Top 10 Handheld Games For The Multitasking Mom (Part 2)

As promised in my previous post, below are the remaining games in my Top 10 list of handheld games for moms:

(6) Final Fantasy (DS/PSP) - I've yet to meet an RPG fan who did not get his/her hands dirty with this best-selling series! DS ups the ante of the classic FFIII (not to be confused with FFVI, this is the real deal) and FFIV by delivering it in all its 3D glory. Relive these timeless tales with 3D graphics that simply make you lose yourself in the game. You can also control the characters via the stylus and touch screen. Die-hard FF fans can get a chance to play the game that started it all - FFI - on the PSP. FFII is also available on PSP, completing the Final Fantasy experience. Still itching for more? In yet another remake of FFIV, "FFIV The Complete Collection" offers the original game, the sequel (FFIV The After Years), and an additional game that ties them together. While the reuse of dungeons got a tad monotonous (it is the same world, after all), the chance to relive the experience with much beloved characters is too enticing to ignore.

(7) Jeanne D'Arc (PSP) - This game plays just like Final Fantasy Tactics - minus the complexity and lengthy gameplay, leaving you with a stunning, fantastical tale about the famed Joan of Arc. Words can not bring to justice the spectular art and story it has to offer. The game is, simply put, lovely to behold. And for once, the English dubbing (rife with authentic French accents) is actually worth listening to. I await the day that Level 5 produces another tactical RPG at par with this masterpiece.

(8) Puzzle Quest (PSP/DS) - It's Bejeweled. With Sword and Sorcery. With an actual story! It has the addictive elements of a Tetris game, with the added depth of completing an adventure. The game offers a choice of different characters to play. While the main storyline remains the same, the variety of character classes can lead you to change your battle strategy (assuming you choose to play the game again with a another character choice). The PSP purportedly delivers better graphics than the DS version, but it comes with a bug - the special abilities of the companions you gather throughout the game will have no effect whatsoever. The developers have admitted to this bug and there should be a patch available, but if you have a DS, may as well use that and spare yourself the added chore.

(9) Cooking Mama (DS) - Here's a game that makes full use of the DS touchscreen! Chop, peel, stir, and cook your way through Mama's colorful and scrumptious-looking dishes! It's a fun way for moms to destress and is especially appreciated by moms with no real-life cooking talent whatsoever (myself included!).  Cooking Mama for DS has since spawned two sequels (Cooking Mama: Dinner With Friends and Cooking Mama: Chop and Shop) and two spin-offs (Gardening Mama and Crafting Mama).

(10) Half-Minute Hero (PSP) - No one appreciates the value of your time as much as this game's protagonist, who only has 30 seconds to defeat the evil villain before it blows up the world. And that's just the Hero mode. To get larger picture, you have to complete all 6 modes, and every one of them has the same 30-second deadline (Evil Lord 30 Mode, Princess 30 Mode, Knight 30 Mode, Hero 300 Mode, Hero 3 Mode) save for the Hero 300 and Hero 3 modes, which gives you 300 and 3 seconds respectively to defeat the boss. Sounds absurd? You better believe it! There are certain bonuses and a Time Goddess available to help you reset that precious 30 seconds so every mission is doable - and undeniably addictive in its silliness and humor. Your first encounter with the Time Goddess is testament to how absurd the rest of the game and its characters are.

That completes my list - I'm sure I'll come up with another in the far future, what will all the new games, consoles, and innovations popping out of the woodwork. Until then - Happy Gaming!

Top 10 Handheld Games For The Multitasking Mom (Part 1)

As mentioned in my first post in this series, I lean towards games that do not fry my brain (which is already quite fried as it is), are easy to put down and pick up again at any point, but still engage me in some way - through a straightforward yet breathtaking storyline, humorous characters, or some other unique aspect that the game developer managed to inject without the need for complex controls or graphics. Handheld devices such as PSP and DS are true gems for the multitasking mom who is always on the go. PSP gains extra points for remembering where I left off even after turning it off without saving. The first generations of DS should be lauded for its backwards compatibility with classic GBA games.

