1

MODULE ONE

Myself as a Person

And as a Parent

Module One
Myself as a Person and as a Parent

Sessions in this module:

Session 1

Understanding Myself
as a Person

Session 2

My Self-esteem as a
Parent

Session One
Understanding Myself as a Person
Estimated Time
Required Materials
hand)

1 hour and 20 minutes

Manila paper (with drawing of a
Bond paper
Ballpen / pencil
Marking pens
Masking tape

Introduction:
Lets begin by taking a closer look at ourselves . Do you
sometimes fall into the trap of becoming so busy earning a
living or doing your household activities? Over the last week ,
was there a time when you stopped and thought about what you
want your family to be? Or what kind of parent you are? This
session will help you reflect and understand yourself better as a
person. This is the initial big step you should take towards
becoming more effective in your parental roles.

Objectives
The parents should be able to:

 Identify individual strengths and weaknesses

Describe the factors that affect characteristics
of a person
Clarify family values and goals to better fulfill
parental roles

Content Outline
1. Basic Strengths of an Individual
- Capability to think
- Capability to love
- Capability to improve
- Capability to fulfill ones goals and aspirations
- Freedom and responsibility
- Uniqueness
- Sociability
II. Basic Weaknesses of an Individual
- Too much pride
- Selfishness
- Laziness
- Irresponsible
- Inconsiderate of others
- Bad habits and vices
- Lack of education
III. Factors that Affect Ones Characteristics as a
Person
- Individual and family values
- Personality traits
- Childhood experiences
- Personal and family goals

IV.Family Values
-Loving
- Faith
- Resourcefulness
- Praise
- Respectfulness
- Trust
- Responsibility
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Purposefulness
- Prayerfulness

Cooperation
Commitment
Compassion
Thankfulness
Worship
Humility
Dedication
Goodness
Repentance
Conviction
Forgiveness

V. Goals of Parents
-

Raise healthy happy children

Give children proper education
Train children to be good responsible citizens
Provide security to the family
Practice Godliness at home

Methodology
Individual Reflection
Small Group Discussion
Plenary Discussion

Procedures
Activity 1
Provide introductory statement on self:
Do you really know who you are? What are
your characteristics as a person? How do these characteristics
affect your thoughts , feelings and actions?
Have you ever

tried exploring deeper into your true self ? The importance of

knowing yourself is a big step towards becoming an effective
person. To successfully take this step, however, you will have
to be open and honest in searching and discovering your true
self.
Introduce and explain the mechanisms of this activity
called Five Fingers of my Life. Draw a big right hand on a
manila paper and write down the key words of the questions
representing each finger then put it up on the board or on the
wall. Then ask each participant to draw their right hand on a
bond paper and to answer the questions represented by each
finger.
FIVE FINGERS OF MY LIFE

THUMB

What is important to me as person?

FOREFINGER

Personality Traits. What is it about my

being a person that I like? What is it
that I am proud of in myself as a
person ? What are my weaknesses as
a person?

MIDDLE FINGER

Family Affairs. What do my family and

other people say they like about me?
What do they say they do not like
about me?

RING FINGER

Childhood Experiences. What are the

significant events in my childhood?
How do I feel about my childhood
experiences?

PINKY
as a
and

Family Goals. What are my goals

parent? What do I want to develop
improve in myself for my family?

o You are aware of your individual personality

traits.
o You establish a good and honest relationship
with each member of your family.
o You deal with your past , face the challenges
of the present and prepare for your future.
o You re-define your family values.
o You examine your parenting roles and
responsibilities.
o You clarify and establish your family goals.

After 5 minutes , have the participants form triads in

order to share their answers. Remind and encourage them to
be trustful and open to make the activity most meaningful.

Processing
After the sharing , assemble all participants and
process the whole activity by asking the following questions:
What did you feel during the sharing? (as the one
sharing/as listener)
What did you discover in yourself? Are they your
strengths and weaknesses?
What is the importance of discovering your strengths
and weaknesses in performing your role as a parent?
Do you need to improve yourself as a person and as a
parent?
In this exercise, be sure to elicit what the participants
learned about themselves as parents.
Ask the participants for their insights then stress the
importance of understanding personality traits, family values,
childhood experiences and family goals. All these factors
influence the parents ability to relate with their children and
respective spouses.

