See those two little boys? They're my boys. This is a photo I took from the balcony of the rental I just moved out of. I took it a year ago. The lake was just a hop and a skip away from our house then. We moved from congested Quezon City to Silang, Cavite because my boys were always sick in our former house and I felt that I had given them all the help I could in terms of therapies and nutrition. Somehow I sensed we needed to be supported by our environment, too. I was right (hay salamat minsan nakakatama din!). My boys have blossomed since. Though they still have asthma attacks (I was hoping that would disappear), they are both stronger and fuller. I was just showing my older boy's photo to his teacher and we couldn't believe how thin and gaunt he was before we left the city. Here, we are surrounded by trees, crickets, frogs, all kinds of insects, clean air and life, life life!!! It takes them no more than 20 minutes of traffic-free travel to get to school. Now my Santiago has gained weight, is happier, less introverted and is always leaving his shoes behind! He loves to walk on grass, soil and stones. Just the other day, my boys planned to have a picnic under the shade of a tree they just discovered they could climb. Each brought an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie baked by their Tita Joy. These are the simple joys of childhood that mean so much. They don't need toys, TV or computers. A home made cookie each, under a tree. That's what made their day. I really think that our children need to live away from the city. I'm still in a village, not exactly in the middle of nowhere, so it's not even as perfect as growing up on a farm, but already the change has made such an impact on the health and well-being of my children. I am so grateful for the chance to move away, start anew and restore their health. Nature is such a perfect healer and I know that just by growing up in the midst of it, my children will be great protectors of her gifts.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Nature around us
See those two little boys? They're my boys. This is a photo I took from the balcony of the rental I just moved out of. I took it a year ago. The lake was just a hop and a skip away from our house then. We moved from congested Quezon City to Silang, Cavite because my boys were always sick in our former house and I felt that I had given them all the help I could in terms of therapies and nutrition. Somehow I sensed we needed to be supported by our environment, too. I was right (hay salamat minsan nakakatama din!). My boys have blossomed since. Though they still have asthma attacks (I was hoping that would disappear), they are both stronger and fuller. I was just showing my older boy's photo to his teacher and we couldn't believe how thin and gaunt he was before we left the city. Here, we are surrounded by trees, crickets, frogs, all kinds of insects, clean air and life, life life!!! It takes them no more than 20 minutes of traffic-free travel to get to school. Now my Santiago has gained weight, is happier, less introverted and is always leaving his shoes behind! He loves to walk on grass, soil and stones. Just the other day, my boys planned to have a picnic under the shade of a tree they just discovered they could climb. Each brought an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie baked by their Tita Joy. These are the simple joys of childhood that mean so much. They don't need toys, TV or computers. A home made cookie each, under a tree. That's what made their day. I really think that our children need to live away from the city. I'm still in a village, not exactly in the middle of nowhere, so it's not even as perfect as growing up on a farm, but already the change has made such an impact on the health and well-being of my children. I am so grateful for the chance to move away, start anew and restore their health. Nature is such a perfect healer and I know that just by growing up in the midst of it, my children will be great protectors of her gifts.
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3 comments:
I just read all your posts on parenting and I recognize how motherhood has affected you.
Motherhood has changed me a lot too. For the better I hope since I am more conscious now of everything that my son can learn from me (intentionally or unintentionally).
I also shun television and computers because I want him to experience and learn. My son just turned 2 so I hope I can keep him off at least as long as you did (9 months?).
You mentioned you moved away from the city. I have been wanting to do that since I want my son to experience climbing trees, chasing insects, but most of all breath fresh and clean air. He only gets to do those when he visits his grandparents in the province. But I feel comfortable in the "security" of the Makati condo where we currently live. If I may ask, where is the village that is closest to farm-living but is just 20 mins away from a good school?
Thanks for your sharing.
Hi. My older boy didn't watch any tv until he turned 9. My younger one got it earlier because his father opened the door to television early. I'm still trying to get over that heartbreak! But the longer you postpone that, the healthier your child will be :)
I live in Sta. Rosa and there are many villages here and lots of schools as well. But I can't say this is farm-living, so I can't give you recommendations there.
Thanks for dropping by.
Im a busy mom here in the States,no
Yaya and TV buys me some me time to
Gain back my sanity. Being sleep deprived
And all,after giving birth via CS i need to be up
And moving to feed the baby,couldnt even get
Up coz my insition would hurt..so hard
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