Continue reading »]]> My Dearest Son,

Congratulation on your birthday!!! You’re now 5 years old but it was like only yesterday that you came out to this world and now I have to answer all kinds of questions and we can discuss a lot of things. I love it when you say I’m the best mother in the world and you always tell me that you love me and even shout out loud when you see me. I have to admit that sometimes I want to freeze the time that you will always my little baby but I know that’s impossible.  But I hope you will still tell that when you grow up and have a lot of friends.

In the morning when you wakes up you always smile and kiss me and say “Good morning Mama” which makes my day complete. We sit down and we eat our breakfast together and talk while watching your favorite program in the TV, the Disney channel and your favorite videos in The Voice. We always wants to stay but then I have to deliver you to the Kindergarten and that’s when sometimes we have disagreement because you want to play more. On the way to the Kindergarten and we talk about the garbage truck or the cars along the way until I have to kiss and wave my hand and I’m not sad because I know you love to be there.

I’ m very proud of you at very young age you can do a lot of things like writing letters to me and a lot of things. You are so smart at a very young age but I’ always tell you and I pray that you stay humble and be patient if others can’t understand you. And you will always count on me to support and guide you along the way.

I thank God that you are a healthy and a happy boy who always makes me and your father happy. We can not shower you with material things but you know that we are always have time for you and we cherish every moment we spent with you. We love you and Happy 5th birthday “Anak ” God bless you always.

With love,

Mor

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I received my son’s allowance or child check  today but officially they call it Family Allowance. All families in Denmark with children who fulfills the requirements receives,  a Child Check every quarter and it’s tax-free. Beyond this benefit, it is also possible to get other grants, for example. if you are a single parent, student or Retired parents.

Taxes are very high in Europe  especially in Denmark but health care and Child Supports are well in place unlike the third world countries. That’s a good thing living in Europe that there is a child support for example in Spain once you give birth you will get 2,500 euros and 100 euro per month until they reach 3 years old. In Denmark you are entitled to receive Family Allowance from birth until before  child’s  18th birthday.

Family Allowance

The Family Allowance is for all families with children and adolescents under 18 years. The allowance is paid automatically to the child’smother’s NEMKonto Easy Account. NEM Konto Easy Account  is an ordinary bank account which you designate  to be your Nemkonto Easy Account. This is where all public payments are transferred. If there is any arrangement of who will receive the family benefits check with your municipality. Otherwise, the mother automatically have the amount paid quarterly after childbirth.

What are the requirement to  receive family allowance?

• The person who has custody must be fully taxable in Denmark. It usually requires that you live in Denmark.
• The child must reside in Denmark. The family allowance may be paid even if the child resides briefly in another country for purposes such as holidays or family visits, or if the child is staying temporarily in another country as part of his training. School Absenteeism shall be lawful for mandatory school children  entitled to child benefit.
• The child must not be under the custody of the social service or have married.
• The municipality must not have reached a decision for a non-compliance with parental instruction. A parental notice may for example assume that parents must ensure that the child comes to school every day. The order given for a quarter at a time.

The payment schedule for the Family Benefits:

• 20 January,
• 20 April
• 20 July
• 20 October.

Rates for the year 2010

***New rules from 2011***

The 7-17 year olds divided into two groups where the 7-14 year-old will be paid a Child Allowance and the 15-17 year olds will be paid a Youth Allowance.

Children and adolescents benefit will be reduced during 2011, 2012 and 2013 in increments of 5 per cent.  They also set a ceiling of 35,000 dkk  for the total Child benefits  that’s inlcudes other Supplementary Child Benefits. They also certain rules for both parents and Youth with regards to following the Child educational plan.

Supplementary Child Allowances

Aside from the Family Allowance which is given automatically there are also available Child Allowances and Subsidies which you can avail but you have to apply to your Municipality.

Child Allowance  For Single Parent

Note: as a single parent you need to live alone with your child not living in with a  partner.

Special Child Allowance

Special Child Allowance is given to a Single Parent if there is no support from one of the parent, or if the paternity of the child could not be established or only one of the parent is alive.

