All-Around Pinay Mama

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A Summer Checklist For Tweens by Mommy Blogger Pehpot

April 01, 2017

It is not easy to raise up a child as it requires a high-demand and lots of hard works to do. From the moment a child was born to toddlerhood, the challenges are double up as they become strong-willed and starting to learn things on their own. But wait, it is not yet over, from childhood, tween years will come. It is the moment when your child is not yet a kid anymore but not most likely a teen.

Courtesy: teensafe.com

Tween years is the most crucial time of your child’s progress. How can you handle a not-so-child and not-so-teen? It is delicate to mess up with their tweenhood. Any parent knows the struggles. However, you can make it fun for your new tween to grow up and take small responsibilities by this time.

Summer may be the perfect season to start teaching your tween how to manage oneself, how to deal with people, how to be open to parents, how to handle responsibilities, and how to enjoy life. You can start by giving particular chores he is fond of, like for example planting the garden, taking care of small brother or sister, washing the dishes, or folding the laundry. The responsibility should not be a huge issue if he handles it well or not, what matter is how willing he is to take it. After he had learned it, it is now time to teach him how to aim for a fantastic result on his responsibility.

Make it slow, just one step at a time, it is not that hard to teach a tween. It may sound complicated at first, but eventually, when your tween is familiar with the changes he will embrace it. After responsibilities are excellently done, give him a reward. It may be something he strongly desires of or something big for him.

To help your child enhance his skills, attitude, talent, and make some discovery to himself, you can engage him in a summer activity. By doing so, he might enjoy while he learns. There are some summer workshop and courses perfect for tweens and teens who are growing up and developing oneself.

There are some business-related summer workshops that your kids can get into; some fast-food chains offered summer workshops to enhance the child’s interest in working and engaging in business. It is a good start for your tween. I found a list of some exciting summer activities that can help enhance our child’s capability which is very relevant to their age. Mommy Blogger Pehpot enlisted more than 20 schools and establishments offering fantastic summer courses for toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and even for adults.

Now, here’s a recap of our summer checklist for tweens:

· Self-management

· People Management

· Transparency to parents

· Handling responsibility

· Enjoyment

Treat your tween at their age, remember that they are no longer a baby, but they are not already a grown-up who can take full responsibility for their action. They are fun-able but be sure to guide them all the way!

Arrowland by Gandiva- The Newest, Hippest Archery Range in the Metro

December 05, 2016

On November 12, 2016, Arrowland, a brand under Gandiva Archery Range that was exclusively created for SM Malls, had the grand opening of its first store at 5^th Level SM Mega Mall Fashion Hall, Mandaluyong City.

The spacious range has 10 lanes with 10 meter distance and also consists of well-equipped armory that can cater to all the clients archery needs.

No need to worry for begginers because highly trained staff is ready to teach them the basics. Barebows are available for them while mid to high end range of bows are available for more seasoned clients. In line with this, Gandiva is so proud and pleased to announce that it has been awarded exclusive distributorship in the Philippines for FIVICS and KROSSEN archery equipment. That means Arrowland offers equipment sales and after sales services to all its clients.

During the event, Kuya had a chance to channel his inner Green Arrow for the very first time and while we were travelling home, he asked me if we could come back. I said yes, definitely. He also expressed his desire to study more about the sport and he couldn’t wait to start doing it. For a non-sporty kid as he was, that eagerness made me feel so happy that at last, he found the sport that he would love to learn. Arrowland ignited Kuya’s desire on a sport that he never thought he would like.

Congrats, @arrowlandph, for your newly opened range in 5th Level, SM Mega Fashion Hall, Mandaluyong City! Thank you so much for having me and Kuya. . Mars at Pards, this is your chance to channel your inner Katniss or Green Arrow! Unleash the archer in you by heading to #Arrowland with your family and friends. Promise, Arrowland by Gandiva is a place where fun is right on target! . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmevents #momblogger #mommybloggersphilippines #certifiedbloggers #momswhoblogph #archery #archeryrange #ArrowlandByGandiva #igersmanila #Philippines #WhereFunIsRightOnTarget

A photo posted by SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Nov 12, 2016 at 2:20am PST

I promise you that you will love the experience too. You may head on to Arrowland with your family and friends and it promises fun that is right on target.

Fret not, budget conscious Mars at Pards! The range offers very affordable beginner’s lessons, private or corporate parties, and school tie-ups.

New targets will soon be available like tic tac toe and zombies to make shooting more enjoyable and not boring.

I also encourage you to follow Arrowland on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM for more details, promos, events, and updates. You may call 02- 5770956 if you have questions.

*Photo and Video Credit: Arrowland by Gandiva

Another great idea that isn't like archery is skating, check out some great resources for women here.

