Birthdays in the eyes of a child should be happy. That's why we always greet "happy birthday". The concept of happiness for a child is something enjoyable with full of fun, laughter and surprises just like a party. A birthday party doesn't only make the child truly happy but it will also give him a certain feeling of importance.
A person's birthday is worth celebrating because it is another milestone in his life. Having an added year in your lifespan is a blessing from God. Celebration is our way of thanksgiving that the person has surpassed another year and that we are thankful for his existence in this world.
Celebrating a child's birthday doesn't need much extravagance. A family can celebrate a birthday party by simple dinner or with a simple preparation of snacks plus candies and few balloons. I remember celebrating my son's birthday when they were still little boys with a simple party in our house. Preparing spaghetti, sandwiches and ice cream is enough plus few candies as giveaways. A simple cake with birthday candles and few pieces of balloon will complete the scenario. But now that they're grown-ups, they never ask for parties. Only birthday gift is what they are expecting from me.
As we grow up, our concept of celebrating birthdays will differ. Others will start to dislike party celebration, instead they prefer other means of commemorating their birthdays like going out with friends, watching movies, go travel, have picnic and other enjoyable get-together.
When I was young, I never asked birthday party from my parents because I knew it will be an additional expense for their budget. We're all 8 siblings in the family and if my parents will give us all a birthday party, it is like having a monthly party celebration in our house. But even without a party, I knew my parents give importance to my birth date. A simple greeting, a hug, a kiss and a mass offer are enough for me to know that I am important in their life.
It was only when I turned 18 that my mother insisted to give me a birthday party celebration. According to mom, 18th birthday marks the stage of welcoming me to the world of womanhood. It comes only once in my life so I must have a special memory for it. Unfortunately, a strong typhoon is bound to hit our place on my birthday but in spite of the heavy rain and strong winds, my 18th birthday celebration still pushed through with only candles as our lights and sound of wind as our music. It may not be a joyous party but the fact that my close friends came and my whole family supported me all the way, it is like as if I received millions of diamonds as birthday present. I was so overwhelmed not of the love and support coming from my family and friends. And it truly left me an unforgettable memory in my life
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Is it better for children to be raised by stay-at-home parents?
Each person passes through the stages of life. Infancy and childhood stages are the life stages that require full guidance from parents. It is mainly because they still don't have steady state of mind and lack capacity to decide on their own due to lack of experience.
As a child grows, he is being influenced not only of the people he frequently deals with but also of his environment. Whatever he sees or hear can be fully absorbed by his young mind. It is better therefore that parents or even only one of the parents particularly the mother to fully monitor the everyday activities of her child. For a child who was raised by stay-at-home parents are more guided and less chances to do wrong. Advantages of having stay-at-home parents in the eyes of a child are as follows:
1. On cases of problems, children can easily ask help from parents as well as parents can easily determine if their children are faced with troubles. The earlier a problem is determined, the earlier it will be solved thereby minimize child stress. With parents always around you, children will never feel being left out or taken for granted.
2. Proper nutrition will be well maintained and the risk of illness will be minimized. Parents know what is best for their kids and only offers the best healthy foods ever. First signs of illnesses or sickness can be monitored and immediate remedy can be applied.
3. A child is well secured if parents are always besides them. The danger of accidents can be minimized. I remember the time when my sons were barely two to three years old. Due to my busy work, I can't fully take care of my children and it is my greatest regrets because they are always being hospitalized not only due to sickness but also due to accidents. Although I have hired a baby sitter to look after them, there is still no better thing as being taken care by your own mother. Baby sitter sometimes lack concern and patience to fully understand what the child needs. Unlike a mother who is willing to sacrifice all for the love and concern for her children.
4. Learning is much easier for children being guided by parents. Aside from patience and understanding that parents can give, a child will be motivated more if he feels the love and support of his parents. Simple appreciation from parents means a lot to a child.
5. Parents who fully guided their children until they grow up usually received much respect and love from their children. It is just like the golden rule, that what you did to your children will also be done to you when you grow old. If you showed one hundred percent love and care to your children while they are young, for sure, you will also receive same love and respect from them when you grow old.
As a child grows, he is being influenced not only of the people he frequently deals with but also of his environment. Whatever he sees or hear can be fully absorbed by his young mind. It is better therefore that parents or even only one of the parents particularly the mother to fully monitor the everyday activities of her child. For a child who was raised by stay-at-home parents are more guided and less chances to do wrong. Advantages of having stay-at-home parents in the eyes of a child are as follows:
1. On cases of problems, children can easily ask help from parents as well as parents can easily determine if their children are faced with troubles. The earlier a problem is determined, the earlier it will be solved thereby minimize child stress. With parents always around you, children will never feel being left out or taken for granted.