Key Learning Points

You can understand yourself better as a person if:

Recognize your basic strengths as a person:

o You have the capability to think and
recognize what is right and wrong.
o You have the capability to improve yourself
o You have rights as a person.
o You have the freedom to fulfill your aspiration
and goals.
o You know your responsibilities toward
yourself, others and God.

Application
Ask participants to identify two areas that they feel they
need to improve on. Tell them to list down the actions they will
take for the next three months in their notebooks.

Synthesis
To be able to perform your roles as parents . you need to
know yourself better. You need to know your strengths because
these are the positive part of you that will help you become a
better person and effective parent. You likewise need to know
your weaknesses. These are the negative part of you that may
hinder your growth as a person and as a parent. You need to

overcome your weaknesses by changing them to serve as

your strengths. The more strengths or positive characteristics
you have , the more you can become a fulfilled person and
parent.
Activity 2
Play a game on listing family values. Divide the class
into two or three groups. Tell them they will be given 3 minutes
to list down as many family values they can think of on their
respective manila paper. At the end of 3 minutes, post the
manila papers on the wall and check them together. The group
with the most number of answers wins.

Processing
After declaring the winner, discuss thoroughly the family
values written by the parents. Find out which family values are
most common to all. Find out which family values are least
common. Ask them to explain their choices. Add to their list by
introducing the other family values listed in Annex A.

Key Learning Points

Building on your family values will help you realize your

family goals.
Different families have different levels and styles of
realizing family values.
As parent, you should spend time reflecting and
clarifying your most important family values.
As parents, you should communicate these family
values to your children through word and action.

Application
Ask parents to go back to the 2 or 3 groups formed during
Activity 2. Give them 5 minutes to think and discuss ways of
communicating or sharing the family values they have so far
identified with their children or spouses. To cut down on time, tell
each group to just focus on the family value most important to
them. After 5 minutes, call on each group to share their
suggestions through a short skit. If there is a duplication of family
values, let them go ahead because you can point out the
difference in level or style of strengthening per family.

Synthesis
It is not enough that you are aware of your family values as
parents. You must make sure your children are aware of these
family values. When you go home today, observe your children if
they are practicing your most important family values. You must
praise them for the ones they are practicing and help them
develop the ones they are not practicing. Sometimes all it takes is
a constant but gentle reminder.

Required Materials :

Taped song or lyrics of

I LOVE MYSELF
Self-administered
questionnaire on selfesteem
Marking pens / ball pens /
paper
Handouts on Improving
Self-esteem

Introduction
After learning all about the importance of the self, let us
now talk about self-esteem . Do you know what self-esteem is all
about? Do you know whether you have high or low self-esteem?
As parents , you should realize the value of developing high selfesteem to better perform your parental roles and responsibilities.

Objectives
The parents should be able to:
Define self-esteem
Explain the importance of developing high self-esteem
Acquire ways of improving self-esteem

Content Outline
Session Two

My Self-Esteem as a Parent
Estimated Time

1 Hour and 20
Minutes

I. Definition of Self-esteem
II. Importance of Developing High Self-esteem
A. More productive and functional
B. Can perform roles and responsibilities well
C. Develops self-respect and respect for others
D. Secure person

E. Positive outlook in life

you now need to build on these strengths and weaknesses

love and appreciate yourself as a gift of God.

to

III. Ways of Improving Self-esteem

A. Friends
B. Time
C. Praise
D. Goals
E. Love
F. Respect
G. Believe
H. Challenges
I. Acceptance
J. Positive values

Methodology
Brainstorming
Individual Work
Lecture-Discussion
Individual Reflection

Procedures
Activity 1
Relate the previous session by saying:
Are you now more aware of your strengths and
weaknesses? That is very good. That is the first step towards
knowing yourself better. Do you know what to do next? Yes,

In stressing the value that should be apportioned to the self, play or

sing the song I LOVE MYSELF Ask the participants to listen well to the song
and reflect on the message of the song.

