#GoTheExtraSmile | How I Go the Extra Mile to Make My Kids Smile

I know I've been slacking on my posts lately, but I saved the best for my favorite readers in the world. For you, lovelies, I saved my very best... my kids at their happiest. 


Instead of sharing a toy review, I thought I'd share a video about a child's expectation vs. reality, and all of the things that make my kids happy.



But first, the reality...

There were, of course, a LOT of realities. Good and bad, happy and sad. So, I'm narrowing them down as much as I can here.

Motherhood is chaotic. Sometimes, I get so stressed with keeping things clean, organized and schedules perfect. Other times, it felt like I was repeating the same things I really didn’t enjoy as a child - perfection. I think every single mom/parent can relate to all these feelings of mom guilt. So much of the guilt comes because we still have to keep our households running while doing our jobs, and that causes us to turn our backs on our kids, or simply have times when our kids don’t have our full attention. So many moms miss out on the day to day stuff out of necessity.

And that's a sad reality.

I know it's real, because I experienced that when I was working in a call center. My daughter would cry and beg me not to go to work or to just stay and play with her. News flash: When you're working in a call center, you can’t work evenings and go home in the mornings with clingy kids and expect everyone to behave and have fun! So I just left my job in the corporate world. Just like that.

Working from home gives me the “luxury” of being present for them when they need me most, and to spend as much time as I can with my kids.  Also, I'm extremely grateful that I am able to let the income go and work at home as a blogger. This mommy blogger life is a lot simpler. I can spend more time with my kids. We play, we have picnics together, and I am present. It is amazing, because when I'm present, I have the opportunity go the extra mile to make my kids smile! After all, there is nothing as precious as their huge smiles.


I'm not saying that you should leave your job too. My intention is to let moms see the realities of a mom's life, and to look on the imperfection of it all. The amazing moments and also, the defeated ones. We all have them. There's no reason to feel guilty, because there's no such thing as a perfect mom.

But hey, there are realities that we can actually "tweak" a little. We'll laugh, we'll cry, and hopefully, we'll find some ways on how to turn a not-so-good situation into one ‘beautiful moment’ to create something that makes our kids extra happy. We all have an opportunity to change and be in charge of our own happiness, which in turn means our kids' happiness.

I strongly believe that the best way to make your kids smile is by making their expectation a reality. A Hapee one!

So how can you make it a Hapee one? Here are five ways:

H - Have more time to play with your kids.

It's important to make (don't find!) time for your kids. For every minute you spend with them, your kids gain sixty seconds of happiness plus you get +10 mommy points! Yay! Of course, they like to collect toys, but more than that, they like to collect moments that they will remember forever. Try to remember these moments, think back, throwback or whatever it is that you have to.



A- Always go the extra mile to make your kids smile.

It’s the little things in life which make a big difference, so make it extra! To cook their favorite creamy pasta instead of an instant noodle. To make and extra effort to give your child a surprise birthday party.



I remember the time we gave our daughter a surprise birthday party. She thought we were just going to attend a kids fashion show, and I’ve never seen her smile so big when she ran over to us on the sidelines for hugs. She was even more surprised to see her friends and classmates, and they even power hugged each other.





P - Present yourself as a gift.

More than the toys, gadgets and other material things, your presence is your child's best (and prettiest) present ever! That being said, I'm glad I am present when they’re sick, scrape their knees, hit milestones, have school performances, and play dates.

To be the gift with no expiration date. To stick around as long as possible to watch my kids grow up, be there for them when they need me, grow old, and bounce my grandkids on my lap. And yes, I would love to be that only gift (a Mommy version of Baby Alive!) that can laugh and giggle with them forever. #MayForever



E - Encourage your kids to practice everything as a family.

We really value family bonding time and what it means to get together everyday to keep the family ties strong, and that’s what we want brushing teeth to be—a family practice. Of course, I only want the best for my kids, that's why I choose Hapee Kiddie anti-cavity toothpaste to protect their radiant smiles so they can be the happiest kids in the world.




We make brushing teeth more fun and enjoyable with Hapee Kiddie toothpaste. My kids have even more reasons to smile about because it comes in seven exciting flavors: Strawberry Bloom, Tutti Frutti Twist, Orange Squeeze, Apple Crunch, Juicy Grapes, Bubblegum Pop, and Cookies and Cream Ahoy.

So mommies, if todo effort ka in trying to get your kids to brush their teeth, sing along and brush with your kids. This will make brushing more fun for them. Kids love to imitate and by showing them how much you enjoy it, they will be more encouraged to brush their teeth by simply singing along with them. To help get them into the habit of brushing 3x a day, we watch the Hapee Kiddy Toothie Tales video at Hapee Kiddie Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HapeeKiddie/ while we brush and sing together.



I've come to realize that spontaneous, unscripted moments like these, make my kids happy. I really enjoy simple moments like when they're laughing at my silly and horrible jokes or when we're brushing our teeth together.

- Express your love and gratitude for what is too often taken for granted.

Sometimes, we forget to pause and look at our child. Those sad puffy eyes that weren’t met with our own eyes, because our work, routine and daily stresses occupy our time, thoughts, energy, and heart. We all know how it feels to be taken for granted, so be sure not to let your kids feel that way. Because at the end of the day, what really matters is what is at the heart of our home (Read: our kids!) and we’ve got to go the extra mile for them to be happy.

I don’t want to look back when I'm old and say, "What have I done to make my kids happy? What have I missed out? Why did I ever care so much about that mess in the kitchen, that job, that project, that sponsorship, when what's really important were those little eyes looking up at me, begging for my time and attention.



With that being said, I'm glad I never hesitated to let my daughter know that I was so happy and proud of her when she performed and danced on stage. And I never stopped cheering her on to let the whole world know, and that made all the difference. 

That made her extra happy.

It's your turn, momsh! Tell me more about how you make your kids extra happy. Comment away!



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