Tips for Adjusting to a New School( my own experience)

J had difficulty accepting his new school last year. But it was just for a couple of months, here are my tips:

Accompany your kid

Even if it is just a walking distance or your kid has a school bus, try sometimes to accompany your kid coz it will increase the eagerness to go to school. As a Dad, that's also a time to ask J about his assignment (coz B checked it already) or if he has some difficulty or problem. In just a matter of 5 minutes, that could relax J and smile a little while dropping him at the school.

Let him enjoy his new friend

Do not be afraid if your kid asks your permission if he can have a little time with his new friend. Trying to be over protective and thinking negatively will only make the situation of your kid bad. Do not forget to set some limitation like how long he has to stay with his new friends. One way of boosting your son's confidence is allowing him to attend a party. J has difficulty learning the german correctly coz he was from a bilingual school, one of the idea that I suggested was 'be with the best and ask help(assignment) if he needs'.

Do not set rules for high grades

Parents always dream of having genious kids, we also, but do not say something like 'If you can not have 90 % above or 1.0 then you will get a serious punishment'. As a Dad, I said it before and had only negative result. Avoid it and do not give so much burden to your kids. Just make it clear that if he has low grades, it might be difficult for him to be qualified in a certain university in case he plans to have a higher degree.

Lastly, do not forget to ask the new teacher of your kid if there are any problem, as early as possible and correct it as soon as you have encounter some.

We as parents should be there to guide and correct our kids. There is a saying 'the best teacher is always the parents'!

Addicted to beer?

How come it is Dad's or even male adult's habit to drink a bottle of beer while eating specially during dinner and sometimes while watching TV? I just found out that a bottle of beer has 145 calories, therefore drinking a bottle in a week could give you 1,015 calories. How about in a year then?

Do not ask me why you can not get rid of your fat belly!

Crazy questions while driving!!!

How come my kids are asking too much while I am driving?

Scene 1

J : Mom what is your real name and family name?
My wife : My God J, you are already 11 years old and you do not know my real name! And you are even asking my family name! What do you think is my family name?
J : What is your family name?(pang asar?!)
Me : Mababangga ako sa mga tanung mo J! (We'll get into an accident with your questions J!)

Scene 2

J : We are learning now some hero of Austria. Mom who is Jose Rizal? (di ba hero sya sa Pinas) *he is a hero from Philippines right?*
My wife : He is our national hero.
J : Eh how come he is a national hero?
My wife : Coz he did something great for our country.
J : Does he have a wife and children?
My wife : I am not sure but he had a girlfriend and her name is 'Josephine'.
J : Dad any hero that you know?
Me : I have a headache now J, baka mabangga tayo!

Scene 3

J : Dad you have a new CD.
Me : Yap (while inserting it).
J : Did you buy it?
Me : Nope, Tito Ato gave it to me(christian songs)
J : Why is he giving you a CD?
Me : Coz he likes to.
J : You did not pay something.
Me : Nope
J : (while attempting to ask something, maybe thinking)
Me : Pray na! Pray na! (pray first before driving)

If ....

1. You have skin fungal infections then Ringworm Bush is a good herbal medicine for it. If your kid has a ringworm, that can be used as a treatment also.

2. You have a high sugar (diabetec) then cook some Bitter Melon as a replacement to your insulin treatment.

3. You have cholesterol problem then Garlic is the best solution to your problem.

4. Your kid has tooth decay or gum infection, then Guava leaves can cure it as a herbal medicine.

5. You feel that the cough or asthma of your kid is getting worse everytime, then try a herbal medicine like 5-leaved chaste tree.

6. You like to relieve the body aches & pain then try the peppermint vine as analgesic which is also a herbal medicine.

7. Your kid has a cold, cough, fever & sore throat then try the Ginger Root as a remedy. It can cure also rheumatism and muscle pain.

8. You have urinary tract infections or bladder infections then try Hibiscus as another medicinal plants to cure it.

9. You like to prevent cancer or tumor then Aloe Vera can be tried. Aloe vera is also anti oxidant whichs prevent oxidation of certain fats and gene cells.

If you have time and enough space in your garden then try to plant some of those and who knows it might help some problem with your kids or all of us who like herbal medicine.

Reasons why kids quarrel!

How come my kids are so loud sometimes or fighting or shouting or worse crying?

Scene 1

M : Kuya J let us go at the basement to play Nintendo. Please.
J : (Busy watching in the living room and pretending not to be interested)
M : Kuya!!(shouting)
J : Ha?!?
M : I said ' let us play nintendo'!
J : You can play alone, right!?
M : I don't like to be alone kuya.
J : I don't like.
M : Kuya!!! (hilahin ba naman ang t-shirt) *pulled his brother's shirt*
J : (Pushed his brother)
M : (Crying)

Scene 2

J : M can you sleep in my room tonight?
M : I slept already last night with you kuya. I like tonight with mom & dad.
J : Please M (takot kasi nanood ng horror) *afraid because he watched a horror film*
M : Smiling (knowing that Kuya J is afraid)
J : Pls M!
M : (just smiling)
J: (Just went away) Pag ikaw rin hmmmmp! (When you ask me a favor, you'll see!)

Scene 3

My wife : Let us eat, M can you do the usual thing that you prepare, like putting the placemat, plates, spoon, fork, glass.
M : Ok
J : (Prepared everything hurriedly and did it just to kulit *tease* Matt)
M : I have to do it Kuya!!! Kuya!!!!
My wife : J! J! (Ikaw ha!)
J : (smiling, pang asar)

Scene 4

M : Mommy where is Kuya?
My wife : Party
M : Without kuya....boring he he he


I just discover it now, teasing is also a way of bonding between J & M.

Is there such a perfect father?

When I see a model in some advertisement, I can't resist to say a comment like, 'what a perfect model, nice teeth, hot face, great body, perfect to be a model'. But nobody knows if that model is really perfect, maybe there are some hidden bad traits or who knows.

But how about being a father, can we be a perfect one or let us stick to the saying 'nobody is perfect' in all aspect of our life. If you are going to try the following tips then maybe:

- Know your kids and believe in them.

Do you have a 'listening kid' or 'not listening'? What is the favorite color of your kid? What do they love most? Are they afraid of something? Where are the weakest or strongest part of their character? How about their friends? Sports? Food? And the worst, maybe you do not know his/her allergy.

It is about knowing our kids well enough and sometimes that involves hard decisions even for a perfect father. We must know our kids to have right decisions even if it will be hard for us. The perfect Dad not only know his kid but he believe in him also. Every kid has a potential and that potential can be developed only when we raise our kids with love. Having a child is not an accident and they are not inconvenience. That is the glory of God's plan, they are meant to be our kids. And they know if you believe or not.

- You know what is needed and not what is deserved

Did you ever hear sometimes that your kid say 'I don't need that Dad' or 'I don't deserve that Dad'. Sounds the same but dads.....many times, they are not. If you are father that always base you decision on what is deserved then it is a pattern if spiteful action and ultimate rejection. On the other hand, deciding what is needed never lets you lose focus on the big picture.

Fatherhood is not simply a task, it involves discernment, knowledge, forgiveness and sacrifice.