Subsidy For Multiple Children

Supplementary family allowance is paid to multiple child-birth for example twins, triplets, etc., until they reach 7 years old. The  Child Allowance shall be paid beyond the first child that means it will be given to the 2nd child and the 3rd  and so forth. It shall be paid without application.

It is a requirement that all children have the same residence. This kind of child support is not applicable to adoptive single parent or Children who were conceived thru artificial method by Single women.

Subsidy For Parent Undergoing Education

Parents studying or undergoing training or internships can get a special allowance. One can not receive more than one grant per parent in training. If both parents are students, and  have two children, they can  get two grants. The amount granted depends on your income. Please check  www.su.dk if you are receiving State’s Education Grant because you will also receive an extra 12 months stipend when you give birth.

Subsidy For Adoptive children from foreign land

The municipality who will give the  allowance but the State Administration (Statsforvaltning) should attest that the child has arrived in Denmark

Child Allowance for Retired Parents

You can receive the Ordinary Child Allowance if you are parents and both receives the state pension or disability pension under the rules from before the 1st of January 2003.

You can get special allowances if you are parents and one of you or  both of you  receive pension or disability pension under the rules from before the 1st January 2003. The special grants shall be reduced if you have sustained income over a certain size.

Alimony

The maintenance obligation shall normally not more than ten years and it will stop if the person receiving the contribution, remarries, or one of the spouses dies. Where the court determines the obligation to contribute, it will focus on the opportunities the parties have when they go their separate ways. The Court does not determine its size. How much one should pay in alimony to the other, the parties must decide for themselves.

If they can agree, it determines the state administration. State Administration decision is discretionary, and is especially taken on the basis of the couple’s gross income. Normally, the contribution of 1 / 5 of the difference between their gross income.

Subsidy in Child Care

Child care in Denmark is not free but you can apply for subsidy which the payment can be reduced or in part depending on the family’s income. For example in Copenhagen Municipality Family combined income of 461,600 (2010 rate) can apply for reduced rate plus additional sibling discount if there are more than 1 child.
PLease check your Municipality for more information. The Family Allowance can be combined with different Supplementary Allowance but you need to apply to your municipality. Child Allowance are tax Free and are adjusted every 1st of January every year. This  Child Benefits is only effective this 2010 because the Parliament made some changes which will be called Child And Youth Benefits 2011 and will take effect next year if you want to learn about it you can check it here.

Source of Information: WWW.borger.dk and www.skat.dk but they are in Danish. You download the Child Benefit in Denmark 2007 from the Department of Family Affairs.

Continue reading »]]> My mother called me last Sunday during  celebration  of the mother’s Day in Spain yes she live in Madrid, to greet me and my sister  a Happy Mother’s Day. I soon realized that yes I’m a mother for 4 years now and I found this poem which describe a mother’s life. But after all the hardships of giving birth, diaper changing, sickness and sometimes day seems like impossible especially when you are in grocery counter after a day in the kindergarten and the candies and chocolates are just just within reach even  by a 4 year kid I’m still happy to be a mom. I feel whole and appreciated when my son tells me every time he has a chance but he makes it sure to tell me before he’s going to sleep and when he wakes up ” Mor, du er den bedste i hele verden” Mother, you are the best in the whole world. Now he’s into drawing and I will post one of his ever first drawing with my smiling face and my name and I was smiling when I found another piece with may name and my age and MOR (mother)  just before he sleeps he gave me one with all the numbers of buses and train so I know where and what to take. See how thoughtful my son is. I remember my mother used to tell me then that the only way We the children or maybe women can pay the hardships of our mother is by giving birth and rasing your own children and now we’re quits no, I don’t think so I only got one she has 5. I love Mom “happy Mother’s Day.

To my Nany, Lola, aunties,friends and to all mothers Happy mother’s day. I found this poem in the net unfortunately I forgot where was it from so I can indicate my source. I dedicate this poem because it describe how motherhood change us to something even better.

Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Continue reading »]]> Pacifier, or “sut” in Danish is probably one of the most have for parents because it makes your baby stop crying especially in the middle of the nigh,  it gives you peace and quite for few minutes or hour. Luckily my son wasn’t that wild about it maybe just a month or two and his nursery did not encourage it either.

a baby with pacifier

The choice is up to the parents just remember so if you decide that pacifier is for remember a few things:

• wait until your baby is about month year old so she/he will not be confused with pacifier and your nipples because suckling is a baby’s reflex
• don’t let the pacifier be your baby sitter just give it when its necessary sometimes when they cry they need comfort to feel the warmth of their parents remember that they live inside the   mother ‘s womb for nine months. Even though they can not talk or see you have to talk to them it soothes them to hear a familiar voice.
• When buying pacifiers choice only pacifiers without any phthalates (it is a chemical they add to soften the plastic if was suspected to be the cause of reproductive disruptions for humans and babies are susceptible I will write an article about this because most of toys, lotions contains Phthalates
• Chose pacifiers that can not obstruct the nose for me I was.
• Always see to it that is clean wash it with fresh water have seen mothers who used to clean it by putting them in their mouth and later give it back to their babies whenever it fell down. I guess our mouth is a rich source of bacteria please don’t do that. Buy a holder instead like my son on the picture.
• Change when you think the rubber is too soft it might lead to choking.

I observed that the Filipinamom’s in the Philippines doesn’t  rely  too much on pacifier like  their Danish counterparts. I think the reason is we the  Filipinamoms always want to be near our child we love to hold our babies every time they cry. That’s what my nurse /sunhedsplejersker told me that we are not afraid of touch I think that’s our nature. There is always a free set of arms to hold the babies the grandparents, aunts, friends and those privileged ones they have “yayas” or nannies to pacify the crying child. While in Denmark I observed in the day care institutions and in the streets babies even they are old enough always have something in their cute little mouth a “”. I can not give any reason but it like it’s some kind of tradition or a tool to make their lives easier.

But have you wonder what they do to wane their children from using pacifier?  It usually a big deal when the children is attached to their sut/pacifier but for me the best time is to wane them when they are between 2-3 years old when they start in the kindergarten. Watch this video from MYtvDenmark about the Pacifier tree where they hang their children’s pacifier in a tree and give a little present. In the Frederiksberg Garden there is a ceratain tree that parents go to when the time has come. It like some sort of passage for their children. The video also consist of how is the kids life in Denmark. Enjoy. You can watch more episodes visit http: //www.mydenmarktv.com/ and learn abouth life in Denmark through the eyes of foreigners.

Episode #36 – MyDenmarkTV.com from MyDenmarkTV on Vimeo.

How about you ? Do you have any tradition when the time to say stop using pacifier?

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This month my son turned 4 years old and it went smoothly. We usually hold a party because he happens to share the same birthday with her aunt, my youngest sister either on our place or down her aunt’s who used to live just below us. But now my sister had move out and I was busy preparing for my school exam so I though it will just be quiet and simple just the three of us my husband, me and the birthday boy.

I just bought 50 different fruits for the kindergarten for 30 adults and children and the teachers thanked me because it was healthy and keep the young ones calm unlike the usual ice cream and cakes that the parents brought when somebody celebrates birthday at the kindergarten.The day started smoothly upon seeing his name and the flag besides it he knows it his day lucky he was the only celebrant that day. The boy was so happy with the attention where they sang a lot of birthday song and received a little book and a monkey, a noisy monkey.

At home we continue the celebration by buying an ice cream cake so he can blow 4 candles and gave him a garbage truck which he loves.

It seems like yesterday that he was so dependent of me but now he has his own mine and he can beat me to some games in the computer, yes he has his own laptop to and he knows how to use it but he’s only limited to games like on Disney and other preschool  programs on the web.

Now let me see his development based on the Great School Org

Milestones: 4-Year-Olds

A. Motor Development: Gross Motor Skills:

* running is more controlled; can start, stop, and turn
* turns somersaults; hops on one foot; gallops
* can easily catch, throw, and bounce a ball
*can brush teeth, comb hair, wash, and dress with little assistance

He can all everything except the dentist suggest that adult should brush his teeth until he old enough to brush his teeth properly.

