Dealing with the Common Dilemmas Every First Day of School

It’s been a long hiatus, huh? Glad I was able to update this back again! Anyway, for my welcome back post, I’ve decided to come up with an idea on how to deal with some common dilemmas mostly parents and kids experience every first day of school.

Since the opening of the class is fast approaching except for the public schools because they have just successfully opened the School Year 2014-2015 today, I thought of sharing to you some of the ways on how to deal with the common scenarios we often experience during the first day of school.

image source: www.boerner.net

The Common Dilemmas

Talking about common dilemmas, sure you too have your own experiences about it particularly those parents whose kids have gone to school for years now. For those parents who just sent their kids in school for the first time ever, this is one of the challenging experiences you’ll ever experience then. 

• Cry baby when you leave them

image source: photoblog.nbcnews.com

It’s very common to kids who are first timers in school. Although not really all kids do such thing but mostly, they are. How to deal with it is that simply introduce to them what is school, how it looks like, and what does it compose of. Don’t forget as well of telling them the purpose of going to school. Doing so should be done before the school starts. It may not be that easy, but telling them will lessen the fear they will have in mind. This also to make your life get easier.

• Finding Names

image source: www.timesofoman.com

 This one is very common to public schools. Although not really to private schools, perhaps, this is still a common dilemma mostly parents experience always every first day of school. In order to avoid it, you can check your kids’ names before the first day of school starts. Teachers, just like parents, don’t want to be hassled by this common scenario too. Thus, they always make a way to lessen its severity by posting the list of the class’ names beforehand. 

• Security and Safety

image source: youreducationdoctor.wordpress.com

It’s first day of school and perhaps, leaving your kids alone in the school particularly those parents who are new to leaving their kids behind could give you doubt if should you do it or not. For this problem, the only solution to it is that to inform the teacher to not allow your child to leave the classroom alone. Let the teacher be informed of who is possible to fetch your child later on. In this way, you can definitely make sure of the security of your child.   

• Foods bought outside

It’s back to school again and sure enough that a lot of vendors are going to tempt your kids and so as you too. However, one should keep in mind that danger could possibly arise during this time due to the fact that a lot of parents and kids are expected to come to school that day. Thus, it’s better to let your kids bring their own pack lunch and snacks for safety purposes.  

• Bringing of your other kids (younger than the student) 

image source: www.voanews.com

During first day of school, it’s very common to public schools to get crowded because of finding the names of the students. In this case, never ever bring any kids younger than the students. They could be lost anytime especially if there are many people are expected to come. This is to avoid possible problem that could happen. And so as to settle your student earlier as expected.

Looking for ways on how to handle such dilemmas is really important especially if you’re new to it. This is to help you prevent of the possible scenarios that could happen.

How Drugs Affect Our Society

Illegal drugs have so much impact in my life. Well, what you think is not really the real reason behind of it though. I don’t use illegal drugs, ever since! Although I became the rebellious daughter of my parents, drugs have never influenced me and never been part of my teenage life.

image source: www.theguardian.com

Perhaps, you’re wondering why. For some reason this particular stupid stuff almost torn apart the relationship of my family. But nevertheless, God is good for keeping it intact still. This is also one of the reasons why the relationship of my kids’ father and I had gone.

Just today, I read a news- article about two girls killed in Caloocan. It was really a tragic incident. And what’s worst? There are no suspects yet, but then the people in the said place are suspecting those drug users in their village.

I wonder if our government has ever noticed these practices since it’s getting rampant these days. What does their reaction about this? How about some plans or actions towards this problem? Does this particular problem will ever be solved? I wonder when they will ever work on this.

How drugs can affect our society?

It has really big impact to our society especially for those families of the victims and those innocents who will be influenced of these illegal drugs sooner. With that, our government and as well, citizens should act against with this plague in our society. There are varieties of drugs nowadays such as ecstasy, speed/crank or commonly known in its street name as “shabu”, marijuana (although this particular stuff is legalize in other country, still it is consider as illegal drugs for others) and so much more. And each of these has its own side effects towards human if being used.

These specific drugs and those I haven’t mention above, can ruin one’s life not just presently but in its future as well. It can also destroy one’s family.

Why do drugs are addictive?

Drugs contain chemicals that results to a person to become addictive on it. Since addiction is a form of abnormal functioning of one’s mind, chemicals that are drugs made of take advantage of it.

