My 28th Year and some Reflections

Today marks my 28th year of existence on Earth, and I am grateful to the Lord for giving me another year to create precious memories with my loved ones. Before my birthday, I received wonderful gifts; they are not material things, but they are those that will last forever, and I am so thrilled. This year, I have many plans and goals, and hopefully, I can achieve them all, primarily for my family, especially for my child. Yesterday, I saw her trying on my shoes, and that’s when I noticed how fast she’s growing up.

Every day, I feel like a student at Motherhood University, learning many things that will help me raise a happy child and decode her little toddler attitudes. There have been many times when I felt I failed because, whenever she does something challenging, I can't help but break down and lose my patience. Fortunately, my husband is always there to support me. We're both working side by side on this journey. It is challenging, but it is the most rewarding thing we've ever done. I believe our child is a reflection of who we were to our parents. My daughter has helped me realize many things, like how I treat my parents, how I behave, and who I was. So this year, I want to focus more on being a mom and a wife. One of my birthday wishes is to become an excellent parent to baby G.

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Worth reading Indeed

I found this well written article worth reading for first time parents. For me, the best part of this article is

3. Your baby is not like the other babies.

"Your baby is the only one of herself who has ever been, and you and your partner are the only experts on her. Your baby will not behave like the books say, won't like what she's supposed to like, won't do what she's supposed to do when she's supposed to do it, and that's normal and great and perfectly OK. The best thing you can do is put down your literature and get to know your baby. What does she like? What makes her laugh? How does she best fall asleep? What does hungry sound like? The discovery of these things will serve you so much more than any stranger's care instructions ever will. You don't have to make your life or your family look like any particular model -- you don't have to follow the rules. You just have to create a life that works for you and fosters love and security and a whole lot of laughter. If that looks like 2 a.m. pancake parties, I'm not going to tell on you. I might actually admire you and be just a little bit jealous. "

So without further ado, here is the link to the article 10 True Things About the First Year of Parenthood

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Helpful Resources for Toddler Separation Anxiety and Clingy Baby

(photo credit: Parents.com)

Recently, my 17-month-old baby has been getting very clingy. She cries almost every day, and I have no idea what triggered it. After researching online, I found out that I’m not alone—many moms around the world are facing the same issue. On one website, Parenting.com, I found an article titled Make Your Clingy Baby Confident. It explained that this clinginess is called separation and stranger anxiety.

One part made me smile: "Babies who are the most connected early on have such strong trust in their parents that calm reassurance from mom and dad gives them the comfort to try new things or explore unfamiliar territory, knowing that help will be there if they need it."

If you want to know more about the article, you can read it here.

Now, I am already aware of the clingy part, so I tried to find tips that will help me get rid of it. And here are the helpful links I have found:

• Calming your Clingy Child
• Very Clingy 12 mo old - it is a forum discussion of moms worldwide giving tips and advices. A must-read.
• 10 Ways to handle a Clingy Kid
• 7 year old clingy, can't play alone, becoming disrespectful - if you have a kid like hers, you must read the doctor's advice in this Q&A.
• Attachment Parenting - How to break free - Some people believe that being clingy is a result of attachment parenting, but experts say 'it’s just a myth.'

  So there you go—I hope these links help you as much as they helped me. But honestly, there’s nothing to worry about because being clingy is just a normal phase. We just need to understand it and gently explain to our children why it’s not always ideal.

  UPDATE: She’s okay now! It seems that teething was the cause of her mood. Whew!

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Product Review: Human Heart Nature Baby Wash

Many moms are complaining about the stinky smell of sweat on their babies. Yes, even our sweet little angels can develop a not-so-good odor! I’m one of those moms—Fiefie is a very active baby; she plays a lot and sweats a lot. I’ve tried various branded shampoos and soaps found in stores, but they haven’t been very effective. Until a friend recommended Human Heart Nature Baby Wash, I purchased a 50ml bottle to try, and I love it!

HHN Baby Wash is an all-in-one product made from organic ingredients. It has a heavenly lavender scent that is soothing. What’s great about this product is that, no matter how sweaty my baby gets, she still smells good. The scent doesn’t easily fade, so you don’t need to use baby cologne or anything else.