B. Motor Development: Fine Motor Skills

* copies crosses and squares
* prints some letters
* uses table utensils skillfully
* cuts on a line

He was once good in using table utensils when he was 2.5 years old but since he started in the kindergarten he is a little backwards he don’t like using knife and fork maybe because he left-handed so kind of confusing.We will see to it that he should use the table utensils more often.

Language and Thinking Development

* uses a 1,500-word vocabulary; speaks in relatively complex sentences (“Mommy opened the door and the dog ran out.”)
* understands words that relate one idea to another — if, why, when
* continues to learn through experience and the senses
* understands, mostly, the difference between fantasy and reality
* understands number and space concepts — more, less, bigger, in, under, behind
* thinks literally; starting to develop logical thinking
* begins to grasp that pictures and symbols can represent real objects
* starts to recognize patterns among objects — round things, soft things, animals
* grasps the concepts of past, present, and future but does not understand the duration of time

In this area he’s advanced than most children in his age because by 1 1/2 years old he knows all the colors, he can count, can tell the difference between big and little and can even sing several nursery rhymes. By 2 years old he can recite and read the Danish alphabet and numbers up to 50, can recognized patterns and forms.names of animals and his vocabulary was really amazing. So when started in the kindergarten at 2 & 7 months he was actually like a 4 yr old except the last one; grasp of the concepts of time. Now that he’s 4 he can memorize telephone numbers and some common words he often reads  and master the remote control which even I sometimes forgets. He can say the days and the tomorrow and the future and when I say you only have 10 minutes he will say no 100 minutes. Amazing

Social and Emotional Development

* takes turns, shares, and cooperates
* expresses anger verbally rather than physically
* can feel jealousy
* may sometimes lie to protect herself, but understands the concept of lying
* enjoys pretending and has a vivid imagination

Socially compared to his peers he’s just needs more help because he can sometimes too dominating like he knows everything although he plays with other children but the concept of playing like fighting he’s still a baby he don’t like it. But I’ve seen him in the parlor games and he acts normal and enjoyed being playing with other kids outside his circles.

According to the About.com

As the parent of a 4-year-old, you should:

* Encourage and provide the necessary space for physical activity
* Instruct the child on how to participate in, and follow the rules of sporting activities
* Encourage play and sharing with other children
* Encourage creative play
* Teach children to do small chores, such as setting the table
* Read together
* Monitor both the time and content of television viewing (preferably less than 1.5 hours of TV, no more than 3 hours maximum)
* Expose the child to different stimuli by visiting local areas of interest

We are guilty of letting him watch too much TV sometimes more than 3 hours when he’s home and now his computer which sometime he spends 2 hours. Although he watches program and play games for his age it’s not good for eyes so we  should limit it max 3 hours for both TV and computer. He already helping me set the table and small errands and he loves it. We love going out to the park but we should encourage or invite friends for overnight to encourage him to learn to share his toys and share his territory.

He can talk like a TV journalist and very observant and one time he asked me while ” Why the girls sits when they use the toilet while the boys just stands” and lot of questions and when I don’t know the answer I say “because it does,” that’s what he always answer whenever I ask him something although it more funny in Danish.

I will congratulate my self as a mother and as a parent as I together with my husband is able to meet the challenges of raising a super active boy without any problem considering he is our first and hope not the last.

And nobody is prouder when he always say “Jeg elsker dig Mor og Du er det bedste i hele verden” I love you and you are the best in the whole world.

And we love you also. You are the best thing that ever happen to us.

Continue reading »]]> My concern for the environment is the one that made me start to blog in 2007 so I will repost my very first post as my blog contribution to the Earth Day 2009 .

Hi this is my very first posting on this blog and I stumble on a movement called Blog Action Day which is today where the focus is about the environment that’s give a good idea to talk about.

