How to be a good parent while away
PARENTING while one is working overseas may be difficult, but is not an impossible task.
UGAT Foundation, an Ateneo de Manila University-based team, held the “Forum of Parenting for OFWs’ on December 6, 2015 at the Philippine Consulate General to share insights about long-distance parenting.
Father Nilo Tanalega, S.J., led the team that went to Hong Kong for the activity.
Irene Padasas, a researcher at the Psychology Department of AdMU, said quality communication is crucial in maintaining a healthy and loving relationship between a child and a parent who is abroad.
“Ang komunikasyon ay mahalagang-mahalaga. Una, ang komunikasyon na iyon kasi doon po nakadepende ang mga bata. Wala po tayong dahilan na hindi tayo makakatawag,” she said.
During the forum, a participant tearfully recalled how her husband was seemingly clueless about taking care of their children and managing the household.
Padasas said Filipinos should learn that parenting is a shared responsibility between the father and the mother and that a father should be able to take care of the children while the mother is working abroad.
In cases that the spouses have separated, it is important that those taking care of the children in the Philippines should also be supportive of the standard of discipline that the parent wants.
“Ang disiplina nanggagaling sa nanay. Minsan ang disiplina ng nanay at iyong naiiwan sa anak ay magkaiba. May conflict doon, mayroon talaga at ang bata malilito siya,” she said.
Importante na ang support system ninyo o ang pinag-iwanan ninyo sa mga anak ninyo ay malinaw kung ano ang disiplina na gusto ninyo,” she added.
Source: http://hongkongnews.com.hk/news/how-to-be-a-good-parent-while-away/