The purpose of parenting

It's the duty of parents to take care of their children

Like any career, parenting has a purpose. Mothers would agree with me that the main purpose is to protect our children and to prepare them how to survive and thrive in the society where they live. Things are different when we are growing up as it is now dangerous to raise children in the kind of society we live in.

Drugs are now easily find and teenagers are more harmful than ever. Crimes against children are everywhere as well as crimes committed by children. Violence in schools are getting more alarming plus the rising  risks of terrorism are  a valid reason for concern.Not to forget that sex now is life threatening.

With all of these, we tend to overprotect our children rather than prepare them to thrive on their own. Remember that part of our purpose as a parent is to prepare them so that they will survive. We must bear in mind that our job is to work out of the job which means preparing our children on the path of being independent and on their own.

To help us achieve our goals,here are three ways to help us to do it :

1.Discuss and talk with other parents to find out  what risks are reasonable for your children to take  in your command. This means that asking  for example what age they should be left home alone and where it is safe for them to play. You'll get ideas from other parents who have been successful in this areas.

2.Joint in parents associations, parents support groups and other organizations. Work within your community to make it a better place to rear your children.

3.Allow your children to develop independence gradually.We all know that children undergo different stages of development, appropriate behavior at one age may not be appropriate at another. You can read books to know what to expect at these different stages of development. You can also tap school authorities to help you.

Parenting is may not be an easy task but if we as parents know its real purpose, it can be the most rewarding jobs we'll ever have. We choose to be parents, we must sincerely live up to that choice!

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OSAP 's 10 Roles Parents Can Play In Preventing Problems With Drugs, Sexuality and Violence

Don't blow up, don't give up, you're not 

guilty

Parents play important roles in the prevention of problems with drugs, violence and sexuality. The Office of Substance Abuse (OSAP) has released an information campaign poster in educating parents of the roles they have to play in prevention of substance abuse that  tends to sex and violence. I am reproducing the printer poster in the form of a blog post for parents who are always tuned online.

10 Roles Parents Can Play In Preventing Problems with Drugs, Sexuality and Violence

1. Parents as role model- Be a positive role model. Children learn by example.

2. Parents are educators and information resources- Be informed about drugs, sexuality and violence and talk with your child.

3. Parents as policy makers and rule setters-Make rules and enforce them. "No use of illegal drugs in the family and no use of alcohol and nicotine by anyone under the legal age".

4.Parents as stimulators- Encourage your child to take part in hobbies,school activities and sports.Get involved,plan fun family activities.

5.Parents as consultants and educators on peer pressure-"Just say no is easier said than done. Teach your child to resist peer pressure without feeling foolish.

6.Parents as monitors and supervisors- Set and enforce curfews; know where your children are.

7. Parents as collaborators with other parents- Join with other parents to gain support and new ideas. There's strength in numbers.

8. parents as identifiers and confronters- Know how to identify drugs use and other problems and confront your child when necessary.

9. Parents as managers of children's healthy- Don't delay-seek medical help if you suspect your child is engaged in unhealthy behavior.

10. Parents as managers of their own feelings- Don't blow up; don't give up, you're not guilty

It may look little and insignificant knowing these 10 roles but no matter how little or insignificant, the fact is as a parent you play roles in saving the future of your children.

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Generic drugs

Generic bill of the Philippines hopes to cut down cost on medicines and primarily help Filipino family to save on drugs costs. The Generic Bill imposes medical practitioners to give prescription writing down generic substitution for branded drugs. This has been the most debated issues until now, with different contrasting opinion from different parties involved.

But the decision to switch from branded one to generic is not merely because a law imposes it but because one decides to allow doctors and medical practitioners to use generic drugs unless the doctor says there’s no substitution.

There are some general information about generic drugs that parents like us should know to get the essence of this bill. Read on to get fully informed about this Generic Drugs.

1. Not every medication is available in Generic Form.

 While it is true that doctors should write down generic prescription, not all drugs have generic substitute. When a new drug comes out, the manufacturer hold a patent for five to ten years thus preventing competitors in marketing generic form. Some newer drugs do not have generic form available at this time. Antibiotic like amoxicillin is a generic form and has no more brand names produced.

2. All generic forms are cheaper

   In general, a generic is cheaper than a brand –name medication but how much cheaper depends on the great extend of how many companies are making it. If the original manufacturing is the only one making a generic form, the cost may only be minimal. But if many companies are making the generic versions, then there’s a big difference in price range.

3. All generic are money-savers

    Paying less for a foul-tasting generic drug is more likely to spending more because your child won’t take it. In the end, you may end up buying better-tasting brand-name that your child will easily take. Some generic drugs have awful taste while brand-name has better taste which is more likely for a child to take than of the generic form.

In overview, generic can cut down cost on medicine expenses but it is still a matter of making the right decision. As parents, we don’t rely on the price alone but more on the welfare and wellness of our children. Our first priority is our family’s health, whatever the cost may be.

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