To Be a Trusted Mom

I am now a proud part of the Philips Avent Trusted Moms.Through an intimate get together held at Discovery Suites, we met with our friends from Philips Avent.Eryl of LJS, official distributor of Philips Avent, Meann and Angelia from Philips Consumer Philippines.Had lunch with fellow Trusted Momsand also had a chance to see the new Natural line of Philips Avent productsThe new Avent Comfort Breast Pump looks so sleek and compact!Compare it to my trusty Avent pump which I last used in 2008!---These Avent Natural Grown Up cups are the coolest. The non spill lid is "lip activated". It keeps the liquid in and only opens up when pressure is put upon it. I remember having spill ups in my diaper bags when my kids were toddlers! Moms today are the luckiest! Check out the video for these awesome cups here.and listened to talks byEryl, who shared with us the history of Avent and how they continuously listen to their mom customers and try to serve their needs better all the time through constant product innovationsAnd Philips Avent's Brand ambassador, my friend, Maricel Laxa- Pangilinan who shared her own personal mommy stories with us.the Mom Thriatlete club- Ani and Maricel are the members, I am just a mascot cum cheerleader. Haha.with Eryl and quintessential event host for Avent, Marylane Viernes, and MaricelWe also had a chance to do this simple activity of writing a letter to our kids which became a sentimental and melancholic experience for some of us.Being called a "Trusted Mom" is a true honor but also poses another challenge to me. Personally it pushed me to think about what being a "Trusted mom" should be and what it entails. More than the influence, much much more than prestige, what rests on my shoulders as a "trusted mom" is really the responsibility that goes with it, and I think these are the main essentials:BE THE BEST MOM I CAN BE.This one is the most basic requirement. To be able to help others, everything must start from within, in my own home, in my own family. To strive to always be the best mom I can be. This is the biggest but most basic responsibility of all.  To be able to be a source of information and support for others, I must have a good foundation and come from an authentic place.I have 17 years of experience behind my mommy belt to know and accept that the work to be the best mom is continuous and forever. There are many days where I am victorious,  but there are days where the other demands of life win, but as I keep striving, working, taking steps to care and love my children- that is really what makes us the best moms that we can possibly be.BE A POSITIVE ENCOURAGER.As a trusted mom, i believe it is important to be a positive encourager. I give advice only when asked, and when I have the opportunity to give advice I try to be gentle and positive. And at the end of it all, i believe it is the solely the mom's choice if she will follow the advice or not. No judgements, never blame. Always with respect and genuine care.As a new mom 16 years ago, I was bent on breastfeeding, so while I was in my last trimester, I searched for a class or support group I could join to prepare me for my coming baby.  I found one class in Quezon City and eagerly attended to learn about breastfeeding. There were around 6-8 of us, all first time pregnant moms. The instructor came in and started off the class by rolling down a big banner of a photo of a cow, getting a marker and drawing a big red X mark on the cow while saying "cow's milk is bad." As a new mom then who did not know zip about raising a baby much less breastfeeding, everything was daunting at that point and though I learned a lot in that session, we all left with overwhelming worry on our faces because the session was full of "dont's" and "shouldn'ts" that would amplify the many many challenges that come with motherhood. Giving positive encouragement empowers all of us and that is, for me, the better way to be supportive of each other.FEEL THE LOVE.Undergoing challenges of my own as a new mom and needing the support from others was what pushed me to be an active mom advocate and look for ways to bring together the resources that would help other moms like myself. In my work in Mommy Mundo, I obviously gain a lot of fulfillment seeing other moms get the help they need- how could you not when this particular niche i am servicing are the most outspoken. expressive and emotional of the human specie! We love getting texts, emails and comments of warm thank yous and testimonials from moms! I consider the instant gratification we get such a blessing! It tells me I'm on the right track and it keeps us going and makes all the hard work worth it. BUT more than all that, I always look at it from this perspective:The work I do will not be worth anything if you guys did not participate or appreciate it. And as you learn and gain from Mommy Mundo, I gain probably a hundredfold more in exchange- through learnings, support, shared wisdom plus the friendships! And in the end, the connections I have made with you, my fellow moms, and what we gain from these rich relationships is what gives full meaning to being a trusted mom.Thanks Philips Avent for making me part of the Trusted Moms!To learn more about Philips Avent, its latest activities and products and the Trusted Moms, follow Philips Avent on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PhilipsAventPH