For the second time, last August 2024, my mother side to my nephews and niece was again tested. I was again taking care of my them because the youngest one was confined in the hospital due to dengue.
For almost a week, I slept with his siblings in their house. I helped them with their homework or taught them to read. I cooked for them in the morning. I ate with them. I let them drink their vitamins, helped them to put on their uniform and shoes. I did these things because their parents attended their 10-month old baby in Velez hospital.
Luckily, this niece is not a headache when it comes to learning. I admire her a lot because she really listens to whatever suggestions I made and is really determined to learn more. Sometimes, if I am busy with my own thing, she will randomly asks me to teach her. Such an adorable child.
I never thought my parenting style would have been practiced recently. But, I have just taken the situation positively, that someday, in the right time and situation, these days are stepping stones towards my future. Hopefully, I can also handle my own child well, knowing all their irritating dramas, random tantrums, and annoying shouts and cries, anticipating that I can also discipline them well without compromising deep affection and connection.
The one who was admitted was Baby Sen-Sen. He is such in its cute side and aura when you are there with him, play with him, tickle his armpit to unleash his charm and dimples. He would always love to crawl like a worm in the mattress whenever he is put on bed. You might ask why he stays mostly at home. Because when his mother during weekdays is busy with their pig farm cleaning and feeding, she will entrust Baby Sensen in our house which is just few steps away from theirs.
He is already a good listener as well if you will mention his pen name, "Sensen". Whenever he hears his Lolo's voice calling him, he will immediately gave an "Mmmm" mouth mumble audibly. He also loves to watch the animals in the house. Whenever chickens get stuck in the door, he would always love to get them by making a fist. It is very determined to imagine how he would religiously grip unto things he loves to do for his own.
Because of this infection, I did deep-cleaning in the surroundings. I trimmed the animal-fodders, I reviewed the other coconut shells not to catch and store rainwater. So, I flipped them towards the ground.
In the afternoon or after I arrived from school, I also burned waste with "Nemtree", a mosquito repellant plant that when lighted, could create a smell that can make mosquitoes dizzy and get rid of them.
After four days and three nights, finally, Baby Sensen was discharged from the hospital and is back in our arms. Though he is already under recovery, yet this time we are more careful with the surroundings in order to take care of the children in the house.
Our charming and jubilant hooman was finally at home in the last Tuesday night of August.
As an aunt, I have learned how delicate a child's health is. I did not think of how dengue bit him when in fact, most of the time he is being chest-carried by his nanny.
I have also realized that it takes a whole family to take care and nurture them. When parts of the family take part, then the child will learn something worthwhile and the child's family will get assistance from any difficult circumstances, making the situation lighter and manageable.
Therefore, love with action within the members of the family is better than loving them only from our mouth. The survived challenge has been one of the living testaments that God is alive.
How about you, dear hivers? What is you recent breakthrough?