tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36665136047123158122024-03-23T18:13:32.662+08:00Mommy Bares AllTeresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.comBlogger455125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-25443046198621884602021-06-26T22:16:00.002+08:002021-06-29T22:09:58.795+08:00Free eBook Download of My Latest Book <p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I'm excited to share the good news that we will have the global virtual launch of my latest book titled</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><em style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tinyurl.com/homeschoolmomdevo&source=gmail&ust=1624802625039000&usg=AFQjCNEEf7mp2TBPJ10kf6BSeJyseLphOw" href="https://tinyurl.com/homeschoolmomdevo" style="color: #007c89; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">Homeschool Moms at the Feet of Jesus: 31 Days of Encounter with our Lord</a> </strong></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">on Amazon with a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><strong style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">FREE BOOK PROMOTION from June 30 to July 1</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">. Only 4 days to go!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">You can download it using your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. You can download it even if you do not have an Amazon account yet. You simply need to create an account. To read it, you need to download the Kindle app on your device. Once you have the app on your device and you have downloaded the ebook, you can find the book in your Kindle app and read from there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbjiaZbPn2bzDM3qpkfTC_uGroXZuGfP2jKDeI7WCQpSeYiDyzl4VM5a5Gbm2fMgdvoWGdsBgoTW-RvvzEpk9SCdO4ALQhRVG5okknmspfl-k0WcOTuzX2U-c4B6VcvaANJcRSa6J3udX/s940/Free+book+download+poster_phone.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbjiaZbPn2bzDM3qpkfTC_uGroXZuGfP2jKDeI7WCQpSeYiDyzl4VM5a5Gbm2fMgdvoWGdsBgoTW-RvvzEpk9SCdO4ALQhRVG5okknmspfl-k0WcOTuzX2U-c4B6VcvaANJcRSa6J3udX/w640-h536/Free+book+download+poster_phone.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />Anyway, why am I giving it away?</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">First, this is <strong>my way of expressing my gratitude to God for His help and faithfulness to me and my family in our homeschool adventure</strong>. This book is special to me because I wrote it and I’m launching it in the same year that my eldest child whom I homeschooled since birth is graduating from elementary.<br /> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">We just had the graduation pictorial of our eldest child at home a couple of weeks ago. I can’t believe that we have homeschooled this long! Time flies, indeed! It feels like it was just yesterday when I started homeschooling my firstborn. He was still tiny and chubby then. Now, his feet are bigger than mine. I’m just a few inches taller than him. He knows so many things that I don’t know already.<br /><br />Homeschooling him was one of the best decisions that my husband and I have made in our life. Because of homeschooling, my sons and I had lots of bonding moments together. We had countless fun activities and family field trips. We learned together. We traveled together. We did so many things together. We made many beautiful memories together!<br /><br />I also got to influence them more and passed on our Catholic faith to them. We were able to build many family traditions through the years with the help of homeschooling.<br /><br />I shared more reasons in my latest blog post. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/free-book-download-during-the-virtual-launch-of-my-latest-book/&source=gmail&ust=1624802625039000&usg=AFQjCNEnXdzpWAJ9yHTpHCaWJinOQ8Y7FA" href="https://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/free-book-download-during-the-virtual-launch-of-my-latest-book/" style="color: #007c89;" target="_blank">Here is the link</a> to it.<br /><br />I'd also like to share the testimonial/blurb from the Co-Founder of CFA (Catholic Filipino Academy) Homeschool, Marowe Sanchez. Their family inspired my husband and me to homeschool our children. When her husband, Bo Sanchez, shared that they are homeschooling their children, my husband asked me to investigate homeschooling also. We discovered the many advantages and benefits and we decided to follow their lead. I'm so grateful that they have blazed a trail for us. Thus, I am honored to receive these words from her.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4wmZingcoWwzKYXc7PdKqPhRiApDWxrW-SVa6VlPeS3qZwvUzNooeF1DH2hq9sbn0vUT6qOi1zz3g8OenEea1Jzix9yKehnmoDTbHk0-A302uqPVWrHCnV5gasuMYVSWyC5gVv7k-l84/s940/Full+Life+Cube+Testimonials+%25285%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4wmZingcoWwzKYXc7PdKqPhRiApDWxrW-SVa6VlPeS3qZwvUzNooeF1DH2hq9sbn0vUT6qOi1zz3g8OenEea1Jzix9yKehnmoDTbHk0-A302uqPVWrHCnV5gasuMYVSWyC5gVv7k-l84/w640-h536/Full+Life+Cube+Testimonials+%25285%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">Other homeschool moms have already shared their feedback to me on how the devotional that I have written has blessed and helped them.<br /><br />Let me share a few with you below:<br /><br />"The book is designed as a choke-free, easily digestible, 31-day encounter for us parents (whether you have been homeschooling for a long time or are currently thinking of taking the leap of faith), so we can pause for a short while each day and bring our worries, fears, dreams at the feet of Jesus."<br /><br />You can read Mommy Madel's book review in more detail <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mommymeowmeow.com/2021/06/ebook-review-feet-of-jesus.html&source=gmail&ust=1624802625039000&usg=AFQjCNGwJ_qRyU4EOZFzS2Z7t6U8z0eJ-w" href="https://www.mommymeowmeow.com/2021/06/ebook-review-feet-of-jesus.html" style="color: #007c89;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />"The book helped me to pause and reflect on God's word every day, rather than overthinking all our assignments and lesson plans. It was my daily dose of reminder to fully trust in God and to grasp the present, about what is God's plan for us today. As overwhelming as it may seem, homeschool for me is about letting God lead the way."<br /><br />You can read Mommy Steph's book review in more detail <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thechinkymommy.com/f/encountering-god-in-this-pandemic&source=gmail&ust=1624802625039000&usg=AFQjCNFjz_Kwh8vJBWQs4_JO6HnpLbgrxA" href="https://thechinkymommy.com/f/encountering-god-in-this-pandemic" style="color: #007c89;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I hope these reviews are enough to make you even more excited to download my ebook and use the devotional as you prepare to homeschool in the coming school year.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">Reserve your free ebook via this link. That way, I can notify you once my latest book is available for FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;">You can also click GOING on our <a href="https://fb.me/e/1lhSq3qLL" target="_blank">event page</a> on Facebook to stay updated. </p>Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-34467302936443328642019-03-20T16:12:00.000+08:002019-03-31T21:07:39.183+08:00Lessons Kids Learn with Farm Pretend Play<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It all started when I began preparing for my second child’s first birthday party.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We chose the farm as a party theme.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then, I used the theme as inspiration in coming up with games and activities during the party.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our guests loved the theme and the games.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But I guess our kids loved the theme so much that months after my second child’s first birthday party, my kids are still playing and enjoying farm-related games and activities inspired by the games we played at my son’s farm-themed birthday party.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You may </span><a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/11/behind-scenes-of-mateos-farm-themed.html" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">click here</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> to read about our farm-themed birthday party program in detail.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our farm party theme turned out to be a seedbed of many wonderful pretend play scenarios and home school lessons.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The kids actually started learning about the farm even before our second child’s birthday party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been reading books about the farm to them and they really enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their curiosity about the farm was intensified when we started preparing the materials and props for our farm-themed kiddie party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought plaid tops and farmer hats, plastic fruit and vegetable toys and baskets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made farm-related crafts and art projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may click <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/09/activities-inspired-by-our-farm-books.html">here</a>, <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/09/activities-inspired-by-three-little-pigs.html">here</a>, <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/05/big-carrot-and-baby-carrot-painting.html">here</a> and <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/08/activities-inspired-by-book-blue-cow.html">here</a> to see some of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sang and danced to the music of songs about farm animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also taught my kids the barn dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My youngest son (the birthday boy) loved it very much especially the tap-tap-tap and clap-clap-clap portion of the dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids and I still use our costumes and props when we play at home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes us enjoy our pretend play even more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are activities/scenarios that they like to imitate and the lessons they learn while engaging in these activities.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3IY6vYUHaBwY33dMwxvvgyvhnC8poMNlGT0j9tbzCvHFDpegHrJjeNjTe3anqEMFCVX6BmwFCtcjfJS5L9rKSBiklJ67U8F2xgy8OYXNC_co2y413RR5BzxWBQ_xVGfDbSbmkK1FLsI9/s1600/104003998_Dumadag%252CHudsonDF_9130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3IY6vYUHaBwY33dMwxvvgyvhnC8poMNlGT0j9tbzCvHFDpegHrJjeNjTe3anqEMFCVX6BmwFCtcjfJS5L9rKSBiklJ67U8F2xgy8OYXNC_co2y413RR5BzxWBQ_xVGfDbSbmkK1FLsI9/s640/104003998_Dumadag%252CHudsonDF_9130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Planting and Harvest time</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> – Reading books about the farm paved the way for our discussions about life on the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the things that I was able to discuss with them is the concept/law of the farm that when you plant, you harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it takes some time before you can harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it would be good to be busy with something else while waiting for harvest time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One time, we drew a farm scene in a manila paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eldest son asked me to draw the vegetables in our vegetable garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his younger brother colored it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I scattered the plastic toys in the house and gave each one of them a basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They went around “harvesting” fruits and vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was similar to the game we had in my youngest son’s birthday party where the kids raced to harvest farm produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking about harvesting and planting enabled me to introduce farm machines as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read books to them showing these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Farmer’s Market</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> – Through our farm pretend play, I was able to share with my kids that farmers sell their farm products in the Farmer’s Market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They love this pretend play!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my youngest just turned one, he’s the customer most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eldest is the farmer selling his produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, he also pretends to sell other farm products like eggs and farm animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use play money in their transaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eldest gets to practice his Math skills in counting, addition and subtraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also gets to practice his writing skills because he puts up signs in his stall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He learns about the farm business as we play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My youngest learns to identify objects through their pretend play and to differentiate between fruits and vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, he helps his brother set up his stall by separating the fruits from the vegetables in the display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like playing “bring me” games with my youngest son, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re delighted every time he brings us the correct fruit or vegetable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Restaurant in the Farm </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">– This is also one of their favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pretend to cook the vegetables that they harvest from their farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, they pretend to make fruit shakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I teach them simple recipes as we pretend to cook dishes using their plastic toys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps my eldest to become familiar with the ingredients of some dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We use some of my youngest son’s books and pretend they are our menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This pretend play teaches them that when they plant, they will not go hungry because they can cook what they harvest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover, it influences their real food and drink choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretending to eat fruits and vegetables at play prepares them for mealtimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids also get to practice their Math and Applied Math skills in this activity as they pretend to run their restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Caring for farm animals</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> – One of the games we had at my son’s birthday party is to ask the kids to help the farmer/birthday boy to gather his animals back in the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two teams raced to round out the animals and bring them back to the big red barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home, we read more about farm life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk about where the animals live on the farm, what they eat, what they do, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also color some cut outs or coloring pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of my kids loved imitating the sounds that farm animals make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes, we imitate their actions, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, we went to a zoo where they saw farm animals too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They enjoyed that field trip very much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I plan to bring them to a real farm this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited to see how they would react as they see real farm animals in action and different fruits and vegetables that we usually talk about in our farm pretend plays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure they will find that experience fascinating as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">School is already over for most kids but it’s still possible for kids to keep on learning this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These kinds of pretend plays can mean hours of fun and learning for your little ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try them and have fun with your kids pretending to be on the farm!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are some of the books we have about the farm:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Three Little Pigs (with house and finger puppets)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Clifford’s Animal Sounds<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the Farm<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Farm (Lift the Flap)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">* This was originally published at Smart Parenting Online. </i>Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-10038175502058297062019-03-20T14:25:00.004+08:002019-03-31T21:06:34.052+08:007 Benefits Kids Get from Pretending to be a Doctor<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of my eldest son’s favorite pretend plays, aside from </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/parent-child-fun-activities/7-lessons-kids-can-learn-from-playing-store/page/1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">his all-time-favorite of playing store</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, is pretending to be a doctor. He would borrow some of the things we have in the house that he often sees in his pediatrician’s clinic or what he sees doctors use during our visits to the hospital (i.e. cotton balls, band-aids, digital thermometer). Sometimes, he uses other household items and imagines them to be doctor’s things. Recently, I bought him his own set of doctor toys to help him get into character during his dramatic plays. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He used to pretend doctor before with me, his dad or our maids as his patients. Since I have already given birth, his new favorite patient now is his baby brother. He loves to imitate what their pediatrician would usually do during our visits to her clinic and do the same things to his brother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I encourage pretend play a lot in our household because I recognize the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/mom-dad/parent-child-fun-activities/the-benefits-of-pretend-play-to-your-child-s-development/page/1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">many benefits</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> that it gives to kids. I was inspired to mentally take note of the specific benefits that kids get from pretending to be a doctor a few weeks ago while playing with my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let me share some of them with you in this article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It allows the child to put himself in his doctor’s shoes, try out doctor duties, and consider the possibility of becoming one in the future.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> When a child imitates what a doctor does to his patients, the child gets to experience being a “doctor” even for a few minutes or an hour. His pretend play somehow transports him to the future. It allows him to imagine himself as a doctor and carrying out doctor duties. This kind of pretend play can actually be the child’s first step to walking towards his dream profession. One of the questions I ask my son when he pretends to be a doctor is if he wants to become one someday. He would always say yes. I think it boosts his confidence as well that he can indeed become a doctor when he grows up. I think he also likes what doctors do that’s why he likes to imitate them and become like them someday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It makes the child more comfortable with visits to the doctor and the procedures usually done during these visits.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Although my eldest son is not afraid of going to his doctor’s clinic, pretend plays help him become more comfortable with whatever will happen during our next visits especially if he would have to undergo procedures he hasn’t experienced in the past. Our pretend plays serve as simulations of what can or will happen next time we go to the doctor. For kids who are afraid to go to the doctor, this kind of play can allow them to experience and realize that doctors are our friends because they help us to become well and that going to the doctor can be pleasant. Therefore, they need not fear or cry every time. This kind of dramatic play can help make kids become more cooperative next time they go to the doctor’s clinic when they simply need to drink a vitamin or medicine, or you need to clean their wound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It provides an opportunity for the child to role-play different medical scenarios including </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/home-living/homebase/beyond-band-aids-teaching-basic-first-aid-to-young-children/page/1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">basic first aid</span></a></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> and other medical emergencies.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <b>Kids thus learn not to panic when these situations happen and learn how to handle them in the process.</b> Moms and Dads can use these pretend plays to teach kids what to do when they or someone else gets wounded, injured or sick. That way, kids can learn the basic concepts of first aid or at least be oriented through play of what to do or whom to call during medical emergencies. Knowledge of these basic life skills equips the kids even through play and lessens their fear of these medical emergencies since they somehow know what to expect and do during these situations. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It helps the child practice his communication skills as he pretends to talk to his patients. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pretend scenarios give us insight into what the child understands about the situation he is trying to imitate. His words and how he talks to the other kids or people he is playing with allows him to manifest his communication skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pretending to use doctor tools helps increase the child’s vocabulary as he learns the names of the different things used by a doctor. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the things I did with my son when I bought his doctor toy set is to tell him the name of each item in his medical kit. I also told him and explained to him the different uses of his tools. After some time of playing doctor and using his tools, I eventually hear him use their names as he refers to them during play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Pretending to write on prescription pads enables children to practice their writing and spelling skills.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> During one of our play times, my son got a pen and a small pad of paper. He said he will write the name of the medicine and vitamin for his baby brother. I took that as a cue and an opportunity to encourage him to write his full name as well with the word doctor before it just like in his pediatrician’s prescription pad. He liked the idea instantly. That has been our daily writing practice in the past weeks. There are days when he would copy the word doctor and write it in his pad. But there are also days when he would try to write words from memory aside from his name. I also searched the web for coloring pages on doctors and printed some so my son can practice his coloring skills too. You may click <a href="http://homeschooling.about.com/od/langearlyread/ss/letterdcolor_10.htm?r=94">here</a> and <a href="http://www.jumbocoloring.info/d-for-doctor-coloring-page-with-handwriting-practice_1d2306.html">here</a> to check them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It teaches the child empathy for people who are sick or who are not well and encourages and inspires the child to do something to help them.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Through these kinds of pretend play, kids can learn to be extra caring and sensitive to the needs of people who are sick. Moreover, it allows them to practice the ideal behavior around sick or frail people and in clinics or hospitals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I plan to buy my son some children’s books about doctors too and maybe a small scrub suit or lab gown that he can use during his pretend plays. I know that these would further enhance his imagination during his pretend plays. If you happen to know some good children’s books from our local bookstores or stores that sell small lab gowns or scrub suits, please leave a comment so I can check them out. Thanks! Now, I need to get back to our clinic and be my little doctor’s assistant.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>* This was originally published at Smart Parenting Online. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-44128579611790621952019-02-16T13:52:00.000+08:002019-02-16T13:56:18.965+08:00Blog Nominations for Mommy Bares AllI think God is encouraging me to update this blog more this year. =)<br />
