If you are clueless about what your child really needs, you are not alone because no academic education, work experience or event in your life teaches an individual how to raise and care for another human being.
I used to buy my daughters a lot of toys, arts, crafts and material things because I thought that could make them happy. As a parent of 11 years, I learned 3 things about children and parenting:
Every toy gives only temporary happiness. No matter how expensive or how cheap a toy is, I learned that the happiness children get from a toy lasts temporarily. It was never about the toy but true happiness comes from the joy of spending and playing with others.
Every kid is different. I parent my daughters the same way and no matter what I do, my daughters have their own unique needs and wants. Honoring each kids’ individuality and preference is what will make the house peaceful and happy because comparison is the thief of joy.
Every kid needs presence not presents. Of all the things I bought for my kids, I learned that one need remains the same – from the moment they are born until now that they are age 11 and 9 – MY PRESENCE. My kids’ happiest moments and memorable experiences are not about the material things but more about the time we have everyday where they get to share their stories, new learnings, thoughts, fears, frustrations, dreams and plans.
If you want to become a better mom, dad or parent, remember that your kid only needs one thing from you – YOUR PRESENCE.
You can watch the Father’s Day special of Working Moms Academy’s interview with Josel Gaston and Azleen Abdul Rahim and discover how spending time with their children created magical bonds.
I learned that there is no need to spend a day or an hour with your children to make your presence known. A 5 to 10 minute undivided attention with your children is what they need everyday from you, an ear that listens, a heart that forgives and loves unconditionally and eyes that see the best in them.
Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing Fathers out there.
ABOUT WANDA
Wandalyn Tan-Calupig is the Founder of Working Moms Academy. After suffering from burnout in 2014, she is helping stressed and burnt-out working moms find balance and bliss, so moms can "have it all” - personal and professional success. Subscribe to Working Moms Academy’s Youtube channel (bit.ly/YOUTUBEWMA) and find 58+ videos and new content every week that can help you overcome the stress, demand and pressures of everyday life. Working Moms Academy is a platform and community that supports mothers struggling with stress and burnout by providing life tools that education lacks. It is one of the 20 finalists (out of 128 applications) of the Built to Last 2020 Hackathon, The First-ever Virtual Hackathon for Female Founders in South East Asia.