Dear Manang,
Physical harm is the most hurtful experience for a mother to receive from a husband. My neighbor just attempted suicide for the fourth time. This time in front of the children. How can we help them?
Fe of Ferdinand, Baguio City
Dear Fe,
Sometimes, just listening to them for a few minutes a day helps them cope. That ear makes life bearable. I wish that we can help them help themselves by giving them economic activities, but so many things complicate the situation. For now, just give her your ears and look for someone to counsel the couple.
Look for competent advisers,
Manang
Dear Manang,
Recently, a father was angry because he lost money and sought his three young children as the culprits who took it. His older son asked that he not hurt his sister and younger brother. The son remarked that both of them, father and mother, were not home. But in truth, the three children are left alone to fend for themselves and are hungry most days. They have learned to feed themselves in whichever way they can. It is not their fault. How can this be helped?
Geria of Bakakeng Norte, Baguio City
Dear Geria,
It is heartbreaking to see the young as victims of their parents’ ineptitude. I believe that the vicious cycle of life propagates the same culture and to see the poor remain in the same predicament is their own doing. They must become aware of this. To give work opportunities to the parents might be helpful. But these are intricate situations that are complicated too. I wish I could encourage you to feed the kids once a day but this is not practical and will encourage begging. I honestly don’t know what to say. It is not for us to ask for them to be taken. I wonder if anyone out there has some answers.
Anyone out there knows what to do,
Manang
