Recognizing the significant role of parents in the total development of the child, the Patronage of Mary Development School organized a workshop for parents. “What the parents need to know about their children” is a parenting workshop held on March 8-9, 2023 with Fr. Loreto Jaque as the facilitator.
As posted in his Facebook account about the said workshop, Fr. Jaque wrote “Ang problem kay kining gitawag og ‘pressure-cooker parenting’ o padali-dali sa mga bata nga maluto o mo-mature dayon sama sa pressure cooker, gi-orasan nato sila nga ma-accomplish dayon nila ang taas nga listahan sa atoang expectations nga dapat nilang buhaton, sundon, ug tumanon.” Fr. Jaque also pointed out that children are not miniature adults. Matud pa ni French Philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “Childhood has its way of seeing, thinking, and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than try to substitute ours from theirs.”
In his post, School Director Dr. Rouel Longinos said that “PMDS is well aware of the multiple adversities experienced by families and parents. They need to be assured that schools are supportive of their goal to raise children who are productive and God-fearing citizens. An African proverb states that it takes a village to raise a child. Therefore, PMDS needs to provide a safe and healthy environment for children, where children are given the security they need to develop and flourish, and to be able to realize their hopes and dreams. This requires the active engagement of the parents. Thus, the workshop clarifies the mission of the school and the role of parents.
The parent-participants had fun. They learned so much from the inputs of Fr. Jaque and the sharing and testimonies of other parents.
