Raising Children–A Parenting and Schooling Partnership
Posted on July 20, 2007
Filed Under Faith and Spirituality, Parenting and Family, School, ACET, UPCAT, etc | Viewed 1228 times
A Spiritual Retreat
Today, son Vince, who is in his senior high school year at the Ateneo, will go for a Retreat. It is a 3-day/2-night “Annual Senior’s Retreat” by the school’s Campus Ministry. It will be held outside campus, at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches. The Retreat is one of the most important activities of Ateneo’s formative program. Through an experience of silence, reflection and prayer, Ateneo hopes that the students develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, and be His discipline in becoming a “man for others”.
Vince may not experience the element of suspense that most of his classmates will, because he already knows what would happen on closing day—family, friends and teachers would be there in the Novitiate to join them in the Mass, and welcome them through a small party. His 2 elder brothers, who graduated from Ateneo high school, had their senior’s retreat before, and we have always been there, 100% in attendance during the program. Yes, Vince knows what will happen on closing day, but only that. The Retreat may be a short respite from the senior year students’ hectic activities, but it is a moving spiritual experience.
The organizers have secretly requested parents and friends to write palancas for the students (may be even sent online, considering that most parents are busy to deliver the palancas to school). Again, it is no longer a surprise for Vince. He is has been tasked to help in receiving the palancas. He in fact has brewed up a surprise for his classmates. On his own for the past 2 weeks, he had been decorating 41 boxes, which he said would hold the palancas for each of his classmates and class moderator. How sweet of him, I felt to take time out doing this on his own initiative. He has many other additioal responsibilities in school, he being a student leader.
A Parenting and Schooling Partnership
My husband and I have been very happy with the way our children have shaped up (for J Angelo 27 and Monica 23 who are now young adults), and are shaping up (for the remaining 5, BA 19, Vince 17, Angela 16, Pauline 14 and Alan Jr 11, who are still in their formative years). We credit part of this in the way the school has been taking part, not only in their education, but most importantly, in their formation.
The children, as students, spend most part of their waking hours in school, leaving very few hours to be with friends and family. Most often than not, a large part of the remaining hours—the parents spend at work. Lucky are those children, and there are not really many, who have at least one parent staying in the home to tend to their needs full time. What about, I tend to ask, the children who have one or both parents working abroad. Really, the school has a major role in the formation of our children—so, we have to choose well.
Next month and in September, Vince will be taking his college entrance exams at the Ateneo (his schools of choice), and UP (though hesitantly at this stage). Same as with his two elder brothers, he will be facing a dilemma—he will have to decide which school to choose for his college year. Again, same as with his brothers (who incidentally chose UP for their college, J Angelo—hands down, UP was his choice, while BA had to grapple up to the last minute), we will guide him, but let him find his way and make the final decision. Incidentally, during the 3rd and final years in high school, the Ateneo conduct comprehensive programs, including conselling, that would help student in choosing a college course.
All my husband and I can do is give him support—moral support, logistics support, additional financial support, domestic support, driving duties, etc. I even volunteered to be a class parent officer. YES, you are reading right—I volunteered, to the surprise of other parents). My time and attention, I am now able to give—more than 10-fold, compared to the time when I was working full time, sometimes away from home living in hotels and airports 1/3 of the time. Still, I feel it is not enough, because my attention is divided among the 6 of them who are in full time school and my home-based work. But I am trying my best, and I feel I am coping beautifully—thanks to early retirement.
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yes, i think schools are the most influential environment for kids, after the family of course. sometimes, we could even identify ourselves from which school we came from.. like, until now, i’m still a certified mapuan sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.. so, yes, we really have to choose well. good luck!
SexyMom: true, true, schools are a big influencing factor in the growth of our children.
dito naman, sexymom…...they will not say or see from what school natapos ang bata….kung hindi the grades nila…......
kasi every Universities here, have their own field-specialties?
kasi dito, tuition fees are free, magastos rin kasi tuition lang ang free…
pareho ang treatment ng bata, kahit ano or sino sila….the most Important is how Intelligent
he-she is…..Utak lang ang panglaban dito…..
everybody can go to colleges and Universities, basta….Utak or Intelligent ang bata::::
what I like here, is parang gi-screening na ang bata, after grade 4….kung saan sila pumasok or what field bagay nila…..
everybody can go to Universities, even though the parents are not rich…....basta, .Utak and industrious lang ang bata…..
