On TV:
When the kids were younger I didn’t let them watch regular TV shows. I was very careful with what they see on TV fearing negative influences. And so during their first 3 or 4 years they can only watch the Discovery channel, Sesame Street, Barney, Teletubbies and some other learning shows. We had a complete Walt Disney movie collection which started my eBay addiction then (more about my eBay addiction in another post). I bought tapes of ABC’s and Math and every learning shows I can get my hands on. I bought them learning books, encouraged them to doodle and write and draw and tinker on the computer with learning cd’s. I read to them all the time and syllabicated every word. I think it all paid off because they were able to read early on and they are voracious readers. They’re very good artists too so I’m glad all those reams of paper didn’t go to waste. And then they went to school. They heard about these TV shows that they can’t relate to when other kids will talk about it. They watched these TV shows with commercials peddling everything from toys to sugary junk food. That’s when they started to be aware of these things. And so when we went to groceries they begged to have them because they want to know what it tastes like. Being the kind of Mom that I am (read:gullible), I bought them these food because I reasoned with my husband, you don’t want them to feel left out. DH disagreed but I eventually won (as I most often do). Then at least they were able to decide for themselves if they liked it or not. At least, I told DH, they won’t be wondering forever what it is and how it tastes like. Now that they’re bigger they watch regular shows but I would like to think the first few years made a difference.
On Food:
My husband and I taught them to eat whatever’s on the table. Adobo, sinigang, pancit canton and pork chop are their most favorite foods next to mac and cheese. They also love sardines. On our recent trip to the Philippines, DH’s relatives laughed when they asked my son G what he wanted to eat and he said, matter-of-factly: “sardines is fine with me”. It was a hoot! To this day both of my boys eat rice with meat or fish. They love fish! Especially fried tilapia with soy sauce, onions and vinegar as “sawsawan”. And they know how to eat with their hands too! My older son C eats most of his food with Mang Tomas all-around sarsa. And speaking of Mang Tomas, one day when we went to the Filipino store he got all excited. “G, come here!” he called his brother. G came on the other aisle and I heard them both let out an audible sigh. I came round the corner, checking to see what caught their attention. There in front of the both of them were bottles and bottles of Mang Tomas. C (with eyes as big as golf balls): “Whoa! This is the most number of bottles of Mang Tomas I’ve ever seen in my entire life!”. G (with mouth agape): “Yeah”. 
Now if only I can get them to eat their veggies like purplegirl
