Sometimes I question myself why I always put my life on hold every exam week. You’d hear me saying no to events, to meet ups, to almost anything I can say no to because it’s EXAM WEEK. Even the laundry suffers. Actually, it’s not just during Exam weeks.. even when they need to perform in a school program or when one of the boys will compete in sports.. I just have to stop whatever it is that I am doing and be there for them. And most of the times, it’s stressful for me. I have little sleep and more wrinkles!
But even before I finish questioning myself, I already know the answer. I have multi- achiever kids. I have FOUR Multi-Achievers. They have potentials and it’s my responsibility to enhance their potentials. Exam weeks and school programs are only a part of enhancing their potentials. Daily, it can be quite challenging. They are very curious and they won’t stop until they get an answer. They’re full of energy and they all have different personalities! As I have said, it is my responsibility, so I face these challenges easily using some of these:
1. Keep them busy
A child with multiple intelligence is a child with a very busy mind, make that 4 children. So to keep them busy, we make arts, we do some reading, watch series together and discuss theories. Our recent art works was for Valentine’s Day where we only used heart cut outs (check our finished product here: Activities for Valentine’s Day).
Kids love gadgets, I cannot deny that fact. And I have learned how to make it my ally instead of my enemy. They can only use their gadgets after giving me some passwords. Passwords are words (usually 5) starting in the same letter, and each is used in a sentence. Only one word for Sati and 3 words for Chico.
2. Let them answer their questions
I can’t remember the most bizarre question my kids had asked me. I was never caught off guard because I always return the question to them. It’s the most effective way of knowing what your kids think and how to answer them properly. Questions like “How babies are made?” were answered with “How do you think babies are made?”
We don’t give them answers, we ask them to think and look for answers. It encourages them how to think analytically.
3. Chanel their energies
Is it just my kids or yours too? because as the clock strikes 5 PM, they’re a bunch of movers! This is the pick of their adrenaline rush (it’s kinda exaggerated but that’s how it is during this time). Stopping them is not the answer because 5 minutes after, they’d be doing whatever it is they’re doing again. The best way to deal with this? Chanel their energies through dancing or singing or running or a simple game of tickling (which sometimes turns into wrestling). It also helps me lose weight!
4. Be one of them
As I have mentioned, I have 4 kids with different personalities. My oldest is 11 and youngest is 5, so just imagine how broad their interests are. Luckily, all 3 boys love Nerf, The Flash and Agents of SHIELD while the little girl loves watching Youtube videos of Barbie and Peppa Pig. So to keep our afternoons or mornings or long drives more interesting, we have discussions about the possibilities of time travel and earthquakes. Sometimes, we play pretend on who’s Barbie and who’s going to be Chelsea.
5.Equip them with proper nutrients
To help them build their multiple intelligence, I also give them proper food and Progress Pre-School Gold as milk supplement.
Sooo how was their exams? I am more than proud with their brain smart achievements.. more kwento after their recognition! It will be FUN! Promise!
Michi says
March 20, 2015 at 5:01 pmI can’t imagine teaching and reviewing four children because I only have one child and super pagod na ko after ko siya ireview. No more energy para sa chores. Kudos to you!
BA Isla says
March 20, 2015 at 7:16 pmI love this. This article will help me raise my 2 lovely kids. Both are smart, and not to mention full of energy.
Thanks.
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
March 20, 2015 at 7:55 pmThanks so much for the great tips. I love the one to let them answer their own questions. Alyssa has been a question asker since birth, lol and we started letting her answer her own questions. She’s a smart little cookie and already knows the answers before she asks the questions.
Deb says
March 20, 2015 at 11:02 pmThis are wonderful tips. I only have 2 children, but they are both very different and it takes different skills to help each of them be their absolute best. I think one thing that often gets overlooked is proper nutrition. Such an important reminder to make sure they are getting what they need.
Debarpan says
March 21, 2015 at 12:50 amThis is such a great post for every mom and their kids…hope they will find it helpful.
Amanda says
March 21, 2015 at 4:57 amI agree that good nutrition is key at all times, especially those of stress. Speaking of stressful situations, it is awesome that you realize that when your little ones are stressed, it is a great idea to act like one of them. Running and playing is such a fun way to interact and all of you will blow off some steam.
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
March 21, 2015 at 5:05 amI would say that my first born fits under the multi achiever category. And boy or boy is it hard to keep him challenged and occupied. Channeling engeries is HUGE and very key! My little guy focuses so much better after he gets his sillies out!
Myrabev says
March 21, 2015 at 5:17 amIt must be tough but also rewarding having multi-achievers. I do not yet have kids so I can not really relate but these are really great tips and am sure very useful ones too.
MrsMartinez says
March 21, 2015 at 8:13 amWhoa! Sati is five already?! Kids really grow up so fast! Your kids are proud of you because you raised them well!
xoxo
MrsMartinez
Amanda @ Adorkablii says
March 21, 2015 at 10:40 amI only have one child and his interest change all the time. I can’t even begin to think of how you can handle four children! I give you some credit because I don’t know if I could handle it. I think it’s extremely important for us as parents to remember to be their parents first but it’s okay to be their friend and play with them. Get involved in the games and crafts they want to do. Thank you for sharing!
