Value for Money, Value for Mommy

For a working mom to balance motherhood and work, they say don’t sweat the small stuff. But often, it is one of these little things that spell the difference between success and stress. More so if the health and development of our children is at stake.

Celebrity mom Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo is no stranger to hectic schedules. Being a mother to two kids, five-year-old Jacobo and two-year-old Ayisha, and a wife to Davao del Norte Rep.Anton Lagdameo, an active member of socio-civic organizations, a celebrity columnist for a daily, and currently, one of the cast of the upcoming teleserye, Walang Hanggan, Dawn lives and breathes a busy life. But even so, she knows her priorities and her children come first. During her off days, she spends time with them, taking them to soccer practice or play dates. She also makes sure that she always knows what’s going on at home with regular, up-to-the-minute reports from her house help. As long as it concerns her children, Dawn never scrimps because in the long run, she knows that time spent with them will be worth it.

The same principle applies with shopping for food, milk and other items our kids need - it is good advice not to scrimp. This does not mean, however, that one should buy the most expensive brand in the market. The trick is to research and educate yourself. Know when it is good to cut back and when it isn’t. Sometimes what may seem like a good buy at the start isn’t in the long run or, vice versa. Take, for instance, Jacobo’s milk – Gain School Advance.

“My pedia, who recommended this to me, mentioned the Next Generation Eye-Q system, but I researched on my own before I tried it. I checked on what nutrients are important to a child’s development when they are at Jacobo’s age. Then I compared brands. Gain School Advance may seem a little bit more expensive but it is the most reasonable choice and the one that gives the most value for money. Other brands are cheaper but they do not offer the unique system of nutrients that Gain School Advance has. Kids nowadays, especially at Jacobo’s age when the brain is still developing, need a set of nutrients. Nutrition talaga at this stage is important. Hindi dapat tinitipid. Besides, being a busy mom, I cannot afford to worry over Jacobo and Ayisha’s wellbeing. With Gain School, kumpyansa ako because I have seen the results,” Dawn confides.

Not only is Jacobo an active and intelligent child, he is also healthy, confident, and responsible.  “I am so proud to say that Jacobo is doing well in school. He brings home a happy gram - their version of the star in our time - every week. Last year, he received a certificate for good academic performance. But more than the grades, I am happy that Jacobo takes his studies seriously. When he gets home from school, he knows that he has to do his homework first before he can play. He knows to clean up after he plays. He even knows why he needs to drink milk ‘because it will make my brain stronger.’ Ask him what his job is and he will tell you ‘to study hard, get good grades and be charming.’”

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“When a child is not given the proper nutrition, the brain works slowly and no matter how hard you teach them, they would not understand. No matter how often they go to class, they will not remember the lesson. I worked hard for my money and I want the satisfaction of knowing that I have provided the best for my child especially at this stage when his brain is just developing. I need to give him a good foundation,” tells Dawn.

Dawn admits that price is important but the value that you get because of the quality and safety is far more essential. Jacobo is healthy and smart. He is also a happy and fairly independent child. Dawn does not need to worry about her son all the time because she knows he can take care of himself. He eats right and drinks his milk two to three times a day.

“The fact that Jacobo loves the taste of Gain School Advance is an added bonus. Taking care of Jacobo may be tiring because he is always so active but it is never stressful. Everything is easy. That, for me, is the value for money that moms should look into and not just the price. What you save today may be the money times 10 that you will spend in the future,” she warns.

When buying milk, moms should think ahead - consider the tutorial cost if, God forbid, your child flunks school because he can’t catch up with his lessons. Think about the medical bills you will incur if your child gets sick. Lastly, think about your stress and what these problems can do to your own health. Value for money doesn’t always refer to what you can save now but also what you can save in the future.

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The five things Dawn looks for when buying milk:

1. Provides value for money
“Don’t scrimp on nutrition, especially at the formative stage. This is the time when your child’s brain is rapidly developing and it is important that he gets all the nutrients that he needs. Make sure that the price is reasonable for what it offers. A certain milk brand may be more expensive but if it can provide optimum benefit, what’s a few extra pesos?”

2. Is age-appropriate
“For every stage of a child’s life, he has different needs, and as a parent, it is your responsibility to find out what those are. Find the milk that fills those needs. Ask your pediatrician’s help. He will help you assess what is best for your child.

3. Supports his development
Think ahead when buying milk. Don’t just concentrate on the now. Remember that what you are buying now at your child’s crucial stage of development will be his foundation for the future. Think about it in terms of saving for the future.

4. Tastes great
You can insist on a particular milk brand for your child. But, if your child does not like the taste, you won’t win. You can’t make him drink it.

5. Optimal nutritional content
One, two or three nutrients are not enough. You need several, a set of nutrients that will interact with each other, helping your child’s brain to develop. Research on the Eye-Q Nutrition System of Abbott as well as the nutrients: Choline, DHA, Taurine, Iron, Folic Acid, omega 6, omega 3, zinc, nucleotides, selenium, iodine, Inulin, and FOS. Gain School Advance has all these.