I LOVE MYSELF
I love myself the way I am
Theres nothing I need to change
Ive always been the perfect me
Theres nothing to rearrange
Im beautiful and capable of being
The best me I can
I love myself just the way I am.
I love you just the way you are
Theres nothing you need to do
When I feel the love inside myself
Its easy to love you
Behind your fears, your rage and tears
I see your shining star
And I love you just the way you are.
I love the world the way it is
As I can clearly see
That all the things I judge are done
By people just like me.
So till the birth of peace on earth
That only love can bring
Ill help it grow by loving me within.
I love myself the way I am
And still I want to grow
The change outside can only come
When deep inside I know
Im beautiful and capable

Of being the best me I can

And I love myself just the way I am.
I love myself just the way I am.

Processing
After the song has been played or sung, ask the
participants to reflect on the meaning of the song. Draw out
the participants insights by asking the following:

esteem?

What did you infer from the song?

What is self-esteem?
What is the significance of the song in relation to
your self-esteem?
Do you think it is good to develop high selfwhy?
Do you know how to improve your self-esteem?

Self-Esteem is how a person feels and thinks about

himself.

Write all the participants responses on the board. Lead

them to identify core concepts that will enable them to
understand self-esteem

It may be positive:
Im smart
I look good

Key Learning Points

It may be negative:

Provide more inputs on the importance of having high

self-esteem as parents. Emphasize that parents with high selfesteem are able to fulfill a more satisfying relationship with
family members and are able to better accomplish their tasks
and responsibilities as parents.

Im ugly
I am no good
I am afraid to make mistakes

Self-esteem develops overtime. It constantly changes

Positive experiences and fulfilling relationships can
help raise self-esteem.
Negative experiences and troubled relationships
contribute to low self-esteem.
Self-esteem is very important because it has a direct
bearing in your life:

o Meet people and keep on acquiring new

friends.
o Take time to be alone with your thoughts and
feelings
o Take pride in your achievements both great
and small
o Set realistic goals in life.
o Learn to love yourself
o Respect yourself and be proud of who you
are.
o Believe in yourself.
o Be willing to take risks and try new things.
o Learn to accept yourself.
o Build on your positive values.

Self-esteem influences practically every aspect of

your life:
o The way you treat yourself and others;
o The way you view life (positive or
negative)
o The way you use your abilities and
talents; and
o The way you perform your roles as a
parent in the family.
o The way you feel about yourself will be
reflected on the way you perform
your roles and responsibilities.
o The way you look at yourself will be
reflected/manifested
in
your
behavior.
o Your perception of your self-esteem has
an effect on others.
Parents with high self-esteem are more productive
and fully functional.
A parent with high self-esteem has a sense of selfrespect.
A parent with high self-esteem knows his values.
A parent with high self-esteem has a positive
outlook in life.
Parents with low self-esteem are less productive
and have no direction in life.
A parent with low self-esteem doesnt see his value
or worth.
A parent with low self-esteem is an insecure parent.
A parent with low self-esteem has a negative and
critical outlook in life.
To improve your self-esteem:

Application
After the discussion , provide participants copies of selfadministered questionnaire on self-esteem to enable them to
determine the level of their self-esteem. Give them 5-10 minutes
to answer the self-administered questionnaire. You may use
either of the two sets of self-administered questionnaire on selfesteem provided at the end of this module (See Annex B.).Allow
them time to review and reflect on their answers. Then help them
interpret and determine their scores when finished.
After the interpretation of the results , provide them
additional inputs on how to improve self-esteem. Give them
handouts on Improving Self-esteem (See Annex C.)Highlight the
fact that the way to improve self-esteem is the development
and/or strengthening of positive values.
Emphasize further that self-esteem constantly changes
depending on how you approach different situations in your
life. However , it can be improved and developed by facing all

experiences positively and accepting all responsibilities with

interest , trust and hope.

Synthesis
End the session by asking participants to write on a
piece of paper a positive statement or phrase about
themselves. Have them tape the paper right on the center of
their shirts and walk around the room to let others see it.
Shake each others hand in acknowledgment of each others
positive traits.

