“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.

“Rest and mid-day breaks* This was the theme of my week. Allowing myself to rest. I have worked throughout my single life and I was a proud workaholic. I do not know if it it because of the culture of the industries I have worked for, or if I took after my Dad, but i thrived in the endless to-do lists and tight deadlines.

Moms need afternoon naps too

As a stay at home mom, i realized lately that I have been overburdening myself with endless lists and self-imposed deadlines. Yes they were SMART goals, all are possible to do within the day — but I end up dead tired with no patience for rambunctious kids as soon as the clock strikes 8pm.

*I run out of patience by 8pm,* i tell my kids every single day and so they all have to be ready for bed by that time. Either they play quietly till 830pm or off to bed they go.

Heart-to-heart talk

The mister mentioned to me that he feels bad each time I tell him that I finally got the chance to sit on the couch at about 5. He says, it is my choice to overwork myself and that I should be kind to myself. He said recess and deadlines apply to moms too. and so he said I should take breaks within the day even for just 30 minutes, and I should not be plagued by guilt if I put up my feet in the couch, surf TV or the net, or take a nap. “The kids can just play to their heart’s content, make a mess and all, but love yourself enough to give it a rest. Your body needs it more than ever, it will boost your immunity,” he says.

I gave it a try. I do chores 2-3 at a time, and then take rests. after work out, I make breakfast for everyone, feed them, and take a rest before I tackle the dishes. The same routine goes on throughout the day, and after a couple of days, I found myself accomplishing the chores but not feeling as busy as I used to. Where did I get the extra time?

Truth be told, the Mister kept on telling me that the list is endless. And if I give myself the permission to rest, it will not matter because the chores will always be there! Just like what is in this lovely quote from the wonderful blog “A Life in Progress”

So now I understand that bible devotion, daily work out, a bit of downtime before bed, less coffee, and sleeping early are not just THE MUSTS in my journey to better motherhood.

I have to rest mid day — be it a nap or short read in the couch– and then rest some more in the afternoon. Yes, I have discovered that power naps and mid-day down times for moms are so refreshing! I also started to challenge myself to take a break when needed, not when am too tired or when the work is done.

And that I think, is the secret to this week’s longer patience and happier mommying days! Happy Friday ladies!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Why mommies need mid-day breaks appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

Happy Pinay Mommy musings by the beach.

Been meaning to post this photo of our recent beach trip but I keep on forgetting to do so

My heart is always at its happiest when I see and join my kids playing on the sand and swimming in the beach.

Child at heart

I feel like I i am a kid all over again as I join them in trying to find shells, nice stones, build sand castles, try to discover marine life in the shore and catch the waves.

During this trip — while I was prepping our lunch and they were playing on the sand — all the things that usually make my lunch prep at home all the more hectic like breaking up a sibling fight, requests for water, breastfeeding break, read a book, potty time was temporarily unheard of. Halos hindi nila kami pansinin. They will only call me and Capt B when they want to show us something like a shell or the castle they are building. Magical indeed! The mister and I suddenly had time for uninterrupted conversations which hardly happens until after bedtime. Ang galing!

Their enjoyment, plus our happy family bonding time and the bonus relaxation for us parents made me and Capt Barbel promise ourselves that we will be bringing them to the beach as often as we can.

Reminscing own childhood

After all in both our childhood, the Mister and I looked forward to family beach trips. It will always be the happiest and most memorable. And though beaches may be a long drive i was happy to realize now that both our parents took the time to let us enjoy the sea and the sand! So now that nice beaches are often a plane ride away, we make sure to save up some so the kids can experience the same level of happiness we both had.

Thank you for indulging me in this read. I realised I have not been posting much lately about our trips but will make a conscious effort next time. Till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Of Beach Babies and Mommy Musings appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

This is a lengthy mother post. i just want to vent cause I wept over this the other night.

Parenting is something I am truly passionate about. I dream of raising good boys, good men. I am more than certain they will be. And I will do my best, to equip them with all that they need to stand up for themselves, on their own feet someday. For now we will continue to guide and teach them the way we know how. I may have shortcomings, I will fail at times, but I will raise them to be the kind we’d be proud of.

Nanay will never get tired of you. I love you both, no words.

Mommy Reen Bau describes herself as a Blessed Minister’s wife, a full time nanay, and a UP Maroon.

for your work to be published.

The post Guest Post: Every Child is Unique appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.