All-Around Pinay Mama: Search results for autism

Starting the Day Right

April 29, 2018

Cheers to Life, Cheers to Everyday

October 31, 2016

Time flies! It’s been two years since Bunso was diagnosed with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder and it happened 16 days before his fourth birthday. I already shared it through a blog post only last year when I felt that it was the right time. I also wouldn’t forget how we celebrated Bunso’s birthday then and it was only on this day that I was able to share it.

Our family is not used to celebrating birthdays or special occasions by throwing huge parties. Paps and I are not comfortable having these maybe because both of us belong to families that prefer intimate celebrations.

During Bunso’s fourth birthday, we prepared something simple that we thought would make him feel very special. We let Kuya plan the entire surprise simple birthday party not just because he insisted but also we wanted him to use his creativity to show his baby brother how he really cared.

On the day before the celebration, Kuya showed me the birthday card that he was making for Bunso. He was so excited to tell us that he started doing it during his free time in school and he would still do the finishing touches later. While he wasn’t looking, I asked Paps, “Did you tell him to do that?” Then Paps replied that he didn’t. How sweet of Kuya!

Kuya continued decorating the birthday card diligently. Right after finishing it, he handed it to me and said, “Mama, I know that Ice doesn’t know how to read yet. Will you keep this for me? When he knows how to read, can we show this to him?” I couldn’t help myself to cry while reading Kuya’s message and laughed out loud thereafter.

I hugged him and said, “Thank you, Kuya! You’re such a sweet brother. Ice will surely love and appreciate this. When the time comes that he knows how to read and understands what you mean, I am going to show this to him definitely."

The following day, I mentioned to Bunso upon waking up that it was his birthday and Paps and Kuya would have a surprise upon arrival in the afternoon. He patiently waited and he was very sad because Paps and Kuya went home late. His sadness faded away and he jumped with joy when he saw the small chocolate cake and Pancit Bilao that they were handling. We set up our dining table and prepared his “handa”, sang the Birthday Song, and ate together as a family. Bunso was very conscious with getting messy that was why he kept on wiping his face with Cheers, one of our most trusted and favorite tissue brands made of 100% virgin pulp, no artificial whiteners and elemental chlorine, truly hygienic and safe for my family. He also gave each a few pieces for wiping our mouths while eating. Moving on, while doing so, we could see in his eyes how happy he was! For a child who could barely talk and express his emotions, his smile was indeed priceless!

After the salu-salo, Kuya showed his first gift, a shape sorter, and Bunso opened the box quickly. He was so excited to play with it. When he felt bored, Kuya handed him his second gift, a ball. If Bunso was happy receiving his first gift, on this one he was more excited! He was not yet capable of expressing his gratitude and longing towards his brother and I was glad that Kuya didn’t wait anymore for his baby brother to say “Thank you” and initiated to play with him immediately without being told to do so.

I watched blissfully as my two boys played together with their Paps. I felt so proud of Kuya for doing the best of his ability to plan Bunso’s frugal birthday party and for making him happy despite not being sure how his brother would reciprocate the time and effort that he exerted in that thoughtfulness of his.

This happened two years ago. Kuya was nine that time. As days, months, and years passed, I realized that Kuya was digesting most if not all, the advice that Paps and I were giving him--- to make other people happy; being good, generous, understanding, and caring to others especially to his baby brother. We see a lot of improvements with Bunso and Kuya is the big factor in those milestones.

From that day on, living with a family member with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes very challenging everyday but we learn how to celebrate life not just during special occasions but anytime, everywhere daily. We appreciate simple things, joys, triumphs, milestones, blessings, and even trials that come our way. We believe that there is always beauty in everyday no matter how bad the situation it seems. We learn to be more patient, forgiving, understanding, and loving to one another. We become more generous of our time more than with material things especially with Bunso who needs it the most.

Our family never lets the things that we can't, don't, or shouldn't have spoil the enjoyment of the things that we already have. We value our happiness and we always remember it. Life is worth living because we learn to be happy without the things that we can't or shouldn't have. . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmmusings #love #happiness #simplejoys #blessing #family #instagood #instadaily #mommybloggersphilippines #momswhoblogph #certifiedbloggers #bloggersngpinas #pinayblogger #asianblogger

A photo posted by SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Apr 23, 2016 at 11:57am PDT

We extend our efforts in all aspects. We do our best to become the best version of ourselves. We are contented with what we have but never contented with who we are. Our family life is not perfect but we always see beauty in that imperfection. Oprah Winfrey once said, “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” It’s happening. It’s so true. There is always a reason to have “Cheers to life, cheers to everyday!”

