Kidspeak

Dear Maricel,

Vince and I were looking at babies inside wombs in an anatomy book. Seeing the amniotic fluid, he said – why does the baby have sauce? Ha! I couldn’t stop laughing. – Donna

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I remember one of my friends telling me about the time when her firstborn was deep into the Batman mania. He was then in his pre-kinder years. His teacher told them to write their names on a piece of paper. Justin, still thinking that it was playtime, wrote the word Batman instead of his real name. His teacher called his attention when he submitted his paper. Gently, she asked him not to use the name Batman but his real name instead. To this, he answered with another question, "Bruce Wayne?"

This story never fails to give me a chuckle. It is just so wonderful to be just right there when kids start to show their own brand of logic that has not been tainted yet with worldly worries. It’s almost like being a kid again.

I do hope you keep writing your bits of wisdom. God bless! – Jennette

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Dear Ate Maricel,

Here are some of the little things my kids said that I remember to this day.

My eldest, Benjamin, now 8, while still younger was learning to speak English. Once, he suddenly changed his original plan, and when asked why, he blurted out, "Oh, I changed my nine" (instead of mind). Of course, he knew what he meant, but he used the wrong word. Another time, when he saw me eating chocolate chip cookies and wanted to have some, he told me, "Mommy, can I eat someone?" Of course, he was trying to say, "Can I have some" or "Can I eat one?"

My youngest boy, Thomas, 7, once told me seriously that he thinks Jesus is a fake. I was surprised why he said that. His prayer was not answered, he told me. I asked him, "Why? What did you pray for?" He then said: "I prayed that I would go to heaven to meet my auntie."

My, sometimes we mothers just don’t know what to say to kids! There are times when they hope they could get to heaven soon so they don’t have to eat oatmeal and do assignments!

Before I end my mail, thanks for all the inspiring messages you wrote and will write. May God continue to use you to equip us to be better models. – Babes

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Gabriel: Mom, it was my backmate who made a mistake!

– So cute, sigh with blessings.

– Sally of Parañaque

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Frankie Talk

Kaki = Frankie

Cuy = Thank You

Pis = Please

Mamam = Water

Boydie = Bird

Caty = Cat

Googie = Dog
– Kiko

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Fish Tales

Lately, there have been numerous cases reported of school children being hospitalized after eating contaminated fish. I asked chef Jay Gamboa of El Cirkulo and Del Monte Kitchenomics and Tita Linda Floro, a well-known food stylist, for some tips on how to buy good fish. Here’s what they say:

The south is the best source of big fish. Chef Jay usually imports fish and other seafoods for his restaurant. Otherwise, he gets his salmon, blue marlin, and gindara from Santi’s.

Cirkulo/Cafe J is located on the 2nd floor, Milkyway Building, 900 Pasay Road, Makati (tel. nos. 843-41-24/843-71-24); visit www.elcirkulo.com/cafej or e-mail jgamboa@elcirkulo.com.

Saranggani Bay is the best source of milk fish because they grow their fish.

Talisay, Tagaytay is the best source of tilapia.

Seaside, Baclaran is where you’ll find all kinds of seafood, including crabs and shells. It’s where SM tycoon Henry Sy likes to do his marketing. So with many Chinese and Japanese folks.

Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City teems with fish and is best visited in the morning.

Aling Cora in Pasig (tel. nos. 636-09-18) is a good source of gindara and black cod which come soft and fresh.

Dudoy in Bel-Air Makati is a supplier of crabs, shrimps, sugpo (cell phone 0917-4807472).

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Can you help this mom? E-mail your advice at: bizwrks@attglobal.net.

Dear Maricel,

I’m a mother of two, a boy and a girl. Lately, I’ve been having problems with my son who is three years old. He is now showing temper tantrums, like biting, hitting and crying whenever he doesn’t get what he wants. I’ve tried talking to him whenever he does it, telling him it’s not good to do that. Although he nods when I tell him not to do it anymore, he seems to forget about it after a while. My in-law said I should spank him when he hits or bites, which I did but to no avail. I would really appreciate it if you could give me advice on how to straighten his behavior. – Agnes