Archive for the ‘SAHMwhere’ Category

I saw a piggy bank with building blocks in it and since the improvised coin bank that Ate Deye made out of an empty mineral water was already full, I grabbed it. But when I got home, the girls were fighting over the blocks so I went back to the shop where I usually buy their toys and saw these ones:

At least the blocks can be kept back in the bucket.  Read the rest of this entry »

The last time my husband and eldest daughter had a video chat over Skype, she requested for a TV be placed in our bedroom. Two weeks later, he sent me an email with a subject that reads “Anak’s request”, attached with that is a picture of a 32″ LED TV, with my address written on the box.

Deye’s wish of having a TV in the bedroom has just been granted! Read the rest of this entry »

There are a lot of things to consider when buying your children new toys. Of course safety should be first and, for most of us, price is a big factor. But what about toys that help them develop? Whether it’s physically or mentally, play is a great way to lay the foundation for skills that are important later in life. Of course there are educational toys on the market and many of them are great. But I want to focus on the toys that kids want and how they can be beneficial.

RC vehicles
Surprisingly simple or amazingly complicated, radio controlled cars can be a great tool for developing special awareness and abstract thought in regards to hand eye coordination. It’s not hard wired into us to equate the movement of our thumbs and fingers to the movement of an independent object. Starting them early on this kind of thing will help when they start driving and in general with their special awareness.

As they get older repairing and maintaining radio controlled trucks will be great primer for technical skills. Not every kids is going to grow up to be a mechanic but basic knowledge of how motors work and electrical safety will serve them for years to come. Read the rest of this entry »

Hiring a “yaya” or nanny is not as easy as A-B-C. Sometimes we, parents, especially mommies have to go through a lot of challenges and tests when we finally hired one. In my case, I had 9 yayas before I finally found the one. Yet, it is still early to tell whether she will stay longer with us and watch the kids grow as her own.

Last September 5, my present yaya has completed her 5 months with us, with no problems. I guess, it helped when I laid down some perks and benefits to her, and that included:

Incentives and gifts. We have recently attended a wedding in Polomolok, and of course, I also want a presentable yaya. So I bought her 2 new tops where she has worn while going there and on the wedding day. Since my in laws had stayed with us for a week, her chores has also doubled. My husband and I spoke that we will give her extra in her next payday. It doesn’t have to be a big amount. The most important thing is we, as their employers, should also learn to appreciate their extra efforts.

PhilHealth and SSS. I have asked her to apply for a Postal ID so she can finally have her PhilHealth and SSS processed. We have agreed that I will shoulder half of her contributions while she is employed with me.  Read the rest of this entry »