Advent as they say is a time to prepare. It is more than the gifts and the festivities.
I was struck and happy when I saw this ad on the local papers: "Go to church on Christmas. Bring back the "masS" in Christmas." I know it shouldn't just be a one day affair and the emphasis is on the "Christ" but in a society where there are more non-believers, and letting them go back to church even for one day, is a start.
I am happy to say that this year, I am having a different kind of preparation for Christmas.
When our parish was assigned to a Filipino Parish Priest, I was happy! Very happy! I looked forward to the changes he will be making in our parish. True enough, the changes he made were patterned to the practices we have back in Manila.
Fast forward, I was elated to see that for the first time, we will be having Novena Dawn Masses or "Simbang Gabi" in our parish during the Advent season. I was happy because it will lessen the homesickness but I was up for the challenge. You see, even in Manila, I am not really a fan of Simbang Gabi, I was trying to complete it so I can have a wish hehehe. I tried in vain to complete the masses, but was not successful. When I was younger I always ended up sleeping during the homily. When I was much older, I ended up sleeping in, and being too lazy to stand up.
Well, this year, I still cannot complete it as I forgot to set the alarm clock on Monday, the first day, totally forgetting about it! But since the second day, I haven't missed one.
On Tuesday morning, on the way to church, I was praying and asking why am I doing this? Was it to prove something, was it for a special concern? I don't know. I was clueless. But that day God spoke through the homily. Fr. Ruben's homily was all about the reasons for attending the novena masses! The mass ended that day with me still asking myself, what is my reason for waking up at 4am, with only 4-5 hours of sleep, just to attend the mass? The homily that day helped me in finding the answers.
The answers came one day at a time. Everyday, the mass was celebrated by different Filipino priests based in Sydney. Each day, different homilies were given. Different insights, different points for reflection. It was a learning experience. You will feel the grace.
It was also another opportunity for me and Alvin to go to Confession after a looooong (years!) time! We had the opportunity last Thursday night and it felt good. For me, it was something that made my preparation complete.
As Fr. Raning said this morning, we were in a spiritual journey. I couldn't agree more. It was the best way to start my day (for a change, it's not FB or Insta) :-)
I am looking forward to the rest of the dawn masses and praying that it will now become a yearly practice in our parish so my kids can also learn one of the Filipino Christmas traditions. I am also looking forward to Lent and see how we are going to have our spiritual journey.
But for the mean time please let me savor the richness of this experience and share with you God's abundant blessings for the season.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and may you put "Christ" back into Christmas :-)
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
What's Your Stand, (on) iPad?
Writers they say are able to write when they are inspired. I found myself inspired not only because I officially started my summer break but also with the responses I got from the blog entry I posted yesterday.
I wanted to ask this question, what is your stand on the kids' use of the iPads (and all gadgets) at home?
I am asking as a parent.
I find myself a bit torn.
As an educator, I was able to attend a lot of seminars and conferences that have dealt with the (over)exposure of kids to technology. I remember attending one back in Manila that even stated that kids younger than 2 years old should not be exposed to TV or it will have an effect on their development, mostly of which are negative. If cannot be avoided, the maximum time allotted for them is max 1 hour per day. I made a mental note on that.
Fast forward, I have two very young kids now and I was not able to practice that "no TV rule until the age of 2" for the simple reason that I have found the TV as my only "help" at home when hubby is at work. In that span of almost six years I came across a LOT of articles and studies that again remind parents about the negative effects of allowing the kids to use technology at such an early age.
There were a LOT of negative effects mentioned in these articles but the one that stood out because I was slowly seeing it with my kids was this: if exposed to these gadgets, the kids will not be able to learn how to delay their gratification.
When not in school or sometimes when he gets home, Kuya asks me this: "What can I do Mum?" I already know where that is headed. Everytime he says "I'm bored" or asks that question he is in a way asking if he can use the iPad. When I tell him that he can't use it, that is when he goes crazy and cranky!
Sam on the other hand has the tendency not to follow us or totally ignore us when she's glued to the iPad or tablet. She gets into trouble with us because of these gadgets!
The said events and the video I saw on FB about how technology has become a part of everything and everyone and everyday living are the BIG movers on why I felt I needed to slowly change things at home especially when it came to the use of technology.
I am actually getting alarmed.
Old school.
Perhaps.
But I was telling Liam, when I was a kid, I didn't have gadgets or game and watch, or the likes. The nothingness allowed me to develop my creativity. I didn't have the newest toys in the market but I became creative and innovative in creating my own toys or to simply enjoy being a kid -- enjoy playing with friends or read books. I think the gadgets are hindering the creativity among my kids. Parang wala na, hihinto na buhay nila kapag walang gadget na hawak.
