Childcare in the Age of Technology

I was recently introduced to viewing the cameras installed in Carl's daycare. Now I can view what he does during the day. Although the images are choppy, I have a sense of what is going on.

Viewing it makes me feel the angst of not being there to take care of him. There was one time when they put him on the high chair and he was there for almost 30 minutes. They did not give him anything to eat. He just sat there, looking at childcare attendants going past him. It certainly teaches the child patience - because he is not the only one attended to.

Life really is different in America. Children start to be "independent" and working to fit themselves in a group of people they do not know at a very tender age. In our country, we shelter them, surround them with things familiar.

I am not sure I like having this facility to view Carl in his daycare. It gives me a sense of obligation to see if he got his food in time, if he got his nap, if he is not crying. But if I see him needing attention, I can't do anything about it. Ahhh ... technology!!!

Making History

I wrote in my post dated April 2005 that Noy can easily win the "Genius of the Family" award. When he graduated last August 1, he proved me correct! He graduated Cum Laude, finishing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, minor in Computer Science.

When Roly heard about this, he said Noy made history. Noy is the first in our family to get an academic award. I often thought that Roly is THE Genius of the family. He really is. He could have gotten academic awards, had his youth been less troubled. Oh, I can imagine his pride knowing that his son (his namesake even!!) achieved what he could have gotten.

I reminisced how Noy told time up to the last minute. While we say 9:10, he would say 9:12. Even before he could talk straight, I was confident he can buy anything at the sarisari store and not be cheated on his change. I thought of how he could easily solve math problems like the solution was as easy as 1+1. I always complained that he used his study table the least during their grade school years. Little did I know that he studied the least because that was all he needed. I remember when his Grade 1 teacher assigned a very long poem for him to recite for their closing program and I was so piqued because we had to put in a lot of hours to memorize the piece. During the program, I was on the sidelines, ready to give him cue words in case he forgot some lines. He did not need me.

I am proud of the achievements of all my children. Each is a gift and no one outshines the other. Migo is the son I love the longest. I tear up thinking of his simple achievements. Nica is my soulmate. I know her, like her heart beats in mine. Noy is my baby. We are each other's biggest fan.