When mother takes charge

I have been out of work for almost 7 months now, which means I am semi-exclusively taking care of the four kids.  I have 2 nannies.
What do I get from this? I have everything I want.  I may not be earning right now, but they have needs that I can provide that nobody else can. I am going to tell you our story tonight.
Before going to sleep, I read the 2 boys a book.  Tonight I read them the Bible Story. My eldest son loves it. My Halo has been doing something else while I was reading.  After reading, Uel requested for a hug and Halo a back scratch, our usual routine.  I extend my arms where I can hug Uel while scratching Halo until we fall asleep. I call it multitasking.  I do that until both of them fall asleep.  That was about 930pm and by this time,  the twins are already asleep at the living room.  Why at the living room? I can't put them to sleep while the older brothers are awake, it's a rumble.
It was already 220am while writing this, I took a 20 minute break, my Twinkle cried in the other room so I had to ran to her. I transfered her into our room and had some milk.  I just need to assure her that mommy's here.  An hour ago, I was awakened by Star's cry.  Daddy got her milk, she doesn't like it.  She was given water, she doesn't like it either.  I was so sleepy so Daddy stopped what he was doing and carried her but it did not help. I know what she wants, a hug from Mommy.  She tried to play with her Dad but when she looks at me, she realizes what she really wants.  She wanted me to carry her until she falls asleep again.  I was so sleepy but I have no choice.  I need to do it or all of us will have to stay awake even her brothers.  While carrying her, her older brother Halo woke up crying.  "Mommy, I want to sleep beside you!"  Ooooppps! Now, there's two of them.  While putting Star to sleep, Halo wanted me to scratch his back, take note, Only mommy!  This has been a usual scenario.  Here is what we do, I start scratching his back and Dad will continue.  But Halo is too smart to notice that.  He will again blurt out, "Mommy, please scratch my back!"  He knows the difference.  Good thing, on Twinkle's turn, she just asked for milk and no carrying around needed this time.  Plain milk and she was back to sleep.
I just noticed though.  When babies wake up during the night, the father would initially think that the baby needs milk.  Daddy would prepare milk for them.  But when it comes to the mother, a kiss and a hug is the priority.  The mother's touch is the best touch ever.
Daddy is the provider, mommy does everything else.  Mothers out there would agree with me I know.
My reward? Happiness. Fulfillment as a mom.
Lessons: Always be there when your children needs you.  They are your responsibility.

Computer lessons anyone?

When I was young, the mouse was an animal and windows were the rectangle shaped openings of our house.  Now, the Webster's dictionary has added lots of words in it.  The computer at that time was the one I use when I play video games like Mario brothers.  Tin tin tin tin nin tin! It's was called Nintendo then.  The first time I touched the computer was when I was on first year college, I think about  20 years ago? I still remember when we had to make our Econometric model and rent at a computer shop and we used Lotus 123 and WordStar.  Say goodbye to your work when you hear a demonic laugh! Wala! A virus has bit your floppy disk.  I learned a lot about computers when I was working.  I have no choice because I will be left behind if I won't.

Nowadays, my 3 year old son knows how to use the computer.  He knows the different parts of the computer.  Sometimes I am amazed when he tells me, "Mom, look at that, that's youtube! Scary isn't it?  He can play online games in Y8, Y3, Gazo.com and others. My 6 year old son can now chat with his aunt in the US.  He was so excited when he first did it.  Of course, he doesn't his password.  We created an account for him, but I did not give him his password, I told him my fingers memorized it.  So I need to use my fingers to enter it.  I don't know until when would he realize that I intended not to give it to him.  Someday he will understand. Yes! I allow them to use the computer, but with controlled time and proper guidance.  The computer is not their nanny.  We make sure somebody is with them when surfing the net.  Sometimes there is a mini-civil war in front of the computer.  Fighting over who's going to use the computer at a certain period of time.  What I did? They have 15 minutes interval each.  It is written on paper.  My eldest knows how to read and follows instructions well so nobody cheats.  I can't either.  I will be given the worst accusation of not following my schedule if I won't.  And that's bad influence and they can always think that it is OK not to follow instructions.  