As a new mom, 5 year housewife, a student who lives in Copenhagen I will write some things that might be environmentally friendly tips . It is surprising to note that simple things in our daily life contributes a lot to the preservation of our environment. As a parent I feel it’s our duty to be environmentally conscious just think of our children’s future. I want my son to see and live not just reading in a book or some archives in a internet site about animals, beautiful nature what was left of our natural environment.

Filipinamom’s Simple Guide to help save our environment

1. Bring you own shopping bag- When going to to the supermarkets bring your reusable bags and don’t buy plastic bags. Plastic shopping bags is not free in Denmark it will cost you around 2.5 to 3.5 danish kroner approximately 0.5 US$ . But most people don’t care they just buy because it’s nothing but they forget that why the state put a very high tax on these plastic bags so that it will reduce the environmental destructions by lesser productions means lesser garbage. One very good example is my husband he said that he can use it later as a garbage bag but what very expensive garbage bag. Once I counted some of the plastic bags he kept in one of the kitchen drawers it was 150 pcs. just by 2 kr it will be around 50 US$ and that was only less than 2 months collections. Today I always put 1 or 2 bags in his cycling bag so he can use next time he shop (he does the shopping).

2. Take the Public Transport, form a car pool or much better cycle to work. I know this will not apply to most places but in Denmark where they have at least a reliable and good public transportation system yet cycling is still popular it is one of the very few cycling capitals in the world.

3. Throw the garbage in the right container. In Copenhagen where I live all housing complex are required to have separate containers for papers, cartons, ordinary garbage, bottles and batteries. The dangerous materials like paints and other chemical should be thrown out in special containers and same as the electronic and used furnitures where they have to be collected separately or throw them at a designated areas.

4. Ask friends or relatives for used baby clothes and accessories – I was lucky to surrounded by friends who gave us used baby things like baby carriage, strollers, baby books, crib, clothes, cloth diapers (yes it’s still very widely used here in Denmark but just different purposes than it’s named suggests.), shoes (they advises not to use other’s shoes but I think it will not hurt if it is for 1-2 years where they don’t walk that much), toys and etc. Just limit yourself to buy things that the baby really needs or just a few nice clothes. I know it’s hard I myself is guilty because I buy some clothes and shoes but later regret it because they grow so fast.

5. Don’t use wet napkins. It was a very good advise form my nurse because most of the wet napkins(wet ones) whatever they claim that is allergy friendly they still put some chemicals that will not be good for baby’s sensitive skin. I’m using a disposable rubber napkin and the old fashion soap and water when I’m changing diaper and a small towel (washable) to clean his face and body. My sister use to cut these rubber napkins in two so it will be cheaper. One good tip is to wet with a little soap some of the rubber napkins (disposable napkins and put it in a napkin and your ready to go .

6. Use an old fashion Baby cloth diaper – Like i said this is a very wonderful accessory it is very seldom used as a diaper in this age. I used for wiping baby mouth and butt (separate cloth of course), sunscreen (I tied it around the baby carriage to protect the baby form uv ray and wind especially when they are sleeping, baby’s bib, one of my mother group used to put the pacifier in it so it will not lost or to balance it i guess and there still a lot.

7. Turn off the electronic appliances on stand by mode- even if they are in stand by they still use electricity.7

8. Don’t buy books borrow them- If you can wait it’s better to borrow books in the library where you can borrow for minimum of 1 month and maximum of 3 months or borrow from friends. Since I live in Denmark I buy products which has the Swan ecolabel mark (this a nordic or scandivanian eco labeling ) and the Flower (european eco labeling). to be

9. Don’t subscribe to a lot of magazines or newspapers - I subscribe to a magazine for new parents but I found out later that there’s a lot of resources in the net about parenting topics, borrow books in the library or ask some friends if they have some magazines and books.

10. Cook your own food- By cooking your own food and the baby’s, it’s both cost saving and healthy and you also help conserve the environment just imagine the all plastic or the pizza carton or the bottles.

