Sensitive skin runs in our family. My daughter’s skin was perfectly fine until she turned two. That was when she started having rashes and bumps all over her body which annoyed her (and me) most of the time. We could not pinpoint where and how it started and I know that there is no one culprit to this issue. It could be caused by the weather changes -if it’s too hot or too cold. Or when she started drinking formula milk (we tried a lot of brands already I tell you). Her diet also plays a big factor because she likes chicken and fish which are really malansa. Our pedia couldn’t tell us what was going on. Instead, she advised us to give her medication and skin care products to at least relieve her from the itchiness. I don’t like to say that it was unnecessary expense but whew the amount we shell out for her maintenance was quite big, if you know what I mean. So I promised that with baby #2, I will be more careful and make sure that he doesn’t have to go through all of these!
In my early twenties, my birthdays were celebrated with good food, drinks and great company. But as adulting and motherhood consumed me, all I wanted for this year was to get some good sleep. However, I was (again) surprised with a staycation at Shangri-la at the Fort Manila by my partner. I’ve already planted a me-time scenario in my mind but hey, it’s not everyday that we indulge in a 5-star service so why notttt.
I finally gave in to a shorter hair cut, hair color and treatment shortly after having baby number two! I thought that maybe it’s something that would help me shoo the baby blues away. But just what I expected, I had to deal with some physical postpartum issues including hair fall. I tell you, it really bothered my daily routine especially while I breastfeed the baby. Hair was just everywhere! eeep!
My grandmother gave me this shampoo and conditioner set from New Zealand and it was ok for a while but come summer time, there it was, coming down the drain every time I take a bath. Not just a few strands, but 21879234205 hair strands. Exagge right? So I told myself, hey Kat, you know this is inevitable but you need to at least find a way to lessen your hair fall. You don’t wanna go bald in your twenties, right?
My lifesaver. The #GugoStrong Hair Care System from Zenutrients. I’m a newbie when it comes to all-natural hair products. I’ve been coloring my hair for like what, 15 years? The salon obviously always recommends products for chemically-treated hair so I had to avail those. This time around, I listened to my mama instinct and told myself to give Zenutrients a try.
What I noticed during the first two weeks? Less hair fall and stronger hair strands. Before, it used to be like 50 hair strands but now it’s down to just 20 (hah! as if I really did the counting!).
I like the scent of both the shampoo and conditioner, not too strong and is actually very calming.
The packaging was well-thought-of, proud that it is locally made and budget-friendly. Seriously, when you’re a mom you start not to notice what brand of shampoo you’ll be using for the next few years because priority now is the monthly check-up and diaper expenses, right?
The only downside I could think of is that I feel the need to put on more conditioner. My hair feels a bit dry and harder to comb since the ingredients are all natural. How about you, what hair products are you using and how did you deal with hair fall postpartum? :)
Before
my eldest turned two, I already prepared myself to what they call Terrible Twos- how bad could it be? I’ve
witnessed my students throw tantrums and I was able to handle the situations well
so I can definitely do it again right? WRONG. It’s so much different when it
comes to your own child.
Students
still has a bit of hiya to go all out
in school. They don’t show 100% of their personality knowing that teachers will
be watching over their moves. Sometimes, they even show an entirely
different personality in school that’s why parents get shocked when I tell
them that their child is behaving well. “Ha?? di siya ganyan sa bahay teacher eh” When it’s your own child, they will
just shift their mood whenever and wherever they want to. And that makes me SO
FRUSTRATED that I sometimes shift to someone else too- like a monster.
My
daughter is now 2 years and 10 months old and I’ve seen so many shifts in her
emotions. Often times she’s in the mood to talk and play with everyone but when
something doesn’t go her way, that’s when we enter the fight zone.
Fight
zone is when I try my best to patiently explain to her why she needs to wait
for her turn or why she needs to finish her meal before eating dessert BUT she
insists on getting what she wants right there and then. Then comes the shouting
and I shout back then she starts to cry and I scream some more because I can’t
tolerate the fake cry (yes it’s fake I know!). Such a scary scenario I tell
you. I honestly don’t have a lot of patience to deal with her right now because
I also have to reserve my energy for her younger brother who needs my attention
and needs to breastfeed from time to time.
I
feel guilty whenever I give in to her wants just because I don’t want to enter
the fight zone anymore. I’d rather be in peace and keep up with her wishes than
go to the cycle of shouting-crying-screaming. But I still want to do the right
thing so I try my best to be MORE PATIENT (like 1million times) because I don’t
want her to think that crying will give her the hall pass!
So
what do I do when I can’t take it anymore? Walk away.
It’s okay to walk away from your child.
I’m not saying that you leave her alone in the room and let her cry for hours.
I’m saying you get your sh*t together and just leave- leave the room, leave the house
if you can! When I can’t handle it anymore and I need to finish work, I go to a nearby coffee shop. This helps me clear my mind and heart. I
need to do this not only for the kids but also for myself. I’m so thankful that
I have a patient partner and yayas. They’re my sub!! Walking
away doesn’t mean that I don’t want to be a mom anymore; I just need a break
from motherhood and just be Kat.
It
doesn’t end there. I make sure that every time I walk away, I reflect on the
things that just happened and assess my behavior as well. I think of other ways
on how to effectively approach my child. This is the peak of toddlerhood and it’s
inevitable-I really have to experience this with her and before you know it, it’s
all over.
Here I am now inside a coffee shop, finishing this
blog post and working on other work-related articles. I’m trying to be more composed so that when
I come back, I’ll be better..
hopefully.
If you’re pregnant right now, chances are you’re
still in bed and typing whatever pregnancy-related concerns pop out of your
mind. And when boredom strikes, you tend to do some (or maybe a lot) of mommy
shopping!
Frankly, my number one concern was losing the
extra baby weight right away even if everyone tells me that it’s okay to eat
because I’m still breastfeeding. I do eat, and I mean I eat without calorie
counting! It’s just that I feel so much better handling motherhood when I see
myself looking confident and not turning into a losyang. Hope you get what I mean. I
attended a baby fair and spotted Urban Essentials Inc.’s booth where I immediately pre-ordered
the Wink Compression Wear. I was shocked when I found out that my size is medium. Waaah all
this time I thought I can fit the smallest one! Anyway, after two weeks, my
order was delivered just right in time before I gave birth.