Life Is The Best Teacher
Whenever people learn that I am a mom to seven kids , three having special needs I usually get different reactions. Through the years I have grown accustomed and learned to accept the fact that my kids and I will become popular without trying too hard. But no matter how big my family was, one thing that I did not compromise was giving them the right to education. Thus my decision to send them all to public schools which was the best that I could afford.
It was not easy.
We applied for scholarships but with not much luck. So we were left to rely on my income and sidelines as their dad's pay was sporadic for working freelance. Though one daughter lived with my mom in the province it was still hard when two kids were in college. There were days that my college daughters borrowed money from their classmates only to pay them back on my payday. They have witnessed how I worked extra hours even during the holidays so bills can be paid, groceries can be bought and money can be sent to my mom. They had seen how I computed every expense knowing immediately when something was wrong and questioning them if some change had not been returned yet. We all struggled, to the point of walking our way home including my two college girls all the way from Manila to Pasay just to take their exams
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With all these challenges arguments cannot be avoided. Though every kid has the right to education still I believe that life is the best teacher and I encouraged them to learn beyond their classrooms. When the going gets tough I always make them remember how lucky they are. Though my parenting approach was far from perfect I made them understand that the reasons why I am passionate with what I do was simply because of them. Nothing more, nothing less.
This April my eldest daughter finally graduates from college. Though sacrifices will still be made it will not be that hard anymore. We have learned our lessons well and I know that one day I will look back at this life with my head up high knowing what I did was best .
(This entry was written for the smartparenting.com.ph writing contest Moms Know Best sponsored by Wilkins Distilled Water . You can view the winning entries here)
Congrats to your daughter and to you too. I know both you worked hard to put make good in this life. It is not easy as you said. I hope all our kids will learn to give their best because, us parents, always have that in mind for them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Malou ! Our kids are indeed enough inspiration for us to go on and continue believing that we are doing what we feel is best for all of them.
ReplyDeleteAs they say, when the going gets tough, it's the tough people that survive, stronger and wiser. You get to appreciate life more if you strive to achieve something. Iba yung pinaghirapan talaga...mas rewarding. :-) Keep it up. Soon, you will reap the fruits of your labor and it will be a sweet harvest.
ReplyDeleteThanks A for dropping by always. And as what all parents say education and having a good name are just some of the things that we can leave our children behind once we have moved on to the life after.
ReplyDeleteEvery parenting approach is not perfect and people should not judge. our parenting style should always depend on the personalities of our kids and their needs. I think you are doing great :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit Tyna and for such encouraging words.
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