Curbside Stories

These are chocolates that are perfectly disguised as pebbles. The candy shop even has chocolate rocks! Brilliant!

When you are a solo parent, one of the hardest questions to answer is "Where is Dad?". When you are being asked by your child with that question, what do you say? These past few days, my son has been asking me the exact question. Although I know he is still too young to understand, I tried to tell him the truth one time but he got mad. I am actually running out of alibis. Any suggestions?

My son's nanny is his third and hopefully will be his last. She's just 21 years old, also with a son who just turned 1 and waits for his husband to come home once a week from his work in Manila. I hired her because of the recommendation of my grandmother and because I really need to have someone to look after my son while I work from 8 to 5. She's hardworking and doesn't complain if my son throws tantrums at her. Just this day, Mamalou (as my son fondly calls her) took my son to a play place while I was having a meeting with a client. I know that it is hard to leave your own child to work and I applaud her for making sacrifices to help her husband earn money for the family. Having her around makes life easier for me and I thank her for taking care of my son and loving him as if he is her own.  God bless you, Mamalou!

This has nothing to do with Christmas and the jitters because it's nearing.   I just got home from the office, tired as usual and begging to rest.  I cannot rest, not yet, because I still have tons of things to do.  I just want to cry.  I have never worked so hard in my entire life.   This morning, when my son woke up, he looked at me and asked, "Where's Mommy?"   Yes, he asked me on my face where am I.  I was teary eyed when I answered, "I am here.  I am your Mommy."  He turned his back on me afterwards.  I bet he was not satisfied with the answer.  I gave him a hug reassuring him that I am with him, that I will be there when he needs me, and that I am still his mom. I have a lot of catching up to do.  But for now, I will have to cry. I just have to let it out and forgive myself for being absent in my son's life for quite sometime now.

My mom and dad separated twenty years ago.  The only reason I knew of that caused the separation was long distance relationship for them was unbearable.  That's all I know.  Despite their separation, I never heard from them any harsh words against each other.  My mom said, that dad will always be my dad.  My dad told me the exact same words, too.  They remained friends and they never lost respect for each other despite some differences. My dad is the best comedian.  Ok, I am exaggerating.  But, he really makes us laugh with his silly jokes and stories.  Well, my mom lets out the best and loudest laugh.  They perfectly complement each other.  Dad is a man of few words when it's time to get serious.  He gives profound advices you'd think it's the best advice ever.  He is the strict type... up to the level of not allowing us to wear the shortest shorts when we go out.  My mom is the do-what-makes-you-happy kind of mom....