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I had been busy (as usual) in the past year and I hardly had time to update this blog. I was more active blogging at my new blog <b><i><a href="https://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/blog/">Hands-On Parent while Earning</a></i></b>.<br />
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But this blog will always be special to me because I blogged here for many years since my eldest was just in my womb. I've written so many stories about my life as a mother here. I now have three wonderful kids!<br />
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I've written about my pregnancies, our homeschooling adventures, our discovery on what giftedness is, my books and my business. I also shared about my faith here.<br />
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Last year, I was blessed to have been nominated twice for this blog. I was a finalist in the <b>Asian Mama Blog Awards</b> and I was included in the <b>Top 20 Mama Bloggers for 2018</b> by MrKortingscode.nl. What a wonderful way to end the year!<br />
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<a href="https://coupon.co.th/awards/asian-mama-blogs-award-2018/">
<img alt="Asian Mama Blogs Award 2018" height="268" src="https://coupon.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/mama_blog_banner_finalist.svg" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 270px; width: 100%;" width="400" />
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<a href="https://mrkortingscode.nl/toplists/top-20-mama-bloggers-you-should-be-following/" title="Banners for Top 20 Mama Bloggers"><img alt="Banners for Top 20 Mama Bloggers" height="282" src="https://mrkortingscode.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/340x240.png" width="400" /></a>
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This 2019, I had another pleasant surprise again about this blog! I was nominated in the <b>Female Bloggers Award 2019</b> organized by <a href="http://promocode.com.ph/">Promocode.com.ph</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://promocode.com.ph/awards/asian-female-bloggers-award/" title="Banners for Female Bloggers Award 2019"><img alt="Banners for Female Bloggers Award 2019" src="https://promocode.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/440x310-1.png" /></a><br />
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I'm thankful for this award and I hope to continue to maintain and update this blog despite my busyness.<br />
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So, if you found yourself in this blog, you are one of this blog's followers or you found helpful or inspiring content here, may I request you to VOTE FOR ME through this <b><a href="https://promocode.com.ph/awards/asian-female-bloggers-award/">link</a></b>? =) I'd really appreciate your support! The voting period has two more months left from today. Thanks in advance!<br />
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<br />Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-35167554899384340462018-04-16T15:38:00.002+08:002018-04-16T21:21:28.079+08:00Free eBook on Career Transitions to Celebrate My Birthday <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It has been a while since I last updated this blog. I had been busy working on my goals this year and accomplishing my pending goals last year.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the goals I was not able to accomplish last year was to finish one of my books. So, I spent the first few months of this year to finish my manuscript and prepare for my book launch. I'm happy to share with you that my latest book <b><i><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Career-Woman-SAHM-WAHM-Businessmom-ebook/dp/B07BYLJCXS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><span style="color: blue;">From Career Woman to SAHM, WAHM then Businessmom: Lessons from My Transitions</span></a></span></i></b> is now available on Amazon! :) I released it this month as my gift to myself. I'm marking my birthday this year with this milestone. I'm also having a FREE BOOK promotion as part of its <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1568055249956258/"><span style="color: blue;">virtual launch</span></a></span> on April 18-19, 2018 as my way of paying it forward and being grateful for the life that I live. One of my mentors, Bo Sanchez, said that after we have become successful, we should now strive for significance. That is helping others to become successful like us.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm passionate about this book project because this was inspired by the many lessons I have learned in my own life and career transitions. I want to help other mothers through this book. I want to help other moms find the courage to step out of their comfort zones into their courage zones. Some moms feel trapped in their full-time jobs and feel that they have no choice but to stay there because they need to help contribute to the family income. With this book, I want them to them that they have options. More importantly, I want them to share with my fellow moms how God has been instrumental in my career decisions and successes.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What sets this book apart from the other books on career transition is that it includes a spiritual perspective. I encourage people to go through career discernment when considering any career changes. Most books just discuss the practical and financial aspects. But because I am a Christian and a Catholic, I shared that I went through career discernment. I also shared the Bible verses that inspired me in my discernment.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I may be an author and career coach, but I cannot separate my being Christian from those roles. My faith is so much a part of each aspect of my life. The truth is that I strive to live out my faith and Christian values in each aspect and role in my life. Thus, I cannot help but mention God and how He has been a big factor in my life events and transitions. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">At one point, I paused and asked myself if I should share the spiritual side of my life and career transitions or should I stick to writing about professional and practical advice on my book. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://trafficlight.bitdefender.com/info?url=http%3A//bit.ly/Career_Transitions&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://trafficlight.bitdefender.com/info?url=http%3A//bit.ly/Career_Transitions&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I've decided to go all out and share everything. I felt that if I withhold that part of my story, it would be incomplete. I felt that I would not be sharing the entire truth and the whole picture with my readers if I do not mention God and give credit to Him. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think that will also set me apart as a career coach and counselor. I'm a Christian career coach and counselor. Thus, I also encourage my clients to consider the spiritual aspects of their concerns and circumstances. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let me end this post by sharing traits that I believe mothers should have to be successful in making a career transition.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">First, we need to have faith in God, ourselves and our abilities. I love this verse from 1 Corinthians 2:9: </span><span style="background: rgb(253 , 254 , 255); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him." Another verse that inspired and encouraged</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> me was Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future full of hope.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Second, we need to have the courage to act on our dreams and step out of our comfort zone into our courage zone. We need the courage to try new things or do things differently, to think out of the box.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last but not least, we need the perseverance to keep on keeping on even when we are not yet reaping the fruits of our labor or we do not receive the recognition that we want to get. We will have our own time to shine if we don’t give up.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have so much more to share but this is just a blog post. :) You can read more about my story in my book. I invite you to claim your FREE COPY of my latest eBook on April 18 or 19. You can reserve your copy now when you click <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://bit.ly/Transitions_FreeDownload"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a></span>.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Join our virtual launch also and get a chance to win exciting prizes.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How do you join?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1. Simply tweet or share on your Facebook account about the free download and the link to the Amazon page of the ebook. </span><br />
<a href="http://trafficlight.bitdefender.com/info?url=http%3A//bit.ly/Career_Transitions&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://trafficlight.bitdefender.com/info?url=http%3A//bit.ly/Career_Transitions&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span> <span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Example: I just got my </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/freedownload"><span style="background: white; color: blue;">#freedownload</span></a></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> of the </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ebook"><span style="background: white; color: blue;">#ebook</span></a></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> From Career Woman to SAHM, WAHM then Businessmom! Get your copy here: </span><!--[if mso & !supportInlineShapes & supportFields]><span
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</v:shape><span style='mso-element:field-end'></span><![endif]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FCareer_Transitions&h=ATNB6HrGMJMSYp8lhWMEoKIoxwqRkOaLvZpciFNH1ChLCLItmRwGXlOXAxSoBFfzPNkK8vssrOP9oVfajA6cF5sKIWiErQzT1GAzwSWjIlz-L7yKqw_R&s=1"><span style="background: white; color: blue;">http://bit.ly/Career_Transitions</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2. Make sure to use the hashtags </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/transitionsebook"><span style="background: white; color: blue;">#transitionsebook</span></a><span style="background: white;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/careertransition"><span style="background: white; color: blue;">#careertransition</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3. Tag our Facebook page Hands-On Parents while Earning.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">4. Make sure that your post is public, so we can see it.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">You can read more details on our event page when you <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1568055249956258/"><span style="color: blue;">click here</span></a></span>.</span></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-2640703516310045462017-05-24T10:57:00.000+08:002017-05-24T17:08:44.440+08:00Product Review + Giveaway: Belo Baby Talc-Free Powder #BeloBaby<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
I was already watchful when it came to choosing the products that I use and the food that I eat when I was still single. But when I became a mom, I became extra vigilant. I wanted to make sure that I always give the best and the safest to my kids.</div>
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Then, I learned that my firstborn son had sensitive skin. He also doesn’t like strong smells. We had to change the baby products that we bought from the supermarket to products that are recommended by his pedia-dermatologist. Then, I had two more children. They also have sensitive skin.</div>
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Since all of my kids’ skin have adverse reactions to the usual baby toiletries, it always makes me happy whenever I discover baby products that have natural ingredients. But these kinds of products can be costly. So, I am always searching the market for baby or kid-friendly products that are made from natural ingredients and at the same time easy on the pocket.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/18518025_1634513506562369_4879778049868934773_o.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/18518025_1634513506562369_4879778049868934773_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-8728" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/18518025_1634513506562369_4879778049868934773_o.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/18518025_1634513506562369_4879778049868934773_o.jpg" height="547" style="display: block; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="484" /></a></div>
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That’s why I was happy to discover Belo Baby talc-free powder. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals. It’s also hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested. It’s made from finely milled rice and maize powders that absorb moisture to keep baby’s skin, soft, fresh and dry. It’s carefully formulated without talc, gluten, phthalates, parabens, dyes, and most common allergens.</div>
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This is great news for a mom like me with active, energetic kids who are all boys! My boys sweat a lot because they are always on the go. My eldest and my youngest sons have the most sensitive skins. They get skin rashes when there are sudden changes in the weather. My eldest son’s skin is no longer as sensitive as when he was still a baby or a toddler. What a relief! But his skin is still sensitive than most people. He is also susceptible to allergies. My youngest, who is still a toddler, develops skin rashes when he perspires a lot.<br />
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Thus, I’m glad that I found this talc-free powder. And because it’s talc-free, I am worry-free! It does not have a strong smell that can irritate our sensitive noses, too. On top of all these, it’s also affordable! Perfect! It’s a product that’s crafted with care for the most delicate skin, for the most meticulous moms!<br />
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BLOG GIVEAWAY</h3>
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This great news is not only for me because I’m giving away three (3) Belo Baby talc-free powder gift packs! It’s so easy to win. <a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product-review-belo-baby-talc-free-powder-belobaby/">Click here</a> for the mechanics.</div>
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I will announce the winners on May 30, 2017.</div>
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Belo Baby Talc-free Powder is now available in leading supermarkets and department stores nationwide. It comes in a very cute packaging that includes a soft puff. You can also buy it <a data-mce-href="https://tackthis.co/shop/Belo/category/belo-baby" href="https://tackthis.co/shop/Belo/category/belo-baby">here</a> and enjoy FREE delivery until <span class="aBn" data-mce-tabindex="0" data-term="goog_739709725">May 31</span> with a minimum purchase.</div>
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For more information about this product and the line of products from Belo Baby, check out:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.belobaby.ph" href="http://www.belobaby.ph/">belobaby.ph</a></div>
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Facebook: belobabylove</div>
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Twitter: @belobabylove</div>
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Instagram: @belobabylove</div>
Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-63753278737419967002017-03-30T10:57:00.002+08:002017-04-05T16:02:54.234+08:00Learn How to be a Hands-On Parent while Earning at the HOPE Summit 2017<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Do you ache to bond with your child/children but could not, because you are too busy at work or in your business?</div>
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Do you want to know how you can be a hands-on parent even when you feel that you don’t have enough time in your hands to make that happen?</div>
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Do you want to learn how to achieve balance in juggling your time between being a parent and an employee/freelancer/entrepreneur?</div>
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Do you want to be successful both in your family life and in your career/business?</div>
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Do you want your visions for your family life and finances to become your reality?</div>
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Do you need help in structuring your time so that you can spend your precious time bonding with your child/children and still move closer if not achieve your finance goals?</div>
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I have great news for you, fellow parents! We're having the second run of the <strong>Hands-On Parents while Earning (H.O.P.E.) Summit on April 22, 2017, at the Bulwagang Haribon, Insular Life Corporate Center in Alabang</strong>. It's a whole day workshop where parents like you and me will have a lot of opportunities to learn.</div>
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God gave me this burden in my heart to ache for families who are disconnected and children are lost and confused because their parents are not able to connect with them and guide them well in their growing up years. I'm thankful to God that He gave me the grace to do something to help solve this problem in our society one family at a time through my <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/"><strong>iHOPE Coaching Program</strong></a> and through the <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/events/159412991221441/" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/159412991221441/"><strong>H.O.P.E. Summit</strong></a>.<br />
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<strong>Here are the 5 main benefits that parents can get out of this learning event/workshop.</strong></h3>
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<strong>Parents will have an opportunity to clarify their priorities at this time in their life and align their schedules with their priorities.</strong></h3>
People sometimes think that they know their priorities. But surprisingly, when I run these workshops, people take some time before they are able to write down and rank the top 5 things that are important to them. Moreover, during my workshops, they discover that they are not using their time wisely so that it reflects their priorities in life. Thus, with these realizations, my participants usually become eager to learn strategies and tips that would enable them to live out their priorities through better use of their time.</li>
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<strong>Parents will learn to come up with a list of new habits that they can easily and consistently implement after the workshop so they can be more involved in their children’s lives.</strong></h3>
I like handling workshops because I like my participants to learn by doing. It's a better way to help them learn. Through the exercises that I ask my participants to answer, they get insights into their own lives. The exercises also help them to use the strategies and tips that I share with them. That's the advantage of workshops over seminars only where the speaker just talks and the audience simply listen. That is also why I do my best to make my learning events interactive. We learn more by doing.</li>
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<strong>Parents will discover ways to work smarter so they can free up more time in their schedules to bond with their children.</strong></h3>
I've always advocated for this. I believe that if people know how to work smarter, they would be able to maximize their time. I had been an HR practitioner for decades now. I have seen many employees work long hours but not produce the desired results required of them. I have also seen many employees work efficiently in less the time. I like hiring and keeping employees who are more productive than those who spend too much time and the company's resources but are not efficient in their jobs. I'm glad that I found a way to teach these principles and skills to parents also through learning events like the H.O.P.E. Summit.</li>
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<strong>Moms and dads will be inspired to be hands-on even while earning for their families and will learn tips and strategies on how to be successful in their careers/businesses through the stories of the featured moms and dads (guest panelists) in the H.O.P.E. Summit.</strong></h3>
Like in the first H.O.P.E. Summit, we have invited parents who are already living out the H.O.P.E. lifestyle. There will be work-from-home moms and dads and business owners in our panel again this year. I'm excited to hear their stories, strategies and tips!</li>
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<strong>Parents will have a chance to meet and interact with like-minded parents who also desire to become hands-on parents while earning to their children.</strong></h3>
On top of learning from the speakers and guest panelists, parents will also learn from their interaction with fellow parents. In HR, we call this benchmarking. Since this is a parenting event, this will be called networking with fellow parents. One of the benefits of attending workshops and learning events like the H.O.P.E. Summit is that participants learn through their discussions with fellow participants as well. Sometimes, we learn by talking about our experiences and insights more. Plus, we get inspired and encouraged when we hear the stories of other parents.</li>
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I had been running time management, goal-setting and work-life balance workshops for decades. I've always enjoyed and looked forward to these workshops because I know that every time I run these kinds of workshops, I'm making a big difference not only in the lives of my participants but also in the lives of their family members.</div>
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So, let me invite you to join me and our guest speaker and panelists at the H.O.P.E. Summit 2017. I assure you that it would not be only worth your time and investment but it would be life-changing for you and your family!</div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Here's a testimonial from one of the moms who attended the first H.O.P.E. Summit.</dd></dl>
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Here are some more from previous participants:</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“I am inspired to pursue my dream while spending time with my kids.” – Cleesa Bumatay-Soriano</span></h5>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“It gave me inspiration to become the parent that has freedom from corporate work while providing for our family through an entrepreneurial pursuit I am passionate about.” – Dennis Anguluan</span></h5>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“The lessons are inspiring.” – Ging Jusi</span></h5>
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Read <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/services/virtual-hope-summit/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/services/virtual-hope-summit/">more testimonials here</a>.<br />
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This learning event is highly recommended for parents who:</h3>
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<li>want to achieve, experience more, or maintain work-life balance.</li>
<li>feel overwhelmed, stressed, discontented, or lacking control in their lives most of the time or a lot of times.</li>
<li>want to be intentional in living their lives and want to take the necessary, concrete steps towards living the life they want or the life of their dreams.</li>