2. Proper nutrition will be well maintained and the risk of illness will be minimized. Parents know what is best for their kids and only offers the best healthy foods ever. First signs of illnesses or sickness can be monitored and immediate remedy can be applied.
3. A child is well secured if parents are always besides them. The danger of accidents can be minimized. I remember the time when my sons were barely two to three years old. Due to my busy work, I can't fully take care of my children and it is my greatest regrets because they are always being hospitalized not only due to sickness but also due to accidents. Although I have hired a baby sitter to look after them, there is still no better thing as being taken care by your own mother. Baby sitter sometimes lack concern and patience to fully understand what the child needs. Unlike a mother who is willing to sacrifice all for the love and concern for her children.
4. Learning is much easier for children being guided by parents. Aside from patience and understanding that parents can give, a child will be motivated more if he feels the love and support of his parents. Simple appreciation from parents means a lot to a child.
5. Parents who fully guided their children until they grow up usually received much respect and love from their children. It is just like the golden rule, that what you did to your children will also be done to you when you grow old. If you showed one hundred percent love and care to your children while they are young, for sure, you will also receive same love and respect from them when you grow old.
How sibling rivalry affects family relationships?
Sibling rivalry is one crucial thing that should be given immediate attention by parents. Even if we come from same father and mother, each person is still born unique in many ways. Genes that is contained in our body surely comes from our biological parents but it is not an assurance that all siblings within the family will have similar behavior and characteristics.
Rivalry between siblings can be caused by different factors such as differences in physical appearance, style, talents, individual capacity and many more. But the most root of sibling rivalry starts from uneven parent's attention or the so-called "favoritism" within the family. Parents are directly liable for the occurrence of sibling rivalry within their children. And it is also parents who can eliminate such crucial problem because if this rivalry between siblings can't be controlled, there is a big possibility that it will affect family relationships.
I came from a family of eight siblings. Normally, since we are eight, my mother can't attend to all our needs simultaneously. Mostly, younger ones were given much priority and unnoticeably cause jealousy among us children. When I was still young, I truly can't fully understand why my mom needs to be over protective of my youngest sister. It came to the point I started be jealous of the special attention given to her by my mom. It made me don't want to let her play with my toys. I became selfish and rebellious because I want my mom to treat us fairly. It is only now that I grew up and began to realize that there's nothing to be jealous about. We don't need to compete each other just to get my mom's attention because she loves us both.
Although I overcome that so-called sibling rivalry, it still resulted to the fact that I am closer to my dad than my mom and that I am more at ease with my brothers than with my younger sister.
But not all people can fully overcome such sibling rivalry. Others can bring this until they grew up just like what happened to my eldest sister. We never had any idea that she is suffering from sibling rivalry syndrome. She never stop from studying which we thought at first is a good thing for her personal development. We never knew that she has other purpose. But it is only when my dad is gone that she started acting differently towards us. She hated the idea that we are more successful in career than she does. She started blaming our mom for having favoritism. It even came to the point that we can no longer control the conflict that resulted to break-off of her family relation to us.
Sibling rivalry is a common scenario to a family particularly big one. Cain and Abel from the Bible started it and gave them a tragic end. If this is not remedied, it can create harmful impact thereby can minimize closeness between siblings, can create unhealthy competition, can cause a serious fight and ill-feelings, and can be passed on negatively to the next generation.
Rivalry between siblings can be caused by different factors such as differences in physical appearance, style, talents, individual capacity and many more. But the most root of sibling rivalry starts from uneven parent's attention or the so-called "favoritism" within the family. Parents are directly liable for the occurrence of sibling rivalry within their children. And it is also parents who can eliminate such crucial problem because if this rivalry between siblings can't be controlled, there is a big possibility that it will affect family relationships.
I came from a family of eight siblings. Normally, since we are eight, my mother can't attend to all our needs simultaneously. Mostly, younger ones were given much priority and unnoticeably cause jealousy among us children. When I was still young, I truly can't fully understand why my mom needs to be over protective of my youngest sister. It came to the point I started be jealous of the special attention given to her by my mom. It made me don't want to let her play with my toys. I became selfish and rebellious because I want my mom to treat us fairly. It is only now that I grew up and began to realize that there's nothing to be jealous about. We don't need to compete each other just to get my mom's attention because she loves us both.
