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Mothershare Parenting

Chapter Books and Serieses for 7 to 10 year old girls

I love reading. And I love to share this passion with my daughter. During babyhood and toddlerhood, what better way to begin it with is to read board books and I can Read books. But now that she is a graduate of all those, I began looking for books that are longer and more appropriate for her age.

So far these are the books that she read and enjoyed:

1. Ivy and Bean Book Series

Ivy and Bean are seven year old bestfriends and classmates. Although they have two different personalities, they get along greatly. They live in Pancake Court together with their families and colorful friends.

This 11-book series has black and white illusyrations. It contained their adventures including designing a science project that will alleviate global warming, creating a newspaper for their neighborhood, become a detective on a mystery in Pancake Court, and much much more.

2. Judy Moody Book Series

Judy Moody is an 8 year old girl who lives with a brother Stink and their parents. She has group friends and classmates who also happen to be her partners in crime.

Like Ivy and Bean, this 10-book series has also illustrations. It tells of Judy Moody’s stories as she pretend to be a journalist, become a good samaritan at a children’s hospital, explore historical city with her family, and so much more.

2. Charlotte’s Web

I was able to read this book when I was in grade 5 and I have loved the story. I’m glad that Yesha enjoyed reading it as much as I did.

The novel is about a helpful spider, named Charlotte, who saved Wilbur, a pig, from being slaughtered. With the help of other barn animals they were able to accomplish their goal.

Charlotte’s Web is heart warming novel that your children might really enjoy and a stort that they will never forget.

4. Stuart Little Chapter Book

Stuart Little is a short, ilkustrated chapter book which has the same author as Charlotte’s web. It is about a mouse, named Stuart, who was adopted by the Little Family.

Stuart’s adventures include helping his adopted family with house chores, meetinf friends in boat sailing, and saving a bird friens, Margalo, among others.

Let your children be entertained by this witty and adventurous mouse.

5. Harry Potter Book Series

The whole world knows about Harry Potter. Although I have never finished a series of Harry Potter, I hope that my daughter will like it. As she is turning 9 years old already and likes fantasy stories, I supposed that she might appreciate Harry’s adventures with wizarding. As for now, she is only halfway through the first series, The Sorcerer’s Stone. I can’t wait for her to finish it, watch the first movie, and for her to see the book character’s come to life.

6. Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Girls nowadays are very into unicorns. Although Phoebe and Her Unicorn is not a book series, but a comic series, Yesha enjoyed it nonetheless. She appreciated the colorful illustrations especially that she loves illustrating and drawing herself.

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Mothershare

Affordable Homeschool Providers in the Philippines

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affordable-homeschool-providers-philippines

Peniel Integrated Christian Academy Homeschooling Program

Last academic year, we decided to finally transfer Yesha to Peniel. We paid around 18,500 Php, which is lower than our previous homeschool provider. Little did I know, that every year the school administration offers early bird promo to continuing student. So last October, I received an email informing the parents of the promos and their corresponding deadlines. The prices are as follows:

  • 13,500 Php if you enroll your child on or before December 16, 2019.
  • 14, 500 Php if you enroll your child on or before January 16, 2020.

In addition to this, discount is also offered if the family has more than one student enrolled in Peniel. Isn’t it great?

But of course this affordable price doesn’t come with other features being offered from other providers like our previous one. They don’t have parent coaches, parent conference, homeschool kids events, and the likes.

It’s alright for us since I’m more than okay in not reporting to a parenr coach eveer quarter. Plus, we don’t faithfully attend to the events being organized by our previous provider. What our family needs is a provider that will bridge us with DepEd so that our child will have records with them.

School of Tomorrow

Another affordable homeschooling provider that I’m aware of is School of Tomorrow. According to one mom, for every student there is one-time contract fee of P15,000 and a registration fee of P1,500 for the whole 12-year homeschool program.

In addition to this one-time payment, there is a yearly tuition of P3,000 for students in the preschool and elementary levels; P3,500 for first to third year high school students and P4,000 for fourth year high school students.

That said, the first enrollment might be heavy in the pocket. But the succeeding years offers a very low tuition, which I guess is the lowest fee of all homeschool providers.SOT, like Peniel, is a DepEd accredited homeschool provider. The school uses PACES curriculum for its students. The PACES is divided into workable modules that allow students to independently work on their lessons.

Homeschool Global

If you have more children in the family, say more than 3, then Homeschool Global might be one of your options. According to one mom, HG charges fee per family. She stated that she likes their quarterly evaluation, consultant for accountability, olsat exam to assess the child, open curriculum, and Christian values and seminars.

