Mai was a famed fashion and interior designer who was known to walk red carpet events donning stunningly fashionable ensembles with her entrepreneur beau. Featured in numerous glossies and online fashion sites, she was living a life of style, glitz and glamour—until motherhood gave her a renewed purpose in life.
These days she skips late-night parties and events to tuck her kids into bed, and gets up early in the morning to spend her days learning about the world with her two girls Alexa, 7, and Calista, 4, whom she homeschools.
Read: 9 Filipino Homeschooling moms we love
“My motto is ‘to thine own self be true’,” she says. In her daily life she tries her best to “lift the spirits of others and see the beauty in everything and everybody”.
Tell us about your kids!
It still takes me by surprise that the two, while very similar in certain ways, are each, their own person.
Alexa is diplomacy-personified, whose interests are mainly in the creative & performing arts. She also enjoys teaching Cali. She often reads stories to her from her favorite, “Children’s Bible”. Calista, on the other hand, is fearlessly-direct, with a fascination for science and mechanics.
Loving the outdoors, they both enjoy football and gardening. They are very accommodating of the other’s differing interests.
Often, I walk into a room and hear Alexa singing in the background, trying out balletic steps or sketching, while Cali will be lost in a prehistoric story with one or more of her many toy dinosaurs.
Whenever one oversteps the boundaries of good & kind behavior, I immediately (if possible) take her aside, to have a “serious” talk. I emphasize honesty, kindness, consideration & appreciation for each other and for everyone.
What’s your secret to being a supermom:
I wouldn’t call myself a supermom. My secret? I simply let God lead and do everything with love.
What’s your me-time?
On a daily basis, I do an “examination of my conscience”, to ascertain that I am doing all I can to fulfill God’s unique plan for my life.
Your most heartwarming mom moment: Every time they hug and kiss me, laugh with me and cry to me.
Your funniest mom moment: Sorry, but I promised the girls it will be our little secret
Proudest moment: When we were at the home for abandoned grandmothers, I was very proud of the girls.We stayed quite a long while. When we were taken on a tour of the facilities, they didn’t complain or show any discomfort. Instead, they were cheerful, affectionate and entertaining.
The generosity of their little hearts came through when both seemed to understand, accepted and simply ignored the consequences of elderly incontinence. Indeed, the tenderness & unselfish behavior they showed the Lolas, made both David and I very, very proud!
Who is Mai’s role model? Found out on the next page!.
Did you turn out to be the parent you wanted to or thought you would be?
While my Mother was an ideal role model, I think I have developed my own “style” through reading and observations. This is a difficult one because I know that I will keep wanting to learn and improve.
Your most heartwarming mom moment: Since becoming a mother, I have become less introspective. I don’t waste my time worrying about what could have been. Instead, I try, simply to do my very best. I focus on “NOW” and the countless possibilities for the future.
How has motherhood changed you?
Yes, I have changed. My daughters, in their innocence and candor, have taught me a lot. I have learned to look at things differently with fresh eyes, knowing that beauty and joy can be found in everybody and everywhere.
What parenting issue are you dealing with right now and what you are doing about it?
I never dreamed of becoming a homeschool teacher, especially not in general subjects. When I learned about home schooling, however, it seemed obvious that this was suitable for the girls and for our family.
Now, my creative skills are called upon on a daily basis. I design and implement my study plans in the core subjects, so that they are informative, interesting and enjoyable.
There are opportunities to learn outside the classroom, so these activities have to be organized. So far, with God’s grace, we are doing well. The world is now our classroom!
What unique aspect of Pinoy/Asian parenting have you found to be the most helpful in raising your children?
The closeness between family members and the keen concern they have for one another, especially the next generation. I like that the children are expected to treat their elders with respect.
Do you know other Supermoms like Mai who are rocking motherhood like a seasoned pro? What qualities make them a Supermom? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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