About Mom

I'm home alone for the three-day-weekend. The kids, together with my husband and his family, have hied off to a rest house up north to have their last vacation before school begins. I have to hand it to my husband to understand my need for space, but I digress.

I hopped on over to my parents' house before lunch yesterday and spent lazy time mostly with my mom. She made sure to cook one of my favorite chicken recipes (the one with chorizo de bilbao and mushrooms!) and served two of the yummiest fruits around, santol and cherries.

After lunch, she napped while I blog-hopped. I joined her after a while and woke up feeling renewed. She had agreed to accompany me to buy curtains for school, and she was ready to go when I got up from bed.

She let me drive for her, too, an occasional phenomenon. See, she's one tough cookie, so independent and free-spirited. On our way to the shop, I told her I've been experimenting with eyeliner and asked her if she liked it. She said yes, but hesitated that it was the eyeliner; she said my eyes looked rested because I napped. She went on about not being able to get enough sleep since she had children, and I was nodding my head behind the wheel, thinking about how I woke up at 5:30 in the morning that day.

We talked about my kids going back to school soon and reminisced about how she would prepare labels for my books and notebooks with her own calligraphy. I was still nodding because I vividly remember being proud of her handwriting, showing off to my classmates her masterpiece imprinted on my school stuff. At this point, I reminded myself that I had two books to lend her, both about our lives as women, about loving others and respecting ourselves. She'd like that, she said.

When we got to our destination, she tried to talk me into considering a certain style she had in mind for the curtains. She attempted twice but she gave in after I firmly told her that I knew what I was doing. I knew she forced herself to keep quiet because just two days before, I was in a similar scenario with my daughter at the beauty parlor. Reisa finally agreed to get a haircut, but had me promise that no more than two inches would be trimmed. Hushed and obliging, I sat through the whole procedure, remembering to keep my vow.

After our trip to the curtain store, I drove back to her house and had a snack of fried bananas. She asked me to stay for dinner, and I knew she really wanted me to keep her company. I went back and forth about giving in, but duty called. I told her the truth: I had to go home because there's a pile of books and notebooks that I had to label before my daughter goes back to school in a couple of days.

And there it was, right before me. I realized...I am my mother's daughter. More so, I have become my mother. Judging from the way I was whistling on my drive back home, I knew... what I've become isn't so bad at all.

I'm feeling: like a child again.
I'm listening to: The Shins.

The Preschool Send-off Checklist

If you're a parent who'll soon be bringing your child to preschool for the first time, please get a copy of Smart Parenting, June issue. I contributed a checklist of things parents need to prepare for before that big send-off to school. Entitled "I'm Ready for School!," the guide includes questions you need answered and helpful tips in the following areas:

First Day Blues and Clues: the critical first weeks of classes
The Daily Details: the routines of schooling
The School Supplies: everything material
The Emergency Toolbox: information you'll need, just in case
Home-School Partnership: yes, it is a PARTNERSHIP
The Intangible Backpack: preparing your child in all other aspects

Take a deep breath, co-parents. This is a milestone, not only for our young children, but for us as well. :)

I'm feeling: sentimental about River being in kinder this year.
I'm listening to: River's footsteps as he inches his way to my room.