Disclaimer:

The prices above are most likely subject to change. But they still help to give you an estimate of these providers’ tuition. It would be better though to inquire this with your chosen provider.

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Mothershare Uncategorized

Homeschooling and the pursuit of passion and creativity

Every homeschooling family has their reasons for home educating their children. And for us, one of our primary reasons is that homeschooling provide our child the freedom to express and pursue her passion and creativity. I want this to be our gift to her.

I believe that knowing her passion and where her creative energy lies will enable her to know who she is and will provide her a ticket to a more fulfilling adult life. Because let’s face it, there are many people in their adulthood — whether they’re in their young, middle, or late stage — don’t know what to do with their lives. Hence, the dissatisfaction and unfillfilment when they’re not living in their full potential.

In our family, Yesha and I would only have our lesson for only 2-3 hours in a day. And on some days, I leaver her to her own devices when she’s busy doing her crafts.In all of her activities — animating, illustrating, writing stories, and handcrafting — Yesha looses herself in her flow; and while she’s in the flow, she’s on her bliss. She spends a lot of time and energy completing her self-initiated projects. I bet that she won’t be able to do this when she’s in a traditional school.

In a traditional setting, she would have to be in school for 5-8 hours everyday. And when at home, she needs to accomplish her assignments, do her projects, study for exams and quizzes. This will leave her with almost no time to explore her passion and talents.In addition, I think that if she’s in a traditional school, she will be expected to conform with the norm or to the school’s culture and standards. Thus, she wouldn’t be able to discover early on her uniqueness and individuality.

Recently, these are the activities that occupy most of her time:

Animation

Yesha has learned to create an animation on her own — without any assistance from us. She looked for an app that will enable her to create an animation. In one work she has done, she created an animation consisting of 92 photos! I was so amazed at her determination, independence, and hard work she displayed on this one. She worked on this for two whole days.

Picture Story Books

Yesha has done several illustrated books with her own drawings and own stories. She devoted a lot of time, imagination, and creativity in doing these.

Handcrafts

Another thing that Yesha loves to do is doing handcrafts. Inspired by Youtube channels about arts and crafts, she has done several hanster mazes, houses, and diy toys.

When Yesha grows to be an adult, she will probably be not a part of corporate world — a world that resembles the life in school. Instead, like us and the family generation that precedes us, she will most likely pursue an enterpreneur or a self-employed life. And in this type of life, nobody will tell tell her what to do and how to do it. Her work and all that she will do will all be self-initiated projects, one that will require passion and creativity, just like what she’s presently doing. This is why homeschooling is the best form of education that fits our family goal and dream for Yesha.

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Infomama Pregnancy & Childbirth

Sinecod Forte is Safe for Pregnant Women

Sinecod Forted Pregnant Women

At eighth month of my pregnancy, I was unmedicated with my cough for two weeks. It was so difficult to cough when you have a big tummy. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night with itchy throat and bouts of coughing. Fortunately, during my next appointment with my OB, she prescribed me with Sinecod Forte.

Taking Sinecod Forte has been such a relief. The itchiness of my throat and the urge to cough have lessened to about 70% (in my estimate). Even though it indicated that it is a cough suppressant I was still able to cough out phlegm.

The instruction that comes with the medicine advised patients not to take Sinecod Forte simultaneosly as this might inhibit the mucus to come out. This means that if you’re about to take 4 times daily, you need to take it at 6-hour interval. If 3 times daily then at 8-hour interval.

I also let my 8 year old daughter take Sinecod Forte as it is safe with children.

Sinecod Forte is in the form of syrup and tablet. Here is the dosage required for children:

  • 3-6 years of age: One teaspoonful (5ml) 3 times daily.
  • 6-12 years of age: Two teasponfuls (10ml) 3 times daily.
  • Adolescents over 12 years of age: One tablespoonful (15ml) 3 times daily.
  • Adults: (15ml) 4 times daily.

And here is for the tablet:

  • Adolescents over 12 years of age: 1-2 tablets only.
  • Adults: 2 or 3 tablets daily at 8 or 12 hour intervals. To be swallowes whole.

Special Warnings and precautions for use

Due to inhibition of the cough reflex by butamirate, the simultaneous administration of expectorant has to be avoided, because ot may lead to the stagnation of mucus in the respiratory tract, which increases the risk of bronchospasm and airways infection.