We never know the love of our parents until we become parents ourselves. . . . Seeing my kids grow together is so close to perfect. It takes my breath away. It's so lovely that it removes all my apprehensions and fears. . . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmmusings #makeitblissful #aapmparenting #aapmkids #mommybloggersph #momswhoblogph #certifiedbloggers #instadaily #happiness #blessed #joy #happymom #igersmanila

A photo posted by SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Apr 17, 2016 at 1:47am PDT

Life is uncertain but when we see our kids, I know that Kuya is going to protect and love Bunso above anybody else when Paps and I leave this world.

Ancient Traditions and Modern Healing Combined Using Healthy Smoothies---Traditional Chinese Medicine Inspired Recipes

March 14, 2017

Having a household without helper and composed of two active kids, one of which has Mild Autism, is obviously a very busy one. Paps and I share with the bulk of work in doing the chores and raising our kids aside from our personal jobs. Paps is a high school teacher by the day and he teaches in the school where Kuya studies while I take care of Bunso who is now attending Special School and Occupational Therapy. Paps and I still work for our homebased business from the moment that our kids are asleep. This staying up late at night happens all the time because we have no choice but to extend our efforts. It is merely impossible for me to cover for him and do his share in the business task after dropping Bunso to school and while he is staying there for two to three hours because doing so at this point is most of the time being substituted with chores. From the moment that Bunso and I are already home, my time revolves around him alone because he needs it and he is my priority. Then late in the afternoon, in the evening, or late at night when the two big boys arrive, as the schedule permits, our focus as parents mainly is to have a brief family time with our kids during and after dinner time and do the chores thereafter. And the cycle goes on and on and on...

Paps and I are not complaining. We love our job as parents and we also like what we do for a living. We also have the same hobbies and we are happy with our present condition. We always wish to live longer and watch our kids grow and build their own lives separately but would constantly look for each other closely.

Living longer entails hard work and discipline. I have also learned just recently that a study has been made that parenting can lead to longer life. Well, mainly it's because parents have more reasons to live longer. They have to look after their kids until they die. It's a motivation that is so hard to break because parents love their kids unconditionally.

When I say hard work and discipline, it includes having a healthy lifestyle. Gone were the days when we would indulge in fatty and oily food or binge eating with junk food. We eat a balanced meal and tend to indulge or have ourselves a treat with dairy or chips once in a while. We don't want our kids to be ignorant with food. We believe that balance is always the key. We also don't take too much medicines and we take them only when they are badly and truly needed. We always resort to natural alternatives which includes choosing the right food in healing a specific disease. Sometimes, skipping medication is not an option but still it should be reinforced with taking food alternatives to heal the target disease.

Like for instance, drinking lots of water, cranberry juice, and coconut water is good for Urinary Tract Infection and Canker Sores because they kill and wash off the bacteria that cause them. There are so many articles found in the world wide web about the healing wonders of fruits, vegetables, and herbs and sometimes it takes time to search and look for the right ones. Most of the correct information based on experience comes from Chinese or Asian sources.

I don't do that anymore at the moment because now I have with me this tiny book with huge information about Chinese and Asian superfoods turned into smoothies, which are considered to be the convenient way to bring nutrition and refreshment into our daily living. Healthy Smoothies---Traditional Chinese Medicine Inspired Recipes by Kimberly Ashton (health coach and food educator) and Zhang Yifang (Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor) teaches us how to make healthy smoothies while making us understand about food therapy that is suited to our individual constitution. Body constitution, by the way, makes up our physical state, including the function of the systems of our body and metabolism and of course, our mental and spiritual states too.

How do we know our individual constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

The authors mention in the book that the features of one's constitution can be detected in three areas: the personal physical build, the body's internal functions, and the psychological state. A person's constitution also depends on the stage of life he or she is facing, such as puberty or menopause perhaps.

There are also two origins of constitution: congenital natural disposition and post-natal lifestyle (nature and nurture, in short). Moreover, there are so many factors that influence the formation of the constitution when speaking about the "nature" part like parents' physical and mental health, at the time of conception or the mother's pregnancy condition. When it comes to "nurture", our own lifestyles and actions influence our constitution.

