#OOTD: School Year 2015-2016

There is no stopping now. She is already a legit school girl. I cannot contain my excitement as my daughter all dolled up on her first day of school last Monday. Of course, I don't want to miss her first two days in school that is why I took a leave from work in order to know how is its situation from the time the school open its gates for the pre-schoolers until they are dismissed from their 3-hour class. (On the first day, parents and guardians were allowed to enter the school premises. But on the second day, they already implemented their rules on NO ENTRY for visitors/ parents/or guardians. The part on NO ENTRY for parents or guardians of pre-schoolers, I'm kind of half-hearted on this because as a toddler, they don't know yet how to look over on their things especially if it's packing up time. On her second day, she already lost her eraser. Oh geez!). I am proud of my daughter. Without hesitation and with a sheer of guts and confidence, she willfully went inside and placed her things inside their provided cabinets and took her seat with the assistance of her teacher. I am thankful that somehow we taught her independence early on in little ways. Unlike her other classmates who were shy, refused to enter inside the classroom while others were wailing and clinging to their mothers and fathers. On the second day, she seemed confident enough because we just let her go by herself inside the campus and managed to enter her classroom.

Second day #schoolOOTD:
Dress -Tommy Hilfiger (℅ cousin Sam including the backpack and lunch box);
 Shoes -Payless Shoe Source (a Christmas gift from her Mommy La);
Socks -Mother Care

Fourth day of #schoolOOTD:
Dress -(SIL 'pasalubong' from London);
Shoes -Chicco (got it on sale at SM around Php400.00);
Socks -Burlington

I can't wait until she will wear her official school uniform. She's excited and so am I (*wink insert*). #mommyduties #schooluniform #schoolyear2015-2016 #motherofaschoolgirl

Are you Ready for School?: Back to School 2015 edition

Summer is almost over. In a few more days, school year 2015-2016 will officially begin. Oh hello traffic and morning rush! And as expected, our daily morning grind this year will definitely change as my 4 year old daughter will be going to school. Hooray! I'm really looking forward to this milestone of my li'l one as it will be her first time to enter school. She will skip Nursery and proceed to Kinder 1 (or Pre-Kinder) because of her age. I see her very excited as much as I am. I enrolled her as early as April to make sure she'll be in the morning slot (from 8:30 until 11:30). In her school-to-be, each class (particularly in her level), will be limited to only 15 kids. I liked that they narrowed it to that number so that they can be monitored by their teacher properly. And dealing with toddlers can be really tiring when tantrums and hyper-activeness strikes. We are not talking about 1, 2 or 5 children here, but 15 kids with different personalities. (As a backgrounder, the school that I enrolled her in is in its 2nd year of operations only. Before enrollment, I already went there to inquire. That's why I knew ahead why they limit down the number of students per class particularly in this level. Last year, they have a total of 25 kids in each class. Knowing kids can be rowdy, playful and has a short attention span, it's really a handful for the teacher and a co-teacher to handle such a huge number of kids.)   

Anyways, in preparation for school, I slowly bought the things which I think she will be needing (without yet the school's checklist). 

• Bag of course! (I had it already prepared for her since 2013. See post here.)
• Black Mary Jane shoes (I bought hers at SM Department Store. Its brand is Sugar Kids for just around Php300.00. Some kind of like this. I know it cost cheaper and its quality a question. But let's see… So far I love the texture and the design. Very simple yet easy to clean)
• Umbrella
• Undergarment "sando" shirt
• Black knee-high socks
• face towels (The one I bought is the microfiber quality that is like the Aquazorb)
• Undergarment black cycling shorts (since her skirt is above knee level long)
• Snack box/bag (It's a hand-me-down bag but still in its good quality condition. I know it is because it came all the way from Canada and it was hardly used by my niece. Thank you sponsor!)
• plastic cover for the (6) books and (8) notebooks

Now that I have the checklist from the school, I was stunned to see a lot of requirements for a preschooler. It's like endless...

Page 1.
Today's generation is really different. Lesson Plan notebooks na gamit today.
What will they do with the sand paper?
What is chipboard?

I'm kind of obsessive when it comes to checking on things that every thing is complete. Honestly, these are a lot for a preschooler to check everyday if her supplies are intact. I know my daughter would not fathom right away if I remind her always to check her things by herself. Guardians are not allowed to enter into the school's campus during school hours. So there's no 'Ate' to check it for her. I worry a bit if it'll be misplaced or other kid would get it. Thinking now on how to label each and every thing on the list. A lot of things needs to be done…

Page 2.
Seriously? As in EQ or Huggies diaper?

"There may be additional items that may be requested by teachers throughout the…" Gotta be prepared for it. Nevertheless, I am determined to settle it all before the start of their classes on June 8. For now, I am excited to buy the rest of the requirements and join in the rush in buying school supplies. Anyway, I love it and it makes me bring back to memory lane…

How about you? Are you prepared na mothers like me?