A doctor or pharmacist needs to be consulted if the cough persist for more than 7 days.

If you’re pregnant, it’s still best to seek your OB’s advice.

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Family Living

Hamster: Adopt don’t shop

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Spotter and his cage

Just last week, we adopted a very sweet and mild tempered hamster from a Facebook group called “Philippine Hamster Adoption.”

Actually we bought a pair of hamsters from a pet shop last November, but sadly, they died after two months without any warning. Probably they were stressed despite providing them with an ample-spaced cage. I don’t know.

But we can see the difference between an adopted hamster and a bought hamster. The adopted hamster is more relaxed, mild tempered, quiet natured. It doesn’t try to escape. Whereas the bought hamsters were stressed — they wanted to escape to the point of hanging on the screen of the lid of the cage.

The difference in their behaviors made me think that probably the bought hamsters were kind of neurotic, displaying abnormal behaviors? Hamsters are solitary animals, they thrive well in isolation, that is being alone in their cage. In the pet shop, they are caged together with a number of other hamsters. This isn’t ideal nor healthy for their hammie personality. On the other hand, the adopted hamster most likely grew up in a healthier environment and is loved by the previous owner. Hence, the mild and tamed nature. It doesn’t want to be petted yet. It’s okay we’re willing to take our time for it to get to know us better.

I hope that Spotter, our new hammie, will live with us for 2-3 years — the life duration of hamsters. We promise to be a loving, good, and responsible hamster parents.

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Infomama Mothershare Pregnancy & Childbirth

List of things you need to buy for newborn baby

Around seven months of my pregnancy I began to slowly complete the essential items for a newborn baby. I bought most of the items online while the toiletries were from grocery. All in all I spent around 6k PHP excluding toiletries. I really took it as a challenge to spend as minimum as I can.

Here is an editable checklist that you can download and print. Meanwhile, here is the checklist for newborn essential with prices of some items:

APPAREL
mittens & booties (6 pairs) — 120php
going out socks (3 pairs) — 120php
NB tie sides sleeveless (6pcs)– 190php
NB tie sides w sleeves (6pcs)–190php
NB pyjama (6pcs) — 180php
NB shorts (6pcs) — 190php
going out onesies (3 pcs) — 240php
Curity Lampin (2 dozens) — 320php

*Most moms advise against investing too much on newborn’s apparel since the babies will just easily outgrow it. Babies will only be able to use it for about 2-3 months and you will need to buy new sets of clothes again.

*I bought the Lucky CJ brand online from Shopee. The fabric and the sew lines are of good quality for me. Lucky CJ items are a lot cheaper when you buy them at Baclaran. If you still have the energy to go there, you could get a really good bargain. But as for me, I just want to shop from the comfort of my own home.

NURSING/FEEDING
breastfeeding pillow (1 pc) — 320php
haaka milk catcher**
breastfeeding bra (2pcs) –240php
breastfeeding pad
Feeding bottles**
40z and 6oz bottles**
Teats/nipples**
Pacifiers**
Bottle brush**

**I haven’t bought these items yet since I plan to exclusively breastfeed our second baby.

BEDDING

receiving blanket (muslin/carters)– 160php
baby pillow (with hole)– 160php
1 crib set (bolster pair, pillow, mattress)–315php
swaddler–140php

TOILETRIES FOR BABY
cotton balls
container for cotton ball
container for water
cotton buds for pusod
Alcohol 70% isopropyll
Bath tub
Bath tub net
Changing mat (1 for house, 1 for baby bag)
Mamypoko (NB size good for 2 weeks, 5 pcs/day)
Receiving towel (bath time)
baby oil
Bulb syringe (nasal aspirator)
Baby nail cutter
Thermometer
Rash cream

TOILETRIES FOR MOMMY
Maternity pads
Betadine feminine wash
Post Partum Girdle (For CS wound and/or loose belly skin)

OTHERS
Travel bag (Baoneo) — 595php
Carrier (old)
Crib (old)
Stroller (old)
Bed lamp (old)
Baby cabinet (old)

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Family Living

Simple Handaan

It’s our yearly tradition to celebrate Christmas eve with the side of my family.

With my mom and brother…

And our simple handa

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Infomama Mothershare Pregnancy & Childbirth

Second pregnancy is harder than the first, in my experience

I thought my second pregnancy would just be like the first, wherein I breezed through the experience and was able to maintain a socially active life. But I was wrong.