To help us maintain our present state of being or constitution, we have to learn first the basic healthy food that can help us maintain, relax, or heal it. In this book, a self-assessment is included to find that out. The result can help us know what foods to choose according to our individual constitution. Isn't it cool? We can just try and test different smoothies that we think can help us gain healthier bodies with a concrete basis. We are being guided properly by this book by knowing the basics of TCM and the first thing to do is to know more about what we really need.

Next step is teaching the preparation of functional liquids and bases. TCM also stresses that aside from matching our food therapy to our individual constitution, we should also consider the season we are in and what effects we want the smoothie to have in our health. The liquids and bases that are the key parts to smoothie making are divided into three kinds: cooling, warming, and neutral. After this step, choosing suitable food and building our very own TCM smoothie follow, may it be for nourishing nutrition, immune system strength, detoxification, refreshment, or digestion aid. There are almost 40 recipes to choose from that are explained in a very simple manner which includes usage, ingredients, method of preparing, and most of all contraindication. Each recipe is supported with colorful photographs that make reading this book and learning from it enticing and fun.

I recommend this book for the reasons that I've mentioned above. It serves as a reliable guide for us to achieve optimum health and well-being. Dr. Ann Wignore, a Lithuanian-American holistic health practitioner, once said, "When we learn to eat properly we begin to rebuild our bodies and to fulfill our purpose on this planet to grow in health, creativity, wisdom, and compassion." This book can help us do it rightly to achieve this goal.

If you wish to have a copy, it can be purchased here in the Philippines via National Book Store (SM Mega Mall, SM North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia, and Robinsons Galleria), Fully Booked The Fort, and Fully Booked Rockwell. You may also buy it online at www.tuttlepublishing.com. Tuttle Publishing offers free shipping for items worth $35.00 (US $) and above. Aside from this book, there are a lot of interesting books available on the website.

Tuttle Publishing gets social. You may join the community for updates on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM.

Review + International Giveaway (November 2016): KidloLand App

November 07, 2016

Our world is now fast paced. Technology changes in a blink of an eye. People from all walks of life especially the older ones do their best to cope up with it while the youngsters, which include my son, are born with. We can’t deny that apps using our phones, laptops, and tablets become part of our lives now and they are here to break or make us especially the kids. What I mean is, there are those who are trashy and don’t teach our children the right values or skills and there are those who help us to develop them cognitively and wholistically.

I have two sons, eleven and five years old. With all honesty, I don’t expose them too much on gadgets because they have the tendency to get addicted. In the case of my eldest, I have no choice this year but to give him his own tablet because his class uses e-book in school. What I do is I give him an hour during weekends and ten minutes during weekdays to enjoy his favorite videos on YouTube, read articles online, or play games. Paps, Loley, and I are still monitoring him despite of trusting him that he can control his urge to play instead of studying. While my Bunso, who has been diagnosed with Mild Autism Spectrum, is not allowed by his Developmental Pediatrician to get exposed to television shows or watching videos online and offline because his speech and fine motor skills are delayed. Sadly, he has the tendency to get hooked on gadgets that he doesn’t like to stop. He needs to do activities that require communicating and tinkering.

After his diagnosis in 2014, we took away his gadget privileges. It was also in the same year when he started being afraid of hearing load sounds and getting overwhelmed with too much color and action from movies. I exposed him to more books, flashcards, and concrete educational tools like blocks and Lego.

It was only last year that I let Bunso use my phone. I only installed two educational puzzle apps that he's still playing daily under time limit. Presently, he is still afraid of loud sounds and hearing songs from the television or radio. Ironically he has the tendency to get addicted to YouTube firework videos so I locked the internet access. So when KidloLand, an award-winning app for toddlers and preschoolers, contacted me to review its app, I was hesitant at first. But then again, 250+ mom bloggers all over the world recommended it so why should I not give it a try. Then I accepted the offer. Seeing and exploring the app myself with Kuya before showing it to Bunso made me feel happy that I said yes.

These are the things that we love about KidloLand:

1. Versatile

- There are over 800 nursery rhymes, stories, songs, activities, and games available for toddlers and preschoolers.

- 95+ interactive classic nursery rhymes with thousands of surprises come alive when tapping the screen.

