Halloween is Drawing Near

Halloween is fast approaching. I wonder what Bea’s costume will be this year. In the previous years she went trick or treating as a fairy princess, a witch, a Japanese girl…I’m thinking of buying her a costume but I would rather choose a cutie costume rather than a scary one ( Malls are teeming with scary costumes of vampires and monsters). Maybe she can come as a pirate, a super hero or a Disney princess.

She’s already excited and keeps on saying that she will be trick or treating soon.

Hubby wants to go all out and have a yellow track suit made for her, similar to the one I had made when I went to a costume party as The Bride from Kill Bill. I still have the sword at home.

We’ll see.

Money. Money. Money.

Recently, the entrepreneurial bug has bitten our daughter Bea. Her ninang (godmother) gave her a toy cash register complete with play money. She is enjoying this plaything so much that she has decided to become a mafia/mob boss of sorts in our home. She’d block the door and refused to let us pass until we pay her some pretend money. She also holds impromptu garage sales with her toys, sometimes with my stuff. The scene usually goes like this:

Mommy: How much is this? (holding up a toy giraffe)

Bea: Eight thousand!

Mommy: That’s too expensive. Don’t you have anything cheaper?

Bea: (holds up a toy cup) this.

Mommy: Ok. How much is this cup?

Bea: Eight thousand!

 

Oh well.

A trip to the Hospital and a CBC blood test

Last month, we had to go to St. Luke's Medical Center QC because Bea was suffering with high fever and loose bowel movement. We were extra paranoid because these past few months the cases of Dengue Fever were through the roof! Although the disease strikes all ages, children were especially susceptible. The doctor decided to monitor the little one's platelet count through a blood test called the complete blood count or the CBC just to rule out Dengue Fever.

Although this was already the second time that Bea experienced this blood test, the first time was when she was still a wee baby, so she doesn't remember anymore. I was so proud of her when the doctor pricked her finger, she put on her brave face and barely reacted... although i could see fear in her eyes...Thankfully the pediatrician said it was only flu. (sadly, we were remiss with Bea's annual flu shot this year). Note to self: update Bea's flu immunization shots!

Bea and her Homework

Bea started attending nursery class last June, and she just loves every minute of it! It has made her feel really grown up, especially whenever she brings homework from school. This makes her feel like a “real student” and all grown up. The only problem, is as much as I would love to spend time with her and explain her lessons to her patiently, we had troubles with time constraints.

Bea sleeps early. This is something she’s been used to even as a baby (plus I’ve always doubted this as her yaya’s ploy so she can watch her prime time telenovelas early). My daughter is off to dreamland by 7:30pm. The earliest time hubby and I can arrive home is 8:00pm.So we had no choice but to do her homework in the morning. The only problem is hubby and I also had to rush to get to work in the morning, and that leaves me only 15-30 minutes to sit with my Bea and help her do her homework. It’s ok if she only has to do 1 subject, but lately she’s bringing home 2-3 home works a day with tasks varying from coloring, cutting, writing etc. This just won’t do. We had to rush doing everything. I’m not even sure whether Bea absorbed her lessons, plus I’m not as patient with her as I want to be since I keep on looking at the time, fearing I’d be late to work..

So hubby and I decided to change our strategy, we will do her homework when we get home. For two weeks now, I’ve instructed our yaya to let Bea stay up and wait for us at night. At first she kept on yawning and her eyes were all droopy, but after a few days she adjusted and was back to being her usual bubbly self again. I admire her enthusiasm in making her homework! Now we are able to do her homework at a more relaxed pace and I don’t have to rush her whenever she has to practice writing her letters or color different pictures. I can be more patient with her when she answers incorrectly. More importantly, after doing her assignments, we now have the chance to tuck her in bed, kiss her goodnight and say her night prayers with her.

Less stress, more learning. Less rush, more bonding. I guess the new strategy works! =)

Join the Search for Enfant Funny Baby 2010

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Contest is open to all babies ages 3 months to 18 months at the time of registration.

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Minimum purchase of P2,000.00 (single or accumulated within the promo period) of any Enfant products except teethers, pacifiers, nipples and feeding bottles in any outlets qualifies your baby to join the contest.

2 winners (1 boy and 1 girl) will be chosen every 2 months from among all outlets and 1 grand winner will be chosen from among the winners.

Prizes
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click here for more details.

Power of Praise and Affirmation

I often watch my Bea as she goes about her daily routine. When I see something I don’t like, I don’t hesitate to tell her ‘no” and to correct her wrong doing. Like me, well-meaning parents grab every chance to teach their children good behavior. I think our children actually don’t mind that we reprimand or correct them, what irks them is that we give the same sermon repeatedly. Yep, we don’t notice that we have developed the tendency to nag…

If only we don’t spend all our time in reprimanding our kids. We should be reminded that when a child lives in criticism, hostility and fear, he learns to live with doubt in himself. When all we notice about his actions are the bad ones, this will definitely affect his self esteem.

We shouldn’t only be conscious of correcting their bad behavior; we should also do our best to encourage and reinforce their confidence and self-belief. Often, parents are on the look out for bad conduct so we can correct it, when in fact we should be spending our time in looking for good behavior so that we can reinforce those. Hey, isn’t that a great idea? Why not nag them into self confidence and independence!

Start now. Spend time watching out for good deeds. Our children NEED praise and affirmation. =)

Bea Wants to Play the Piano

Last weekend, we were at the mall when we passed by a music store. Inside, there was a little girl playing the piano. She looked even younger than my daughter. What’s even more amusing is that my daughter seemed enthralled at the sight of her too! When we got home she kept on telling me how she wanted to learn to play the piano too. Of course I told her yes!

I remember my cousin had a piano tutor back when we were kids. I remember thinking how it was such a waste of a perfect afternoon, just sitting around playing the piano, when she could’ve been out with us playing. Of course that all changed when I heard her play beautiful melodies on her piano. That was when I resolved that my child will definitely learn to play the piano too! Thankfully she is now showing interest! I’m sure we can find a beginner piano course out there that caters to kids.