Any mom will tell you that they want an organized and clutter-free home for sure.  But let's face it, it has always been a challenge, especially if you have kids under the age of ten and a husband who's into wired gadgets!  In our own home, no matter how I clean the rooms and organize the living room, I still always find it in a mess after a few hours, sometimes just a few minutes!  That's why I could say really that the struggle is real.  

It's just a few days before Christmas loves.  I’m sure most of you who are working had most probably saved your vacation leaves to use them this holiday for that much-awaited vacation, right?  If only I had some more left, I would have done that too, like how I used to do in the past years.  But unfortunately for me, I have used up all my leaves for family getaways.

Who says motherhood is easy?  I think no one did.  It's a 24/7 job.  One has to always be on her toes to ensure her family is safe and happy.  One of her challenges is how to keep her kids away from harm at all times.  Personally, I know that accidents could always happen.  But I also believe that it could be prevented.

In an intimate gathering I attended together with my fellow Circle of Trust Moms, organized by Wilkins Distilled water, we learned some do-it-yourself safety hacks from other trusted expert moms using materials that are easily accessible from their own homes.  It was a fun afternoon of learning and sharing with other moms in the crowd.

Here are some of the tips shared during the Wilkins event which you could also try at home.

Scout the Territory. 
Take a child’s eye view of your home. Get down on your knees to see for yourself what’s within reach, what looks tempting, and what could be dangerous for your kids.

Cushion Sharp Edges and Soften Up Corners. 
Invest on furniture edge guards and corner protectors; foam pipe insulations for instance are easily available at hardware stores. When your child starts running around the house, you’ll be thankful you brought that extra protection.

Keep Window Cords Up High. 
Loop and tie window cords to keep them out of reach of children, but not too high that you can’t lower the shade all the way down.

Duct Tape on Power Outlets. 
Cover reachable openings with duct tape or band aid to avoid the risk of electrocution.  There are also readily available power outlet covers you could buy in DIY shops for less than one hundred pesos for 4 pieces.  I personally use these at home to keep my kids safe.

As mothers, we tend to be overly-protective with our kids especially when they are at play because we don't want them to get hurt or injured right?  But, sometimes, being too protective is not healthy anymore to their physical, emotional and psychological development.  There are many creative ways to keep our kids injury-free during active play and I will share some which I apply to them.

Since I have two active boys (the little one is bordering hyperactive haha!), they are prone to injuries.  When they get injured, I worry too much and sometimes panic.  But as their dad would always say, "Mga lalaki yan, minsan kailangan din nilang madapa at matutong tumayo..Wag kang OA" (They are boys, sometimes they need to stumble to learn how to pick themselves up.  Don't over-react!)

A few weeks ago, classes were suspended for several days due to the heavy rains.  This means vacation for this kids and play time as well, while for us, it’s a time to get resourceful and creative to prepare some safe indoor activities for them.  Why?  So they won’t get bored when not in school.

It’s back-to-school season for my older child and a whole new school experience for my little one!   I started purchasing their school needs for a good two weeks prior to their schools' class opening.  Shopping is not as easy as just buying the school supplies listed, but what makes it difficult is deciding which type or brand do you buy.  Why?  Because as a mom, I prioritize my children's safety at all times.

Let me share with you some of the items in our back-to-school shopping bag:

Have you heard of the old adage "It takes a village to raise a child."?  I believe in this 100% just as much as I believe in the saying that "No man is an island."  As a mom, I definitely have a lot to share to attest to this truth because I have two kids who are seven years apart.  Their gap, would you believe is already almost a generation apart.  One is a tween and the other is a pre-schooler and I've written in the past how difficult it is sometimes to raise children belonging to different stages.  I'd be honest, it drives me crazy and makes me think twice if I am doing it right or not.