<li>want to experience order in their lives.</li>
<li>want to make sure they spend quality time with the people who truly matter to them.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/HOPESummit">Register here now</a>!</td></tr>
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I will give two talks. My talk in the morning will be <strong>How to Manage Your Time So You Can Be a Hands-On Parent while Earning</strong>. The one in the afternoon is <strong>How to Earn Full-Time Income Through Freelancing</strong>. I have been a freelance speaker, writer, editor and consultant for almost a decade now. I will be sharing tips on how parents can earn a good income while enjoying the perks of being a freelancer.</div>
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My friend Mariel's talk will be <strong>How to Practice Positive Discipline</strong>. She's also a homeschooling mom and a mompreneur like me. I'm excited to learn from her, too. Her talks on this topic were usually in Quezon City. That's why my husband and I are not able to attend most of the time. So, I took this chance to invite her to speak at the H.O.P.E. Summit which will be held in the southern part of the metro.</div>
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You can read more details about the H.O.P.E. Summit 2017 <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/events/159412991221441/" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/159412991221441/">here</a>.</div>
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Another good news is that you can still avail of the early bird rate. You can save P500 on your ticket if you buy your ticket on or before March 31, 2017. If you are coming as a couple, you save as much as P1,000! <span data-mce-style="color: #339966;" style="color: #339966;"> <strong><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/hope-summit-2017-ticket/" data-mce-style="color: #339966;" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/hope-summit-2017-ticket/&source=gmail&ust=1490836790358000&usg=AFQjCNFTGyvqpToc9tifHuj0KEI0c97rEA" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/hope-summit-2017-ticket/" style="color: #339966;" target="_blank">Click here</a></strong></span> to secure your seat. If you are coming as a couple, you may get your ticket <strong><span data-mce-style="color: #339966;" style="color: #339966;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/hope-summit-2017-couple/" data-mce-style="color: #339966;" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/hope-summit-2017-couple/&source=gmail&ust=1490836790358000&usg=AFQjCNH_kM5DzKKI1IFJsh1_t0lusS5s-g" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/hope-summit-2017-couple/" style="color: #339966;" target="_blank">here</a></span></strong>. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif;">You can also avail of our group rate. If you are a group of four (4) parents, you can pay P8,000 only and that would be savings for each one of you. </span><br />
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You can pay via Paypal (using your credit card or as a guest even if you don't have a Paypal account) or bank deposits (BPI or BDO).</div>
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The registration fee already includes the hand-outs, lunch, light snacks and giveaways from some of our sponsors. Merry Macarons will provide our snacks in the afternoon.</div>
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More Reasons to go to #HOPESummit2017</h3>
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The first 20 parents to register and pay will receive a gift certificate worth P3,000 from Kids Acts Philippines, a performing school for kids who love theater. Noel Comia Jr. who won in the previous Aliw Awards and a semi-finalist in The Voice Kids PH was trained in this theater group. This is timely since it's almost summer time and theater classes will start soon.</div>
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We are giving out Hands-On Parent while Earning customized bags to the first 20 parents who will register and pay. This is courtesy of our sponsors My Little Ikbi. This bag would be perfect for the giveaways that participants will get from our sponsors like Moringana and Shepherd's Voice Publications.</div>
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Insular Life is also giving away one (1) storybook per parent who will attend the event.</div>
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We will also raffle off books from Shepherd's Voice Publication and gift certificates from Kindermusik by Teacher Suzette and Friends.</div>
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We encourage you to register for the H.O.P.E. Summit 2017 before we run out of slots. <a href="https://goo.gl/forms/Yri1IxBpFL5pd86g2">Register here now</a>.</h3>
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This event is co-presented by Full Life Cube and Insular Life. It is supported by Payoneer, Shepherd's Voice Publication, My Little Ikbi, Kindermusik by Teacher Suzette and Friends, Moringana, Merry Macarons, Mom & Milly Educational Toys, KANSIS Made, Experience of a Super Mommy, Lally's Reflections, <a data-mce-href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/" href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/">Mommy Bares All</a>, Mommy Practicality, <a href="http://mymetrolifestyle.blogspot.com/2017/04/be-hands-on-parent-while-earning.html">My Metro Lifestyle</a>, My World by Mommy Anna, <a data-mce-href="http://therollercoasterride.com/2017/03/hands-parents-earning-h-o-p-e-summit/" href="http://therollercoasterride.com/2017/03/hands-parents-earning-h-o-p-e-summit/">Roller Coaster Ride</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://seminarphilippines.com/2017/03/hands-on-parents-while-earning-h-o-p-e-summit-2017/" href="http://seminarphilippines.com/2017/03/hands-on-parents-while-earning-h-o-p-e-summit-2017/">Seminar Philippines</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://www.filipinohomeschooler.com/hands-parents-earning-h-o-p-e-summit-2017/" href="http://www.filipinohomeschooler.com/hands-parents-earning-h-o-p-e-summit-2017/">The Filipino Homeschooler</a>, The Vine that Writes and <a href="http://www.wheninmanila.com/be-a-hands-on-parent-while-earning-through-h-o-p-e-summit-2017/">WhenInManila.com</a>.</div>
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See you at the HOPE Summit 2017!</div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-10934042627593262492017-03-13T07:00:00.000+08:002017-03-13T07:00:11.439+08:00The Difficulties of Being Gifted - Confessions of a Gifted Parent with Gifted KidsPeople think that being gifted makes one's life easy. The truth is that gifted people also have their share of difficulties.<br />
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Let me share some examples with you.</div>
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I had not been sleeping well for the past nights. I wanted so much to sleep early. But I couldn't. Why? I found it hard to make my brain stop working. My brain has been so active. I could not fall asleep even though my body was exhausted. I had so many ideas. I wished I had a wire or something that allows my brain to transfer those thoughts to my computer so I would remember all those ideas the following day and I could sleep soundly at night.</div>
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It's great to have a lot of wonderful ideas for upcoming work projects. But it gets overwhelming and I wish that they would come at a time when I'm not supposed to be sleeping already.<br />
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In fact, I'm having a headache as I write this post because I could not go back to sleep even if I want to. </div>
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Sleep has been an elusive friend to me. I found it difficult to nap when I was still a child. When I was a child, I would just pretend that I'm sleeping and wait until I hear my grandmother snore. ;) That's the only time I open my eyes and I start moving again in my bed.<br />
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When I became an adult, there were many nights when I experienced insomnia. </div>
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Thus, I'm not surprised that my kids are not the type who easily fall asleep whether in the afternoon for naps or at night. Like me, they have a lot of ideas going on in their heads. Or they'd rather read than sleep.<br />
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In spite of this knowledge and the struggles, I still do my best to help my kids get as much sleep as they can. I don't force my eldest who is now 8 years old to take a nap, except when I know that he is under the weather. But I still require my younger kids to take a nap. If they really could not fall asleep in the afternoon, I just ask them to read quietly in their beds. Now, reading is something that they can obey easily. But "quietly" is another story!</div>
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Another difficulty of the gifted is knowing things that are not pleasant (to say the least) because the gifted are highly intuitive and insightful. Gifted people may have the ability to read or identify other people's motives and intentions even if these people try their best to hide these. I have personally experienced this countless times. I am amazed at how correct my intuition is a lot of times. But this is not always a positive experience because some of the things I notice or realize can cause me to be disappointed, hurt, angry or sad. It doesn't help that gifted people are also extra sensitive.</div>
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There are many other difficulties that gifted people deal with on a daily basis. But I will just mention one more which I and my gifted kids need to deal with daily: containing and managing our big emotions. </div>
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Gifted people are quite intense. We usually have big emotions. I used to think that I can do a good job at handling my emotions. But when I became a parent of gifted kids, I discovered that dealing with my kids and the chaos that they bring into our home can overwhelm me many times during the day. I lose my temper at least once a day. The very organized me gets easily annoyed and overstimulated by my very messy, imaginative and kinesthetic kids. That is why "Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" has been my mantra for years now. That means I have a lot to improve on in this area. And that's not just for me but for my kids also. The more that I learn to manage my big emotions even when I'm triggered by their noise and mess, the more effective I will be in helping my kids learn to manage their own emotions. I think this is one of my most difficult challenges at this point in my life as a parent.</div>
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Last night, I read a <a href="http://www.inallyoudo.net/for-when-you-blow-it-with-your-kids-again/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Have+you+ever+blown+it%3F&utm_campaign=March+7%2C+2017">blog post</a> that reminded me to parent with grace rather than anger. I think I really need a lot of that... grace. I realized that it's not easy to control these intense emotions even when you are already aware of your tendencies. I'm doing my best to practice restraint and to be more mindful. I'm also doing my best to teach my kids to be more considerate of the people around them, I included. </div>
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So, are you surprised to read about these difficulties that gifted people experience? Find out more as you read the entries of the other bloggers in our blog hop <a href="http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/bl%E2%80%A6/difficulties-being-gifted">here</a>. </div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-46022586375749464502017-02-13T08:16:00.000+08:002017-02-21T09:48:39.331+08:00Is Your Child Gifted? Find out at the Giftedness 101 Talk on February 25<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
Some say that all children are gifted. Is that true?</div>
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What does it mean to be gifted?</div>
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If not all children are gifted, how do you know if a child is gifted? What are the signs?</div>
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Can children with disabilities be gifted as well?</div>
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Is giftedness something acquired through study techniques or learned through mental programming?</div>
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Or is giftedness something that a child is born with?</div>
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What if a child is gifted? What does a parent need to do?</div>
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What's the difference between typical children and gifted children?</div>
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Do gifted kids have special needs?</div>
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Do you have all these questions in your head as a parent? Are you wondering if your child is gifted?</div>
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When you become a parent, your world expands. When I learned that my eldest child is gifted, I devoured every literature I could find on the topic. I attended whatever seminars, workshops or conventions that fit my already busy schedule. I was eager to learn and I was motivated to learn for the sake of my child and for my sake. When I discovered that my second child is also gifted, the more I became determined to learn more about this field. This is because I am a parent of gifted children and I need to learn how to support my children’s special needs and to help them reach their full potential.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7rrHWyBUdmTdllz82eJX2SZ7MGDibhDGsKtksjOt3kcFCvyXhIVkEkS_wneHub0P8wL_FD0B3V5eR97M8miud_59J4puEX7snlyW5bZiWjKOvGTsz96pMZL7iNmjsFcYdkUL6btLWKwS/s1600/Giftedness+101+A4+poster+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7rrHWyBUdmTdllz82eJX2SZ7MGDibhDGsKtksjOt3kcFCvyXhIVkEkS_wneHub0P8wL_FD0B3V5eR97M8miud_59J4puEX7snlyW5bZiWjKOvGTsz96pMZL7iNmjsFcYdkUL6btLWKwS/s640/Giftedness+101+A4+poster+%25282%2529.png" width="449" /></a></div>
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Because of this also, I have chosen to help raise awareness on giftedness and to help my fellow parents understand their gifted kids.<br />
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On February 25, 2017, I will give a talk titled Giftedness 101. This will be at Playworks, SM Aura Campus from 2 -4 PM.<br />
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The topics that I will cover are the following:</div>
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<li><b><span style="color: blue;">Are all children gifted? What does it mean to be gifted?</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue;">What are the signs of giftedness or twice exceptionality, especially in young children?</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue;">What are the advantages of finding out if your child is gifted or not?</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue;">What are the advantages of hands-on parenting to the gifted or twice exceptional child?</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue;">What should you do when you see signs of giftedness in your child?</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue;">What are the advantages of homeschooling gifted or twice exceptional kids?</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: blue;">How do you homeschool a gifted child?</span></b></li>
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Aside from learning more about giftedness and twice exceptionality, parents will also have the opportunity to meet other parents of gifted and twice exceptional children and thus find a support group who will understand the same challenges and joys that they experience.</div>
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The registration fee is Php 750. The Early Bird Rate of Php 650 is available until February 14, 2017 only. The parents of students from Playworks get a discounted rate of P500. The registration fee already covers the handouts and light snacks. The snacks will be provided by <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/MommyBakesPH/" href="https://www.facebook.com/MommyBakesPH/">Mommy Bakes PH</a>.</div>
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I'm very excited for this! We're also giving away to the first 20 parents who will register and pay for the GIFTEDNESS 101 talk Gift Certificates worth Php 3,000 each courtesy of <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/kidsactsphilippines/" href="https://www.facebook.com/kidsactsphilippines/">KIDS ACTS PHILIPPINES</a> (KAPI). This performing school has been the training ground of the Aliw best Child Performer and The Voice Kids Philippines semi-finalist, Noel Comia Jr.</div>
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We will also raffle some prizes from Filway Marketing Inc. who is one of our sponsors. Filway provides good quality learning materials for children. I especially like their product called A Child's First Library of Learning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqkNnfhz8-uuxrj8USYpO7yPS_4f2NKTeWSSmWcaXVGqJ1PJc1-ODF3JBZ__ydjdKQbprTYPhyhhx6aCHmz_n6CR4D0QMGvvldAMJBUraBJaZMwBoDOjU7BMZcY4nT7LOqQbDGS72mqtd/s1600/16780390_1355154167893016_624786184_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqkNnfhz8-uuxrj8USYpO7yPS_4f2NKTeWSSmWcaXVGqJ1PJc1-ODF3JBZ__ydjdKQbprTYPhyhhx6aCHmz_n6CR4D0QMGvvldAMJBUraBJaZMwBoDOjU7BMZcY4nT7LOqQbDGS72mqtd/s640/16780390_1355154167893016_624786184_n.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants get a chance to win this during the raffle at the Giftedness 101 talk.</td></tr>
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We will also raffle off several educational toys and materials from Mom and Milly Educational Toys.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk0twKA_MsPD_PIH2ihd3VZvXIqtzyRlsaCWK5zMdDyyEb1f6fTfZ0yqTdjkMWxokbl_OQJadcwFZ6nC0CX0OPYxYib4MCNyzH3oKSvu8cdoFZgqR41DLhmM-mvOXghaJMpJ_S_Zce4Jd/s1600/16807362_594575847398669_1389702819642725089_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk0twKA_MsPD_PIH2ihd3VZvXIqtzyRlsaCWK5zMdDyyEb1f6fTfZ0yqTdjkMWxokbl_OQJadcwFZ6nC0CX0OPYxYib4MCNyzH3oKSvu8cdoFZgqR41DLhmM-mvOXghaJMpJ_S_Zce4Jd/s640/16807362_594575847398669_1389702819642725089_n.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just one of the toys we would raffle off.</td></tr>
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<a data-mce-href="http://bit.ly/GiftednessPH101" href="http://bit.ly/GiftednessPH101">Click here</a> to register for this talk. We have very limited slots so I suggest that parents secure their tickets fast. Buy your ticket <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/giftedness-101/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/giftedness-101/">here</a>.</div>
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I am blessed to get the support of the following sponsors and media partners: Playworks Early Childhood Center, Kids Acts Philippines, Inc. and Filway Marketing Inc., Mom and Milly Educational Toys, <a href="http://wheninmanila.com/">WheninManila.com</a>, <a href="http://www.esupermommy.com/">Experience of a Super Mommy</a> and <a href="http://www.filipinohomeschooler.com/">The Filipino Homeschooler</a>.</div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-16749363083870024682017-02-06T13:22:00.001+08:002017-02-06T13:22:54.240+08:00My Mommy is Famous: A Book That Made Me Cry<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
I was in a bookstore and looking for a certain book that I wanted to buy for my kids. While going through the display of books, I saw this book (<strong><em>My Mommy is Famous</em></strong>) and immediately picked it up. I leafed through the pages quickly to see what it is all about. As soon as I got the gist of the story, I decided not to let it go. Yes, I bought it that day even though it was not part of my plan. I still found and bought the book I really wanted to buy. But I added this gem that I found because the story resonated with me.</div>
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When I first read the book to my kids aged 8, 5 and 2, there were parts when I could no longer read well because I could not help but cry. I could very much identify with the mom in the story. The other day, I read it again to my kids before their nap time, along with other books. Still, I could not help but break into tears. Well, not as much as the first time, but my eyes welled up fast just the same.</div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">The book My Mommy is Famous and a calendar with Mama Mary in the cover. Mama Mary is one of my role models on motherhood.</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><br /></dd></dl>
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Let me tell you why.</div>
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The mom in the story is a hands-on mom to her daughter. She did not get a nanny or<em> yaya</em> for her because she wanted to personally take care of her. She attends to her needs. Towards the end of the story, it was revealed that she left her prestigious and high-paying job to focus on motherhood. Her child, at first, did not understand this. She was wondering why she didn't have a <em>yaya</em> and was even envying her classmates who had nannies. But in the end, she realized that she is one blessed child for her mom chose her over her own career.</div>
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That's where I always get emotional. When the mom explains to her child why she doesn't have a <em>yaya</em> and when the child finally understands why and appreciates her mom for all that she does for her.</div>
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If you have been following my blog, you would know by now that we have a similar story. I also resigned from my prestigious and high-paying job so I can focus on my family. I made this decision a few months after I got married. When I tendered my resignation, I didn't know that I was already pregnant. Actually, it was also the beginning of February when I did that. Weeks after that, we found out that I was pregnant with our first child. I really felt led to make that decision because I was put on bedrest as soon as my pregnancy was confirmed.</div>
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Since then, I did not work outside the home anymore as an employee. I only accepted freelance projects or gigs mainly because I wanted to ensure that majority of my time is spent building our growing family and investing in my relationship with my husband and children. I wanted to build a strong foundation for my family and since we were newly married then and our firstborn was on the way, I concluded that that's the best decision to make.</div>
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Fast forward to several years later, I'm still working from home and doing home-based business for the same reasons. My kids are still young and need much attention. I want to be present to them most of the time during their formative years. I want to be part of their childhood memories. I want to take an active role in their values and character formation. I want to be the primary influence in their young and tender lives. I want to give them the best care and education we can afford. That meant I would be the primary caregiver and teacher.</div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">One of my latest photos with my 3 kids, all boys.</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><br /></dd></dl>
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I liked how the book helps kids understand the lesson in the story and the love and devotion that the mom has for her child. I liked that it helped me communicate and share with my own kids my own reason for choosing to be a hands-on mom to them. The other day, I also emphasized the advantages of having their own mom take care of them as opposed to having a <em>yaya</em>. We've had our own experience of having helpers at home. Their main job is to do household chores. Then, when I get tired taking care of my kids and when I need to work on my laptop in my home office, I let them watch over the boys while I do my job. But these maids proved to be unreliable even for a short while. I would find them just talking to each other and not really engaged in play with my kids or ignoring the kids.</div>
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One time, I was surprised to see my kids already climbing our gate while the two maids were chatting with each other. Good thing that I got curious when my kids' voices got a bit loud. This prompted me to look outside the window of my home office and I saw my boys up on our gate. I rushed downstairs and out into our garage and hurriedly put my boys down. I reprimanded the maids for not keeping the boys safe. Their excuse, the boys would not listen when they told them not to climb. Hello! Those are kids! They do no grasp yet the danger of what they were doing. That is why they need to be supervised by adults. That is why I asked the maids to watch over them because I wanted their eyes on them while my eyes were on my work. Sigh.</div>