- Original educational songs for learning ABCs, fruits, vegetables, shapes, colors, and a lot more can be found.

- There is a complete Phonics section composed of activities and songs to help kids start or enrich their reading skills.

- Kids learn a lot through games. They enjoy playing without them realizing that they are learning at the same time.

- It is loaded with activities that help kids develop their cognitive skills like sequencing, math, picture and number, comprehension, problem-solving skills, and a lot more that develop their eye-hand coordination, creativity, reasoning, and imagination.

2. Child and Parent-Friendly

- There are no advertisements that may influence the child.

- The games, songs, and activities are designed for kids ages zero to five.

- It’s easy to use and navigate.

- Shows a wide array of funny animations and sounds that make children entertained.

- Animation and sound are colorful and crisp respectively.

- Parents can download activities, videos, and songs that kids can enjoy offline anywhere, anytime.

This also assures that parents can still choose and be in control in what contents of KidloLand their kids can watch, hear, and do at the moment.

Our internet connection speed here in the Philippines is too slow and it takes longer for me to download more contents of the app but I guess in other countries downloading is faster. It’s okay for me because as I’ve said, I only show Bunso a few portions of the app daily.

3. Android and Apple Device Compatible

Kidloland may be purchased through App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore for Android.

4. Affordable

There’s a Basic (Free) Service where a limited number of songs and other content is made available to the free users of the app and unlocking any additional content requires either in-app purchase or registering for subscription service. One year subscription, for example, is US$39.99.

During the first time that I showed Bunso the activities that I downloaded from the app, I felt a little nervous. As I mentioned a while ago, he was afraid of loud sounds, too colorful animation, and could get addicted to videos so I did his exposure one at a time for him not to get overwhelmed. I was surprised to see that he loved everything about it especially the puzzles. He didn’t get afraid of the sound and color. He was hooked but still would return my phone after a given time limit. Like his favorite old puzzle apps, he didn’t get addicted.

Our family loves KidloLand. It ‘s definitely the best educational preschool and toddler app that I’ve seen so far. No wonder that it is trusted by moms all over the world and has gained so many awards and badges from different parenting and educational institutions. KindloLand can win the hearts of kids as well as their parents.

Like us, I also like you and your toddlers and preschoolers to experience the wonders of this app. KidloLand is so generous to give three (3) AAPM Readers of the Month of November a three-month subscription each to the KidloLand app. It’s so easy to join. Just follow the steps below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to my readers WORLDWIDE. You don't have to be my social media account followers to join. Giveaway period is from November 7 to 30, 2016 only. Winner will be chosen by random.org.

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook Page on December 1, 2016 and he/she will be notified through Facebook message on the same day. Thanks!

Good luck and thanks for joining!

XOXO,

Peer Review: I Love You Because I Love You

October 17, 2021

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU

BOOK REVIEW

AUTHORS: MR. HECTOR AND MRS. SHARON JOYCE VALDEZ

PUBLISHER: UKIYOTO

I Love You Because I Love You Book, Sharon Joyce Valdez, Hector Martin Valdez, Autism Book, Parenting Book, Autism Book PH, Best Autism Book

This wonderful book is about a significant journey (but not quite an easy one) of parents who are blessed with two awesome boys but one of them is extra-special and extra-ordinary in many ways. I am talking about their “Bunso” aka Ice. They share with us their journey and the challenges that they have faced and overcome in raising Ice. What has kept them going is their unconditional love for their youngest child. Not to mention the support and love of their eldest son Ross also truly counts in making the journey ahead worthwhile.

Theirs is a no holds barred story and I am truly amazed to see how the whole family can come together to make life beautiful and worth –living for Ice. The book has eight (8) chapters that will take you to a roller-coaster ride from acceptance to gratitude up to the present. Each page made me feel thrilled, happy and teary-eyed as I rooted for the Valdez family.

No matter how different a child may be, he or she is never less. Because in the eyes of God. He dearly loves us and will always love us unconditionally. In a family, where we find genuine warmth and support, the book’s title, “I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU” is God’s way of expressing His love and forbearance for us, in spite of our imperfections and limitations. He simply loves us because He made us not only with His hands but also in His image.

The book will surely open many minds and hearts of readers and be able to see themselves with value and importance and a mission and a purpose to fulfill in this life in order to leave something behind that is truly lasting, as well as enduring.

