Tag Archives: mommy said daddy said

Dadvice: #4 On caring for your Family

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dadvice-4

 

 

click here to read our Dadvice article #1 On treating your Parents

click here to read our Dadvice article #2 On keeping your promises 

click here to read our Dadvice article #3 On loving your Siblings

 

 

I have once read a phrase, “Blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you Family”, and I believe this to be true.  Always love and prioritize your family among other aspects of your life, because money, career, and even friends may come and go, but not family.  We will always be here for you.  Right now, as a kid, a family may just seem to be a group of people whom you are comfortable with, who loves you and provides for your needs.  Only when you grow up, will you truly understand the importance of a family.  The world can sometimes be tough, a cruel and cold place, to this I will not lie.  But when you have your loving family beside you, supporting you, it makes a whole world of difference.  Everything is brighter and more worthwhile.

And to my kids when you grow up, I pray that you would have a wonderful family of your own, as what I have now.   To my daughter, always help and support your husband, and raise your kids well.  To my sons, always do your best to take care of your family.  That’s how my Dad did it, that’s how I’m doing it, and it’s what I’ll be expecting from you too.

Effective Ways To Ask Your Child

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image source: BabyRabies.com

image source: BabyRabies.com

 

“Hi, how was your day?”

I can tell that they are bored hearing these words from mommy. They are so used to hearing it on and on and will only limit their answers to “fine” or “okay.”  This afternoon, I tried a different approach.

You are free to imagine my exaggerated face. Plus my exaggerated tone. It made them feel I’m really interested in what they were up to when they were away from me. The result was overwhelming. You will get what I mean as you read along.  But first things first, here are the effective ways to ask your child:

The hunch:

  • I am guessing you had an interesting day today…

The Intrigue:

  • You think you had a good time with your friends today? (whispering) Can you tell me more?
  • How about Ashley (name her best friend), you think she had fun playing with you too?

The specific:

  • What was your favorite activity that you did in school today?

The “when I was a kid like you” method (it will get them to talk, promise)

  • Back in the days when I was small, I remembered I was pretty scared taking my test. How about you, did you feel the same way when you had your test in Math?
  • I remembered the time when I was in Primary 2, there was this big kid that I was so afraid of. Did you ever experience that?

Kids tend to engage more with these interesting questions because they can relate with it easier.  Be more attentive when asking them, but be patient and don’t stress them out when they can’t find words to say. Just sit down with them and enjoy their company. Be more creative but specific. You might also find it effective when you whisper to them while asking these kinds of questions. You can only get them to talk when you talk.

 

So here’s what happened earlier.

I sat down with them on the dining table and uttered a hunch. “I think all of you had an interesting day today…”

The first to respond was Ethan.

“I told M___ not to kiss me anymore.”

Ooookay.

Zack was teasing.

“Me I don’t have a girlfriend yet.”

Sofie changed the subject.

“We said bad words in our class today.” (Watch out for my post about this)

But after hearing all of these, I think I’m going to have a heart attack too. And so be ready.

 

 

 

Motivational Monday – The Purpose of Your Life

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image source: meetville.com

image source: meetville.com

What I want to share with you is the most important reason why we live.  “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning” Mitch Albom, the author of Tuesdays with Morrie.

He was right. There are so many things in our lives that keep us pre-occupied so much so that we could easily have missed the affection that the other people are giving to us. The affection that we take for granted.

Take one step backward and look back, look at the people around you and reciprocate to their love and affection, and let them know that it meant a lot to you. Our purpose is to give meaning to everyone’s lives. Take your time reaching out. It’s more meaningful and enjoyable if you take your time.

Tagalog 101: Learn with Sofie

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ANG GALING KO NG MANAGALOG

Welcome to Tagalog 101!

Glad that Sofie remembered our Tagalog exercise and reminded me to record my “supposedly” Tagalog Tuesday tutorial so she can listen and review. My daughter is becoming more inclined in learning Tagalog, our mother-tongue language and hopefully becomes proficient with it by the time we visit our homeland.

So ladies and gentlemen, let’s give it up for our new Tagalog 101 teacher… Sofie!

Here are the Tagalog words that she’s been using lately:

Tubig- water

Let’s use it in a sentence-

Mommy penge po ng tubig. – Mommy, Can I have some water please.

 

Tulog- sleep

Tulog pa si Daddy.
Daddy is still sleeping.

 

Hay Naku Pagod.

 

An expression telling that you’re tired.

 

If you want to learn more about Tagalog, please visit our blog every Tuesdays (ideally) and  Wednesdays (since it’s still Tuesday in some parts of the world.)

 

Thank you very much for listening!