I primarily use it as a shampoo since it makes Fiefie’s hair smooth and shiny. However, as a liquid soap, it can make my baby’s skin a bit dry, which is a downside. Every baby’s skin is different, so it might not work well for my baby, but who knows—it might be great for your little one! What I’ve done is use it solely as her shampoo and stick to Dove Baby Soap for her body.

closer look to the ingredients

As you can see, the ingredients are mostly natural. Here are some of the ingredients:

• Decyl Glucoside - Decyl Glucoside is a natural, non-ionic surfactant, ideal for all foaming and cleansing products.  Our Decyl Glucoside, obtained from renewable raw materials, is a combination of plant based fatty alcohols (coconut c8-16) and glucose (corn starch).  Decyl Glucoside is a mild surfactant and because it does not dry it is ideal for the formulation of personal hygiene and toiletry cosmetics.  (Source: Ingredientstodiefor)


• Coco Glucoside - is an non-ionic surfactant that can be used as a foaming agent, conditioner or emulsifier. It is derived from renewable raw materials such as coconut oil and fruit sugars, and is completely biodegradable. It contains no diethanolamides, lauryl sulfates, laureth sulfates, parabens or formaldehyde. (Source: newdirectionsaromatics.ca)


• Gkyceryl Oleate - Glyceryl Oleate, also called, Glyceryl Monooleate, is obtained from naturally occurring oils and fats. It occurs as a clear amber or pale yellow liquid. In cosmetics and personal care products, it is predominantly used in the formulation of lipsticks, eye shadows, makeup bases, and skin care products. (Source: cosmeticsinfo.org)


• Sodium Lactate -  a 60% concentration in water, and is the sodium salt of natural L(+)-Lactic Acid, produced through the fermentation of sugar, an alpha hydroxy acid that occurs everywhere in nature. (Source: Ingredientstodiefor)


• Sodium Gluconate - is sodium salt of gluconic acid that is produced by the fermentation of glucose. PMP Sodium gluconate comes in a fine granular or powdered form. It is soluble in water, non corrosive, non toxic, biodegradable and biorenewable. (Source: pmpinc.com)


• Sodium Cocoyle Isethionate- is a sodium salt ester, or a fatty acid derived from coconut oil. It is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a surfactant and is often seen in hair care products like shampoos because of its ability to help water to mix with oil and dirt, allowing them to be more easily rinsed away, according to CosmeticsInfo.org. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is also seen as an ingredient in a variety of soaps and cleansing products. As a surfactant, it creates a wet feeling, it solubilizes oils and reduces surface tension, and can aid in foaming as well. (Source: Truthinaging.com)


• Xantham Gum - Xanthan Gum is used by people who are allergic to gluten to add volume and viscosity to bread and other gluten-free baked goods. It is made from a tiny microorganism called Xanthomonas campestris and is a natural carbohydrate. (source: bobsredmill.com)

There you go. I would say this is perfect for my baby Fiefie. Now, my 50ml bottle (44.75 pesos) is empty and I purchased a bigger size 200ml which is worth 129.75 pesos . :) For me it's affordable.

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Welcome to Mommyhood

Sleepless nights, exhausting days... but a rewarding job—that’s motherhood. I started to appreciate my mom even more when I had my own child and experienced everything that comes with taking care of a baby. I told myself, "So this is how I gave my mom headaches and how I made her cry from exhaustion back then." But she loved me even when I was giving her problems.

It’s the exact feeling I have for my daughter, who is currently giving me a hard time sleeping and tiring me out during the day. However, I know this is just the beginning. My daughter won’t always be a baby, and there will come a time when I’ll miss those days of holding her when she’s crying, playing, kissing her endlessly, and cuddling her when she’s sad.

Now I realize that the hardest job in the world isn’t being the leader of a country or anything like that; it’s being a mother. :) I salute all the mothers out there who are trying to balance life as a mom, a wife, and just being themselves.