Disadvantage of using illegal drugs:

For some reasons, there are unexplainable feelings that mostly drug users why kept on using such thing- and that is the temporary pleasure. At the same time, it also affects one’s behavior. Taking drugs, slowly damaging one’s brain. Aside from the temporary pleasure a person could experience, there are other side effects also will surely one will be experiencing which will also lead to permanent. Side effects include anxiety, paranoia, headache, schizophrenia, panic attacks, confusion and a lot more- in short mental disability.

Aside from that, it is one of the reasons too why crimes are getting rampant. And what’s worse is that… more of the crimes nowadays are very brutal and drastic.

How one can avoid using Illegal drugs?

For users, getting a rehab is the best remedy to avoid using illegal drugs. It can also help one’s self from getting retardation and mental disability in the future. And aside from that, it is believe to help lessen the crimes that are getting bigger each year.

In other hand, it is very important too for parents to lead their child/children from possible circumstances especially when it comes to teenagers. Peer pressure occurs during this stage, and this is mostly the time teenagers are expose to drugs if mislead by parents/guardians. Thence, guidance and regular update of parents should be present all the time.

If we do not want to see our kids suffer from mental disability or see them behind the bars and become one of the killers of the future, better guide them. Be a parent!

Importance of Rotavirus Vaccination

I was happy to secure a slot for a health awareness conference (Rotavirus Vaccine, to be exact) which I just attended yesterday in Ayala Mall, Cebu City. It was a great event since I didn’t just learned a lot from the said topic but as well, I was also challenge to note things that should be done and those not to. Anyway, I’m going to share to you what we have tackled in there.

The event was emceed by Mr. Coby (actually, I forgot what is his complete name and neither I am sure of his name as well. Sorry for that though) and which was also organized by Mr. Jeff Tan (the Director for Strategic Marketing Communications of Idea Buffet). The said conference was discussed to us by Dr. Juliet Aguilar with the help of the other Doctor (sorry, I missed her name againL).

Since I am a mom of two, I didn’t hesitate to reserve a slot for the Rotavirus Vaccine event. And it was indeed worth my presence because I have missed a lot of things which are needed for me to note especially when it comes to my kids.

The topic comes with a theme of “Save our Children: Fight against Rotavirus Diarrhea”. The time I read this, it made me excite since a new lesson for me to learn wherein I could also share to my readers as well.

more photos of the event HERE.

Facts about Rotavirus

Diarrhea

• (WHO’s own definition) is the passage of 3 or more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequently than is normal for the individual.
• A very serious and deadly disease.
• The second leading killer of children 5 years old below.

Rotavirus tops the leading cause of diarrhea in the Philippines and worldwide. According to the statistic, one child dies every minute. Imagine in an hour, there are 60 minutes. And in that 60 minute time, there are 60 children dying too. This also means that there are 1,500 children die each day annually, because of this disease.  In Philippines, it is stated that there are at least 13 children ages five below die every day which is equivalent to 12% of deaths among children under five in the country. That tremendous Rotavirus Diarrhea is.

How seriously this rotavirus disease to children?

Rotavirus Infection is a threat to every child ages 5 below. It is life threatening. They may suffer from Rotavirus Gastroenteritis (vomiting and abnormal stool loose) which will lead them to dehydration (loss of liquid in the body) and die if not rushed for help. 

Rotavirus infection is categorized into three. These are the following:

1^st infection- usually moderate to severe.

2^nd infection- considered mild.

3^rd to 5^th infection- asymptomatic (doesn’t show symptoms at all) or consider as immune to the body who gotten the infection for several times already.

Although, there are fortunate children survive from this drastic disease still they are not lucky enough. Rotavirus Diarrhea also leads to serious long term effects in a child’s development for ages 0-2 y/o.

• Height- Growth shortfalls of ranging from 3.6cm-8.2cm when a child reaches the age of 7

• Fitness- Physical fitness reduction by the age of 4-7 of 4-8%

• Cognitive function- This also has impact towards kids’ cognition. Repeated bouts of diarrhea in the first 2 years of life can lead to a loss of 10 IQ points and 12 mos. of schooling by the age of 9.

What causes Rotavirus Diarrhea/Disease?

Rotavirus disease is everywhere. It is a democratic disease affecting everyone no matter where you reside. Even if you belong to rural or progressive/developed area, rotavirus still occurs. 

According to WHO, infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking-water, or from person to person as a result of poor hygiene. To those pure breastfeeding moms, we can only protect our kids from this disease until in his/her first 6 months of life.

How to avoid this disease?

