Parents Archives

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024

Why Is Self-Awareness Important?

The idea of self-awareness has been gaining popularity recently, appearing in many articles, videos, and social media content. This interest is well-justified, as self-awareness is crucial across all stages of life. It plays a significant role in adults’ work, family life, social interactions, and personal growth. Similarly, self-awareness is essential for teens as they mature and build their identity, as well as for school-age children who are learning values and habits that will shape their lives.

To begin with, why is self-awareness important? Imagine a baby crying, and you don’t know how to soothe them. You can’t calm the baby because you lack awareness of what they need—are they hungry or in pain? This scenario illustrates how awareness is vital for addressing a situation effectively. Similarly, if you don’t know which of your behaviours need improvement (having awareness), how can you improve?

Let’s apply this to students. If a teen is unaware that their poor eating habits are causing physical issues, how can they improve? How will they be motivated to change if they don’t recognize the problem? The same applies to students who are unaware of their unhealthy attachment to gadgets leading to poor school performance. Without awareness of the issue, they won’t take steps to address it.

In simple terms, self-awareness is the starting point for any positive behaviour change. This is why AWARENESS is the first of Milchel’s 5 Key Traits (Awareness, Discipline, Responsibility, Perseverance, Confidence).

Children and teens may not always have high self-awareness, so adults should step in and guide them when their lack of awareness affects them. By nurturing self-awareness in the younger generations, we pave the way for them to develop healthier habits and a better understanding of themselves and their surroundings. In turn, this creates a more mindful and compassionate society for all. As adults, maintaining high self-awareness not only helps us lead by example, but it also allows us to navigate our own lives with greater clarity and purpose.

March 4, 2024March 4, 2024

Instilling Responsible Spending Habits

Responsible spending habits are an essential skill that everyone must have. As we have observed in Milchel, children have different spending habits. Some as responsible, but others are excessive in their spending. One this is for sure – they learned their spending habits from their parents. Directly or indirectly, it’s the parents who have taught them whatever they know about money and spending.

If you have young children who are just beginning to understand the concept of money and spending, now’s the good time to teach them responsibly spending. As they say, it’s best to start them early. At an early age, children must learn to distinguish between needs and wants. Do they really need that new toy? Or do they just want it? Do they really need that insanely expensive bag? Or do they just want it?

While we teach our children to think about their needs and wants before making a purchase, we also encourage them to think critically. Do they really need that top of the line gadget? Or will a mid-level one do the job? Is it really wise to spend their pocket money for the month in just one weekend? The more they practice critical thinking, they easier they will develop a good judgement when it comes so spending their money.

Finally, let me circle back to the start of this article. We said that whatever spending habits your children have, they definitely learned it from you. So the best tip to remember in instilling responsible spending habits is to lead by example. Whatever our children see from us are incredibly influential in our children’s attitudes towards money and spending. That being said, reflect on your own spending habits and what your children are learning from you. If there’s still a room for improvement, enter that room with your child and change your spending habits together.

Over-all, it all boils down to your family’s values that you pass on to your children. Once they know the difference between needs and wants and the importance of being reasonable in spending, they can then think critically about their spending habits. Later, they can make good decisions about the hard-earned money that their parents regularly top-up in their pockets.

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024

Beyond Goal Setting: Nurturing Continued Success in Your Child’s Education

As Milchelians set their academic goals, the journey doesn’t end there; it’s just the beginning. We – parents, guardians, and coordinators – play a crucial role in the follow-up. This is to ensure that the energy gained from goal setting translates into on-going success.

The Importance of Follow-Up

After the initial excitement of goal setting, it’s important to maintain a constant and supportive role in Milchelians’ educational journey. Regular check-ins and discussions about progress create an environment where goals aren’t just set but are actively pursued.

Celebrating Achievements

Recognizing and celebrating small victories is key to maintaining motivation. Whether it’s improved grades, completion of a challenging project, or personal growth, acknowledging achievements promotes a positive mindset in children. This also reinforces the value of setting and attaining goals.

Adjusting Goals

As Milchelians progress, goals may need adjustment. We must encourage open communication about challenges and aspirations. Furthermore, we must be ready to listen to what our children say. More importantly, we must be willing to let our children adjust their goals to align with their interests and capabilities. This flexibility ensures that goal setting remains a dynamic and meaningful process.

Identifying Challenges

Regular follow-up allows us, guiding adults, to identify any challenges Milchelian learners may be facing. Whether it’s difficulties with specific subjects, time management issues, or personal struggles, addressing challenges promptly ensures timely support and intervention.

