For A Very Special Boy

Baby Oyen at 1-year old

I first posted this on my Facebook wall. It's about my feelings and thoughts about my special boy, Baby Oyen. He is autistic, and at age four, could not yet verbally communicate with us. It is sometimes frustrating not to know what's going on in Baby Oyen's mind. 

Somebody suggested that I turn my Facebook post into a poem. But since I'm not a literary writer, I'm sticking with the original format. My attempts in poetry always ends up in total failure. Anyways, in whatever form it maybe - poetry or prose - the message is still the same. I made some changes, a little editing here and there. So here it is. I am hoping someday, when my Baby Oyen will be allowed by the Lord to progress and learn how to read, he will discover this so that he would know how much I love him.

IF I AM THE RICHEST PERSON IN THE WORLD

If I am the richest person in the world, how would I spend my wealth?

This Used to Be Our Childhood

My daughter Naya, at 5-years old, is a pro in using the laptop. She knows how to turn it on and shut it down; she knows where to locate the folder for her favorite videos; she knows how to search the internet for Barbie, Dora, and Blue's Clues games. I am really amazed with her and the other kids of her generation. Some kids her age now knows how to play Dota! But, honestly speaking, I am not happy with my daughter spending so much time playing with the laptop. It's difficult to totally not allow her to use it since she sees her Tatay and I use it too.

The Breakfast Alternative: High-fiber Danish Pancake Balls

My Danish Pancake Balls. Yummy!

My kids are picky-eaters and planning their daily menu is really a challenge. Their usual breakfast is just a bowl of rice cereals or rice with egg, hotdog or chicken nuggets. Of course, this is far from what a complete meal is. 


My 4-year old boy, who is a special child, would only eat food that produces crackling sounds. He also got food allergies and so his diet is very limited. And just like most kids, he doesn't like vegetables too. I have always looked for ways on how to incorporate vegetables and fruits into their diet. It's a hit or miss process. One of the recipes I made that both my kids like is my "High-fiber Danish Pancake Balls". My baby boy is also fascinated with round things, so these little spherical delights are just perfect to raise his interest. 

How It is To Be a Stay-at-Home Mom

In 2010, I left a stable career in government service to become a full-time mom. 

Yes, that's right. Friends and colleagues told me I was out of my mind when I made that decision. I had been a career woman for 10 years and I left it all to take care of my kids. And my aging parents. 


Some people told me, "sayang naman pinag-aralan mo kung magiging plain housewife ka lang" (you'd be wasting your educational degree if you'd just settle to be a plain housewife). I guess, only a mother could understand why I did it. Come to think of it; if we see kids misbehaving, we usually question the kind of discipline or upbringing their parents (especially the mother) do to these kids. But if women decide to forego a career to take care of the family, people will still have something to say.