Mother, may I dress up for school?

MANILA, Philippines - It’s that time of the year when you see parents rush to the malls for the back-to school shopping spree for their children — from matching school bags and lunch boxes, to cartooned notebooks and pencils. As children start feeling the excitement that the new school year begins, Cinderella makes it easier for mothers to shop for back-to-school ensembles for their children. 

Here are two certified Cinderella shoppers who never tire of being the hands-on moms for their school kids. 

Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez with Daughter Noelle

An inspiring mother, Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez believes in instilling individuality, religiousness, and wisdom in five-year-old Noelle at an early age.

Which do you prefer — hiring a tutor or tutoring your child yourself?

I believe education starts at home. The traits, beliefs, and values are all learned at home. And the school just enhances them. I assist my daughter with homework and studying, but I also think there’s nothing wrong with hiring a tutor especially when your child hits mid-elementary to high school. I think tutors are great!

Do you consider yourself a stage mother?

A stage mother? Well, I’m always there — for every and any kind of event my kids get into — whether they’re classes, school shows, tournaments, and all that. I just want to always be around. I’m very proud of my children.

What does Noelle like to wear in school and on weekends?

She has moods – sometimes she insists on shorts and skirts. On other days, it’s leggings or dresses. She actually asks where we’re going first, and dresses based on that. Quite amusing for her age.

Amina Aranaz-Alunan with son Lucas

A master of balancing time for her family and work, Amina Aranaz-Alunan enjoys bonding time with her son Lucas. 

How do you balance your career and family? What are the things you love to share with your son?

Being the head of Aranaz bags and an owner of SoFA (School of Fashion and Arts), I do have a crazy schedule. Everything should be scheduled and planned at least two weeks in advance. We can’t do impromptu (laughs), so I make sure to spend time with my family during weekends. We frequently go to our beach house in Tali, Nasugbu Batangas. My two kids love the beach just like me! They love water; they love swimming.

As a mother, are you a disciplinarian or a spoiler?

I can say disciplinarian, but I’m not too strict though. I set limits, not all the time do we give him what he likes. And if he did something wrong, we give him consequences like “time out,” but I don’t think it’s successful ‘cause as the very kulit and bibo boy that he is, he thinks of it as a game pa. It’s really a test of patience, especially now that he’s in his “terrible two” stage.

What special talents/sports would you like to develop in your child? 

My son loves sports. He loves playing basketball, soccer, volleyball, and golf. He is very active at his age, and any sport he would like to do, we’ll support him. I see the artist in him as well because he also loves to draw (actually during the pictorial he was drawing a thing he calls tuko). I think it’s a giant lizard (laughs). A very cute and smart kid talaga, that’s another thing he got from me because I’m an artist too, I mean I design bags, etc.