11. Buy those products that doesn’t pollutes- When I became a parent I try to read labels of the things I’m buying if they using suspected chemicals that will provoke allergies like perfume etc., in Denmark there 2 standards eco label that is the Swan (Nordic or Scandinavian) and the the Flower (EU eco label) so I’m sure that I’m buying a product which doesn’t hurt the environment.

12. Don’t use fabric softener- these products has more chemicals to damage the environment and to add it has allergy provoking chemicals even if they claim that is for sensitive. If you cant help use this use it moderately. I know a lot of Filipinos who loves use more than what is specified because it will smells good. This also applies to dish washing liquids us ethe right amount usually 5 ml to 5 liters of water is enough.

13. Don’t use shampoo and bath gel- 2 in 1 shampoo and bath usually marketed for the babies but these will harm the environment. A baby from birth doesn’t really need soap and shampoo because they still the in born fats which was away if use soap which will results to dry skin then later will become child eczema.

14. Breastfeed – It’s healthy and cheap and instant. Just imagine the tins or cartoon packaging you have to throw when you buy mother’s milk replacement.

15. Don’t use air freshener- It’s very expensive, bad for our health and pollute the environment.

16. Don’t use plastic in heating foods in the microwave- use ceramics or glass.

17. Don’t buy soft drinks bottles or cans without deposits. We have a return bottle or soft drink cans system in Denmark where you return them in a machine in a supermarket and claim your deposit back so you don’t need to throw bottles or cans out. When I arrive in 2002 there are still no soft drinks in cans most are in glass bottles or plastics but after the tins arrived you can see the thrash everywhere too bad.

OK folks that’s all I can thinks of now. I need to do my home work. Almost all I mentioned above is my own and based on the pamphlets and information from the health department i got when I was pregnant which I found out to be very useful.

This is a very good topic I wish the organizer will set another date for this issue so I can thinks of other things. I’m studying to a constructing architect so I guess now we focus more on sustainable products to us in the building we’re designing so in a way I can also contribute when I finish my studies.

Continue reading »]]> Today is the World Autism Awareness Day and I have to post about it. But what is really is autism? Here are some myths and facts that I found in the www.austisme.dk non danish can use google translate I think it very informative

Myth – Autism is a sickness

Autism is not a disease but a development disorder. It is a complicated condition that can be caused by different development of the brain or other biological factors.

Myth-Autism is cause by parental rejection and bad parenting.

Autism has nothing to do with upbringing or how parents treat their children.

Myth – People with autism have no feelings.

People with autism have feelings, but find it hard to express because of their condition.

Myth – People with autism have no imagination.

People with autism can easily create fantasy but it hard for them to imagine things they haven’t tried before.

One of my friend has a child who is autistic and my brother’s nephew has ADHD which is short for the Attentive Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder which is a different diagnosis form autism although they have similarities. So I know the hardships they went through. But fortunately in Denmark there schools for special children because they can not learn from a regular environment they cannot concentrate and they need teachers with special education to teach children with learning disabilities. Early diagnosis is a good way to help children so they can be help or they are talking about that the state is spending a lot of money in special tutor to students who might be autistic or ADHD because you can see physically if they are autistic or not if you are not aware what is autistic behavior are. Read more aboutautism and ADHD inthi svery informative site http://www.retrainthebrain.com/autism.html

When I learned that I am pregnant I became conscious of everything I eat and put on my body fearing that I will harm my child. I still have the fears since when at 8 moths he was screened or undergone test by a special child care nurse if he has some early signs of autism of any disabilities. That test to check if a child can concentrate by showing if I can remember it right 2 ball and just move it if the child will eventually grab it and it took my son a little while. Later on the nurse said she was afraid that he will not grab it. But that doesn’t end he also went with some difficulty with biting, hitting and only do parallel play meaning he do what others are doing but don’t want to join them. But this time I’m so happy that he is on the right track in his social skills. He is actually advanced child which explains that he should always needs challenges he can actually rad the alphabet and nos. 1-50 at the age of 2.5.

