DEAR NANAY,
Our son is in college and even if we can somehow manage our finances, it is still very expensive for us to send him to school there in Manila. Our problem is that he is not studying hard. I think he spends all his time at parties and just having a good time. He has many bad grades. My wife says we should just let him experience life the way he wants to, but I think I should give him just one last chance to improve his grades, otherwise we will not continue to pay for his college anymore. Maybe he can just come home and go to school here in our provincial college and live at home. Who do you think is right?
FPL
DEAR FPL,
It sounds like one of the problems that your son is having is that there is nobody to supervise him here in Manila. As they say, when the cat is away, the mouse will play. You did not mention where he is living now. Is he staying in the dorm? Is he staying in his own apartment? Perhaps it would be a better idea if you could have him stay with someone you trust — a friend or a relative. Para lang mayroon naman nagbabantay sa kanya. (Just so he can have someone to watch over him.) Of course the problem is compounded if there is really no one you can entrust him to.
In that case, for me, it is better if you just let him go back to your province and study there where you can closely supervise him. He is clearly not mature enough to be on his own and cannot appreciate the value and importance of a good college education. He needs to understand that his college studies will greatly influence his personal and professional lives in the future.
However, if you want to give him one last chance, baka puwede rin (that’s possible, too). Who knows? Maybe, things might change. But personally, I doubt very much na mababago mo ang kanyang pagkatao ng ganyan kabilis lang (that you can change his personality that quickly).
Sincerely,
NANAY
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JOB OPTION: SELLING INSURANCE
We continue to receive many encouraging letters and e-mails about the letter of “L,” which was published Sept. 1. Here is another:
DEAR NANAY,
I could not help but write you when I read the letter of Ms. L. I used to be in the same situation when I lost my high-paying job in the Middle East. I also ventured into networking, but I did not succeed. What saved my family and I was when I entered insurance selling. Now they call insurance agents “financial advisors, financial planners, financial counselors,” etc. And rightly so because to become one, an aspirant needs a lot of training and seminars, not to mention the licensing requirements when you sell life insurance and other investment products, which also requires another license. L can probably venture into this field, and earn a decent income if she perseveres. Certainly this could be an idea worth pursuing. JIM
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If you have a question, e-mail us at asknanay@nationalbookstore.com.ph or just drop your letter at drop boxes in all National Book Store branches nationwide.