The Hopes and Challenges

of Parenting Today

Bro. Harold R. Espeleta, OP

 THE NEED FOR PARENTING
1. The Problem of the “no degree for
parenthood”
2. The SOCIAL MALADY: environment
(crimes, inverted moral values, family,
break-ups, prostitution, absentee
parenting, fatherlessness, parental
delinquency…)
Summary: Restlessness
Insecurity
Obscurity
Tension
 DO YOU WANT YOUR
CHILDREN TO BE HAPPY?

YES!

Then we have to do
something- NOW!
 OUR ATTITUDE
T-A-P-O-S!

Everything that begins well- ends well

Trust
Acceptance
Presence
Openness
Security
“Families become what
you are!”
~ JPII “Familiaris Consortio”
 THE NEED TO LOOK AT
OURSELVES FIRST
“Parenting is more than having good skills.
It is more than just devoted to our
children and wanting what is best for
them. It cannot be separated from any
other part of our life. Whatever is
affecting us, regardless of how obvious
or subtle- is ALSO affecting our
children. WHATEVER EXIST IN OUR
LIFE, ALSO EXISTS IN THEIRS”
~ Anne Johnson and Vic Goodman
“The Essence of Parenting”
 “Everything we have
learned from our family
will mark our
personality patterns for
the rest of our life.”
~ Alice Miller
 PARENTAL ROLE:
Understanding Who We Are?
Priest: image of God (survey: 65%
no parental catechesis)
Architect: draw the “plan of life”
Researcher: observation, kilala mo
ba sila?
Engineer: implement the plan, lay
the foundation
Nurse: caregiver, heal their
wounds, nurture
Teacher: influence their thinking,
role model- example
 Parenting Style Test
High Control

AUTHORITATIVE AUTOCRATIC

High Love Low Love

PERMISSIVE NEGLIGENT

Low Control
 THE PRIMAL NEEDS
• ACCEPTANCE: the experience of being
unconditionally received just as we are.
• APPRECIATION: the experience of
having someone take delight us.
• APPROVAL: the experience of being
congratulated for mastery and success.
• AFFIRMATION: the experience of
being valued individually.
• AFFECTION: primal need-LOVE! The
experience of being touched caringly,
stroked lovingly and embraced tenderly
THANK YOU!!!
Bro. Harold,OP
0908-869-9469