Jacqe Y. Gutierrez, CEO of the homegrown and on-the-rise brand, Happy Skin Cosmetics, laughingly calls herself a “a full-time mom with a side business!” When she’s not working with her team to develop and create skin-caring makeup products for Filipinas, she’s enjoying the moment with her bouncing baby boy, Rafael Luis.
Tell us about your baby!
Rafael is the most behaved little baby ever! (I think?! Since I only have one baby. Haha!) Before I had kids, I’d always tell everyone that I love playing with babies but when they start to cry or fuss, I’m happy that I can return them to their parents. Luckily, my baby seriously doesn’t cry – I can count the times he’s cried since I gave birth to him! This only happens during vaccinations. Otherwise, he’s the most patient & happy baby. So now, I’m really really thankful that I have such a sweet-tempered baby who smiles at everyone who plays with him!
What’s your secret to being a Supermom:
I don’t think I’m a supermom! I try to be the best mom and wife that I can be while managing a business. Everyday, I strive to build a home that’s family-centric and not just baby-centric which is probably the biggest challenge as a new mom. There’s a tendency to focus all the attention on the baby but I think it’s important to carve out some personal time for yourself, time for your husband and time to be spent together as a family.
More and more now, I find it very important to schedule my day properly so I can do my duties at home and at the office. At 7 months, Raf is still 100% breastfed and I personally prepare all his food. I do Pilates 3x a week. I find time to cook even 1- 2x a week. My husband and I do date nights every Friday night and we have a boxing trainer at the house on Sundays for our weekly boxing session! I suppose it’s all about time management and knowing what’s important in your life. Make sure you give due attention to what is important for you.
Read: 10 Things loving and happy moms never do
Your most heartwarming mom moment:
Raf always gives me the sweetest smile whenever he wakes up & I greet him a good morning. I actually have a video of this!!! I [just tried] it one morning when I went into his room and [now] my heart melts every single time [he does it]!
Click next to find out what cheeky Little Raf did on a very important day for mommy!
Your funniest mom moment:
When we first moved into our new office, we gave instructions to our team to take good care of the furniture since everything is customized. I brought Raf one day with me to work and he seriously peed on the couch– while we were changing him!!! He gave us the sweetest smile after so we just scratched our heads and laughed out loud. Haha!
Your favorite parenting book:
I always recommend this book to every new mom I know because this really helped me enjoy motherhood. “On Becoming Babywise” teaches you how to influence the sleep, play and feeding schedule of your baby so that they learn to sleep through the night on their 2nd to 3rd month. I followed this book and so Raf was already sleeping for 6 hours straight on his 3rd month and now at 7 months he sleeps from 8pm to 6am! Getting him into this schedule means he gets enough food and sleep all the time thus making him a happier & healthier baby! I can also plan my day around this schedule so that I know when I need to be at the house for feeding time. Overall, getting enough sleep during the night means I’m less cranky, I’m more efficient at work and I have the energy to do all the things I need to do during the day!
Read: 10 baby care tips to get your little one sleeping longer
What’s your proudest moment as a mom?
Whenever Raf brings joy to the people around him! Raf is such a happy baby and it’s always a joy to see him interact with our friends. He always has a ready smile and even a chuckle for anyone who plays with him!
What unique aspect of Pinoy/Asian parenting have you found to be the most helpful in raising your child/children?
Honestly, I’m extremely grateful that we have the luxury of hiring help at home. I salute the moms who do it all by themselves (since it’s the norm in the Western world,) but I am not shy to say that I really need the extra pair of hands to keep me sane especially during the first few months when it’s particularly overwhelming. You can still be a hands-on mom, but don’t feel guilty when you need to ask for help.
Did you turn out to be the parent you wanted to or thought you would be?
I honestly never imagined myself to be a hands-on mom! I couldn’t imagine before how I was going to balance work and family but now I’m proud to say that I’m a happy housewife & a happy mom. I have a supportive husband and a very happy baby so I think God has also blessed me so I can truly enjoy motherhood.
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