Written December 4, 2012
Parenting--such a short word to describe multiple functions that go with it.
So what do we really know about Parenting? When my wife and I started to have kids, we hardly know what to do. The sequential aspect of taking care of children is not really a walk in the park. It takes a lot of dedication, love, and commitment.
We started with Angela, and a year after came Andre. There were lots of challenges as Andre was diagnosed with mild autism. I was also starting my career then as Junior Executive, I was so busy with work and how to climb the corporate ladder in order to have a more stable status and position. My wife, Pinky, is also adjusting as full-time mom. Those first two years were indeed the toughest.
As the kids continue to grow, Pinky and I also grew with them. They made us more responsible and mature. Our priorities were set differently.
We started to find more time to be with each other. Go out and call those moments "FAMILY DAYS". Slowly, Pinky and I had an invisible division of tasks. I work on the finances, balance time and schedules for work, vacation, and education of the kids, ensure all utilities, basic needs, and leisure are all accounted and planned for. Pinky, on the other hand, ensures the well-being of the family, she takes care of the kids, she guides Angela and Andre on their studies, she also manages the house - making sure that stocks are always available, she packs and unpack all our things when going on a trip or vacation. For more than six years now these are the things we continue to do. We simply live each day at a time.
I am not certain if we are to be considered as "modern parents" but I believe that in a short period of time we have managed our tasks well. We innovated the way we do things. A particular example is how we prepare Angela for exams. We believe in reward system and we have an unorthodox way of driving Angela to succeed rather than to fail. Before exams, Pinky reviews Angela (This is the serious phase), then after this, we let her relax, we either go to malls, or simply take her out for a day trip, have ice cream or play in the park or a play place (This is the relaxed phase), this is also when we talk and connect to to our daughter, we tell her things that would enliven her spirit, we let her imagine rewards for good grades, we also tell her that we simply love her whatever results she may give us. For us, this has been an effective driver for Angela, we do not imply pressure directly, instead we provide her options, options that imaginatively will lead her to choose to do the best she can in her craft.
Supporting the kids in their choice of extra-curricular activities is also one big part of our parenting experience. We enrolled Angela in ballet class since she loves dancing. We buy educational toys for Andre and supply him with special food to keep his focus in-tact. We also go out and let Andre engage in physical activities such as running and playing with other kids.
The year is about to end once more, I am glad that I was able to provide the family with all the necessities in life. I am thankful to the Lord that beyond the basics we are still able to go on vacations, dine wherever we want, afford good clothes, have family days. I thank the Lord for making it possible to bring my wife and kids simple "pasalubongs" everyday. I thank the Lord for good health and a happy life with my Family. Most importantly, I thank the Lord for allowing me and Pinky to be parents to our two loving kids--Angela and Andre.
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