SOW caregivers discover tips to healthier relationships with children and peers in a parenting workshop organized by OSCI

To help address the needs of parents to understand their growing children and their children’s concerns, parents and guardians from Solidarity with Orphans and Widows, Inc. (SOW), learned some basic communication skills and developmental milestones in a seminar-workshop under the Masayang Pamilya Program. Held last May 4, 2024, it was facilitated by Jennel C. Reyes, Program Director at Parenting for Lifelong Health Philippines of the Department of Psychology. It was organized by the Office for Social Concern and Involvement.

The participants, who consisted of some senior citizens, shared that they are having problems providing discipline to their children or wards. “Hindi po nakikinig sa akin. Nag-aaway silang magkakapatid, nag-aagawan ng cellphone. Minsan gabi na kung umuwi ng bahay,” they expressed.  (They do not listen to me. The siblings quarrel with each other over the use of a cellular phone. Sometimes, they come home late at night.)

During the workshop, the participants identified the different capacities and abilities of each age group: namely, 3 to 6 years old, 7 to 12 years old, and 13 to 17 years old, assigned to them and reported their output to the entire group. Reyes deepened the discussion by imparting the socio-emotional, cognitive, and developmental needs and capacities of each age group that are relatable and understandable to the participants. 

Those from SOW also practiced a method to get to know and deepen their knowledge of their children through the five minute one-on-one time. This was their favorite activity in the event, some of the mothers shared. “It’s nice to feel like a teenager again, knowing their interests and doing it together,”  said Charmaine, one of the mothers. 

They were also given the opportunity to identify emotions and how to share these feelings with their children and wards.

The parenting seminar was an initial activity designed for SOW. The participants hope that there will be more workshops in the future. After this event, the organizers will gather  further feedback from the participants to design their next topics, one of which is dedicated for young parents.