Becoming a mom is a very life-changing thing. Your whole world can turn upside down, and sometimes the transition from before you were a mom to being a first-time mom can be very overwhelming. Take it from Neri Naig-Miranda, wife to renowned Parokya ni Edgar band singer Chito Miranda, who shares with us her experiences, tips, and insights about her new-mom life–including her son, Miggy, motherhood, family life, bath time, baby products, and more! So if you’re feeling like you don’t know where to begin, don’t worry, it’s completely normal. Let the routine of motherhood slowly sink in, and learn to roll with your new lifestyle. And hey, maybe you can learn a thing or two (or more!) from this charming momma too!

Lahat. Kasi ever since talaga, lahat ng mga kakilala ko, kahit noong bata pa ako, gusto ko talagang maging housewife, mommy, may bahay, at kaunting business. That was always my dream. So everything na nangyayari sa pagiging mommy ko, gustong gusto ko.

Mas nagiging closer pa kami ng asawa ko. Napag-aralan ko yung mga mali at tama sa pagiging isang mabuting ina. Natetest ko din yung sarili ko kung hanggang saan ako–my patience for both my child and my husband. Narerediscover ko din yung sarili ko bilang mommy, wife, at bilang tao.

Ang ginagawa namin, lalo na kapag nandito si Chito, we like to play around with nerf guns.

I also don’t allow him to use gadgets, although I do allow him to watch TV, pero parang mas gusto niya yung takbo ng takbo. Marami din siyang mga laruan na wooden toys and we like playing with them together.

Actually, di naman mahirap paliguan si Miggy.

Si Nemo, mga bola, lahat ng Marvel toys niya binibigay ko sa kanya para mag e-enjoy siya while I give him a bath.

Miggy’s skin is sensitive, just like his dad’s. Dahil dito, careful talaga ako sa mga skincare products na ginagamit ko kay Miggy. I make sure it’s as mild as possible. Meron akong ginagamit na expensive skincare product before, pero nung pina-try sa akin yung Babyflo, pareho lang. Ang pagkakaiba lang ay mabango ang Babyflo, and it’s cheaper pa! Kasi yung ibang mas mahal na brands na tinry ko, besides it being expensive, nagkaroon din si Miggy ng mga rough spots at rashes sa skin niya.

As for food, di naman picky eater si Miggy. He likes to eat anything. Hindi siya takot mag try at mahilig siya sa fruits and vegetables. He likes Japanese food din like ramen and Chinese food like yang chow. As for clothes, siyempre cotton, kasi nga, his skin is very sensitive.

As for toys, I make sure it’s not too small kasi baka masubo ni Miggy.

Lahat gagawin ko para mas madali. May iba’t ibang role ako everyday for his bath times! I have to plan anong toys dadalhin ko when I give him a bath or kung ano ano na ang nasasabi ko sa kanya para ma-enjoy niya yung bath time.

For example Marvel toys, ilalagay ko yun pag maliligo na siya, he will wash his toys, and while he’s doing that papaliguan ko siya, tapos siya din naman ang magpupunas sa mga toys niya after.

Kailangan din nating makinig at maki-join sa mga anak natin sa kung anong yung gusto nilang gawin para it’s easier to communicate with them. Minsan nakaka-frustrate kapag hindi natin sila maintindihan, you wanna cry pero you can’t because you need to calm yourself, since hindi niya masabi directly kung ano yung gusto niyang sabihin.

Kasi kahit si Miggy hindi pa makapag-communicate sa akin ng maayos, he taught me to be more compassionate. Yung pagmamahal mo, yung patience mo, and yung relationship niyo as husband and wife—lahat yun matetest. Pero you will really do anything para sa anak mo, at para sa akin isa itong realisasyon na eye-opening at heartwarming. Also, mas na-a-appreciate mo talaga yung mom mo.

You can find Babyflo’s Oatmeal Bath in Mercury Drug and supermarkets nationwide. For more details, visit Babyflo’s Facebook and Instagram page.