Positive Discipline

I was on my usual Facebook/Twitter/Instagram back read (what do you call it if you look back on IG photos because obviously, you don't read photos... HAHA!) when I stumbled upon this linked article on Rappler. It caught my attention for two reasons: First is that it says "Positive Discipline". Actually, whenever I read the word positive, 101% of the time, I click on the link. Second, it says "The new way of parenting". Although I did not grow up in a household that physically punishes the children for faults, psychologically, I think something went wrong not only to me but to my siblings as well and I don't want my daughter to experience something like that.

Positive Discipline is a way of disciplining kids minus the usual corporal punishment that's rampant among Filipino families. It also promotes healthy upbringing of well-rounded kids who are not only respectable of adults, but who are also aware of their basic rights as a human being. It also allows children to acquire the skills set that they will need to tread through (real) life.

I admit: There are times when I lose my cool and let go of the occasional spank on the bum but after reading this, I realized that I might be screwing up a learning child for good. Now is the ripest of times to change gears and actually discipline without hurting my daughter both physically and psychologically.

Dr.  Joan Durant, the Canadian family therapist who introduced this concept, provided the public with 7 characteristics of Positive Discipline, as stated in the Rappler article:

1. Non-violent and respectful of the child as a learner
2. About finding long-term solutions that develop children’s own self-discipline
3. Involves clear communication of parents’ expectations, rules, and limits
4. Builds a mutually respectful relationship between parent and child
5. Teaches children life-long skills
6. Increases children's competence and confidence to handle challenging situations
7. Teaches courtesy, non-violence, empathy, self-respect, human rights and respect for others.

Positive Discipline also differentiates discipline from punishment. Harsh physical and power-assertive parenting almost always result in a negative child outcome while inductive (e.g. use of reasoning) parenting is associated with positive child outcome.

What I love most about what I've learned about Positive Discipline so far is the fact that it allows the child to be heard and to be treated as an equal to the parent when it comes to being a "person". I love my family and all but I grew up in a household where the mere act of answering a question counts as "sumasagot ng pabalang" and having a different opinion means you're being a "pasaway". This new concept allows for the child to speak up without being punished for saying the wrong thing, how ever light the punishment is.

The PETA Advocates Right to Safety Zone (PETA ARTS Zone) is the one spearheading this project in the Philippines. They are calling for Positive Discipline as a way to raise the modern Filipino child.

Love does not need to hurt and that is why the PETA ARTS Zone, in partnership with Plan International, Child Rights Network, and Dakila, is inviting us supermommies and superdaddies to "Go Positive! The Celebrity Advocates" Media Launch on May 21, Thursday, 11:00 am-2:00 pm at the QC Sports Club located at E. Rodriguez Sr., Blvd., Quezon City.

Understand more about Positive Discipline and learn the reasons why the Positive Discipline Bill should be passed in the Congress in this event and let us all help eradicate the source of domestic abuse in our country.

Overnight Stay at the Llamar Beach Resort in Laiya, Batangas

Alfred and I celebrated our first anniversary as a couple last May 7 and we decided to take a trip to Batangas with the baby girl.

We left Manila at around 2pm because Alfred had to bring the car to the car doctor, as Brianna calls it, to have some parts changed to make it safe for us to travel. We took the SLEx, naturally, and exited at the Calamba toll gate then headed towards the STAR Tollway. We exited at Sto. Toribio, Batangas to get to Lipa.

To those who need to know how much the toll fees at each exit are:

SLEx Brgy. Mapagong Calamba City, Laguna: Php 91.00

SLEx Brgy. Sainsin Calamba City, Laguna: Php 25.00

STAR Brgy. Sto. Toribio, Batangas: Php 29.00

STAR Brgy. Tambo Lipa City, Batangas: Php 6.00

Total: Php 151.00 (one way)

After 2 hours of driving in the vicinity of Batangas, we reached Brgy. Aplaya and headed straight to the Llamar Beach Resort. After checking in with Ate Baby - they didn't have a reception area, Ate Baby just welcomed us and led us straight to our room - we went to the beach to just walk on the shore for a bit, since the little girl wanted to play on the sand:

After a few minutes, we went back to our room - which, I don't have a photo of - and ate. We bought food at Andok's and drinks at the 7-11 in San Juan City since we weren't sure if there were such stores in Laiya (they have an Andok's shop, but no convenience store). Llamar Beach Resort doesn't require for you to pay for corkage fee for whatever you bring into the resort. Great, right?

We stayed in an apartment room, nearest the shore. It has a double-sized bed, a plastic table and stool set, a cabinet, and a basic restroom. The restroom was small but it was really clean. I just wished there was hot water because I had a toddler who isn't really used to taking a bath with cold water. 

Since we didn't bring anything from Manila except our clothes, we had warm beverage from 7-11. We had to ask Ate Baby for some ice and a bottle of Coke Light for our one-on-one drinking sesh. We also asked her for paper plates, paper cups, and plastic spoons and forks for our dinner.

A plastic of ice: Php 50.00

A bottle of Coke Light: Php 65.00

Paper plates and cups, and plastic spoons and forks: FREE! YAY!

After a good night's rest, we went to the beach after a very light breakfast to soak up the morning sun:

An hour after, Brianna asked us if we could finally eat breakfast:

We ate our leftovers, naturally, but we were told we could buy food from the resort. They had a common dining area near the pavilions where you could eat.

