Opening a Savings Account for Kids is Easy

Interested in opening a savings account for your kids? It's actually very easy! We have been planning to open a savings account for our eight-year-old daughter for the longest time but haven't gotten around to it until now. We decided to deposit cash gifts she collected over the holidays and other gifts she would be receiving in the future. She was very excited with the idea of having a passbook in her name, too.

We first inquired over at BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) - SM Fairview branch but they only open accounts for kids 10 years old and above. We then dropped by BDO (Banco De Oro) and they allow parents to open savings accounts for kids of all ages (even newborns!) for initial deposits of as low as P100.

BDO asked us for the following requirements:

- ID picture (1"x1")
- Photocopy of birth certificate (bring original for verification)
- Photocopy of school ID (also bring original)

- (Some branches may ask for 2 valid IDs from the accompanying parent. Better call the branch nearest you before paying them a visit, just to be sure.)

Then we filled in an application form and that's all! We got in a bit of a dilemma in the part where my daughter was asked for three signature specimen. She claims that she signs her name with a heart (a star sometimes, whenever she feels like it) and asked me if that's okay. I thought about it and said well, she should probably not, just keep it simple, you know. I just told her to write her name - in cursive if she wants, for a bit of drama. When that's over and done with, we waited for a bit and then we got our (well, her) Junior Savers passbook!

On the way home, we talked about how we would deposit money she saves from her allowance to her account, and of course ma and pa will also put money in there from time to time, for her future. Oh boy, it felt so good and we were both so excited you'd think we deposited a million pesos in there (we did not, trust me). I am hoping my daughter grows up knowing the value of money and may she learn how to handle finances way, way better than I will ever know how to. ;)

Pre-Christmas Baby Bazaar

Christmas is just around the corner and a baby bazaar is coming to town! Are you a new mommy or daddy? An aunt or uncle to a little one? A doting grandparent? Do you love the challenge of a good bargain hunt? Then mark this date on your calendar, mommies and daddies, aunts and uncles, and grandparents!

On Friday, November 9 2012, from 4pm to 10 pm, head on over to the Parkside venue of the Filipinas Heritage Library at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City, Philippines for some serious shopping on a budget. Online mommy sellers make it possible for you to beat that Christmas rush and do some early bargain hunting of quality baby goods with “Baby Carnival—A Pre-Christmas Bazaar.”

What should you expect at this Baby Bazaar? Twenty five concessionaries are expected to join the event. They will be offering services as well as products. Here is a rundown of what you are going to enjoy at this Bazaar:

•          pre-loved baby clothes
•          pre-loved toys
•          brand new feeding bottles
•          diapers
•         books
•         baby crafts
•         photo studio exhibit booth
•          event styling providers exhibit booth
•          a face painting booth
•          costume fitting and photobooth
•          a ring toss game booth
•          food concessionaires

All these items and services are going to be sold at an affordable price. Cotton candy is to be given out for free. With all the games and activity booths and all the things to see and buy, this is sure to be a fun event! 

Moreover, with the entrance fee you will be helping the organizers raise money for a toy/book drive that they are planning for the San Juan White Cross Orphanage and the Quezon National Children’s Hospital. Of course you will also be buying from the crafters and work-at-home parents who are at the booths. Not a bad way to spend a Friday.

Of Second Tries, Natural Birth, and Being a Mom to Two

Two weeks ago, I became a mom to two.

While this may not be a big deal for other more experienced moms, it's one of the biggest events in my life as a 22-year old mom still wading through the waters of parenting.

Last September 9, I gave birth to Cyrus Alexander Drake. A healthy baby boy, he weighed at 8.2 lbs, is 53 cm in length, and earned an Apgar score of 9.9 (I didn't know babies were given grades till the pediatrician came along with the pamphlet).

What makes him special though is how he was brought into this world.

Hello there, baby Cyrus!

We apologize for being too busy to post anything the past months. However, we are back for a very special announcement:

Isn't he adorable??

