The weekly Toddler Storytime sessions at the Children’s Corner of the Cebu City Public Library is a perfect venue to meet other mothers in Cebu.
In the last three sessions for the months of April and May, I had the chance to meet women who gave up their careers so they can be full-time mothers to their children.
I met a registered nurse, a licensed teacher and a hospitality professional because of these sessions. These are mothers whose expertise can be shared to other mothers so we can learn from each other. Most of them are stay-at-home mothers who lament about spending most of their time at home. Most of them only learned recently that the Cebu City Public Library actually has a space filled with books dedicated for children.
While we love our children and we absolutely will give our life to them, they can also be too much to handle. It is healthy to take a breather once in a while and be with adults.
In the absence of more decent parks and green spaces that mothers like me can take our children to, the city library’s children’s corner is the closest oasis we can get away from the monotony of home and the concrete jungle that is Cebu’s malls.
In a quick brainstorming session last May 17, we agreed on a monthly meeting where one mother can share her knowledge and skills on applying first aid, managing tantrums and even making DIY toys.
We are now looking forward to form a loose community of mothers in Cebu who will meet and gather once a month for these learning and sharing sessions.
If you are interested to join us, feel free to drop yours truly a message.
On a wider scale, the library has a yearlong initiative called “Basa Kabataan,” which is the umbrella program for all literacy projects organized and implemented by the Friends of the Cebu City Public Library.
On Wednesdays and Sundays, library staff wearing yellow aprons are on standby to read stories to children. The Basadours will have the culmination activity of the Summer Saturday Storytime today. Joining the group in another interactive storytelling session and colorful arts activity are children and parents from Barangay Calawisan in Lapu-Lapu City. Special thanks to Cindy Ramoneda and the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson Kian Amoin for gathering the children and parents and bringing them to the library.
I am running the last Toddler Storytime for this month on Thursday (May 31). If there is anyone who is interested to join for stories, dances and songs, then feel free to see me at the Children’s Corner.
Ask your friendly library staff where the Children’s Corner is once you enter the main door.