challenging things to do for most moms is meal planning. Well, meal planning does not only apply to the everyday meals or “ulam” of the household. It also applies to the food of the littlest member thereof.

While BLW or Baby-led weaning is meant to help families eat the same food as everyone (oldest to youngest child have almost the same meals), we all know that is sometimes not feasible. Hence, we may need to plan out weekly meals for our toddler, some of which could be taken from the main meal plan of the house for the week.

Toddler Meal and Baby-Led Weaning BLW Meal resources

Before I give you my toddler meal suggestions for the week, allow me to help you find meal planning resources and toddler meal ideas from our blog. Pre-pandemic, I have been religiously posting weekly meal plans, and you can find some here. A host of BLW or toddler meal ideas can meantime be found here.

Anyway, without further ado, here are the five meal suggestions for your little one this week. As you can see, the meals are designed to encourage your little one to eat on his own. The fruits served are safe enough to chomp on, and so are the bread pieces and the pasta. I strongly encourage you though to never leave your child unattended while eating to prevent accidents.

Toddler BLW meal suggestions for the week:

Let your child explore the different sizes, tastes, and textures of the food that you serve so that they get to have a more adventurous palate. Based on my experience raising my three kids from toddlerhood, I have discovered that when they are served only what they like or are accustomed to, they tend to become more picky. I have read once that we should at least try to serve a new food 3-4 times until the child can at least give it a try.

You may want to take a screenshot of the table below for your convenience in planning and shopping for your baby’s meals:

The Chicken Tinola is an obvious favorite in our household. Who doesn’t love the super yummy and soothing soup right? The sayote tastes neutral and is soft enough for the baby to chew on. The same goes with the shredded chicken breast. And since the rice has soup on it, it will surely help make it tastier for the little ones.

The Malunggay Scrambled Eggs is also easy to do. Just make your usual scrambled eggs – with or without milk – and add in some malunggay leaves. Then slice some ripe papaya into sticks, perfect for those little fists. Lastly, serve your choice of toasted bread, again sliced into sticks for that perfect toddler grip!

The pesto pasta is the easiest recipe in the pile. Choose a pasta that is easy to hold on to like penne or fusilli. Follow package instructions. Set Aside. Saute olive oil and green pesto, and then toss in the pasta. Serve with fried breaded fish fillet bites. I just used pollock here, dredged in flour, egg, and then flour again. You can use any fish of your choice, and any breading recipe you are accustomed to. Like panko!

The thick chicken congee is basically a thick “lugaw” made of glutinous rice or “malagkit.” Just saute onion, garlic, ginger, shredded chicken, and then the “malagkit” na bigas. Add a cup of water for every cup of rice. Let it boil and add more water as necessary.

Lastly, is the cream cheese toast, scrambled eggs and watermelon shake. You can actually use whatever local fruit in season, and just shake it in your blender. Your little one will surely enjoy the cold flavor on a hot day! The cream cheese toast is of course self-explanatory. You can use any brand of cream cheese that you like, but I suggest you use the plain ones, without the strong herbs and flavorings.

God will provide for both our big needs, and small needs

So, there you have it. Thank you for stopping by this week. I hope I was able to help you out with your toddler meal plan, and here’s hoping that you spend time in the website exploring more toddler and family food ideas!

Sharing with you ladies, one of my favorite bible verses that assure us that our Sovereign and Loving God will take care of all our needs:

“For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land. ‘”

1 Kings 17:14

Again, thank you everyone and till next post!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Meal Ideas for your Toddler and BLW Baby appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

When a person is injured due to someone else’s negligence – be it an accident case, a defective product case, or medical malpractice, it becomes a case of personal injury. And child personal injury cases are more complex as a minor can’t fight their case on their own or file a lawsuit.

Many times newborn babies suffer due to misuse of vacuum pumps or other medical equipment that are used at the time of pregnancy. Hence, it is imperative for parents to know how to deal with such situations.

In such cases, a person or a team is legally responsible for the injuries. If your child has suffered severe injuries which cost you a heavy amount of money, you can apply for a monetary claim from the defendant’s party. But for that, you will have to prove that the other party is at fault. Here we have discussed the steps you need to get your child’s personal injury claim.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Any personal injury case can get complex, but there are unique challenges with seeking a claim on behalf of a minor. Since a child case can be tricky and requires careful legal attention, parents should reach out to a personal injury attorney for help.

A lawyer is the best person to help you evaluate your child’s case and see if you are eligible for compensation. Moreover, personal injury cases always get difficult when it’s about calculating the estimated claim and convincing the defendant party.

A lawyer can help judge both sides, evaluate the child’s injuries and their long-term effects, and quote a genuine claim which is backed by facts and evidence.

Prove that the Other Party Is at Fault

Most child injury cases are due to the other party’s negligence, yet sometimes it can be grueling for the parents to prove the negligence. Moreover, you need to prove that the defendant owed a duty to your child and bring evidence to demonstrate that they failed to comply with their duty. Again, here your lawyer will help represent the evidence on your behalf.

Depending on your particular case, you also need to identify what kind of duty the other party owed to your child. For instance, if your child suffered due to medical malpractice, you need to prove that the healthcare providers didn’t act with reasonable care while attending to the child or failed to comply with their duties.

Speaking from the legal perspective, the child’s representative must prove the following terms in order to hold the other party liable:

• Duty of Care: The defendant had a duty of care to not harm the child in the given condition.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant breached their duty by doing something wrong, which a reasonable person should not have done in the same situation.
• Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty and care is what caused injuries to the child.
• Damages: You have medical bills and records to prove your child’s injuries.

Understand the Limitations of Your Case

Depending on the state you’re filing the case in, there will be certain limitations related to your child injury case. There are different statutes for different claim requests in different states, which an injury lawyer can help you guide about.

For instance, the statute of limitations for child injury cases in Florida is usually four years from the injury date, whereas, in Oakland, the child’s representative gets only two years after the accident to file the claim. Because child injury cases are more complex, complying carefully with the statute of limitations is imperative. Any misguidance in such cases can result in the dismissal of the lawsuit.

File a Claim Representing Your Child

Since an injured child cannot fight for their claim on their own, parents or legal guardians have the right to apply for the claim as their legal representative. In many states, they are known as the ‘next friend’ who is appointed by the court to protect the rights of the minor.

 A next friend could be one parent, both the parents, a legal guardian, or a court-appointed lawyer. Moreover, depending on your local laws, you might also need to take the court’s approval to deem you as your child’s legal representative.

Once these claims are settled, and the victim gets the reimbursement, the fund can be secured as a trust for the child and can be used for their higher education. The amount of the claim will depend on the extent of damages suffered by the victim.

Thank you for stopping by and till next post!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post <strong>What to Do if Your Child Got Injured Due to Someone Else’s Fault?</strong> appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Marriage can be difficult, but the relationship between two loving parents after a divorce can sometimes worsen. It’s not always easy to end things in a friendly way, especially when children are involved. For some parents, divorce can be as emotionally draining as financially crippling.

In order to get a healthy relationship back with the child, each of the parents must understand what the other person is feeling and how to best communicate about it. Co-parenting can be a lonely journey for both parties involved, but it will be worth taking. If a parent can learn the other person’s perspective and adjust their behavior, it will make a big difference in the long run.

Co-parenting can have positive results for both parents and children if they are willing to acknowledge each other’s feelings and emotions. It may even enrich each parent’s life as they have a chance to meet as friends outside of their marriage, allowing them to see each other in a different light. Although it’s sometimes easier said than done, there are a few healthy boundaries you should implement to keep things running smoothly.

Why do we need boundaries?

We all need boundaries in our lives. They help us feel safe and secure and know where we stand with other people. Without boundaries, we can easily become overwhelmed by others’ demands and expectations, and our own needs can get lost. Having strong boundaries also allows us to be more compassionate and understanding towards others because we can see them more clearly as separate individuals.

Observe Boundaries:

As co-parenting can be a lonely journey, you should carefully observe your boundaries with your ex-spouse. You need to consider what kind of relationship you want with them. Are you looking to be “just friends,” or are you trying to recreate the marriage? Do not respond emotionally to their actions unless it involves your child.

Remember that there may be times when your ex-spouse will try to get a reaction out of you, especially if they are feeling threatened by your presence in their life. It may be best to keep your emotions at bay and slowly move back into a friendship with their support.

As a parent, you always have the option to create boundaries with another parent. However, you must respect the other parent’s boundaries and treat them as an individual when raising your child. Do not criticize their parenting or character; instead, focus on being open to new ideas and support.

The following are five healthy co-parenting boundaries that you need to implement: 

1. Boundaries around communication 

Communication, especially around children, is challenging in co-parenting relationships. However, it’s a must-have for healthy bonds. The key is to consider your ex-spouse as someone separate from you and therefore can have a friendly conversation with them. While everyone may have an opinion about the best way to discipline their child, you will always respect another person’s viewpoint. 

To have effective communication with your ex-spouse, do not share the details about what was said in the house. You need to be careful not to appear like you are trying to control them or intimidate them. Also, for your child’s sake, try to avoid heated disagreements. Remember, your child is a sensitive person, and if you are constantly arguing with each other, it may confuse them.