Review + International Giveaway (November 2016): KidloLand App

November 07, 2016

Our world is now fast paced. Technology changes in a blink of an eye. People from all walks of life especially the older ones do their best to cope up with it while the youngsters, which include my son, are born with. We can’t deny that apps using our phones, laptops, and tablets become part of our lives now and they are here to break or make us especially the kids. What I mean is, there are those who are trashy and don’t teach our children the right values or skills and there are those who help us to develop them cognitively and wholistically.

I have two sons, eleven and five years old. With all honesty, I don’t expose them too much on gadgets because they have the tendency to get addicted. In the case of my eldest, I have no choice this year but to give him his own tablet because his class uses e-book in school. What I do is I give him an hour during weekends and ten minutes during weekdays to enjoy his favorite videos on YouTube, read articles online, or play games. Paps, Loley, and I are still monitoring him despite of trusting him that he can control his urge to play instead of studying. While my Bunso, who has been diagnosed with Mild Autism Spectrum, is not allowed by his Developmental Pediatrician to get exposed to television shows or watching videos online and offline because his speech and fine motor skills are delayed. Sadly, he has the tendency to get hooked on gadgets that he doesn’t like to stop. He needs to do activities that require communicating and tinkering.

After his diagnosis in 2014, we took away his gadget privileges. It was also in the same year when he started being afraid of hearing load sounds and getting overwhelmed with too much color and action from movies. I exposed him to more books, flashcards, and concrete educational tools like blocks and Lego.

It was only last year that I let Bunso use my phone. I only installed two educational puzzle apps that he's still playing daily under time limit. Presently, he is still afraid of loud sounds and hearing songs from the television or radio. Ironically he has the tendency to get addicted to YouTube firework videos so I locked the internet access. So when KidloLand, an award-winning app for toddlers and preschoolers, contacted me to review its app, I was hesitant at first. But then again, 250+ mom bloggers all over the world recommended it so why should I not give it a try. Then I accepted the offer. Seeing and exploring the app myself with Kuya before showing it to Bunso made me feel happy that I said yes.

These are the things that we love about KidloLand:

1. Versatile

- There are over 800 nursery rhymes, stories, songs, activities, and games available for toddlers and preschoolers.

- 95+ interactive classic nursery rhymes with thousands of surprises come alive when tapping the screen.

- Original educational songs for learning ABCs, fruits, vegetables, shapes, colors, and a lot more can be found.

- There is a complete Phonics section composed of activities and songs to help kids start or enrich their reading skills.

- Kids learn a lot through games. They enjoy playing without them realizing that they are learning at the same time.

- It is loaded with activities that help kids develop their cognitive skills like sequencing, math, picture and number, comprehension, problem-solving skills, and a lot more that develop their eye-hand coordination, creativity, reasoning, and imagination.

2. Child and Parent-Friendly

- There are no advertisements that may influence the child.

- The games, songs, and activities are designed for kids ages zero to five.

- It’s easy to use and navigate.

- Shows a wide array of funny animations and sounds that make children entertained.

- Animation and sound are colorful and crisp respectively.

- Parents can download activities, videos, and songs that kids can enjoy offline anywhere, anytime.

This also assures that parents can still choose and be in control in what contents of KidloLand their kids can watch, hear, and do at the moment.

Our internet connection speed here in the Philippines is too slow and it takes longer for me to download more contents of the app but I guess in other countries downloading is faster. It’s okay for me because as I’ve said, I only show Bunso a few portions of the app daily.

3. Android and Apple Device Compatible

Kidloland may be purchased through App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore for Android.

4. Affordable

There’s a Basic (Free) Service where a limited number of songs and other content is made available to the free users of the app and unlocking any additional content requires either in-app purchase or registering for subscription service. One year subscription, for example, is US$39.99.

During the first time that I showed Bunso the activities that I downloaded from the app, I felt a little nervous. As I mentioned a while ago, he was afraid of loud sounds, too colorful animation, and could get addicted to videos so I did his exposure one at a time for him not to get overwhelmed. I was surprised to see that he loved everything about it especially the puzzles. He didn’t get afraid of the sound and color. He was hooked but still would return my phone after a given time limit. Like his favorite old puzzle apps, he didn’t get addicted.

Our family loves KidloLand. It ‘s definitely the best educational preschool and toddler app that I’ve seen so far. No wonder that it is trusted by moms all over the world and has gained so many awards and badges from different parenting and educational institutions. KindloLand can win the hearts of kids as well as their parents.

Like us, I also like you and your toddlers and preschoolers to experience the wonders of this app. KidloLand is so generous to give three (3) AAPM Readers of the Month of November a three-month subscription each to the KidloLand app. It’s so easy to join. Just follow the steps below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to my readers WORLDWIDE. You don't have to be my social media account followers to join. Giveaway period is from November 7 to 30, 2016 only. Winner will be chosen by random.org.

I'll announce the winner on my Facebook Page on December 1, 2016 and he/she will be notified through Facebook message on the same day. Thanks!

Good luck and thanks for joining!

XOXO,