Annex A
(for Session 1)

FAMILY VALUES TO BUILD

LOVING is more than just a feeling of being attached to or
happy with someone. It includes choosing to be kind and helpful
to others though you may not exactly feel like it. Love also
involved doing for other people what you would like to have done
for you.
FAITH is the act of believing the things that God has
revealed about Himself and acting on those beliefs. It is knowing
for sure that something we want is going to happen even if we
cannot see it yet. If we are confident we are living a good life then
we also tend to believe the blessings will come eventually.
RESOURCEFULNESS is the ability to devise ways and
means of getting a job accomplish. A resourceful person takes
every opportunity to make the most out of his or her abilities,
resources, and situations. Some resourceful people even look
forward to new challenges and problems so they can devise
better ways to deal with them.
PRAISE includes words or actions that give honor to
someone. Those words and actions show the deep feelings and
thoughts of the person offering the praise. We occasionally
praise someone for physical skills or good looks but there are a
lot more little kind gestures worth praising if we take the time to
notice. If we can be more generous with our praises, it does help
our children gain self-confidence.
RESPECTFULNESS is an attitude of high regard for
someone. Such an inner attitude of respect must then be

displayed through outer actions. Its not hard to say that we

respect parents, teachers , God, etc. But if our actions dont
support our words, our respectfulness is probably not genuine.
TRUST is an unwavering belief in someone or
something, especially pertaining to standards such as truth,
strength, or character. To put your trust in God means to rely
on Him to get you through any situation no matter how bad it
seems and no matter how unable you are to cope with it on
your own.
RESPONSIBILITY, simply put, means that you are able
and willing to do what you say youll do. It means that others
can count on you to come through with your share of any task.
It also means taking the initiative to do what is right. To be
responsible to God means that you take your commitments
seriously and can be trusted to maintain a lifestyle that reflects
your belief in Him.
COURAGE is the ability and willingness to stand firm
when confronted by danger, fear, or peer pressure. The basis
of courage is not usually physical strength, but rather a mental
or moral strength. Depending on the circumstances , it may be
more courageous to endure temporary defeat or failure than to
use force to eliminate it.
PERSEVERANCE is the ability to keep going even
under pressure without becoming discouraged. Perseverance
cannot take place without
some kind of obstacle or
persecution. So it is important to develop perseverance since
none of us can avoid trouble entirely. We should prepare to
deal with problems when they come rather than wait to see if
they come.
PURPOSEFULNESS is the determination to complete
whatever you set out to do. Your purpose should continually
motivate you to action. When God gives someone a job to do,

that person should feel a sense of purpose as he or she sets out

to accomplish what God has instructed.
PRAYERFULNESS is the regular participation in prayer
(which is simply communication with God).It includes much more
than asking God for things you want. Prayer includes praising
God, giving thanks for His blessings, confessing your sins, asking
him for help, and praying for other people. Prayerfulness gives
you a proper perspective on life because it keeps you aware that
you are not alone as you encounter the good and bad events of
each day.
COOPERATION is the willingness to work with other
people to accomplish a task. Many times people can become
burdened when they undertake a major chore or when they face
opposition from others. God has given His people different gifts
and abilities and has instructed them to cooperate with each other
to accomplish His work.
COMMITMENT is a willingness to serve someone or a
cause. It involves your mental and physical loyalties to that
person or purpose. For instance, commitment to Jesus Christ
means that you are willing to trust Him with your life and that you
will consciously look to Him for guidance and direction. A
commitment is not to be taken lightly, especially where your
relationship with God is concerned.
COMPASSION is a combination of love, care, and the
desire to help. Sometimes the word pity is used as a synonym for
compassion. But true compassion goes beyond pity and includes
a willingness to get involved in the problems of suffering people.
THANKFULNESS is the recognition of God as the one
who creates all that is good and the expression of appreciation for
all He has done. Thankfulness should be a natural response for
us. Unfortunately, we too often take Gods many gifts for granted
and forget to thank Him.

WORSHIP means to honor and adore someone who is

worthy of such high honor. True worship involves not only
things we do but also includes our thoughts and feelings as we
do them. Only God fully deserves our worship, and we are to
hold Him in awe both publicly and privately.
HUMILITY is the voluntary lowering of yourself or the
willingness to give up something that should rightfully be
yours. To be humble, you must eliminate pride and arrogance
from your life. Sometimes people tend to think of humble
people as weaklings, but it takes great inner strength to calmly
allow someone to take credit for something you have done, or
to not join in when everyone seems to be boasting about
themselves.
DEDICATION is complete commitment to something or
someone. When youre dedicated to something , your whole
heart is in what youre doing. Dedication may also involve the
setting apart of something or someone for a special purpose.
GOODNESS is the quality of being virtuous. It is a state
of favorable character, pure motives, and sincere actions.
People committed to goodness try hard to eliminate sin from
their lives. True goodness is a spiritual condition not easy to
attain but we should never stop trying.
REPENTANCE is sorrow for ones sin, and turning
away from that sin to serve God and do right. Repentance
involves: (1) Admitting before God that you did something
wrong, (2) Feeling sorrow for what wrong doing and for any
harm it caused, and (3) Most importantly, changing your
behavior from wrong actions to right actions. Whenever you
turn away from sin, you turn back toward God.
CONVICTION is a strong belief in or desire to uphold a
moral standard. Your personal convictions are the things you