2. Boundaries around parenting

When parents co-parent in the same household, they need to respect each other’s parenting styles. Although there will likely be disagreements in this area, it is important to avoid criticizing each other’s parenting. This can be tricky because both parties may feel like they are “winning” when chatting about their ex-spouse. However, these comments can lead to feeling permanently insecure and paranoid about their parents.

Be sure to avoid sarcasm and other behaviors when attempting to have a friendly conversation with your co-parent. Instead, focus on being open-minded and having patience as you watch your child interact with their new parent. It can be very frustrating when you’re used to the way things are done, but this will help the child adapt.

3. Boundaries around personal information

When you co-parent and share the same household, your ex-spouse will likely ask you personal questions. It can be difficult to explain the information they are looking for and what can be private, but it’s important to explain how to respect your right to privacy. If you feel comfortable, talk if there is anything you want to keep confidential. However, be careful not to share private information about their child or another relative that may hurt their wellbeing.

As you see, being a parent in the same household means that you have the chance to interact with your ex-spouse. It’s important to follow certain boundaries when discussing private information and issues, such as discipline.

4. Boundaries around money

It’s important to set a dollar amount with your ex-spouse on how much you pay for your child’s care. If one parent does not share equal parenting time, then it may be difficult for that parent to pay for the child’s care if the other parent has custody. You should create a list of expenses and decide which expenses each parent will pay for; this list should include regular food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. 

Ideally, you should have a financial agreement to cover medical, prescription, and other miscellaneous expenses. However, it’s essential to establish these boundaries with your ex-spouse at the proper time. 

5. Boundaries around time

Many parents do not have enough time with their children due to the long distance. You can arrange for your child to have time with their other parent by giving them a specific location, date, and time. Furthermore, you should try to schedule a small amount of time so that you can discuss the importance of following through with it. This is important because your ex-spouse is more likely to respect your needs and give them the same consideration as they would want. 

As the child grows, it will be easy to spend time with their parents. If the child can spend time with each parent independently, this is even better. If you cannot have separate sleep times, consider using a baby monitor that connects you and your child. With this information, you can set boundaries around your child’s care and be prepared for when they come home from school or need to leave the house.

Tips for communicating with your child’s other parent

1. Do not criticize their parenting before your child or interpret what they do as being personal against you. At the same time, it is important to let them know that you are there for support if they need it and that you will be there for them if necessary.

2. Do not blame your ex-spouse for all of the problems in your child’s life. This can cause your child to be uncomfortable around their other parent and feel like they cannot be themselves around them. 

3. Make a point to get along with each other and be open-minded for the sake of your child. They will pick up on any tension and stress between you, so it’s good to keep things light. 

4. Be sure to have a pace for when you would like to discuss specific topics. It’s also a good idea to set up other family meetings in the future to avoid having unnecessary conflicts around your child’s care.

5. If you feel upset and uncomfortable, it is important to speak with your child’s other parents to know what is going on. They can always help support you, so they can determine if they want you to talk with their child or not. 

Final Thought

Setting boundaries as a parent in the same household can create a better environment for your child. It’s also important to remember what you want out of life and to focus on preventing any arguments from arising. Always make an effort to maintain a loving and supportive relationship with your child’s other parent and be willing to compromise on certain parenting issues. You will have to work together and determine what is best for your child, so it’s important to set these boundaries beforehand.

Author Bio

Andrea is currently the head of content management at SpringHive Web Design Company, a digital agency that provides creative web design, social media marketing, email marketing, and search engine optimization services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. She is also a blog contributor at Baby Steps Preschool where she writes storytime themes, parenting tips, and seasonal activities to entertain children.

The post Guest Post: 5 Healthy Co-Parenting Boundaries You Need to Implement appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Being a parent is a fulfilling endeavor, filled with many beautiful moments. However, it’s also a challenging responsibility that can give rise to feelings of frustration. Parenting has also become trickier to navigate in the modern world, with technology both proving to be a boon and bane when it comes to raising children.
However, there’s no reason for fear and pressure. Parenting is tough but it’s not impossible. Moreover, moms and dads aren’t alone in this endeavor. There’s a lot of help to be found, from fellow parents to health professionals and parenting experts. Also listed below are some tips that could hopefully give you more helpful insights:

Avoid “Helicopter Parenting”

As a parent, you don’t want any harm or danger to come to your kids. There’s certainly nothing wrong with this. The problem comes when you start overseeing every aspect of your children’s lives to the point of coddling them. This is what’s called helicopter parenting.
Do note that it’s perfectly fine to supervise your children, particularly when they’re still of a certain age. However, paying extremely close attention to their activities and doing everything for them can cause problems. After all, young children and even teenagers need to experience independence and learn from their mistakes in order to develop into well-rounded adults.
Examples of helicopter parenting can be seen often in school (e.g., parents answering learning modules on behalf of their children). Nevertheless, it can also manifest in other aspects of a child’s life such as in making friends.
The key is to strike a balance. For example, if your teenager is staying overnight at a friend’s place, you can  buy load online and remind them to keep in touch. However, don’t bug them hour after hour about what they’re doing. This way, you establish ground rules and at the same time show confidence that your child will follow them. It can be hard not to worry, but giving them a little leeway will be good for everyone.

Communicate

If you’re finding it hard to make your children do what you tell them to do, perhaps it’s time to evaluate how you communicate. The “because I said so” approach is counterproductive. Children need to know the “why” of things. Do you want them to put their toys back in their proper place? Tell them the importance of cleaning up and taking care of things. This will help them understand the basis of the things you’re asking them to do.
You should also take the time to listen to your child, giving their thoughts and opinions value. When they feel that they aren’t judged, they will be more open to sharing their ideas instead of repressing them. What’s more, kids who are involved in the decision-making process are more likely to hold up their end of an agreement.

Be Consistent With Discipline

Establishing house rules is important because it sets expectations and teaches your children how to respect authority and develop self-control. However, house rules would mean nothing if you don’t follow through with the consequences. Consistency is the key here; your children might test your patience but don’t give in. Setting limits early on and being consistent with implementation can teach your children how to be responsible for their actions.

Be Flexible

Being flexible might seem counterintuitive, since the previous point emphasized consistency. Still, there is such a thing as setting unrealistic expectations. What’s more, being consistent with discipline doesn’t mean you can’t change the way you approach it. Be open to possibilities and look at a situation from a different perspective. This is especially true as your child grows up and learns more from their teachers, classmates, friends, and environment.
Besides, allowing yourself to be a flexible parent shows your children that it’s okay to make mistakes and that you can change your mind. It shows that you can make better decisions by gathering new information.

Don’t Be Afraid to Show Affection

Younger children are generally more receptive to gestures of affection like hugs and kisses. As they grow older, they might be a little more reluctant (especially when they don’t want to be seen as “babies” anymore). Still, don’t be afraid to show your affection in other ways. Listen to their stories, encourage their interests, and spend quality time with them. Give them the freedom to make their own choices, but offer your guidance.
It’s also important to let your children know that your love is unconditional. Be encouraging, rather than fault-finding. Let them know that even though they make mistakes, you’re there to support and love them.

Last but certainly not least, modern parenting means recognizing your weaknesses. Be forgiving of yourself and understand that there really is no such thing as a perfect parent. Admit your mistakes, work on improving them, and admit when you need to take a break. Parenting takes a lot of work and you need to rest to be able to do it well.
Thanks for stopping by ladies, and till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post 5 Parenting Tips for Filipinos in 2021 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Set Guidelines

You may have involved a lawyer to help you separate your assets, but you could also use a lawyer to help you set some guidelines when it comes to the kids. Lawyers like M. Sue Wilson are experienced in issues relating to the kids. They can help you to set up custody agreements and rules relating to access. Once these have been discussed and decided, make sure you stick to them. Changing access or visitation times is going to anger your ex and it will not help you to move forward. Do not punish your ex by changing the rules you have set yourself. It will be your kids that lose out most.

Keep Calm

Seeing your ex may invoke emotions. However, getting angry and going over old ground is going to have a negative impact on your kids. Try to keep calm when you deal with your ex. Use some breathing techniques to help you with this. You probably won’t have to spend long periods of time with your ex, so it is okay to walk away and then scream and shout if you need to – just don’t do it in front of the kids. Remember that your kids won’t be young forever; eventually they will grow up and you will be able to have a relationship with them without having to involve your ex.

Focus

Your point of focus should be your kids. So, keep yourself mentally strong when it comes to dealing with your ex and don’t let old arguments resurface. This may be difficult at first but as time goes on it will get easier. Don’t allow yourself to be dragged into the past by your ex. Concentrate solely on the kids and know that you can walk away from the immediate situation if you need some breathing space.

Get a Go Between

If you and your ex really can’t be around each other without screaming, then it may be time to call on the help of a third party. Try not to involve this person in the arguments between you and your ex but ask them to arrange the pickup and drop off your kids so that you don’t have to see your ex-partner. This could be a lot better for the kids as it means that tempers won’t be frayed by them seeing their other parent and they won’t feel guilty about doing so.

