The Messy Business of Potty Training!

My twin girls, Jessica and Sophia, are now two years old, and thus begins the messy adventure that comes with this age -- toilet training!

Now, there are many ways and many opinions on how to potty train your children. If you want to read up on them, you can browse through these articles from Smart Parenting -- here, here, and here.

But let me share how we're teaching the girls to use the potty. Mind you, this isn't my own "recipe." I give all the credit to my wonderful Yaya Susan.

Upcoming October Events!

1. If you are a parent or teacher --

HOW TO TEACH SO KIDS WILL REMEMBER: A Continuing Education Program by Hybrid Homeschool.

Help children learn faster and remember more.

Find out the basic principles about how our memory works.

Discover effective strategies to make children remember.

When: October 9, 2010 (Saturday), 9:30am - 4:30pm

Where: 157 St Joseph St. Oranbo Drive, Pasig City (in front of Valle Verde Country Club)

Training Investment: P1,800 per person

For more info, contact Ivy Marquez at 0917-5805815 or ivymanila@yahoo.com

2. If you and the kids love musical theater --

Repertory Philippines presents 
SLEEPING BEAUTY

When: August 10 to December 10, 2010

Where: Onstage, 2nd Flr., Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi St., Makati City

Buy 2 tickets and get 1 free! Only for October 9, 2010, 4:30pm

For the benefit of Helping Hands.org

Contact Nelle Ricardo at nel_ricardo@yahoo.com

3. If you are a homeschooler or are interested in homeschooling --

NATION-BUILDING BEGINS AT HOME: 
The 3rd Philippine Homeschool Conference


The 3rd Philippine Homeschool Conference is targeted to parents of homeschooling children. Our theme "Nation Building Begins at Home" threads our conference talks and activities. This whole-day event is aimed at strengthening homeschooling families and promoting awareness among curious families who want to be convinced that homeschooling is the better option for them.

Key Speakers:
Luanne Shackleford, author of "A Survivor's Guide to Homeschooling"
Peter and Deonna Tan-chi, Family Life Seminar speakers

What's In Store for You:

Homeschool books, curriculum, supplementary materials to enrich and support your homeschooling | Exciting talks and dynamic discussions. New surprises! (Note: Please leave children at home. There will be no organized activities for kids.)

When: October 30, 2010

Where: CCF Main Hall, CCF Main Hall 5th floor, CCF St Francis SquareBank Drive cor. Julia Vargas Ave, Mandaluyong City

Registration Fee: Early bird (Until Oct 15): P500.00 per person, Regular fee P750.00 per person
For registration and other info, contact TMA Homeschool and look for Bambi Lazaro at 633-5174 or 633-5267. 

Joaquin and the Lessons He Taught My Husband

A repost from my husband's blog:

Joaquin and the Lessons He Taught Me

Today, I cut my son's hair. I was blessed with a hair clipper recently and have been using it on myself. This morning, I decided that I was gonna give my boys a buzz too! I called Joaquin to the stool and proceeded to give him a haircut. Long story short, it was a disaster. Scratch cutting hair on my can-do list. I was gifted by God to speak, not to cut hair. 

Joaquin was furious. It was the first time I saw him that mad. He kept telling me, "But Papa, I did not want a haircut." I apologized to him over and over, and asked him what he wanted. He said "I want my hair back now." I told him, "Babe, I know you want it now but we have to wait for hair to grow. It will grow back but not as fast enough as we would want it. It will grow at its own pace."

In my excitement to 'share' something I liked with my kids, Joaquin sat there, trusting me, and I just proceeded to chop up his hair. It was unconditional trust given to me by my own son, and I blew it. 

I finally convinced Joaquin to come to the barber with me for damage control. Right now, he's not really complaining about his buzz (almost as short as mine). He has forgiven me and has been kidding around with me again. It almost shames me to look at him, and how he's turned around from mad to hugging me.

Joaquin and Jaime

Lessons learned:

Just because I like it, I should not force my kids to like it too.

Trust given is very precious. It should not be taken lightly. No matter how much we trust someone, they will let us down. Trust in Someone who will never let us down.

Psalm 9:10

 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

The huge value of forgiveness and asking for forgiveness. Yes, even from my own kid. Especially from my own kid.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

We will be forgiven but we will reap the consequences of our sins.

Galatians 6:7-8 (New International Version)

 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Anger Management

God taught me a lesson yesterday, a very humbling one.

I left the house yesterday afternoon fuming mad. My son Joaquin had not finished his handwriting seatwork, giving me varied excuses instead ranging from "I went to the bathroom" to "I was watching Ms. Universe." I became frustrated because his brother had finished his share of work hours before, and yet he hadn't. I shouted (yes, I went there), and dragged my eldest daughter out the door to bring her to MAPE Class.

Hot-headed and clearly not thinking well, I was caught off guard when a MMDA officer in blue flagged me down. I politely asked what I did wrong, and he said I'd been caught swerving on a double yellow line.

My mouth said I didn't see the yellow line because another car was blocking my way, but my heart told me why I wasn't able to see it.

My anger was all I could see.

Parenting Leaders of Tomorrow

The Philippines officially has a new president.

President Noynoy Aquino was inaugurated into the highest position in the land yesterday, and my family and I watched the historic event as part of our homeschool lesson.

I remember back when election fever was high, Gaby declared that she wanted Noynoy for her President. I asked why, thinking she was probably caught up in the 'yellow fever,' but I was wrong.

She said she wanted Noynoy to be the president because he looked like he obeyed his parents.

Her answer echoed what I thought was a simple, core value every parent instills in their child -- obey your parents.

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

As I watch the new president take his oath before the nation, I couldn't help but think of his parents. My 6 year old daughter saw something in this grown man that she could relate to, something his parents must have taught him when he was younger. Values which his father died for -- freedom, courage, and love of country. His mother led the nation with her own humility, compassion, and a prayerful attitude.

How proud they must be now that their only son, once content to stay in the shadow of his parents and sister, rose up to the challenge of leading the nation into a new, and hopefully, better chapter in our history.

Wouldn't you be proud too, if you saw your child reap the fruits of the seeds you sowed in his heart?

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

I pray for our nations leaders, that they may serve the country with Christlike attitudes. I pray for our nation, that we may shake old habits and contribute to this new beginning in our own way. I pray for our children, that they grow up instilled with the right values and never wane.

A child right now will lead our country in the future. As parents, how are we training them for a better tomorrow?