Encouraging Reflection

Engaging Milchelians in reflective talks about their goals is also crucial. Encouraging them to assess what worked well and what could be improved is a helpful strategy. Moreover, guiding our children and teens how they can apply these insights to future goals is key. This reflective process instils a habit of self-awareness and continuous improvement.

The Consequences of Neglecting Follow-Up

While goal setting is a powerful tool, neglecting follow-up can lessen its impact. Without on-going support and encouragement, goals may lose their significance, and Milchelians’ initial energy may decline. This could result in a lack of motivation, direction, and a missed opportunity for continuous growth.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Journey of Success

In conclusion, goal setting is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey. By actively following up, parents, guardians, and coordinators contribute to the development of skills such as awareness, perseverance, adaptability, and self-reflection. This on-going support ensures that the benefits of goal setting extend beyond the initial stage. By doing so, we are guiding Milchelians towards a lifelong journey of academic success and personal growth.

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023

Tips for Parents on Supporting Children in the Digital Era

In our previous article, we talked about the importance of educating children about responsible and ethical online behaviour. In the current one, we will talk about how parents can support their children in this vastly digital era.

As parents navigate the challenges of raising children in the digital era, there are several strategies they can employ to support their children in developing responsible online behaviour.

Strategies in developing responsible online behaviour

First and foremost, teach your kids about cybersecurity. Instruct your kids on the value of having strong, one-of-a-kind passwords and the possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. Establish the practice of changing passwords on a regular basis and spotting phishing attempts.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Second, parents should lead by example at all times. Children learn up knowledge from seeing their parents. Act responsibly when using technology by keeping yourself clean online, being considerate of others’ privacy, and using it mindfully.

Maintaining open communication channels is another useful strategy. It’s essential to have open channels of communication with your kids. Urge them to open up about their experiences—both good and bad—on the internet without worrying about being judged. By doing this, you can build their trust and effectively lead them.

ethnic mother sitting at table and watching paintings of little kids — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Additionally, establish boundaries for internet usage. Provide explicit rules about acceptable websites, screen time, and sharing personal information. Setting clear limits enables kids to learn the value of moderation and responsible use of technology.

Lastly, parents need to be informed at all times. The digital world is ever-changing, with new platforms and trends appearing all the time. To effectively guide your children, stay up to date on the most recent advancements in technology, social media, and online safety.

Of course, above is not an exhaustive list. It is just a set of simple steps that you can take to help your child. Continuous and consistent guidance to your children strongly anchored on the family’s shared values will be crucial in raising responsible digital citizens out of them. Ultimately, responsible and ethical online behaviour that they will learn from us will benefit them throughout their lives.

December 9, 2023December 9, 2023

Educating Children About Responsible and Ethical Online Behaviour

Children are growing up surrounded by technology. In the quickly changing digital age, they incorporate the virtual world into their everyday lives. As they navigate the world of the internet, parents now have a crucial job. Parents should work on establishing in children a foundation of responsible and ethical online behaviour. Moreover, they should aim to cultivate online behaviours that prioritise empathy, respect, and critical thinking. This is on top of imparting them with basic technological abilities.

Teaching children about responsible online behaviour is crucial for several reasons.

First of all, it gives children the means to defend against internet dangers. This includes misinformation, scams, and cyberbullying. It is crucial to educate kids to be critical online content consumers when knowledge and unwanted behaviours are plenty online.

macbook pro — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Children must be aware of the repercussions of sharing personal information online. This is so that they can make informed judgments about their online presence. Critical thinking skills are just as important as those taught in regular classrooms. They allow one to separate facts from false information and assess material critically. Children can also identify trustworthy and questionable sources through critical thinking. We protect kids from the dangers of false information through digital literacy.

black and gray laptop computer turned on doing computer codes — Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Furthermore, fostering a culture of compassion and inclusivity combats online negativity by promoting ethical principles. Nowadays, hate spreads so easily behind the computer screens. Raising a generation of kind and compassionate digital citizens is crucial to building a society that values truthfulness and responsible online and offline.

cute little ethnic girl embracing working mother — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

It is crucial to encourage ethical online behaviour in today’s connected world, even beyond matters of personal well-being. It helps to build a worldwide online community in which people value one another’s rights, privacy, and viewpoints. Teaching kids about responsible online behaviour is an investment. Truly, good digital citizenship is the key to building a safer and more morally-responsible digital environment.

