#BetterMePH + How I Deal With Teenage Eye-Rolling

As a mom of 16 years, you'd think that I'm an expert at it already. But I'm not. I still struggle through parenting my kids. I feel like as my kids grow older, the challenges also differ, so I have to adjust to them. It's like being given a whole new set of rules for a brand new game. Parenting teens puts me in the extreme end of emotions. One moment, it's all rosy, and quite quickly, things can turn ugly, too.

When I am "frenemies" with my teen, one of the things that helps me calm down and allows me to take a step back to view the situation objectively is when I talk to my mom-friends. When we get together, it is inevitable that we compare "war stories." We usually laugh at how similar our stories are, and we agree on one thing: teenagers are geniuses at doing things that will irritate us! It always makes me feel better after talking to my fellow moms, and knowing that I am not the only one going through that. Talking to other moms always helps me feel better.

taken during my most recent #BetterMePH session

{Weekend Footnotes} Start of G-League Season 2016

The past weekend was too hot to handle! The family had to stay under the sweltering sun in the middle of the hot and humid Manila summer!

The first swim compe of the year just happened, and that means a handful more swim meets to follow. But I'm not complaining. I always enjoy watching my kids swim!

Mommy Mundo EXPO Kid 2016

Check out Mommy Mundo's guide to the coolest summer activities for kids with the Expo Kid 2016!

Summer doesn't only mean taking vacations, surfing the net, or having more time to play. It also means learning new things and picking up new hobbies and interests.

Happy 13th to My B Girl!

Happy Birthday my sweet and strong B!

They say parents can determine their child’s personality within the first month of life. As a mother of three, I have found this to be true. I remember when B was a month old, as soon as the sun went down, her mood seemed to shift as well. She would cry incessantly for upto an hour, and no amount of cuddling, rocking, feeding, playing could distract her high-pitched cries. The doctor said that she developed colic and it would soon go away on its own. But for months on end, I was stressed from her screaming.

Of Valentine's + Prom + A Night To Shine

I think every girl dreams of prom night from the moment they start high school. It's the time when they truly get to dress up, wear some make up and fix their hair a special way!

This time next year, it's my oldest daughter's turn to attend her own prom. As early as now, I am already both excited and anxious for her. I also find myself wishing that she stay a li'l girl for a little bit longer. Like can she grow up later... like maybe on her thirtieth birthday? Tee-hee!

Taken during my cousin's garden wedding a year ago.

How To Stay Out of My Teens' Friendship Dramas

One of the best things I love about being a mom is having mommy friends. I just find so much joy whenever I meet up with them for a quick brunch. We learn a lot from each other, and having someone to talk with who can understand what I am going through with my husband and kids is so comforting.

One of my closest mommy friends has been having problems dealing with her emotions for the past year. Her problems lie with the fact that she takes in her daughter's problems too much. And so when we talk with each other, she shares her frustrations about her daughter's friends with me, and I listen to her. I give my opinion when she asks for it. But deep inside me, I'm thankful that I don't have to go though what she's going through... I don't think I can handle it.

Just recently a New York Times article showed up on my FB newsfeed. It was such an apt explanation of what my friend was feeling. The author explains this common dynamic of parent-teen relationships. Essentially, teens emotionally dump a problem on a parent. The parent will then react to the drama even after the teen has recovered from it.

For the most part I am a newbie as far a teen dramas are concerned because my oldest daughter hardly ever has one. J's personality is one that is almost always predictably happy. She hardly has enemies, and seldom hates on people. She is not one to hold a grudge and she is capable of easily moving on to other things, she gets over everything after a day or two... like nothing even happened in the first place. I think her tolerance + soft-heartedness make her well-loved by her friends.

Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour

In a little over a week, Madonna is coming over to Manila for her 2-day concert for her Rebel Heart Tour. A lot of my mommy friends and I grew up listening to her songs. In fact, I remember buying a cassette tape of her Like a Virgin album when I was in grade school! (Yes, talagang cassette tape. Hahaha! Shows you how old I am.)

Melissa Shoes: Take Me To Paradise Raffle Promo

It's almost summer! It's always so much fun to get dressed for summer, di ba? Summer is synonymous with comfortable tops, bright colors, sexy swimsuits, flattering caftans, easy dresses. But, let's not forget that shoes complete our summer outfit!

If you're on the hunt for the perfect pair of shoes to wear all summer long, then I'm happy to share with you that Melissa Philippines has got our backs, well, actually, our feet. Hehehehe!

Jump Yard: Manila's Newest Indoor Trampoline Park

I love taking my girls out on dates, just us girls.  I love the bond that I have with both my daughters, and I treasure it. I love to spend time doing an activity with them. I also love to hear about what is important to them: who they like spending time with, what they are thinking about. Our conversations are nothing deep, just mundane and ordinary, but in the end it’s the little things that add up to the whole that makes them who they are.

So when we were invited to visit Jump Yard, Manila's newest indoor trampoline park, I said yes right away! I know jumping on an olympic trampoline was something my girls and I would enjoy doing together.

Lysol To-Go, Clean On-The-Go!

I think for every newbie mom, there's always that time in our lives when we were paranoid about germs, bacteria, viruses and such. Did you ever pass through that phase when your newborn just came home and you felt like you had to clean your hands every 10 minutes? Or when your toddler's plastic toy needed to be washed everytime it touched the floor?

I can clearly remember those days. Hahaha! BUT, I slowly turned into a free-range parent by the time my third child came around. Because, hello! What doesn't kill them, makes them stronger. Teehee!