"A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary."
-- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Yesterday we bid goodbye to my auntie Nel who went her way to Alaska to be with her daughters and grandchildren. Although we were not that close, my aunt sure did marked something on me. Everytime I get to have short talks with her, she never fails to crack a joke and then tell casual stories about motherhood and relationships. She seems to make motherhood lighter with her sense of humor and wisdom.

Yesterday, as I hugged her she told me "Always remember that motherhood is two-way. You let them take their choices - you don't dictate. Specially yours are boys."

I thought for a moment, yeah...parents are responsible in guiding children, not to the extent of imposing your every will for them. We don't own their lives, we just guide them in living their lives to the fullest.

I will surely miss Auntie Nel.

Yeah the word is nurturing. I prefer 'nurture' than 'develop'. Nurturing is taking care of what is developing. I believe that every person has, at the least, a pinch of creativity being developed as one grows. Creativity just needs encouragement, feeding, and training for it to spur out excellently.

I'm glad my kids don't need a lot of pushing in this area. At their early age, they are eager to watch art shows. They are appreciative of crafts and drawings.

Here's one show that arouses creativity within. My kids are enthused everytime they watch ARTZOOKA. It's Nickelodeon's Art Show catering kids ages 6-9. But my boys (aged 2 and 4) at their early age are so hooked on this show. ARTZOOKA helps enhance their imagination. In one of the segments, Jeremy (the host) creates something out of almost junk materials. My kids would then guess what is being created. Before the host would finish his work, my eldest have already guessed it right. And the host shall say, "It's all in how you look at it!".

When I was a kid, I assumed that motherhood is easy and comes out naturally. Never have i thought of its complexities.

I've had jobs that required much know-how and experience to perform well, and I can confidently say I excelled in the field. Never have I feared doing something - not until I gave birth. I feared taking care of another life aside from mine.

Now after almost five years of being a mom, I still consider myself a novice. Motherhood is the hardest job ever! haha. It requires much dedication, perseverance, and LOVE. It's an expression of what is beautiful in a home thus encompasses both difficulties and joy - that's why it's an art in itself.

Due to its demanding nature, a mother has to do more than enough to enjoy performing the tasks. That's where creativity comes in. Mothers find ways to create a conducive environment fit for every member of the family. It's definitely not a no brainer.