That´s what i like here….......then, looking for a job?
“Not who you are but what you are, so quality and quantity ang needs….... Intelligent at abilities ng bata, lang…...
thanks,
SexyMom: Thanks Vicki for giving us a glimpse of the school system in Germany. With this, I guess parents continue to be the strongest influencing factor in the development of their children. If only the Filipinos are accorded the same benefits—free schooling!
Congratulations on your son’s retreat! The last time I attended a retreat, college student palang ako.
Malaki talaga ang nagagawa natin mga parents in shaping ang bringing up our children.
Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches… The village where that novitiate is located is also where I live… Nice place to have a retreat.
SexyMom: My son’s retreat was a very important milestone in his life. Thanks to the Jesuit care. And gosh! it was our fourth time to go there (it is also the retreat house where our daughters go to), but we still got lost! my fault—i forgot the map.
I remember writing palancas for my cousins when they were still in high school at the Ateneo. Tapos there’s Days With the Lord pa. They got me once to do Girl Talk back in college.
SexyMom, I admire you’re perseverance in finding ways to make your children’s lives meaningful. Hopefully, my quest to enrich my own children’s lives may be equally worthwhile.
Thank you for being a role model to mothers like me
SexyMom: That is why, we always make it a point to write good palancas. Even though Vince knew about the palancas already, he was surprised—all the time, he thought i didn’t have one for him, but i secretly included mine in his other classmates’ palancas—he was one of those who took care of collecting the palancas.
good luck to you, too, when your kids are grown enough for these spiritual activities.
You’re really doing great as a Mom…congratulations!
SexyMom: thanks, Amy.
Schools are very influential for kids; in my opinion. I feel that children tend to pick up most of the things that they have learned in school and after all they are quick learners. So it’s important for the teachers to set good examples for them.
SexyMom: actually—true!
you know here in germany, they only have half day school kasi they insist that the time with the family is also important—and i agree, we should choose the the school well. congratulations for having chosen well!
SexyMom: which is actually true. children must spend as much time with family.
I agree that school is very important part of children’s life. They’re there most of the day, and therefore, whatever influences they it’s going to affect them.
I found out that just because a school is private and religious does not mean I get happy children. I have to move my kids from one school to another much suited to their talents and they’re much happier now.
SexyMom: I’m glad you found a school that suits your kids’ talents.
Your children are lucky that their parents molded them into the person they are now. And yes, school helps a lot, tita. Good thing you enrolled them in good schools.
And retreat? Kami nung HS we went to Tagaytay for 3 days din. And it renewed my spirit talaga afterwards. Saka the palanca letters… nakakatuwa. Brought back a lot of good memories.
Anyway, happy weekend po sa buong family!
SexyMom: Thanks, Sasha. yes, retreats refreshen our spirits.
Good Luck sa anak mo.
ang retreat ko noong high school ay isa sa mga treasures na hangga ngayon ay part pa ng buhay ko. That treasure is in the form of a letter from my parents that up to now, i am still keeping in my wallet.
I have no idea how the retreat is being conducted nowadays but during my time, the last day is the best because you receive the gifts from your family and of course the best ever-written letter from your mom and dad.
SexyMom: you still keep your letter in your wallet? i am touched, myepinOy. i don’t have any—my parents were not that showy during my time.
My last retreat was in high school. I’m a graduate of a Catholic school and I would like my future children to study in it as well. Schools are very important and the students that goes in it are influential to the kids.
SexyMom: come to think of it, my last retreat was perhaps in high school, but i do not remember having received any palanca.
you are lucky, indeed, that your kids all turn out well not only because of the way you brought them up but also because of the way the school has influenced them.
SexyMom: that is why i am always thankful, Belle.
That’s nice. I bet Vince would benefit a lot from the retreat. It is one way for the young to experience a deeper relationship with God, and give them a broader perspective about their future.
SexyMom: It did, carey, will share about it later.
you really are lucky, mommy dine, to have such fine children. i am sure vince will be an even better person after the retreat.
I have fond memories of my HS retreat. It was also in Tagaytay. I remember writing palancas and receiving them from family and friends. It’s cool that you can now send them online. Times are changing.
Good luck to Vince and hope he can find the perfect course for him.
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