Why Young Married Couples Should Strive to Live on Their Own

Investing in a place to live in is a big step for newly married couples, especially young ones. Those who cannot yet afford to buy a piece of property usually opt to rent or live with their spouse's parents. The latter is not uncommon especially in the Philippines, where close family ties are part of the culture. Renting, on the other hand, is a commitment that requires hardwork and financial stability.

For those who are just starting to build their families, it is definitely easier to live in the same house as your parents to whom you do not have to pay monthly rental fees. Ideally, your new home should be ready before you get married but sadly, this is not always the case. There is nothing wrong with living with parents or in-laws. However, I still believe that every young couple should strive to find their own place separate from the elders. Why?

20-Minute Recipes: My Own Hunt's Pork and Beans Casserole

It had been another busy Friday for me, trying to catch up with deadlines. But as a home-based online writer, I am not exempted from all the housework I have to do; I'm still a mother after all. And as of the moment, hiring a cook or a house helper is not an immediate priority.

Again, I found myself with not enough time on my hands to cook dinner. But with all the pressure and stress, I think I deserved a pat on the back tonight for managing to come up with a near-decent 20-minute casserole for my husband and my daughter.

Being Married and Living with Parents

Here in the Philippines, extended families living under one roof are not uncommon. As a matter of fact, close family ties is a fundamental part of the Filipino culture. In poverty-stricken homes, parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents sleep side by side on the floor. In our society, the idea of sending the elderly to nursing homes is frowned upon – regardless of class.

Dealing with Separation Anxiety

After almost three weeks since school started, our first-grade daughter is finally quite done with episodes of separation anxiety. She now looks forward to Mondays and enjoys doing her homework with me. She has even agreed to stay at my in-laws' during weekdays as their house, where we lived for five years before renting our own, is closer to her school.

Nini is just turning six in September. For a couple of weeks or so after classes began, she cried every morning while I got her ready and during the commute to school with her dad. At school, her teachers literally had to pry her away from her Papa or lola, whenever flag ceremony is about to start.

Introduction

My name is Naomi and I was just struck with an idea to chronicle my experiences as a newbie home manager. I've been married for five years and I have one daughter who is turning six in September. There are not many people my age who are in a similar situation. I am not saying it is rare but being married at 26 with a family to look out for can be quite difficult at times. Especially for a scatterbrain and carefree person like me.

I may not be as ignorant as I was say, a few years ago, but I can hardly call myself an expert on matters such as child-rearing, finances, and home affairs. As a wife and as a mother, I learn something new everyday and will probably never stop learning until I get old and senile. I just hope to share a few pointers here and there as I grow more mature and learn more with each day that passes.

Hopefully, young moms (and they are growing in number every year) or even dads will be able to pick up a thing or two from this blog, which I hope to update every so often. As I said, I am no expert but I share your worries and your fear of things yet unknown. Do not hesitate to contact me or comment on my entries should you have questions that you feel I can answer, or simply need an ear to listen.