Parenting from a Distance: How an OFW Family Keeps Things Together In Spite Being Apart

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Hello Sweeties!

It is no secret that my husband Rory is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). He has been for the for the past 13 years.  He only gets to spend time with my children Raffy who was 4 at the time he left and Jarod 2 years old, 1 month each year since he left.

Parenting is a challenge event when both parents at home; Making our situation more daunting.

My eldest Raffy, was a relatively quiet child, always with her nose in a book, She is shy around people, I was worried because she was not sociable that she would not have any friends once she starts school. Jarod, my youngest was diagnosed with PDD-NOS Pervasive Developmental Disorders at the age of 3, a year after my husband left to work abroad.

We didn’t plan on being separated so early in our marriage,  We were both working but when my husband found himself unemployed for an entire year and with no suitable prospects in sight at least here in Manila. In the end, we agreed that this is a temporary and a hurdle we have to get through.

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Press Release: ARTS AND FAMILY BONDING AT THE PARK #WeChoosePositive

Take a day off and make it a truly positive bonding experience with your kids!On November 29, 2016, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Save the Children will turn Rizal Park into a creative playground for parents, teachers and guardians to enjoy happy moments with children. Entitled #WeChoosePositive, this family festival will include a colorful array of activities, including a parade, workshops taught by PETA Artist-Teachers and storytelling sessions featuring Lola Basyang and Batang Lampara winners.

PARADE

Catch, or better yet, join the parade from Museo Pambata to Rizal Park with ‘Higantes’, lion dancers and marching band as we color the route with our declaration of support for childhood without violence. The parade begins at 2pm.

Parents and teachers, if you haven’t had time to visit the Museo Pambata, now is the time to see this museum for children before joining the parade to Luneta.

All these wonderful activities will begin at 2pm!

WORKSHOPS

Do not be mere spectators as your children explore their artistic skills. Be with them. Join the PUPPETRY AND VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP. Make this an opportunity to discover more about how your children think and to listen to what they could not say in words but could probably say through drawings or puppets. Or participate in the MUSIC AND RHYTHM WORKSHOP and make them ‘feel the love’ as you sing and clap your hands together to your own beats. If your children have always wanted to take a PETA workshop, this will be like a sampler for them as PETA Artist-Teachers will facilitate.

PLAY AREA

Play with mimes. Color art sheets. Fold papers and turn them into animated objects through the Japanese art of origami. Listen to music with upcoming OPM and PhilPOP artists or listen to Lola Basyang and other children tell stories. Sit back and relax to watch children films and videos from different parts of the globe. Have a picnic at the park.

The choices are endless so you will always have something to do and enjoy.

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