Teach your Children What Holy Week Is.

A Scene from a Senaculo- A dramatization Of Christ's Passion

I was surprised to hear from a group of school children discussing how their family is going to spend the Holy Week. The Philippines being a Catholic country celebrates the Lent Season and has so many traditional Filipino ways of remembering the Passion Of Christ. But through the years, many young families today have changed their ways of celebrating the Lent Season. Gone are the Visita Iglesia, the Caridad (Charity done during Thursday Maunday by giving free soups or "Ginatan" ( Filipino delicacy made of sweet tubers boiled in coconut cream). Many Young family instead of Doing a Pabasa,  would planned for their beach Holiday or excursions. Those who have money to burn even go out of  the country and  spend holidaying in Singapore or Hongkong and  even Macau.

Many of young people see the "Senaculo " and the "Penitiencia" as tourist atrraction and have forgotten the real meaning of these dramatization of Christ's Passion.  Many go to church to attend the "Salubong" on the dawn of Eastern Sunday woithoiut even knowing what it is all about and what is the story behind the "unveiling " of the Virgin Mary in the "Salubong" tradition. Many young parents have forgotten to teach their children about the great faith that is behind all of these traditional Lent Celebration. All that they care is the Egg-hunting in the Malls and other places of entertainment which is never a part of Philippine Culture and only one of the Western influences on us.

It is such as pity to hear young people to say that the old Filipino Holy Week Tradition is outdated and must be forgotten. It is our role as parents to show them the right ways to celebrate the Lent Season. We can't impose things on them but telling and letting them know our cultures and traditions would make them know the importance of culture and tradition in nation's building. We may have varied religious belief but respecting the culture and the tradition would make our next in line generation know that a great nation becomes great because of its people who respect its culture and tradition.

We can teach the Passion of Christ even without any religious touches. Making them remember that Holy Week is a time for the family to review our faith  in God is enough to teach them what Holy Week really is.

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Parenting tools:Punishment, reward and incentives (part 1)

punishment as a tool for disciplining a child

As parents we oftentime used these three tools in  disciplining our kids. These tools are rewards, puishment and incentives which are distinct from one to another but plays important role in teaching our children the importance of discipline.

Reward is something extra parents give in to bribe  children to change behavior while punishment is enforced when the child misbehave. The two tools are used by dictators parents to enforce their orders. Children are put in line of doing what parents want them to do with a promise of rewards and punishment when they misbehave or go against what is expected of them. Although these tools have been proven effective thrugh the years, in the present society where equality is supreme, these tools seem to be more of a distracting tools than constractive when used in disciplining children.

In our days when every child has his own right, rewards and punishment may not work. But what should be done to enforce discipline ? This is where incentives take as the better tools. Incentives is built into the consequences and is connected to events. While events are  enforced, incentives let children have a choice. It gives children their right to assess the events and what to do in order to improve their behavior.

Punishment may work in the short run  but when children are under the htreat of punishment, it may not be effective in the long run. It is like hurting someone and giving hinm the unspoken right to hurt back someone.

Disciplining using incentives is explaining the consequences of the events to a child and about the negative behavior associated with it. This will help him understand what change is expected from him. It imay  not  be easy but clear information and communition can help.

Explaining to a child that his right of choice bears logical consequences and incentives motivate him to make his choice positively. This can make him start a change that is more attractive to him. which is more likely to be towards a positive behavior.

Next : The dangers of incentives turning to  punishments

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Self care tips for eye strain caused by prolong computer use

long use of computer  can cause eyestrain to yourchildren

Technology has brought many liberation to our life and children today learn more using the computer. But prolong use of comouter may cause eye strain and here are some of the self care tips that may help reducing if not eliminating eye strain from computer.

• Place the screen so that your line of sight is 10 to 15 degree below the horizontal. This is also for laptops.
• Dust the screen often.
• Reduce the glare. Position the screen at right angle to the source of light . Turn off or shield overhead light. You can ask your child to wear visor to block the overhead lights if necessary.
• Remind your child to blink often. This will keep eyes from getting dry. You can use "artificial tear" if necessary.
• If the image on the screen is blurred, dull or flicker, have it serviced right away.
• Try to keep the screen from your child's eyes 2 feet away.

You can protect your child's eyes from gettig strain following these simple self-care tips. remember that poor lighting increased the possibility of straining the eyes when using the computer. As much as possible provide good lighting for your child's computer table.

For your eye care and need, visit  Firmoo Optical They rivide prescription eyeglass and sunglasses for your eye care and needs.

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The purpose of parenting

It's the duty of parents to take care of their children

Like any career, parenting has a purpose. Mothers would agree with me that the main purpose is to protect our children and to prepare them how to survive and thrive in the society where they live. Things are different when we are growing up as it is now dangerous to raise children in the kind of society we live in.

Drugs are now easily find and teenagers are more harmful than ever. Crimes against children are everywhere as well as crimes committed by children. Violence in schools are getting more alarming plus the rising  risks of terrorism are  a valid reason for concern.Not to forget that sex now is life threatening.

With all of these, we tend to overprotect our children rather than prepare them to thrive on their own. Remember that part of our purpose as a parent is to prepare them so that they will survive. We must bear in mind that our job is to work out of the job which means preparing our children on the path of being independent and on their own.

