Something had to be done to bridge the gap between my daughter and me after separating from them and having not gone home for years in the pandemic—the distance between us, especially in the first years of working abroad, was really big.
During the holidays back home, I always ensured to spend quality time enjoying each moment and cherish her presence with me. As single-parent, we go shopping together and attend family activities and gatherings. We don’t waste a single day. We try to make up for the days that we missed, treasure and enjoy the memorable days before us.
In Hong Kong, through the help of technology and social media, we were able to establish our relationship. I connect with her through video calls to see her face and get involved in her daily routines.
— Rose Brabante
It is pretty hard for a mother to leave her children to work in other places, for a greener pasture for family’s sake. It was way back in 1997 when I left my daughter with her father and my in-laws. When I left our only daughter, she was already in her second year of high school. Time flies and my daughter changed her attitude towards me, making me sad. Sometimes I kept asking if I still had a daughter. Her feelings were far from me. When I went home for vacation, she did not even meet me at the airport. However, being a mother, I tried remedies to win her heart back and break the ice. I let her feel my motherly love for her, supported her and gave her what she needed until she finished college. I prayed unceasingly that God brings back my daughter’s love for me. Time heals, and the gap between us is gone in God’s grace.
Amazingly, she now has her own family and is gifted with a little boy. Being a mother herself, she realises that my leaving her was to give her a bright future. We would share stories of motherhood, and I am delighted now to be a grandmother. —Perlita Deseo
I left them to my parents when my children were still in grade four and kindergarten. Now that they are grown up already. However, it is painful to see that they were closer to their grandparents than me! I understand the situation. So the remedy I did to develop a closer bond was to have time to call and check on them constantly.
We can easily maintain communication and create memorable and meaningful activities with the help of new technologies. As parents, we need to feel that we are there for them. We need to listen, advise, give support and above all, pray. I hand it all to our almighty God. As a mother, it hurts to be apart from them, but I need to have a positive mindset to work for their future so that I can lead them to a financially stable life.
— Lani Janoy
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
My remedies to bridge the gap between my children and me are sparing some time for them, knowing their updates and patching things up if any misunderstandings arise. I also get the chance to teach them spiritually, for I fully know that only God can keep us united and ignite the love for each other as a family.
— Marlyn Lanada
Thanks to social media, I can do some remedies to share and do my responsibilities as a mother and contribute some good ways to my son’s upbringing. Video calls help us connect, form stronger bonds, and share regular happy, loving moments online. After eight years of absence, I think I shall go home to build a stronger relationship with my son and take care of him independently.
— Jhean Menor
I often talked to my children and explained why I needed to be away from them. When I was on vacation, quality time was one of the tools to show my love and care to my children. I need to do quality bonding, take care of all their needs, and learn to adapt to their interests. I always make sure that my whole vacation is well spent on them and catch up with them.
— Gemma Solomon
