jencct's blog

Last Sunday, I was at a bazaar (selling) and saw an old friend (shopping). I was delighted to find out that she started her own business selling treats! What's so special and why am I so excited? They're Egg, dairy and nut free!! Anyone with allergies from any of these, can still have yummy treats!!

Apparently, "good job" just doesn't cut it. When we started the parenting "job" nearly 9 years ago, I learned that we should praise our children in order to help them gain confidence in life. Now, I realize that an all encompassing "you're so smart" is not all that right. As with all things, it's best to be specific that way our children know what they're being praised for. And realize that they're not entitled to everything.

Every night, before the kids go to bed, we lay down and talk about our day. We began this year with sharing every night, before sleeping, the five things each of us are grateful for that particular day.

The idea came to me when I was doing the same thing (gratitude journal) and I figured that it would help the boys think of things that they're happy about that day. It'll help them also realize that sometimes, some things may be small, but in fact, they're still HUGE because they're happy it happened to them.

That was what I thought when I was watching the news on Marlene Aguilar's arrest. I was thinking how crazy she was to hide her son, her son who KILLED someone because of some stupid road rage incident. What gall she had when she lied to the NBI that her son was not around!

On the other hand, I think of Marlene. I think about what her parents were like to her, and their parents before them. I wonder if she's a permissive parent, or whether Jason was just a son that has gone astray?

Marlene seemed like she purposely hid Jason from the authorities. Understandable. I guess there are more parents who will hide their children than just give them up to the police. Perhaps it reflects on how they did as parents, no? She also said:

In this day and age of moving pictures, we tend to let the books rest and go for something easier. I'm glad though, that both my husband and I like reading and we are able to model this to our kids (admittedly, we sometimes give them more than their fair share of television and computer time!).

Visuals on the screen certainly cannot be exchanged for the images we can see in our minds! I realized this after attending Susan Zimmerman's 7 Keys to Comprehension talk last 14 Jan 2010.

A friend knew I am married to a lawyer. He asked me once to ask my husband that if all contracts had some kind of termination clause, how come a marriage contract doesn't have one? I burst out laughing. Of course, that is understandable, if you knew him.....as he is now finally (and happily) annulled.

In the past years, I have seen a few friends split up with people who I thought would be their forever partners. Some people were going out longer than they were even married! It's especially sad for those with children.

The papers today had a report on a proposal for a 10-year expiry on marriage! I didn't know what to make of it after I read the short article. On the one hand, I recalled my friend who did ask about it.

Happy New Year, everyone!  We at MomEx wish you a wonderful year ahead!

And to all those babywearing parents, mamas especially, this one's for you!

Before the festivities begin tonight, we at Mom Exchange just wanted to share with all of you, our readers, this homily given by Fr Johnny Go SJ at the simbang gabi on the 23rd of Dec 09. He reminds us what the meaning of the season really is. And yes, we need a lot of reminders.

Simbang Gabi Homily at the Gesu
23 December 2009
by Fr Johnny Go SJ

Just one more day to go before the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord!

I am very sure that a lot of people will look to 2009 as a year of disasters.  Who can forget the following:

• Swine flu (hassle, men!)
• Puerto Galera tragedy (where a child of a friend perished, including his mom and his nephew)
• the passing of Tita Cory
• Nasser Pangandaman Jr
• Ondoy and Pepeng 
• Maguindanao massacre
• Martial Law 2009

I'm sure I may have missed out on some smaller ones, but puh-leeze, I don't want to talk about the terrible things, even just for now.

While the boys and I were away for the weekend, a very special package arrived at our house. Two friends of mine, Buding and Amelia, sent our family a wonderful gift called "The Jesse Tree".

I've never ever heard of the Jesse Tree but I looked over the present with much interest. There was a bottle stand painted in gold, plus a stick which still had a lot of branches, in gold as well. A pizza box (Yellow Cab siguro!) completed the ensemble. It held 27 ornaments which were to be put on the tree daily. It also came with a booklet with readings for the day.

(this is our Jesse Tree below)

(the ornaments came in this box)