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Organic Brands and Sellers in the Philippines

After I gave birth, I decided to go organic. There are many reasons why I chose this path, and one of them is to keep my family healthy and safe. I enjoy shopping for organic products, especially for my baby. However, I do it online since our province does not have a store that offers pure organic products—hopefully soon! Because of my obsession with organic items, I’ve listed the stores and companies offering natural products in the Philippines.

Human Heart Nature - A friend who is a dealer asked me to like her Facebook page, and I decided to check if they have baby products. I was impressed by the positive reviews from their customers. HHN has affordable products and an easy-to-navigate website. I haven’t tried their products yet since I just ordered from my friend. They have a huge variety of products at prices that every mom will love. HHN offers products for babies, women, and men.

Tiny Buds - I discovered this brand when I was pregnant. I used their rice baby powder, and it was awesome! I actually bought it for my baby, but since I sweat a lot during my pregnancy, I used it myself, and it worked wonders. It keeps me dry and fresh. This powder is biodegradable and hypoallergenic, completely free from harmful talc and other chemicals. It keeps the baby’s skin healthy, fresh, moisturized, and dry from perspiration. Aside from this, I also tried their Tiny Buds Baby Bottle & Utensil Wash, which is made from mild natural cleaners. It is safe for babies since it is made from 100% food-safe fruit extracts. It easily gets rid of bacteria and foul odors from leftover formula. Since my baby frequently gets insect bites, I used the Tiny Buds Scratch Off Natural Soothing Cool Gel, which is specially formulated with natural ingredients to help soothe common skin discomfort like itching, swelling, and redness from insect bites and other minor skin irritations for children and adults. (Source: Tiny Buds Facebook Page) Their products are quite pricey; however, they are effective and safe.

Milea Organics - I haven't tried their products yet, but they have tons of positive reviews as well. They offer products for babies, women, and men, and they also sell organic honey in different flavors, which I would love to try.

GIGA Ventures - One of the most well-known sellers of natural beauty products, I’ve heard a lot about their Giga Shampoo Bar, with many customers reporting miraculous results. I will add this item to my grocery list for product review. They have many outlets in Manila; unfortunately, here in Albay, we don’t have a branch, so I have to purchase online.

Messy Bessy - Known for their natural household cleaning products, I haven’t tried their products yet, but I definitely want to purchase some to see if they are effective. I also love their vintage-like packaging; it’s so cute! However, their products are pricey (oops!). But if you mommies are interested, you can always check out their website.

Zenutrients - This family-owned business offers various types of organic products. They have different branches in Manila and provide everything you need from head to toe and more! Their all-natural and organic shampoos, soaps, lotions, scrubs, butters, and other products are made from the best that nature has to offer, all handmade and bottled for you. (Source: Zenutrients Facebook Page)

Leyende - From the Spanish word "leyenda," meaning “legend” or “story,” Leyende is an emerging Filipino brand of handmade, natural, and organic bath and body products, following eco-friendly artisanal principles. (Source: FB Leyende Page)

Indigo Baby - A one-stop shop baby store, their mission is to promote attachment parenting—breastfeeding, co-sleeping, babywearing, and using all-natural products for moms, dads, and babies! (Source: Indigo Baby FB page)

Sensou Nature Source - This shop sells almost all the products from the brands listed here. In 2007, a group of friends began to individually discover how not just their lifestyle but also the products they chose to use could affect the well-being of both their families and the world outside. In their search for cleaner alternatives, they realized they had to go all over Greater Manila to maintain this renewed lifestyle. These friends agreed on the irony: buying green also meant buying more gas! (Source: Sesou Nature Source FB Page)

Ilog Maria - One of my favorite organic sellers, they offer affordable organic products from their honeybee farm. I would also love to try their products.

That's it! So far, this is my compiled list of organic product sellers in the Philippines. I will update this post to add more brands and sellers. Ciao!

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How to Discipline a Naughty Child

I asked my mom if she ever hit or spanked us when we were younger. I know it’s kind of a weird question to ask your mother, but I asked her anyway. I’ve read that it’s okay to hit a child as a form of discipline; however, there are also studies saying that hitting is not the right way to correct a naughty child. My mother told me that it is never right to hit or spank a child, especially if they are under 2 years old. Children that age usually mimic what adults do and may assume it’s acceptable to hit someone.

