It was timely when I won a staycation GC at Seda Hotel Nuvali last June during Whole Mom Ph's launch.   We were supposed to book for an overnight stay (originally for two) in a hotel within Metro Manila to celebrate our anniversary, but it turned out that the universe didn't want me to spend for the hotel, so I got the Seda Hotel Nuvali staycation GCs as my raffle prize.  For that I'm grateful.

Seda Nuvali hotel is a lakeside eco-lifestyle hotel by the AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Group

Good news loves!  Every home deserves Corelle and PYREX, the trusted brands in dinnerware and glassware, both made in the U. S. A. and France and had passed strict standards on food safety, and now,
it is easier to have your own Corelle Dinnerware and PYREX glassware plus be able to also start your own businesses through direct selling.

When I received the invitation to attend Make It Blissful with Fujifilm Blogging and Photography Workshop from one of my dearest friends, Martine of makeitblissful.com, I just couldn't say no.  Plus the fact that I've always been curious on how she does so well with her photography which is evident on her Instagram account.

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.

The kids and I were in for a treat last Sunday when we had a Sweet Sunday Brunch at Spectrum in Fairmont Makati, featuring their sweetest theme: A Candy Wonderland!

These giant Haribo bears greeted dining guests upon entry to Spectrum

I am happy to be part of the debut of the Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy line and powerful #FreeInMySkin Movement last week at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Hello loves! How was the long weekend for you?  Ours were quite full, add to that the scheduled days off of our household helper.  I didn't want her to go off for an two nights, but it was her birthday week too.  So even if it was going to be a busy weekend (due to Macky's birthday activities) I allowed her, she deserved a birthday break too.  Anyways, this post is dedicated to the love of my life and I want to share how different his celebration was.

My son and I were in for a superb concert treat when we saw Ms. Regine Velasquez, Asia’s Songbird, performed live in one of PLDT HOME’s 5-mall concert series, dubbed as the Regine Series Mall Tour, at Glorietta last weekend.

June is the official end of Summer vacation and the official start of rainy season.  With this, I feel the need to purchase rainy season essentials for my kids to keep them warm and dry.  By keeping them protected, I can be assured that they could also prevent common colds and also cough.  Definitely, the swimsuits and shorts need to be put away or kept for a while until the next summer vacation.

Wrote about my thoughts on motherhood, parenting, pausing and mom wars while sipping coffee.

Sometimes I wonder, am I doing it correctly or where have I gone wrong?  In the more than a decade being a mom to boys, I find myself examining my parenting style if I indeed paved a road to bringing up responsible little men or groomed them incorrectly?

Ahh... parenting or motherhood, is such a hard task which was assigned to us from the moment of the inception of our children in our wombs, whether ready or not.  If the blessing is given to you, you have to fulfill the mother role to your offspring immediately.

When I was a first time mom to my elder child, I didn’t have any idea on caring for another human being and bringing him up to be the fine young man I’ve envisioned him to be.  But so as when I became a mom the second time around to my little one, the experience was totally different.  The digital landscape was so vast too, that bringing up the second one was a lot easier, so I thought.  The two boys are alike and different in more ways than one.

I’m not saying that I am breezing through parenting like a real pro or an expert.  I certainly am not an expert even if I’ve had two already.  I do have struggles in keeping myself sane and composed when it comes to disciplining them.  I also lose control at times.  I sometimes lose it and feel frustrated too.  There were times when I beat myself to guilt when I feel that I’m failing.

I’m just like you.  I feel exactly just how you do.  I get tired everyday.  I feel bad when expectations are not met.  I feel horrible when my kids make the same mistakes over and over again even if I’ve eternally reminded them (especially the older one).  I also wish to take a break (a long one) to leave them to whoever is available to look after them.

I know how you feel, I feel that too.

Want to know what I do to combat these crazy thoughts or to dismiss these insane feelings?  I don’t leave, I don’t shout, I don’t lose it in front of them nor in front of hubby.  I PAUSE.

I pause to think and decide well.  I pause to examine myself if the words which came out of my mouth were helpful, healthy and constructive OR discouraging, harmful, hurtful and destructive.  I pause to give them a break too.  I pause to give myself and my sons, quiet and reflective time to assess everything.

Pausing helps to prevent saying things we don’t really mean and yet we’ve pierced the hearts of our children with hurtful things we already said.

Pausing helps in making both parties, the parent and the child/ren, realize the mistakes done and by doing so, make things happen to correct them.

Most importantly, I pause to PRAY.  I pray that I may fulfill my duty as my children’s mother.  I pray that I will have more patience.  I pray that I will be able to keep up with my children’s activities as they grow older.  I pray that I'd be consistent in the parenting and disciplining styles I use on them.  I pray that I will always be conscious in setting a good example so I may teach them more effectively.  I pray for a bigger and more forgiving heart, so that I may truly give them my unconditional love no matter what may they may turn out to be.

So being a mother is one hell of a tough job.  Being a mother, whether you breastfeed or not, stay at/work from home or not, is a role which drains you physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically, and we don’t need another mother pinning us down just because we are not the type of mother that they are.  That’s the last thing we would ever need.

Why not, let’s just support each other and pray for each other: That we’ll be able to rear our children to the best of our abilities and capabilities; That we’ll be able to bring up good children;  That we’ll have enough strength each day to do our chores at home or at work and at the same time keep an eye on our children;  That we and our children stay healthy and safe all the time; and lastly, that we’ll not go crazy while going through good or tough parenting times.