So without further ado, here are the handheld games that top my list (in no particular order):

(1) Scribblenauts (DS) - As its tagline states, "Write Anything, Solve Everything"; this game allows you to summon anything you can think of simply by writing it down. Input "jetpack" or "wings" to help your character, Maxwell, gain the power of flight. Give him a "gun", "knife", or heck, conjure up a "superhero" to help him fight villains. You can even input a "knight", "dragon", and "princess" and watch the drama unfold on its own. Even "Cthulu" wasn't spared! The possibilities of this game is limited only by your vocabularly (and well, the game's database, which is, thankfully, pretty extensive). If you're the type who has the compulsive need to solve every puzzle in a game, then this will certainly burn you out - you'll either run out of words or curse Maxwell for being so difficult to control! But if you can skip over the action modes and just enjoy playing around with the free play and puzzle levels, then this has great potential as a stress reliever.

(2) Ace Attorney (DS) - A point-and-click mystery/adventure series with unique twists and zany characters that keep you coming back for more! If you've ever wished for an RPG where the story unfolds without the tedious level grinding or travelling throughout a world (sometimes two or three), then this is the game for you. In the Phoenix Wright series, you play a defense attorney who must uncover clues in order to defend your hapless clients in court. Once you've fallen in love with the main cast of characters, you can pick up a copy of Miles Edgeworth's game to get a chance to play the prosecutors and interact with familiar faces from the original game (sadly, Phoenix Wright and his two ever-faithful sidekicks are no more than a passing reference in this game).

(3) Elite Beat Agents (DS) - Handheld version of Dance Dance Revolution. This game requires you to tap markers in perfect timing with the given song in order for the agents (reminiscent of Men In Black) to successfully dance their way through a mission. The developments and eventual outcome of a mission changes depending on how well you can follow the beat, pushing you to try and try again. Missing a beat leads to hilarious circumstances so its rather hard to feel discouraged  with any of your efforts. Music loving moms, this is for you! Fans of Jpop can try Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, the original game that gave birth to its Westernized counterpart.

(4) Chrono Trigger (DS) - This remains my favorite classic RPG of all time. Featuring standard RPG controls (menu based battle system) in a two-dimensional world, the game pulls you in with a beautiful plotline and a diverse set of characters you can't help but love. Its time traveling theme enables you to explore the lone world throughout different ages (Stone Age, Dark Ages, Medieval, Present Time, Future, and End of Time), allowing you to witness how its inhabitants evolve over the course of time. The best part of this game is its combination of multiple endings and New Game+ features. Once you've finished the game for the first time, New Game+ allows you to play the game with your current levels and equipment. This helps you breeze through the game in order to see all the different endings without having to start from scratch (how I wish Star Ocean would pick this up!). One other interesting element to this game is that the main character does not utter a single word from beginning to end - and most of the time, players fail to realize this!

(5) Popolocrois (PSP) - These days a new release of a traditional, two-dimensional style RPG is rare, but Ignition Entertainment stepped up to the plate with a fairy tale adventure called Popolocrois. The game starts when 10-year-old Prince Pietro discovers that his mother, long thought to be dead, is actually in a coma. He travels to the Underworld along with an apprentice witch, Narcia, to save his mother's soul. This is followed by two subsequent adventures in which Pietro must save his father and the world at age 12 and 15, respectively. The added appeal to the game is in watching the main characters grow and develop in the course of 5 years. There is no complex story behind this fantasy tale; what you see is what you get and what you get is beautiful imagery coupled with charming characters. An RPG classic through and through.

While on the topic of traditional-style RPGs, I'm currently playing Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, which is very promising in the wake of its predecessors. The original Legend of Heroes and YS series featured slow pacing and exceedingly long dialogue that made it too tedious to play. My biggest disappointment to date is the Lunar Silver Star Story for PSP. While I hold very fond memories of its PlayStation version, the PSP port featured no enhancements whatsoever and had an utterly sloooow loading time every time the scene changes (including battle scenes!).

