The Super Momma

Pick Your Mommy Battle

The Super Momma 9:30 AM motherhood , musings 0 Comments

When I was young, I was bullied. I was bullied because I had a dark complexion, I don’t have perfect teeth, I am living far from school and so on and so forth. Honestly, at a young age, I didn’t know what bullying was. What my innocent mind can grasp that time was my classmates don’t like me and that there is a standard to be in a school. I never knew it was already bullying. I was hurt. I told my mom that my classmates calls me “Negra” and I equate it as ugly, but my mom keeps on telling me that no one is ugly that everyone is created beautiful. What she did was to boost my morale and told me to ignore them as much as I can. I remember that she would always tell me, “Do not do unto others what others don’t want to do to you.” Through the years, I lived by that saying.

When I reached high school and college, with all the trials in my life, I became tough. Mom always reminds me to be strong and be at my best so I cannot be belittled by people. She was right. I gained that confidence and was able to face challenges in my life with ease.

That was then, more than a decade ago.

But things change with kids. I had to set aside a lot of things that I choose to be the better person for them. I choose to assert my rights depending on the situation. With all the crazy people in the world, I have to control my emotions. When I had my eldest, I still fight for what is right. I lash out my anger towards people and God knows what happen next.

But now that I have three children, I now choose to be different. I learned that they are sponge and that they absorb my emotions so much that I have to control mine first. Instead of being mad at the waiter for not serving the proper meal, I choose to be patient and be kind. Instead of lashing out on a person for cutting the line at the grocery store, I choose to be quiet and just patiently wait for my turn. Instead of getting mad at somebody for bumping, I choose to understand. It. Is. Hard. I tell you. The moment I want to make things right yet my mind says control your emotions because I have to be a role model is hard!

In this world where everything else is chaos and mad, I have to raise my children in a way that they will not become the bullies of the next generation. I have to raise them to be kind and understanding and also remind them to be good in whatever way they can.

Being a mom, I always pick a battle that gives victory. I don’t want to pick up fights that will haunt me later on. Motherhood changes every single thing.

Pocket Full of Fun With Gardenia's Pocket Sandwich

The Super Momma 12:26 AM product review , TSM Recommends 0 Comments

Being a mom to three children with no help is really a challenge for me. Everyday I have to think of ways on how to manage time in between household chores and feeding them properly, on time and giving them the best and healthy food there is. No matter how I try to be at the top of everything, I always fail at some point. Because you know, I only have limited mommy superpowers.

When my eldest started school, it was a big challenge for all of us. I had to adjust everything since we were just laid back and not having to worry on all we do here at home. Things suddenly changed when I had to wake up early everyday to prepare him to school. Time is fast paced.

The most challenging part also of having to be a mom of a school aged kid is to prepare him healthy food at school. My son, who became a picky eater has limited food choices too. He doesn't eat all what I give him. Good thing, he likes bread so much that he cannot live a single day without it. One thing that I have never regretted of having to introduce it to them.

So when Gardenia finally launched their newest product in the market the pocket sandwich, I knew that it will be one of my lifesaver. I am up for anything that will make life easier especially that I know that it is a healthy choice for my children. It saves a lot of time having to prepare sandwiches for him in going to school. I just have to stuff it inside his bag plus any drink of his choice and he is good for the day.

It is also good for our daily snacks whenever we have activities, we will just open a pack and enjoy our activities together with it. It is also good for families like us who are always on-the-go so we will not worry where to stop next just in case we get hungry along the road, easy-peasy. It also means more time for stories and more bonding with the kids without all of us getting hungry.

For only P15/pack, definitely affordable and healthy snack for students. I hope they can come up with more variants so there will be different variants everyday.

TSM Recommends: Cusina Natural Antibacterial Dishwashing Liquid

The Super Momma 11:59 PM product review , TSM Recommends 0 Comments

If I have the choice of not washing the dishes in our house, I wouldn't do it. It is one of the chores that I do not like doing eversince I was a kid. I'd do it as a result of necessity or else I/we will use paper plates which is not practical by the way and not liking the idea as well.

Few months ago, we were given a local brand of dishwashing liquid from our mommy blogger group's thanksgiving party. But it is only now that I will be able to put my thoughts into writing. You know I love anything local most especially if this was a product of mommies like me.

One thing that sets them apart from other brands in the dishwashing soap line is their unique variants. They came up with three unique scents that I really love because it leaves a clean fresh smelling utensils. Their scents are gentle to the nose that is not too annoying. Their product is a result of their three years research and partnership of the perfumers and chemists in Spain. The scents are extracted from natural fruit plant extracts which gets rid of bacteria naturally.

The consistency of their products is the same as the rest of the dishwashing liquids. It cleans our dishes and utensils really well without having to compromise the scent of the variant. I love anything that smells fresh most especially if it smells like garden.

Their packaging is unique in an elegant white plastic bottle. Their labels corresponds to the different variants of their scents. Each bottle has a generous amount of 375ml enough to last at least two months of continuous use.

This new brand of dishwashing soap is now available at some SM supermarkets and other grocery stores for P 62.75 only. You can also order online, for more details, visit them at their social media sites.

Website: http://www.cusinahome.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cusinahome/

Instagram: @cusinahome

Starbucks on Valentine's Day

The Super Momma 10:28 AM musings , 0 Comments

It has been five days since heart's day and I haven't written anything about it or posted anything on my social media accounts. It's not that we didn't celebrate it at all, but I was just stuck with my clingy youngest and sick children that I could barely get my hands on the keyboard. Okay, inhale and exhale.