Although I overcome that so-called sibling rivalry, it still resulted to the fact that I am closer to my dad than my mom and that I am more at ease with my brothers than with my younger sister.
But not all people can fully overcome such sibling rivalry. Others can bring this until they grew up just like what happened to my eldest sister. We never had any idea that she is suffering from sibling rivalry syndrome. She never stop from studying which we thought at first is a good thing for her personal development. We never knew that she has other purpose. But it is only when my dad is gone that she started acting differently towards us. She hated the idea that we are more successful in career than she does. She started blaming our mom for having favoritism. It even came to the point that we can no longer control the conflict that resulted to break-off of her family relation to us.
Sibling rivalry is a common scenario to a family particularly big one. Cain and Abel from the Bible started it and gave them a tragic end. If this is not remedied, it can create harmful impact thereby can minimize closeness between siblings, can create unhealthy competition, can cause a serious fight and ill-feelings, and can be passed on negatively to the next generation.
Travel safety tips for families
It is such a wonderful feeling to travel with the whole family. And in order to make it a real pleasurable trip, here are some travel safety tips to remember:
First, make a headcount on family members to assure that nobody is left behind. I remember the movie, "Home Alone", when one member of the family was left behind. Instead of having a pleasure trip for the family, it became a worry-stressful trip for all…READ MORE AT http://www.helium.com/items/1212568
First, make a headcount on family members to assure that nobody is left behind. I remember the movie, "Home Alone", when one member of the family was left behind. Instead of having a pleasure trip for the family, it became a worry-stressful trip for all…READ MORE AT http://www.helium.com/items/1212568
What are the best gifts you can bestow on your child?
When I was a child, I always wish for special gifts that come from my parents. The kind of gift that will delight me and I can treasure until I grew up. Mostly, these gifts are material things like dolls, bags, clothes, etc. But now that I am a mother too, I realized that deep within my heart, it is not only the tangible gifts that I am asking from my parents since childhood. It is definitely more than that - something that is intangible but very meaningful to my life. They gave me a future, a preparation to responsibility and unconditional love and support that molded me to what I am right now.
As a mother of two sons, I would like to give the best I could to ensure a better future for my kids. Material things counts but these are only minor as compared to what they really deserved to receive from us. Here are the lists of the best gifts you can bestow on your child:
* THE GIFT OF LOVE, CARE AND UNDERSTANDING.
Children need unconditional love, tender care and sincere understanding from parents. There maybe other people who can show love, care and understanding to them but it is no comparable to what parents can give. For coming from parents is something unlimited, no time boundaries and genuine.
* THE GIFT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY.
It is our basic responsibility as parents to ensure our children's good health and safety. Proper nutrition, safe home and clothing are what they deserved from us.
THE GIFT OF EDUCATION. I remember my dad always told us that the only thing we can inherit from him is our education. Knowledge that cannot be stole by anybody and can be use as a tool in building our future.
* THE GIFT OF VALUES AND SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Teaching your children good Christian values is already a true gift from the heart. It will not only make them good citizens but a person who understands discipline.
* THE GIFT OF QUALITY TIME.
Our children will not be kids forever. They will grow and mature and have their own family too. Each day of their life should be given much value. Being with them all the time will not only increase your family bonding but you can help them build memories.
* THE GIFT OF SUPPORT.
All children deserve sincere support from parents not only financially but morally and spiritually. Advices and being with them always when problems occur is our way of showing them that we are responsible parents.
And most important of all best gifts you can bestow on your child is the GIFT OF LIFE. Just merely giving them the right to be born and live on earth is already a best gift not only from us as parents but above all the best gift we received from God.
As a mother of two sons, I would like to give the best I could to ensure a better future for my kids. Material things counts but these are only minor as compared to what they really deserved to receive from us. Here are the lists of the best gifts you can bestow on your child:
* THE GIFT OF LOVE, CARE AND UNDERSTANDING.
Children need unconditional love, tender care and sincere understanding from parents. There maybe other people who can show love, care and understanding to them but it is no comparable to what parents can give. For coming from parents is something unlimited, no time boundaries and genuine.
* THE GIFT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY.
It is our basic responsibility as parents to ensure our children's good health and safety. Proper nutrition, safe home and clothing are what they deserved from us.
