What advice would you like to give to parents?

We were told to listen to our elders for advice. Of course, nothing beats experience, but at times listening to the voice of the younger generation also gives us fresh insights. As a parent I’ve learned to listen to what my children have to say. And more often listening to them gives me a better understanding on their views about certain situations. Let’s turn the tables around and this time listen to what advice they would like to give us parents.

Matt Laurel, baseball player, Ateneo

I think they did a very good job raising me. They let me make my own mistakes, and were very good role models for me growing up. 

Wendell

Macapagal, International School Manila, Class 2014

If I were to give my parents one piece of advice about raising me, it would be to be open-minded when it comes to my political, social, and religious views. I do have different values than them, and even though I’m still young and learning, I am growing up more connected to other cultures and have more access to learning about different lifestyles. My parents, being religious and somewhat traditional, have different views from mine on religion, romantic love, and lifestyles. I respect their views but I am also trying to keep intact my morals.

Sarah Mercado, team captain, Ateneo Lady basketball team

My parents raised me with three values to live by. First is the belief in one God. My parents told me that if I was baptized a Catholic, I should remain that way until my departure from this physical world. And I believe that this value helped me develop a strong bond with God, which wouldn’t have been possible without a solid foundation to start with. Next is the value of giving importance to one’s dignity. I was taught by my parents that I should never step on someone in my personal pursuit of happiness for it wouldn’t be worth it at all. This value helped me be the kind of person who is sensitive to the feelings of others and taught me to earn happiness through my own blood and sweat. Lastly is the value of TLC to siblings. My parents never fail to remind this to all of us, emphasizing that at the end of the day, we have only to help each other, which is the reason why it is important to love and take care of our siblings. With all the three values instilled in me by my parents, I have become a better person not only for myself, but also for others.

Patricia

Prieto, blogger (itspatriciaprieto.com)/freelance stylist

If I were given the chance to give my folks some advice I think I’d tell them not to be too strict. Strict in such a way that I feel so sheltered and am not freely allowed to make decisions for myself. I wish I’d be allowed to stay out a bit later than my current curfew (yes, I have one at 22), to go out of town with my friends (at an earlier age) and such. I believe that parents can only try out how well their kids fare with the values they have instilled by allowing them to be by themselves at times and really learn how to use our better judgment.

B

I guess I wouldn’t change a thing in how my parents raised me. But I would advise them to know me better and to instill the value of having a positive, happy home.

Miko Raval, actor

I would advise them to really go with their gut. I would want them to let me learn how to handle different situations on my own.

Joseph Marco, actor

I would definitely give them tips in raising me the way I would raise my own child. I would be a friend to my child so I could better understand him.

Bea Tiu Laurel, Beacon Academy, 12th grade

My parents have raised me in the best possible way by allowing me to expand my horizons through the school I go to and the friends they have encouraged me to make. They have not once told me that I could not hang out with certain people due to whatever reputations they may have had, which I greatly appreciate because it has allowed me to be more independent. However, if I were to advise my parents of one thing that they could have encouraged more growing up, I would have hoped that they pushed me to do more international programs such as CISV or community service projects abroad, to simply expand my horizons in ways that I could have never done locally. I would have wanted to get pushed to do more productive things during my summers just to keep me busy while I’m off school. Overall though, I must say, I’ve had a dream life and I’m very thankful for that.

LA Revilla,

De La Salle University Green Archers UAAP  basketball team

Just let me do what I love to do. Make sure to always correct me if I do something wrong but don’t neglect my side/explanation. Always remind me to be honest and true to myself.

Alfonso Martinez,

Dela Salle student

Hours upon hours I pondered the question, thinking about the 25 years I have spent with my parents, Albert and Liezl Martinez, trying to remember the thoughts that ran through the mind of young and mischievous Alfonso. Some suggestions. Instead of letting me read as many books as I wanted as a kid, you should’ve enrolled me in a gym at an early age so I’d be ripped with six-pack abs by now. Also maybe instead of watching Top Gun while Mama was pregnant, giving me my so-called Tom Cruise maverick attitude and forever loving Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone, you should’ve just listened to classical music, making me a world renowned child protégé instead! As they say hindsight will always be 20/20, so I accept your apology and will now jump to the appreciation part! The one thing I will always appreciate about my parents is their exposing me early to countless books and various technologies. Of course, there will always be the typical appreciation for not being too spoiled, forcing me to eat horrible veggies, scolding me when I was out of line and trying to keep me happy. I would spend hours making kalikot our humble Windows 95 PC without the usual parental scorn, and they would give me a steady supply of books, from fantasy novels to Illustrated DK encyclopedias of Dinosaurs to War Galleons. My mind devoured every ounce of these vigorously and it probably shaped my ambitions to this day. I appreciate every millisecond I was raised, and can only hope that I can emulate my parents when I become one as well.