Nicquee's Nook – Page 32

Investing in property to give your children a future home

We all want what is best for our children. Unfortunately, in the current economic climate, it is becoming more difficult and expensive for first time buyers to purchase a house. If you are wondering how you can plan ahead to give your little ones a helping hand when they are old enough to look into buying a property, then there are lots of options available to you.

What should I be looking for in a property before investing?

First of all, you need something that will meet your personal and financial needs. In order to meet your financial needs, you must first make sure you can plan ahead for the next 10 years or so to ensure that you can afford to invest in a new property.

If you can afford to invest in a property while your child is still too young to move out, then why not use this property as a second home for the holidays or even rent it out for a few years? The latter option comes with many benefits, as you would be able to keep the property active and also bring in some alternative income.

How can I help my child get on the property ladder without buying a house?

If you are unable or do not want to simply buy a property for your child, then the next simple way of helping is to give your child enough money to cover a deposit as a gift. This can be specifically saved for throughout his or her. [Read more…]

Real Living Partners with Avida to Style a Model Unit

Since we moved in to our very own home, we have not made an effort to decorate it, except for the lights and staple furnishing we needed. The husband and I simply do not have the right talent to do so. Plus the fact that we have little rascals who run around the house from time to time despite being provided with ample space elsewhere to do so.

So I was really excited when I got invited to see the Avida Showroom Unit that was designed by seasoned and young/newbie interior designers. Seasoned designers namely Kristine Neri-Magturo, Hannah Acab Faustino and John Vigilia served as mentors throughout the design process to Gino Eraña, Jane Karla Samson and Joevie Andrew Tuquib. Each team was assigned a section in the Avida Towers Vita at Vertis North showroom and given a Php 100,000 budget. They were also given access to the large selection of coating solutions from Nippon Paint Philippines and appliances from Electrolux.

Living Room by John Vigilia and Joevie Andrew Tuquib

John and Joevie opted for elements that are modern and functional without sacrificing style. As you can see, they found the right balance between straight and curvy lines, with a healthy mix of the old and new. I love how they combined wood with various fabrics and textures as it gave the living area a cozy vibe without losing the feminine and masculine touches. [Read more…]

Thank you, Teachers

As you all know, M, our youngest daughter, started schooling just this year. I “home-schooled” her last year as I felt she was not yet ready to be in a formal school. We were successful at learning the colors, shapes and alphabet to name a few. But before we achieved that stage, M and I went through a lot. She is a very playful kid with very short attention span like any other kid. I, it is my first time to kick-start a child’s “formal” learning process. We did not go through such with A, our eldest, as she attended school at 2.8 years-old. So yeah, I always get “I am not yet done playing” when I tell her that it is study time, until maybe after six months.

Thankfully, my sister Toni, who is a pre-school teacher, is always there. She was the one who keeps on coaching me what to do and how to do it. She does so until now, on the sideline of her own classroom. Now, M, can already read CV syllables.

Recently, I read a Facebook post about what teachers do and how little they make. I was so teary-eyed while reading that post and just remembering it now makes my eyes cloudy. That post hit a spot. How can the people who give so much #husayatmalasakit be so neglected specially in this country?

Our teachers give their all each day as they enter their classrooms; exactly why they are called our children’s mom in school. They do not only teach our children academics, more importantly, they teach our children how to be good people, and I believe, they do so because they have so much malasakit and love for our children like we parents do. Have you ever seen a teacher who neglects a kid’s misbehavior? I have not. Have you seen a parent who ignores a child’s misbehavior? I have, many times, in varying cases. Actually, in this generation, there are a lot of instances when children behave better in school than when they are home.

I am so thankful to all the teachers out there for choosing their profession. For choosing to shape young minds and make a difference, in exchange of bright smiles, happy giggles, hugs and kisses.

Toni, like all the teachers I know, is my unsung hero. Because of her, I strive to be more patient when teaching A and M. She exercises patience when dealing with her students. How can I not do the same when I only have 2. I strive to be more understanding that lessons will not be learned when taught just once. I have to keep repeating until the lesson has been learned and I cannot give up, just like what teachers do. I strive to make learning fun in every way, giving all my creativity to it, just like what the teachers do, to make learning a positive memorable experience. Because of the teachers who strive to inculcate different values to our children, I as a parent, also strive to exercise those values for my children to see.

I really wish that teachers and the teaching profession will be given more attention because they have so much responsibility in their hands, specially here in the Philippines. Without them, who will help us shape young minds?

Proverbs 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.