We all have something we’re afraid of. For children, this can sometimes be animals, and this can present a large problem – from our neighbour’s lawn to the local park, we’re surrounded by creatures! Like any fear, it can generally be conquered, but you’ll need to be very supportive of your little one. Here are a few pointers for getting your child through the worst stages:

Understand

Sometimes, your child’s fear of animals can lead to frustrating results; for example, refusing to go to a friend’s house because their family has pets. Instead of feeling angry, try to understand your child’s feelings.

Tough love won’t work here, so never lose your temper or make fun of your kid’s anxieties. Reassure your child that, when in the presence of domestic pets, they won’t get hurt, and that an animal only retaliates if they are scared or threatened.

Do Fun, Animal-Related Activities

It has been shown that reading animal picture books or watching child-friendly films involving creatures can help your child surmount their anxieties. Hopefully, your little one will start associating positive feelings with animals and you’ll be one step closer to your goal. Talk about animals and try to educate your kid about how they live, as sometimes fear of animals is simply fear of the unknown.

A great way to bring your child safely closer to animals is at a zoo. Explain that the creatures are safely locked up, but don’t make your little one go unless he or she is willing.

Look To Your Fears

If you’re afraid of any animals, such as spiders, you’re promoting a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude that young children struggle to follow. If you’re anxious or terrified in the presence of certain animals, your kids will take cue from this behaviour – that’s why so many eight-legged phobias are passed down through the generations, even though spiders in the UK are harmless.

Begin by tackling your own fears before you address your child’s. Lead by example.

Consider A Pet

An animal as innocuous as a kitten can be a stepping stone for your child. Choose a pet together that your little one is happy with and teach him or her how to behave towards animals. Abusive or unkind behaviour can lead to an animal lashing out, so encourage kindness and show your child how to stroke a cat or dog the right way. Always positively support your kid and reward them for any leaps in confidence around animals.

Judge The Severity

If your child’s fear has become so irrational that he or she refuses to leave the house, you may have to contact professional services to help your child lead a normal life. When the fear is manageable, take him or her to visit houses with gentle pets that won’t startle your kid; especially if there are children there too. If your little one sees other kids playing with animals, he or she should start to see that creatures are generally harmless.

Post by Tony, a UK blogger working on behalf of Knowsley Safari Park.

Parents of 2 kids or more know how hard it is to teach sharing to kids. In fact, I know some parents who opt to buy toys in sets to make sure everybody gets something. But for those who cannot afford to buy everything in two (or three, depending on the number of their kids), we just pray for the best of luck.

I think we’ve chosen the right pre-school for our daughter as she has learned how to share, well not perfectly but at least she knows how to take turns, especially when reminded of it. My concern is our little boy who is too young to fully understand the concept. He ends up crying when his turn is up.

But for most cases, he likes to be in charge.

Journaling:
Minutes after we drove her to school, I received a text informing me that she was crying because all her classmates are wearing a costume and she wasn’t. I was in panic, but luckily, we were able to borrow one within 30 minutes. Yaya went to school for the outfit change. Lesson learned… the hard way!

~~~

Because of this incident, I decided to create an annual reminder for myself about Linggo ng Wika every August 1st so that I can ready a Filipiniana for her.

They say, give kids the simplest of toys to leave them to a vast field of ingenuity. It has become a challenge for us parents in these times when most toys have become so complex and detailed leaving no more room for imagination. This is Mikee’s MERMAID. I think my daughter’s doin’ just fine.

~~~
“Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Mike’s aunt posted a message on Facebook asking for Mikee’s wishlist for Christmas. I honestly thought she was simply asking so she can send a gift. But after informing her of Mikee’s wish, she posted a link to a video message for Mikee from Santa!

And boy, how I wish I had captured Mikee’s surprise upon seeing the video. She really believes Santa thought she’s nice and she deserves the gift she wishes. (I did try another website and took a video but she wasn’t as surprised and excited as the first one)

How nice!

Btw, you can create a message to your kid too: magicsanta[dot]ca or portablenorthpole[dot] tv
My only advice is: TAKE A VIDEO TO CAPTURE YOUR CHILD’S REACTION. I’m sure it would be priceless!

Good luck!

Earlier today, I left the kids to the care of yaya Floren while I took my bath. They stayed inside our room while Mikee watched Nickelodeon shows. It took me a while before I actually took my bath, I just stayed just right outside our room, arranging some things when I heard Mikee arguing with yaya Floren about changing the channel. Aha! The nanny switches channels when I am not around.