Have to bring my tot to school - Part 2 (and more PSP games) when I get back!

Toilet Training: Tips, Trials, and Tribulations

As is evident in the numerous articles, tips, and mommy tales on the subject - the right approach to potty training appears to be a case-to-case basis. Below is my own personal experience in training my tot, as well as the highs and lows of the process.

(1) We started by showing my daughter how the rest of us use the toilet to help her get used to the idea. There are also a lot of books (FisherPrice, Dora, etc.) available to introduce your toddler to the concept of using the toilet or potty.

(2) As soon as my daughter was able to sit on her own, we started sitting her on the toilet whenever she would poop. This takes a lot of patience and alertness on the part of the parent/caregiver. The moment we see her put on her "poop" face, we would rush her to the toilet and told her that this was "poo poo". Eventually she was able to say "poo poo" before the actual deed, giving us ample time to find a restroom. We have not yet transitioned her from diapers to underwear at this point.

(3) At around 18 months, when my daughter was already able to communicate with us using words and short phrases, we started removing her diapers and putting her in underwear for a couple of hours every morning. This involved a lot of accidents at first, afterwhich we would explain that this was "pee pee" and she should use the potty to avoid getting wet. The adjustment time varies. This was done to my niece when she was 2 years old and she was so disgusted after she wet herself that she immediately took to the potty. My daughter took a bit longer. For a few days, I sat her on the toilet during times when I expect her to pee, such as right after waking up and after snacks. When we did away with the diaper entirely, I sat her at least once every 1-2 hours. One of my neighbors put her daughter on the toilet every 15 minutes, but I think this may have been a little extreme. Eventually my daughter managed to say "poo poo" and allowed us to rush her to the nearest toilet before relieving herself.

(4) Sometimes a reward system helps. Most books on potty training come with stickers to give to a toddler for every successful use of the potty. Since I did not allow my daughter to eat sweets or candy, we got into the habit of giving her a marshmallow every time she used the potty.

(5) At first, I thought having her use the toilet directly was a good thing, but soon discovered why a potty was handier - particularly while traveling. The farther we traveled, it became increasingly difficult to find a clean public toilet and my daughter refused to use the potty. She started holding her pee until we got home which put her at risk for urinary tract infection. Thus, we trained her to use a potty at home. Now she's able to adjust and use either a toilet or a potty. We've took it up a notch by teaching her to use a potty for "pee" and the toilet for "poop".

(6) Teach your tot early on to wash up after relieving himself/herself.

(7) It's good to get a toilet seat made especially for toddler and young children - the type you place on top of your own toilet - to lessen the risk of them falling in. Make sure to check if you're using a regular or elongated toilet in order to buy the appropriate seat.

(8) Make sure your child uses the toilet before he/she sleeps. This lessens the probability of wetting the bed.

My daughter was fully toilet trained by age 2. She was the one who told me when she didn't want to wear diapers anymore. We've had some instances of her "wetting the bed" and for the longest time, poo-poo and pee-pee were both "poo-poo" to her, but we eventually worked out the kinks. This process takes a lot of patience and practice on both your parts. The important thing is to keep at it and not to be discouraged. Everyone eventually gets it right. My favorite advice on this subject is from a parenting magazine I once read that said (loosely translated as I don't remember the exact wording) "you don't see seven-year-old kids running around in diapers - a sure sign that at some point, all kids learn how to use a toilet".

Format and Headers and Page Numbers, Oh My!

In submitting stories to fantasy and science fiction publications, I normally follow (unless otherwise specified by the guidelines) Proper Manuscript Format by William Shunn. It's simple, easy to follow, and is accepted by most publications. Best of all, removing the standard header (Last Name / Title / Page Number) from the first page is as simple as ticking Different First Page in the Header design box of Microsoft Word.

