On parenting partnerships
I attended a 2 hour talk of Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan in an office event the other day. She talked of parenting partnerships.
She talked of how parenting partnership does not necessarily compose of husband and wife. It can be mother and grandmother, or mother and brother, sometimes even a yaya (a.k.a nanny) can also be included in such partnership. The key is to find people who will make the best partners when it comes to parenting.
Key things to remember when on this search is dependability, ability, and availability. For example, we may look at our own parents (our kid’s grandparents) as a parenting partner and they may be dependable and certainly able but most of the time the question would be are they available? At the end of the day, we really cannot force anyone to take care of our own children for us.
The other thing that she said that was most memorable to me was this…
Wrestling a gorilla is no easy task. You don’t rest when you’re tired. You rest when the Gorilla wants to rest.
So true don’t you think. I have written similar stuff before. It really defines what being a parent is all about. It is so much easier to be irritable and difficult and go the easy way out. This is especially true when we are so tired and at the same time your kids are all clamoring for attention - “Just one more story mommy!”. And in those instances, parenting partnerships are most needed and appreciated.
I enjoyed Maricel’s stories of her family and anecdotes about her kids and their activities. She talks slow, clear and animated. It was like listening to a storyteller. I now understand why she was awarded as the most balanced mom by the Metro magazine.
Maricel Laxa is the vice president of BusinessWorks, Inc. and a consultant and trainer at The Parenting Company. She is the author of bestseller Mommytalk: The Oh’s and Oh no’s of Motherhood and Superbenj.
11 Comments so far
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By On parenting partnerships by The Philippines According to Blogs on 08.31.07 10:49 pm | Permalink
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By On parenting partnerships - PinoyBlogoSphere.com - Pinoy Bloggers Society (PBS) | “Anyone* Can Blog” on 08.31.07 10:50 pm | Permalink
We may find good parenting partners for our kids but I’ve experienced that no one does it better than mom and dad themselves. I’ve been lucky through life to have siblings and a mom who’ve loved my kids as I do. Whenever I was on extended absence from kids due to work and school in the past, they’ve filled my space temporarily and were very good parenting partners. But, after time passes by and I am back with the kids, I begin to notice some gaps, loopholes and unmet needs which oftentimes l have to fill and correct by myself and this takes double time-double effort. Moms/dads are still the best (but second-bests may do under special conditions).
You are right, parenting is an extraordinary task requiring super strength and determination all the time!
By amomandmore on 09.01.07 1:55 am | Permalink
amomandmore - I guess I could never really say that the best would be a mom and dad partnership because I have been through both.
I was a single mom before I got married. That time, I did not have my son’s dad as a parenting partner and I really don’t think he would be my choice in one (over my dead body).
You are fortunate to have your husband go the journey with you. I am only experiencing that now. Cheers!
By ApplesH on 09.01.07 3:59 am | Permalink
Times have changed so much huh. Twenty two years ago, I was a young mom groping on the how to’s of parenting. I lost my mom at a young age so I had to rely on books to guide me. I wonder if I would have taken these parenting seminars/events if offered during my time.
By noemi on 09.01.07 8:52 am | Permalink
noemi - Times have changed indeed. It is a great thing to have your mother there to guide you but even without that you did good. You have achieved a lot and have brought up adorable children.
I have attended a lot parenting seminars but at the end of the day, you have to choose which concept/lesson will work for you. I admire Maricel and wish I had her “resources” and strength to be the most balanced mom. But we all know there is real life to live and in the end, we just have to be the best mom for our kids.
By ApplesH on 09.01.07 9:04 am | Permalink
wow, those seminars sound interesting. thanks for sharing!
By raqgold on 09.02.07 11:15 pm | Permalink
raqgold - You’re welcome!
By ApplesH on 09.03.07 6:58 am | Permalink
[...] Filipinas at home: Maricel Laxa, mother of four, vice president of BusinessWorks, Inc. and a consultant and trainer at The [...]
By A Filipina in Society | Filipina | **blog of a Filipina caffeine addict on 11.04.07 2:48 am | Permalink
[...] Filipinas at home: Maricel Laxa, mother of four, vice president of BusinessWorks, Inc. and a consultant and trainer at The [...]
By A Filipina in Society | Filipina | **blog of a Filipina caffeine addict on 11.04.07 2:48 am | Permalink
[...] Filipinas at home: Maricel Laxa, mother of four, vice president of BusinessWorks, Inc. and a consultant and trainer at The [...]
By Entry: The Filipina writing project | Filipina | personal blog of a Filipina mother of 2 on 11.05.07 8:40 am | Permalink
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