Banning gadgets for my toddler

I have banned my 21-mo-old the use of my or my husband's cellphones, unless for calling her dad or grandparents.

I sound harsh, even to myself. (Please don't shoot me!) But I will stick to it until she learns that her life does not revolve around it.

When my husband got an ipad, I told him my concern about the games apps. He assured me that although he will also use it for games, he will restrict it to himself. Until now,
Caitlin hasn't played with his ipad. (But she has with other's!)

Cellphones, however, are a different story because we don't hide it from her.

She did not use to mind and continued playing with her toys or going about her way when she sees me using my phone, either for surfing the net, reading an ebook, or taking her pictures.

Lately, however, when she sees me with the phone, just for that moment to take her picture, she will ask to borrow it and will keep it to herself. She has called, texted, and even emailed nonsense to my friends and some family members, which I, and even they, found cute at first. Eventually, she discovered the games and loved the sounds.

She surprised me one day when she came up to me with those big and playful eyes and said, "Angry Birds." I remembered saying, "Wow, you know Angry Birds!" And then I excitedly gave her my phone to play with. She was just opening and closing the app to her amusement until she learned to throw the pigs, albeit backwards. (I did not teach her.)

Thus, it started: her love affair with my phone.

When it happened, she would not let me borrow my phone any more. When she has my phone, she won't talk to me, won't listen to me, won't play or read a book with me. Every suggestion that I make to bond with her, she shoots down and says, "Ayaw," then continues playing with my phone.

I felt that I had to do something and the most reasonable action that I could think of was grabbing the phone from her. She raised hell, of course, but I felt that I had to do it.

Once I got the phone out of our way, our routines went back to the way it was - interaction, learning and playing.

I believe my daughter's still on the lookout for my phone. She knows I put in under my pillow when she feeds so she searches under there. Sometimes, she will go down the bed immediately to grab the phone from the table where I placed it so I no longer put it within her reach and where she can see it. Everytime she gets it though, I borrow if from her. If she won't let me have it, I take it away. She'll cry in the process, but I believe that it would scar her more if I hadn't intervened.

Without the distraction of cellphones, the TV and ipad, our daughter is surely the sweetest child - helping out in the household chores, playing with her toys, singing out loud, dancing with the music, entertaining us, and showing us how much she loves us - sometimes to the point of irritating her sister.

Sometimes, I still can't help myself and use my phone in front of her. She'll look at me, ask for it then I'll apologize and hide it away. Somehow, she got the message that even if she cries, she still won't have it. And when she asks to call her daddy or someone else, she gives the phone back to me after talking!

It may very well have been a fad for her, a novelty to explore, or an opportunity to learn something new while here I am - overreacting. Let history be my judge. (Now I am sounding like a politician.)

When my elsest is older and understands how technology can help her, I won't hold her back. But until that day, we'll crawl and jump and sing and color and do all those silly and pretend games first.

- Mommy Smiley

Weekend getaway: Sinagtala Farm Resort, Bataan

There are only a few places where you wouldn't mind bracing the traffic just to get to. A semi-private farm resort in Bataan is one of them, according to my brother-in-law who was with us. I'd have to agree. 

After our overnight retreat, I'd have to say that carrying a baby on my lap for four hours, despite the usual two-hour drive due to a vehicular accident along NLEX, was worth it.

High up in Orani, Bataan, at 200 meters elevation, rests Sinagtala Farm Resort, a quiet sojourn for homeowners, members and their guests.

There are various outdoor activities to indulge your active kids from toddler to teens. You can go swimming, even in the nippy February weather like what we did, at its infinity pool, discover the area up close through trekking and mountain biking, or take pleasure in your hobbies - may it be shooting, photography, or looking for wild boars. For parents in need of a breather, taking in the lush greenery at day or the city lights at night may just be the thing you need. That, freshly brewed coffee, and a few other yummy treats for your tummy. To cap off each meal, satisfy your sweet tooth with taro (yes, gabi) ice cream available at a nearby market in Orani. Splashed with pinipig to give it a crunch, it has the right amount of sweetness to keep you coming back for yet another serving.

Sinagtala also boasts of a beautiful church (or chapel?), too faultless to get married in if you want the charm and vibe of the countryside. It has an intricately handcarved cruxification as its focal point while bird-shaped capiz lights dotting the ceiling on both sides look animated. From the back of the church, they seem to be flying into the arms of an invisible master.

