OFW children need extra loving care

Nowadays it is very common to find a family where one of the parents or even both parents are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Some of these OFWs were forced to work abroad to augment the income and needs of their family. Nonetheless, they are considered as absentee parents in the lives of their children. However, with the advent of new technologies their relationships with their children are much better now compared to twenty years ago.

I’ve known of a family whose father is a seaman. His contract as a seafarer usually last six months or even extended up to one year. The mother who is a plain housewife is left behind to take care of their nine-year-old son. Though the father is mostly away from home, he is still close to their only son. Every time the son misses his father or vice versa they just have to call each other through their smartphone or do video chat via skype, viber or Facebook messenger. If the father is on a remote area that cannot be reached, the family would just leave a message via Facebook. Though their family is well-off, I have observed that their son is not spoiled and is always polite. The son does not even have the latest gadget and gizmos. Thanks to the mother who instill in their son the importance of needs versus wants. Thus, said family is not materialistic. The child who is studying in a private school excels in his class. The mother once again sees to it that the child has a schedule for studying his lessons through her guidance. Therefore, their son is just like any other kid that is happy and contended.

On another note, there is a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in 2008 that shows OFW children put more premium on time and attention given to them by their parents especially for those between the ages of 13 to 16 years old. At those ages they are already assigned new responsibilities. We also heard of OFWs children who are spoiled and unruly. They don’t give importance to the hard earned money of their OFW parents.

With that, I can say that the attitude of the children of OFWs depends on the parents or guardians that are left behind who take care of these kids. Children of OFW need extra loving care to be able to supplement the presence of the OFW parent. As shared by Don Kevin Hapal on his article “What you think you know about OFW Kids is Wrong” posted at Rappler.com said that “there is no substitute for a parent’s care and guidance. Children don’t just need money, but also emotional support.”

Thus, it is a challenging task to take care of children that has an OFW parent because the future of said children depends to those parents or guardian who are left behind. Indeed, may these parents and guardians be a good steward and remember this passage from Proverbs 29:17 that says “Discipline your son and you can always be proud of him. He will never give you reason to be ashamed.” May they also be guided spiritually through the intercession of Mama Mary and St. Joseph. Amen. (Bing Orbeta-Robles)