Congratulations Mommy Steffi!! She gave birth last Sunday and her family welcomes its newest member, Cyrus Alexander Drake. Here's the proud daddy:

Daddy Jayson and Baby Cyrus

We wish our fellow hardworking mom a speedy recovery, good health for Cyrus, and happy years ahead for her growing family. Hopefully, Mommy Stef can share the experience herself when she's not too busy minding the young ones!

[And I hope you guys don't mind me stealing photos from your Facebook pages haha. Cheers! ;)]

How to Prepare for a Newborn’s Needs

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Having a baby is a wonderful experience, but it also requires much preparation. Pregnant women have nine months to look forward to holding their little one, but the moment he arrives, there are many things to manage. It‘s worth taking the time to get ready for the first few weeks after delivery.

Getting Kids Involved with Household Chores

It's the end of another school year (whew!) and we all finally get a much-deserved break from having to wake up oh-so-very-early in the morning every single day, preparing baon, tutoring, and you know what else. Can we all just take a minute and give ourselves a pat in the back for a job well done? *applause*

Vacation time is a good time as any to start getting children involved with household chores. Yes, part of it is about keeping them out of your hair just long enough for you to be able to accomplish whatever needs to be done, especially if you are a working mom -- but teaching kids to be responsible at an early age by assigning them household chores benefits child and parent both.

How do you manage to get your kids to help out with household chores? Read on to find out how to get kids to take responsibility at home and see some suggestions on age-appropriate chores.

Sweeping floor. Do not disturb.
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10 Personal Things Moms Should Definitely Spend Money On

Mommies, there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing a bit of guilt-free shopping for yourself. After years of being the homemaker, the disciplinarian, the doting parent and the loving mother, it's always good to set aside time to get out of the house and pamper yourself.

There are plenty of things that a mom can buy for herself, but I think she should definitely spend on these 10 things as soon as she reaches the entrance of her favorite shopping center:

8 Food Resolutions for 2012

Hello everyone! The three moms running this blog, including moi, have been quite busy to post anything the past month. Sorry about that! But on behalf of my fellow mom bloggers Kelly and Steffi, let me just wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2012! Hope everyone had meaningful holiday and love-filled celebrations with your family and friends. :)

The One-Bite Practice: Teach Kids to Eat Veggies

Impossible? Not anymore!

From the hundreds of articles on parenting I have read, probably one of the most useful bits of information that I found most handy is the One Bite practice, which gradually teaches kids to be, well, more well-rounded eaters (thank you Reader's Digest).

7 Tips to Help You Through Your Kid's First Hospitalization

August 20, 2011 – Holly's first hospitalization.

I stood there, in the pediatrics section of the ER, waiting for the staff to prepare our room. Holly's fever is at 38° already and her cough just wouldn't stop.

As I stood by our station, holding the sick baby as she wouldn't stay in bed, I listened with sadness at the outbursts and screams of the sick children around me. Never did I expect this to be emotionally draining, stressful, and just downright depressing. I went into this battlefield unarmed, thinking that this won't be any different than a regular check-up. It was a good thing I took a quick shower.

Kids Health: Healthy Snack Ideas Your Kids Will Also Love

As a mother, I know that I must make sure that my child gets proper nutrition - what with the demands of school and my daughter being in that stage where growth is at its peak. (I realize that I sound like a formula milk commercial, but we moms very well know that these concerns are valid!) Kids need to be healthier to develop immunity against diseases, more so now that it is the rainy season. Here are some practical and helpful suggestions on serving healthy snacks for kids:

The MyLac XL Prep Promo: Get a Free Gift Pack Today!

If there's one thing I hated back when I was a little girl, it's going to school sleepy, tired, and disinterested with school. And I'm sure there are plenty of kids who felt the same way.

It's a known fact that one of the reasons why most kids don't enjoy going to school is because their bodies don't have the energy to concentrate and function. This is due to a lack of proper nutrition and a good night's rest — a common issue in today's society. In my case, being the chocoholic and junk-food lover that I was, I only ate what I wanted to eat and didn't even consider what my body truly needed. I guess that explains everything.