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After several occasions of these maids not really being responsible either with household chores or with occasional child care, I fired them. Actually, even when we had maids, I still do almost everything for the kids. I feed them, breastfeed them, put them to sleep, read books to them, bathe them, teach them, etc. The maids simply assist in cutting their food, cleaning their toys and in watching over the other kids when I am attending to another.</div>
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So, these days, when I need to work and the kids are awake, I simply make them play near me where I could easily glance at them and hear them while they are busy playing. At least now I know that they are truly safe.</div>
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I don't know if we will ever find a reliable maid in the future. But one thing I'm sure of is that I love being a hands-on mom to my kids and I think I'm going to stick to this lifestyle as long as God permits. It's not easy, but it's surely rewarding. I think that as my kids grow older, they are beginning to understand and realize the value of my devotion and the sacrifices that I do for them. Maids come and go but I will always be here for them as long as I'm alive. Most of all, nothing can be compared to a mother's love and devotion for her children. I think it's the best kind of love next to God's love for us. Do you agree?</div>
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I highly recommend this to moms who have a similar story. Although the mom in the story had great achievements and was famous, I think ordinary moms can relate to her reason for choosing to leave her job to prioritize being a hands-on mother to her child. I'm glad that I found this book by Lampara Books. It's part of the Kuwentong Nanay Series. I plan to check out the other titles in the series, too.</div>
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Do you have other recommendations of good books about motherhood that can help us parents teach kids to value what their mothers do for them? Feel free to share with me in the comments. I would love to discover more wonderful books. Reading is one of my favorite bonding activities with my kids who are also bookworms like me.</div>
Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-69696711550964780692017-01-16T01:00:00.000+08:002017-01-16T01:00:12.518+08:00Parenting Goals for the Year #BigGoals2017<h3 data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; text-align: center;">
People with goals succeed because they know where they are going.</h3>
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- Earl Nightingale</h3>
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It's the first month of a brand new year. People are usually busy these days planning for the new year. Have you done your own planning? Have you defined your goals for the year? If not, it's not yet too late. I believe that it's better to take it slow.</div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #08c908;" style="color: #08c908;">It's best to make sure that we are pursuing the right goals before we get busy pursuing them.</span></h3>
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Let me share some of my BIG GOALS as a parent for 2017.</div>
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Goal #1 Be a better parent by improving in the area of handling my emotions when my kids do not obey me and the rules that we have set.</h3>
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Actually, I have made it my goal years ago to live out this Bible verse:</div>
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"Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."</div>
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I have not been very good at being slow to anger. So, I make it my goal year after year to get better and better at it. There were many times in the past year that I felt frustrated getting the kids to listen and obey. Having no household help to assist me in managing the house and caring for the children made things extra challenging.</div>
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My kids are not the typical obedient kids who immediately obey those who are older than them or those who are in authority. Obedience is not their greatest strength. Proactivity, creativity, curiosity, quick thinking, intelligence, humor, persistence, strong will, high energy... these are words that describe them most of the time. Obedient, not always.</div>
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They like to challenge the rules. Following or doing other people's agenda is not something very interesting for them unless you are able to explain to them how it aligns with their interests or agendas. They usually have their own plans and are bent on executing them. They are not the type who will ask for permission to do what they want to do. They will simply set out to do what they want to do. Sadly, they sometimes ignore the rules or reminders given to them.</div>
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In truth, these are good traits. These are good characteristics of people who can be leaders.</div>
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But it's difficult when those who have these traits are 8 years old and under. I am concerned for their safety. I also want them to learn to respect and obey those in authority.</div>
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I tend to clash a lot with my kids... especially with my eldest son who has high intensity and who has a stubborn will just like me. My Powerful Choleric personality type finds it difficult to parent kids who are like them.</div>
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I have shared this difficulty with our developmental pediatrician already many years ago when I noticed these traits in my eldest son. He said that these are typical of gifted kids. He advised that parents be consistently firm to help kids learn to adhere to the rules and to obey those in authority.</div>
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Over the years also, I have learned to choose my battles so that we don't always go through a battle of the wills. When it will not put our lives in danger and our values are not compromised, I do my best to give them as much freedom and independence.</div>
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Goal #2 Make more happy memories with the kids by traveling with them or having vacations with them at least once a quarter.</h3>
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This was one of my goals last year and we actually went beyond my target. if you've read my previous post on my blessings in the past year, bonding activities with my kids were one of those in my list. Since we had a lot of fun last year going places, I've decided we'll do the same this year. This is one goal I am very excited with for this year.</div>
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We've already booked last year our first hotel stay out-of-town for the first quarter of 2017. I'm still thinking where to go for the second quarter and the rest of the year.</div>
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Goal #3 Finish and publish at least one book for parents.</h3>
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I believe that the lessons that we learn from our life experiences are only for our benefit. I believe that the insights that we gain from our life experiences are meant to help and bless the people around us, too. That is why I love sharing my stories here on my blog, in the articles I write for other publications, in my books, in my talks, training programs and workshops.</div>
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This year, I want to finally finish one of my pending manuscripts. I have already designed the book cover. I have printed it and posted it on the wall of my home office so that I am reminded every day that I have to finish this book. Let me share it with you.</div>
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Last year, I published and launched one book also, my very first children's book titled Mommy Loves You Just the Same. It was a daunting goal. But by the grace of God, it was achieved. It was another dream come true!</div>
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This year, although my situation hasn't changed. We still do not have a stay-in household help. But I claim that I can do achieve all these goals with the strength of Christ. I know that God will make a way. That He will help me make things happen. Why? First, because I have seen Him do this many times in the past for me. Second, because my intentions are good and these will not only benefit me but many people.</div>
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I may have BIG GOALS that seem difficult to achieve. But I have a BIGGER GOD who makes ALL things possible!</h3>
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That's why my OneWord for this year, 2017, is <strong>BELIEVE</strong>.</div>
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BELIEVE in God more.<span class="text_exposed_show"><br />BELIEVE in myself more.<br />BELIEVE in others more.<br />BELIEVE in more possibilities.<br />BELIEVE that more and bigger miracles are on their way to me.<br />I choose to BELIEVE that the best is yet to come! </span></h4>
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This was inspired by the Bible verse, "I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." - Psalm 27:</div>
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How about you? What are some of your big goals this year? Do you also have a One Word for the year? Or a guiding verse? Feel free to share these in the comments. Let's cheer each other on!</div>
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If one of your goals this year is to be a better parent by spending more quality time with your kids and still finding time to achieve your career or business goals, check out my <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/">iHOPE Online Coaching Program</a>. You may read the details <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/">here</a>.</h3>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-79873021948838608482017-01-15T11:57:00.000+08:002017-01-15T11:59:20.749+08:00Top Take Aways From the Past Year #Goodbye2016<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
I previously wrote in <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/3-things-we-must-do-before-december-ends/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/3-things-we-must-do-before-december-ends/">one of my posts here</a> in this blog that I recommend that we do some introspection or reflection before the month of December ends. When we do this exercise, we would most likely gain some insights or valuable lessons from the year that was. I did. Let me share a few of them with you here.</div>
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Take away #1 We may encounter many challenges, but our blessings still outnumber them.</h3>
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2016 was not an easy year for me. Our stay-in maid left around early March. After that, I went back to hiring a stay-out maid who comes to our house to clean, do the laundry and iron our clothes. This went on for several months until the stay-out maid proved to be unreliable. She promises to come on certain days and then she wouldn't show up. She's simply inconsistent in fulfilling her commitments. There were days when I wished we just set our clothes to the laundry shop instead of waiting for her or believing that she would come. Anyway, I eventually fired her. I tried several cleaning agencies/companies until I found one that is relatively more sustainable and affordable in the long run.</div>
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Having no household help made it extra difficult for me to manage the house, care for my 3 kids, homeschool the 2 older ones, breastfeed the youngest, maintain my blogs, manage my business and finish my book projects. Yet, reviewing my 2016 helped me realize how amazingly blessed I was last year.</div>
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I had a lot of challenges, true. But I received and experienced more blessings.<br />
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For example, finding alternatives to our previous stay-in maid were still blessings. At least, I didn't have to do all the housework. Outsourcing these to someone else enabled me to channel my energy to more important tasks. Moreover, in the end, I found more acceptable and sustainable options that the first ones. And before the year ended, a friend of ours recommended her stay-out cleaner to me to do our laundry and clean our house also once a week. I was so happy when she shared this with me that I told her that this was one of the best Christmas gifts I got.</div>
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Another major blessing is that I was able to achieve my goal breastfeeding my youngest child for 2 years last November. My youngest hasn't tasted even a drop of milk formula. He has been breastfed on demand for 2 years! I'm so grateful that I had enough milk to provide for his needs. I'm also grateful that in spite of my busyness, I was able to honor my commitment to prioritize his needs. There was never a day that he did not breastfeed from me, even when I had to work out-of-town. This brings me to my next major blessing.</div>
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My work allowed me to be with my kids. This is one major blessing for our family. I got to work even with my kids around. I can work from home. I can bring my kids with me when I work outside. Not all parents can do this. But I had been doing this since I got married. I've been working from home for almost 10 years now. Wow! Now that I counted, I was even more amazed! I had been working freelance for this long and it has been both fulfilling and rewarding. I'm so thankful that we have this kind of lifestyle. I can be a hands-on parent while earning. I had been living my dream! This was something I dreamt of when I was still single.</div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">This was during our Baguio trip where I gave a talk for a client and at the same time had a vacation with my family.</dd></dl>
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We've also had a fruitful year in our homeschool. We usually do a couple of hours only of structured homeschool activity and yet we covered a lot in the past year. I was also glad that most of these were based on my kids' interests. We had numerous field trips (around 10 if I'm not mistaken) that were both fun and memorable. If you've been a regular reader of this blog since last year, you've read about most of them. (If this is your first time to read my blog, some of our field trips included going to <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/learning-with-our-children-during-our-field-trip-to-celebrate-dr-jose-rizals-birthday/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/learning-with-our-children-during-our-field-trip-to-celebrate-dr-jose-rizals-birthday/">Dr. Jose Rizal's town</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/another-field-trip-with-our-boys-dino-play-at-mind-museum/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/another-field-trip-with-our-boys-dino-play-at-mind-museum/">Dino Play</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/the-titans-from-the-age-of-ice-field-trip/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/the-titans-from-the-age-of-ice-field-trip/">Titans from the Ice Age</a>, the <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/homeschooling-and-the-37th-manila-international-book-fair-mibf2016/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/homeschooling-and-the-37th-manila-international-book-fair-mibf2016/">Manila International Book Fair (MIBF)</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/3-things-i-loved-about-our-bonifacio-day-field-trip/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/3-things-i-loved-about-our-bonifacio-day-field-trip/">Museo ng Katipunan</a>.) In fact, because they were so many, I still have not blogged about all of them. Now, I wonder if there are other schools that have as many field trips as we have our homeschool. The great thing about these field trips is that these are related to my kids' interests and not something that someone or a school just thought would be beneficial for them. That's one of the advantages of homeschooling. We get to choose where we would bring the kids for field trips. Thus, we can bring them where they would be naturally interested or most likely to have fun. My 2 older boys even had the chance to join fun runs as part of their P.E. classes/activities last year. They joined the <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/a-memorable-family-day-at-the-crayolaph-fun-run/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/a-memorable-family-day-at-the-crayolaph-fun-run/">Crayola fun run</a> towards the end of summer and the <a data-mce-href="http://www.hopemarathonph.com/" href="http://www.hopemarathonph.com/">HOPE run</a> for children with special needs towards year end.</div>
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We had a number of outings and trips or mini-vacations, too. Some of which were courtesy of my clients. Isn't that great? You've read about a few of them here also like our <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/hands-on-parenting-while-earning-in-baguio/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/hands-on-parenting-while-earning-in-baguio/">trip to Baguio</a> and our <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/i-earned-during-our-family-outing-at-enchanted-kingdom/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/i-earned-during-our-family-outing-at-enchanted-kingdom/">outing to Enchanted Kingdom</a>. We had a vacation at least once a quarter. Then, we had family outings in between. That's on top of our field trips! 2016 was indeed a year when we spent a lot of time bonding with each other through places that we visited.</div>
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And there were the fun and memorable birthday celebrations that I planned for my kids (like the <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/a-simple-star-wars-themed-birthday-celebration-for-my-little-boy/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/a-simple-star-wars-themed-birthday-celebration-for-my-little-boy/">Star Wars party</a> I planned for my eldest child, the Superman and friends birthday party for my second child and the Daniel the Lion King for my youngest) and that of my parents and brother, plus the out-of-town birthday celebrations for me and my husband. You've read about a few of them here, too.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14691902_1396694460344276_5131324131842332377_o.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14691902_1396694460344276_5131324131842332377_o.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7483" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14691902_1396694460344276_5131324131842332377_o-1024x668.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14691902_1396694460344276_5131324131842332377_o-1024x668.jpg" height="472" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="724" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Star Wars party for my eldest son. We were clowning around after all the guests have left.</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15056246_1434331779913877_4887786723703278322_n.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15056246_1434331779913877_4887786723703278322_n.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7484" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15056246_1434331779913877_4887786723703278322_n.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15056246_1434331779913877_4887786723703278322_n.jpg" height="419" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Superman and his Superfriends party for my second child.</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15267833_1444133258933729_239390779772751692_n.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15267833_1444133258933729_239390779772751692_n.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7485" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15267833_1444133258933729_239390779772751692_n.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15267833_1444133258933729_239390779772751692_n.jpg" height="437" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Daniel the Lion King for my youngest.</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15780889_1480944945252560_1862151285354108190_n.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15780889_1480944945252560_1862151285354108190_n.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7489" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15780889_1480944945252560_1862151285354108190_n.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15780889_1480944945252560_1862151285354108190_n.jpg" height="516" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">We celebrated my birthday last year in Pampanga. We tried a new hotel, ate in new restaurants and went on a field trip again.</dd></dl>
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These are just some of my blessings for 2016. There are SO MUCH MORE! I had so much to be grateful for in 2016!</div>
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Take away #2 Nothing/No one can hinder us from fulfilling our divine destiny.</h3>
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Our circumstance may be far from ideal or supportive at the least, but this cannot hinder us from fulfilling our divine destiny or what we are here on earth for. God will definitely find a way and help us fulfill the dreams that He planted in our hearts. It was not only I who experienced this truth last year. This was true for both me and my eldest son.</div>
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I have already mentioned earlier my challenges last year. Given my limited time to work on my business and passion projects, I was amazed and grateful that I got to achieve MANY of my dreams/goals.</div>
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Last year, my dream of becoming a children's book author came true. I was able to publish and launch my first children's book, <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-childrens-book-e-book/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-childrens-book-e-book/">Mommy Loves You Just the Same</a>, here in my website (last May in time for the celebration of Mother's Day) and on <a data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Loves-You-Just-Same-ebook/dp/B01N7EH0S4" href="https://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Loves-You-Just-Same-ebook/dp/B01N7EH0S4">Amazon</a> (in time for Christmas). We even came up with <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-big-bundle-2/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-big-bundle-2/">merchandise inspired by and based on the characters of my children's book</a>. We found the best supplier/partner for this and we started selling these items last year also. We even got good reviews and support from influencers like celebrities, fellow authors, mompreneurs and mom bloggers.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BIG-BUNDLE-1-e1464386508176.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BIG-BUNDLE-1-e1464386508176.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-5195 size-full" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BIG-BUNDLE-1-e1464386508176.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BIG-BUNDLE-1-e1464386508176.jpg" height="500" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="500" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">You can buy these products <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-big-bundle-2/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-big-bundle-2/" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;">here on our online shop</a>. Available as a bundle or per item.</dd></dl>