I am thankful to read their story and for letting readers journey side by side with them because it can truly help parents undergoing the same predicament to put things in order and perspective, and most of all anchor their faith in God for He will never give us anything that we could not bear.

I encourage parents, friends and book lovers alike to please do get a copy of “I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU” because by reading and leafing through the pages will make you see that we are all the same inside though we may be different in one or another but we are loved by the same God; so fearfully and wonderfully made by Him.

Written by Meanne Mabesa Mijares

Events Planner, Author, Motivational Speaker and Life Coach

Review: Belo Baby

May 02, 2016

Is My Best Enough For My Kids?

May 11, 2017

I made a major decision that changed my life as a married career woman 11 years ago. It was easy for me to embrace the idea of becoming a stay at home mom. I knew that I had to give up so much pertaining to a promising career opportunities and mobile lifestyle. I accepted that meeting with friends and fast professional and personal growth would be scarce or none at all. I didn't falter because all I thought was the presence that I could give Kuya and having a nanny would never be an option again.

Paps and I hired a nanny twice but it never worked for us. It came to a point that only the two of us could fully understand and extend our patience to our son who was very active and clingy that time.

I never look back totally but sometimes I glance behind a little to remember the reason why I have decided to become a SAHM especially during those moments when I feel exhausted, impatient, and irritable. It is inevitable that some days are better than others and vice versa. My life becomes more challenging and time bound when I have started a homebased business with my mom after giving birth to Bunso who has been diagnosed with Mild Autism before his fourth birthday. I have to juggle my duties to give my best to my family especially to my precious sons and have trained myself to insert at least 20 minutes of "me time" a day to keep my sanity intact.

There are instances that I become so focused with business tasks that I take some time that is intended for my kids to finish deadlines. Honestly, I feel guilty. We live by the paycheck that makes me more eager to help my husband earn for a living to give our kids the life that they deserve. Like Paps, I take time to give our kids not just their basic needs but their wants sometimes because I like them to grow up knowing how to prioritize and make the right decisions. I communicate with them and teach them life lessons for them to grow up good and self-directed individuals. I see to it that I make the best out of what we have as a family. I do my best to be always there for my kids. I love them more than I love myself. I can give up everything to make them happy. But the question is, do they know and feel how much I love them? I know that it's not always easy to give the best for my kids but is my best enough for them?

I have shortcomings and imperfections and I wonder how my kids perceive me as a mom. Do their hugs and kisses validate their love for me? When they say "I love you, Mama", do they really mean that they love me or it's just a sort of a habit because I always say "I love you" to them several times a day? Honestly, it never crossed my mind to ask them not until I watched this video:

It's Mother's Month and a perfect time to reflect. How do our kids see us? Sapat kaya ang atensiyon at pagmamahal na ibinibigay natin sa kanila? Here's a touching video about how kids see their moms. Ihanda na ang tissue bago panoorin at nakaaantig ng damdamin. . https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1201733093286441&id=821902747936146&_rdr . #allaroundpinaymama #FernCKidz #kalidadnaalaga

A post shared by SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on May 11, 2017 at 1:11am PDT

By merely thinking of asking them about how they see me as a mom makes me feel uncomfortable. It's because I feel that my efforts are not enough, that I still need to improve more to be the best mom that I can be. My husband once told me during one of the lowest moments of my life as a mom, "Mama, don't be too hard on yourself. You are a great mom and always remember that." I hope that my kids feel the same way. Well, I don't have the courage to ask my kids but I can ask Paps to do that for me.

*********************

FERN-C kidz was created and manufactured by the makers of FERN-C, the number one Sodium Ascorbate Vitamin C brand in the Philippines. As a product of FERN Incorporated and having the Quali-C seal, you are assured of its quality and efficacy. Plus, your children are sure to love the delicious orange flavor of FERN-C kidz. #KalidadnaAlaga ay sigurado with FERN-C kidz.

Starting the Day Right

Cheers to Life, Cheers to Everyday

Ancient Traditions and Modern Healing Combined Using Healthy Smoothies---Traditional Chinese Medicine Inspired Recipes

Review + International Giveaway (November 2016): KidloLand App

Peer Review: I Love You Because I Love You

Review: Belo Baby

Is My Best Enough For My Kids?

SJ Valdez

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