by Tina Santiago-Rodriguez (Philippines) | Sep 11, 2013 | 2013, Kids, Motherhood, Parenting, Philippines, Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, Truly Rich Mom
I’ll be celebrating my birthday very soon but to be perfectly honest with you, I’m not so worked up about it. Now, don’t get me wrong — I’m the type of person who deems occasions like these special, but when it’s focused on me, I’m not so particular about being pampered or getting what I want. That’s just me. I’ve been this way for a long time, I think.
Now that I’m a mom of three precious God-given blessings though, I find myself making wishes and sending out prayers in anticipation of my birthday — not for me, but for my children. (But please, don’t be fooled into thinking that I’m so selfless that way, because really, I’m not! *winks*)
So what exactly is my birthday wish for my children?
Nothing fancy really. But I’m sure most, if not all, the moms out there would agree with me on at least one of the “components” of my wish.
On my birthday, I wish…
…that my children will grow up to know, love and serve God.
…that in knowing, loving and serving God, my children will learn to love and serve others.
…that my children will discover what they’re truly meant to do in this world, and that my husband and I will be able to help them discover it. (more…)
Tina Santiago-Rodriguez is a wife and homeschool mom by vocation, a licensed
physical therapist by education and currently the managing editor of Mustard, a
Catholic children's magazine published by Shepherd's Voice
Publications in the Philippines, by profession. She has been writing
passionately since her primary school years in Brunei, and contributes
regularly to several Philippine and foreign-based online and print publications. She also does sideline editing and scriptwriting jobs, when she has the time. Find out more about Tina through her personal
blogs: Truly Rich Mom and Teacher Mama Tina.
More Posts
by Tina Santiago-Rodriguez (Philippines) | Jun 13, 2013 | Child Care, Husband, Parenting, Philippines, Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, Truly Rich Mom, World Moms Blog, World Motherhood
I know some of you may not agree with the title of this post but humor me anyway. I’m writing this using my phone, while nursing and holding my seven-week-old daughter close to me, skin to skin. She’s been sick since birth, you see, and lost a significant amount of weight and is recovering from an infection. (The awesome ladies from my World Moms Blog family know in detail what’s been happening in my life lately and you folks who may be curious can get more details over at www.trulyrichmom.com.)
Anyway, back to the post title. While many mothers may not be raising their children with their husbands or partners or their kids’ birth fathers (because of their circumstances and/or choices), for many of us, this is still the set-up we have: mom AND dad work together to bring up the kids and make sure they become productive citizens.
This is certainly true in my case, and because it is Father’s Day this weekend, I want to take this opportunity to thank all the “World Dads” out there who are committed to helping their wives or partners raise their children, including my own husband.
The past seven weeks with our now-recovering baby have been extra challenging and I don’t think I could have survived them without her father. Anthony has been a pillar of strength for me and although I know that deep down he has been worried over our little one too, he has never shown it, and has always reminded me that “all is well.” (more…)
Tina Santiago-Rodriguez is a wife and homeschool mom by vocation, a licensed
physical therapist by education and currently the managing editor of Mustard, a
Catholic children's magazine published by Shepherd's Voice
Publications in the Philippines, by profession. She has been writing
passionately since her primary school years in Brunei, and contributes
regularly to several Philippine and foreign-based online and print publications. She also does sideline editing and scriptwriting jobs, when she has the time. Find out more about Tina through her personal
blogs: Truly Rich Mom and Teacher Mama Tina.
More Posts
by World Moms Blog | Jan 19, 2013 | Rox is Brilliant, Ruth Wong, Saturday Sidebar, Susie Newday, Tina Santiago-Rodriguez
What is your “one word” for 2013?
This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Alison. She asked our writers,
“What is your one word of the year which is going to guide you like a beacon?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Alison Lee of Malaysia writes:
“My One Word is Do.” More about it here.