Dyen Alano says
March 21, 2015 at 11:06 amYou’re a super mom, indeed! And what is the best gift that a super mom can get is having great chldlren that you have!
Janice says
March 21, 2015 at 11:15 amI feel you, Pehpot! I’m the same way. Just yesterday, I asked my editor is she can work around my schedule next week because I have to attend one recognition day and one graduation day. Hahaha! But you’re right. It’s part of our role as mothers to support our kids. What else are we here for, diba?
Vera Sweeney says
March 21, 2015 at 12:18 pmIt is so easy to just let everything stop for your kids!! It can be hard to find the balance of being there for our kids and maintaining the rest of our lives. These are great tips and I agree proper nutrients both kids and parents is crucial!
Lauren says
March 21, 2015 at 1:20 pmThis is such a great post to read!!! I have a very busy toddler, and I need ways to keep him busy! He’s not to the point where he would be involved in extracurriculars, but someday! Thanks for the post!
Work with Jeremy Lagatule says
March 21, 2015 at 5:08 pmKids are so amazing! I think that children bring so much joy to the world in so many ways that they really are the life blood of society 🙂
Aprill says
March 21, 2015 at 9:11 pmI like that you dont answer every question for them, but make them research themselves. This is how you build intelligent, free thinking children.
Mommy Peach says
March 21, 2015 at 9:44 pmMulti-Achiever Mom= Multi-Achiever Kids! Ikaw na talaga.
theresa says
March 21, 2015 at 11:59 pmTo challenge one child’s skills is to develop them thoroughly. Expose the children to learn new things and develop also their interest.
Vance says
March 22, 2015 at 7:01 amMommies could very well relate to that exam week scenario. Yung tipong you really have to say no to other things, yes, like event invitations because you know just too well your priority. You need to review them and even sometimes come up with mock up test. Pag exam week, Mommies talaga yung unang nai-stress eh!
Maricel says
March 22, 2015 at 9:42 amI like how you discipline your kids. 🙂
Hui Zi says
March 22, 2015 at 10:47 amNot a mom myself.. But those are great points that I should show to my cousin 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Ma.Me.Mi.Mommy says
March 22, 2015 at 10:16 pmLove your tips! 🙂 Congrats on their brain smart achievements this school year! 🙂 galing ni mommy! 🙂
rochkirstin says
March 23, 2015 at 10:01 amWow! It’s a great accomplishment to raise them as multi-achievers. 🙂 Our parents also trained us to be very active and productive regardless of the type of work we do. We find fulfillment in achieving tasks that we find challenging.
Franc Ramon says
March 23, 2015 at 2:28 pmI think letting them answer their own question would really make them more inquisitive and resourceful.
Celerhina Aubrey says
March 23, 2015 at 3:23 pmWe really stop our whole life for the bagets. I guess that what mums do now. But its really extra happy if we see them achieving something diba? Ibang level of happy. 🙂
Rackell Lumberio-Villareal says
March 23, 2015 at 4:05 pmThanks for this one Mommy Pehpot. Magagamit ko to lalo na pag labas ni baby bunso. For now, I still don’t know how to handle two kids in the future, medyo kabado ako pano sila papalakihin, but after reading this, nagka idea ako ha especially the “Let them answer the question” Ang galing! 🙂
sarah tirona says
March 23, 2015 at 4:09 pmwe’re exactly the same! lol 😛 future naman kse sila. 🙂
Chrissy says
March 23, 2015 at 4:49 pmThis is such a timely post for me! Lately, I’ve been pulling my hair out thinking on how best to support my son, especially now that school’s over. I am in the process of coming up with fun play and learn activities for my preschooler this summer. I’ll sure keep these tips in mind.
Joy says
March 23, 2015 at 5:38 pmHi Mommy Pephot, I adore you. I like these words: They do better when they hear encouragements from us. They think more when you given the chance to think. And they are more confident when they know that we trust them. Cheers to a beautiful parenting!
Katrina Alcantara says
March 23, 2015 at 11:20 pmYou’re indeed a supermom! 🙂
TweenselMom says
March 24, 2015 at 2:28 pmI agree with you when it comes to supporting kids. Though kids should be taught how to study and work independently, they thrive more when they see that we are all out in supporting them.
RUTH says
March 24, 2015 at 4:46 pmThanks for sharing this Mommy Pehpot! I have 2 multi-achiever kids too and if they have school activities that require me to be there, I also see to it that I am there to witness it. I think it inspires them more when they see me watching them from the crowd. And I feel the same way too. 🙂
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
March 25, 2015 at 5:50 amI can imagine how challenging it must be for you to raise four Multi-Achievers but I know how proud you are of them and they of you.
Nanay Nicquee says
March 25, 2015 at 2:37 pmApir sa LIFE ONHOLD DURING EXAMS! Sakin, tuwing may school activities, lalo na exams, di ako napapakinabangan sa bahay and I tell the household right away what is coming up. Isa pa lang yan ha.
I try ko yung let them answer their own questions.
Maan says
March 29, 2015 at 11:48 pmThat’s what I saw din with my mother when I was still a child. Now I’ll take note of these things for me to use in the (near) future!