Part 4: Lessons of the Heart and Mind

This is part 4 of the Quaker Supermoms series where my children and I have taken on a goal.When people find out I have teenage kids, I’m often asked if parenting is easier now than when they were babies and we would literally and figuratively lose sleep over them, and their health and safety. My answer is that mothering teens may be less demanding physically, but is more challenging to any mother’s brain, heart, conscience, memory and will. Just think about having to enforce curfews, then the subsequent consequences in case of violations. Sometimes it is more torture to the mom than to the kid who is being punished!In parenting teens, there are values I am trying to focus on.Heart Over Mind.I want my kids to grow up being brave enough to speak their mind, independent enough to follow their path, even if it isn’t the well-trodden path, and develop a strong inner voice and intuition. While I want them to be strong and unwavering in their beliefs and principles, I also want them to grow up to be caring and compassionate persons. Some people would say that we should let our minds rule and not be too emotional and I agree with this. However, I want them to make decisions that are also not just about themselves or their own motives but also sensitive to others needs and situations.When the biggest and strongest typhoon in history, Yolanda hit the Visayas region, we talked with our kids on ways to help. At first Reese said “But mom, I’m just a kid…” and I took this as a teachable moment, to open her eyes and show how she can make a difference at 7 years old. To look beyond yourself at the ages of 7, 14 and 16 is not that easy and with the small ways they have been able to help, I am proud of my kiddos.:)Mind Over MatterMy kids have to know that there are things that are non negotiable, such as health and safety. So even if they get disappointed and angry that they were not allowed to that out of town trip because there were no parent chaperones, or that they will get grounded if they still exceed the designated bed time, then so be it.One challenge at home, with my teens was to make them value their health more. Sometimes kids their age feel invincible- they sleep late, don’t eat at proper times, and don’t watch their food intake. They are more or less healthy kids- active in sports, they eat veggies and don’t indulge much in junk food and not even soda. But one of my pet peeves is that sometimes they leave hoe without breakfast because they say they aren’t hungry in the mornings or they just don’t want to be late for school.We deviced some steps towards creating healthier routines- and one of them is to have a healthy breakfast- Doesn’t have to be heavy or doesn’t have to take too much time. I tell them that they can just eat a little but eat the right stuff. Like what I practice when I sometimes don’t feel like having breakfast because I don’t feel hungry in the mornings. I just make myself eat even 10 spoonfulls of Quaker oats Oatmeal and a glass of lemon water plus my vitamins.My boys are resistant at first because of their impression of oatmeal. But when I tell them they just need to take 10 spoons, then they can run off. If they want they can even take the Quaker Oats that you can drink from a cup. It comes in a mocha variant and could even taste like your fave frap.It’s also a case of Mind over matter- they choice to make a healthy choice, over being lazy or eating unhealthy food- is a choice only they can make, and they have the power to make the right choice. They have became open to the idea and are now slowly getting into the habit. Realizing also for themselves about how it gives them energy through the morning, is added incentive to doing this for mom (and for their bodies!)Above and BeyondBecause all moms want their kids to be happy but sometimes, to raise children who have the right values, the right ethics and strong principles, they have to learn to follow rules, respect authority and know what is right and wrong, important and not, and what things can be compromised on for the greater good, and when to stand firm.Zach’s new year’s resolution of doing one good deed a day is something i do hope he continues. He writes these in his journal, though not yet that regular, at least he is thinking already of how he can make an impact in the lives of others, going above and beyond himself.Raising kids is a tough job, but nothing else comes close when it comes to the joy and fulfillment of taking the journey of life with our children.We take on this goal together with Quaker Oats. Read about it here. I am proud and honored to have been selected as a one of the Quaker Supermoms along with Jaymie Pizarro, who also happens to be my sister, and fellow SoMom, Kris De Guzman.Track us through the next few months as we journey on in reaching our goal to live happier, healthier and more energy and passion-filled lives!To know more about Quaker Oats and its Quaker Supermom campaign, visit the website and follow the Facebook page.