I am glad to see the increased in the population of Filipino children in Dubai. It does warm my heart to realize that most Filipinos are choosing the rather difficult tasks of taking their families in Dubai instead of the traditional easy way out...leaving their families in the Philippines.
When I first got pregnant with Angela, I knew that we had to endure a few months of separation. We simply had no choice, I had no job and Mark's salary wasn't sufficient to sponsor us yet. It was simply out of the question. We are not on the immigration bracket. But I swore to myself that it wouldn't last a year and I'll get her to stay with us. I will work on it.
My determination paid off and yes, true to my promise, we took Angela to stay with us after only 8 months. It was one of the easiest decisions I've made. One that doesn't even need additional reconsiderations. I knew I made the right choice.
This year itself, Angela will commence going to school. At KG 1 the tuition fee are jaw dropping. I had already paid $1500.00 for the first term alone. That's around Php 66K for 1 term of kindergarten, and if you consider that there are three terms per year...go figure. Her tuition fee is 3 times what my Mom is paying for my sister's college tuition, and she's into double major in La Salle Bacolod. I know it sucks and I know that I'd be able to make a six digit saving in terms of Php if I choose to send Angela home. But as a parent, my main priority is to see my children (2 of them so far) grow up and transform into the kind of person that I want them to be, responsible, independent, educated. I want to have a direct, first hand role in molding them into this type of individuals. I wanna share their experiences, laugh with them in their funny moments, talk to them when they're scared, be there to witness every recital, school programs, dances, swimming, skating, karate, ballet or whatever competitions they'll choose to participate. Yes, it bothers me that the tuition fee for KG1 is higher than the tuition fee for nurses or doctors in the Philippines. But the idea of my daughters going through the most exciting phases of their lives without me to enjoy it with them is not just potentially difficult, it's totally scary.
I dare all expat Filipino moms, dads and parents out there, whether in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE to put this into consideration when they choose to send their kids to school in the Philippines in an attempte to avoid they sky-rocketing tuition fees. Put your kids first over your bank accounts. Choose their life over your retirements. Aren't they supposed to be the reasons why we're working extra hard regardless of all circumstances? If we can only stay true to our statements that our children is in the center of our priorities and that every single effort, every project completed, every job and achievements attained are meant to ensure that our children enjoys a life that they truly deserve, then perhaps, we would realize that ensuring good lives for our families goes beyond providing a stable financial life and extends to their complete well being. It goes beyond being able to put good and descent food in the table, being able to pay good tuition fees, being able to buy them PSP or Xbox. Our children, especially in the early stage and development, wants us, needs us to be there. To see them in their first uniforms, work through their first homeworks, listen to their initial fears, protect them from the first nasty bullies they might encounter, bring them to the first school bus they'll ever take, show and congratulate them for the first stars, awards, or any achievements that they may have. Our children should grow with us. Period.
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