SIMPLYHAPPY: Be Deliberate to Bond

Balancing family and work life is very difficult. Raising kids and trying to do well at work is a daunting task. Understanding teenagers can make you feel helpless. Parenting books can only guide us working moms and so it is important to find time to bond with our children as often as possible. The way to understand my kids is to deliberately find that special time to be with them with no distraction of any kind- studies, peer invitations, computers, video games.

Ofcourse we had vacation trips before.These unplanned vacations happened when somebody would invite us to join them in their out of the country trips. Unplanned last minute vacations are not ideal for me. I want family time extra special no matter where we are. I do not like it when I am stressed l with questions like where the gang should stay- a bed and breakfast or a hotel , to where the gang should go, explore the city or go shopping?

For the past 3 years already , I have started planning the family's yearly out of town or out of the country trips.

I do not want the business of everyday life prevent the gang from enjoying togetherness.

Bohol was the family's first 'deliberate' vacation in 2010.

Brothers posing at the airport

Entrance of Facade of Bohol Beach Club

Frontage of Bohol Beach Club where we stayed for 3 days and 2 nights

Big brother relaxing by the beach

The brothers enjoyed the sea and just being together

Our room was beach front.

Bohol Beach Club has three swimming pools

Little Brother enjoying the fresh breeze of air

The Husband relaxing in the cabana

another swimming pool

The Husband and the LIttle Brother walking along the man- made made mahogany little forest

We went to the landmarks of Bohol.

First Stop, we went to Baclayon Church and their museum. What I could not forget about the visit in the church was the available bottled water for everyone who was thirsty- all for free! It is unfortunate that I failed to take a picture of this beautiful and historical church.

The gang went to see the Blood Compact Monument.

And off we went to see the man made forest.