What is your Lenten sacrifice?

The children asked me the other day what sacrifice means. I explained to them that “sacrifice” means doing things beyond your responsibilities without expecting something in return. Ok, this is so Christian Living Education 101 response but then again, isn’t it that sacrifice is all these things and probably more?

I explained to them what Jesus went through, sacrificing His life so that the sinners will be forgiven.

This same question about sacrifice was asked to me years ago, by my eldest daughter. She asked if the things I am doing for the family are sacrifices. I replied something like “no, these are responsibilities as a mother, as a parent”.

So again, I ask, what is/are your Lenten sacrifice(s)?

• No internet for Holy Week?
• No “vain” thoughts, not even to read about the latest in makeup, fashion or reading tazorac reviews?
• No chocolates?
• No Coke (argh!)
• No swiping the card?

These are just a few suggested “sacrifices”.

For me, these do not look like sacrifices, more like living simply. If people lived without some of these before, why can’t you?

I rarely get excited with schools that inspire excellence among its students so it was a surprise that I did when I watched a CNN feature on Hope Christian Schools.

Watch the video here.

I really love their version of Single Ladies renamed as Scholar Ladies (Get An A On It):

“All the scholar ladies (4x). I’ve got gloss on my lips, books on my hip, holding down the HOPE school scene. if you act up, Miss Huff is tough, I care about 2016. I get no detention did I mention, hard work is my intention. ‘Cuz you had your turn now we’re gonna learn what it really feels like with a degree. ‘Cuz if you learned it, you should have got an A on it…”

Please watch the Scholar Ladies video here and be inspired.

Children are different these days in terms of how learning takes place.

Schools with a sit-down-and-listen-to-teacher-and-no-talking is not effective especially with younger children (note: this is exactly the setting in most schools in this country).

Children need to move! They need to interact with one another. Sure, this kind setting may be difficult for the teachers because it may mean more preparation of materials.

If these entail having the students learn more and better, I think all the efforts would be worth the long hours of preparation

The theme for this Saturday is THREE which is easy for me since my husband and I got three children.

I love them dearly and I try my best to be the best mother for them.

For me, parenting is the most demanding yet the most fulfilling “job” in the world.

photohunt

The heat has been unbearable the past few days and all around we hear people complain, “Ang init!”

We try to drink as much water as we can though this can be nauseating at times. We try to have juices and/or juicy fruits too.

At times I give in and have a tall glass of ice-cold soda (rolls eyes).

I know this sugar-laden drinks one of the reasons why I really need to think about trimming down (or perhaps consider looking for the best weight loss pills)

Ironic, one needs to be refreshed because it is hot but the drinks makes one gain weight which should not be since it is summer.

The other day, my youngest daughter asked me what I think is the temperature. My son  said maybe it is about 32 C but when we looked at the digital thermometer it read 34 C. Ugh, so that was why a chocolate bar on  the bed melted even if it was just there for a few minutes.

Today’s temperature will be between 23°C to 35°C

Argh!

I have a teenage daughter. She is not a fashion-conscious teen and is just content with jeans and tees.

Skin care, hair care and health care are her priorities.

She loves to use a particular facial soap and would at times hem and haw if I forget to get her one. She is wiling to try natural skin care like honey or egg whites on her face. If acne vitamins are available I guess we would have to get her some too.

She doesn’t like using varied hair care. She is quite content with one shampoo brand for her occasional dandruff.

With regards to health, she takes ascorbic acid daily, loves to eat oatmeal, fruits, fish and vegetables. She likes having soft-drinks too so we TRY to avoid that. She also takes bee pollen.

I really hope she continues these health-related practices till she is older. I guess it all boils down to what children see in their house that makes them health-conscious.

P.S. I don’t believe that children do not eat vegetables.

I wrote about career options in this post. I remember writing about Sheltered Workshops or Social Enterprise too.

Both are articles pointing to alternative career options.

For someone (that would be me) who has worked with children diagnosed with learning needs, alternative career options is an area where a lot of untapped resources and skills are waiting to be found.

Even if the Filipino culture including parenting, thrives on being dependent with caregivers working and handling the nitty-gritty of childcare, I firmly believe that children should be taught to be able to do things for themselves. This is where the concept of honing skills geared toward independence is shaped.

There is a limit on how much hovering parents can do for their children.

Sure, these children have special needs and they need to be guided accordingly but there are those who can be allowed to “fly and spread their wings”. This is precisely the reason why they have intervention programs: to allow them to be able to develop their potentials.

Regarding alternative career options, I think what some parents feel about this is that they feel “downgraded” when their children do not end up like the professionals that they are.

There are those who scoff at people who have chosen an alternative career rather than the “norm”.

Why push someone with special needs to go to “traditional ” school when he/she can enroll in an online university? I know of someone who successfully completed an online nursing  degree. There are those who go the traditional way, facing all the bumps, humps and hurdles that come with it.

I sometimes ask why do doctor parents want their children to be like them? Can’t the children decide what they like to do and what they like to be when they grow up?

I admit I am guilty of this ‘”alternative career option” idea when I heard myself ask “what? naging photographer siya?” about a child prodigy who was “packaged” with so much potential in a TV ad years ago When I saw the portfolio online, I was taken aback with the creativity in the photos. The giftedness in this person definitely showed.

No job is too big or too small for someone who has dignity in what he/she is doing.