I experienced pregnancy symptoms which I haven’t experienced with my previous pregnancy. I went through nausea, vomiting, sensitive sense of smell, whole day morning sickness, bloating and stomach acidity, pregnancy rashes that kept me awake at night, vaginal pressure like something’s gonna come out, and the distinct feeling of heaviness. That is why I couldn’t help wondering what made the difference.

Could it be the age gap because my older is already 8 years old when I concenceived the second one? Could it be my age because I was 25 before and 34 now? Could it be what my OB Gyne said that it’s common for second pregnancy to be more difficult than the first? Maybe all of these have been contributing factors plus the fact that I wasn’t healthy or fit enough when I got pregnant.

But then I would like to focus and expound on what my OB said. I guess it’s common for people to think that the second and the subsequent pregnancies should be easier than the first because you’ve already done it. Others, however, argued that pregnancy isn’t a skill that you get better at. You can’t control how your body will react to every rise and fall of pregnancy hormones that are happening in your body.

I choose to think that the intensity and the speed with which the body responds to the fluctuations of pregnancy hormones is similar to the way the body responds when it contracts a virus. When a body contracts a certain virus for the first time, it will react slowly and less intensely. It is like it’s groping its way. But the second time it contracts the same virus, the body already knows what to do and thus it responds swiftly and more intensely. Thus the manifestation of symptoms is quicker the second time and more intense. This could be why second dengue is more life threatening than the first, and the second chickenpox has moee intense symptoms than the previous one.

Similar to pregnancy, the body responds slower to the fluctuations of hormones during the first pregnancy. And then it responds quicker to the second pregnancy because it already knows what to do. And maybe, that is why second pregnancies can be more difficult than the first. I’m no doctor and I can only make some analogy.

Still, every pregnancy is different. A woman could have five pregnacies. Some of those probably were smooth sailing, while some posed some real challenges.

As for me, I’m getting heavier and heavier; simple chores are getting to be done harder and harder. It’s only seven more weeks before our baby boy went full term. But I wanted to grab any opportunity of enjoyment amidst the challenges of my second pregnancy.

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Mothershare Parenting

First Holy Communion for Homeschoolers

We transferred to Peniel Integrated Academy this year. And since it is not a catholic homeschooling provider, one of the concerns I had was how can Yesha receive her First Holy Communion (FHC). She is now in grade 3 (8 years old), which is the minimum age to receive this sacrament.

Initially, my option was to avail the FHC offered by our parish church. But then, I was apprehensive that Yesha may not appreciate the catechetical classes due to her difficulty with Filipino as a medium of instruction.

Second, upon scouring the Facebook page on Homeschoolers, I found that the Living Saints Homeschool Support is also offering FHC services. But we were already late. So I thought, maybe next school year.

But fortunately, the Children’s Ministry of Christ the King Parish (Greenmeadows) announced that they are going to hold FHC and its required 5 catechetical classes including the sacrament of reconciliation. I was so happy! The timing was also perfect!

So just this November 23, Yesha received her First Holy Communion at Christ the King. The ministry’s project was really a blessing to our family. I appreciated their classes since Yesha was able to take home Godly messages. The catechists led by teacher Mina have really done their best to teach the children since day one.

The First Holy Communion itself felt intimate and meaningful to me. I loved how Rev. Fr. Steve called all the children in front and delivered his message through a very interactive and engaging story. He focused his homily on the children and knew how to get the children’s attention. In the end, he also addressed the parents and emphasized the significant role of the family on these young children’s spiritual growth.

After the mass, the children has their individual photo op session with Fr Steve and while kneeling in front of the cross.

Of course, the daddy-daughter tandem had also their photo session

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Mothershare Pregnancy & Childbirth

Baby on the way, focusing on our family

Last May, with God’s grace, I was able to finish my masters in counseling psychology. I was about to begin my counseling practise wherein I already paid my deposit and advance for the condo unit I chosen. But a week after I made my payment, we discovered that I’m with our second baby. My first trimester has been difficult — I was feeling the morning sickness for almost the whole day. Consequently, I wasn’t able to pursue my goal of counseling.

So for now, I made a decision to just enjoy my second pregnancy, no matter how challenging it may be. I also decided to temporarily put counseling behind and focus my energy and attention on our family. So yes, there’s not much activity going on in this blog and in my marriage counseling blog.

Right now, I’m currently preoccupied with homeschooling my daughter, attending workshops with our family, trying to be minimalistic in our house, and enriching my spiritual life. Even though I don’t have much intellectual and social engagements, I am learning to find peace, joy, and contentment in my everyday ordinary life.