Proper sanitation and clean water supplies still, don’t give the people 100% assurance of safety against from this disease. As this virus is spread everywhere even inside our home.

Ways on how to prevent before it’s too late:

• Disease Awareness- Consulting our doctor about RV vaccine. It is best for us to consult our doctors before our kids can get this particular disease.
• Early protection as early as 6 weeks (Rotavirus Vaccination).

What is Rotavirus Vaccination and how important it is?

This was the whole event promoted about. Rotavirus Vaccine is the most effective way to prevent diarrhea related childhood deaths under 5 years of age. It is given orally to kids which is easy to give to them compare to other types of vaccines (injectable ones).

**Rotavirus Vaccination has been implemented in developed countries such as Australia, USA, Spain and UK.

List of the countries where **RV now part of EPI/UMV: USA, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and GAVI eligible countries- Bolivia, Honduras. And in Asia, Philippines is the first country to promote rotavirus vaccine in *EPI. 

It has been announced as well in media that this particular vaccination is now part of the *Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) in 2012. It is free for those people who can’t afford to pay for private doctor/pedia, those who can’t even afford to eat three times a day due to financial problems they encounter everyday- or commonly known as “poorest of the poor”.

There are 2 million newborn babies annually, yet out of it; only 700,000 (member of poorest of the poor) newborns are reserved to avail this vaccine for free through health centers.

The current status of Rotavirus Vaccination in Philippines:

• 1/10 is given a RV vaccine in private doctors (pediatrician)
• 3/10 are given RV vaccine for FREE (poorest of the poor)
• 6/10 remaining children are not given RV vaccines due to financial problems (yet not categorized as poorest of the poor), which are high risk for RV infection.

With that, our government is pleasing those who can afford to pay in private to give way in line to those poorest the poor in free RV vaccine in health centers.

Hopefully, by 2015 (WHO’s goal), Philippines could achieve 2/3 reduction in child’s mortality among 5 years old below. 

Why should a child be given a RV Vaccine?

Rotavirus Diarrhea is a serious disease. If a child gets this, low chances s/he is capable to survive. That’s why, children especially those infants should be given RV vaccine as early as 6 weeks in order to low his or her risk or prevent him or her to get the Rotavirus Disease in the future.

As a parent, why should I include this vaccine to his or her EPI?

There you have it. If you don’t want to lose your child, then give him RV vaccine. If you don’t want to face financial problems in the future, give him RV vaccine. If you don’t want to add problems in your stressful work, then give him RV vaccine.

Hospitalization due to acute gastroenteritis/diarrhea bears a very serious impact on the patient and parents’ quality of life as well as on their livelihood. Working caregivers had an average of PhP1,000 income loss per day. Amongst working caregivers, almost all missed 1-3 days of work or more. More than half of the caregivers had spent more than PhP5,000 (an average of Php7,870.00) for all the medical expenses.. 

How much does RV Vaccine cost in private doctors/pedia?

That varies. But as per estimation, (vaccine costs alone) it ranges from PhP2500-3500 excluding PF of your pediatrician.

And as per Dr. Juliet Aguilar, in her part she gives RV vaccine as early as 6 weeks of a child’s life. But in health centers, this is usually given to a child when s/he reaches 8 months of his life.

Why risk, if we can all prevent this deadly disease through giving our child RV vaccine before it’s too late.

Again, I would like to thank Mr. Tan and Mr. Coby (and the rest of the staff) for being so accommodating and of course, Dr. Aguilar and the other Doctor for taking time to be with us and discussed what RV is all about. 

Breastfeeding for Babies

Breastfeeding has been practiced for long already. Women apply this particular method to those mothers who have babies since bottle feeding has not existed before. Aside from that, even though bottle feeding would exist, breastfeeding is still the best feeding method for infants below 6 months old.

image source: en.wikipedia.org

There are important details and information why breastfeeding should be implemented. And today, I’m going to share to you what are those benefits and facts why every mom should apply this.

Advantage of Breastfeeding to infants:

“Breast milk is the best milk for babies”. Indeed, this saying is definitely true. Aside from scientific explanation, it is also one way of building “mom and child” bonding at early age of the child.

One of the benefits a child could get from the breast milk of his or her mom is the colostrum. This is the thick yellowish in color substance that is made during pregnancy and right after giving birth. This is the most important substance every infant should have. This is their very vitamins; it is rich in nutrients and anti-bodies which will protect their body until they grow up. That makes it really important.