Time really does heal all wounds and, at some point in the future, all this will be a distant memory. Follow these tips to help you deal with your ex right now and know that the situation won’t last forever.

Till next post! A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post How to Get on with Your Ex for the Sake of the Kids appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Artworks and letters from the brood

They are just too adorable and heartfelt to dispose. Children’s letters and artworks are treasures to any parents’ heart and they are just too hard to let go, at least for me.

I usually keep the cards, but when my three children start giving me love letters almost everyday, my collection of love letters have gotten so big. Then the artworks that they do, both in home school and during their free time. they pile up too. I decided to frame some, but now, I could not even choose which ones to frame. I sure hope I am not alone in this dilemma.

Can I just keep them all?

Lately, what works for me is to have a binder for each of the kids. I file all their nice artworks there. I take photos of these artworks too. For those that do not seem to make the cut, I take pictures of them as well, and tuck them away in our recycling box (away from the sight of little ones whose feelings get hurt when their letters are placed in the recycling bin). By having photos of the letters and artworks, I could have something to look at when parenting / motherhood gets tough.

I tell myself I will organize all these once they are all in high school? Hahaha! Anyway as the years go by I think I would receive less letters and artworks, unlike now when writing, painting, drawing, cutting and crafts are their pastime.

Love letters from your own children are the sweetest!

As for the letters, I keep them in another binder. Hopefully, Ill sort that out when they leave the nest. I think the letters would be like a time capsule for me by that time. I will get to relive the wonderful memories of the most tiring yet happiest season of my life.

But for now, I will just file, collect, and take pictures of the artworks and letters that they painstakingly worked hard for and wholeheartedly give me. I will have a lot of time to organize all these when they have all grown up. For now, I will enjoy the snuggles, and the kulits, and answering endless questions, and the feeling that I am their most loved person in the world.

Yes, I will enjoy this season of motherhood, and I know that I will not regret doing so

Till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Keeping the kids’ artworks appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

“Tactful and patient parenting make for happy childhood memories, and help build confidence among children”

happypinaymommy.com

The above quote is my note to self whenever I am becoming a nega nanay. Sometimes when I am too tired I get cranky and start to nag my eldest about the mess she has created or how her little cabinet looks like, or how their toy chest is filled to the brim. My litany (and voice haha) could sometimes rival that of Vangie Labalan in one of her movies whenever she nags her borders on and on and on about the mess in the boarding house (Sorry na, batang 90s!).

I tend to snap at the “little borders” sometimes too during those days I am saddled with back to back to back chores and the kids are being too rambunctious. And like those Koreanovela moms that I watch, i sometimes complain too with a hiss or a growl or whatever that funny sound they make when they are frustrated (you know this if you have seen a Koreanovela especially Reply 1988) with housework.

The journey to better parenting

So what I do really is try to keep my mouth shut when am frustrated about the mess they created, tired with all the chores, stressed with all their fighting amongst each other, or just plainly drained. I might say things out of sheer frustration, and later on I would regret it.

My dad always says that it is better to keep one’s mouth shut than say things that can hurt other people. He said no matter how sorry you are you can never take back the pain you’ve inflicted. So when I am quiet already, the kids and the mister already know better, and would start to behave themselves.

The magic of downtime for moms

Also, early bedtime helps! By making the kids ready for bed by 8, I can already watch TV and relax early on (unless someone beat mo to it to watch UFC or whatever, but hey just being in the couch is fine with me too!). Early rest helps me recharge for the next day, and keeps me from being cranky early in the morning

Lately, I discovered resting every after two chores to “refill my tank.” I wrote about it earlier this week or was that last week? It is helpful in generally enjoying mothering life. It helps any cranky tired mama become a better and gentler mom.

Leaning on Jesus

Lastly, I pray for it everyday. I pray for strength to serve the whole family without feeling cranky. I pray for patience, and I pray for God’s grace to help me become a better mom. Setting aside time for bible devotion is really helpful, because as they say Tao lang naman tayong napapagod. So let us ask for the grace to become better at parenting, and He will surely listen.

So cheers to us Happy Pinay Mommies! We can do this!

The post Tactful and Patient Parenting appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

There are a lot of surrogacy agencies out there. Which one to choose and why you should stick to the professional agency? Once you have made a decision that you need to deal with a surrogacy agency, the next stop is to find the best agency that is out there in the market. But how? Where to begin?

Finding the right surrogacy agency

There are so many of them, sometimes it is easier to find a needle in a haystack. As is often the case, we are getting online and type into a search line a simple combination that consists of just two words – “surrogacy agency” and voila, in the blink of an eye, there are hundreds, if not thousands links and references to surrogacy agencies from throughout the world that are in fierce competition with each other and that will likely take an oath on a Bible if necessary to prove that they are capable of providing a full range of services that actually even include a sincere promise of buying you diapers and strollers for your future kids.

It is not hard to guess that every person’s head will spin from such a wide variety of the so-called “competent and experienced” surrogacy agencies. But is it really true? Are there in fact so many professionals in the market nowadays, who are capable of providing you with diverse types of services related to medical issues, legal support, and setting up a personal meeting with a prospective surrogate mother that you and your significant other will most likely worship.

Screening process of surrogate mother

One of the main indicators that you are really dealing with a professional surrogate agency is that the agency’s employees will not limit themselves just to scheduling a single meeting with a potential surrogate mother. But rather they will initially check a potential candidate for criminal records, do everything necessary to ensure psychological compatibility with the intended parents, take required actions to make sure that the future surrogate mother will undergo a comprehensive medical examination with qualified medical specialists.

Surrogate motherhood implies that the surrogate mother and the intended parents will have to spend quite a lot of time together. The surrogacy journey automatically entails that all parties involved in the process will have to worry about the successful outcome of the program together, will have jointly to take care of the physical and emotional well-being of the unborn child and hopefully, will remain close friends forever bound by the mysterious miracle of the birth of a new life, and if they are lucky, then multiple lives.

Services that should be offered to surrogate and intended parents by the surrogacy agency

Since there is no such thing as state licensing surrogacy agencies procedure, it means that the surrogacy agency of your choice should be a “one stop agency” that is fully-equipped and staffed with competent personnel capable of providing a comprehensive range of services with no need for you to go somewhere else. It should include not only your personal case management, but also matching services and connecting you with professional lawyers for drafting and signing all legal instruments necessary for successful finalization of your surrogacy endeavor.

Couples that have plans of becoming commissioning parents often are very knowledgeable about practically all issues that surround surrogacy and expect the employees of the agency to meet their expectations by answering all types of questions that may arise along the way.

History of the surrogacy agency

Although surrogacy is still a pioneering and swiftly evolving industry, there are professional surrogacy agencies that have been around for several decades.

Consequently, they managed to gain more experience in the surrogacy field and perfectly know what works and what does not for commissioning parents and potential surrogates in terms of medical, legal and social services provided. The top-notch and first-rate surrogacy agencies have lengthy histories of providing successful matching services and case management with intention of providing the full scope of services related to family-building pace and should be enthusiastic to tell you thoroughly in plain terms about their company’s history and describe their achievements and plans for future development.

The agency should also be willing to share the stories with respect to the agency’s background of how many successful surrogacies they have racked up (as well as, what they mean by “successful”) and what steps they take to ensure their practices are still smooth, continual and seamless up to date.

Provision of legal support by the agency

It should be noted that it is not always the case when even a professional surrogacy agency is able to provide you with the multi-skilled and experienced surrogacy attorneys. If you have plans to use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as a family building option, then you will have to make sure that your agency can provide you at least with referrals to reliable lawyers for consultation. The ones that act in a strict compliance with the standards and rules of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAAA).

It is essential to consult an attorney who is experienced in legal aspects related to sperm, egg, embryo donation, ART, and surrogacy. The legal surrogacy process is somewhat complex and complicated.

Since many issues related to the surrogacy procedures are not clearly regulated by laws, it is of paramount importance to find out what kind of relationship your agency has with reputable and trustworthy attorneys? Is your agency capable of sufficiently coordinating all legal paperwork or your agency will leave it to the parties involved in the surrogacy process? You need to be confident that your surrogacy agency will guide you through every step of your journey and will not leave any things slide.

Surrogate agency fees

Apparently, this is one of the most important issues to address while selecting a surrogacy agency, how much the intended parents are ready to pay for the agency’s services to secure the favorable outcome of the surrogacy program. First and foremost, it has to be mentioned that the surrogate’s payment is covered by the legal agreement between the intended parents and the gestational carrier and, as a rule, surrogates do not have to worry about getting paid.

However, the intended parents will definitely incur additional expenses and they need to plan their budget. Ask the representative of your agency straight away about the overall amount of all envisaged costs. If the answer is straightforward and specific, if an employee of the agency was not hesitant, then you are dealing with experienced agency that knows what surrogacy is all about. If the answer is vague and ambiguous, if you did not get a clear answer about the costs at the spot, but instead was told that it would all depend on what would be happening during the course of the program, then you should probably reconsider your initial choice. Surrogacy agency services sometimes can be expensive, but keep in mind, the costs of a surrogacy program are directly lined up with the scope and level of services you are offered. Taking into account that frequently the involvement into a surrogacy program is an overwhelming event for both prospective parents and a surrogate, it should be ensured that the case management is taken care of professionally and is worth all the money spent for.