They can't use the computer from 1230pm to 5:00 pm because it is nap time.  7:00pm to 8:00pm is forbidden because it's dinner time.  They can't also use the computer unless they took a bath, I make sure that their eyes are not tired when they take a bath.  So when can they use the computer.  9am to 12nn, 5pm to 7pm and 8pm to 9pm.  That's enough for them.  They can't go over 9:00pm because that is their sleeping time.  Sometimes I ask them to take a break so I can check the stock market.  My 3 year old son knows the website, and he is excited to show me that he knows the site that I am going to check.  So when do I usually use the internet?  When they are asleep.  There was a time when my son asked me to buy him his own laptop with internet so he can use it anytime.  What a request from a turning 6 year old.  For others they can easily give in, but for me, it's too early.  

It is us parents who can teach our children what to do, who can control them on the things they can, and guide them on their capabilities.  How do you guide yours?

I call it exposure

I am the youngest of 12 children.  Yes! 12! We were all born in Tarlac and we grew up there.  6 of my siblings now live there, one died in 1997 (He was struck by lightning).  One is a teacher in China.  4 of us are stays in Manila.  I was born when our eldest was 27 years old, he has his own family by then.  My late father was a great farmer and my mother assisted him while taking care of us.  They did their best so we could attend to good schools, especially the last 6.  Since my parents are farmers and we grew up in the barrios, we were able to grow with farm animals, different crops and trees. We can name plants and trees in no time.  Our rich classmates can see all green around them while we can name each plant from afar. That is an advantage, whether they like it or not.  We have rice, eggplants, tomatoes, bitter gourd, tobacco, and more.  Just roam around the house and you'll have something to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner.   We all know how to plant these.  Aside from the plants, we also have chicken, ducks and pigs.  The happier part is harvest time.  We get the a portion of the sales when we help in harvesting and eventually selling in the market.  A person will just know at our door (no gates in the provinces) and buys the vegetables they want.  1 peso is enough to buy a kilo of eggplants.  We also have guavas around the house.  The sales support our daily school allowance and tuition fees.  This is how I started to be an entrepreneur.  I love earning through sales.  Unfortunately, my mother did not want us selling. I won't forget when I tried selling bookmarks to my classmates (I love practical arts).  My classmates also pay me to design their projects.  When she learned about it, she was so angry that I did not want her to know that I am selling anything anymore.  She thinks selling is just a waste of time and would hamper our way to looking for a good job in the future.  No one gets rich being an employee.  Being an employee for 15 years can attest to that.
Back in college, I sold Avon products.  The sales added to my allowance.  Thank you to my college friend who maybe now is a successful businesswoman.
Now I have four kids.  I want them to become entrepreneurs of the future.  It's music to my ears when I hear my eldest son saying, "let's sell."  I encourage them to sell or have their own business someday.  I expose them to my selling activities so they would know.  We had another week long vacation in Tarlac, I was so happy when my sons asks permission from me that they would go to the farm with their cousins.  One morning when I woke up, my eldest excitedly said that he is going to sell string beans with his uncle in the barrio on a tricycle.  Funny thing was, when he cannot sell, he says, "Why aren't the people buying? Don't they have the money?"
He has his own ideas on selling.  When I told him that we are going to buy some "balut", he told me "Yes, and let's sell them to our neighbors!"  I know someday my son will become a good businessman, because at an early age he comes up with his own ideas on selling.
I expose them to the world where I've been through.  I also let them explore.  If it was something unknown to me, as long as it is safe, it's fine.  Of course, the dad knows as well.  During their stay in Tarlac, they wanted to go to the farm, I allowed them.  They took a ride on the "kuliglig", (it is a vehicle used to transport goods and people in the farm).  They love it.  They even rode with a pig on it.  They love it.   It was them who offers the idea of going to the farm, feed the pigs, chicken and other farming activities.  In the city, all we have is a pot of soil.  Some would not like the idea, but I call it exposure.
Have a wonderful life!