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Posted by Mommy Woobie on August 12th, 2008 in Mommy Thoughts, Philippines

I was researching a sponsor’s (Shasta Pools ) promotion when I chanced upon the businesses of my neighbors in the yellow pages. They own mini-resorts, which in our community, simply means more affluent families in the neighborhood renting out their pools and gardens to other families who don’t want to rush to the over crowded beaches to take a dip. They charge per head and the rates are higher for adults than kids in the past. Lately, however, the rates have balanced out because they decided to sell kid friendly supplies inside their mini resorts…. ice cream, kiddie sunscreen and kid’s sunglasses.

In the Philippine suburbs, neighborhood based businesses are not uncommon. Here and there you will see small stores being put up and maintained. Lawns converted into eating places and picnic spots. Those who have pools definitely have the monopoly of neighborhood business, but I can’t imagine the amount of cleaning and maintenance they have to put up with during off season.

Some more enterprising families hold swimming lessons during off season, and these work great. Some even have olympic gold medalists or known swimmers giving a short speech to encourage kids to swim competitively… putting star mom lights in moms’ eyes. Maybe their initiative and willingness to take on such youth friendly endeavors will inspire more moms to do their share of empowering these kids.