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-–-Untitled-Design-2.png" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-%E2%80%93-Untitled-Design-2.png"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7544" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-–-Untitled-Design-2.png" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-%E2%80%93-Untitled-Design-2.png" height="405" style="display: block; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-–-Untitled-Design-1.png" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-%E2%80%93-Untitled-Design-1.png" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7542" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-–-Untitled-Design-1.png" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Copy-of-Blog-Title-%E2%80%93-Untitled-Design-1.png" height="405" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Shirts for Mom and Dad. You can buy them <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-shirt/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-shirt/" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;">here</a>.</dd></dl>
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We finished some of the videos of the first <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/hope-summit-2015/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/hope-summit-2015/">H.O.P.E. Summit</a>. Actually, we're almost done editing all of the videos. You can find them here in the <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/services/virtual-hope-summit/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/services/virtual-hope-summit/">Virtual HOPE Summit page</a>. Some of the parents in our community already benefitted from them. These videos were already available for sale in our <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/shop/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/shop/">online shop</a> since early last year.</div>
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My talks and workshops were well-received by my audiences and my clients were happy with my work. Even though I felt that I didn't have ample time to prepare for these last year since I had so much on my plate, I am in awe that the people I served through my core gifts were very happy with the results. How did I know that? Well, aside from their feedback on the post-program evaluation sheets, I had repeat clients and repeat invitations to either speak or run training programs and workshops.</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14520613_534710613385193_1499884661568534733_n.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14520613_534710613385193_1499884661568534733_n.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7492" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14520613_534710613385193_1499884661568534733_n.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/14520613_534710613385193_1499884661568534733_n.jpg" height="405" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">This was in one of my talks on parenting for one of my clients.</dd></dl>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/13912905_1254674551231589_7874572372541733082_n.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/13912905_1254674551231589_7874572372541733082_n.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7493" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/13912905_1254674551231589_7874572372541733082_n.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/13912905_1254674551231589_7874572372541733082_n.jpg" height="405" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">This was at Gymboree's anniversary celebration in Glorietta, Makati.</dd></dl>
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As for my eldest son, Yanthy, although he didn't get to enroll during the school year (after their summer classes) with his previous piano teacher/mentor (his mentor had been busy staging musicals), he still learned A LOT of songs in the past year. His repertoire has grown exponentially in the past year. His very first piano mentor who is now in the U.S. is also impressed. He now knows how to play at least 20 Advent and Christmas songs on the piano. On top of that, he has learned at least 20 new songs for the Mass. I have yet to make a comprehensive list of the songs he now knows how to play on the piano to help us keep track. He learns so fast that documenting them is not easy. I love this good problem actually!</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15781563_1486138944733160_6467736095375807650_n.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15781563_1486138944733160_6467736095375807650_n.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7552" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15781563_1486138944733160_6467736095375807650_n.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15781563_1486138944733160_6467736095375807650_n.jpg" height="405" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="720" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Yanthy serving in the Sunday Mass with the Children's Choir.</dd></dl>
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Yanthy has also served as the pianist in our parish for our daily evening Masses and the Children's Mass on Sundays faithfully in the past year. There were only a few instances when he was not able to serve. He chose to serve even when it was raining or when he needed to be on his own (I or his Dad cannot go to Mass with him because of sickness or traffic) or even on days when he wasn't eager to do it. He and our family have made it our priority and our hearts are filled with joy because of this service.</div>
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2016 was an awesome year for me and my family! I cannot deny that my awesome God was behind it. I know that if it were only up to me, I would have the strength to accomplish all these. But God made a way for me. He lined up the right people and the right events for me. He made what seemed impossible possible.</div>
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So, as I welcomed 2017, I was filled not only with thanksgiving for the year that was but also hope and joyful expectation for things to come. God reminded me through my introspection exercises that with determination, hard work, discipline combined with a lot of faith and grace from Him, nothing is impossible!</div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15800358_1490551247625263_1999778088236284472_o.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15800358_1490551247625263_1999778088236284472_o.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img class="wp-image-7491" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15800358_1490551247625263_1999778088236284472_o-897x1024.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/15800358_1490551247625263_1999778088236284472_o-897x1024.jpg" height="724" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="634" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">This was during one of my strategic planning sessions for 2017 a few days ago.</dd></dl>
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How about you? How was your 2016? What blessings were you most grateful for? What lessons did you learn? I would love to hear from you.</h3>
Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-60275201540323594562017-01-03T22:43:00.001+08:002017-01-03T22:45:46.805+08:00Give Love on Christmas Day Year 5<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
My family and I watched the movie Christmas on Division Street yesterday morning after having a pancake breakfast that I prepared at home. It is one of the movies I recommended in one of my previous posts here that families can watch to bond this Christmas season. Yes, we're still in the Christmas season. Today is just the 10th day of Christmas. So, don't take down your Christmas tree and decors yet. Savor the season at least until the Feast of the Epiphany of the visit of the 3 wise men or more popularly known as the 3 Kings.</div>
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I read some short reviews about this movie before I included it in my <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/12-recommended-christmas-movies-for-family-bonding/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/12-recommended-christmas-movies-for-family-bonding/">previous blog post</a>. I'm really glad I did that. Moreover, I am glad we watched this movie yesterday. It's a beautiful and touching movie. I could not keep my tears from falling minutes after the movie is over. I felt affirmed that my family and I did the right thing on Christmas day this year. (If you want to watch the movie on YouTube, you'll see the link <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/12-recommended-christmas-movies-for-family-bonding/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/12-recommended-christmas-movies-for-family-bonding/">here</a>.)</div>
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We have a Christmas tradition that is already five years old. We first did it in 2012. You can read about the first time we did it and what moved me to suggest it to my husband <a data-mce-href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/12/give-love-on-christmas-day-our-new.html" href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/12/give-love-on-christmas-day-our-new.html">here</a>.</div>
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So, what is this Christmas tradition I am talking about? We give out brown bags to street kids.</div>
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This was my eldest when we first started this tradition.</div>
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I recently shared in my blog post <a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/birthday-cake-for-birthday-boy/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/birthday-cake-for-birthday-boy/">Birthday Cake for the Birthday Boy</a> that we make sure that we have a cake for Jesus as part of our Christmas feast. Aside from having a birthday cake, we go all out by making loot bags for Him, too. We give these loot bags (brown bags) to Jesus' favorites, the poor around us. We've decided to give it to street kids.</div>
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Our 3 wise boys or 3 kings ready to bless street kids! </div>
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This photo was taken last year on the Feast of the Lord's Epiphany.</div>
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We've been doing this every year, usually on Christmas day. But there was also a year when we gave out these brown bags on the Feast of Holy Innocents (December 28) when we celebrated the first month of our youngest child. Last year, we got very busy and tired on Christmas day so we gave away brown bags and toys on the Feast of the Lord's Epiphany or 3 Kings with our 3 boys wearing crowns pretending to be the 3 Kings.</div>
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Our two Kings, Yanthy ands Mateo, giving away brown bags to street kids last year.</div>
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Every year, we usually think that we might not find street kids or a lot on the streets on Christmas day because the DSWD also exert effort to clean up the streets by finding shelter for these kids. But we are often surprised that we still find many homeless people, not just kids, roaming or sleeping on the streets on Christmas day. This makes me sad. I always wish each time that we had packed more brown bags.</div>
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Yesterday, after watching the movie which was about homeless people, God moved my heart again to ache for these poor people. I wished to have more resources so my family and I could help more homeless people. But God was quick to affirm me by telling me that my family and I already made a difference to the people we gave brown bags to. We may not reach all the homeless in the Philippines or in the world. But we definitely touched the hearts of those who received what we gave away. And as I write this post, God whispers into my heart that writing about our family tradition and experience can inspire and move others to do the same on Christmas day or any day of the year.</div>
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I'm so thankful to God for this beautiful family tradition and meaningful family bonding activity. It's a reminder to our family of the true meaning of Christmas... following the example of Jesus Christ and giving Jesus a gift through the poor around us. One of the priests who celebrated the anticipated Simbang Gabi in our parish asked us this question during his homily. "It's Jesus birthday, right? What is your gift to Jesus this Christmas?" Those were some of our family's gifts to Jesus on His birthday this year. But as we gave these gifts, Jesus gave us more. He gave us joy and inspiration.</div>
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Let me end this by sharing these words of Jesus in the Bible:<br />
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"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." <a data-mce-href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/25-40.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a></h3>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-40409074732775646572016-08-04T18:06:00.000+08:002016-08-04T18:24:03.649+08:00'Nay, magpapasukan na!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nay, masikip na ang palda ko. Hindi na kasya sa baywang saka sagad na ang tahi sa laylayan. Paano ‘yan? Magpapatahi na ba tayo ng bago kong palda sa pasukan?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Pwede pa ‘yan. Pagagawan natin ng paraan sa mananahi,” sagot ni Nanay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ha? Ano pa kayang paraan ang naiisip ni Nanay para magamit pa uli sa pasukan ang pinagkaliitan ko nang palda. Nagsimula itong may malapad na tupi sa laylayan noong bagong tahi pa. Taon-taon, inuurong ang tupi dahil tumatangkad ako. Pero, katulad nga ng sabi ko, ngayon ay wala nang tuping pwedeng tastasin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kinuha ni Nanay ang aking palda at itinabi para dalhin sa kapitbahay naming mananahi. Pagkatapos ay sinimulan na namin ang isa sa aming mga tradisyon tuwing bago magpasukan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tiningnan namin isa-isa ang mga kwaderno (o <i>notebook</i>) na ginamit ko at ng nakababata kong kapatid noong nakaraang pasukan. Maingat naming tinanggal ang mga alambre (o <i>spring</i>). Hiniwalay ang mga may sulat sa mga wala pang sulat. Pagkatapos pinagsama-sama namin ang mga natirang mga pahina para bumuo ng mga bagong kwaderno. Tinatahi ni Nanay isa-isa ang mga bagong kwaderno mula sa mga hindi nagamit noong nakaraang pasukan. Tapos binabalutan ko naman ito ng mga pambalot ng regalo at plastik para magmukang bago at para hindi madaling madumihan o masira.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bago rin magpasukan, iniinspekyon namin ang mga dati naming sapatos. Kadalasan, wala kaming sapat na pera para bumili ng bago taon-taon. Kaya ang ginagawa ni Nanay dati, pinapapalitan lang niya ang swelas o ilalim dahil iyon naman ang madalas na unang nasisira. Pinapalitan na lang ang sapatos namin kapag nasira na ang itaas, halimbawa ay nabiak na o nabutas. Kaya palagi naming nililinis at pinakikintab ang sapatos namin para hindi madaling masira agad ang balat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isa pang paraan ng pagtitipid na ginagawa ni Nanay tuwing bago magpasukan noong elementarya pa kami ay maghanap ng mga lumang libro o <i>second hand books</i> mula sa mga mas nakatatandang estudyante sa aming paaralan, sa mga kapitbahay namin na mas nakatatanda o sa mga tindahan sa Recto. Hangga’t maaari hindi kami bumibili ng bagong <i>textbook</i> kung mayroon naman kaming mahihiraman o mabibiling luma para mas makatipid. Iyong mga <i>workbook</i> lang ang binibili ng bago dahil kailangan itong sagutan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mahigit dalawang dekada na ang nakaraan mula ng magtapos ako sa elementarya ngunit sariwang-sariwa pa rin sa aking alaala ang mga ginagawa naming paghahanda noong bata pa ako tuwing malapit na magpasukan. Hindi ko mapigil na mangiti at matawa lalo na nang maalala ko kung paano ginawan ng paraan ni Nanay at ng kapitbahay naming mananahi ang akala ko ay hindi ko na maisusuot na palda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dahil wala na ngang remedyong magagawa sa laylayan dahil sagad na ang tahi, dinugtungan ng mananahi sa baywang ang luma kong palda. Ginawan niya ng bagong paha at dinugtungan ng halos kakulay na tela. Iyong dating nasa baywang ay binawasan ng bahagya at napunta na sa may bandang balakang dahil sa ginawang dugtong. Hindi naman daw halata kasi mahaba ang aking blusa! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nakakabilib talaga si Nanay! Katulad ng maraming ina, tunay siyang maparaan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Buti na lang maabilidad at maparaan si Nanay! Dahil sa katangian niyang ito, nakapagtapos ako ng elementarya sa isang pribadong paaralan. Ang kanyang halimbawa ng pagpupursige at sipag ay naging inspirasyon ko upang maging isang masikap, masipag at responsableng mag-aaral. Tinuruan niya akong maniwala na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan upang makamit ang iyong mga pangarap. Katulad nga ng sabi sa kasabihan, nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. Ginawa ng aking mga magulang ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya upang mapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral. Hindi naging madali para sa aming lahat ang mga taong iyon na nag-aaral pa ako. Maraming sinakripisyo ang aking mga magulang para matupad ang aming pangarap pero sulit naman lahat ng iyon tuwing aakyat kami sa entablado taon-taon para tanggapin ko ang aking medalya bilang <i>Top 1</i> o <i>First Honor</i> at nang mag-gradweyt akong Valedictorian sa elementarya, nang ako’y makapagtapos sa <i>high school</i> sa isang paaralang ekslusibo para sa mga babae na may <i>Academic Excellence Award</i>, at higit sa lahat nang ako’y magtapos sa kolehiyo sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa Diliman.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Magpapasukan na naman. Hindi ko mapigil na hindi maalala ang mga magaganda at masasayang alaala ng aking pagkabata at buhay estudyante lalo na noong ako’y nasa elementarya pa. Masaya ako noon kahit mulat ang aking mga mata sa kahirapan ng aming pamilya. Masaya ako dahil itinataguyod ako ng aking mga magulang para magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan sa pamamagitan ng magandang edukasyon. Masaya ako dahil mayroon akong mga kaibigan noon na hindi pansin kung bago ba o luma ang aking uniporme at sapatos. Masaya ako noon dahil may mga guro akong naniniwala sa aking talino at kakayahan kahit na ako’y mahirap lang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pero mas masaya na ako ngayon dahil sa aking pagtityaga, disiplina, suporta ng mga taong nakapaligid sa akin at sa tulong ng Diyos, naabot ko ang bawat pangarap na pinangarap ko simula nang una akong natutong mangarap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Magpapasukan na! Dalangin kong mas marami pang batang mahirap ang matutong mangarap at mabiyayaan ng mga magulang na tulad ng mga magulang ko… lalo na ng tulad ng Nanay ko! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Happy Birthday, 'Nay!</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSaUUgY2K9R2YptuhEfTO9zHKeN8oTddEo9jslI0-g7depV8zKPfqT-vMAnHDiN_Ef6Jmmf9eDCT4igCdyo3u7GzXkbpzif4ikFS0T4pyjx4IbHfsmoaSxCpEBxRAW2gIQcv20aICuLuf/s1600/11257058_1047733688573690_6534160401763583851_n+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSaUUgY2K9R2YptuhEfTO9zHKeN8oTddEo9jslI0-g7depV8zKPfqT-vMAnHDiN_Ef6Jmmf9eDCT4igCdyo3u7GzXkbpzif4ikFS0T4pyjx4IbHfsmoaSxCpEBxRAW2gIQcv20aICuLuf/s400/11257058_1047733688573690_6534160401763583851_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="321" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My Mom and I at Hotel Kimberly last year <br />where we had an advance Mother's Day celebration.</span></td></tr>
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<i>* This was first published at POC as a Mother's Day post. </i></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-18757010335803622392016-07-06T07:03:00.000+08:002016-07-06T07:19:40.083+08:00How to Raise a Prodigy: Lessons I Learned From Parenting One<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
I bumped into one of my mentors one night in a coffee shop. He asked about my me and my family and I happily shared some updates, including my eldest son's latest adventures on the piano. He and his sons were amazed at my story. He said that my son is a prodigy. It was the first time I considered that. He's right. We have a musical prodigy in our house.</div>
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He makes learning music, whether singing songs or playing songs on the piano, look so easy. To him, these activities are as natural as breathing.</div>
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I used to play a cd of nursery rhymes/songs to him when he was still a baby. Then, we would dance to the tune of those songs. I would also teach him the actions for those songs. When he became a toddler, he started showing remarkable developments in language and music. He started saying some words before he turned 1 year old and he started singing songs when he was over a year old. When he was already 2 years old, he could sing not just nursery songs but even other songs that he doesn't hear every ay as long as heard them a few times. We loved asking him to sing songs for us and he would sing a song we request him to sing at the drop of a hat! He was an adorable baby!</div>
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He liked playing with musical instruments. His first favorite was the guitar because that's what he saw his Dad playing. We also got him a small guitar. He would imitate his dad every time his Dad practices. During Masses, he would sit beside the other guitarists in the choir. He wants to be part of the choir too. He also wants to have his own chord book even though he was only 2 years old then! It looked so funny. But we kept on letting him do what he wanted to do and what made him happy. Eventually, he shifted to our small keyboard because he was having a hard time doing the chord on his guitar with short fingers. It was easier for him to play the piano because he only needed to press the keys.<br />
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In the above video, Yanthy was only 3 years. He was singing a song (Only a God Like You) by Tommy Walker, one of his favorite Christian artists. He was trying out the new guitar that his Dad gave him as a gift for his 3rd birthday.<br />
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Then, when he was around 4 and half years old, we move to a new house near a Catholic church. We started going to Mass daily. I noticed that he would always look at the pianist serving during Masses.<br />
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One day, I got the surprise of my life when I heard someone play some of the Mass songs on our keyboard. It was my little boy! I was amazed because no one taught him. My husband and I do not know how to play the piano. I bought our keyboard just before I got married because I wanted to learn how to play the instrument. But I didn't get to have formal piano lessons and I found the books my husband gave me challenging. In short, I didn't learn. Then, here comes my little boy, playing on our piano one day. He learned by simply watching and listening.</div>
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Last night, he served in the Mass again in our parish. He has been serving as a pianist in this church since he turned 7 years old last year (October 2015). He played a new song titled <em>Here We Are</em>. He just learned this song yesterday. After a few hours, he played it as the entrance song in last night's Mass. If he is in the mood and we provide him with the needed resources (like chords, music sheets and ample time to play on the piano), he would learn at least one new song each day.</div>
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After the Mass last night, he mentioned to me and a few of our friends that there are now 62 music sheets in his tablet. I was amazed! That means that 62 is the minimum number of songs he has learned to play on the piano! And he only started formal piano lessons around 1 year ago! But that's not all, I said minimum because that number does not include the songs he learned without a music sheet, which is so much more because he first learned to play <em>oido </em>(by ear). He also learned some songs by using the chords only and he improvised on the accompaniment. That number also does not include the nursery songs, classical music, Christmas songs, worship songs, folk songs and many other songs he learned! He said that if we list or count all the songs that he has played since he started, it must be more than a hundred. I think he's right. Wow!</div>
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Now, let me share with you the definitions of prodigy that I found.<br />
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<strong>What is a Prodigy?</strong></h3>
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From Dictionary.com: a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability: a musical <em>prodigy</em>.</div>