The extent of involvement into a surrogacy process

Topmost surrogacy agencies realize how vital your surrogacy objectives are to your anticipated venture. Whether you are a potential surrogate or an intended parent, you probably have an obvious clue of what your surrogate motherhood program should look like, and the veteran surrogacy agencies certainly take your desires and expectations into consideration and adjust their activities exclusively around them.

Before making a decision which surrogacy agency to select, you should find out to what extent you personally will be involved in the entire surrogacy process. Have you ever asked yourself whether you are capable of finding a surrogate mother by yourself without the assistance of a surrogacy agency? Will you be able to successfully solve all the problems that may arise during your surrogate journey? Will you be able to concisely communicate with reproductive infertility specialists and surrogacy attorneys? It is completely up to you, you are the one to make a decision.

But despite the fact whether your answer is the positive one or the negative one, in any case you will need to rely on someone who is capable of lending a helping hand.It is extremely important to make a right decision when it comes to choosing a surrogacy agency. It would not be an exaggeration to say that selecting a professional surrogacy agency is already half the battle. There are countless surrogacy agencies to choose from in the market. Nevertheless, the decisive choice will always be up to you and your family.

Prior to making any fateful commitment, you will have to be one hundred percent convinced and confident that your surrogacy agency will provide you with secure, legitimate and productive surrogacy voyage that will be something to remember for a lifetime and change your life for the better forever.IVF Group Surrogacy Services is perfectly aware whom the future relay will be handed to. It’s your children. The ones who will certainly fill the gap left by your rash decision to exit this world too soon. IVF Group Surrogacy Services is a renowned organization that has been in the field of bringing joy of parenthood to people for years. It has among its roster, high-class fertility specialists, who are the members of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) at ISO 9001:2015 Certified Medical Centers.

“Mother and Child” is the way to make sure that all your aspirations for eternal rhapsodic tranquility are attainable. Hold out your hand and touch the future! Contact IVF Group Surrogacy Services at +1(213) 277-5874 or visit its website at https://ivf-international.com/

Hope you have learned a lot in our post on choosing the right surrogacy agency for your family. Till Next time!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Finding a Right Surrogacy Agency appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Best security systems to monitor your home

As moms, one of the things that help give us peace of mind is home security. Regardless of how secured we know our neighborhood is, when we read news about a break in or a crime committed in one’s home we get all jittery and up and arms in finding a possible way to prevent such from happening in our own homes.

Luckily, the internet of things – as one of my former boss usually refers to – saves the day. IP-based CCTV cameras that can be accesed through smart phones and laptops; Smart doors that sends signal and information to smart phones and smart watches; Presence alerts that takes motion detection at a much higher notch; and home alerts that you could also install in an air BNB condo you are renting out.

Anyway, i though of sharing with you today the Best Security Systems to Monitor Your Home in 2019. You need an updated list of course so you know about all the options you can install in your home right now or that dream home you will be building soon.

Best Security Systems to Monitor Your Home in 2019

The post Best Security Systems to Monitor Your Home in 2019 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Great Read: Why every mother should have a will.

A last will and testament is a legal document that gives specifications on who inherits your cars, jewelry, real estate bank accounts and other property after you die and the terms surrounding that inheritance. You can do it however you want, such as leaving everything you own to a single person or dividing it into specific portions that you distribute to people. Your sister, for example, could inherit your cookbook collection while your best friend inherits your sweaters. A will is much more than this, however, besides distributing your property. As a mother, a will helps you ensure the future of your children.

Choose the Guardian for Your Children

It is important that a mother has been able to choose the best guardian for their child/children.

Making a will as a parent is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your children are taken care of by people that you trust to do the job if anything were to happen to you. You can designate such a person in your will as the legal guardian for your children if you die before your children attain the age of legal adulthood. You can designate a guardian for your property or a trustee who undertakes the task of managing the property you have bequeathed to your children until they reach adulthood. You can have one person to be the guardian to your children as well as the property they inherit, or you can have two different people carrying out the separate roles.

Appoint an Executor for Smooth Distribution of Property

Find the right person who can execute your will.

Also, if you would like everything to be handled in a smooth manner and your property distributed among your beneficiaries in the most timely fashion, you can appoint an executor for your will. This is the person that pays your taxes and debts after you have passed on and then makes sure that your remaining estate goes into the correct hands, which are those of the people you have chosen in your will.

A will can be sued for a variety of purposes, such as including a living will or health care directive to state your preferences when it comes to such matters as life support, making specific funeral arrangements, donating organs and making charitable contributions.

Noteworthy Considerations

Factors to consider in drawing up a will.

A word of warning, however: there are certain assets which have beneficiary forms that the courts give priority to over your will. These include your individual retirement accounts and life insurance policy. For these forms, the people who you named as beneficiaries are the ones to receive the funds in the accounts when you die, regardless of who you named as beneficiaries in your will. Make sure to align the beneficiaries you name in your will with those named in these accounts.

When you die without a will, you have virtually no guarantee that your property will go the people you would like it to go to. You also have no guarantee that your children will get the care you want them to have. In some states, the state-appointed administrator becomes in charge of your children’s inheritance until they attain legal adulthood, which means your spouse may find it difficult to access the money they need to raise the children. To avoid this, it is essential that you prepare a will early in advance, so your children are taken care of

So there you have it, hope you have somehow learned a thing or two from this post. For more reads on mommy-reflections, hope you can head over to the reflections section of our website. Hope you can also follow us over at Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook for regular website updates.

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with a video on happy parenting:

Super Easy Chicken Curry Recipe

The post Why Every Mother Needs to Create a Will appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

How to Keep your Family Safe from Toxic Chemicals

Want to know how to keep your home and family, chemical-free? Read this guest post from Dan Chabert of Contractorculture.com.

You probably have heard on the radio or read on the internetabout toxic chemicals like BPA or Phthalates and how they can put your whole family in great danger once they find access to your body. As a caring parent, conventional wisdom leads you to keep everything in the house clean.

However, one peculiar thing about the toxic chemical is that they are found everywhere. This makes it almost impossible to avoid them.

How then do you limit the exposure?

For starters, chemical jitters and environmental exposures have been shown to greatly contribute to diseases like autism, childhood cancers, asthma and others.

All these health problems are as a result of chemical elements traveling through the bloodstream which may affect the development of body tissue and organs.

We have compiled a list of safer options that will lead to a chemical-free life.

Be a Safer Sunscreen Expert

You probably have used sunscreen protection during summer to protect your skin. However, medical researchers have indicated that not all conventional sunscreens are beneficial. Some are harmful and full of toxic fragrances. In fact, you may not know it but there are no federal regulations that make sunscreens “natural” as portrayed in adverts.

Multiple brands contain phthalates a preservative which causes reproductive and developmental toxicity, cancer and hormone disruptions.

Before you make a purchase, make sure you read how the product is manufactured and the ingredients in it.

Avoid Lead exposure

Lead is a very dangerous element, especially to the expectant women. Lead poisoning can lead to giving birth to an underdeveloped child.

If your current house was built before 1978, chances are that the paint was manufactured using lead. Tiny fragments of lead paintcould be floating in the air both inside and outside your house and may have detrimental effects on your family. You can choose to repaint the house to avoid the effects.

Consequently, if you are probably living near a lead factory, take advice from the experts and leave those premises. Lead dust from the factory may cause unwanted results on the whole family.

Adapt to Safer Ways to Stay Hydrated

For a healthy lifestyle, staying hydrate is not even an option but an essential. Carefully storing your drinks may help you avert many toxins. If you happen to store your juice or water in a plastic bottle, it’s high time you revolutionize and start using glass or stainless steel bottles.

The reason why plastic bottles are supposed to be avoided is because they are vulnerable to heat energy. Once they are exposed they tend to give out a hazardous chemical called BPA. When your family comes across BPA expect messy results. BPA chemical predisposes them to prostrate and breast cancers later in life.

The chemical also happens to lower fertility by interfering with the normal development of the ovaries and sperms.

Find Safer Ways to gets Bugs off your Roof

Biting bugs are undoubtedly a major turn off. They can spread chronic diseases or cause allergic reactions to the whole family at large.

To counter the bugs means dousing your family with toxic chemicals which are often harmful. You may opt for natural bug repellents whose ingredients are non-toxic and are mainly essential oils. All this is to get a non-toxic and bug-free life.

If the bugs are a big problem and the only option is using a bug spray, it’s important to know how to use it effectively. Observe safety tips like wearing long clothes and avoiding skin and eye contact with the spray.

Observe Food and Grilling Safety

It’s always a good time sharing a barbecue with your family during picnics. However, observing food safety helps you stay a chemical free life. Limiting foods high in animal fat has been famed to reduce numerous of toxic elements like animal fat buildup.

Additionally, store and prepare your food with a lot of hygiene and if possible, make your food at home instead of opting for canned foods and beverages.

Keeping your kitchen utensils clean by a large margin reduces the risk of toxic chemicals.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, staying a chemical free life doesn’t have to be rocket scientist. Its all about getting right the minute details we normally choose to ignore. We hope our tips will help keep your family safe by making them a daily creed.

