I’ve always been conscious about not turning my blog into a
“tutorial” of some sorts. I will feel embarrassed to do so. Sure, I can share
some items that I’m loving, a few recipes here and there but not a
“how-to-do-this” blog, especially about motherhood. Never that.
The reason for this is because I am also learning and I will
be forever learning. I’ve read something when I was pregnant about that mommy
guilt that automatically gets built-in, the moment you give birth and I
couldn’t agree more. No matter how hard we try, at the end of the day
we always ask ourselves: are we doing it right? Are we giving enough?
I’ve been feeling this way, the past few days months. This
year has been a really busy year for my business and although I am so thankful
for all the blessings, there’s always this small voice at the back of my head nudging
reminding me that I am a wife and mom first. No matter how far we’ve come as
women, doing everything, being everything, I guess there will always be that
“mommy guilt” when you get too busy and juggle everything and justify that’s
its all for your children.
Heh. Anyway, I’ve been reading so many articles about how
different it is raising a boy. Hunter is now at that age when his personality
is really emerging and he is now a big ball of energy bouncing all over the
place. I’m trying my best to keep up. I
know there is no right formula about parenting but it won’t hurt to read as
much as we can and just apply whatever works for us.
From all the articles I’ve been reading girls generally
follow rules easier, stay put longer and focus on school and excel
academically. Sometimes the challenge is not to fall into the trap of comparing our son to the girls in his class/group. Everyone develops at their own
pace—and it all evens out in the end.
Personally, I am happy that I have a boy as my first child.
Growing up with three sisters, I know how girls develop and mature earlier than
boys. I like to think that him being the first child automatically makes him
more responsible because he is in-charge. He will have that “first-child”
personality.
“You may think you’ve birthed a baby boy, but you just gave
the world another man.”
Anyway, my body clock is all messed up right now. I have
less than two weeks to finish my big projects and all Christmas orders as well
as finalizing all the details of the new store. After all this hoopla, I will
slow down and enjoy the rest of the holidays. I promise.
Speaking of holidays. Yes, we celebrated Thanksgiving. I
cooked everything! I’m proud to report that this mommy guilt does have its
advantages if you wield it properly. After days of being so busy with projects
and such, I was able to whip up Pumpkin Soup, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy from
scratch together with Roasted Chicken and Apple pie. Nothing too fancy.
It may sound pretentious, celebrating Thanksgiving in the
Philippines, I know. But I just want Hunter to grow up being aware about the
basics even though he lives here. And really, we don’t need any holiday to be
thankful everyday for all the blessings.
