Hey Baby! David's On. - Keeping the Communication Lines Open

Tonight, I and my daughter watched the American Idol together. It was fun doing that with her. I surfed and did some of my blogs in between commercial breaks. After each break though, she'd shout "Mom, It's David!".

As we were doing her scoliosis exercises (?), we discussed about the show, how we both like David Cook and how she wanted Shaeesha to win but didn't make it. Then, we went to the conclusion that we enjoy talking to each other and how other mothers and daughters would rather talk to other people than themselves.

The secret is to have an open communication and to make your daughter know that she can really tell you anything anytime.

This is one of the activities that you can do with your child too. Another is to be able to make a story. You and your daughter or son can both contribute to the story line about maybe a family. There are values that you can inject and your child can discuss it with you. We did that one time and she's now asking that we do another story. It's fun! Maybe we'll do one with David Cook in it.

The Best Way to Teach A Child

The other day, as I was looking for our way to the Hong Kong Museum of History, I noticed that my daughter was looking at it too and was giving us directions already. Not that I didn't like being told by her, I was just surprised that she now knows how to read maps. In fact, she gave us directions going to some of the places we would have to go to. This is her first trip to the city. Not only that, she is able to eat different cuisines, able to adjust to most situations.

How did this happen? The trick really are: 1, to practice what you preach and 2, to let the children try things on their own. Well, for one, she knows that I always plan our trips and we would be able to go out on our own without any guide because of maps which I normally purchase right the very moment we get to our destination. I would show her the map and tell her where and why we should go this way or that. Then she'd be practicing her skill afterwards although we would end up getting lost of course just like we would when I sometimes make mistakes (hehehe).

As for practicing what you preach, when I tell her to eat her vegetables or drink her milk, for instance, I make sure she sees me do those too. We expose her to different things and situations as much as possible so that she learns and appreciates the lessons we give her. When caught in situations where she gets confused, we explain them to her and let her see the difference. One day she came home from school. As she brought her bag down she told me about something that happened that day. With a tone of disgust, she said "Mom you know what? I asked my classmates why they were shouting at each other everytime they would like to talk. They're just one seat apart." "Well, baby, that's their culture. You have to respect them as they are. but do not say they are correct by doing the same thing that they do. Remember you are you because of what you do, think and say. " I guess she understood because she received a deportment award this year.

Children Do Learn What They Live

Yesterday I received an e-mail from my brother which has the sample of my nephew's song for the a TV product commercial in Japan. He's 11 years old but already has gotten several offers. The other day, I was told by my daughter's teacher that she is an academic awardee for this school year and will receive it during the Scholar's Convention tomorrow. Such talented kids. Did they just happen to be like that by chance? Maybe. Maybe not.

You see, I do believe that children grow up to become whatever they have been accustomed to. For Ikee, we had plenty of books for her and had read to her from the time she was conceived. Her trips to the mall which were almost every weekend included a stop to the bookstore. I have, for the longest time, been buying books of varied topics and she has so far been addicted to reading that she reads practically anything. Apart from being a reader, she also shares my own "advocacy" for caring for the environment.

My nephew on the other hand has been taught to sing and has been singing since he was 2. His first lessons came from my brother who plays the guitar and sings as well. We have the talent running in our family but noone has ever gotten this far. I'd post a sample of his songs but his dad wouldn't allow me.

What's the lesson here? Well, it is that whatever you expose any child to will sooner or later be part of his system so we, parents, should guide them to the right path.