Parenting

I don’t do it for recognition.

I don’t do it for awards.

I don’t do it for approvals.

I don’t do it for a statue after I die.

I do it because that is the RIGHT thing to do – things that my unpretentious self wants to do. [Read more…]

In the past two weeks or so, there’s a reshuffle of swimming classes.

J and K used to be in the same group. But not anymore.

K has a new instructor and new students.

J has a temporary instructor and also new swimmates.

Both of them had a jolt from their usual happy-go-lucky style of training.

This is especially true for J. J’s temp instructor is strict and is a no-nonsense teacher – who is very different from J’s last instructor – who is more laid back.

Hence, what J had to do is more challenging and sometimes she has to deal with some styles that she has never done before. [Read more…]

A parent told his party-going child, “Have fun at the party.”

The father continued, “But remember to behave yourself.”

The child was confused, “How am I going to have fun if I behave myself?”

The child got a point. The parent was speechless… [Read more…]

Though many young people and children form part of the Gen HD, some “old” folks are part of it as well.

It’s not easy to go unnoticed when you go about doing your business but to notice this new breed of people.

They form this new generation called Generation Heads-Down or Gen HD in short.

As the name suggests, you won’t see their faces as they tend to look down busy fidgeting their gadget trying to keep themselves and friends posted on the latest happenings in their lives.

Most of them doing this heads down when they are in a restaurant or in a waiting room or at a bus stop. But they are some who have mastered the zen-like skill of swiping the gadget and walking at the same time.

And this includes many young children too.

Too bad for J and K, they are not allowed to join the Gen HD. Because they have an outdated dad. [Read more…]

I am second to none.

I am the strictest father in the world.

For that, I am bestowed a “Mr. No” award by one of the world’s most trustworthy NGOs: my daughter.

J has the impression that I will say “No” to any request she makes.

I don’t know how I put that idea in her mind. Maybe it’s how I brought her up and taught her how to turn down any seduction from the commercial world. [Read more…]