BUT, their environment and the society has changed already. Their generation is different from my generation. At the back of my mind I am worried that if I limit or hinder their exposure to technology, they might end up na mapagiwanan. Let's face it, with their generation, technology is a way of life. Wala ng hindi ginagamitan ng technology. So me hindering them from using and exploring it might also hinder their chances of making them fully equipped and knowledgeable of what is "needed" for their future.
Hay.
What about you?
What is your stand on this?
I wanted to ask this question, what is your stand on the kids' use of the iPads (and all gadgets) at home?
I am asking as a parent.
I find myself a bit torn.
As an educator, I was able to attend a lot of seminars and conferences that have dealt with the (over)exposure of kids to technology. I remember attending one back in Manila that even stated that kids younger than 2 years old should not be exposed to TV or it will have an effect on their development, mostly of which are negative. If cannot be avoided, the maximum time allotted for them is max 1 hour per day. I made a mental note on that.
Fast forward, I have two very young kids now and I was not able to practice that "no TV rule until the age of 2" for the simple reason that I have found the TV as my only "help" at home when hubby is at work. In that span of almost six years I came across a LOT of articles and studies that again remind parents about the negative effects of allowing the kids to use technology at such an early age.
There were a LOT of negative effects mentioned in these articles but the one that stood out because I was slowly seeing it with my kids was this: if exposed to these gadgets, the kids will not be able to learn how to delay their gratification.
When not in school or sometimes when he gets home, Kuya asks me this: "What can I do Mum?" I already know where that is headed. Everytime he says "I'm bored" or asks that question he is in a way asking if he can use the iPad. When I tell him that he can't use it, that is when he goes crazy and cranky!
Sam on the other hand has the tendency not to follow us or totally ignore us when she's glued to the iPad or tablet. She gets into trouble with us because of these gadgets!
The said events and the video I saw on FB about how technology has become a part of everything and everyone and everyday living are the BIG movers on why I felt I needed to slowly change things at home especially when it came to the use of technology.
I am actually getting alarmed.
Old school.
Perhaps.
But I was telling Liam, when I was a kid, I didn't have gadgets or game and watch, or the likes. The nothingness allowed me to develop my creativity. I didn't have the newest toys in the market but I became creative and innovative in creating my own toys or to simply enjoy being a kid -- enjoy playing with friends or read books. I think the gadgets are hindering the creativity among my kids. Parang wala na, hihinto na buhay nila kapag walang gadget na hawak.
BUT, their environment and the society has changed already. Their generation is different from my generation. At the back of my mind I am worried that if I limit or hinder their exposure to technology, they might end up na mapagiwanan. Let's face it, with their generation, technology is a way of life. Wala ng hindi ginagamitan ng technology. So me hindering them from using and exploring it might also hinder their chances of making them fully equipped and knowledgeable of what is "needed" for their future.
Hay.
What about you?
What is your stand on this?
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
No Gadget Time
Alvin and I had a quarrel early last week which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Through that no-talk situation, the "no-gadget time" was born.
What is no gadget time?
Kuya Liam was the one who thought of that term.
Our no-gadget time usually happens after we finish off cleaning in the kitchen at night. It is the time when everyone in the family will be in the Masters' bedroom -- with no iPads, no mobiles, no TV, no tablets, no toys for the kids as well. We are there with one another enjoying each other's presence! There are no specific or planned activities to be done during that time, everything is spontaneous. We sometimes play tackle (wrestling with the kids) or sometimes play pretend or simply ask one another of how our day went. Simpleng kulitan, kilitian, lambingan, konting pikunan but most of the time we laugh our hearts out.
We then read two story books to the kids. Kuya Liam, Papa and Mama take turns in reading a book to the family. When we're done with it, we conclude our no-gadget time by praying the rosary.
I have seen how the kids have appreciated our efforts to put down our mobile phones or turn off the TV during that period of time. It's actually the same with them. We have been doing it for just a week and yet Alvin and I have seen the effects with our two kids and with ourselves. The kids are happier when they go to sleep and they are happier when they wake up in the morning. It is also much easier now to ask them to limit their use of the gadgets because they have seen me and their Papa do it as well.
Believe me when I say that giving up FB time was hard for me. In the same way that it was hard for Alvin to put down his phone or iPad when he gets home from work. But I think it worked because everyone saw how each one did their share and make this time "sacred time."
The kids do their share by reminding us about it, announcing "It's no-gadget time na!" The kids also call our attention when we try to sneak and take a short peek at our mobile phones! You bet we'll be in trouble with them!
I am hoping that we can sustain this no-gadget time and pray that it will actually create positive effects to our (growing) kids.