To help us achieve our goals,here are three ways to help us to do it :

1.Discuss and talk with other parents to find out  what risks are reasonable for your children to take  in your command. This means that asking  for example what age they should be left home alone and where it is safe for them to play. You'll get ideas from other parents who have been successful in this areas.

2.Joint in parents associations, parents support groups and other organizations. Work within your community to make it a better place to rear your children.

3.Allow your children to develop independence gradually.We all know that children undergo different stages of development, appropriate behavior at one age may not be appropriate at another. You can read books to know what to expect at these different stages of development. You can also tap school authorities to help you.

Parenting is may not be an easy task but if we as parents know its real purpose, it can be the most rewarding jobs we'll ever have. We choose to be parents, we must sincerely live up to that choice!

.

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OSAP 's 10 Roles Parents Can Play In Preventing Problems With Drugs, Sexuality and Violence

Don't blow up, don't give up, you're not 

guilty

Parents play important roles in the prevention of problems with drugs, violence and sexuality. The Office of Substance Abuse (OSAP) has released an information campaign poster in educating parents of the roles they have to play in prevention of substance abuse that  tends to sex and violence. I am reproducing the printer poster in the form of a blog post for parents who are always tuned online.

10 Roles Parents Can Play In Preventing Problems with Drugs, Sexuality and Violence

1. Parents as role model- Be a positive role model. Children learn by example.

2. Parents are educators and information resources- Be informed about drugs, sexuality and violence and talk with your child.

3. Parents as policy makers and rule setters-Make rules and enforce them. "No use of illegal drugs in the family and no use of alcohol and nicotine by anyone under the legal age".

4.Parents as stimulators- Encourage your child to take part in hobbies,school activities and sports.Get involved,plan fun family activities.

5.Parents as consultants and educators on peer pressure-"Just say no is easier said than done. Teach your child to resist peer pressure without feeling foolish.

6.Parents as monitors and supervisors- Set and enforce curfews; know where your children are.

7. Parents as collaborators with other parents- Join with other parents to gain support and new ideas. There's strength in numbers.

8. parents as identifiers and confronters- Know how to identify drugs use and other problems and confront your child when necessary.

9. Parents as managers of children's healthy- Don't delay-seek medical help if you suspect your child is engaged in unhealthy behavior.

10. Parents as managers of their own feelings- Don't blow up; don't give up, you're not guilty

It may look little and insignificant knowing these 10 roles but no matter how little or insignificant, the fact is as a parent you play roles in saving the future of your children.

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Get ready for Cornell Big Red, Creighton Bluejays and CSU Bakersfield

Fans of the Cornell Big red, Creighton Bluejays and CSU Bakersfield basketball and football can now avail their ticket to cheer for their favorite respectively teams. Ticketamerica.com has university tickets and seating charts for Cornell Big Red, Creighton Bluejays and CSU Bakersfield and football seats for all games played.You can directly buy your ticket and reserve your seat.Don't miss the fun and excitement of cheering for your teams and let the drums keeps on beating until the real champ brings home the bacon.


For your tickets details click the following link and start getting ready to cheer for your team:
cornell big red tickets
creighton bluejays tickets
csu bakersfield roadrunners tickets


Ticketamerica.com has university tickets and seating charts for the Cornell Big Red, Creighton Bluejays and CSU Bakersfield basketball and football seats for all games played.

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Skin rashes and your child's allergies

The skin is the first area of the body to react when  exposed to something you or your child is allergic to. You have to ask the following question in order for you to evaluate how severe the allergic reaction is.
1. Is your child having a lot of trouble swallowing or breathing especially when sneezing or his tongue swollen?
2. Does your child have the following associated with the rushes?
  a. Fever
  b. Sore throat
  c.The rush is across the cheeks and forehead and of butterfly shaped
  d.Rush is fine,red one that feels rough like sandpaper
  e.Joint pain
Following these simple assessment guide will also help you know if the rushes are symptoms or associated with a certain disease:
 # If there are any large fluid-filled blister present or is there pus or swelling around the rash
# Have your child been recently exposed to someone with strep infection?
# If your child has a diaper rush, is the rush bleeding or are there open, weeping sores?
.# Have your child already had the chicken pox and if your child has a rash of painful blister on one side of the body?
#When the rash getting started ,was your child taking a new medication or was stung by an insect?

After your assessment you child skin rashes the following self care tips might help alleviate the irritation and the pain.
1, Give your child a cool bath without soap every couple of hours
2.let the skin air dry
3.Have your child stay in cool area
4. Apply calamine (not caladryl) lotion to the itchy areas
5.Put starch in body creases
6.Avoid using cream or ointment that might block skin pores


For diaper rash these tips might help


Change the diaper as soon as they get wet or soiled even if you have to wake at night to avoid rashes to get extensive. You have to ash your baby with plenty of warm water and avoid using wipes. If the rashes appear irritated, you can apply a light coat of zinc oxide ointment only after the skin get dry.It best to keep your baby's skin exposed to air to keep it dry and before putting on the diaper, have your baby
s bottom naked for a few minutes on a soft fluffy towel for at least 5 to 10 minutes.Choose a diaper that allows air circulation and with loose leg bands.If you can,punch a hole in your disposable diaper to allow air to come in. Avoid using plastic pants until the rash is gone.If you are using cloth diaper, wash it with mild soap and rise in water with vinegar to remove any soap's residue left .

If the rash gets worse and self tips do not help, it's time to see your child doctor.

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