smart talk with elderly 101

While we were watching This Old House, my son made a comment…

son: why do they have to cut the trees?

i: they are planning to build a bigger house and the trees are on the way…

son: oh no! that is a bad idea…

i: why do u say so?

son: because the animals living in those trees will die…they need the trees…do u know that tree frog doesnt come down from trees? if u cut the tree, they will have no place to stay… they will die…

i: so, what do they need to do with the trees then?

son: they just have to leave it alone, they can have a medium size house…so everyone will be happy…the tree, the animals and the people living in the house…everybody has to share this beautiful earth…

A few minutes ago, our baby bit my son on the arm while my son was trying to stop the baby from going to the fish bowl… And as expected, both of them cried… My son was crying from pain and my daughter was crying because she didnt get what she wanted…

son: mom, baby bit me because i was preventing her from going to the fish bowl…i dont want her to break the bowl and hurt my fish…

i: what did u do after she bit you? why is she crying?

son: nothing, i just stopped her from going to my fish…i would never hurt that cute baby…

i: but u just said, she bit u and why are u crying?

son: it is really painful, that baby really got me…she is so lucky i love her…i would never hurt her…

i: ok, i should put her on timeout or punish her…

son: its ok mom, she doesnt know what she is doing, she is still a baby…it is ok…i am not hurt anymore…

i: but what she did is wrong, she needs to know that…

son: i know i know…maybe it is better if i talk to her, you dont have to put her on timeout or punish her…i will talk to her…

i: ok..but if she does it the second time, she will be punished or put on timeout…

My son knows why wr have to go to work. One day, he made a request if it’s possible for me to work 3 days in a week instead of 4 days…

i: i dont think that its possible at this time…we need to pay our bills and we need to save money so that we can invest it…

son: i know i know but i have a plan…u will work 3 days a week and i will put up a show, i will make people pay 10 cents only for my show…that way, you can have one more day off…

i: that is a good idea but to put up a show u need to have money also, i dont know if people will watch the show…

son: oh! i didnt think about that… i have another idea…maybe ill make a book then maybe people will like it then we can have money…is it ok if the book has 5 pages only?

i: it is a great idea! yes, 5 pages is ok…but u have to start making the book…what topic will you have?

son: i started already, im on my 2nd page…its about planets…

i: ok, that is wonderful! thank you for the ideas! but it would be best if you enjoy being a kid and not worry or think about how to make money…

son: its ok, it is for our family…

(i didnt know what to say, it seems like im talking to an adult and not to a kid)

We were watching tv after dinner when my son said:

son: it is not good to call or txt while driving, right?

i: yes, because a lot of bad things could happen if people get distracted while driving…just like what you saw on tv…

son: yeah! that’s why it is not allowed but a lot of people doesn’t follow it…

i: because they don’t realize the consequence/outcome of such situation…people tend to do things without much thinking…

son: i guess so…but u know what, i know how people can txt or call while driving without causing an accident…

i: how?

son: by having a monster truck…remember the movie thst we watched a few weeks ago? (he was referring to the movie monster truck wherein the truck was being driven/moved by an octopus-like creature)

i: oh, that movie!

son: yes! i think if you have that kind of vehicle, then that’s the only time you can txt and drive…since it is just a movie and is not real then people cant txt or call while driving…

My son told me as soon as i went home from work yesterday that he was put on timeout by tatay (dialect for father). So i asked him what happened.

son: i didnt listen to him, so he put me on timeout by making me face the wall and not watch the tv…

i: oh i see… did u cry while on timeout?

son: no i didnt!

i: really?! that’s very surprising coz u always cry when put on timeout…

son: i know i know but i realized that when i cry while on timeout i wouldnt be able to listen to the tv…since he didnt allow me to watch, maybe i could listen to it…i was right! i was able to listen to it…

I normally send my kids to bed between 8 to 9pm. One of the good things about this, is i get to sleep and wake up early. This is so good since i start work at 6am.However, the downside of this is that my 5 year old son has a habit of waking up before i leave for work. As a mom, i want him to have plenty of sleeping hours..

i: son, why do u have to wake up so early? u can still go back to sleep, it’s so early…

son: i want to hug and say goodbye before u go….

i: but u hug me everyday and i will see u when i get home…

son: i know i know but i want to hug u in the morning before u leave because i want to say thank u and i love u…

i: thank u for what?

son: for helping/loving me always

i: of course i love u and i help u coz u are my son…

son: i know that already…i just want to do that…

i: thank u and i love u and baby…

And he never fails to do that everyday even if he is running a fever…

I have been slacking with my blog the past few days. It is hard if both of the kids are sick. Lastnight, my son was telling me that its really hard if somebody is sick in the family…

i: why do u say so?

son: because u and dad doesnt have enough sleep trying to take care of both baby and i and could be both cranky…

i: (was silent for awhile before saying) i know..its really hard if somebody is sick…thats why i told you that you have to be healthy all the time…

son: i know i know but if your sick or having a fever, it means your body is fighting the bad germs in the body…its reminding us to be healthy and to always sleep better…sometimes we forget…being sick is also good mom…

i: you are right but as much as possible..we need to be healthy all the time..if we get sick..we have to spend money to pay bills, we have to spend time getting better to the point that you miss some of your activities…

son: right! you cant hug baby too coz she might get sick as well…its really hard especially since she is so cute…

i: at least now, you and baby  are now getting better…

son: yeah! we are reminded what it feels to be healthy again…i guess, we get sick to remind us to make our body rest and have a break from all the play, work and learning we do everyday….

Before sending my son to bed tonight, he said this shocking statement. So i just calmly ask if he was jealous of the baby….

i: why do u want to become a baby again? are u jealous of the artention that we give to the baby? is that why?

son: oh no, no, no. I am not jealous of our baby. I love her a lot lot lot… i am just telling you that i want to become a baby again…

i: but why?

son: coz, the baby has to do 5 things only…

i: what 5 things?

son: all the baby does is 1. pee 2. eat 3. poop 4. play 5. sleep

i: isnt that what you do as well?

son: oh yes i do all that but there is a lot more to do…like i have to learn how to write, read, add, clean, take care of the baby, wash and a lot more…phew!!! that’s a lot…it is more than 5! i guess its even 10 or more…phew!!!

Oh no, i think its time to teach him the value of responsibility…

During the snowstorm, my son said to me: i know a lot of people are not happy with the snowstorm but i am sorry to say i am excited…

i: u are excited because u can play, right?

son: yeah (saying shyly)…how did u read my mind?

i: i just know it…

son: i guess a lot of kids are so happy today, they will be enjoying the snow as much as i…a lot of moms and dads will be sad, i know it but i guess when they were kids, they were excited having the snow…right?

i: i guess u are right…

son: i knew it!…maybe when i get to be an adult, i will not be as excited as now…it is really fun to be a kid…i wish i will still be excited when that time comes…

i: u can still be excited, it is just a matter of ur attitude towards it…

Today is the birthday of our beloved “nanay” (it means mother in english). She is simple yet strong, strict yet loving. She taught us many things that helped us to become good/better person as we grow older. Every time i think of her or talk to her, i am reminded of the following values that she shared to us:

1.being strong— she taught us the value of standing up and not backing down despite hardship and obstacles.

2. being faithful— she always remind us to pray no matter what the situation is. She taught us the value of prayer and faith in God.

3. being a minimalist— she showed us to appreciate relationship/experience over things. She taught us the difference between wants and needs. She made us realize that having less is more.

We love u and we are so proud of u. We are so thankful to be your kids. Thank you for all the sacrifices and love. May u continue to share good values to ur grandkids….