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A couple of weekends ago, I met up with good friends from my previous job. Both of them are single, and well, one of them wants to start a family soon.
So, at one point, our conversation turned to family, children, mothering, and parenting, and asked me if I still have time for myself.
The writer-poet-friend exclaimed, "And you still have time to blog, read books!"
LOL. This makes me think about parenting, which I believe shouldn't take you away from things you love doing. Your single days---those happy-go-lucky, as-if-there's-no-tomorrow days---are definitely over. You have graduated to a new level where responsibility plays a major role.
That responsibility however shouldn't suffocate you, and stagnate you. There are things that we mothers can still do to better care for our well being. This is perhaps the reason why I continue to work. I feel I am a better mother by being a working one.
How should we mothers take care of ourselves?
I stumbled upon this article that gives out some self-care tips for mothers. The list goes:
So, fellow moms out there, how have you been taking care of yourself?
- Fill your own cup. Tend to your basic needs and avoid burnout.
- Give yourself time to adjust. Be kind to yourself and understand it will take time to adjust to your life as a mother.
- Reclaim your mind space. Turn frustration into creative tension by thinking about what you would do if you had a free hour, day, or even weekend to yourself.
- Allow interests to surface. Pay attention to the new direction that you're taking and learn something interesting about yourself.
- Express your creativity. A few hours of pure creative engagement apart from your family can do a lot to recharge your batteries.
- Take small spiritual retreats. Every mom needs time for silence and contemplation.
- Use family teamwork. Enlist family teamwork from day one with your partner, and bring the children into the circle of family responsibility as soon as you can. Even little kids can help clean up with a sponge or child-size cleaning tools.
- Build your support network. Start developing a wide and deep support system before you actually need it.
- Keep investing in yourself. Take a lifelong view of your personal and professional development.
- Stay open to the world. Remain open to a calling or cause that speaks to you.
After church the other Sunday, we saw this pink beetle at the side of our parish office. Is this father's car?
Cool! :)
April 23, 2009
I was supposed to share this yesterday, Earth Day, but I didn't want to disturb the day by posting something that is close to a rant. :)
Anyway, here's the story:
I caught Umagang Kay Ganda's segment with Edu Manzano (this was yesterday's show) where he was interviewing people who have made it their business to recycle and help others in the community do it, too. The group even has an ongoing program on recycling and business.
The segment shows two things:
- that you can make money by recycling products, if you are only creative
- and that with government support, communities can do it
It also reminds me of Jen's post on those government officials who went missing and eventually found dead in the northern mountains. Jen shared that these were the people who really work hard. Hard working people who do not really announce to the world the good that they're doing for their fellow Filipinos.
There are many who are like that. And these are the real philanthropists.
April 22, 2009
Find out HERE how you can celebrate Earth Day today.
As the summer is heating up, so does the sked of my Gabo and Rago. This week is the start of it all.
- Basketball Summer League sponsored by neighboring village, Bricktown, and supported by local and national officials such as Bgy Moonwalk Councilor Winnie Esplana, Paranaque City Vice-Mayor Gus Tambunting, Mayor Jun Bernabe, and Congressman Roilo Golez. The league opened yesterday, and these officials really came (except for Mayor Bernabe who was represented by his son Benjo). Today, was the first game of Gabo's team AVHAI. They lost with the final score of 73-61. :)
- Today, also, is the start of their swimming lessons at the Merville Park Clubhouse. Merville Park Country Club is offering the lessons this time. Their official classes are every day till mid-May from 4:30 to 5:30pm. Their class will have to start tomorrow as Gabo had a basketball game today.
- On Thursday, April 16, is the start of the Archers Basketball Camp with Pocholo Villanueva. Gabo's sked is every Thursday and Saturday from 5:00pm to 6:30pm.
After a long silence, let me share with you the lessons that I picked up during the Holy Week.
- This is my first time to actively join the Holy Week activities---Station of the Cross, Visita Iglesia, Washing of the Feet, Siete Palabras, 3-o'clock Veneration of the Cross mass then Prusisyon with the Intierro, Easter Vigil, Salubong, and then Easter Sunday mass---and I realized that these make me feel a lot closer to understanding the passion of Christ.
- We are given another chance to do better, live life more meaningful.
- From the homily of Father Sescon in Greenbelt Chapel:
- there is no pain so great that cannot be eased (referring to Christ's pain) - whatever ills you are feeling right now, both physical and psychological, that pain will pass.
- there is no stone left unturned (referring to the unturned stone at Christ's tomb) - thus, if right now you feel like a big stone is holding you down, remember that that stone can be lifted up.
- God's love goes beyond Good Friday
April 1, 2009
Rago graduated from Pre-school yesterday and got the Most Courteous award. =)
In his VTR:
Ambition: To be a doctor (This is another interesting story to write about later).
Motto: Just do it! (Yet another interesting story altogether).
My only consolation was that everyone was surprised that he didn't end up at Number 2 or 3. Oh well, it's a long story but I'm happy because the people there thought he deserved to get top honors.
Better luck next year! :)
More photos soon.
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