My Parenting Experiences
Family Tagged Father and Daughter, Parenting 1 Comment »
“Being a father is not merely by saying it, you have to prove your worth!”
Like almost all new parents, I also experienced sleepless nights when our lovely daughter was still a baby, and, when Merlina went to Manila for summer studies.Late at night, I woke up to bottle feed her, changed her wet diaper, and sang her songs to get to sleep again.In the morning, though feeling groggy because I was deprived of a good sleep, I have to wake up early.I bathed her for minutes and prepared all her needs before going to the Office - that was then my daily routine.Those times, I was very lucky because I was working with the Government - not strict in terms of office protocols.Coming late in the office was never an issue, for as long as you will extend your time late in the evening, it’s ok.
Worst days came when Gwyn got sick of jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and/or whites of the eyes).We didn’t know what to do.We are worried almost every minute of an hour.I asked Him why her, she’s still young?Good for us, I have ampalaya plants at the backyard garden.For almost a month, I extracted its leaves’ juice and gave 2-3 droplets to her everyday.Luckily, I inherited some of my Grandpa’s and Grandma’s healing power; I was able to alleviate my daughter’s sufferings through this herbal plant.To supplement the information we knew about her situation, we asked her Pediatrician about it.After 10-15 minutes of examination, he advised us that she would undergo an operation.I asked my self, for this very tiny creature to undergo an operation?At first, I was petrified, later; I and Merlina decided to seek a second opinion.We thank God her new Lady Pediatrician did not insisted of an operation instead she just gave her medicines to take.After a month of taking medicines, the discoloration gradually disappeared.There are more sicknesses Gwyn overcame like diarrhea, frequent headaches, skin diseases, and strabismus (though this sometimes occurred).
Much more when Merlina decided to continue her studies at Baguio City.The full responsibility of taking care Gwyn was left on me.After work, I have to rush going home to relieve Mom in taking care of our only treasure – good we have Mom, who was very supportive of us.During payday, I have to go to grocery stores to buy milk, diapers, vitamins, etc. and again go home with in mind the responsibility I left at home. Every Saturdays, I washed and ironed clothes, and helped in household chores.A man washing and ironing clothes?!?In our modern days, only few do this.Some of my relatives then asked me why I did this on my own.I just replied, because I have no choice - I don’t have enough salary to pay for maid… I don’t even have a house to be proud of!Almost every Sundays, inspite of all the trials we have been through, we praised God by going to church and thanked Him for the countless blessings He gave us, and prayed for a safe sailing life ahead.That was then my daily routine and I got used to it as the time passed by.Those were the days; the days were no time for me to mingle with friends and colleagues, no night life and even no time to relax.
During those times, Merlina came home from Baguio only once a week, sometimes twice a week if the situation permitted her.Still, we have no maid and still I have no choice but to do household chores.It was only after two years and months, when Merlina graduated and successfully passed the PNLE, I was relieved of taking care Gwyn.
I am thankful to my parents because, when I was still young, they raised and taught me how to become independent and responsible.I still remember, what they said - “You must know how to do household chores, for when the time comes you will have your own family, you can do it alone and you will survive without those luxuries in life.”As if they already knew what will be my future.
There are no regrets or hurt feelings; I knew that was my responsibility and I had to do it.I did what a good and dutiful father must do, I guessed.I knew some can not do what I did but it was just a matter of believing in your self.I also knew, some laughed and thrown bad words against me, about how I raised my family, but in the end, they realized the sacrifices I had been through are worth emulating.
For now, I am working hard far from my family to provide them the comfort I did not even experienced when I’m still young.I, and Merlina, always wanted a good and promising future for Gwyn.Being parents are not easy as merely saying I am now a father or a mother.It takes time to prove your worth as parent!There are still ups and downs that we may encounter along the way, but I know, we are ready to walk through it.For as long as we have each other, there are no mountains we can’t move!