hold to be right or wrong. Consequently, they mold your thoughts

and actions.
Conviction may also refer to a deep sense of regret you
feel after committing a sinful action. Just as we say that guilty
person is convicted for his crime, we, too, can feel conviction
when we get out of fellowship with God. Conviction is more than
guilt. It is a feeling God places within us to lead us to repentance
and put us back into a good relationship with Him.
FORGIVENESS refers to blotting out sin and guilt. After
youve forgiven someone who has done you wrong, you can
again be friends with that person. Any request for forgiveness
should be accompanied by a willingness to make up for the
wrong. It is important that we all learn to forgive each other since
none of us is perfect.

ANNEX B
(for Session)

SET B

Self-Administered Questionnaire No.1

Check the box of your choice.

SET A
Check the box of your choice.
1.Are you easily hurt by criticism?
2. Are you very shy?
3. Do you fear close relationship?
4. Do you try to hide your feelings?
5. Do you try to put the blame on others for your
mistakes?
6. Do you have excuses for inability to change?

YES

NO

1. Do you accept construction criticism?

2. Are you at ease with new people?
3. Do you recognize and accept your
feelings?
4. Do you enjoy close relationship
(& learn from them)?
5. Do you laugh at your mistakes?
6. Do you make changes in yourself &
notice these as they occur?

7. Do you avoid new experiences?

7. Do you look forward to new

experiences?

8. Do you wish you can change you appearance?

8. Do you like the way you look?

9. Are you too modest about your successes?

10. Are you glad when others make mistakes?

9. Do you praise yourself for your

successes?

YES

NO

10. Are you glad for others when they

succeed?

11. I expect to be accepted by most people I. meet

.
12. I generally feel my friends like and value me.

Self-Administered Questionnaire No. 2

Score Sheet Interpretation on
Check the box of your choice.
NO
1. I like to receive praise and compliments.
They dont make me feel foolish and nervous.

YES

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF

If you answer most of the question under SET A with Yes ,
you need to improve your self-esteem.
If you answer most of the question on SET B with Yes, you
have a healthy opinion of yourself.

2. I believe I am a good child / parent.

3. I dont get hurt or feel humiliated if I am slighted.

Scoring Sheet for Self Administered Questionnaire No. 2

4. I do the best I can to get the attention and

admiration. I think I deserve.
5. When someone appreciates me, I dont try to
deny the good things they are saying about me.
6. I can give compliments easily and generously.
7. I think as much of myself as my closet friend
think of me.
8. I feel good about how I look. I like my face and
body.
9. I dont get furious or depressed if I am not waited
on or given attention promptly.
10. I know I am basically a good, kind person and
I seldom feel guilty and unworthy.

Give yourself 1 point for each YES answer you checked

then total your score.
12
11

Very High

10
9

High

8
7
6

Average

5
4
3

Low

Goals

2
1
0

Very Low

Set realistic goals. Meet them by learning new skills and

developing your abilities.
Love
Learn to love yourself. Learn from your failures and
successes , everyone has them.
Annex C
(for Session 2)

Improving Self-Esteem
I feel good about my self
Parents who feel good about themselves will treat their
children
In the same way.

How to Improve Your Self- Esteem

Friends
Meet new friends . Be comfortable and open about
yourself so as to develop closer relationships.
Time
Take time to be alone with your thoughts and feelings .
Get involved in activities you can enjoy by yourself like crafts
and reading.
Praise
Take pride in both your great and small achievements.
Praise yourself for being good and doing well.

Respect.
Be proud of who you are. Dont try to be someone else.
Explore and appreciate your own talents.
Believe
Believe in yourself. Believe that you can.
Challenges
Be willing to risk by trying new things.