A Book Review of A Child's First Library of Learning

Here's another article I wrote for Smart Parenting Online's Parent Rated section.  I recommend this set of books to parents who want to invest in their kids’ early education, be they homeschooled or not. It’s a much healthier alternative to watching TV and playing computer games.

 

************

 

I came across A Child’s First Library of Learning at the grand opening of the Active Fun branch at The Fort, and this set of books impressed me right away.
 

 

A Child’s First Library of Learning is composed of twenty four (24) hardcover books covering topics on life, nature, science, and our world. The pages are filled with pictures and illustrations in full color that keep the child interested, thus providing more opportunity for knowledge. What I find most interesting about this set of books is that it features and answers over a thousand questions, many of which our curious, young children are bound to ask.

 

Here are some examples:
• Why does it rain?
• Why does it rain even if the sun is shining?
• Why does lightning flash?
• Why does thunder rumble?
• Why are rabbits’ ears long?
• Do fish have ears?
• Why do stars twinkle?
• Why is the sky blue?
• Do typhoons occur everywhere in the world?
• Why are there deserts in some parts of the world?

The books enable parents to answer their children’s questions whether they really don’t know the answers to these questions or they simply do not know how to answer them in a way that their children can grasp. These books are a big help to parents, especially first-time parents, who are still finding ways to manage their kids’ insatiable, natural curiosity about the things they see and hear around them. Providing answers to kids’ questions also encourages them to be observant and remain curious. By using these books, we are telling them to seek for answers to their questions, which sets the foundations for the love of learning, books and reading.

Click here to read the full article to find out why I recommend this set of books.  I can also help you schedule a presentation if you are interested to find out more about these books.  Just leave a comment or email me.

 

How moms and kids can earn during the holidays

Here's another article I contributed to POC's Mom's Corner this month.  I'm sure many moms are on the look out for ways to earn extra this Christmas season.  Hope this article inspires you or helps you achieve this goal this year and in the Christmas seasons.  Advance Merry Christmas!

 

 

************

 

Spending normally rises during the “ber” months. People are more generous and giving. With the increase in the expenses of most households during this season comes the need for an increase in budget as well. Here are some ways by which moms and kids can bond during the Christmas season and at the same time earn extra money for the family budget. Take your pick and enjoy the adventure and the money that goes with it!

 

Offer gift-wrapping service to busy relatives, friends or neighbors. You can take this service a notch higher by offering delivery service as well. You can let the big kids deliver gifts if the intended recipients are also from the same neighborhood or if you have a vehicle. You and your kids can make this your adventure or field trip this season to bring the gifts you wrapped to different houses or offices. Another option is to design your own gift wrappers too. You can experiment with designs first and show them to your clients. Then, give them the option to have their gifts wrapped in your personally designed gift wrappers or the traditional store-bought wrappers. Click here, here and here to see some simple and easy-to-make designs from the Martha Stewart’s site. You and your kids might find inspiration from these featured designs. Last year, my eldest son and I made his own gift wrappers for his grandparents’ presents. We used a star-shaped sponge to decorate plain white paper.

 

Make and sell handmade Christmas cards. There are plenty of cards to choose from these days but there are those who prefer handmade and personalized cards that are not reprints of other cards. There are still people who like to go the old fashioned way of sending handmade cards that are unique and personalized. You and your kids might want to give this a try. You can start by making samples or sending early Christmas cards to your relatives and friends and let those cards serve as your samples.

 

Below are some examples you can find inspiration from:

• Santa card
• Button-embellished card
• Fern-tree card
• Pencil stamps

Make money by selling sweet treats that people love to eat and give away during this season of parties. Diets usually go out of the window come Christmas time. People indulge a bit more. Moreover, the sales of sweet treats of every kind normally goes up. There are lots of sweet treats you can choose from. But for folks and kids who are not kitchen experts or seasoned cooks, simple and easy-to-do recipes also abound.

 

Here’s a list of examples that I have gathered, some of which do not require baking and/or elaborate gadgets to prepare them. Check them out and see which would fit your skills and interests and what would sell well in your target market.

• Christmas tree cake pops
• Granola bars
• Gumdrop pops
• No-bake cookie and granola bars
• No-bake cookie cottages
• No-bake cheesecakes
• No-bake cake pops (using sponge cake and jam)
• Oreo ice cream cake, cheesecake and cake pops
• Santa hat cake pops
• Snowman cupcakes
• S’mores cupcakes

Click here to continue reading the article. 


Here is a video of one of the cake pops I want to make this Christmas.  Looks simple enough for me and my eldest son. :)
 

Receiving an Abundance of Grace

I recently posted in the status of my Facebook account that I had been receiving an abundance of grace from God as I get a lot of inspiration these days to write and work on book projects.  This morning, as I woke up early again to new inspirations, I was amazed to read this message from my desk calendar.

 

"The first blessing of giving to God is not abundance but an abundance mentality."

 

"You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:11

 

I honestly do not know where all the funds needed for my book projects will come.  I also do not know exactly how I can complete them given my very busy schedule as a homeschooling, breastfeeding and work-at-home mom.  BUT, I know deep in my heart that GOD has called me to work on these book projects and I know that He will make a way and provide for all my needs as they arise.

 

As thoughts and ideas flood my mind the moment that I opened my eyes today, I got up and grabbed the devotionals I usually use for my prayer time.

 

God surprised me again as I read the reflection from Didache.

 

At Your Service, Lord!
 

If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. – Galatians 1:10
 

          I glanced at the clock on my computer monitor. It was 5:40 PM. I shut down my computer, packed my things and hurriedly went down. I felt relieved as I settled in my seat inside our shuttle service. I thanked God for helping me accomplish all that I needed to do that day.

 

I used to work in a multinational company in Parañaque. A coaster leaves at exactly 5:45 PM every day to bring northbound employees to the Ayala MRT station. While most of our co-employees worked long hours, I was one of those who worked hard every day to finish my tasks within eight hours.

 

It was challenging to go against the norm. Not all my officemates understood and agreed with my reasons. But I persevered each day for more than five years because I had a burning “yes.” That “yes” was my response to Jesus’ invitation to commune with Him every day in the Holy Mass and to serve Him through a community of single, working professionals. If I had chosen to please my bosses and my officemates then, I won’t be able to offer the prime of my youth to God. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teregmps@yahoo.com)

 

 

Yes, it was a reflection that I wrote for Didache.  I was amazed at it's timing.  I wrote it last year and after submitting them, I already forgot the dates assigned to me.  I felt that reading my own reflection today given my circumstances was God's way of confirming with me that I'm doing these projects to serve Him and to bless His people.

 

I worked on my laptop as soon as I finished my prayer time.  Then, as I was about to send my email to my co-author for one of the books I'm working on, I received this message on my inbox. 

 

God is using you for His special purpose.

To shine His light.

To share His love.

To shape His people.

 

You are making a difference in ways you don't even realize --

And you are very much appreciated.

 

"God is able to make all grace abound to you,

so that in all things at all times,

having all that you need,

you will abound in every good work."

2 Corinthians 9:8

 

You may click here to see the ecard.

 

This is so amazing!  I recently blogged about God's universe conspiring to help us and affirm us and it has happened again to me today.  I am overwhelmed with joy!  The God I serve is truly awesome!

 

These words from God energize me to persevere in these projects I have started.  I know that God Himself will assist me and the people I will be working with to bring it to completion because He knows my heart.  He knows that this is something I'm really passionate about and this is something I want to do because it would bless and make a difference to many.

 

To God be the glory!