The Parenting Emporium

A few weeks back, I was able to meet and mingle with other mothers who share similar passions as I do when it comes to parenting. Beng and Maricel previously known as "The Medela Moms" were in pursuit of a project to suit the needs of modern parenting. More than merely helping mothers through lactation consultations, they envisioned a place where parents can get support for the ever growing demands of raising a child.

The Parenting Emporium is their answer and their gift to the community! Like they all say, "It takes a village to raise a child" And so they presented different experts in a wide range of topics, from nutrition to style to education and more. All these people have will act as mentors for parents to get a wholistic view of this challenging but fruitful journey of mindful parenting.

And guess who I saw? An old friend, Tita Jacqueline Alleje! She was the person responsible for the healthier meal alternatives that day. Denise and I remember eating in her old cafe in Makati during our college days...over a decade ago?!

Thanks to SM Woman for my outfit-on-that-day!

I'm always pleased when there is veg food in events :)

Do dropby their newly renovated space for baby essentials, too!

Many kids got to enjoy the do-it-yourself cupcake station by Cupcakes by Sonja <3

Always glad to see some friends. Jane and Martine super brilliant mamas!

Denise and I hang out with Baby Rory and Timi :)

Here with me is Smart Parenting's Editor-in-Chief, Mia Fausto Cruz and her baby with Em Sulit and her little one, too!

Here are the Catilos and Pam Begre with my godson, Mauro :)

Look at all the goodies I brought home from the party :) Thanks Beng and Maricel! 

Drawing is by me made during the Waldorf teacher training :)

I am happy to announce that my next Sacred Pregnancy and Conscious Birth Workshop on August 1, Saturday will be held here! Yipee! 

Registration link to the workshop is here

Please pass the information to all expecting couples or even those wanting to conceive. We'd like to plant seeds of consciousness on the gentle birth revolution early on! 

See you there!

A Blissful Mama's Retreat in Palawan

We have just wrapped up a wonderful gathering of birthkeepers (Mothers, Fathers, Women, Midwife and Doulas) in Bahay Kalipay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It was a beautiful weekend of sharing knowledge, age-old wisdom, latest evidence-based techniques and lots of tender love + care embracing womanhood! 

I admit that I'm a little bummed that we missed Ibu Robin Lim by a few days in this place! She came to Puerto Princesa to have a little vacation time and connect with kindred souls for a project in the works which I am hugely excited about!

She is definitely one of our main inspirations for the Gentle Birth Movement in the Philippines. I will never forget how much she helped manifest the dreamy birth of my daughter, Maya. Last year, I brought 3-month old Maya to Bumi Sehat, Bali as homage to a true light in the field of sacred birth!

My parents, Maya and I visit Ibu Robin Lim in her hOMe

Irina, my doula, thank you for your great motherly energy leading this batch of participants. Here she is explaining the Gentle Birth essentials in the breezy green space of BK.

teaching optimal fetal positioning

Teaching the Rebozo technique

Clarity, thank you for holding space and sharing your inuitive painting module with our participants. Another useful release-work tool for pregnancy and any stage in our lives!

 I shared pre-natal yoga asanas which women can use at any trimester during pregnancy. Here I am wearing my very favorite Birthing themed shirt which I bought from Bumi Sehat, Bali. "How do you stay human?" Ask yourself this question at the time of the birth of your child. Is it humane the conditions that we give for love and growth to happen? Ask yourself these questions as we raise our spiritual children.

Photo taken by Irina

Timing was absurdly perfect because a volunteer who came to Bahay Kalipay the same time we started the retreat was a midwife from Germany named Isabel. She shared her expertise with everyone with much lightness and humor that really gave the mothers much more confidence in their decision to birth differently.

Here is Isabel using a pinard horn after palpation for the exact location to check the baby's heartbeat. 

Daniw spoke about eating a wholistic diet is one of the ways that mirror our lifestyle which will greatgly impact the baby in utero. Here she is below demonstrating how to introduce superfoods and local green leafy vegetables into everyday food. El Kalinado, another healer and teacher brings to life amazing nutrient dense food for everyone. I am sad to have missed out on the Avocado Chocolate Cream because I was teaching a pre-natal yoga class! 

photo credits to Isa for the collage

For the Mother Blessing Ritual, we also had men and non-preggies join us and it was just a solid community of celebrating the goddesses within us.

Coming together as a tribe of positivity helped elevate our consciousness of what pregnancy and birth is. This time of 10 moon cycles is so sacred and we as a society should protect it from otherwise.

For those interested in future workshops, we will have a repeat for the Sacred Pregnancy & Conscious Birth on April 18 at Casa Natura, San Juan. 

We are also conducting SACRED POST-PARTUM: A Mother's Honoring Workshop this Saturday, March 7 in Casa Natura.

Please email me at monica.eleazar@gmail.com or Irina at consciousbirthmanila@gmail.com if you would like to register. Limited slots only.