12/09/2026
At 3 years old, my baby Zia is now starting to understand the rules whenever we go to the mall. 🥹❤️
As parents, me and my husband always make sure to set her expectations before we visit a mall or a store. We don’t want her to think na every time we go to the mall, automatic may bagong toy. 😅
To be honest, mga Mie, sobrang haba muna ng usapan bago namin siya ma-set mentally. 😂 We actually started with “one toy only.” Kasi alam naman natin, sa isang store pa lang, ang dami nang pwedeng bilhin. How much more kung buong mall na libutin! 😂
But we stick to whatever we agreed on.
Minsan nga, mga Mie, ako din natetempt! 🤣 Pero sabi nga nila, kids need role models, so even Mom and Dad have to follow the rules too. Fair is fair! 😂
Then one time, I decided na bigatan naman nang konti ang rules. I told her, this time, we’re not buying any toys. We can still visit Toys“R”Us, she can look around, explore, and play, but we’re not taking any toys home.
Sobrang haba ng explanation, mga Mie, dahil syempre ang daming “WHY?” 🤣
But you know what? We did it! 🥹❤️
And for those wondering kung umiyak ba siya nung uwian na—hindi rin po. 🥹
I think one thing that really helped is that we also give her freedom, her own space, and her own time to explore.
Of course, I’m still there following her around. 😂 Minsan hinahayaan lang namin siyang isa-isahin at tingnan lahat ng gusto niyang tingnan. May mga toy stores din kasi na may areas where kids are allowed to play with some of the toys, like LEGO, so we let her enjoy that experience.
And for those who might be concerned about germs or baka may makuhang sakit from playing with shared toys, we make sure na after playing, we wash her hands or sanitize. 😊
And lastly, mga Mie, we started using a timer. ⏰
“Zia, we only have 30 minutes.”
“Zia, 10 minutes na lang.”
“Zia, 5 minutes na lang.”
Until finally, time’s up! 😂
And slowly, she’s learning that going to the mall doesn’t always mean going home with a new toy. Sometimes, we can simply explore, play, look around, and enjoy the experience.
Disclaimer lang po, mga Mie. This is not meant to brag or say that we’re doing everything right. Every child is different, and every parent has their own way of raising their kids.
Gusto ko lang i-share yung happiness ng isang parent na finally seeing her toddler understand little rules, manage expectations, and enjoy this beautiful—and sometimes challenging—toddler stage. 🥹❤️
Sobrang bilis nila lumaki, kaya habang nandito pa tayo sa stage na puro “WHY?” at “Can I have this?”… enjoy lang natin. 😂❤️
Thank you, mga Mie! 👋🏻💕
❤️