But what if you're required to follow a different format, like say, Manuscript Preparation by Vonda McIntyre, that requires a cover page? Now your header has to start on the third page instead of the second. All of a sudden, Different First Page property just won't cut it anymore.

What you need to do is introduce sections in your document, so Microsoft Word can identify the different types of headers (or lack thereof) that you require for each section. Here's an article that shows you how to do this, particularly, how to remove the header from the second page.

Now you think you're all set, but not quite yet. You realize your first header shows the page number "3", when it should start at "2" (i.e., disregard the cover page in the numbering). You need to tweak the page number properties to get this right. Here's another article that shows you how to start page numbering on page 2.

Hope this helps! Keep on writing!

Choking Hazards

As a new mom, one of my early fears was dealing with a choking baby. We often see toys labeled "not for children under 3 years" or "choking hazard" so we know from the get-go that it does happen and it's no laughing matter. So what are the things babies can accidentally swallow and what do you do when faced with this kind of emergency? Below are a couple of links to articles that are very helpful in this regard (courtesy of BabyZone):

Top 10 Things Kids Accidentally Swallow

What To Do If Baby Is Choking

Tot's Doctor Blues

How do you convince your baby that a trip to the doctor's clinic, which usually starts as a routine check and ends with a painful injection, is not as torturous as it appears to be? While some infants take it all in a stride, there are those who wail, scream, and kick through the entire process from the moment they see the person in the white coat until you settle the bill at the receptionist's desk and head for the exit. My baby falls in the latter category. Unfortunately, convincing someone who can only stare up at you with those big, innocent, "why me?" eyes that vac-ci-na-tion is for their own good is a pretty hard sell. Not to worry though - they eventually grow out of it, and here are some steps to help them along:

Once your tot hits the toddler years, you can start using books and toys to help him/her understand what a doctor does and why. Fans of Dora The Explorer can turn to the "Dora Goes to the Doctor" book, while those who prefer Mickey Mouse can try "Dr. Daisy". Some FisherPrice books also feature doctor characters. You can help your toddler relate to the books by letting them play doctor with a toy doctor's kit (available is most toy stores). Once they get the basic concept down pat, you can engage in pretend play with your tot as the doctor and his/her stuffed toys (or mommy and daddy) as the patients.

On our last trip to the doctor's office, my daughter was already familiar with the stethoscope, thermometer, and other tools; and actually seemed eager to see the real things in action. Finally, an entire session without the tears and screams. We bought her a small toy at the hospital gift shop to celebrate the milestone.

60th Birthday Party

My mother envisioned a small affair with close friends and relatives to celebrate her 60th birthday party. She wanted a simple dinner incorporating her two great loves - the color red and dancing (my father passed away three years ago, so I'm sure he'll forgive me for the omission ;)). Below are the suppliers, activities, and themes that contributed to the success of the dinner-dance party:

(1) ATTIRE: Smart casual, though everyone was requested to wear red. It came out great in the photos and the guests were comfortable dancing in their casual attire

(2) FLOWERS and WINE: We had the caterer arrange a small bouquet of red roses around each wine bottle. The combination of flowers and wine bottle was used as a centerpiece for each table.

(3) SOUVENIRS: Can't go wrong with a photobooth! We hired MyPhotos for the event. They were a few minutes late (though admittedly, I only advised them of the change in schedule on the day of the party), but extended an extra hour free of charge in order to make up for it. The staff was friendly, accommodating, and efficient; and the quality of the photos turned out great. Their rate is also much lower compared to other photobooths. In addition, customized layout is already part of their basic package and they knock P1000 off the price if you provide your own background tarpauline (or just forego a personalized backdrop altogether).

