Parenting on Purpose

The little boy turned his head in astonishment; everyone was calling his name and singing in great joy. These were the uncles and aunties he had met on a regular basis, and all of them looked so happy as they raised their voices in merriment. In addition, there were his Daddy and Mummy, and his two Kor Kors, all beaming in wide smiles, as they sang his birthday song and enjoyed the delectable cake that Mummy had baked. Our dear foster son B turned 2 last week. This was the first birthday he was celebrating with us and the friends who love him. That day, as we headed home after all the festivities, we asked little B if he was happy, and the little boy answered resolutely in a gentle voice, “Happy.” This 2-year-old is surrounded by so much love. He is loved by the uncles and aunties and the Kor Kors and Jie Jies who see him on a regular basis. And he brings much joy to others wherever he goes. B first came to live in our home in May 2022. We first met him in a fast-food outlet, after bei...

It was a heart-wrenching wail which permeated the stillness of the night.  And the accompanying cry was no less disturbing, an appeal which persisted for no less than half an hour. "I don't want the light off!" Yes, it was time to sleep, and our 3-year-old foster son was throwing a tantrum once again and refusing to sleep.  This incident took place about a month ago, and it was the first in a series of nightly tantrums, each persisting for seemingly innocuous reasons; the day after it was "I don't want the giraffe water bottle!", which was followed by "I don't want the apple!" and then, when all else seemed to fail, it became "It is not nighttime!" Little K on one of his earlier outings with the family. The twin boys were then amused to be given twin bananas! Sometimes we feel we're fighting a battle.  As a history student I will always remember the trenches of World War One where the British and German forces fought hand to hand ...

Quote of the Day: There have been so many times when I have felt inadequate as a father. I hear of so many fathers who do amazing things with and for their children, and I wish that I could be one of those amazing men.  I wish that I could do more physical activities with my two active boys, or spend more quality time with them; I wish I did not always have to be so strict when I discipline them, or always repeat the same things when I try to get them to obey me. Yet I was reminded today that my role as a father is not to be extraordinary. I would of course be happy to be an extraordinary father. What I am supposed to do, is to be a faithful father; one who brings up his children in the ways of God and teaches them to love God, to love others and to love themselves. I am also called to be a fruitful father; that my children will grow up to become individuals who will make a difference and change the world. Indeed I am blessed to receive this special calling as a father...