An Inspiring Story About Blended Families -- Ex-Husband To The New Hubby: I'm Supposed To Hate You Because You're Doing The Things That I Could NOT Do -- BUT I Love You For That, Man

OMG. This video made me cry. 

It's about how brave and humble an ex-husband and an ex-wife in dealing with the new ones, the stepparents of their only son... amazing and admirable. 

I've just become emotional -- not that I could relate -- because their words are so moving, so powerful that they'd make you grab tissues. Sniff.  :-)

xoxo,

Mommy Mai

P.S. What hit me? Oh, these lines...

A challenge to his manhood:

Jamey: "You're doing the things I couldn't do, and I love you for that, man!" 

... "You are a man of integrity, a man of skill. You are a beautiful husband."

... "I admire you and am grateful for you."

... "I know how powerful it is for a boy to see that his mother is loved because that's how he's going to treat his wife. And you're doing it for him, doing the things that I could not do. Am supposed not to love you for that but I do."

Disclaimer: This is never intended to promote divorce. The author/blogger always believes in a lasting marriage and a happy family. She hopes and prays that hers becomes the union that God wants their marriage to be. 

Cheers to a love of a lifetime!

Protect your Child against Bullying

Photo Credit: Twentyfour Students/Flickr

Parents would never wish to see their child being oppressed or intimidated by other children, particularly in school. Bullying, therefore should be hindered, by all means, in all educational institutions as well as in all other places where the young are supposed to co-exist without fear of being harassed or misjudged.

"For my entire childhood I pretty much felt continually like most of the outside world wanted me dead, or at least, found me a curious novelty for their own amusement." - Oliver Emberton

Bullying, at some point, bring much negative effect on our kids. There are some instances wherein bullied individuals fail to perform well in school or even to mingle with other students. They opt to become isolated from the rest as they become anxious in approaching possible friends. Sometimes, victims turn to be ill-tempered and hard-headed; trusting no one, not even their parents in extreme cases.

Photo Credit: Lee Morley/Flickr

It is indeed difficult to deal with bullying but preventive measures should be done before it happens to your sons and daughters. Primarily, parents should be aware of the school’s anti-bullying procedures and discuss with the school authorities about it. It is also very important to have an excellent line of communication with your kids and let them feel that they are always being loved and trusted.

"The real world isn’t fair either, but it’s a much fairer game to play than the playground." - Oliver Emberton

Read this inspiring story of a person who experienced bullying during his childhood. Learn how he managed to cope up with this situation and become a successful individual.

As for me and my husband, we regularly check our son's experiences in school. We carefully discuss with him what bullying means using simple words that he can understand. We let him understand that bullying is bad and it is improper to treat other people unkindly.

When my child has his first vaccine…

It was on an early morning of November 4 of this year when OUR Little Baby Eieo had his first BCG and Anti-Hepatitis vaccines. He was rescheduled on this day because he had a very mild flu during his previous immunization schedule. His pediatrician told us that it is not advisable to give vaccines to Eieo when he was in not-so good condition.

I, along with my sister and aunt, (my hubby, Rainier was at the office and so dismayed that he missed it out) brought him to the nearest yet the most reliable health-providers of our town. When I was observing the other babies being immunize, I heard them crying so loud. My little prince was sleeping during that time.

My baby was the youngest yet the chubbiest among the twelve adorable babies present inside the clinic. People – other mothers, health practitioners, keep on looking at my precious one, appreciating his physical features – and that really make me as well as my sis and aunt so proud.

When we were still waiting for our turn, my baby woke up. Despite the loud cry of the other infants, he still managed to keep on smiling and giggling. That is why he started to get the attention of many people. He suddenly became the center of attraction.

Ooppss… wait. When it was his turn to be vaccinated, my sister held my child and started to position for his first vaccine. After taking a quick photo shoot to be included in his scrapbook, I hurriedly went out of the clinic.

As I heard him cry (but not as loud as the other babies :>), my heart started to beat so fast, my knees started to shake and I even became to look so pale. The other mothers and the rest of the people inside perfectly understood since they felt the same way and considering Eieo is our first-born.