November 8, 2023November 8, 2023

Fostering a Strong Partnership with Hostel Caregivers and Guardians

When a child resides away from home under the care of guardians, it’s essential that parents and guardians establish a harmonious and aligned partnership. As guardians responsible for the children in our hostel, we actively collaborate with parents. We trust that parents can equally engage in this collaborative journey. Here, we provide parents with practical tips for effectively working with guardians to support their child’s well-being.

Shared Goals and Expectations

To begin, parents and guardians should jointly establish shared goals for the child. At the outset of the child’s stay, parents should communicate their goals for their child’s development to the guardians. While the child is under the guardians’ care, they must guide the child to fulfil these mutually agreed-upon goals and expectations. Additionally, it’s crucial to prioritize the prevention of conflicts and misunderstandings among all parties. Working together toward a common objective must be the norm. Parents should select guardians whose values align with their own. It’s important to remember that parents entrust their child’s well-being and future to the guardians. Thus, they must place trust in the guardians’ judgment and principles to nurture their child.

Open and Regular Communication

Secondly, in addition to defining shared goals and expectations, parents should maintain ongoing communication with the guardians. In Milchel, we provide biannual reports on the child’s well-being and progress to parents. These reports supplement the insights gained from Parent-Teacher meetings, which we participate in on their behalf. Therefore, we expect parents to dedicate time to review these reports and respond with their comments. Communication channels should remain open through email, phone calls, and messaging apps. This ensures transparency among all parties and keeps parents well-informed about the developments in their child’s life.

Feedback and Constructive Conflict Resolution

Lastly, parents should be open to feedback from guardians, and vice versa. All communications and decisions should be guided by a shared objective: the child’s well-being. Parents should adopt a constructive approach to conflict resolution should disagreements arise. We emphasise the value of maintaining mutual respect and professionalism throughout these interactions.

The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Milchel is honoured to be a part of the village that nurtures and shapes your child. We are deeply appreciative of the trust parents place in us, and we look forward to continuing this partnership with parents and families. Our collective efforts are dedicated to the betterment of every Milchelian.

September 11, 2023September 11, 2023

Bridge the Miles: Maintaining Connection During Your Child’s Overseas Studies

As parents, nurturing a consistent bond with our children during their overseas studies is of crucial importance. Sometimes, it is us yearning to hold on as they embrace their newfound independence, while other times, they are the ones eager to explore the world beyond our embrace. Regardless, maintaining connection remains a shared goal, and with the aid of technology, communication is more accessible than ever. Yet, there are additional strategies to enrich this connection:

Establishing regular communication

First and foremost, establishing a regular communication routine is crucial. Initiate regular calls – perhaps once in the morning and once at bedtime. Adapt the frequency to your child’s age and level of attachment, all the while reassuring them of your proximity. Remember, your intent is their well-being, not appeasing your own longing.

person holding iphone showing social networks folder — Photo by Tracy Le Blanc on Pexels.com

Show genuine interest in their life abroad

Moreover, exhibit genuine curiosity about their life abroad during these conversations. Inquire about their academic endeavours, staying informed without micromanaging. Show interest in their burgeoning social life, and if they’re comfortable, engage with their friends via video calls. Sharing updates about home, relatives, and friends bridges the physical gap and ensures they remain rooted to their origins.

caring mother patting little son on head on bed — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Send care packages

Sending care packages is a time-tested way to evoke joy in our children. Witness their faces light up with happiness upon receiving these tokens of affection from afar. Whether eagerly anticipated or a delightful surprise, these packages, filled with their favourite snacks and goodies, are proudly shared with newfound friends, solidifying their connection to home.

unrecognizable person packing clothes — Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com

Schedule a regular get-together

Additionally, scheduling regular in-person get-togethers trumps any phone or video call. Plan visits to their overseas location, allowing them to proudly showcase their new surroundings. Alternatively, arrange for them to return home periodically, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt their studies. Exciting trips to either a favourite overseas city or a fresh destination provide a beacon of hope during bouts of homesickness.

photo of planner and writing materials — Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Encourage independence and growth

Lastly, while maintaining a strong connection is paramount, it’s equally vital to foster independence and personal growth. Encourage them to seize every opportunity in their second home, to form lasting friendships, and to develop a sense of autonomy. Strive to strike a balance between staying involved and granting them the freedom to flourish, avoiding the pitfalls of micromanagement.

person holding a green plant — Photo by Akil Mazumder on Pexels.com

In conclusion, by establishing regular communication, showing genuine interest in their overseas life, sending thoughtful care packages, scheduling personal meetings, and encouraging independence, we can nurture a meaningful and lasting connection with our children as they embark on their overseas adventures.