March has been BIG for the whole family. I’ve been accepting more writing projects, shoots and speaking engagements this month and I love it! It’s like I’m back to the old busy bee Kat. But there are just moments when staring blankly in the ceiling is the number one thing that I’d like to do... AND SLEEP!

I’m tired and exhausted. Many moms might raised their eyebrows with my statement but I feel soooo tired. I almost forgot that I’m raising two kids now and I’m still recovering from my CS operation (which still hurts at times btw). My partner on the other hand started working on different projects too aside from his car business. He is out of the house most of the time- running errands and finishing business plans which puts me in charge of the house and the kids most of the time. Still not complaining though because we know we gotta hustle.

And as we try our best to stay on top of everything, there are days when we both crash- physically, mentally and emotionally. When we’re overworked, we start raising  voices at each other only to find out that we’re arguing over small stuff at home. I realized that we need to pause and decline some projects to allot more time for our kids, for ourselves. Despite roller coaster ride this month, there are many things that I’m still thankful for. March is still the best because..

1.Career-wise, I’ve managed to create a steady monthly income which i was worried about before I accepted the challenge to work from home.

2.Even if I have to work long hours, I still get to spend a lot of time with the kids-I’m still the one giving them a bathe, we still share meals together, I still homeschool the ate and we still take naps in the afternoon. Oh siesta time! my favorite time of the day when everyone’s just quiet and calm where I get to gather my thoughts.

3. Our newborn- who is able to sleep through the night without getting fussy. In fact, I’m the one who wakes up from time to time to check if he needs dede. But no, he’s just asleep like he had a long day. And because of this, I still get enough energy to work in the morning.

3.Our helpers- without them I’ll be a complete mess. They already know how I want things to be done so I don’t have to tell them everything, everyday. They’re already family to me and it’s a plus that they treat my kids as their own too.

4.My partner-it’s because of him that I’m able to do what I love right now. His support keeps me going and we continue to brainstorm for future plans-for bigger opportunities to come for the family.

If there’s anything that I’m praying for is that the Lord continues to give all of us good health to keep up with our schedule. Hustle hustle hustle.

How’s your March so far? Looking forward to the summer season? :)

Cat Arambulo-Antonio, interior designer and mom of three tells us how her style preference shifted from bold and wild to a simpler and more tamed look because of the presence of her children. “I make the necessary precautions now that my kids are around and we know that accidents, dirt and spills are unavoidable. My number one rule in choosing my accessories is that they should be pretty but unbreakable”, says Cat. For moms who still want to create a stylish and functional space at home, these are some tips to keep in mind.
Opt for custom-made furniture

Aside from being budget-friendly, you can tweak your pegs a little by adding a personal touch. Also, the measurements are more precise and will be more fit in your home.

Schedules are clearly important to keep one's day running smoothly and effectively. Likewise, routines should be introduced to children as early as possible. It doesn't have to be strictly followed but at least they get a sense of what they'll be doing for the day. Here's a very simple schedule I made for my toddler:

Looks like there's a lot going on but trust me, no matter how much I plan her day and load it with activities, it seems like we still have an entire afternoon to ourselves and her energy keeps her up until late evening. The main reason why I created this type of schedule is because I'd like to limit screen time. When I was still working full time, her guardians resorted to giving her the tablet since they need to do household chores too. I noticed how much time she spent online and how irritated she was when the Youtube video was taking too long to load. With so much guilt on my part, I promised to make her days more productive as I shifted to a part time job and business. It was the best decision I made! She did not have a hard time adjusting to the routine and she even loves having one. She knows when it's time to play, eat, shower and nap. She is even more madaldal now that she gained more experiences and was exposed to different objects instead of just watching online videos. Hay regrets.

The best part is that we've bonded so much that she calls Mama! Mama! every  five minutes to show me what she's doing or ask me to get something for her. It drives me crazy at times especially when I have to work online or even when I'm just going to the bathroom. But I wouldn't trade it for anything else! :)

There are many benefits of having a schedule for children but it may vary depending on how you want to train your child and the whole household (tell guardians not to bend the schedule, okay?) How about you, care to share your child's daily schedule? I'd love to hear some suggestions.