Answering Your Child's Questions

Last Sunday, we went to church.  We stayed in the crying room.  There were several other parents and kids there.  The oldest child was playing with his siblings.  He must be around 5 to 6 years old.  Sadly, he was the noisiest among the kids.  Then at one time when he got really loud; his mother told him to sit down.  He looked at his mom and asked her "why?".  His mom said again with a very firm voice, "sit down".  He questioned his mother "Why?"  for three times.    The mom never answered his question.  Finally, the child told his mom "I want to play" and he continued to play.

Then the mom grabbed him and sat him on her lap.  She whispered something to him and he stopped for maybe 30 secs then he went back playing loudly.

This is very unfortunate.  The child is already in the age of understanding.  It was so easy to answer the question.  She could have easily told him that he is supposed to behave while inside the church.  There were other kids his age who can sit quietly in the church.  I understand that the crying room is for noisy kids but it doesn't mean that the room is a play room and we should just let our kids do whatever they want to do in it.  The other younger kids were more behaved than him.  If the child were 1 or 3, it's easier to understand why he couldn't behave but at 5?  Geesh! I don't know how I should react or feel about it but I feel guilty because I got so annoyed with the situation.  Oh Lord, forgive me.  :(

A Proud Mentor

At around 11pm last night, I waited for some news from Hollywood, CA if my student Cathy made it through to the semifinals of the World Championships for Performing Arts (WCOPA 2011). I was informed that the results will come in the following morning. So I waited some more. I barely slept last night. I was too anxious to know the results. Although I've seen the videos uploaded by her mom, I didn't know how she did compared to the other contestants. Around 10am, I got a call and heard the good news. She made it to the semifinals! I am so ecstatic! Now I am wishing, praying and hoping that she makes it to the finals. 

One thing that makes me really happy is teaching. I think mentoring is my thing. Especially when I see them improving and happy with what they are doing. Whether it's vocal coaching, financial coaching or just any other coaching. I am no master of anything but it gratifies me to share what I know. So when this child asked for some vocal coaching, I didn't have any second thoughts. Thanks to my ever supportive husband who allowed me to do voice lessons at home and by coming home early everytime I have a scheduled class. Another special thanks to my baby for behaving while classes were going on.

At first, it was just plain summer voice lessons then little did we know we'll get invited to sing for the Filipino Community and now, she's competing against the delegations from all over the world carrying the flag of the United States.

I am beaming with pride!

Way to go Cathy Sucgang! I am a proud teacher.

UPDATE:  Cathy didn't make it to the finals but on a brighter note, she has call backs for the week.  I am still very very proud. 
Cathy at WCOPA blog

The Power of the Piggy Bank

I recently uploaded this photo on my Facebook account showing my son putting coins in his piggy bank.  This picture brought back many memories.

My first piggy bank gave me the chance to buy my very first "taho". A street food in the Philippines which is made of silk tofu mixed with brown sugar and vanilla syrup topped with tapioca. I think I was only four at that time. It was the most delicious "taho" I ever had in my entire life. My first piggy bank had taught me to diligently save up for my next "taho".