About the Author:

Dan Chabert – Writing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Dan is an award-winning web lover and the Co-manager of several sites for your house needs and others. You can check these out That Sweet Gift, Borncute, Contractorculture, and Runner Click. He is a travel Scholar at the same time a health enthusiast.

So there you have it, we hope you learned a lot from today’s guest post. If you want to publish a writeup, a poem, an open letter, effective parenting or homemaking tip, send me a message. You do not have to be a blogger or a website owner to do so.

We post regular updates in our Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest account so here’s wishing to connect with you guys there!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with a video on toxic chemicals and babies:

The post How to Keep your Family Safe from Toxic Chemicals appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

How to make basic overnight oats

You can choose whatever oatmeal you prefer. Rolled oats are at P92.00/600 grams. This supermarket brand of Oatmeal meanwhile is at P52.00 for 500 grams. Steel cut oats can be purchased at Healthy Options and some Rustan’s Supermarkets.

For the milk, you can choose whatever you have at home — fresh milk, soy milk, almond milk, even rice milk if that is what you prefer.

You can also make a skinny version by using low fat or non fat milk. It is up to you really.

You can make a skinny version too using low fat or non fat milk but do not expect it to be creamy.

My eldest daughter likes the chocolatey version of overnight oats. I just add cocoa powder, choco chips, and a tablespoon of nutella.

Make your overnight oats even more special and nutritious! Add chia seeds, greek yogurt, walnuts, nut butters or drizzle with cinnamon or vanilla extract.

You can also drizzle cinnamon or add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract.

SO WHY BASIC OVERNIGHT OATS?

Overnight oats is both a nutritious and convenient breakfast or snack choice.

Here are the benefits of eating half a cup of oatmeal a day

Babies also tend to benefit a lot from having oatmeal in their regular diet.

How to make basic overnight oats

Here are the basic ingredientz for your basic overnight oats recipe. Of course you get to choose what add ons you like depending on your preference and the availability.

Basic Overnight Oats Recipe

Overnight oats is easy to make, nutritious, and convenient to eat.

You can actually eat it after four hours, but it is best refrigerated overnight.

Basic overnight oats.

The post How to Make Basic Overnight Oats appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Work from home Philippines is possible, and interested moms should give it a try.

My youngest child loves playing with my keyboard and so I allow him to type away in it. I detach it from my laptop and let him press all those keys that he would like to explore. So whenever I see him trying to reach for it on my work from home office desk, I just unplug it from the laptop and hand it to him because it makes him really happy.

Take the stress out of working from home by reminding yourself why you chose to be home in the first place.

Saw him the other day though laying on the floor and somewhat hugging the keyboard. The sight made me sigh and silently whisper “tunay talagang wala aking magagawa nito kasi kinuha na nya pati keyboard” eveb if I was not planning to work during that soecific time.

Work From Home Philippines

The sight also reminded me of my super struggling monster mom days of trying to juggle mothering achie and my then youngest shobz. I was so heartbroken then to not be able to do my part time freelance writing or any housechores when they are up and about.
Fast forward to another baby later, well I still struggle sometimes but since I have learned to accept that they need me a lot, i do not dare to multi-task so much.

I have decided to accept that fact because it helped me decide to just retain clients I really enjoy working with, to write blogposts that are really helpful to fellow Filipina mothers. To not be pressured by anything because in reality, i decided to stay home because I want to take care of my kids and watch them grow every single day.

So from the time I decided to accept that I cant do much when my kids are still awake, I have become a calmer and more playful mom. If they want to nurse, we sit down. If they want me to read with them, we go read. If they want to play with the clothes Im folding, i just let them be because in reality, what can I do? They will not understand even if i threaten to get mad or turn into beastmode right?

So I just wait for their bedtime — which I decided to have earlier than most households — so I can get things done, have adult conversations with Capt Barbel and at the same time work on my website.

Do i still get stressed? Yes, but i am much calmer now, especially when the mister reminds me why I chose to stay and work from home in the first place.

Hope you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for regular doses of mommy musings, most Happy Pinay Mommies can relate to.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Meanwhile here’s a video on tips on working from home with kids:

How to Cook Easy Chicken Sisig

The post Taking the stress out of working from home appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here are 14 Teething Remedies for Babies in the Philippines.

Just when you thought that you can finally sleep for longer stretches at night (three hours is considered long after the newborn stage) and then suddenly you notice that your once amiable baby has turned into a moody and cranky drooling infant. Yes, that’s the teething monster that bit her! and it turned you into a mom seeking for various teething remedies for babies!

Anyway, each of my children reacted differently to teething and i have tried a whole lot of remedies for each child. Some worked for just one, others worked for one but did not worked for the other. It is just unfortunate that the oral teething gels that worked for all my monkeys are not locally available and we had to hoard or ask relatives abroad to buy for us when they go home here.

In any case, there are other remedies that work. And recently i ran out of our teething gel and had to experiment with other brands in the market, and so far it has worked for us.

Anyway, in this post ill be sharing with you some teething remedies that I’ve tried with my children and hopefully i can help you experiment with what will work for your little teething person there.

Teething remedies for babies in the Philippines:

1. Frozen Teethers – Freeze your baby’s BPA Free water filled teethers on your freezer and give it to him to gnaw on. Of course make sure that the teethers are sterilized/cleaned thoroughly prior to freezing. We usually freeze ours on a Ziploc bag or covered container. Make sure to thaw the teethers a bit before giving it to your baby such that some of the water is melted. Why? So that their gums will not get injured.

One of the most popular Teething Remedies for Babies in the Philippines are frozen teethers. make sure to thaw them halfway before giving to your child to avoid gum injury.

2. Frozen Washcloth – Get a clean washcloth and pour in some distilled water. Wring off excess water, and then freeze in either a Ziploc bag or covered container. Some babies enjoy teething on this because it is soft and cool and reminds them of a corner of a blankie.

Frozen washcloth can be soothing to gnaw at for teething babies

3. Frozen Fruits – Freeze some fruits like papaya, mango, melon, watermelon, or whatever you have in the ref. Put the fruit in a mesh feeder and give it to the baby for him to gnaw on. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A MESH FEEDER, you can always use a clean muslin cloth or gauze lampin, put the fruit in the middle, and tie tightly with a rubber band. Again supervise them when teething on mesh or DIY feeders.

Make a DIY frozen fruit mesh feeder

4. Regular Teethers – Your good old classic teethers are very useful at this stage since they gnaw on anything that they see. So just give them their favorite teething toys as toys to play with when they are cutting teeth.

Regular teethers can be very helpful too.

5. Soft Toys that double up as teethers – Soft toys that have attachments that babies could teeth on could also ease the crankiness of your babies so have these available for them to play with.

Soft teething toys are great for teething too!

6. Teething Necklaces or chewblings – Chunky chewellry or silicone necklaces meant for moms to wear and babies to teeth on are best on-the-go teethers for teething babies. Make sure to buy yours from a reputable source because you’d want food grade silicone, and raw materials that are sae for babies to chew on and for you to sanitize, and something of course that will not break and cause choking. (Here is my previous article on where to buy Teething Necklaces in the Philippines)

Teething necklaces can be a great on the go teether for babies.

7. Ice Cold Water – If they do not have cough or colds and they are BEYOND SIX MONTHS, drinking ice cold water can help ease teething pain. Give them super cold distilled water in their favorite cup, sippie or whatnot, for them to sip on. It will help soothe their gums, and playing with water can take their mind off the itching and pain.

ice cold water can be very soothing to those itchy and painful gums.

8. Breastmilk Popsicles – Breastmilk popsicles help babies through teething while nourishing them! If your infant/toddler is breastfed, pump (or hand express milk), then pour them in a popsicle maker or special breastmilk popsicle maker, pop in the freezer, and serve to your little one as soon as frozen.

There are special breastmilk popsicle molds in the market. (Photo Credits)

9. Essential Oils — If you are into essential oils then make a blend that could relieve teething pain. Usually massaged outside of the cheeks and along the gum line. I have tried melaleuca, orange, clove and copaiba for my children. An alternate blend that I have tried is Balsam fir and Lavender. (Here’s my previous article on where to buy essential oils in the Philippines)

Essential oils for teething are also worth a try.

10. Amber Teething Necklaces – Some parents swear by this natural pain relieving stones that are made into necklaces. They are often worn on the neck of the baby to help ease teething discomfort. While some parents would not want their baby to wear any type of necklace, some swear by the healing benefits of AUTHENTIC amber teething necklaces. (Here’s my previous blogpost on where to buy Amber teething necklaces in the Philippines)

Some moms swear by the healing powers of amber teething necklaces.

Here’s how an amber teething necklace looks when worn. Shown in this photo is Baby Ciann Del Rosario with his dad. His Mom, Mommy Tricia says it has helped Ciann to deal with teething pain, in fact he is now wearing bigger-sized Amber necklace until now. (this photo was earlier published at happypinaymommy.com on May 2016 with the permission of Mommy Tricia

11. Baby Toothbrush – The round and sort and spiky, and even the mini toothbrush can be a great soother of your baby’s teething discomfort. It can also help familiarize him with brushing. usually you can buy these in sets.