A nearby multi-purpose hall may accommodate your guests of about a hundred or two while a cafe in the vicinity may provide for your meals, but don't take my word for it. It's just a thought. Inquire if you must.

At least one house in the village take in guests, charging P2,600 a night per room. You can bring in food from the market and cook it there.

With all the countless activities that you can think of to do outdoors, the irony of Sinagtala Farm Resort is that you just want to find a nook and do nothing at all but watch as the colors of the sky change from dawn to dusk. 

To get there, take SCTEX and exit at Dinalupihan. You're only about 20 minutes away. Right at Bataan Provincial Highway. Follow the sign to Sinagtala Farm Resort. 

- Mommy Smiley

All photos courtesy of Mark Rodin Bernardo.

Sent from my iPhone

B is for Bath Time and Brushing of Teeth

B is for Bath Time
I often hear some of our mommy friends complain about brushing teeth and bathing. When Sam was a new baby we were terrified at giving him a bath. He would often get cold or cry his lungs out. He was like holding his breath until he almost turns blue. We would usually blow to his mouth just so he would stop. It was scary. But those were the days. When his Godfather Francis gave him his first tub that all changed. When we got the Tummy Tub we found it really weird and unsafe. We then began to research about it and watch the DVD that came along with it. After watching and carefully studying it. We then decided to give it a try. Lo and behold...It was a huge success! No more crying...No more getting scared. Sam was just plain happy and relaxed. Inside the tub he feels He was inside my belly. He was loving his bath time. 

Here's Saffron @ 3months first time to use his Tummy Tub, look at that face 

and @9 months enjoying loving his tub 

What does a Tummy Tub looks like? It looks like a regular pail but convex inside. Making a copy of the curve of the tummy of the mom. The only downfall of this tub is that we can not find the stand that comes with it. Accessory/attachment that you need to make it easier to use. Tub is like a pail so its either you place it on the floor and use a small stool that you can sit on while ginving your child a bath or you put this on top of the table...but it would be to hard to reach. It would be better to just put it on the floor. I just wish we can get the attachment. =) 

Saffron enjoying his Tummy Tub 

photo take last Sept 6, 2012 he was 1 year old and 5 months

When we started using the Tummy Tub we no longer had problems with bathing Sam. He loves his Tummy Tub that until now he loves using it. We make it a routine so he know after play time and lunch comes bath time. He enjoys this time with me playing and then while still on his tub we brush his teeth. Now thats the problem. 

Bath time is fun time with mommy. 

B is for Brushing Teeth
When Sam was about a year old, we went thru some traumatic experience with giving him his medications. He was prescribed with Clindamycin. The taste was so awful that we had to mix it with honey or ice cream just so he can swallow it. During those times we had to force-open his mouth. I think somehow it had a bad effect on him every time we try to open his mouth. So brushing was one of those things. He would often bite me while brushing his teeth. I was strict with brushing his teeth since he loves sweets. One of the things that we do so I could brush his teeth was to allow him to think his bitting me. I made sounds and funny facial expressions just so he thinks we were playing. It was a plus points that while we were doing this his inside his tummby tub secure and still somehow relax. 

He feels secure inside the tub. I highly recommend it. We have been using it since his 3month old.

Then one day, while I am getting tired of getting bitten and Sam out smarted me that he finally figured that I am just making a fool out of him...the funny facial expressions and sounds are no longer effective.  This time brushing was a real struggle. I wanted to shout at him...I waited and compose myself. Then I remember the old saying... you are your child's 1st teacher. They mimic what you do. 

Hmmmm... like how they love going for the remote control, suddenly they start to get your mobile phone and how surprise we were when our son Saffron knew how to open and close an iphone and ipad. So I got up took him with me to our comfort room. Sat him next to me and took my tooth brush and showed him what I was doing. 

At first he was just looking at me then after a few seconds he tried to grab his Baba's toothbrush. I got him his toothbrush and let him brush his teeth. 

Every night, we have a new routine for him. He wears his frog suits, goes to his Baba watch patiently while his Baba would prepare our toothbrushes and then when all done he will call me Mimi so we can brush our teeth together. 

A simple family bonding but very effective! Group toothbrush with our little boy! Practicing him as early as now with proper oral hygiene!

The family that eats chocolates together.... Needs to brush together!!! #mybabysaffron

Now with this new routine, there is no bitting, no crying, no struggles and we can now smile with our pearly white teeth. =) Happy brushing everyone! 

Mommy Raquel