What is a home really? For us, the home is where we made all our firsts. First kiss, hug, steps, word, lesson, mistakes, food, pain, love, laughter, friend and yes, PLAYGROUND.
My family is now living in Suzhou, China. Compared to our comfortable and free life in the Philippines, China is totally different. In the Philippines, kids can play as often as they want outside since most of the neighbors around us are family or distant relatives. They can also go to the traditional school and freely play with their friends aftermakingwards. We can bring them out to the beach, mall or distant houses of their friends anytime we want since the weather is perfect all year through. Here in China, we have to get used to the changing weather. We found out that winter is cruelly cold we have to stay inside and wear thick clothes. It is actually never comfortable wearing multiple clothes. In summer, it is also awfully hot, you are scared to go out since the sun will burn your skin. All we have is the awesome spring and the wonderful autumn. In addition to that, my kids are in homeschooling so they can't go out a lot. China's International Schools are way too expensive we can't afford. Local schools will be impractical too.
Anyway, we have to make the kids feel like they were still babies and they do not long yet for the wonders of the outside world (they do not have a choice for now, ha ha ha). It is a tough job keeping them inside the house and keeping them out of boredom. We let them paint, anyway they want. Watercolors, pastel, pens, all that we can grab to enhance their artistic spirit. We feed them with cakes, buns, cookies anything that we feel they would like. We buy books, fairy tales, adventures, horror and anything that would keep their mind occupied. We bring a lot of toys, dolls, cars, puzzles (mostly toys that can keep their mind busy). We started to have favorite family games like "Truth or consequence", question game, "make our own story", BOGGLE and all the group games to strengthen the trust and teamwork within the family. We introduced musical instruments like the guitar and the piano so that they will learn how to play and discover their musical talents. We encourage them to watch educational children movies(we can't use the TV here since it is all in mandarin and i find cable way too impractical), documentary clips, and many music videos to update them on what is going on in the outside world (music videos are their fave). We made it a habit to watch a movie (may it be adventure or thriller) once every night (we even have hamsters and fishes for their pets!). Or anything goes...whatever the kids do out of their wild imaginations. All are welcome, under my supervision.
We have made it a point that no matter what the situation maybe, the home is always the place where you can stay......a place that is full of love, fun, safe, peace and plenty of everything. It does not matter which part of the world we may be. After all, the home is where we had all our FIRSTS. It won't hurt if for now it could be our ALWAYS!
Marjorie A. Sabando
May 3, 2011
My family is now living in Suzhou, China. Compared to our comfortable and free life in the Philippines, China is totally different. In the Philippines, kids can play as often as they want outside since most of the neighbors around us are family or distant relatives. They can also go to the traditional school and freely play with their friends aftermakingwards. We can bring them out to the beach, mall or distant houses of their friends anytime we want since the weather is perfect all year through. Here in China, we have to get used to the changing weather. We found out that winter is cruelly cold we have to stay inside and wear thick clothes. It is actually never comfortable wearing multiple clothes. In summer, it is also awfully hot, you are scared to go out since the sun will burn your skin. All we have is the awesome spring and the wonderful autumn. In addition to that, my kids are in homeschooling so they can't go out a lot. China's International Schools are way too expensive we can't afford. Local schools will be impractical too.
Anyway, we have to make the kids feel like they were still babies and they do not long yet for the wonders of the outside world (they do not have a choice for now, ha ha ha). It is a tough job keeping them inside the house and keeping them out of boredom. We let them paint, anyway they want. Watercolors, pastel, pens, all that we can grab to enhance their artistic spirit. We feed them with cakes, buns, cookies anything that we feel they would like. We buy books, fairy tales, adventures, horror and anything that would keep their mind occupied. We bring a lot of toys, dolls, cars, puzzles (mostly toys that can keep their mind busy). We started to have favorite family games like "Truth or consequence", question game, "make our own story", BOGGLE and all the group games to strengthen the trust and teamwork within the family. We introduced musical instruments like the guitar and the piano so that they will learn how to play and discover their musical talents. We encourage them to watch educational children movies(we can't use the TV here since it is all in mandarin and i find cable way too impractical), documentary clips, and many music videos to update them on what is going on in the outside world (music videos are their fave). We made it a habit to watch a movie (may it be adventure or thriller) once every night (we even have hamsters and fishes for their pets!). Or anything goes...whatever the kids do out of their wild imaginations. All are welcome, under my supervision.
We have made it a point that no matter what the situation maybe, the home is always the place where you can stay......a place that is full of love, fun, safe, peace and plenty of everything. It does not matter which part of the world we may be. After all, the home is where we had all our FIRSTS. It won't hurt if for now it could be our ALWAYS!
Marjorie A. Sabando
May 3, 2011