Baby toothbrush can help in easing teething discomforts too.

12. Teething Biscuits or teething rusks – Teething rusks can be very helpful for babies whose gums are getting very itchy. You can buy some at healthy options, or at the imported aisle off major grocery stores. OR you can make your own if you have an oven at home — here is a recipe you may want to try  OR CAREFULLY SUPERVISE your child and offer these pig-ear shaped egg crackers (that is if it is okay with the weaning method that you follow). So far so good for us.

Unsweetened teething biscuits can ease teething symptoms too.

13. Teething Gels and wipes – Xylogel is locally available in drugstores. Some moms put it in the refrigerator before applying it on baby’s gums. Unfortunately, this did not work for my children but you may want to give it a try because some moms say it worked for their child.  

Xylogel is available in all local pharmacies nationwide. (Photo taken from the official FB Page of Pedia Pharma Inc)

Spiffies on the other hand is a wipe that helps with teething. Locally, you can buy it over at some Mothercare branches. You can also order online through their Facebook Page.

(Photo taken From Spiffies Philippines’ Official Facebook Page)

So far the ones below have worked for us – Baby Orajel and its generic counterpart from Walgreens (Red tube) has worked for my babies. It is not available in local pharmacies though. The other one, Camilia also worked for my children. I discovered It when we ran out of Orajel. It is available in Healthy Options. BE CAREFUL THOUGH ABOUT USING TEETHING GELS THAT HAVE LIDOCAINE OR BENZOCAINE because it can be harmful. Read this warning from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Here are teething solutions that worked for us, teething gels (we have tried Baby Orajel, Sesame Street Natural Teething Gel, and this Generic version from Walgreens), and then recently, Camilia Homeopathic Teething solution.

14. Infant Pain Meds –– If all else fails and if you feel like your baby is too irritable because of his teething, ASK your pediatrician if pain reliever is warranted. AGAIN, NEVER SELF MEDICATE.

Teething pain meds should be the last option and should be prescribed by your pediatrician.

So how about you, what is your baby’s favorite thing to teeth on?

What is your baby’s favorite thing to teeth on?

Before I end this post, I would like to caution parents to not solely blame teething for sudden fever onset or diarrhea. AGAIN I AM NOT AN EXPERT BUT, we have been warned by our pediatrician about this. They said that yes, teething may cause pain but it does not mean that it can cause fever on babies. Sudden onset of fever (without symptoms like colds or cough) cannot just be blamed on teething according to our pedia because it can be numerous things like UTI or God forbid, Dengue, and we parents should all be vigilant about this. MOREOVER, diarrhea cannot always be blamed on teething and should never be shrugged off because dehydration can be fatal. Our pedia mentioned that some people blame watery stools on teething because swallowing a lot of saliva can soften the bowel, or it could be because when babies go through the teething stage they gnaw on anything and if that “anything” has germs and bacteria, babies can get sick of diarrhea. But NEVER equate LBM on babies to teething and then shrug it off and let the baby go on with loose stools for days without consulting your pediatrician. Seek medical advice, and NEVER self-medicate.

So there you have it. Hope I have been able to help you with your baby’s teething woes. Till next post everyone. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts!

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here’s a video on how to make breastmilk popsicles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BAV7qTsqDI

Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under 350.00

The post 14 Teething Remedies for Babies in the Philippines appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here are some Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under P200.00

Teachers play a huge role in our children’s development, and so there is no surprise why a lot of parents would like to thank them through a Christmas Gift. Christmas gift ideas for teachers can be a lot but the deciding part can be tricky.

But in this joyous but hectic season of giving, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the many choices available for every budget.

Gift Ideas for Teachers in the Philippines

I thought of rounding up some gift ideas for teachers, and I have segregated these gift suggestions based on their costs and where to purchase them, and come up with a two-part series on Gift for teachers this 2017.

Nothing wrong with being practical nowadays, because it is always better to spend and live within our means. After all, the old adage that says “it is the thought that counts” still applies, and the good news is, there are more and more gifts out there that are either useful, adorable, or yummy at unbelievably low cost. This particular blog post tackles gift suggestions for teachers under P200.00.

Teacher Gift Ideas under P200.00:

Head to Miniso or Mumuso where trinkets are both useable and cute! I remember during my time, there is this store that people frequent for cute but unusable gifts that end up as clutter, and you would not like to give out something like that right? In Miniso, you can find items that are both adorable and useful. Found toiletries like Foaming Hand Soaps for as low as P99.00. Body Mists are also available for P149.00. Lip Balms can also be bought for P99.00.

Miniso Anti Bacterial Handwash, and Regular Foaming Handsoap can Be bought upwards of P99.00 per bottle.

Lip Balms and Tubes Start at P99.00 at Miniso Branches.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You may also want to read:

• Part 2: Gift ideas for teachers under P350.00 (2017)
• Where to buy essential oils
• Where to buy Menstrual Cups
• DIY Homemade and Baby-Safe Anti-Mosquito Spray
• How to make Kid-Safe Hand Sanitizer using local ingredients
• DIY Party Planning Resources: where to buy DIY Party supplies, great birthday locations, souvenirs and giveaways
• Budget Ulam Ideas and Meal Plans
• PART 1: Lunch Baon Ideas for School Kids
• Baon Ideas for your Pre-Schooler
• How to get kids to sleep early

==========================================================

If toiletries of kikay stuff is not your cup of tea, then you may want to consider Miniso’s Reed Diffusers that come with various scents. Prices start at P99.00 and it could be perfect for Teacher’s cubicle back in the faculty room. There are also water bottles under P200.00 which are perfect even for Male Teachers. Journals and cute notebooks are also aplenty and prices start at P99.00 per piece.

Another Suggestion on Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under P200.00 are Scented Reed Diffusers available at Miniso for just P99.00 per set.

These journals are way too cute, and their price starts at P99.00!

Watsons also carries unbelievably low-priced gift items, like Buy 1 Take 1 Bodyscrubs at P159.00.  They also have these gift bundles wherein of you buy three, you would get each of the gift pack for as low as P149.00 each.

Watson’s carries a lot of unbelievably low-priced holiday gift packages! These ones are at P149.00 each or P399.00 if you buy three. There are gift packs for as low as P99.00 as well or P279.00 if you buy at least three pieces.

If you have an Echo Store branch near you, why don’t you pick up a Spa in A bottle for your child’s teacher? This one is just about less than P150.00 and ot smells heavenly – destresses you the minute you smell it after rubbing on your palms! One of the perfect Christmas gift ideas for teacher 2017.

Spa in a Can photo is lifted from Echo Store’s Facebook Page.

Throw Blankets are meantime less than P200.00 (169.75 apiece) at SM Department Store Sale Racks. If you will be patient and eager enough to find something adorable, then you will definitely be able to land your hands on those cutie plush blankies.

Throw Blankets can be bought at SM Department Store for P169.75 each. They are soft and comfy.

In SM Department Stores there are also some happy stuff to give out as gift teachers under 200 pesos. Ecobags that are perfect for folders, and envelopes can be bought for only P100.00. Cute statement frames that are perfect for teacher’s cube or her own bedroom can also be bought for P149.75.

Fun and Cute and it is just P149.00

Marks and Spencer’s also offer gift items under P200.00 although these are biscuits and chocolates that are still presentable, and definitely delicious. Please pardon the photo quality but the prices of the digestive cookies and the chocolates start at around 90++

The food section over at Marks and Spencers can be a good venue to find reasonably-priced edible gift items.

You may also want to check out Human Heart Nature’s offerings. They have various gift sets under P200.00. HHN Gift sets can be bought from their shops, resellers near you, or even in some select grocery stores.

This photo is taken from Human Heart Nature’s Facebook Page

So there you have it, hope you got an idea or two from this blog post for Christmas Gift Ideas for teachers worth P200.00. Hope I have been able to help! Till next post everyone. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts!

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy.

Leaving you with this video on easy gift wrapping techniques:

Weekly Filipino Meal Plan December 4, 2017

The post Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers Under P200.00 appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Here are some of the things that you may have to consider when working from home full time. (Image from Pixabay)

For those of you who have been reading the blog for a while, you would know about my journey from being an 8-5 (or way beyond 5pm) corporate working mom to becoming a work-from-home mom (although very part time nowadays). This experience led me to advocate working from home, as a good way of sort of striking a balance (in my opinion there will never be a perfect solution for us ordinary moms) between being there for the husband and the children when they need you, and for helping with the family’s finances.

Today’s guest post is about things to consider before finally taking the work-from-home plunge. Whether you will be jumping from the corporate ladder, or transforming from being a full-time stay at home mom, the five things Powerpinoys Author Louren Jovito specified in the article below are indeed something to ponder on. Special emphasis ladies on the word full time, meaning this will entail work of about seven to eight hours five to six days per week.

So here goes:

5 Things Moms Need to Consider Before Getting a Fulltime Online Job

By Louren Jovito, Power Pinoys

Guest Post: What to consider before working from home on a full-time basis. (Image from PowerPinoy’s Photo Stock)

Working from home is now becoming a trend. More and more online job opportunities are being offered, and worked on because of the flexibility that this type of work provides. Most of the opportunities allow you to work at your own pace meaning waking up early is not needed, and you can work anywhere you want.