What is the right age for kids to be in school?

School has finally begun, at least in the Philippines, as the month of June sets in. How time flies so fast. Not only that children are back to rushing every morning for school, traffic and stuff but also for mothers like me to join in the bandwagon of back-to-school woes. I am not yet at that stage but next school year will be a life-changing set-up for us for like the next 19 years. Oh my! With the effect of K1-K12, it's gonna be a long journey for us kids! And a lot of saving to do, Honey! Let's do this...


Preparing as early as now, I have been researching as to what level should my soon-to-be 4 year old girl would first take. I've heard various stages of preparatory levels like play school, prep school, montessori and nursery. But what exactly each stage pertains to? Should my child undergo all that levels? This some kind of gave me a stress levels thinking that my girl must have been left behind. And that I should have submitted her to school as early as 2 years old. In the back of my mind, that is too early for her. I don't want her to be deprived of her free time by playing and discovering things outside the four corners of the wall. My kids pediatrician told me, age four is the right time for a kid to get into school so as the kid won't get tired of meeting the 'demands' of it if too early. I've heard from our neighbor that the school where her child is studying, there are actually kids enrolled as early as 1 year and 8 months. I don't know what level of preparatory level they were in. But I find it irrelevant and unnecessary. Schools are just benefiting from it, profit wise. Further research led me to this site that gave me a clearer view on what age should our child enter school and on what level.


According to the official gazette of DepEd (Department of Education) with the effect of K1-12 basic education system here in the Philippines, at age 3, a child can enter nursery (level 1). Four years olds should be at pre-kinder (level II) and five years olds at kindergarten level (level III). And at age 6, the child must be in Grade 1. I am wondering, is nursery a pre-requisite to enroll her to pre-kinder? What if I don't send her anymore to nursery school because she might be left behind, does it matter? OMG!! Any views from mothers of schooling kids? Help! Does age really matter today when sending kids to school? A friend told me that there are schools in Davao City that strictly implement the age requirement. Personally, I don't find it fair because a one year difference doesn't make a big difference really. Only that she'll be a year behind. Oh maybe there is! The yearly tuition fee hike. Hayyy! Here comes the school blues again... 


Anyhow, I'm proud that Mariella is able to identify things around her na. Only that she cannot speak yet fluently but I know she can understand. While my niece with the same age as her speaks clearly. I mean each child has different level of coping up with things and I believe whether at 3 or 4 years of age, he/she can enter nursery. I was told kasi in one of the schools I inquired for Mariella, if I will enroll her to nursery next year when she turns four, will that be okay. The girl told me she'll be left behind. But instead I'll enroll her straight to pre-kinder skipping nursery. Is that okay mommies? OMG again! I'm kind of anxious already. 


I want my kids to experience the complete school requirement because I was able to experience it. As far as I can remember, I entered nursery then pre-kinder in the same school. Then transferred kindergarten to a much bigger school. I hope Mariella will be accepted to nursery class by next year even if she's four years old by then. I hope schools will not only consider the age of the child for a certain level of education. But more so on the eligibility of their age to enter school. #schoolblues #schoolwoes #k1tok12 #anxiousmother

At the End of the Day...

First day of the week. Monday seems to be the not so liked day for most working people and students. But thinking about it, it shouldn't be. Why? Because before this day, there is Saturday and Sunday where we are recharged after yet a long weekday. Personally, I dislike Monday because it is dragging for me. I want to spend more time with my kids, traffic on the way to and from office seems chaotic and everybody is rushing. I hate it. But I need to be up early because my husband needs to be at his office before 8am strikes. Well, I don't want to sound too negative and discouraging. But this is just my opinion. On a positive note, I am still glad that I belong to the working force, pushing my butts out to earn for a living and sustain everyday. A blessing that indicates a fit mind and body to perform my role as a mother, a wife and as an individual.

Here below are some snap shots I got on our way home last Monday. I was feeling pity of the little girl on the school bus. She is indeed very tired from school and I was looking at her for long since our car is side by side the school bus. She kept on falling her head because she slept literally. I actually want to sit beside her and rest her head on my shoulder. And the other photo shows an adult sleeping too. I would presume she's a mother working to help in meeting the needs of her family. Children are not spared too with the demands of their studies.

Two years from now, as my eldest daughter will enter school, I wonder how schooling is for her. Even if at the end of the day she feels tired, I hope her enthusiasm in going to school will never seize. That her eagerness in going to school and learn new things will make her excited everyday. And as for me, even if I am tired juggling from home to work and vise-versa, I hope that my drive and motivation to work will never fade all for my family. I work for my family and because I need to be of purpose and productive not only for my growth but for the people I value most.