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From the British Dictionary: <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">person,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">especially</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">child,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">unusual</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">marvelous</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">talents.</span></div>
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From Mirriam-Webster.com: a young person who is unusually talented in some way.</div>
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From Cambridge Dictionaries Online:</div>
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(Prodigy in American English) a child who shows a great ability at a young age: a child prodigy on the piano.</div>
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(Prodigy in British English) someone with a very great ability that usually shows itself when the person is a young child.</div>
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From Oxford Dictionaries: a person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities.<br />
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<strong>How Do You Raise a Prodigy?</strong></h3>
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<strong>1. Be observant. </strong></h4>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">It's so easy to dismiss a child's accomplishments when a child is still growing. This is because a child's accomplishments look ordinary in the beginning. What children exhibit at an early age are skills that most adults already can do; and so, the adults around the child can easily ignore these milestones as ordinary or typical. But when one looks closely and uses the guidelines for achieving milestones, parents can sometimes notice what is extraordinary in their children's milestones or development. This is what helped me discover early on that my eldest son is gifted. I would regularly review the milestones for babies and toddlers from a book that my husband gave me. I would check what things my baby was already capable of doing. I would do this month after month. I would do advance reading also. When I did this, I realized that my eldest was hitting his milestones quite fast, not just in months but in years sometimes. At two years old, he has already mastered concepts taught to pre-schooler and kindergarteners. He was also reading at that age and had a vast vocabulary.</span><br />
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This is a video of Yanthy playing the song Immaculate Mother, which is sang during the novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. He learned this oido.</div>
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<strong style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">2. Believe in your child and in his capabilities. </strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">One of the traits I noticed in gifted children or child prodigies is that they have self-confidence. They are risk-takers and they like challenges. They are not afraid to try new things especially in their area of interest. As parents, we can help build their confidence by believing in them, in their potential and their capabilities. When my son was just starting to play in the Mass, I was so nervous. I kept praying that he would not mess up the Mass by playing the piano. I would ask him repeatedly before the Masses if he is sure he can play the songs right. I would listen to him practice at home. When I hear him play the songs perfectly at home, I am less nervous. If not and he decides he will still play it in the church, I would be praying fervently at the pews. So far, he has been playing well. I'm glad I supported his decision to try and believed in his potential and new-found skill. These days, I still get nervous when he plays new songs. But my confidence in his has also grown in the past year that I saw him improve a lot on his chosen instrument. I noticed that my confidence in him helps build his confidence also. He searches for my look of approval whenever he plays. He feels happy whenever I praise him and his talent.</span></div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">At my eldest son's first solo piano concert and 7th birthday celebration.</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><br /></dd></dl>
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This next video is just last month. It was his first time to play this song for the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He started learning it around an hour before the Mass. Then, he played it as the recessional.<br />
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<strong>3. Provide for your child a nurturing and supportive environment. </strong>It helped a lot that we provided for our son a number of musical instruments he can play with when he was growing. Since we noticed that he likes making music, those are the kinds of toys we gave him. We also gave him a keyboard or digital piano with 88 keys when he asked for it and we got confirmation from his first piano last summer that he quickly outgrew our small keyboard. I also watched him most of the time when he practices and I even take videos of him practicing. Whenever he has learned a new song, I would document it by taking a video of him. He feels happy that I show him my support by doing these things. I praise him every time I see him practice, try to learn a new song or when I hear him play a song well or perfectly. I let him hear me praise him in front of other people. I share his videos to our relatives and friends. I tell him the compliments that other people say about him. My husband and I provide him with books and opportunities that help him achieve his goals.</div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">One of my ways to destress daily is to listen to my eldest son play music on the piano.</dd></dl>
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4. Find mentors for your child. </strong></h4>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Since I am not as gifted in music as he is and my husband is not a piano player also, we looked for possible mentors or teachers for our eldest son. Good thing, the church pianist happily mentored him. Also, I found a Yamaha teacher who lives in our village too so we asked her to go to our house to give him formal piano lessons. then, I discovered a performing school that helps children get ABRSM certification for their lessons. We decided to enroll our son in their piano class last year and this year during the summer months. (You may read about our summer experience </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/summer-hands-on-parenting-experience/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/summer-hands-on-parenting-experience/" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", "Bitstream Charter", Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">here in my previous post</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "bitstream charter" , "times" , serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">.) Right now, he's still preparing for Grade 1 certification on the piano.</span></div>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">This is the pianist in our church who inspired in my son to dream of becoming a pianist in our church one day. He not only inspired that dream but he also helped make that dream become a reality. He also taught me and my husband to believe in our son and his abilities more. We owe him a lot!</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><strong style="font-size: 16px;">5. Get out of the way. </strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">This is one of the hard lessons I am learning as I raise a prodigy. My natural tendency as a parent is to protect him. I don't want him to be too stressed. I don't want him to be embarrassed. I don't want him to be frustrated. I tend to throw a lot of caution to him. It's not that I believe in him. I do. But I just couldn't shake the fact that he's just a child. He's my little boy. But time and again, he proves that though he has the body of a little boy, he possesses great talent in music. What stresses me or terrifies adults like me, can challenge him positively. I think this comes from his innate desire to learn and do good in his field of interest and in his knowledge of his own capabilities. I remember when he first told me that he wants to have a piano concert for his 7th birthday. I could not believe my ears the first time he said it. I thought he was not serious. But he turned out to be; so, I supportive him and he did get what he wanted. (You may read about it </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/boysdreamscometrue_7thbirthdaycelebration/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/boysdreamscometrue_7thbirthdaycelebration/" style="font-size: 16px;">here</a><span style="font-size: 16px;"> in another blog post.) Another example is when he tries to learn pieces that are above his level. He doesn't care if a song is for more advanced piano players. As long as he likes the tune, he would start learning it. He is unfazed even when we or his piano teachers would tell him that those pieces are played by those who have been playing the piano for years. I'm glad that over time, I have learned to get out of his way more and more. This has allowed him to soar and do the things he is most passionate to spend time on. Of course, I still give him a lot of reminders, but I give him more freedom now after realizing that he is indeed no ordinary child.</span></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></dd></dl>
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<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">My eldest son and I at his latest piano recital.</dd></dl>
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I'm really grateful that I made the decision to leave my full-time job years ago. Otherwise, I'm not sure if we would have noticed right away that our son is gifted. I'm thankful that I was able to find and provide the necessary interventions that helped us support his unique needs. I'm also happy that I'm still able to contribute to the family income even as I stay home most of the time because this raising a prodigy can also be costly.</div>
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* This post was first published at <a href="http://handsonparentwhileearning.com/">HandsOnParentwhileEarning.com</a>.</div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-78783095509602695932016-05-17T16:21:00.001+08:002017-11-07T16:19:00.901+08:00Tips on How to Prepare a Child to Be an Older Sibling<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was used to being an only child. For three years, he had my undivided attention. We had a lot of time bonding with each other through play, conversations, books, storytelling, crafts, music time, dates, etc. He certainly was the apple of my eye. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, I learned that I'm pregnant again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did my best to still bond with him a lot and assure him that I still love him just the same. I searched big brother books that I can read to him. I was grateful I found one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I talked to him about his baby brother in my womb. I let him play music and sing songs to him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I brought him with me in my monthly visits to my ob-gynaecologist. We let him join us in some of the ultrasound sessions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He seemed excited and adjusting well to his role of becoming a big brother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, it was time for me to give birth to my second child. My eldest son stayed at my parents' house. He slept with my parents when I went to the hospital. It was a difficult time for him. He was not used to sleeping without me by his side. He cried a lot during the nights that I was in the hospital going through labor and recuperating from childbirth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But he was happy when he saw me again and his baby brother when he visited us in the hospital.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two weeks after I gave birth, he acted differently. My usually active and talkative little boy didn't have the energy to play. He didn't want to eat or drink. He was not talking. He just kept sleeping and lying in bed. I knew something was wrong. I thought that he was sick but he didn't have any fever or was not showing signs that he was in pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few days later, he was so weak. My husband decided to bring him to the hospital already.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His pediatrician had him confined. He was put on IV. He still didn't talk or eat or drink. He was still quiet and looked sad. He lost a lot of weight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The doctors could not find any reason for his loss of appetite or "sickness" other than probably his difficulty in adjusting to our new normal in the family. He now has a baby brother. He's no longer an only child. His mommy is busy caring for another child. His mommy is breastfeeding another baby. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was not suffering from physical pain but he was going through an emotional pain... something that he could not articulate. Something he was not prepared to process or express.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He must have been depressed at that time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My poor little boy... I thought he was ready for this change but he was not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a painful time for me as a mother. I was not even able to visit him in the hospital because I needed to stay with his baby brother. It was only my husband and my mom who stayed with him in the hospital. I stayed home to recuperate and take care of the new baby.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did my best to give him extra attention. I tried to be extra understanding and patient with him. I tried to do the same things we used to do so he would feel that my love hasn't changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eventually, he started eating again. He started talking and playing again. He was the loving and helpful big brother again to his younger sibling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He would sing songs to him. He would read his books to him. He talks to him and shares some of his toys with him. He helps take care of him by rushing to get new diapers or getting some of the things of the baby and bringing them to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so thankful that my eldest child eventually recovered from that emotional turmoil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost three years later, I got pregnant again. My eldest son will become a big brother for the second time. My second child will no longer be the baby. He will now be a big brother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn't want any or both of them to go through depression again or to get sick after I give birth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How can I assure them of my unchanging love? How can I prepare them for their upcoming sibling? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought that I should tell them often that I love them just the same. But how do I remind myself or ensure that I tell them these words often when I have a lot to do and prepare for the coming of our new baby?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since I had been writing poems almost all my life, I wrote a poem with this title: <i><b>Mommy Loves You Just the Same</b></i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I drew inspiration from my bonding times with my kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read the poem often to them, daily at least.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe that the poem helped my older kids prepare for the coming of their baby brother. My second child did not get sick after I gave birth even though he and his eldest brother were also crying a lot while I was in the hospital during childbirth and on the nights that followed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so glad things were better this time around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, a dream was planted in my heart. What if we make this poem into a children's book? Why not?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before my youngest child turned one year old, I found an artist who was willing to collaborate with me in making this dream a reality. On May 19, 2016, Thursday, we will be launching my first children's book! A dream that was planted in my heart because of my experience as a mother. It's like I'm giving birth again. But this time to a book and not to a child. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-childrens-book-e-book/">Click here to order a copy of Mommy Loves You Just the Same</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My excitement is shared by my two older children who were my inspirations in writing this children's book. They were the ones who first heard this story and who first benefitted from it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSFslu3yQscn7zQu2FpQ98HBK-inz8MIfK7yUfEe5T6Y7o-DQRjXAbxBELW9fVz9Xws9u5x7eP8eLOzkWCrQOoyvNYeeoLxbkf5mAo38ynu0wKBhiQ4bXjYjJh61mszGDiW60VI9wajpG/s1600/Free+Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSFslu3yQscn7zQu2FpQ98HBK-inz8MIfK7yUfEe5T6Y7o-DQRjXAbxBELW9fVz9Xws9u5x7eP8eLOzkWCrQOoyvNYeeoLxbkf5mAo38ynu0wKBhiQ4bXjYjJh61mszGDiW60VI9wajpG/s400/Free+Gift.jpg" width="281" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you a pregnant mom who is looking for resources that would help your older child prepare to be an older sibling? Or did you just give birth recently or a few months ago to a new baby and you need help in assuring your older child that your love for him/her remains the same? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recommend this book to you, not because I wrote it, but more because I know that it would be a good tool that you can use in your motherhood journey. One of my goals in writing this children's story is to help families adjust as their families grow. That's why I asked our illustrator to make coloring pages for the kids, too. I wanted to give the kids something that would further help them remember the lessons in the book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I end this post, let me share some tried and tested tips that could help prepare a child to be an older sibling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Stop calling the child "baby". </b>We used to call our second child "baby". But when we got confirmation from my </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ob-gynaecologist</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> that I'm pregnant again, we started calling our second child by his first name. I also instructed our maids then to stop calling him a baby. Instead, we made him proud to be called a big brother or "Kuya".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Deliberately spend more quality time with the older child/children. </b>This is one way to make deposits in your child's emotional bank account in preparation for the times when you will be away from him/her. During my previous pregnancies, I did my best to spend as much time as I possibly can to do arts and crafts with them and to have dates with them. Even when I was on bedrest and after giving birth, I would regularly read-aloud books to them. This poem/story was one of those that I read to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Give your child/children ideas on how they can bond with you while you are pregnant and with their baby brother while still in your womb and after you give birth.</b> Aside from suggesting to my kids what they can do, I let them come up with their own ideas on how they can help me take care of their baby brother. You'll be amazed at how loving and helpful kids are!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Make their birthday before you give birth extra special.</b> On their last birthday before becoming a big brother, I always go out of my way to make these celebrations memorable. I want these events to help make them feel important and special. You may read about my second child's birthday party <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2014/11/mateos-construction-themed-birthday.html">here</a>. If you don't want to throw a party, you can get some ideas <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2012/10/celebrating-life-celebrating-without.html">here</a> in my other blog post wherein we had a simple celebration for our eldest son. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hope these tips help you and your family! I also hope that you can join us in our <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1704881339770539/">virtual book launch</a></b> on Thursday! We're giving away exciting prizes to those who will pre-order a copy of <i><b>Mommy Loves You Just the Same</b></i>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1704881339770539/permalink/1704918569766816/">Click here</a> to read more about these. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some of the prizes we're giving away during the launch.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How did you prepare your child/children to become older siblings? Feel free to share your own tried and tested tips by leaving a comment on this blog post so we can help more families.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-4184972863075315432016-02-24T16:21:00.000+08:002016-02-24T16:43:37.564+08:003 Tips on Food Handling and Safety<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you personally prepare and cook your own food or your family's food?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to prepare and cook our family's food when my husband and I were newly married and when we still had one child. I enjoyed cooking a lot. For me, cooking is both science and art.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was during those early years in our marriage that I created my <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2010/06/mommy-tgs-4-week-cycle-menu.html">4-Week Cycle Menu Plan</a>. It was my way of making things easier for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we had more kids, I was forced to delegate this task to our helpers. I taught our new maids my recipes and how I want them to be prepared. I also taught them about food handling, food safety and sanitation. These were the very things I used to teach our crew in the fast food restaurant where I used to work as Certified Training Manager and Store Manager.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some maids are open to my teachings and training. Sadly, most of them are not. They are not used to having someone supervise them and teach them or correct them when they make mistakes. Maybe, that's because they used to work in households where the owners are usually at work or do not spend time observing how their maids work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm used to being an involved Manager. One of our management styles in the restaurant is managing by walking around. We go around to observe, teach and correct if needed. It's an effective way to ensure that what we teach our crew are reinforced and have follow through. When we observe them work, we witness if they are doing things right or not. We would know if they remembered what we taught them during their orientation or training.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago, I observed our new maid while preparing to cook our food. At first I watched her closely, right after I gave her instructions. After that, I went upstairs to my home office to do my work. From my computer, I would observe here every now and then through our cctv monitor.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Photo source <a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/agree-terms.php">here</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would cringe every time our maid would do some things that are big no-nos to us who are from the food industry. It was also enough to make me go back to our kitchen to remind her of what I taught her about food handling and food preparation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me share 3 tips or guidelines that I always teach our new maids when I orient them. These are also the 3 things that my maids usually violate that's why I call their attention when I observe them in the kitchen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I see this often when I observe the maids who have worked for us in the past 8 years. They usually touch other things or surfaces (like the cabinet handles and doors, plates, kitchen counters or ref towels, etc.) with their hands after they touched or held raw meat, poultry or fish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why is this a no-no? There are bacteria in raw meat, poultry and fish. Those bacteria would be transferred to other surfaces or things in your kitchen that you or your maids would touch or hold if you do not wash your hands first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Always wash your hands with soap and water after touching or using your kitchen rag.