It is now possible for parents to work while being with their children. Moms with little kids in fact can now work and earn at the very comfort of their home.

If you’re also the kind of family who loves to travel, this work set-up will be perfect for you. For as long as you have a good source of reliable internet connection and a decent laptop, you can now work anywhere you want.

There are a lot of home based jobs you can apply for. Whether full time or part-time, it’s totally up to you. You just first need to know and assess what service you can offer. After that, build your online profile and market yourself in that field.

There are a lot of positive things online jobs can give to an individual: More time for family, no traffic, flexible schedule, and etc. However, despite all these good stuff, there are important things moms and dads still need to consider before getting a full time home based job.

1. Solitary life ahead

Many people find that home based jobs can be really lonely. Some people can handle the long hours or days of being alone while others cannot. There are type of people who really are in need of social interaction because that’s what makes them feel charged and energized.

You should at least be aware of your personality type. Introverts are used to being alone most of the time and this will sound easy for them. But for extroverts, this can be a decision-making factor to say no to home based works.

Check yourself if you will have hard time dealing regarding this matter. Because if that is the case, you need to find ways how to compensate for your need for social interaction.

2. You need to maintain self-discipline

If you’re working at home, you are your own supervisor. No one will constantly remind you what to do. You need to exert extra self-control not to do unnecessary things such as browsing social networks or other distracting things.

Learn how to declutter your mind. Remove unnecessary tabs on your browser when working. Have in front of you a piece of paper with your to-do list to prepare yourself for the next tasks.

Having a home based job is not as easy as office job where there are supervisors who remind their subordinates about the tasks to be done. It’s a lot harder to concentrate and focus on your job when you’re in a place where no one is watching.

Just observe good working habits until it becomes a routine. There should be no excuses.

3. There will be a lot of distractions

There will be a lot of distractions and interruptions when you’re at home. Be ready mommies, you’ll encounter a ton of problems with your kids especially if they’re still in their infant to toddler stage. You need to prepare for this.

Apart from the children (and the husband), other common distractions include clucking chicken, sounds of the vehicles passing by, barking dogs, blowing horns, and etc. It’s more fun in the Philippines!

One way to reduce distractions and interruptions is to have a dedicated room where you can work in silence. You can also request from your children and other household members to refrain from speaking to you or toying with your work computer while you are working.

4. You either work more or work less

With home based jobs, you either work more or work less. It depends on your mindset and how you really are into your job.

Typically, most people who work from home usually work less hours compared to those who work in the office. On the other hand, if you’re the type of mom who is a workaholic, you might end up working more than what’s required of you.

Here’s an advice. If you are a workaholic, please get a life. You are working to live and not living to work.

One good thing you can practice is to always have a well-defined working schedule. You can use time tracking and project management softwares to make sure that you are working just enough. When you’re done, it’s time for other life activities.

5. Process documents by yourself

If you’re serious about this, be ready. You’ll be the one responsible for all document processing such as SSS, Health Insurance, Pag-ibig, Philhealth, BIR, and etc.

With typical office job, the HR department will process these things for you. If you’re going to work from home, this can be a big headache especially during the start.

Once you get used in processing these documents, it can actually be very helpful. You’ll definitely learn a lot of things which you cannot simply learn if you’re working in an office based job. You’ll be able to find customized programs that exactly fit your needs.

That’s it! These are some of the major things you need to consider if you’re planning to work at home. Things are hard when you’re just starting out but don’t worry, you’ll eventually get hang of it. Everything soon will be worth the patience and effort.

I know somebody from BPO jumped from call center job to home based job. Today, he is earning six-digits every month! This is how lucrative home based jobs can be. If you know friends or relatives that are interested in these kind of opportunities, please share this with them!

About the author:
Louren is the founder and the publisher of PowerPinoys where he writes about business, finance, blogging, self-help, and other related topics. He is an e-commerce and real estate web developer turned full-time blogger.

****

So there you have it, I hope you got some ideas from the write-up that Louren shared.

To my dear readers, let me know if you would like to contribute an article, a poem, or even a song you composed, so that we can share it with our fellow parents – this goes whether you have or you do not have your own website. You may get in touch with me by dropping by my Facebook page. Hope you can also hit the like button while you are there so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts!

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Here’s a video on working from home full time:

Six ways to make learning more enjoyable for kids

The post GUEST POST: 5 Things Moms Need to Consider Before Getting a Fulltime Online Job appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Six ways to make learning more enjoyable for kids

I have always thought that learning and study time will always equate to fun time for my children — until one of my kids became of school age. I realized that I have to make learning more enjoyable, and that I have to think of fun ways to reinforce what she learns in school.

And although I am fine with my children not getting a perfect mark in all of their quizzes and exams, I would like them of course to be an above average student or at the very least have good grades. More importantly, I want them to have good study habits that will guide them through the rest of their school years.

Instilling Joy in Studying

In the parenting books and resources that I have read, senior preschool years, and early elementary is the best time to foster good study habits. I think having a positive attitude about learning can be likened to great eating habits, as well as other habitual healthy routines that we as parents would like to establish on our children. Once they get used to reviewing for quizzes, prioritizing assignments and projects, and loving reading in general, studying will come as second nature to them even without us having to nag them all the time.

Does your child enjoy home study time? Or are you having problems encouraging him because he is either too tired or too bored already?

But how do we make learning more enjoyable for kids? When our homes are filled with distraction like TV shows, games and gadgets and traditional toys, it will be hard to compete for your child’s attention. Add to that the stress that some children experience for having to wake up really early to beat the heavy traffic on the way to school, and then back again to our homes. Establishing a fun learning environment can indeed be a challenge, hence I have always kept on reading books and articles written by renowned child education experts that will help in this aspect.

Allow me to share with you some of the learnings I have gained and provide tips for you, my fellow moms, on how to make studying more enjoyable for children.

One of the guide questions that helped me come up with the tips below is “if I were in my kids’ shoes, how would I like my mom to help me out with my studies?” Try asking yourself the same question as well because most likely this will clue you in as to how your kid will find learning at home more enjoyable.

Tips to make learning more enjoyable for kids:

1. Do not be too rigid. Elementary aged children are taught in a formal classroom setting, hence providing a variation at home can be more exciting for your child. For instance, you can use other learning methods that will be fun for your children. Visual aids, and other materials that can help them grasp their lessons well can help get and retain their attention.

2. Think out of the box.  Learning and studying after school should not just be confined in your living room, dining table, or your child’s room. You can always get out of your home to teach them the concepts that they find hard to understand. For instance, types of plants are better seen in real life than just being read on photos. A practical way of teaching children addition with decimal points, or other math concepts is in the supermarket where they can see price tags, add up the costs, and more. For younger children, a lot of practice counting can be done in groceries too! Same with identification of fruits and vegetables (and even sea animals!). Make that field trip during the weekend, or if you live with one close by, take a short trip today!

Feeding fish is a good way to teach kids about fishes, you can also count the fish, review the different parts of the fish, how they breathe, eat, sleep, talk about their colors etc.

3. Media is not your arch enemy. Media has always been vilified when it comes to learning, but hey, remember during our school years there are days when we would go to the AV Room to watch a movie or a documentary to help us grasp the concept the teacher is teaching us. As parents we should use the television and the internet to our advantage. A perfect example was when I was teaching my eldest to ready the clock. She gets bored when I teach it to her the way a teacher would. So what I did was to buy her a toy clock, and let her watch a Youtube clip of learning how to read the clock. Set a timer and let her watch. She will enjoy it. Same goes with Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo People, and Animal Planet. They get to learn a lot about the world, the animals, and nature. I am glad that my daughter likes the show Monster Fish, Animals Gone Wild, Places We Go, Living Free and even cooking shows like Sugar and Chocolate Covered. I also make her watch snippets of TV news (both local and foreign) when there are weather disturbances, or important current events that take place.

4. Make study time fun and relaxing. Make the area conducive for studying, and at the same time serve them their favorite snack or treat. My eldest daughter Achiebelles loves Oishi Pillows and I indulge her with this to make her look forward to assignment time. Same goes with Bread Pan that she loves to munch on during our reviews. And since both have a variety of flavors to choose from, we do not experience the “sawa” factor because I get to rotate the flavors and the snacks for every study time.

Give your child her favorite snack while she is studying or doing her homework. Snacking can make reviewing lessons or doing homework less rigid because they get to have mini breaks while munching.

5. Never stop learning. As parents we should also not put a stop in learning. I may have three kids and a parenting website, but I have NEVER claimed to be an expert on parenting. That is why I emphasize in most of my articles that I read a lot, and talk to older and more experienced parents because they have survived the parenting trenches that I am treading right now so that I could learn more and impart these learnings to my readers. We should find the time to research ways about how to better connect with our children, make their environment more conducive for learning, and help make studying time for fruitful for them.