Since we don’t have home theatre system speakers in the room, I have difficulty figuring out what show it was. Sadly, she watches telenovelas, which I super hate because most of them depict women as damsels in distress waiting for a man to save them. Pffft!

I have been empowering Mikee, giving her the freedom of choice. Why, I didn’t mind when she took interest and preferred those toy cars over dolls when she was younger. And now, her nanny exposes her to such drama? Sigh. But I don’t want to put all the blame to the nanny as my daughter has now gotten so interested with Barbie, and her DVDs. I guess, my daughter has got to go through that, like it’s a passage for every girl, to idolize models (with perfectly sculpted bodies like it’s the average form) and takes half a lifetime to realize that the imperfections she so hate are the ones that make her life more interesting and real.

Monday last week, I had a terrible case of migraine, which was why I was on sick leave. Then the following day, Tuesday, Oct 11th, I did my daily routine of mommy duties. It was when Mikee started crying angrily looking for her “skunk tail” that she needed for her school play. So I decided I should rush to the nearest bookstore for materials needed for her “tail”. The funny thing was, I forgot that I haven’t eaten my lunch yet nor breakfast.

Here was the stress. While I was paying for the materials, via EPS, I reached out for my atm card. Then I noticed that I have forgotten to get my other atm card from hubby. Then boom! I was reminded that I have issued a cheque dated Oct 10th but forgotten to put in money, and it’s the 11th! I rushed back home so I can do funds transfer via the internet. Good thing that the cheque wasn’t encashed but deposited instead. Whew! But yeah, I have forgotten to eat.

I went to the office and had another attack of migraine (obviously from having no meal yet), to which I took Biogesic (Paracetamol) for. I ate a donut that an officemate offered. I still haven’t remembered that this donut was my first meal of the day. I continued to work and ate on my desk for dinner. I was amazed how delicious the packed meal (sold at our pantry) was. Just like how anything seems to be so yummy when you’re super hungry? Yeah, that was that.

Later that night, I was looking for the best auto collision estimating software when I remembered that Mikee wanted to bring her “tail” to school asap. So I started painting cottons black and sticking them to a black construction paper (why did I do that? why can’t she have just a tail made of black construction paper? why did the tail had to have black cotton? ) and in the middle of the night, I was blow drying her “skunk tail” when I felt feverish. I checked and saw 39.0 as my temp. Only then that I realized I had to rest. I did rest alright… for the next 5 days.

Yet, I chose not to be rushed to the ER. Why? Because if I get confined, hubby will be the one to accompany me at the hospital, and yaya Floren will be the one taking care of Theo, and no one will watch Mikee in her play where she played a skunk, with an overly practiced one liner “if you insist!”

Halloween parties for kids to enjoy and have fun!

Say BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It’s time for the annual Fun Ranch Halloween Costume Party.

The event happens on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Great Big Room of Big Red Barn in Fun Ranch, Ortigas. Trick or Treat around Fun Ranch immediately follows.

Boo Time! is sponsored by Star Cruises, Layers & Layers, Gee Whiz Stuffs, Digiprint, Adarna House and Global Art. Lootbag sponsors are Regent , Tomy Fruity, Twin Oaks, Jack ‘n Jill Animal Bites, Jack n’ Jill Magic Coated, Wiggles, Pinoy Kendi, Star Fruits, Dynamite Chews, X.O. Duets and Chumbos.

For more details visit their fan page (events) or call 706-3029

This is the first time I am away from my son. And I realized that no matter how much you prepared for this day, there will always something that will go wrong that you were not able to predict. Murphy’s law, right?

I have established a system for the yaya on the frozen bmilk, like when it should be thawed, when the thawed but unfinished bmilk should be disposed, etc, etc. Alas, I was told that my son did not want to feed from the bottle.

But I must admit, I sort of glad to see our workplace again. Yeah, duh?!

Update:
My son was able to finish 5 bottles when I was away. Whoa! And he didn’t want the bottle?!?!

Theo just turned two months old. Celebrating my son’s 2nd month reminded me my maternity leave is almost over. Sigh. I still don’t know “how” to be away from him. “Will the yaya be able to respond to his needs immediately?” or “Will the yaya be able to pacify him when he starts getting all uncomfortable and fussy?” are just two of my many worries. Like the other day, while I was browsing www.trustedquote.com, my son suddenly cried so loud you’d think he was bitten by an ant or someone pinched him. But he just wanted to be near me, hear me talk to him. We noticed he doesn’t like being ignored. He wants to be talked to… all the time. Yeah, that’s the Gemini in him.

Anyway, we have coined a nickname for him. We call him Boch, short for Bochog (meaning chubby). Look at his photo below and you’ll understand why.