Unlike formulated milk, breast milk provides natural vitamins and nutrients which are needed by infants. Aside from that, it also produces enough mixture of fat, sugar and water wherein formulated milks don’t have the capability to produce.

Not just that, breast milk also protects our infants from possible diseases.

Breastfeeding doesn’t harm our kids. Unlike formulated milk, mother’s breast milk is easy to digest especially for premature babies. It avoids them to get gas pain compare in consuming formulated milk. With that, it is really important for a woman- to be exact a mother to rely on her milk rather than formulated ones.

Advantage of Breastfeeding to mothers:

Breast milk helps every breastfeeding mom to save money. Instead of buying for formulated powdered milk which cost much and feeding bottles as well, breast feeding has the capability to do the things which those stuffs can do. Since breastfeeding is promoted worldwide; for sure it will no longer awkward to breastfeed our child whenever we go even in public places (just make sure to have baby sling or breastfeeding cover though).

Unlike from formulated milk, it’s easy to feed our babies. No need for mothers to wash bottles and sterile it to feed their babies. Indeed, saves time and effort.

It is also a good health practice for every mother. When a woman practices breastfeeding, she is low risk from possible diseases such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and even from depression (postpartum depression to be exact) as well. With that, there’s no reason for a woman not to breastfeed her baby.

Those are just some of the advantages why should a woman practice breastfeeding. Because in this way, they don’t just help their kids to be strong but as well, help their selves to be far from getting sick in the future too.

Pure breastfeeding (no water, no food) is good up to 6 months old of the baby. And breastfeeding is good up to two years old and beyond. I hope this helps you, especially those expecting moms and new moms out there.

Source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/index.html

Book Review x Queen-a-Bella from Brainy Connections

Love reading books? If you’d asked me to… then, I would lie if I tell you I do. Although I’m a not a book geek as expected, I am happy to inform you that my son didn’t just inherit that way. He loves books as much as I don’t. For sure, you’d asked me if how I had known it. I received books courtesy of OMF Literature from winning in their facebook and twitter contest. Glad that the book they gave to me are for kids. There, my son was so happy seeing those books and he always (technically, not read it since he still 2 y/o though) scan it and see those pictures in it.

Meanwhile, I received an invitation to check out a book which is produced by Brainy Connections. Actually I don’t have any idea about their site but if you’re a parent (just like me), sure this site is perfect for you especially if you’re a new to parenting hood.

I received a book which has a title of Queen-a-Bella Finds a Best Friend- authored by Lisl Fair. This is something your kids would definitely love. It’s a simple story where even those not a fan of books would love to read. It’s more on images which made it very friendly to kids and kids-at-hearts as well. Aside from that, there are values one can learn out of reading this book.

The story talks about how one finds her best friend despite of their differences. Meet Queen-a-Bella, the fluffy rabbit in her favorite red tutu and follow her on her quest to find a best friend.

Want to get a copy? It’s out now at amazon, for the link visit them at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GK36B0/.

You could also get a copy of book activities for free! How? Simple! Be a fan of Brainy Connections in facebook to know more about it!

Brainy Connections

Website: http://www.BrainyConnections.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BrainyConnections

VitaPops, The New Fun Way of Enjoying Vitamin C

Giving vitamins especially vitamin C to our kids is really important especially nowadays since weather changes from time to time. With that, varieties of diseases are everywhere which possibly our kids can get. Thus, letting them take vitamins everyday will help them boost their immune system and so keep their selves from harmful sickness such as colds and coughs.

As a mom, I always make sure to keep my kids from getting sick… thence, I always manage to keep them healthy and safe all the time. One of the things I am afraid of is that they might admitted to hospital due to the cough and colds they have especially to my eldest, Kuya G, who happens to be so picky kiddo at the same time loves to play everywhere even at the dirtiest place ever in our apartment.

With that, giving him vitamins such as vitamin C, iron and multivitamins, I know that he’s far away from getting sick. Yet, sometimes you just can’t tell time… Even I give him those; there are times that he gets cough and colds often since he refuses to take vitamin C which is very important for him.

What is Vitamin C?

“Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid, or simply ascorbate (the anion of ascorbic acid), is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. Vitamin C refers to a number of vitamers that have vitamin C activity in animals, including ascorbic acid and its salts, and some oxidized forms of the molecule like dehydroascorbic acid. Ascorbate and ascorbic acid are both naturally present in the body when either of these is introduced into cells, since the forms interconvert according to pH.”  Courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_C

“Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning that your body doesn't store it. We have to get what we need from food, including citrus fruits, broccoli, and tomatoes. 