6. Reward the children for their good study habits. Doing great in an exam or quiz, or getting high grades in school should earn children some sort of reward from their parents. It does not have to be expensive. Simple rewards like a movie time with the family with them choosing the film to watch, a favorite treat from their favorite restaurant, later bed time during weekends, and even a simple toy. In our household we have this rewards chart to track the good behavior of our children, using stickers and rewards.

Here’s a photo of our rewards chart. We have a new one for each month. The kids can “claim” their rewards every weekend in case they already have earned enough stickers for the rewards that they are aiming for.

If you wish you can make your family chart more specific towards study habits. Give badges for every quizzes your child passed, or each assignment that she worked on without much assistance from you.

Like us adults, children get tired and stressed out. Their bodies are not built for waking up too early to battle heavy traffic on the way to school. They may get too tired from battery of examinations and quizzes. Extra-curricular activities can also tire them out.

Allow your child to recharge in a fun way. Let them rest first before prodding them to work on their assignment. When we get home from school, I usually allow my child to rest for a bit, give her a snack like Oishi Pillows plus a drink of water or milk, and then relax for a while.Lately, she is also into eating Bread Pan. She likes the different flavors especially the butter and the toasted garlic.

Serve after-school snacks to your children so that they have enough energy to review and do their assignments. The above photo is a sample of what I serve Achiebelles as her after school snack — Veggie Pasta with Bacon and Creme, Watermelon Cubes, Cashew, and Oishi Bread Pan.

After finishing her after-school merienda, she can play with her siblings, or play with her toys. We then settle down to do our assignment and review for examinations. After that we fix her things for the following day, and prepare other things she may need for school.

So there you have it, hope you have learned from this post, and would give the above suggestions a try as we all journey into establishing good study habits for our children. For comments and suggestion please drop by our Facebook Page, and follow us on Pinterest and Instagram for more local parenting information.

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

*This is a sponsored post.

The post Six ways to make learning more enjoyable for kids appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

More and more families, especially those that hail in urban Manila (and now even in key cities in the country) are choosing to live in condominium units because of the many advantages that it offers. For one, it can help increase quality time among parents and children because it would mean that parents will be living nearer to their work place, and that the time getting stuck in the horrendous traffic is minimized. As long as the ways to make condominium child-friendly are observed, chances are families would enjoy living in a building.

There however are some disadvantages like smaller spaces, and less storage area. But for most families, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages it may have. For us, with young children, enjoying the vertical lifestyle would entail safety precautions so that we can all enjoy with our children with  peace of mind. Allow me to usher in then, a Guest Post of fellow writer, Maricar Borlagdatan, who will be sharing with us tips on making our condo units more child-friendly.

Here is her Guest Post:

Ways to make your condominium child-friendly

How to Make your condominium unit more child-friendly. (Image Credits)

Convenient and accessible, condominiums are the hottest type of property available in the country today. Condominiums are all over Metro Manila making it the obvious choice for families who work and attend school in the city. Aside from the convenience that it brings, condominiums also offer amenities such as swimming pool and malls that are truly fit for the whole family.

But one of the downsides of condominium units is space. Limited space is fine unless you have kids who are always running and playing around. Ensure your kiddos’ safety by following the tips below on how to create a safe space in your condominium unit.

Invest on good and proper lighting

Good lighting lessens the chances of your child to trip or fall. Convenient for kitchens and bathrooms are task lighting where specific areas can be highlighted and given ample lighting. Good lighting can also create a warm and homey atmosphere that any child needs.

Window watch

Condominiums in the Philippines often have blinds for better air flow and circulation. Many parents are afraid that the blind cords can cause harm to their children. Always tie up the cords to the blinds and make sure that it’s far away from your children.

Let some of the furniture go

We all know how hard it is to let go of our precious furniture. But since condominium units have limited space and some furniture are deemed dangerous for kids, it’s time to decide whether a piece should stay or go. For furniture that have sharp edges provide baby bumpers to avoid bumps. Make sure that all of your furniture do not topple easily.

Your family can enjoy more when you know that your whole surrounding is child-friendly. (Image Credits)

Make it sound proof

Not all condominiums are sound proof. To avoid startling your neighbors during playtime, put carpet on your floor or to the space where they most spend their active time.

Secure doors and elevators

Elevators are a must in any condominium. Don’t risk your child’s safety by securing your unit’s door. Prevent your child from going to these exit points by using doorknob covers. Put a safety door stop on the edge of the door so that finger slams can be avoided.

Choose a development with a playground

When buying a condominium, make sure to choose a development that puts safety first. There should also be amenities dedicated for the kids like a children’s playground, library, and kid’s swimming pool.

Always cover electric plugs

Children can’t be stopped from trying to hold things around your home. Tuck wires out of your child’s sight and put covers on electric plugs to avoid electric shocks.

Slip-proof bathroom

Slips and falls are common in a bathroom. Avoid an accident by keeping a non slip mat to be hidden under your decorative rug. Installing spot cover can help in preventing the child from hitting his or her head while taking a bath.

Security check

Condominiums come with reliable security team. In case of any emergency do not hesitate on contacting the condominium’s Homeowners’ Association or its admin team.

===========

So there you have it, hope you have learned a thing or two on keeping our vertical spaces safer for our youngsters. The author of the guest post, Maricar Borlagdatan, is a creative writer who studied BA Mass Communication in Ateneo De Davao. Aside from writing about real estate, finance, and lifestyle she spends her spare time reading, petting her cat Nina, and playing video games. She currently resides in Makati. You can read more of her writings in Dot Property Philippines.

To my dear readers, let me know if you would like to contribute an article, a poem, or even a song you composed, so that we can share it with our fellow parents – this goes whether you have or you do not have your own website. You may get in touch with me by dropping by my Facebook page or leaving me a direct message over at my Instagram account. Hope you can also hit the like button while you are there so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts!

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with this video on minimalist living with kids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83c1MdNntfo

Best way to declutter toys towards happier homes

The post Ways to make your condominium child-friendly appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Moms seeking to get organized are always in search of the best way to declutter toys.

Moms seeking to get organized are always in search of the best way to declutter toys.

Unlike my eldest, my bunso only has a few toys. Maybe because there are already existing toys from his big sisters, or maybe because I have learned that they do not need much really. I’d like to think that i have learned already about keeping toy shopping at a minimum, decluttering and toy rotation.

Declutter toys

Before, we used to buy toys on a weekly basis. Now, we just buy during special occasions, when the merit board calls for it, and some happy meal toys in between. Less clutter, less expense too.

Every week we ask the girls to just get their top five faves in their toy bin then keep those at the end of the week, and choose another five for the coming week. The rest of their activities would be coloring and arts and crafts.

(Post Continued Below)

=====================================================================

You may also want to read:

• Where to buy essential oils
• Where to buy essential oil accessories, bottles, inhalers, droppers, and other tools for your DIY Project
• Where to buy Ultrasonic Diffusers
• Where to buy Castile Soap in the Philippines
• Where to buy Menstrual Cups
• DIY Homemade and Baby-Safe Anti-Mosquito Spray
• How to make Kid-Safe Hand Sanitizer using local ingredients

==========================================================

This practice helps me a lot too in keeping our home more orderly. Having three kids without a helper can be challenging and all the more when there is too much kalat around. I encourage you to declutter toys and donate to your barangay daycare. Involve your kids in the process. If you dont have the time and the strength, get in touch with the church’s Buena Mana so they can pick it up in your home.

Toy Decluttering guide

I scoured the internet for various ways to pare down and declutter children’s toys. Like any mom seeking to have a more organized home, I was on the lookout for the best way to declutter toys. Practically Hippie for instance shared a way to organize and trim down your children’s toys using the KonMari method. The author mentioned non-negotiable toys, or the toys that they will have to get rid of. “Before beginning to declutter toys, we agreed on a list of non-negotionable items to discard: (1) broken toys; (2) duplicate toys; (3) unsafe toys; (4) loud toys; and (5) toys that aren’t age appropriate.” As for the toys that they will be keeping, the author said these will be toys that spark joy for their family (consistent with the Konmari principle, those that promote imagination, and those that are healthy for both their family and the environment. Check out their whole guide here.

Another blog that helps a lot in sparking the urge to declutter toys is the website called Becoming Minimalist. It shared tips on how to have just the right amount of toys for your family, while operating on the thought that “enough” can be subjective for each family. The author of the article, Joshua Becker in essence, is convincing parents that having just the right amount of toys will benefit children, and at the same he emphasized that parents have the ultimate control when it comes to decluttering. Check the website here.

The struggle can be real

For some parents, the struggle to keep toys at a bare minimum can be real, and I have been there and I can totally relate. But when we started paring down the number of toys that we have and regularly declutter (or destash for those that can be resold), I have come to appreciate the joys of having a “tamed” toy collection that has both benefitted us as parents, and our children.

Till next post everyone. If you have the time, hope you could drop by my Facebook page and hit the like button, so you can receive regular updates from Happypinaymommy.com direct on your newsfeed. You may also follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest Accounts! Hope you could find the time to hit the like or follow button in these pages.

Thank you so much!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

Leaving you with some tips on decluttering toys:

Teaching English Online for Stay-at-Home Moms

The post Best way to declutter toys towards happier homes appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.