malaysia '08

Make a Smilebox slideshow

tantrums..

how to deal with tantrums? despite reading tons of books and internet articles, i still don't know how to deal with my son's tantrums. 

it starts out as a soft whimper, him wanting to go to the toystore although we've been there for 2 hours and i telling him that we'll go back later, momi just needs to look for some books. then the whimper becomes a loud cry then before you know it he is wailing incessantly drawing the attention of everyone even the guard. then as if it's not enough the wail will turn into fits of scream prompting the guard to come to us and ask what's wrong. maybe most of them are thinking that i am hurting my son, or sometimes they think i am trying to kidnap him because my son looks japanese/chinese and me being a filipina is immediately classified as his maid. this happens a lot of times, mostly because here a filipina is looked at as either a maid or a whore.

anyways, back to my story, after the fits of scream and me all red in the face we'll just leave the bookstore pretending no one is looking and wait for him to stop his hysterics. that's all i can do. i do not want to give in to his demands, because i know if i do the scene above will be played over and over again everytime we go out. i know my son's just a toddler but sometimes tantrums is more than annoying as it can get into my nerves. so if anyone out there has a better idea on how to deal with tantrums, i am listening...

family pix

Make a Smilebox photobook

one day at a time

i always thought being a full time mom would entail no sweat. it'll be easy as just taking care of two kids and doing the household chores, i was totally wrong.

i quit my work before giving birth to my daughter. i've always wanted to be a full time mom, i wanted to be at the beck and call of my kids. fortunately, hubby gave his go signal for me to try it and see how it goes.  

i am now on my 6th month as a full time mom, still struggling to find the balance between not having a career and at the same time being able to take care of my kids. it was not an easy decision for me to quit my job as i have been working for so long, i can't imagine being out of work and without money. peer pressure, the thought of not being able to return to workforce should i wish to work again, and of course finances are tipping off the balance. also, i never imagined it would be hard to take care of one's own kids (especially if yours' is as naughty as my macoy), the household chores will pile up to a mountain, the dead air inside the house when no adult except me is around. 

but on the plus side, i am getting to know my kids better. i am there when they need me, i am personally taking care of their needs. we laugh together at silly things, sing silly songs, dance like crazy inside the house. also, i am the one who sees the many firsts of my daughter, her first smile, first laugh, first word and many more firsts to come.

sometimes, i still miss the hustle and bustle of work, but when i see my kids smile at me i feel fortunate that i am able to be a full time mom to them. 

it is not easy to be a full time mom but i don't have regrets...i love my job now and i'm not planning to resign soon. there are crazy days when i just want to quit but i am just going to take it one day at a time. enjoy the moment with my kids.

p.s.  thanks dadi