Although it just took him a minute or two (I supposed), I could not explain how I felt during that time. I was even more nervous and scared than the time that I would be brought to the delivery room of the hospital.

Seriously, my mom is definitely right. The fun and joy of having a baby also includes being nervous, tensed and so worried whenever the baby is exposed to natural and normal stuffs like immunization, being sick and the likes. My grandmom even told us that this is just the start of being a parent. More to come, they say.

Myraine

Training up my sweet bundle of joy…

My life has been changed since I gave birth to our little bundle of joy. I have adjusted my routines, activities, habits and of course, priorities. This has been, I believe, the most challenging yet the most wonderful and rewarding responsibility one may take upon… parenthood.

Being a parent does not require formal schooling and professional training or experience. They even say that it is easy to become a parent but very hard to parent. The responsibilities do not end in giving birth. In fact, it is just a start of a very long journey of experiment, experience and reality.

I can still remember the feelings my husband and I had the moment we saw our bundle of joy: mixed emotions, unexplainable, overwhelmed, and grateful. We can never forget such emotions. However, as we felt the joy and excitement of being a parent, the intensity of being scared and challenged also increases. Fear… that we may not be able to raise him the way he should be.

But, one thing is for sure, we will always try our best to do and apply what we believe is right and necessary.

I have been reading articles, good books and other related references on parenting and I must say that I have really acquired a lot of things. With these, let me share some of the many learnings I had.

• We, parents, should realize that training a child begins at birth and never stops. It is indeed a continuous, ongoing process, which involves the emotional, physical, mental, and most of all, spiritual aspects of our offspring.
  
  
• Remember that as we become their first educator, we are the most important teacher our child will ever have. The teaching of home embraces and includes all the extent and walks of life.
  
  
• Always balance discipline with love. Bear in mind that love without discipline is not love, and discipline apart from love is merely punishment. Discipline is done with loving yet firm correction, reinforcing the total impact of the teaching process. Generally, this results to a child being obedient, respectful, tact, responsible and naturally good.
  

With these, let us all celebrate the blessings of parenthood.

Happy parenting, dear parents!







Myraine

I am my baby’s greatest fan…

My husband and I are both blessed with a son. We named him Leo Antonio, Eieo for short. We took the names from the names of our late beloved grandfathers, the fathers of our loving mothers.

Leo is from my one and only Lolo Leovigildo, whom I loved so much since I considered him as my dad for almost twenty-five years of my life and existence on earth.

Antonio is from my dear husband’s Lolo Antonio, whom he loved very much since his lolo still knew his name, Ren, despite memory loss and other signs of aging.

I am our son’s greatest fan because I can literally say that I can stare at him and be with him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week… without feeling bored and tired.

When my baby started to do his reflexes (that was according to his pediatrician) such as smiling, making faces and lots of facial expressions, he always gives me, my hubby and relatives the bundle of joy that we never felt when he was not with us yet.

Whenever he sleeps, I always love to stare at him, memorizing each line on his face, his facial features and everything.

When he yawns, I always take the chance to smell his breath… for it really smells so good as if his mouth has its own scent.

When I give him a quick yet soothing bath every 9 to 10 a.m., I always love to pamper him with the best, purest and most delicate baby products available in the market.

When he needs to be fed, I breastfeed him a lot. Though most of the times, I know that he still wants to be bottle fed even if he doesn’t say a word. So, I give him both.

These are just some of the million moments we share each day of our mom and son bonding time.

But, when the clock strikes at 7 p.m., I am no longer his greatest fan, it’s now his dad. It is no longer just mom and son bonding time… but, our most-awaited moment, our perfect family bonding.






Myraine

The Fun of Breastfeeding…

I never thought that breastfeeding could be as painful as what I felt on its first few days or weeks. When I had to breastfeed my child, it even made me shout and cry aloud because it was really painful. I truly admired how my mom tolerated the pain just to feed me with the best milk and give me the nutrients that I greatly needed and deserved.

