"Hiwaga ng panahon Akbay ng ambon Sa p'yesta ng dahon Ako'y sumilong... Sinong di mapapasayaw sa ulan?" It's been raining heavily in the Philippines (for almost a month now) but that doesn't stop us from going outdoors! I'm a firm believer of "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." And I'm here to bust that myth -- that going outside while it's raining will make you catch a cold - absolutely not true. Parents, let's help our kids develop a healthy respect for nature by encouraging them to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has to offer on any given day. For example, w ..read more

Our new pet, a Betta fish -- just arrived and I'm so happy that my colleague connected me to a pet store that has a self-cleaning fish tank! ❤️❤️❤️ My toddler, Andy actually loves watching fishes swim. I started researching about this & read studies which mentioned that watching fish swim in an aquarium has actual health benefits, including a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. Additional studies have shown a reduction in anxiety and stress when people gaze at fish swimming in a tank. This information has the potential to help a young child who may feel anxious about separating f ..read more

One of the key reasons why I fell in love with #MontessoriApproach is that it prepares a child, not for getting into a good university, not for finding a good job, but for #LIFE. Early on, kids learn to care for themselves, for others and for the environment. Honestly, when you think about it, a person will never succeed in life without the help of several factors - it's not just purely based on passion and potential. In a way, we are all responsible for each other. In a #Montessori school, kids get to interact with animals, and they build the all-important senses of connection, empathy and c ..read more

What exactly is a "Prepared Environment"? It's one of those Montessori jargons, but simply put... It's a "space" that allows children freedom of movement and choice, and they in turn become active, curious, and hardworking people. Personally, I find it helpful to focus on these 2 aspects of a prepared environment: 1. The space contains activities which are individualized and aligned to our children's current interests and abilities. They will be interested to learn if it's something interesting and challenging to them (not too easy, but not too hard either - the point is to set-up the child fo ..read more

Often, parents who start with #MontessoriatHome ask this question. But, before jumping into this toy selection, remember that you have to be a prepared adult first. Raising children is more about raising ourselves. There is no such thing as a "parenting expert" -- each child is unique, each family is unique. We learn about being a parent from our children. Once you have a good understanding about what Montessori really is, try applying these basic guidelines which helped my husband and I navigate the options, and helps support us in informed decision making for our children's toy selection. Wi ..read more

"Let the children be free; encourage them; let them run outside when it is raining; let them remove their shoes when they find a puddle of water; and, when the grass of the meadows is damp with dew, let them run on it and trample it with their bare feet; let them rest peacefully when a tree invites them to sleep beneath it's shade; let them shout and laugh when the sun wakes them in the morning as it wakes every living creature that divides its day between waking and sleeping... When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength." ~ Maria Montessori, Discovery of the Chil ..read more

My husband and I made it a habit to list every purchase we have (no matter the amount). We make sure to keep track of everything so that we don't go over-budget. We also invested and got life insurance. Though of course, we have come to the realization because of COVID19, that we are still ill-prepared. In life, there are 2 what-ifs. WHAT IF WE DIE TOO SOON? Who will take care of our family? The worth of our current coverage and estate can only sustain our children's needs for a decade or so (without financial support from others, like our parents). But, my children are still very young so tha ..read more

Last week, while I was working (at home), my husband approached me and said Kara was crying in a corner, refusing to join her "online class". Kara was saying: "I don't want to sit in front of a screen again! It's boring, and no one is paying attention. I want a classroom with a classmate and a guide!" These were the words of our 4 year old who was supposed to do whole day classes this coming school year. All of us are having a hard time adjusting to this "new normal", what more our children. She even stomped her feet as she got her "movable alphabet" and spelled: "Kara wants homskul" (she spe ..read more

With the Covid-19 public health crisis in full throttle, I'm sure a lot of us are recoiling at the idea of taking our kids to a doctor’s office However, delaying vaccines especially in children may lead to potential outbreaks and for months, I've been worried because my kids' vaccines (especially my 1 year old son) were delayed already. We also moved out of NCR, and our pediatrician's clinic is based at Makati Medical Center. That meant we weren't allowed to travel to Makati during the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Meanwhile, for those who have the option to go see their pediatricians, the d ..read more

Lately, I've been asked a lot of questions on the #PositiveDiscipline approach to some challenges, sharing some tips when it comes to meal time struggles. At least once a day, sit down as a family and eat a meal together. Do not eat in front of the television. Adults should sit down and eat with the kids—at a table. Occasionally set the table with flowers, candles, or place mats, or eat in the dining room to create a special experience for the family. If kids know it’s okay to choose what they will or won’t eat, they are less apt to complain. Don’t try to force your child to eat anything. Do ..read more