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A kitchen rag is usually used to wipe the kitchen counter or stove. In some households, this is also used to wipe the dining table. Imagine the amount of dirt that goes into this rag. Some people do not even wash this after every use with soap and water. Because of all the dirt that comes in contact with this rag, it becomes an easy breeding ground of bacteria or germs. These germs can get to your plates, eating utensils and other things that you use when eating if you or your maid does not wash her hands first after using your kitchen rag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, I would catch our maid use the kitchen rag to wipe the surface of our kitchen counter and then after that she would just wipe her hands dry on the ref towel before holding the plates that she will use to set the table. When I catch our maids doing that, I would ask them to wash their hands first and use new plates or eating utensils instead. I will ask the maid to wash the ones she touched after she used the kitchen rag. I would remind our maid that our hands may appear clean but it doesn't always mean that they are free from germs. So, it is best to always wash our hands with soap and water after holding dirty things like a kitchen rag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Always tie your hair when preparing food or cooking even when you just showered or taken a bath.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is greater possibility that some hair would fall or get in contact with the food being prepared if a hair net is not used or the hair isn't tied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even when one's hair is newly shampooed, there is still bacteria in it. We studied this in college when I was still in the University of the Philippines taking up BS Hotel and Restaurant Administration. My classmates and I were surprised when we saw under the microscope the bacteria present even in newly washed hair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is one of the stories I tell our maids when I explain this to them. I would tell them that we would swab surfaces and even skin of people and we would study these samples in our laboratory and observe them under the microscope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In truth, I am sometimes tempted to buy a microscope for our use at home to demonstrate this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These tips barely scratch the surface of what I usually teach our restaurant crew, supervisors and managers about food safety, food handling and food preparation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe that these are important things that need to be shared even to homemakers and our maids or cooks at home to prevent foodborne diseases. I am especially passionate about this because I have babies at home and young children whose tummies are not yet fully formed and strong. Actually, there are adults who also have sensitive tummies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because of these recent observations with our new maid, a desire in me was awakened to organize a seminar on the topic to homemakers and maids or cooks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are interested to learn more about food handling, food safety and sanitation, send me an email at teregmps@yahoo.com to inform me if you and/or your maid/cook would like to attend this kind of seminar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This can be a 2-4 hour seminar with question and answer portion already. If I receive a number of emails from you or if there would be at least 20 people who want to learn from me about this topic, that would be enough for me to organize this learning event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, go to your kitchen now and observe your maid or cook! ;) Then, send me an email at teregmps@yahoo.com if she needs some training.</span><br />
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-56764778923648311712016-02-19T07:57:00.000+08:002016-02-19T08:01:39.833+08:00Do You Want To Earn Through Blogging? <div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went to Western Union two weekends ago to collect my payment from Google. One of the ways I earn from home is through blogging. There are many ways to earn through a blog. One of them is through Google Ads. It makes me happy every time I collect payment from Google because it's a form of semi-passive income for me. What used to be a hobby only became an additional income stream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was not a really big amount; but it was enough to pay for my monthly SSS contribution, my eldest son's Science class and my video editor's professional fee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Would you like to earn through blogging, too? Do you also like to write?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm excited to share with you that the first H.O.P.E. Summit talk video, <strong><a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/how-to-be-a-hands-on-parent-while-earning-through-blogging-ihope-through-blogging/ref/17">How To Be a Hands-On Parent while Earning Through Blogging (or iHOPE through Blogging for short)</a></strong>, is now available in our <a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/shop/ref/17">online shop</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you missed the first ever H.O.P.E. Summit last year, this is your chance to still learn from the comforts of your own home or wherever you choose to watch and listen to the talk. You can also watch it at your most convenient time and pause it if something urgent comes up or if you want to take down notes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Best of all, it comes with a <b>BONUS printable worksheet</b> to help you act on the lessons shared by our speaker during her talk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Our speaker for this talk is Award-Winning Blogger, <a href="http://www.martinedeluna.com/">Martine de Luna</a></strong>. Martine has positioned herself as an expert in her chosen niche with the help of her <a href="http://makeitblissful.com/">blog</a>. She has also become a brand ambassador to various products through it. Because of this, she is able to stay home with her kids, breastfeed her baby and homeschool her son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Would you like to have this kind of lifestyle too? Would you like to be a H.O.P.E. (Hands-On Parent while Earning) like her?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me share some of the feedback from the workshop participants last year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The workshops participants with some of the speakers.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“The lessons are inspiring.” – Ging Jusi, workshop participant</span></strong></h5>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“Since I want to have my own blog, I learned some strategies how I can earn while blogging.” – Jenina Tuazon, workshop participant</span></strong></h5>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">“It gave me inspiration to become the parent that has freedom from corporate work while providing for our family through an entrepreneurial pursuit I am passionate about.” – Dennis Anguluan, one of the dads who attended the H.O.P.E. Summit</span></strong></h5>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continue reading the testimonials about the first H.O.P.E. Summit <a class="validating" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/services/virtual-hope-summit/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/services/virtual-hope-summit/">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hurry! Purchase your copy of the talk now while it's offered at an introductory price of P350 ONLY! <a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/how-to-be-a-hands-on-parent-while-earning-through-blogging-ihope-through-blogging/ref/17">Click here</a> to access the talk.
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enjoy learning!</span></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-87884401126501733312016-02-14T16:53:00.001+08:002016-02-14T16:55:37.851+08:00How do I love you, my children?<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 15.456px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<span style="line-height: 15.456px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love you by enduring the cold and pain on my back as the air conditioner blows. I could not turn it off because you perspire even in cold temperature and especially when you snuggle close to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15.456px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love you by giving up precious sleep just to let you breastfeed as much as you can all through the night... I would have loved to sleep uninterruptedly but I chose to show you my love by allowing you to disturb me from my sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love you by forcing myself to get up this morning to think of what you can eat so you don't go hungry. I do this in spite of my terrible headache.</span></div>
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I love you by forcing myself to get up and prepare your food even though I'm suffering from severe pains on my neck, back and hips.</div>
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I love you by forcing my hands to have the strength to hold the bread knife and bread just to make you a sandwich even though I could hardly sit up because of my body pains.</div>
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This is how your mother loves you. </div>
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One day, I hope God the Father would let you know that that's how your mother loved you when you were small, when there was no one else who did these things to you but her... When no one else cared enough not to let you go hungry, not only on Valentine's Day but every single day of your young life.</div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-34293090459538944792016-01-22T08:50:00.000+08:002016-01-22T08:54:36.300+08:00From a 4-Hour Commute to Less Than a Minute<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21.8182px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once upon a time, one of my favorite past times was daydreaming. I would daydream when I'm happy. I would daydream when I'm bored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would daydream in school when I think that my teacher is taking too long at a topic that I have already learned or mastered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to daydream a lot after lunch, when my younger brother and I were supposed to be taking our naps. I found it hard to shut my wild imagination during those times. So, I would often indulge myself with daydreaming instead. Sometimes, I daydream with my eyes shut (so I won't get scolded). Sometimes, I would daydream with my eyes open (when my grandmother is no longer looking or when she has already fallen asleep).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was already working, I would usually daydream during my commute -- either on my way to work or on my way home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you know what was one of my favorite scenes in my daydreams then?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being an employer or business owner who had multiple income streams and had plenty of money for travel and shopping for the things that I like!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, I'm living out my daydreams in a small scale. I'm not yet a business tycoon but I have started my own businesses. My mentor Bo Sanchez calls them microbusinesses. I don't mind. They are businesses just the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm also happy to enjoy some freedom to go to places I want to visit without having to ask permission from a boss for a leave or a vacation or without having to wait until weekend or my day off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During our family vacation in Baguio after Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may not have A LOT of money YET like what I have imagined in my daydreams; but I have more than enough for my family's needs and some of our wants. And all these without having to wake up very early every.single.day. to drag myself to endure a long commute to my workplace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to have at least 2 LONG HOURS of commute to my workplace. I was living with my parents then in San Mateo, Rizal. I would first ride a UV Express or FX to Cubao. From Cubao, I would take the MRT to Ayala. If I miss our office shuttle from Makati to Sucat (which usually happened to me), I would take a cab to our head office in Sucat. It was a long, tiring and costly commute! I had to endure long lines to get a ride and after that endure the long ride to my destination.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was just one way. Those 2 HOURS could stretch to 3 HOURS in the evening or at night because of traffic and difficulty to catch a ride home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, you know why I had so much time to daydream then!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's why I worked hard also on making my dream come true of one day leaving the rat race and having my own business, working my desired hours and doing the things that I love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved my job then. But I didn't love everything about it and I didn't love that I had to endure those long commutes to and from work. That is also partly the reason why I would rather have an exhausting schedule of out-of-town or out-of-the-country training programs or workshops. When I need to run a workshop, I don't need to report to our main office unless the venue of the workshop is our head office. I would hire a cab from my residence and go straight to the airport. From there, I fly to my destination, take a cab or wait for the hotel service to bring me to my hotel. Sometimes, the travel time to the hotel or to another province by plane is shorter than my daily commute. I also liked that all my travel expenses were shouldered by my employer. But it was still tiring because there were a lot of training programs and workshops I needed to conduct nationwide. Losing my voice due to sore throat was one of my frequent ailments then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These days, I can go to my work station in less than a minute! Why? Because I work from home and my home office is just a few steps away from my bedroom. I can even work in my bedroom if I want to. I don't do it anymore though. I have decided that my bedroom is mainly for rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you also want to work from the comforts of your own home office?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you currently an employee who also dreams of becoming an employer one day? Do you also suffer from long commute or travel time? Do you daydream too?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have good news for you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm holding a Mastermind Session on January 30 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. We'll have breakfast together. My treat! I will be sharing ways on <strong>How You Can Skyrocket Your Transition From Employee to Employer</strong>. Would that interest you?</span><br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/From-Employee-to-Employer-Mastermind-FB-ad.jpg" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/From-Employee-to-Employer-Mastermind-FB-ad.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-4182"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="From Employee to Employer Mastermind FB ad" class="aligncenter wp-image-4182" data-mce-src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/From-Employee-to-Employer-Mastermind-FB-ad-1024x535.jpg" src="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/From-Employee-to-Employer-Mastermind-FB-ad-1024x535.jpg" height="436" style="display: block; height: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="834" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Mastermind Session is worth at least P5,000. This is limited to a maximum of 10 participants only to ensure optimum interaction with me. You can ask me as many questions as our time together would permit. You can ask me to continue my story and learn from my experiences. <strong>The great news is you can attend it for FREE. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find out the details on how you can secure a <strong>FREE SEAT</strong> to this transformational Mastermind Session <a class="validating" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/" data-mce-href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/" href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/ihope-coaching-program/ref/17">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I look forward to swapping stories with you! See you on January 30!</span></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-3404134674340958682016-01-13T11:47:00.001+08:002016-05-18T23:18:01.380+08:00God Always Makes a Way for His Words to Come True<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the start of the year, God told me that I can </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">again </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pursue my dream of publishing at least one book this year. I was hesitant at first, knowing how busy my schedule is. But I claimed it and listed it in my Novena to God's Love again. (You may read my blog post about dreams and how the Novena to God's Love has helped me make my dreams come true in the past years </span><a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2016/01/lessons-relearned-at-start-of-brand-new.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not yet through planning for my dreams and goals this year. But I was starting to feel discouraged yesterday and the other day because there's simply a lot that a mom like me with three small children needs to do daily. Homeschooling two kids with different grade levels, breastfeeding a toddler who recently turned one and is teething, caring for them daily, managing a household and an online business, maintaining blogs and trying to finish some backlogs from last year are what fill up my hours each day. Yesterday and the other day, I began wondering, "How can I write and finish at least one book with this?" I felt that I was just too busy to squeeze in that dream and goal into my already full schedule. I was wondering how God can make a miracle out of my situation again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, God answered me this morning during my prayer time with this:</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>doesn't mean I don't have a way." </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wow! Isn't that great? God read my mind once more! And He answered me clearly and powerfully in a way I could not doubt His voice!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's all that I needed to be encouraged and empowered to act on my dream and goal again. It was a very timely reminder to me to just keep putting one foot forward and make even baby steps of faith to move closer to my dream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I excitedly shared about this on my Facebook account and said that I'm targeting to launch at least one book on Mother's Day this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, I followed up a potential artist who can do the illustrations for one of my children's stories. In minutes, I got the answer that I've been praying for! She confirmed that she will do the illustrations for my upcoming book Mommy Loves You Just the Same! I am beyond thrilled and happy! hahaha God just made a way for me again! I can't help but be amazed! Thank you so much, Lord! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so excited to see my story come alive in her illustrations! This storybook is special to me because I wrote it for my two older children while I was pregnant with my third child. We were preparing for the coming of our third baby and I wanted to make the two older boys especially my second child that I love them just the same even though they will have another brother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moreover, I wanted to continue my breastfeeding advocacy through this book. I think this is a perfect accompaniment or follow up to my book <b><i><a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/breastfeeding-a-journey-worth-taking/">BREASTFEEDING: A Journey Worth Taking</a></i></b> because I want to show in the illustrations that breastfeeding/tandem feeding has helped my sons in their transition to becoming big brothers. This is something that most books on becoming an older sibling did not show. Thus, I am so happy and I feel so blessed to have found an artist who is also a breastfeeding mom like me. I believe that she is the perfect artist for this story of mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, before I forget, did I tell you that she's also expecting another child? Yes, she's pregnant now with her second child. Isn't God truly amazing? This makes her understand my feelings more when I wrote my story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe that it was really God who ordained our meeting last year at an event where I was invited to speak. It was a gathering of breastfeeding moms and their families and our booths were situated beside each other. We got to talk to each other and I found out that she's interested in illustrating a book. And the rest is history, or should I say His story. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's all for now. I will update you about our book in the coming days and months and I hope you'll support us in this book project. In the meantime, please pray for both of us so that we'd be able to finish this book project amid our busy schedule as moms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you also have dreams that you are unsure if you can achieve them this year because of your current situation? Don't give up right away! Look to God for inspiration and strength! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>QUICK UPDATE:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our book is almost done! It will be launched on May 19, 2016. :) Jia is now finalizing the inside pages of our book... just doing minor edits to it before the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1704881339770539/">virtual book launch</a>. You may see the book cover and pre-order a copy when you <a href="http://www.handsonparentwhileearning.com/product/mommy-loves-you-just-the-same-childrens-book-e-book/">click here</a>. Join the virtual book launch <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1704881339770539/">here</a>.</span></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-54749782942477086612016-01-08T11:12:00.001+08:002016-01-08T11:40:11.747+08:00How to Play a Simple Sight Words Game<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of our learning goals for our second child this year </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is to help him read more sight words. The other day, I made a simple matching game for him using sight words. He and his older brother loved playing it. This encouraged me to continue using it yesterday but with a new set of sight words and a twist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me share what we did. It's actually very simple so anyone can easily do what we did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. First, I typed a number of sight words using Word per page and printed them using bold and big fonts on a bond paper. I typed 4 sight words per page so my son can easily read the words even from afar. You can also print them on cardstock or board and laminate them to make them last longer. I was just experimenting. That's why I used bond paper but I think I will make sturdier versions later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I cut the paper into strips to separate each sight word from the other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Then, I put some masking tape at the back of each strip of paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Our first game the other day was match the sight word with a body part. I initially wanted my 4-year-old to stick the strips of paper on his own body parts. But his older brother wanted to play with him so my eldest son volunteered to be part of the game. The boys had fun playing! My younger son enjoyed sticking strips of paper on his big brother. My eldest son had fun playing with his younger brother while helping him learn to read sight words about body parts. This is one of the reasons I love homeschooling. It provides many opportunities for family members to bond, have fun and learn at the same time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2seF2A3Oc5EQcaHVxTUd8siFGanAZkeGb61iVI7Rj5nypsoLNXdF3nTkRYTUxNKs-eMEh3eE-IWqFItyyYkV4hhXUyUwa73FL4aRedd_1FA31gSKcYgyQmC8ANvrL8P4W0VtUF6QYhqbh/s1600/12509391_1180834318596959_8448044831364206210_n+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2seF2A3Oc5EQcaHVxTUd8siFGanAZkeGb61iVI7Rj5nypsoLNXdF3nTkRYTUxNKs-eMEh3eE-IWqFItyyYkV4hhXUyUwa73FL4aRedd_1FA31gSKcYgyQmC8ANvrL8P4W0VtUF6QYhqbh/s640/12509391_1180834318596959_8448044831364206210_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. The following day, I printed a new set of sight words. I did the same steps I mentioned above (steps 1 to 3). This time, these are sight words for what he usually sees in our home/house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. After putting masking tape on the strips of paper, we stuck them first on a wall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Before starting the matching game, I asked my 4-year-old son to spell and read each word first. Since he could not read them yet, I helped him by sounding out the letters and teaching him how to easily decode them and I read them for him too. After spelling and reading each one, I asked him to turn around before starting the matching game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. I asked him to get one strip of paper at random from the wall and stick it to the right object at home. All the sight words I printed yesterday pertained to objects except one. I included the word baby to make it more fun. ;) Mateo already knows how to read and spell the word BABY but I wanted to include it still because I saw how much he enjoyed having his older brother participate in the game. This time, I wanted him to enjoy it with his baby brother. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBY6XkQU2Kn0PfnF5NZ3rciyFMr9wGIxY9jfQzjL7adh8UbOzE2pw-xifCPTAOsS0ELF8RXQfrOJaGfU59E4a5TPs51UbI0BEwOBbX_3ZW3zvT4G9J8iAC47SbY-Oxd0xiFjuSXR86iEx/s1600/Untitled+design+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBY6XkQU2Kn0PfnF5NZ3rciyFMr9wGIxY9jfQzjL7adh8UbOzE2pw-xifCPTAOsS0ELF8RXQfrOJaGfU59E4a5TPs51UbI0BEwOBbX_3ZW3zvT4G9J8iAC47SbY-Oxd0xiFjuSXR86iEx/s640/Untitled+design+%25283%2529.png" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be playing with these sight words in the next days until my 4-year-old son masters them. Then, I'll add more sight words as we progress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you think of this game? Will you try it with your child too? Let me know how it goes.</span></div>
Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-16897805454635782202016-01-06T00:39:00.001+08:002016-01-14T13:33:23.359+08:00#OneWord for 2016: ANOINTED <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent the last week of 2015 having fun with my family in Baguio. It was a great way to end a year wherein my One Word was <a href="http://mommytg.blogspot.com/2015/01/abundance-one-word-for-year-2015-oneword.html">ABUNDANCE</a>. I felt God's abundant blessings during our family vacation in Baguio. It was also a well-deserved vacation for me for working hard the entire year. Most of all, it was a fitting celebration for the abundance of blessings our family received throughout the past year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come January 1, 2016, as usual, I spent some time to quiet down and to reflect on the blessings of the past year and ask God for direction for the new year. I asked God to lead me to my One Word this year and to the Bible verse that further clarifies His direction for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the "little" quiet time I had at my disposal (I've always felt that my quiet times are too short eversince I became a mom of active toddlers/kids), God led me to the word ANOINTED.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68sEMy4DFeE81aoaMIVbtw1d-tGuDurHUnY8XtJyrDRPih09LbcHHgB-2byQCdgHfe-KlJ2HoNsQkzA70cGjGQLTThAy2Xp58wXitz6jjkDFhR8WHJMqEPCElHkLiRhwOTlp4IIoO_iHZ/s1600/ANOINTED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68sEMy4DFeE81aoaMIVbtw1d-tGuDurHUnY8XtJyrDRPih09LbcHHgB-2byQCdgHfe-KlJ2HoNsQkzA70cGjGQLTThAy2Xp58wXitz6jjkDFhR8WHJMqEPCElHkLiRhwOTlp4IIoO_iHZ/s640/ANOINTED.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, I was reminded of an article written by one of my mentors, Bo Sanchez, about sticking to your anointing and being faithful to your purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second, I saw this photo from his Facebook Page and I even shared it on my own Facebook Page on the first day of the new year.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ48l0Xa9hEkjgMZhEsaPXRZwCw8TJbkMxOJllT2Sg2gvTYQCjIC1dBtGBTmKqaRSt-nOJjmxxfnIuDF8nR4F20qGSEV9I_-o5U2jz1PvdgDyvBBTxKuREpHPVrhnIIWpyZ8Rl5BFMgthX/s1600/12376430_10153671672485236_628004734023192865_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ48l0Xa9hEkjgMZhEsaPXRZwCw8TJbkMxOJllT2Sg2gvTYQCjIC1dBtGBTmKqaRSt-nOJjmxxfnIuDF8nR4F20qGSEV9I_-o5U2jz1PvdgDyvBBTxKuREpHPVrhnIIWpyZ8Rl5BFMgthX/s400/12376430_10153671672485236_628004734023192865_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo source <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrotherBoSanchez/photos/a.316550135235.192422.67936175235/10153671672485236/?type=3&theater">here</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Third, I was reminded of a tweet I posted in the past year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjM06ghGEIYnHwx6pKTdKUSuYFA2XK4zDqqPIkjOcRmxNfIAJkf0fyqyC2kbvTPeZSjHJFmQqEp5WiOEcbfF9OwrFMz5Pc8YSmOG2Ud9rQIxMGBSfuYGMERgNbFehgJVcFoASJF0OSCDH/s400/Tweet+screen+capture.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt God telling me that ANOINTED is my One Word for the year 2016 but I had hesitations. I felt that the word is too loaded. I was afraid to own it... afraid that I would not be able to live up to the word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I Googled Bible verses with the word ANOINTED and read through them to find out if there is a verse that would resonate with me. I found these two:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV) </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my insights on these verses:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I belong to God and everything that I do belongs to Him. Therefore, everything that I do should reflect God's character or nature.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His Spirit plants dreams in my heart. He is the source of all my dreams.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have hope, courage, boldness and faith to dream big dreams and to pursue them because it is God who guarantees my success and assures me that my dreams will come true. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie -- just as it has taught you, abide in him." John 2:27</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my thoughts on this verse:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God the Holy Spirit is my ultimate guide and teacher. I should not let myself be overwhelmed with the many things "experts" say I should do to become successful in what I do or choose to do.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will use His leading as compass and to help me filter what I hear or read from "experts."</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This second verse was also confirmed by the worship song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHZG7OuE3ls">Who You Are by Gateway Worship</a>, which God led me to sing during my prayer time yesterday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These Bible verses clearly reiterates God's message to me through Bo Sanchez' article where he shares that when we stick to our anointing, our success is guaranteed; because that's where God has gifted us and called us to shine His light and to be a powerful instrument of His love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This message makes me tremble. You see, I did not get to finish the books I wanted to finish in the past year. There were many factors that contributed to this. Our maids leaving one after the other and me doing the house chores myself on top of caring, homeschooling two boys and breastfeeding a baby, for almost half a year were some of them. Thus, planning to finish and launch at least one book this year is daunting for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first time God impressed this word in my heart, I thought that I need another big miracle to publish at least one of the book ideas that I have.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, God led me to the feeding of the 5,000 this morning when I read the Bible to my sons. As I shared the Word of God to my sons, I felt God ministering to my soul and telling me that Jesus is willing to accept whatever I can offer Him and He can transform it and use it to bless many people, even thousands!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's as if God was telling me that He can easily give me the miracle that I need. All I need to do is to stick to my anointing and live out my purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To further confirm God's Word to me, I read a very encouraging Facebook post of a friend and brother in our community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is aligned with the feeding of the 5,000 miracle that my sons and I read this morning. There were 12 baskets full left over even though they started with only 5 loaves and 2 fish! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm praying for greater courage to believe that God can and will grant me the miracles I need again to achieve the dreams He has planted in my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through my One Word this year, God reminds me that my successes this 2016 are guaranteed because He has already won the victories that He wants me to have. His wisdom and guiding hand will lead me to the right people and He is shifting things into my favor. All I need now is to confidently step out in faith as God's ANOINTED into my courage zone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the additional confirmation God gave me this morning through one of the devotionals that I use in my prayer time:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You need to check doors that have been closed to you in the past. Things have shifted... it may not have happened the first time, but that's okay. It's prepared you for this time. Don't give up. This is a new day... Pursue your dream again."</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"When God breathes in your direction, people change their mind. Closed doors suddenly open. The <i>nos</i> turn into <i>yeses</i>. <i>Not now</i> turns into It's your time."</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you discovered your One Word for 2016? Feel free to share your One Word this year and how you were led to it in the comments section.</span></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-8886238309198407332016-01-01T23:15:00.000+08:002016-01-14T13:33:01.506+08:00Lessons (re)Learned at the Start of a Brand New Year About Dreams<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's the first day of the new year. I reviewed my list of dreams in my Novena to God's Love booklet through the years after my morning prayers. After that, I wrote down my dreams for 2016 in my new booklet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been doing this for years. It was a joy to read the dreams I have written in my previous booklets and the dates when these dreams were fulfilled. I felt so blessed to be reminded of the many dreams God has helped me fulfill just in the past three years. (I'm not sure if I started with this practice earlier than 2013 because I could not find other booklets.) Remembering these blessings gave me so much hope to face this brand new year with joufl anticipation for more dreams coming true and becoming my reality.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While pondering on my list of dreams last year (2015), I (re)learned some lessons about dreams and dreaming. Let me share them with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. Dreams do come true, whether big or small.</b> - I wrote a number of dreams in my Novena booklet. We're supposed to write seven dreams on it only. But in some pages, I wrote multiple dreams. Thus, I am amazed that most of the dreams I wrote on its pages were fulfilled. It's simply amazing! Reviewing them encouraged me to dream new dreams and to just keep on dreaming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. Don't just dream. Work hard on your dream too! </b>- It's not enough that we dream dreams. We need to do our part in making them happen. I love the quote which says, "Pray as if all depended on God. Work as if all depended on self."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember a funny story I once heard. A speaker said that the first step in making our dreams come true is to wake up from our dream and to do the necessary work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of my fulfilled dreams entailed a lot of work on my part. I made a lot of sacrifices. I put in a lot of work hours. I hustled. I did what was necessary. And my efforts paid off because almost all of the dreams I listed last year came true by the grace of God and with a lot of hard work!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. There's a perfect time for your dreams to come true. Learn to let go and let God be the God of all your dreams.</b> - As I mentioned earlier, not all of the dreams I listed came true. A few are still in progress. I have started workign on those dreams but the results that I wanted to see and experience have not happened yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I learned through these dreams is that no matter how hard we work on something, if it is not yet time for these dreams to come true, these dreams would not be fulfilled. God still has the final say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember another beautiful lesson I learned years ago. A speaker shared that it's not enough that we do God's Will in our lives. We also need to make sure that we do things God's way and that we follow God's perfect timing. Let Ecclesiates 3 remind us of this truth: "God appoints when all things will happen." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, if like me, you have dreams that are still on stage 1 or stage 2 and there are still a few or a number of steps that you need to take, don't despair and give in to frustration. Let go and let God be God of those dreams that are yet to come true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. Some dreams are more important than others.</b> - Like what I said earlier, I sometimes listed more than one dream per page in my Novena to God's Love booklet. I had so many dreams that I wanted to be fulfilled last year. God taught me to prioritize when He allowed our maids to leave us one after the other. We didn't have a helper for almost half a year. Working on my personal goals and business goals on top of Mommy duties and household chores was extremely challenging. I had to decide which dreams had more weight in my heart. So, I chose to prioritize my dreams and goals related to my role as mother over those dreams and goals related to my roles as author and mompreneur. I'm glad I made that choice! I felt so at peace and fulfilled even though I had to delay my pursuit of those dreams. I believe that I can delay finishing another book. But I wouldn't be truly happy if I keep my kids waiting too long all the time because I'm so busy chasing my other dreams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How about you? Do you have dreams that you want to see realized this new year? Do you also make a list just like me? Do you make time to reflect at the start of each brand new year? Feel free to share your thoughts and your dreams on the comments. I'd love to hear from you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy New Year and may your dreams come true!</span></div>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666513604712315812.post-86869399132950545072015-11-16T01:00:00.000+08:002015-11-16T01:00:04.736+08:00A Boy's Dreams Come True on His 7th Birthday Celebration<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"They have to believe in their ability to achieve." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was a line from the book <i>Lasting Gifts You Can Give Your Children </i>which<i> </i>I read last week. It was authored by Arun Gogna.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reading this part of the book made me smile because I know that I had been doing my best to help my children believe that they can achieve their dreams even when their dreams seem too big for their age. This is especially true with my eldest son who celebrated his 7th birthday last month with a solo piano concert and a recital as pianist in the Holy Mass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, you read it right. My son just turned seven years old and he already had his first solo piano concert. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has been tinkering with our little keyboard since he was a baby. But it was when he was a few months away from his 5th birthday that he started taking our keyboard seriously. I would notice that whenever we would come home from daily Mass, he would play some songs on our keyboard/digital piano. He was trying to play the songs he heard in the Mass. He kept on doing this until he was be able to play the song right. He would simply watch the pianist in the church and listen to the songs. I also noticed that once he already knows how to sing a song, he can play it in the piano.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This went on until the man who serves as pianist in our parish church became a close friend of ours. He then started spending a few minutes after each Mass teaching my son how to play the songs in the Mass. He and my son became friends right away. He was impressed at how fast my son learns after a few demonstrations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One day, my son declared that he wants to also serve as pianist in the Mass just like our friend, Tito Ed. I told him that I'm confident he can also serve as pianist in the church. But he needs to learn all the songs in the Mass first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That moved and inspired him to achieve what I didn't expect. In a couple of months, he learned to play at least one version of the songs sang in the daily Masses we attend! He was 5 years old then. He was playing songs mostly oido or by ear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He continued this practice until he was 6 years old. Then, friends advised us that he is ready for formal piano lessons. So, last summer, after his 6th birthday, we hired a piano teacher for him who comes to our house two to three times a week to teach him. Thus, he learned to read notes as well and to play the piano using both notes and chords.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His passion in playing the piano grew stronger with each passing day. He would play the piano many times a day. Sometimes, he would not stop practicing a song until he gets it perfectly. Then, he would ask me to take videos of him playing that song on the piano.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few months ago, while I was already planning for his 7th birthday celebration, I asked him how he wants to celebrate his birthday. I asked him if he had a particular theme in mind. I had a clue of what he might want but I wanted to hear it from him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What theme would you like to have for your party this year?" I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Piano," he said. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I smiled. My guess was confirmed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then he added, "I want to have a piano concert on my birthday." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I felt my heart leap when I heard him say that. When I heard him rattle off details of what he wants for his birthday celebration, my blissful smile became a nervous smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He described how he wants his cake to look like. He said he wants tarpaulins in the venue too. He also enumerated the songs that he plans to play during his concert. It dawned on me that he was serious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took a leap of faith with him and I assured him that he will have his wish for his birthday celebration. On top of that, I asked him if he wants to have a Mass where he will be the pianist as part of his birthday celebration. Of course, I already know what his answer will be. But it gives me joy to see his face light up as he hears from me that I can make that possible for him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The joy on his face and the excitement in his eyes were priceless! I was nervous deep inside but I tried my best to only show my excitement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want my eldest son to know that I believe in him and in his abilities because that's the truth. What made me nervous was the fact that he is only a child and being a child, he is not as consistent, disciplined and skilled as an adult yet. But instead of dwelling on the negative, I chose to help him move towards the fulfillment of his dreams. I chose to empower him and believe with him that though his dreams are quite big for his age, it's possible to achieve them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so glad I supported my son in pursuing his dreams! He did his best to prepare for his recital and concert. And by the grace of God, he did really well! He impressed all of us with his performance during his 7th birthday celebration, including the priest celebrant, the servants in the church and our guests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His recital as pianist in the Mass where he played the piano beginning with the entrance song to the recessional, opened the door for him to play in the daily Masses in our parish and eventually in the Sunday Masses during the Children's Mass in the days that followed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last night, I got a message from the Liturgical Head of our Parish. He asked me if Yanthy can play the piano during the Anticipated Mass because the other pianists were not available. I asked my son first. His reply made me truly happy because he said yes without hesitation and without batting an eyelash. More importantly, he said yes with a big smile on his face and excitement in his eyes. I admired him more for his passion. He actually just got home from practicing with the children's choir. I was thinking that he might want to nspend some time playing with his brothers. But he happily seized another opportunity that was presented to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking back, I'm grateful that I have given him wings to soar, reach his dreams and to live it out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was exhausted in organizing and preparing for his 7th birthday celebration. It drained me both physically and emotionally. There were days when my eldest son simply wants to play with his other toys and would not take his piano practice seriously. It didn't help that those days were the days near his birthday celebration. It was stressful for me because I have made all the necesary preparations which included organizing a sacred ceremony, no less than the Holy Mass. I did my best to help him grasp how privileged he is to be allowed to serve in the Mass despite his age and lack of experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thus, when everything went well and as I watch him play the piano in the Masses where he serves right now, I thank the Lord for helping me and my son get to this point. Right now, we're still on a high from all the good things and good breaks that are coming his way. There are challenges too like he still moves a lot and plays even during the Mass but my husband and I are hoping and praying that as he gets to serve in the Mass more often and with constant reminders from us, he'd be able to better control himself and his movements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Offer wings to your children" says the author of the book I just read. I just gave Yanthy wings and he looks wonderful using them in the service of the Church!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How are you offering wings to your children? How do you communicate to them that you believe in them? Feel free to share them in the comments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">P.S. Watch out for my post where I will detail how I prepared for my son's piano concert-themed birthday party.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This post is part of the GHF blog hop.</td></tr>
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Teresa Gumap-as Dumadaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08483894667499769036noreply@blogger.com0