Documama of USA writes:
“ Here is my post for the word of the year.” (more…)
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
More Posts
by World Moms Blog | Nov 24, 2012 | Human Rights, Purnima, Saturday Sidebar, The Alchemist, Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, World Moms Blog, World Voice
This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Purnima. She asked our writers,
“How do you intend to spend your year end holidays?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
World Mom, Jennifer Prestholdt and her family celebrating their holidays
Hamakkomommy of Japan writes:
“Christmas in Japan can be kind of sad if it falls on a weekday. This year, I am planning to spend the day with a fellow gaijin friend and her family. New Years is the main holiday here. The days leading up to it will be spent cleaning (apparently the lucky new year god doesn’t come to dirty houses.) On Jan 1st, we’ll head over to the in-laws house around 8 AM for a traditional meal, the traditional sake, followed by the traditional sake-induced speech my father-in-law gives every year. After that, we usually head to a local park for kite flying (which is done on New Years for some reason.) Kids get money from relatives, so we’ll probably end the day at the toy store with temper tantrums and hangovers.” (more…)
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
More Posts
by World Moms Blog | Nov 17, 2012 | Polish Mom Photographer, Saturday Sidebar, Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, World Moms Blog
This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Eva Fannon. She asked our writers,
World Mom, Meredith’s daughter in her kitchen
“I’ve got two very willing volunteers in the kitchen, (2 & 6 yo), and I need help finding ways to incorporate their help while still keeping them safe. Any ideas?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Lady E of Indonesia writes:
“My son has been in the kitchen since he was a newborn, and now loves to mix and pour, crack eggs, use the beater, and he cooks eggs when I am next to him. I am slowly teaching him knife skills, but with tight supervision. I think the main thing is always explaining the process, why we do things the way that we do, and what we need to do in order to stay safe. He also loves to look through cookbooks and plan a menu. My son is a very picky, difficult eater. Involving him in the process has helped to add a few items onto his “will eat list.”
Karyn Van Der Zwet of New Zealand writes:
I am a bit more relaxed with sharp knives than most parents, and expect our kids to cut themselves a few times before they learn to keep themselves safe. Our boys started using knives from around 15 months and even the three year-old is pretty competent at slicing stuff – importantly they also learned (without me saying anything) when they couldn’t manage and will all ask for help if they think the task is likely to end in injury – slicing carrots springs to mind here. With the stove-top I teach them to hold the handle to the oven (or some other near object) with one hand while they stir things on elements. If they are near to an element, and I know it’s hot, I’ll tell them that it is on.
I never predict the future. That is, I never tell our kids they ‘will’ cut themselves, or that they ‘will’ burn themselves, or that they ‘will’ grate their fingers etc. I focus on real, concreteation like: the stove is hot; the knife is sharp; the grater is like lots of little knives. I also differentiate between tools and toys – knives etc are useful, but not for playing with. This way all of our kids, even the three year-old, have learned to manage the equipment – with a few woopsies on the way – and learn they can manage risk and they can manage when things don’t go according to plan.
(more…)
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
More Posts
by World Moms Blog | Nov 10, 2012 | Polish Mom Photographer, Rox is Brilliant, Saturday Sidebar, Tina Santiago-Rodriguez, World Moms Blog
World Mom, MomPhotographer with her 2 daughters
This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Susie Newday. She asked our writers,“How many kids did you want before you were married and how many do you want now, now that you have kids and know what it is like?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Carol @ If By Yes of British Columbia, Canada writes:
“I wanted two, now still want two, but sort of also want three! My husband is sticking at two, though.”
EcoZiva of Brazil writes:
“I did not want any, but now I am pregnant of baby number 3! 🙂 For me that number is perfect now, but my husband wants to convince me of more!!”
Elizabeth Atalay of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“I come from a small family so always idealized big families. When I was little I wanted 6 kids, but at some point I decided four would be a good number. Despite the chaos I am grateful every day for our four kids and our full house.”
Jenna Farelyn of North Carolina, USA writes:
“I wanted a big family. I have four kids. I would like to have a few more.” (more…)
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
More Posts