Despite the pain it brought me, I consistently continue and pursue to give him the milk that he needs. I even made researches on how I can produce more milk. I eat healthy and nutritious foods, fruits and vegetables; drink lots of water; take vitamins or supplements; and, continuous fluid intake.

Needless to say, breastfeeding gives me a good realization of how rewarding and fulfilling motherhood can be – a genuine essence of being not just a caring woman but also a loving mother.


Myraine

Sixty, Twenty-four, Seven…

When we are blessed with our baby boy, my nights suddenly become memorable and a lot more meaningful.

Despite the fact that I need to stay awake even if it is too late; wake up in the middle of the night for several times to check on his diapers, breastfeed or bottle feed; and, dedicate all my 24 hours to my baby, I still find this very rewarding. With just one smile from my little one, all my stresses would have gone in just a snap of a finger.

Sleeping with my son and my husband is one of the best things that happened to me both as a mom and as a wife. Seeing these two men sleeping beside me is such a great feeling. This also generally explains how happy women can be if they will be blessed with a loving husband and a dear child… just like what I have.

I simply cannot explain how overwhelm I am every time I see my hubby hugging, cradling and singing lullabies to our precious one whenever he arrives home from his office. Our son gives us the bundle of joy that only he can.

With these, I really thank God for letting me feel and experience the bliss, zeal and fulfillment of having a baby.


Myraine

Eieo, Our Son: God’s Greatest Gift…

My husband and I decided to see a medical expert, an ob-gyne with much specialization in high-risk pregnancy and the like. Because of my having an irregularly irregular menstruation, as expected, the findings were hormonal imbalances, polycystic and anteverted uterus… quite hard for us to have a baby as early as we wanted to.

The physician said that in a year or two, we might have a baby if continuous check-ups and medications were observed. Therefore, we started the sessions and took all the risks and chances just to be blessed with a son or a daughter.

On the second month of our marriage, we did undergo certain medication and treatment. This method might mean lots of emotional strength such as faith, patience, hope, determination, and of course, financial stability. We were so serious and eager on this medical work out; weekly check-ups, ultrasound and daily medicine intake.

We really wanted to have a baby. After the long wait, sincere prayers, consistent and determined efforts, we were blessed with a baby. It was December 05, 2007 when we knew that I was five weeks pregnant. Right after knowing the great news, we – grateful and overwhelmed, ran to the church, religiously thanked God and praised Him with all our hearts. What a very nice gift from God!

We just realized that most of the good things that happened to our lives as individuals and as a couple came on the cold and sweet month of December. We were both born in December, got married, and most of all, we learned that we had a baby boy all on the same month.

We could not explain how happy we were. He simply brings us the joy that only he can.


Myraine

The father that NEVER was…

Many people believe that a typical family is comprised of a father, a mother and a child. Yes, indeed. But, not for me. I have a family, an extended family that I can call my own though I do not have a father, a biological father.

In my twenty-four years of existence on earth, I have never seen him. Not even once. Never. Ironically speaking, he just resides nearby – a tricycle away… three streets, two subdivisions, several blocks. Well, I don’t even have a picture or anything that may remind me of him. And if someone will ask me why, well, I still do not know until now.

Needless to say, I simply consider him not just as my biological father but also a sperm donor. (I even make use of it as a joke… Whenever I would be asked on what I would tell him when we could get the chance to meet for the first time, I would just smile and quote, “Hey, thanks for the sperm.”)

Kidding aside, he never extended a hand to help my mom in raising me and granting my wants and needs. He never gave me a centavo to provide my necessities. He never had the guts to stand on his own and take accounts of his decisions. In other words, he chose his mom over us – his own family.


On a lighter side, though I don’t have my biological father with me to give me a father figure, I was so fortunate that I had my dearest grandpa, my mom’s dad, to make me feel how it was like to have a father. He was even more than a father to me. He, along with my grandma, was there for my mom through thick and thin.

Indeed, I must say that I would not be here where I am right now if not for them. They had shown me unconditional love and tender loving care that only they could ever give and share. More so, they have successfully given me my needs – be it financially, physically, mentally, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually.