I’ve observed this with my 13-month-old niece. Her mom often tells her nanny that it’s alright to hit her baby’s hand if she’s being bad. So, the nanny does what she’s told. When my niece is naughty, the nanny hits her hand. Several weeks later, I noticed my niece starting to hit my baby while they were playing. That’s when I realized my mom was right. Thankfully, we don’t do that to our baby.

What worries me about having a child is the discipline aspect. First-time moms often struggle with this. We never know the best way to raise a well-behaved child without resorting to hitting. As a new parent, I researched other methods to help us raise a happy child—not a perfect one, but a child who won’t cause too much trouble and will grow up to be a good person.

Here are some short tips to raise a happy and disciplined baby:

1. Make some rules: It’s important to create rules and set limitations. Let your baby know that not everything is easily obtainable. They may be young, but they can understand you. Also, make it a habit to explain things whenever you impose discipline; this will benefit both of you and maintain a peaceful home.

2. Teach your child the art of decision-making: This can be a tough task that requires patience. Ask your child simple questions such as, “What clothes do you want to wear?” “What toys do you want to play with?” and “What foods do you want to eat?” You can also add the “why” question to help them figure out the do’s and don’ts.

3. Learn to ignore tantrums: Tantrums can be one of the most annoying things that babies and toddlers do. As a parent and an adult, you should learn how to control your emotions. Don’t let tantrums affect you. Instead, tell your child, “I know you are upset now; I’ll come back when you’re ready to talk,” and then walk away. Don’t watch your child during a tantrum, as this may prolong it.

4. Teach your child patience: This may seem difficult, but it’s manageable. Teach your child patience by making them wait whenever they ask for something. For example, if they want the comb you’re using, don’t hand it over right away. Instead, say “wait” and count silently to five. If your child waits without insisting, that’s a good start. Just keep practicing.

5. Celebrate your child’s acts of kindness: When your little one behaves well, let them know that mommy and daddy are happy with their behavior. Make it a celebration by treating them to their favorite food or something special. Be sure to explain why you are pleased with their good behavior.

Implementing these strategies will help improve your child’s emotional intelligence (EQ). This list is not exhaustive, but these are some of the most doable tips. If you have suggestions, comments, or feedback, feel free to hit the comment button. I’m excited to hear from you. Love lots!

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How to Teach Your One year old to Read

Hey there! I haven’t posted in a while due to my hectic home life, but I’m excited to share this post with all the moms out there. It’s about teaching your child to read and speak—not necessarily to be fluent, but to give them a solid starting point in language development.

As a first-time mom, I rely on the advice of elders, like my mom, mother-in-law, grandparents, and friends. However, despite having abundant guidance from experienced individuals, I still feel like I’m lacking knowledge in motherhood. That’s why I also turn to books, magazines, and the internet for additional information that I haven’t learned elsewhere. While reading through mothers’ forums and discussions, I came across some helpful suggestions on teaching toddlers to read and speak. I decided to try a few of these strategies.

I started noticing that my baby was captivated by nursery rhymes and phonics from her early months. I think she was about 5 months old when we began letting her watch baby phonics. During that time, she didn’t cry or ask for attention while she was engaged. A few months later, she began to recognize objects, although her words were not clear yet. By the time she turned one, she could speak more words than many other kids her age.

Here’s what we did, and I wanted to share it in case you’d like to try it with your child:

1. Watch phonics and nursery rhymes: Focus on baby channels that teach the ABCs, sounds, colors, and similar concepts. We let our baby watch for at least an hour a day during her early months, and as she grew, she spent even more time watching phonics and nursery rhymes. Take note of her favorites and let her watch them repeatedly so she can absorb the lessons from the videos. Remember, children are like sponges, soaking up what they see and hear. The more they hear, the more easily they will pick up and remember words. Some recommended baby channels include Super Simple Songs, Songs for Children, and Mother Goose Club. It’s important to be present with your child while they watch, guiding and explaining everything being shown.

2. Read books with your baby every day: This requires a lot of patience since not all young children want to listen or read. Look for the perfect timing when they are in the mood, and don’t force your child to read. I see many parents pressuring their children to learn too quickly. Remember, pressure and overstimulation can be detrimental to a child’s learning.

