Random Thoughts

It's been weeks since I last wrote here. And there had been many things to be thankful for since then.

First off, Eya can now utter simple sentences. Hurray, at two and a half years old. She can now say, "Where is Eeyore?" or "What's this?" or "What's that" or "The cat is eating." or "Let's go inside Jollibee." and so on....

Next on the list would be to teach her the basics of reading and writing. I just realized that school-related pressures come early to parents these days. Like a child must be able to learn the basics of reading and writing as early as 4 years old now. Whew! So that means I must start teaching her as early as NOW! Whew again!

Eya's more "mature" now in the way she moves and talks. She's still a hyper kid but she can move more independently now. She DEMANDS independence now. She does not want to be assisted at all times. She can hold things without dropping them or she can carry drinks without spilling them. Her grasp of crayons, pens and toothbrush is firmer now. She now asserts doing things for herself on her own, like powdering, eating hamburger, cake, chicken, peanuts, chips and salad, soaping herself, washing hands, combing her hair, putting on shorts and panties and shoes and socks, carrying her things, and so on. And she wants to do things for us too. She's happy when I let her comb my hair or help in washing clothes or when I ask her to pass me something. She brings things to her Dad as well. Yes, this is definitely the stage when kids want to be useful.

I just realized also that it's true what they say, that kids are their parents' angels. They are these constant reminders that parents, no matter what, must always strive to be good, for their children's sake and wellbeing.

There was this instance when I got impatient with Eya, with what she was doing at that time, and my voice rose a notch. Eya was quick to say, "Mommy and Eya...friends," and then she held my hand. I was taken aback and in a moment my impatience was gone. I felt checked, and rightly so. I was just amazed at how a two-year-old can express her feelings with such simplicity, and yet such depth. It made me realize that I had no business raising my voice to her, that I should always try to check my temper since my daughter is expecting me to be not only her mother, but her friend as well. Someone who will understand her and explain things to her like a real friend, like a buddy, and not just discipline her or order her around. It made me realize that two-year-olds are their person in their own right. Even when they will not remember all these when they grow up, it really matters how well you treat them at this stage because this is the time when they start to be their own person. This is the time when they show you a glimpse of what they will be like when they grow up. So whenever I get angry or irritated, I just think about this and it helps. I know that when my daughter says "Sorry, Mommy. It's okay mommy, 'di na galit mommy," along with touching gestures, it's the time for me to humble myself and act as a friend and explain things softly and say sorry also for any shortcoming as a mother.