Perhaps even more challenging than the bilingual aspect of raising a Fil-Am child is keeping a balance on the multicultural side.

How do you strike a balance between the positive values of the Philippine culture, the positive values of the USA culture and try to guard your child (ren) against the negative of the USA culture?

That is a very delicate balance to try and do. You have to balance between what media such as TV, movies, the Internet and more that your child is exposed to. Then do you want the values of a daycare to be taught to your young child while you pursue money or do you want your values set in your young children?

Do you want those who control setting the values of the public school to try and force their brand of ‘education’ down your child’s throat or do you do parochial, private or homeschooling options?

How do you balance between picking the good kids for your child to associate with and maybe crossing the line on being overprotective?

All of these things each of us parents or future parents have to decide and act on. None of them have a clear cut answer. But I can tell you what we chose for our daughter.

Because of our exposure and my hubby’s knowledge of the public schools and other factors, we have opted to homeschool our daughter. Additionally, we involve her with other children who are homeschooled with similar values and have her enrolled in other things such as dance to increase her exposure to others her age level.

TV – This is an unnecessary luxury when that $60 or so can be better spent on medical debt reduction, savings or Filipino foods.

Internet – Yes, we do control her exposure and what she gets to read and look at. When she can demonstrate proper judgment, then she’ll get more and more opportunities.

But the best way we can think of are the periodic trips back to the Philippines and visiting the relatives in the provinces. Then our daughter will learn of what life is like for her numerous relatives so she can better appreciate the numerous luxuries that are ‘normal’ in the USA.

I do not know if any of that will help but at least the questions are something to think about.

Anah

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