People should be aware that children or people with autism are also human they have feelings and not totally handicapped but they should be understand and not be outcast. Stop looking blaming the parents or the mother that they did something wrong but who knows how the brain works. I was once hurt when I heard people which some of them are close friends of mine commenting about my son that he is different that he is so aggressive that he should be in a special school which means for autistic or gifted children. I appreciate their cincern but they should not outcast my son because of one incident. I can not just imagine how the parents of autistic children experience.

Let us join the autism awareness day and it should not be today and everyday we should support parents and treat people with autism with respect and understanding.

This is dedicated to Earth

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Happy Birthday Magnus & Cristina

Today the 13th is a special day my son’s 3rd and my sister’s 30th birthday. I wish both of them a Happy Happy Birthday. I love you. The photo above was taken last year because we will celebrate it this Saturday.

Happy birthday to motherhood. I also congratulate myself for being a mother because in my opinion it is the most challenging yet the most fulfilling part of my life right now. I once managed almost 100 men without any problem but having a little man is like managing a 100 man bundled in just one little package called Magnus. He is so energetic and full of questions. He is always up to something.

3 years ago he came to our life big time! 55cm long and 4.1 kg

Now he's like this!!

At 3 he can read the Danish alfabeth just give him any words he can spell it. He started to read when he was 2 1/2 year old and he can also count 1-55 and read the numbers 1-20 when he was 2 years old. I thought that he just memorize it but ask him any number then he will say it even count backwards ok just the first 20. But now he can say it in Spanish, Filipino and English. I don’t know if it is normal in his age but comparing him to others in his kindergarten he is smart. I don’t force him but he loves reading I introduced books ever since he was a baby then He was so fascinated with colors when he was 1 1/2 years old that he can recognize all the colors . So the car became the blue car then big blue car.

Well this is supposed to be mommy blog so just bear with me. It is so fascinating to see how he progress and hear the amazement in his eyes when discover something new. His laughter and hugs and kisses vanishes all my problems and be grateful for each day.

Thank you Lord for all your blessings and continue to shower us with good health and give me strength physically and mentally to guide my son and tackle day to day challenges.

Once more to my son and sister. Happy Birthday and I LOVE YOU .

Continue reading »]]> I just read in Urban a few days ago about how desperate the Chinese parents in trying to find alternative solutions in the wake of the tainted milk scandal. Some are thinking about hiring a cow or call the agency that organizes mother who are willing to breastfeed because they parents won’t dare to buy powdered milk anymore. Some mother who ares still breastfeeding can earn as much as 270 US $ per month. I have some chinese classmates that there a lot of announcement in the internet regarding this.

But it’s not only in china that one can sell mothers milk but also here in Denmark you can sell it to the hospital and they pay 176 Danish kroner or around 18 US$ per liter. Most hospitals accepts this kind arrangement because they need give to the premature babies since it has been proven that mother’s milk gives more immunity against long lists of sickness.

There was a story published in a news paper BT (Berlingske Tidende) last March 7, 2008 that there is a 53 year old woman, Sisser Weinreich, mother of 7 children who became richer by 460,000 DKK around 120,000 US$ just by selling her extra mother’s milk whenever she’s breastfeeding her children.

All in all she supplied the hospitals 3,408 liter because she was blessed with 10 times extra than normally what a mother can produce. She said that she started to sell her milk when she give birth to her second child upon the suggestion of her midwife.

The funny thing is the tax office was in doubt if the mother’smilk should be taxed because of it’s unsual quantity imagine she can produce 4.2 liter just 3 months after she gave birth. But mother’s milk is tax free so it was blessing financially for her and the premature babies.

Her 2 children continued her legacy because they inherited her extra power.

Mothers who chose to breastfeed should observe the following tips:

1. Avoid alcohol because the baby also will be affected since it goes with the milk.
2. Find a good position that is both convenient for both mother and baby.

3. Invest in a nursing pillow it can help you to find the right position and it will be a great relief not to hold your 5-6 kg baby for a long time. You can sit and relax your muscle and avoid back and neck pain. The baby can use it too.

4. Remember to let your baby finish one breast before changing to the next one. It is because the first flow is to quench the thirst so it is low fat but the last is the rich in protein which is what the baby needs. It will also helps you against breast infections because when it’s full of milk it blocks the milk ducts then comes sore and later on fever.