I actually wrote this to share it with friends, especially those with growing kids, who might be missing a lot because of the simple fact that we spend more time with our gadgets now than with the people around us, whom we claim, we love.
If you do decide to try it, I guarantee you, you'd be one happier parent! :-)
What is no gadget time?
Kuya Liam was the one who thought of that term.
Our no-gadget time usually happens after we finish off cleaning in the kitchen at night. It is the time when everyone in the family will be in the Masters' bedroom -- with no iPads, no mobiles, no TV, no tablets, no toys for the kids as well. We are there with one another enjoying each other's presence! There are no specific or planned activities to be done during that time, everything is spontaneous. We sometimes play tackle (wrestling with the kids) or sometimes play pretend or simply ask one another of how our day went. Simpleng kulitan, kilitian, lambingan, konting pikunan but most of the time we laugh our hearts out.
We then read two story books to the kids. Kuya Liam, Papa and Mama take turns in reading a book to the family. When we're done with it, we conclude our no-gadget time by praying the rosary.
I have seen how the kids have appreciated our efforts to put down our mobile phones or turn off the TV during that period of time. It's actually the same with them. We have been doing it for just a week and yet Alvin and I have seen the effects with our two kids and with ourselves. The kids are happier when they go to sleep and they are happier when they wake up in the morning. It is also much easier now to ask them to limit their use of the gadgets because they have seen me and their Papa do it as well.
Believe me when I say that giving up FB time was hard for me. In the same way that it was hard for Alvin to put down his phone or iPad when he gets home from work. But I think it worked because everyone saw how each one did their share and make this time "sacred time."
The kids do their share by reminding us about it, announcing "It's no-gadget time na!" The kids also call our attention when we try to sneak and take a short peek at our mobile phones! You bet we'll be in trouble with them!
I am hoping that we can sustain this no-gadget time and pray that it will actually create positive effects to our (growing) kids.
I actually wrote this to share it with friends, especially those with growing kids, who might be missing a lot because of the simple fact that we spend more time with our gadgets now than with the people around us, whom we claim, we love.
If you do decide to try it, I guarantee you, you'd be one happier parent! :-)
Monday, December 2, 2013
Unfair
Last week, my Kuya Liam had their school's Recognition day!
He surprised both me and Papa when the award that he got was the Academic Excellence award! There are only five awardees in each class and only one got that award. He got a certificate and a gold medal for that.
Being new to everything we didn't know what to expect. Yes, we knew he'd be presented an award a simple certificate and that's it. Everything that happened that day was a surprise for all of us.
We were all happy of course!
As a proud parent, I shared a short video and a photo of his medal and certificate on my FB account. Real friends sent their warmest and sincere greetings and we, especially Liam was really happy about it!
I just find it unfair when after saying, "Congratulations, Liam!" may kasunod na, "teacher kasi nanay e!" or "Syempre, teacher nanay!" or"Kina-career kasi ng Mama!"
May iba, hindi na sinasabi pero yun ang iniisip!
Grrrr!
So what if he's a child of a teacher?!
So dapat, lahat ng anak ng teacher sa buong mundo puro honor students na, di ba?!
It just so happens that his mum's work is in the field of education!
I find it unfair for Liam.
He has really worked hard to achieve that.
If you have only seen him give up his "gadget time" or play time, even his afternoon naps so he can finish off a book, do extra activity, or finish his homework. This, in addition to balancing his time and energy as he also has tennis training and swimming!
My son got the award not because I am a teacher, but because he deserved it!
He surprised both me and Papa when the award that he got was the Academic Excellence award! There are only five awardees in each class and only one got that award. He got a certificate and a gold medal for that.
Being new to everything we didn't know what to expect. Yes, we knew he'd be presented an award a simple certificate and that's it. Everything that happened that day was a surprise for all of us.
We were all happy of course!
As a proud parent, I shared a short video and a photo of his medal and certificate on my FB account. Real friends sent their warmest and sincere greetings and we, especially Liam was really happy about it!
I just find it unfair when after saying, "Congratulations, Liam!" may kasunod na, "teacher kasi nanay e!" or "Syempre, teacher nanay!" or"Kina-career kasi ng Mama!"
May iba, hindi na sinasabi pero yun ang iniisip!
Grrrr!
So what if he's a child of a teacher?!
So dapat, lahat ng anak ng teacher sa buong mundo puro honor students na, di ba?!
It just so happens that his mum's work is in the field of education!
I find it unfair for Liam.
He has really worked hard to achieve that.
If you have only seen him give up his "gadget time" or play time, even his afternoon naps so he can finish off a book, do extra activity, or finish his homework. This, in addition to balancing his time and energy as he also has tennis training and swimming!
My son got the award not because I am a teacher, but because he deserved it!
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