Christmas 2008

Christmas is in the air. So many gifts have already been wrapped. Children flocked the streets at night to hop from one house to another singing Christmas carols and all. People all over the world are so busy planning and hosting Christmas party in school, office and at home. But what really is the essence of Christmas in the year 2008? We hear so many news of Global Crisis and all. But as a parent, how do you make your child feel and realize the essence of Christmas?
As a parent, it is so important to teach our children the value of giving and not just merely receiving. It is also important to stress on our children that they should not look into the price of the gifts that they are receiving. It is the thought that really counts. I know the sentiments of many children that It is so fun to open up presents. It is now the duty of parents to point out that gift-giving is just a representation of what our Lord Jesus Christ did to us, mankind. He gave his only life to redeem us from our sins. In effect, people now give gifts, something that is of great value to people that matter and mean to them. Let us not put commercialism too much in the season of Christmas. It is enough that we teach our children the simple notion that they ought to be good all year round because Santa Claus is looking at them. Shallow notion but when I was a young girl, that was so effective. Luckily, I get what I really wished for. As a mother, I want my children to believe in that simple belief while they were young. Anyway, they will eventually learn the truth when they grow up. I just hope that they would not hate me for making them believe in Santa stuff. It's fun afterall to believe in make believe!

The Four Parenting Styles

I wish to share with you an article written by Hanif Khaki about four different parenting styles. This was tackled by Chet in an article which she wrote. I found it so nice to start my blog with. I hope that parents like me would be able to ponder on what parenting style are they using at home. Is the style effective or is there a need to put that style in the garbage bin? The following article offers some insight to those involved in the wonderful world known as Parenting. There are just as many parenting styles as there are a number of parents. Experts believe the parenting styles fall into 4 different and identifiable styles: authoritarian, indulgent, authoritative, and uninvolved. Let's examine this more closely. The first parenting style is that of the authoritarian parent. These parents are like army commanders. They prefer to issue commands and orders to their children and fully expect their children to carry out their orders without questioning them. Authoritarians do not welcome nor appreciate any feedback from their children. They live by set and defined rules in a structured environment.. These children as we now know, are generally considered to have an unhappy nature about them. Boys generally exhibit hostile behaviour when dealing with frustration, whereas girls tend to give up easily when faced with difficult situations. Both the boys and girls however, tend to perform better in school due to their disciplined upbringing. The second parenting style is the indulgent parent. These parents are generally lenient. They allow a variety of behaviours by their children that some would describe as immature. Essentially, they let the children look after themselves and avoid confronting them at all costs. Indulgent parents may also be described as non-directive or democratic. Non-directive parents are known to parent by default, that is, by taking virtually no action in parenting of their children. Democratic parents, though lenient, are more aware and show a committment to engage with their children. The third parenting style is that of the authoritative parent. These parents are both demanding and responsive at the same time. Authoritative parents while expecting their their children to behave in a certain manner, don't impose their authority and welcome a certain amount of questioning. They demonstrate a combination of assertiveness coupled with the ability to respond to their children's feedback. These children appear to be more lively and have a happier disposition about them. Their self-confidence is more developed they seem to be more sure of their abilities. These children also show better emotional control and are more adept in their social skills. Gender stereotypes are also less of an issue with authoritative parents, as they tend to be more open minded in their outlook towards their children's behaviour, i.e. boys playing with dolls and girls playing with tools. Lastly, we look at the parenting style known as "uninvolved parenting". As the name suggests, these parents are simply uninvolved. They are neither demanding nor responsive of their children and they are not interested in any feedback from them. These parents are the most likely to be irresponsible and more often neglect their children. By this simple article, I hope that I was able to make you fellow parents think If the parenting technique that you are presently applying is worth continuing. Bear in your minds that our own children are the one getting results from our parenting style. We are all after one great goal...a good and happy family!

December, the best time of the year

Christmas is just around the corner. Everybody is busy partying and exchanging gifts. A lot of people are contemplating on whether or not they would befriend their enemies or not. Christmas is indeed the best time of the year especially here in the Philippines. Our country is noted for the long celebration of Christmas. The moment the calendar reaches the --ber months, (September, October, November and December,) Filipinos make a Christmas countdown. But what is the real essence of Christmas for a typical Filipino? Many instantly think of what gifts to give and to receive during the season of advent. This is so sad. A lot have forgotten that the real celebrator of the season is Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer. Why don't we all offer a little sacrifice during the season? Anyway, Jesus Christ is the real essence and symbol of Christmas.