We parents often think that it will always be us who will do the teaching when it comes to our children and not the other way around.  Nothing can be farther from the truth as I have come to realize that they have been doing some teaching directed to me, whether they were conscious of it or not.  I am not simply talking about the way they teach me some "techy" things which young people seem to very adept at nowadays and of which I appear to be particularly challenged.  I am referring to lessons that pertain to life as we know it.

I learned that I can surpass my self-designated limits if I need to. 

We have pre-conceived ideas of what we can and cannot do. As a rule, I observe these limits especially when applied to myself but experience would show that I have time again been able to exceed these limits and succeeded when catapulted to action in matters concerning them.  A mother's response to a child's need is automatic, often paying no attention to obstacles and hindrances.

I learned that there is such a thing as unconditional love and unlimited capacity to forgive.

Most families like us would go through conflicts and challenges which sometimes appear irreparable.  I often marvel at my children's ability not to hold grudges against my shortcomings. Yes, they love me in spite of my imperfections and without asking anything in return.



I learned that I have to let go so that they can soar.

Many parents tend to burden their children with their own fears and inhibitions and in the process, succeed quite effectively to hold them down.  It is my fervent wish that I can always protect them from whatever danger lurks ahead but now know that I have to step back once in a while to allow them to grow as they should.



My Say

I'm sure our lessons are not yet done and understand that soon there will be reversal of roles as they grow into adulthood and I hopefully advance to old age with as much grace as I can muster. In the mean time, they will still have to accept some lessons from me, a mother who would gladly learn from them as well as we all study the complicated subject of life.

That said, I am looking forward to all the lessons I still have to learn from my children.


To my children Ada, Dap and Pio from whom my penname "adapio" was lifted.