My take on Valentine's make-up look

We officially celebrated Valentine's day a week ago to avoid the hustle and bustle. We know for sure that every corner of the metro will be extremely busy and we do not want to be part of it. We had staycation at Privato Hotel (my thoughts and review will be posted on a separate one) and we had so much fun. If you remembered, I posted on IG and mentioned that I won a staycation last year from eGetinz and I believe it was the perfect time for our staycation.

So a lot of my friends from my social media accounts have posted their VDay celebration. Do not get me wrong though, I love looking at it and I am very much happy for them, the same way they like and put heart on my photos as well. But come to think of it, not everyone has the ability to accept reality. A lot of women from mommy groups was sad and I know most of them were expecting (at least) from their significant others something. Others, made a big deal out of it. I know for a fact because social media made me do it too. I did make a big deal out of it when my immature self has overpowered my emotions. Every girl deserves surprises and I thought, every man should surprise their loved ones just like in fairytales. I was wrong. I was looking for something that Boboy isn't. Don't get me wrong though, he loves surprising me with anything and I appreciate all of it but there was a point in our life that I expected too much of him. Again, I blame it on my social media plus my immature self.

You see, I am a different person now from seven years back. I begin to appreciate that a simple coffee and slice of cake can make me happy on VDay and few hours of me-time before I hit slumber will do. We can never turn our significant others into someone they're not on that single day just because everybody else is flaunting and posting on their social media sites. It is quite unfair to be honest. And just what Boboy said, "why do we have to show our love only on hearts day when we can show it everyday."

I must admit that I have focused my time so much on the kids that I have neglected Boboy already. What struck me most is when he told me, "I understand how you lack time for me because of the kids." I know it is not fair since he should come first before anything else and that I have to divide and manage my time really well.

To all the wives and to-be wives reading this, I hope you appreciate what is infront of you right now. Love them unconditionally like what you promised in your marriage vows. Whatever you are going through, always put your heart to it because love can move mountains.

Strawberry Picking at La Trinidad Benguet

The Super Momma 8:40 PM #traveldiaries , #TSMtravel 0 Comments

If there is one thing that you need to do before leaving Baguio is the Strawberry Picking. I wouldn't want to miss the chance to let the kids experience pick Strawberries. From Baguio, we travelled approximately 10 kilometers from our accommodation. But since we are the family who is always late, we arrived there mid afternoon wherein the parking lot is packed with crowd. They said the best time to visit Strawberry farm is in the morning so there would be less crowd.

Looking for the entrance of the Strawberry farm was quite confusing but because there were a lot of tourists that time, we just went with the flow. But as we went inside, we were still clueless as to where we can really pick strawberries. Most of the farmers were busy tending to their crops. But as we walk through the middle of the farm, we saw some caretakers and thankfully offered us if we were there to pick strawberries. Each of us were given a basket and instruction on how to pick strawberries properly. Glad that we went just the season for harvest as January was the harvest time for strawberries.

They also have different plants there. They have Lettuce, Leeks, as well as other vegetables. They were arranged beautifully. The kids were able to see how is it like to cultivate a farm even just a quick visit.

Minimum weight for strawberries that we should pick should be at least a kilo. One kilo costs P450. If you choose to buy those that were already pre-packed, you can get them at the exit area for P300.

They also have different strawberry based products there aside from Strawberry taho and Strawberry ice cream wherein my kids indulged right after their Strawberry picking. You can also get souvenir items, freshly picked vegetables from their farm at a very low price and other Strawberry products. If you are planning on heading to Baguio, this place is a must visit.

Have you been there? Share your stories in the comment section.

Christmas 2016; Copacabana Apartment Hotel Review

The Super Momma 6:10 PM hotel review , TSM Recommends 0 Comments

If you have been a reader for the past years, it has been a tradition in my small family that we get to celebrate holidays outside our home. That way, we inhale a different ambiance during the holidays and a practice eversince my eldest was born.

Last Christmas 2016, my mom, my siblings and nephews got to celebrate with us last Christmas so I booked a hotel within Metro Manila. Honestly, I have been eyeing this one for quite sometime because it is near SM Moa where we can watch fireworks display but unfortunately, it is always fully booked during New Year's eve. So instead of waiting for New Year's eve, I booked it on Christmas.

For hassle free booking, I book our hotels at Agoda site and get discounts as well as rebates for our next booking. I booked a two bedroom apartment hotel, without breakfast. I wouldn't mind not having breakfast included in our hotel because my kids always wake up late and we always miss breakfast offered by hotels!

The apartment hotel has perfect location since it is near the airport and most of the big shopping malls. If you are visiting Manila, this is a good choice for you and your family. The building is quite old but I must say they were able to maintain its interiors. Their bathrooms has new and clean tiles, their cabinets under the sink are newly painted as well without a trace of any water leak to it. I was quite impressed really.

The hospitality of their hotel staff is excellent and they are also quite strict when it comes to implementation of rules (ie number of persons allowed per room and swimming outfit).

The two bedroom we got was actually enough for 5 adults and 5 kids in it. It has a total of three rooms--one Master's, second one has two single beds and third room is Maid's room with a double sized bed. It has two bathrooms, one bathroom with hot and cold shower which is not bad at all. It has a big living room, dining area and kitchen area all complete with cooking and eating utensils. All you have to bring is food and the best thing is, no extra fee!

They also have parking space which is at the back of the hotel but I am not sure how many cars can it accommodate.

The only downside to it is that, because it is in EDSA, you can hear the sound of the cars and the what nots. Also, the pool is not as baby friendly and looks old as well. Honestly, my feet hurts walking around near the pool because of the extremely rough flooring as well as in the pool.

Overall, I would still recommend this apartment hotel for the above reasons. But if you are to use their pool, I strongly suggest otherwise. Also, they do not offer free wifi but if you want, they charge wifi per hour and pretty hefty IMO.