5. Eat healthy food and drink a lot of milk ( I tried drinking a lot but my son stomach became bad so I need to drink something to nutralize mine and my son’s stomach , potato juice was a great help

6. Rest a good night sleep is also important well sometimes we can’t so we need our partner/husband help to alternate us when we the “milking cow” has to rest or recharge

7. Invest in a electric nursing pump if you think you more than adequate milk production and store it properly. There are some milk containers or plastic that you can buy and put it in refrigerator in 3 days and 3-4 months in the freezer. I will post a more thorough guidelines for this topic.

8. Use a nursing pads to avoid embarrassing moments when I use a woolen one it was good.

9. Avoid smoking its not good for you and the baby.

10. Don´t set no particular time to nurse when the baby is hungry . Always feed your baby on demand. This will stimulate your milk production.

11. Use a good supporting bra that will support your breast to help it form sagging.

12. When the baby is done never pull your breast to break the suction but use your little finger inside his mouth and carefully pull it.

Well that tips is according to experience although I used 2 sizes over my normal size I wasn’t able to sell my milk maybe because my son was so dependent on it until he was almost 2 years old. Until now he trying to trick me to nurse him but I waned when he turned 2.

I was lucky because it is normal and actually encourae here for mothers to nurse their baby. Actually they will not let you go home from the hospital when you are not ready or breastfeeding isn’t working or there you can ask help form your nurse about it.

So it was financially rewarding I wasnt tied to buy milk which might be contaminated (well not here in Denmark) and my son is healthy since he rarely sick but when he does he can recover almost instantly.

How about you can you sell your mothers milk also?

Continue reading »]]> The scandal of contaminated milk that killed 4 babies in china makes me angry and it terrifies me seeing the news on with all those babies lying on the hospital fighting for their lives. How can they do that terrible thing to babies.

According to the news in the TV there are at least 6,000 affected and more parents still flocks the hospital to have their children checked for contamiantion. There are 1,300 babies that are still in the hospital and 168 have kidney problems. They have found traces chemical specifically of melamine which is being used in plastic kitchen utensils like cups and saucer, glues, laminates in furnitures and many things. There are some who says that they used melamine to increased the protein contain in the milk so they can passed the strict requirement.

The milk in question is Sanlu is produced by China’s biggest dairy producer but the world largest dairy producer from New Zealand, Fonterra the world’s biggest dairy trader who owns 43 % of Sanlu said in their press release that they already known about it since august. But how come that it just now that we heard about it according to the different newspaper it was due to China’s policy on covering news. I just hope the Chinese government can find the root of the problem and put to jail those who are responsible.

I don’t know but I just really disgusted with this news. I also at some point gave my son breast milk supplement although I breastfeed for at least two years because I thought that he wasn’t getting enough milk from me but I’m glad that he himself preferred breast milk.

In the Philippines most mothers use infants formula because of many claims form the producers of higher IQ, speedy growth, and many others because they put a lot of vitamins and minerals. But Just as what they always label their products that “Breastfeeding is the best for babies” which is true. But of course there’s a lot of reasons why they can breastfeed like getting back to work. But I think it’s most of it is lack of information from the health department which should give guidelines to all pregnant women and parents about child care. Because even mothers from poor sectors in the country uses infant even it so expensive formulas because of lack of guidance from health workers but it’s what they see in the commercials.

I hope that the Philippines authority will act and bans importation of suspected dairy products from china and warns the public about the dangers of this milk as other countries have done. This not only confines to powder milk but all dairy products like yogurt, cheese, butter and ice cream.It should be a wake up call for the health authorities to sit down and think about infant care and information dissemination and don’t let the big Pharmaceutical companies do it just to promote their products but rather use them to give the right information about infant or child’s health. And to the dairy producer or the big pharmaceutical companies I hope that they will be RESPONSIBLE and reminded that they are dealing with human beings not guinea pigs and not just think about big profits.

How about you what do you think about this news/scandal?