When she isn’t busy teaching yoga, planning what’s next for FLOW retreats, maintaining her blogs, Dharma Dreams, My Little Globetrotters, and Birthing Beyond, Mommy Monica Eleazar-Manzano is off on an adventure with her tots, Santi, 8, and Maya, 1, in tow. Get to know the woman who walks the talk that ‘the world is our classroom’, and learn a thing or two from her about #MindfulMotherhood.
Tell us about your kids!
My son goes to a Waldorf School here in Manila. He is in 2nd grade while my daughter is still very young. The age gap is big because we didn’t know if we wanted to have another child. Alas, the adage is true. Children choose parents, not the other way around. She came when we were ready. From a traumatic c-section delivery of my son, I had a transformative home waterbirth with my daughter, 7 years later which I blogged about and currently teach in my workshops.
What’s your secret to being a supermom:
There is no secret or formula to it. In fact, the term ‘super mom’ is a misnomer because I believe that to be a mother, the true essence is already SUPER. To put the lives of others before you, to know what it truly means to love immensely without conditions is how we should be relating to the rest of the world. If we can apply this motherly love it to every other single person / being we come into contact with, I think our world would be utopia!
Your favorite parenting hack/s:
Go outside! When your children are free to play in nature, there is no need to “entertain” or keep them busy with electronic media.
Your most heartwarming mom moment:
When I woke up on my 33rd birthday, my little girl started singing to me “Happy Birthday to you!” She’s only 1!
Click next to read about Monica’s funniest and proudest mom moments
Your funniest mom moment:
I couldn’t figure out why my son is freaked out by all kinds of statues. Recently, he didn’t want to eat at a restaurant because there were several and I questioned him. Then he re-enacted the Matryoshka doll. He turned his head and asked me “what if someone pulls your head off like that?” That totally cracked me up! My son has a WILD imagination!
What you’re reading now + your favorite parenting book:
I am currently reading the Geography of Bliss to get ideas for our 2016 destinations for My Little Globetrotters. We’re heading to India February 2016 after our US mini-slow travel in the Northwest via Amtrak train. I have tons of Waldorf Educational books in my personal library.
Did you turn out to be the parent you wanted to or thought you would be?
You never know what type of parent you will be until you become one. I thought that I would be this ultimate career woman that could hold a corporate job and see the world sans the kids, so it happens that I want to do the same, conquer the world… with my kids in tow!
A parenting issue you’re dealing with right now and what you’re doing about it:
Finding balance. It’s what I deal with every single day. I ask myself- Am I working too much? Do my kids need more of me? Am I smothering them? Should I let them do things on their own? All these questions I ask on a daily basis and I honestly think I’ll keep asking them for life! By asking them constantly, I become more mindful of my actions. I am currently using the hashtag #MindfulMotherhood on my Instagram pages to remind me to pause and reflect on these precious moments that pass us by too soon.
What do you think is the biggest mistake you’ve made as a parent and how did you feel about it then? How do you feel about it now?
I live a life of no mistakes, only lessons learned 🙂
What’s your proudest moment as a mom?
When I look at both my kids playing or getting along quite well, it makes me proud. When I see them interact with others with a good sense of self, it makes me happy. I see a little bit of myself, my husband and my parents in them. They carry tiny bits of us and face the world with what we have taught them. It is our responsibility to live a life of authenticity, wonder, adventure and of love.
What unique aspect of Pinoy/Asian parenting have you found to be the most helpful in raising your child/children?
The sense of community. How family members help you out in raising your children because it takes a village to do so! Of course, my helpers at home are also so valuable. Without them, I wouldn’t know how to do many of the things I currently do!
Also by Monica Eleazar-Manzano: Pregnant and Traveling – 4 Tips to Know
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