(4) LIGHTS and SOUNDS: Unlike other suppliers that gave me complex specifications with matching whopping price tags, AUDIOBITES Lights and Sounds provided a list of equipment and services that fit our theme and venue size at an affordable cost. Their staff was prompt, professional, courteous, and worked with little direction (i.e., I simply provided them with the program and they took care of the music selection, lights, and sound effects). Their equipment was of good quality; the sound was clear throughout the function room and their timing was on the mark every time. Our guests and the birthday celebrant had a lot of good feedback for this particular supplier; I will definitely touch base with them again for our next event.

(5) CATERING: We've hired Semira's Catering (semira_catering@yahoo.com) time and again for our events. They offer a great selection of food with good rates (i.e., at P350/head, we had soup, salad, pasta, beef, fish, chicken, shrimp, rice, dessert, and drinks along with a buffet set-up that came with a mini fountain). They can also offer simple table set-ups and floral arrangements. We just made a mental note to advise them not to scrimp on the sauce and dressing next time ;)

(6) PROGRAM: Mom got a friend to host (he is also a professional dance instructor) along with 2 additional dance instructors to lead the guests in the song and dance activities. Here are some of the games:

(a) Conga Spot Light Dance - All the guests are asked to join a conga line dance that goes around the room and ends on the stage. Whoever the spot light is on at the end of the dance is declared the winner.

(b) Follow The Leader - One person on a stage is the dance leader. Whoever cannot follow the dance leader's moves or loses his/her balance is out of the game. When the music stops, whoever does not freeze is also out of the game.  Game continues until only one person is left with the dance leader.

(c) What's In A Name? - The guests were divided into two groups - boys against girls. Each group had to come up with a song whose title features a person's name. Of course, they have to sing part of the song for it to count. The game ends when one group can no longer come up with a song or sings a song whose title does not feature a valid name.

(d) Karaoke Contest - We hooked up a Magic Mic to the projector. In between the activities and games, the host drew two names out of a hat. The chosen guests were asked to choose a song and sing along karaoke style. At the end of the party, the guests with the lowest and highest scores were awarded prizes.

(e) Musical Magnets (extra game we didn't get to play) - A musical take on "The Boat Is Sinking". Guests must dance while the music is playing. Periodically, the music is stopped and the host calls out a number. Guests must form into groups of that number. People without a group are out of the game. Game ends when there are only three participants left - the host will call out "2" and the pair that form the last group will win the game.

(7) CAKE: I still prefer Goldilocks in terms of taste and variety of available designs. They are also quite flexible in customizing an existing cake design to fit the party color and motif.

(8) PERSONALIZED TOUCH: I had my two-year-old daughter lead the prayer and Happy Birthday song. We also prepared an audio-visual presentation featuring photographs from her 60 years, that we played during dinner. Close friends and relatives gave a couple of speeches in between games.

I Have Two Hands...I Can Help Clean Up!

Cleaning up after oneself is a good habit to teach early on, one that will surely benefit your tot (and you!) as he/she grows older. You can start by having your toddler pack away his/her toys before moving on to another activity (or tuning in to Nick Jr and Disney Jr). Always have him/her assist you or the yaya in keeping toys and books after playtime. If you are finding it difficult to engage your child in something as mundane as cleaning up, you can turn it into a game and eventually, he/she will get into the habit of packing up. Here are some tips to help your toddler get in the swing of things:

 (1) Sing a special song for cleaning up. You can look up these tunes that may already be familiar to your child:

Barney's version (Let's Go To The Firehouse): Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere; Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share

Dora's version (Dora Saves The Mermaids): Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up! Everyone everywhere!

Gymboree version: This is the way we pack away, pack away, pack away. This is the way we pack away here at [Gymboree] -> instead of "Gymboree", you can change to "[child's name] house"

(2) Make a game of it. Have your toddler toss the balls into a basket. Challenge him/her to arrange her toys by type, color, or size.

(3) Engage in pretend play. My daughter pretends that her table and boxes make up a "toy store" and her bookshelf is a "book store". She has to properly arrange the items she "sells" and "buys".

(4) Teach your child to pack away gently (i.e., do not throw) so that the toys and books remain in good condition.