3. Conduct a recitation: When my baby turned one, we established a routine where we would ask her to say a word. She happily participated! However, just like reading, this approach takes time and patience.

4. Be an example: If you want your child to focus on learning, demonstrate that you enjoy learning too—whether it’s reading a book, writing, or engaging in other educational activities.

5. Expose them to real objects: Children absorb lessons more effectively when they can see or touch real-life objects. There are companies that sell educational tools alongside nursery rhymes, allowing babies to not only listen but also physically engage with the concepts. Grolier is one example, though their products can be a bit pricey. If you prefer a budget-friendly option, consider making DIY objects to pair with their favorite nursery rhymes.

6. Let them play: This is crucial! Playtime is an essential part of childhood, giving your child the freedom to interact with others, be themselves, and explore. Through play, children can learn a multitude of skills. Just ensure the play area is childproof to keep them safe.

So far, these are just some of the practical strategies we've implemented with our baby. I hope you find them helpful! Please share your experiences and techniques for teaching your child in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

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How to Teach your child to be Patient

Patience is something I've always wanted to teach my child. I consider it a necessity for facing everyday challenges and one of the greatest armors she can use to navigate life in the future. Being short-tempered or having a quick fuse won't help her become a desirable person. I want my baby to approach her problems calmly and with a positive mindset.

From her early months, we focused on introducing her to the art of patience. This may sound a bit unusual to some, but we believe it’s important to instill this value early on. When she wanted something—except for food and milk, of course—we wouldn’t immediately give in to her requests. For example, if she desired a toy or something that caught her attention, she would sometimes throw a tantrum or cry. Rather than depriving her, we would gently remind her, “WAIT, please…” and then count to three. After that, we would hand her what she asked for. This became a routine as she grew.

At first, the results were subtle. However, by the time she turned 15 months, our efforts started to pay off. We were delighted to see that she learned to be patient, even in small situations. Now, when we say "wait," she does so without complaint.

So, my advice to fellow moms out there is to be patient while teaching your child. They will absorb these lessons bit by bit. Don’t give up when you don’t see immediate results; it’s not always easy. Remember, our kids look up to us and see us as their role models, so it’s essential to demonstrate the qualities we want them to embody. Avoid pressuring your child, as it can be counterproductive. Stay calm and be patient—it's worth it!

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Picky eater toddler - No! No!

I spent the whole day tweaking this blog, and I'm excited to say it’s 90% finished! I’m really loving the way it looks. As I was writing this first "formal" post, the weather outside turned gloomy, prompting me to think of a specific topic to discuss. (Ding!)

Two weeks ago, I was scouring the web for tips and tricks to get my toddler to eat better, as she’s quite a picky eater. I know many parents struggle with this, and it really worries me. During my search, I came across Samantha Lee, a cook and a mom who also faced challenges with her children’s eating habits. To tackle this, she began creating unique food arrangements for each meal to entice her little ones to eat.

Here’s a photo taken from her Instagram:

How I wish I could do the same thing! If you're also a mom facing similar challenges with a picky eater, you might want to try those creative food arrangements to make meals more appealing. But if that’s not your style, I have a great book recommendation for you. 

French Kids Eat Everything is a fantastic read that delves into parenting, nutrition, and fun ways to engage your little ones at the dinner table. It offers practical tips and strategies that can help you encourage healthier eating habits without the stress.

I have a soft copy of this book that I bought from an online site, but I haven’t finished reading it yet. I’ll update you soon with my review!

In my quest to help my picky eater, I’ve found some additional tips that seem to be working. So far, she’s eating a lot more cereals and fruits, which I think is great! During mealtimes, I’ve learned not to force her to eat, as I really don’t want her to develop a negative association with food. When it comes to the foods she doesn’t like, we still offer them but in moderation. I believe that over time, she’ll grow to appreciate the taste as she matures.

We also make a conscious effort to limit her intake of salt and sugar, and I’m happy to report that she’s doing much better compared to the last few months. I’ll definitely create a part 2 of this post to share more tips and updates on our journey with picky eating! Stay tuned! :)

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