You need vitamin C for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It helps the body make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is needed for healing wounds, and for repairing and maintaining bones and teeth. 

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, along with vitamin E, beta-carotene, and many other plant-based nutrients. Antioxidants block some of the damage caused by free radicals, substances that damage DNA. The build-up of free radicals over time may contribute to the aging process and the development of health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.” Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-c-000339.htm.

I am giving him Ceelin syrup ever since when he was a baby (I gave him drops before when he was 0-6 mos.). He’s okay with it until he turned 1 year old until now. I am having hard time for him to take vitamin C which had been my one of my problems in terms of his health. He often gets cough and colds because of refusing in taking it. I don’t know what alternative to give him until I discover that he’s getting my vitamin C in the fridge without letting me know. (Not to mention my vitamin C) I then found the solution of my problem. He’s taking vitamin C same as mine.

I am worried that it may not good for him but according to my sister it’s okay because vitamin C is not harmful to neither make problems with age too. But it would still be nicer if I could give him vitamin C that suits his age. There, I was given a chance to take a sample of the newest product of Unilab- VitaPops!

At first, I thought it was just a simple vitamin such as ceelin chewable but boy, I was wrong! It’s something different. Something that pops! Oh yeah, to give you a hint from the word itself that makes it unique.

VitaPops, the first and only pop rocks vitamin c.

I then let my son and my brother try it.. love it so much… 

tito troy with me

Kuya G with Momee

another pose of Tito Troy

They love it since it pops out on their tongue and the taste, it’s good and no wonder why it is not just mom approved but as well kids approved too!

Me of course

My son really loves it so much and now my worries all fade away! I can give this one to him instead of the vitamin c I take. No need for me to force him to take his vitamins especially when it comes to vitamin c because VitaPops is here! The New Fun Way of Enjoying Vitamin C.

Update: Aside from that, it can be consumed even with empty tummies. 

VitaPops comes in a sachet which contains 50 mg of Vitamin C (as Sodium Ascorbate, making it non-acidic and can be consumed even on an empty stomach). It also contains 1/5 the amount of sugar found in regular Vitamin C.

VitaPops costs P10/sachet and is available in all leading drugstores nationwide!

So, if you think you are having problem same as mine better grab one now and see for yourself!

Being a Mom

Kuya G just turned 2 years old yesterday! :)

How time flies so fast, right? And I won't be surprised sooner when time comes he'd be bringing a girl at home for me to meet (lol, so advance)..

Any moms out there who have teenagers already? How'd you manage to raise them confidently without worrying about teenage urge or let's just say about peer pressure? Perhaps, most of you are currently encountering this for sure (if you do have teenagers) unless they are afraid of you..

At the early age of 18, I bear my first son and by then I reached 19 I got my second child (daughter), with the help of my mom and dad I was able to raise them without having any father figure nor father to them at all. And it was a great feeling that though I don't have someone with me I still manage to raise them. What I am afraid of is that I may not be able to lead their way to the right paths of their lives due to fatherless reason. I know that it depends on how we raise them, but you just can't take away from me the worries I feel inside especially that I have a daughter.

Being a mom is not an easy role. How much more when you are a single mom? Yet, this is one of the most fulfilling jobs a woman could have in her entire life. I never regret of having my kids at very young age neither being committed with their father because without them, I am not right here writing this post neither felt the overflowing love I am feeling right now because of my angels. Though for some instances that my ex-partner and I had misunderstandings which end up to break up, I still thanked him that he had been part of my life. Because if he'[d not been there, probably I won't have Kuya G and Baby M with me.

I never dream of having a broken family but it just happen that we can't control our destiny. Although there are chances to make, options to choose and hope to trust, I'd still prefer to live alone with my kids rather than have another man in my life and leave my kids with my parents. Well, I'm not saying that all men are like these it just happened that I got a daughter and I don't want to hurt her just what every orphaned girls felt and I'm afraid that she'd feel the same way too in case of.

I told myself before whenever I have my second child again and if it's still a boy, probably I'd search for another man and this time marry him yet I guess it's not meant for me. And I'm not hoping for another man though, what I am hoping for is that I can raise my kids well and accordingly. I am hoping for that they won't get mad at me and get influenced by their friends which had happened to me. Frankly speaking, I don't want them to experience what I had before being their mother.

But still I believe that if we are there and ready to support them all the time for sure, we can bring them to right way. Just be a mother to them. Because being a mother is not just a role but a duty as well.