Anyway, after a few more hours at the beach, we headed home but not without fighting with a toddler who didn't want to leave the beach. Okay, I admit: Even I didn't want to leave yet.

The Llamar Beach Resort is quite cheap compared to all the other resorts in Laiya. Their rates start at Php 3,000 (that's the cost of our room!) Quite easy on the wallet, if you ask me.

There are 2 types of rooms in Llamar Beach Resort. There's the apartment:

And then the cottage, costing Php 6,500, at the most, and has 2 types:

They also allow daytrips in their resort. There are cabanas near the shore as well as a shower room beside the pavilion for those who chooses this option:

We haven't had the chance to see it because they were undergoing some maintenance when we were there.

Anyway, the rate for the cabanas start at Php 1,500. Quite cheap, especially if you are a group of 10 people. 150 a pop! Plus the Php 150 entrance fee for the daytrip, that's just Php 300. Of course, that's just an example. Hihi.

If you need more information about the Llamar Beach Resort, you can reach them through the following:

Contact numbers:
+639178137799 (Globe)
+639436904247 (Sun)
+639175326775 (Globe)
(02)7519863 (Landline)
Email Address: info.llamarbeachresort@gmail.com
Website: www.llamarbeachresort.com

They prefer to be contacted from 8am-5pm, Mondays to Sundays. You can also walk in, but of course, you'd have to pay in full instead of in an installment basis if you choose the reservation option.

If you are looking for a cheap place to stay in Laiya, Batangas, you should definitely give the Llamar Beach Resort a look. Pwede pang humabol sa summer vacation!

I am an #LHKid.

What's your LH experience?

Whenever people ask me what school I graduated from, I always respond with a loud (albeit mayabang) "La Salle!" I mean, it has been my dream since I was a kid, after all, to become a Lasalista. It's an automatic response, probably because that was the last school I've graduated from but it hasn't occurred to me 'til just now that I wouldn't have finished my studies in La Salle without great academic foundation.

File Photo from LH Montessori High

LH Montessori High - previously known as Little House Montessori, Inc. - is the school that provided me with the academic foundation I needed. I know that all schools (probably) have the same curriculum but the way that the teachers from this cozy little school in the heart of Fourth Estate Subdivision in Sucat, Parañaque has really helped me retain most of the lectures in my head...and to be quite honest, a whole lot of other things, too. I still know way too much teeny tiny bits of information from grade school up until now.

Not only has LH given me a strong foundation that have led me to graduate from my dream school, it's also the place that witnessed a lot of my firsts:

The first time I realized that I can never take a pretty candid photo.

The first time I got married.

The first time I realized that I eat like a guy.

The first time I met the "real" Santa.

But seriously, though, LH was the first institution that has taught me to be nationalistic. That the Philippines is my home and despite everything bad that's been happening to it, I should still be proud of the way it stands up after every knockdown. I would like to think that this school has awakened my love for Philippine history and the sense of pride I get whenever Pinoys get recognized outside of the Philippines, no matter how small their achievements are.

LH was also one of the greatest influencers when it comes to my spirituality. Although I am not a devoted Catholic, I am highly spiritual. I believe in God and I talk to him all of the time like He's my barkada and I would like to thank LH for refraining from imposing (their) religious beliefs to their students but still encouraging them to build a relationship with whoever they believe in.

The LH grounds also bore witness to what little talent I have. They helped me hone my volleyball skills as they've allowed me join the school's varsity team two years in a row. The year-round activities also helped me develop my dancing skills, since almost all presentations included a dance number.

Now that I am well into my adult life, LH Montessori High remains a huge part of me. The greatest friends I could ever ask for:

and - in a surprising turn of events, believe me - the love of my life:

all came from the very same school I spent most of my childhood in. It couldn't get any better than this.

As a mom (finally, huh?), I would want Brianna to have the same academic foundation I had as well as the support group that I've formed from this school. If God were to give me the opportunity to move back to the South now, I would, no doubt, enroll her to LH Montessori High. I've experienced it first-hand and I definitely recommend it to everyone.

File photo from LH Montessori High

LH Montessori High has a team of competent and passionate teachers whose purpose is to provide quality education to the students. With a teacher-student ratio of 1:25, you can be sure that the teachers will be able to give your child his/her undivided attention at least once a day. They offer summer classes as well as tutorial programs for students who need it.

File Photo from LH Montessori High

The LH teachers also give justice to the term "second parent", giving out sound advice to confused teens as well as support the students in their personal and academic endeavors. I studied in traditional schools in high school and in college but the care that my teachers at LH gave us was the greatest I felt. They were always there through the good times and the bad times and they continued on to become our friends as we ventured out into the real world, still offering us their encouragement every step of the way.

If I were given the chance to go back in time and choose a different school, I wouldn't take it. LH Montessori High was my home for 6 years, 1996-2001. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am Ale. I am a full-time mom, a full-time employee (yes, it's possible), and a blogger. I am a proud alumna of LH Montessori High, Grade School Batch 2001. I am an #LHKid.

For more information about LH Montessori High (Enrollment is on-going!):

Address: 39 Press Drive, Fourth Estate Subdivision, Sucat, Parañaque City

Website: http://lhmontessorihigh.edu.ph

Facebook: http://facebook.com/LHMontessoriHigh

Phone number: 826-1485, 829-6739

E-mail address: info@lhmontessorihigh.edu.ph