(5) Do as you teach. Help him/her pack away and show him/her that you also clean up after work or play.

Taste Makes All The Difference...

The sales representative at Mercury Drugstore suggested Natravox as a better tasting alternative to Augmentin. I checked my pedia's prescription and it was on the list of options for my tot's antibiotics, so we got a bottle and tried it out. Finally - a full dose of medicine without the kicking, screaming, spitting up, and vomitting! My daughter claims that it tastes just like chocolate. *Whew.

* Both Natravox and Augmentin are still in powder form when you purchase them, but you can ask the staff at the drugstore to prepare (i.e., mix in the water) it for you.

How To Make A Toddler Take Medicine

My toddler has a throat infection and refuses to eat much or drink her milk. She was prescribed an antibiotic, but the challenge was getting her to take it. I tried the direct approach which led to a full blown tantrum and ultimately, vommitting out the medicine and what little she had eaten that day (this was very painful to watch!).

My mother suggested mixing in the syrup from my tot's favorite jelly. I extracted the red syrup from strawberry jelly, mixed it with the medicine, and finally managed to get my daughter to ingest it with little fuss. Here are some other tips I picked up from friends and other online articles:

(1) Mix with milk - just enough to cover the taste of the medicine. This is the most popular method, but it didn't work for me because my toddler is refusing milk due to her sore throat.

(2) Have the child lick ice or drink cold water first. This supposedly numbs the taste buds - I didn't try this since I thought it might make my daughter's sore throat all the more worse.

(3) Find a better tasting alternative. You can ask your pediatrician, or the staff at the drugstores (you'll be amazed at some of their insights). I used to have a hard time giving my daughter medicine for fever, until we discovered Calpol - it's very tasty and my tot refers to it as "strawberry candy".

(4) As a last resort, an IV may be best if the child is no longer eating or drinking. Pediatrician should be consulted first.

* Note that it is always best to consult your pediatrician for possible alternatives to the medicine and before attempting to mix medicine with certain foods/liquid.

* Having trouble measuring the liquid through a dropper (this is especially true of some really thick paracetamols)? Try a syringe. Just remove the needle and you'll have a dropper that gives you a better chance of getting the right amount of medicine prescribed.

Toddler/Preschooler Doesn't Like to Get His/Her Hands Dirty

Does your toddler or preschool throw a fit whenever he or she is asked to handle glue or paint in school? Does he or she ask to wash hands in the middle of an artwork activity? Don't fret - this is fairly common, especially with children who are faced with paste and paint for the first time. Sometimes they just need to get used to it and realize that it's harmless and ultimately, fun to use. You can help hasten the process by giving them their own glue, paints, and activities to do at home.

(1) GLUE/PASTE - I recommend Kumon's Let's Sticker and Paste activity book. It's fun, colorful, and age-appropriate. The first few activities involve putting stickers in the appropriate places (stickers are included in the book) such as sticking animals on a farm, winter clothing on a child, flowers on an apron, etc. The latter part involves cutting (to be done by an adult) and pasting activities to complete parts of animal faces, put together a vehicle, paste toys in a cabinet, etc. After going through the activities in this book, my toddler was no longer afraid to use glue in school and she became quite adept at properly aligning items to be pasted unto her worksheet.

(2) PAINT - Buy fingerpaint and let loose. Extra-large coloring books are best for first-time painters. You can also simply cover his/her hand in fingerpaint and teach him/her to make colorful handprints. You might want to invest in a smock or apron as well, to keep their clothes clean.

(3) If you feel that your child's fear or dislike of paint/glue goes beyond a mere case of ickiness, you might want to consider alternatives, such as using a paintbrush to apply glue. When in doubt, consult your teacher and/or pediatrician.

(4) ALWAYS check the labels to ensure that the glue and/or paint is non-toxic and safe for children.

(5) Make it clear to your child that the paint and/or glue is to be used for the given activity only. Stress that it is not something to be smeared liberally on the walls, flooring, or other people.