Focus on the Family: February Events for Parents, Couples, Kids and Even Yayas

The month of February is usually considered as the "love month" because of Valentine’s Day, which, as we all know, is celebrated on February 14. It’s also actually Pro-Life Month here in the Philippines, a month "specially dedicated to the preservation and respect for human life and the sanctity of marriage and the Filipino family," so there are special pro-life events lined up, which you can read about here.

Speaking of family and life, allow me to share about a few events that focus on the family, ones that will provide practical lessons for parents, couples, children and even the helpers or yayas who are there to make your family life easier; events that will help your family in one way or another:

Feb. 15, 2014 — Teacher Yaya: A Workshop by The Learning Basket, Especially for Your Assistant

The Teacher Yaya Workshop aims to help your yaya learn:

• The importance of her job
• A more positive way of looking at the children under her care
• A more informed way of caring for your children

It will be from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Medela House, QC. Learning fee is PHP500 and includes handouts, snacks, and a certificate.

For inquiries, send an email to mariel@thelearningbasket.com. To register, click here.

Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, 2014 — Chef’s Table with Chef Marc Chalopin: A Post-Valentine’s Day Cooking Class for Couples

Couples who want to have a unique Valentine’s date will enjoy Chef’s Table with Chef Marc Chalopin, a special class where couples will learn how to prepare a two-course meal: Bagna Cauda and Pan-fried Pepper Crusted Duck Breast with Macaroni Gratin.

The class will be taught by Ducasse Institute Philippines’ Chef Marc Chalopin. To complement every participating couple’s meal, Chef Chalopin will prepare a Chocolate Soufflé for dessert. Learning fee is PhP4,500 per couple. To register, click here.

For inquiries on Enderun Extension’s workshops, visit http://www.enderunextension.com or call 856 5000 local 505. Enderun Colleges is located at 1100 Campus Avenue, McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Feb. 22, 2014 — Baby Nutrition and Dental Care: A Half-Day Workshop on Raising a Healthy Baby and Taking Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

This workshop will be made up of two sessions: the baby nutrition learning session will be handled by Ms. Cecile Bayaga, and dental care will be discussed by Dr. Fina, in behalf of Xylitol. Below is a bit of information about Ms. Bayaga:

"Ms. Cecile Bayaga is a registered nutritionist-dietitian and a full-time faculty at the College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines-Diliman. She has been teaching Principles of Nutrition, Nutrition for the Lifecycle, and Medical Nutrition Therapy for the past 12 years. She has published scientific articles on glycemic index, essential fatty acids for brain development, and clinical nutrition. In 2005, the Nutritionists-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines awarded her as The Most Promising Nutritionist-Dietitian. She has been happily married for 9 years and has one child."

The Baby Nutrition and Dental Care workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12.00 noon at Medela House, #29, 1st Street, New Manila, Quezon City. Learning fee is PHP500 for the Regular Rate and PHP800 for the couple’s rate. To register, click here.

Feb. 22, 2014 — First-Time Parents Workshop: Delivery and Newborn Care

This half-day workshop aims to prepare new parents for the first few days and months of caring for their babies. Topics to be discussed include: Baby Milestones, Newborn Baby Care, All About Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep. It will be on February 22, 2014, Saturday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Medela House, #29 First Street, New Manila, Quezon City. Learning fee is P600 for the Regular Rate and PHP1000 for the Couple’s Rate. To register, click here.

Feb. 23, 2014 — Money Smart Kids: Learning the Basics Workshop

This is an innovative workshop with hands-on activities that will teach your kids the value of money, the concept of saving, earning, banks and so much more. Your children will finally understand that money does not grow on trees and the plastic card mommy uses to buy things is not magic.

The instructor for this workshop is Fitz Villafuerte of Ready to be Rich (FitzVillafuerte.com), winner of the Best Business Blog category of the Philippine Blog Awards and “one of the Philippine’s most influential people in Personal Finance,” according to Moneysense Magazine.

The workshop will be on February 23, 2014 (Sunday), from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 11:00 AM), at Mothercare at the Podium. Learning fee for participants who pay on or before Feb. 15 is Php 1299 for child with an adult companion+ Php 599 for an additional child or adult. After Feb. 15, the Regular Rate of Php 1599 for child with an adult companion + Php 799 for an additional child or adult will apply. For more information and to register online, click here.

What will you be doing this February? Whatever it is, make sure your family benefits from it!