I was…

I once dreamed of a happy family with the usual, typical members – a father, a mother, and their offspring. This was simply because I had none.

Since I came from a broken family, I missed to experience the joy and fun of being loved and cared by a father. I didn’t have a father figure to look up to. But, I am still indeed thankful to be loved and raised by a single parent, my greatest mom as she was supported by her mom and dad (my one and only grandparents), and her siblings as well.

They all helped me out, nourished and nurtured me to be the best someone that I am right now. My achievements, my career, my views and values in life – I owe these all to them.

However, I guess it still feels a lot better to have a family and a home that you can really call your own.

Loving My Wife More

It has been a week since our little prince was born…
And honestly, I admire how you managed the pains and long hours of labor just to give birth to our precious one.
I know how you sacrifice even your life and I’m so thankful that God saved you from such risk.
No wonder, pain and hard work really result to glory.

Now, I love you more!
Not only because you’ve given me a child but also because I firmly believe you’re worthy of it.
Certainly, this is not a commitment but I will try my best not to cause you further burden.

I love you better…
And I vow to take care of you and our offspring as long as I’m living.
Let us always replenish our love everyday; avoiding petty quarrels that make our relationship uneasy.
Let us just focus on how we can abide by our promise to love each other and care for our children.
For who knows, we still are partners even after our lives on earth


Hope you forgive me for my intrusion.

When DAD talks to our Son…

The long wait is over; finally you’re here with us,
your proud and thankful parents.

We still don’t know what to come
but then we’re hopeful that we can keep our vows
to nourish you and to provide you only the best.

Not because it is our obligation;
but because we love you dearly and unconditionally.

We will not require you to follow our steps;
but, please try not to ruin our noble dreams for you.
All we pray is that you grow old in God’s love –
bringing goodness to people and inspiring them to do good unto others as well.

Be brave yet wise.
Excel in your chosen craft yet be compassionate,

Be careful with your steps;
but then, if you fall, keep in mind
we are behind you to catch you still…

A Memo of a Child to His Parents

This write-up can be very helpful to parents in raising their children the way these kids want it to be. Hence, this can also be a way to establish good relationship and to strengthen rapport among their offspring.

Well, I hope this really could help you out.

What a child has to say to his parents…

Do not spoil me. I know so well that I should not always have everything that I want. Sometimes, I am just testing you so I ask for anything under the sun just to see how far you will go in spoiling me. Please never be afraid to be strict with me. I actually prefer such because it simply gives me sense of security.

Do not allow me to have bad habits. I do not always know what is good or bad. Never make me feel “smaller” than I am. When you always treat me like a little child, I will keep on acting as one. Please treat me as though I were older than I really am. Then, I will try to live up with your expectations. Indeed, it is a big challenge for me to grow up.

Do not correct me in front of other people. It will only make me feel so ashamed and little bit rebellious. I will appreciate it more and pay much attention if you will talk to me reasonably and in private. Don’t always make me feel that my mistakes are crimes and sins. However, don’t protect me from the consequences of my mistakes. Sometimes, I need to learn the hard and painful way. You don’t help me grow when you are overprotective.

Don’t be inconsistent for that makes me feel so confused and eventually start to lose my trust in you. Please do not tell that my worries and fears are silly. They are terribly real to me even if they don’t seem real to you. What I simply want you to do are just to lend a listening ear, and hopefully, an understanding mind.

Kindly refrain from telling me that you are perfect… that you never make mistakes because I know that you do. Besides, I don’t need nor want a perfect parent. Instead, I want you to be you… loving and understanding. If you will admit you’re wrong at times or if you will apologize for such mistake and shortcoming, don’t ever think that it lessens your self-esteem and my respect to your being my parent. In fact, you surprisingly make me feel so warm and loving when you do all these things with sincerest love and deepest concern.

These are just some of the pointers that can really make us bond so well. But, believe me mom and dad when I say that I am indeed overwhelmed to have you as my guardians, providers and advisers – my loving parents… God’s greatest gift to me.

I love you so much, Mom and Dad. Thanks for the unconditional love that you have given me. These words may not be enough but I mean it, my heart simply means it, too.