THE GIFT OF EDUCATION. I remember my dad always told us that the only thing we can inherit from him is our education. Knowledge that cannot be stole by anybody and can be use as a tool in building our future.
* THE GIFT OF VALUES AND SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Teaching your children good Christian values is already a true gift from the heart. It will not only make them good citizens but a person who understands discipline.
* THE GIFT OF QUALITY TIME.
Our children will not be kids forever. They will grow and mature and have their own family too. Each day of their life should be given much value. Being with them all the time will not only increase your family bonding but you can help them build memories.
* THE GIFT OF SUPPORT.
All children deserve sincere support from parents not only financially but morally and spiritually. Advices and being with them always when problems occur is our way of showing them that we are responsible parents.
And most important of all best gifts you can bestow on your child is the GIFT OF LIFE. Just merely giving them the right to be born and live on earth is already a best gift not only from us as parents but above all the best gift we received from God.
Choosing a nursing home for aged loved ones
As I was sitting on couch while sipping on my coffee, I started listing criteria needed for a nursing home for my aged mother. It should be something that will deliver total convenience for her and it should also be something with good security measures.
With today's economic situation, almost all members of the clan must work for the benefit of their family. Others even decided to go to other countries to seek greener pastures just like what my brothers and sisters did. And since I am the only one left with my mom, I am now given the task to choose the best nursing home for our aged mom.
I made a browse on all the possible places I knew from the directory of nursing homes. Each one is promising an excellent services and expertise in taking care of elderly. Carers were all professionals and with in-depth experience on aged people. Facilities were technologically built and suited for the needs of elderly and prices are just right and suitable for that matter. But even if I am mentally convince that each one of these nursing homes is best fitted for my aged mom as her second home, there is still something within my heart that doesn't want to agree at the idea. Whew! It is such a tough decision to make!
I tried to relax and stay calm for me to be able to decide. Flashes of years came to my mind as I stared at our family picture during those times when mom is still younger and capable of taking care of me and the whole family. Happiness filled my heart as I started remembering how my mom took good care of all of us. She always makes sure that we are always safe and comfortable. She always assures us that we are well fed and healthy fit. And she always makes us feel that we are well loved by her.
She also taught us how to raise our children, how to protect them and keep them from any harm or illness, and how to show them our unconditional love. She made us a direct replica of her as a good and loving mother. So, in exchange of my mom's gratitude and tender loving care, the nursing home that I must choose should also assure me that mom will be always safe and comfortable. That she must be well fed and healthy fit and most important, she should always felt that she is being truly loved.
Therefore, the best nursing home for my aged mom is our own home! Because mom deserves all the love and care not from other people but by us, her own flesh and blood!
It is just following the golden rule. What she did to us is what we did to our children. And what we will do to her now that she is aged, will also reflect on what our children will do to us when we will grow old.
With today's economic situation, almost all members of the clan must work for the benefit of their family. Others even decided to go to other countries to seek greener pastures just like what my brothers and sisters did. And since I am the only one left with my mom, I am now given the task to choose the best nursing home for our aged mom.
I made a browse on all the possible places I knew from the directory of nursing homes. Each one is promising an excellent services and expertise in taking care of elderly. Carers were all professionals and with in-depth experience on aged people. Facilities were technologically built and suited for the needs of elderly and prices are just right and suitable for that matter. But even if I am mentally convince that each one of these nursing homes is best fitted for my aged mom as her second home, there is still something within my heart that doesn't want to agree at the idea. Whew! It is such a tough decision to make!
I tried to relax and stay calm for me to be able to decide. Flashes of years came to my mind as I stared at our family picture during those times when mom is still younger and capable of taking care of me and the whole family. Happiness filled my heart as I started remembering how my mom took good care of all of us. She always makes sure that we are always safe and comfortable. She always assures us that we are well fed and healthy fit. And she always makes us feel that we are well loved by her.
She also taught us how to raise our children, how to protect them and keep them from any harm or illness, and how to show them our unconditional love. She made us a direct replica of her as a good and loving mother. So, in exchange of my mom's gratitude and tender loving care, the nursing home that I must choose should also assure me that mom will be always safe and comfortable. That she must be well fed and healthy fit and most important, she should always felt that she is being truly loved.
Therefore, the best nursing home for my aged mom is our own home! Because mom deserves all the love and care not from other people but by us, her own flesh and blood!
It is just following the golden rule. What she did to us is what we did to our children. And what we will do to her now that she is aged, will also reflect on what our children will do to us when we will grow old.
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