• Does chores and homework better when given a list of things to do on paper or written instructions.
• Remembers faces and forgets names.
• Notices details like a new picture or object in the room.
• Learns fastest and understands best if you show him or her and allow him or her to see how things are put together or how they work.
• Watches others when in a social group instead of jumping into action.
• Likes listening to music tapes, the radio, singing and hearing books read aloud.
• Remembers a telephone number, or name by repeating it aloud a few times.
• Can maintain his or her focus just by listening in a class lecture or presentation, without having to be actively involved.
• Benefits from a phonics approach to learning to read.
• Solves problems by talking.
• Seems to learn everything by experience.
• Tries things out and always seems to be touching things even if they’re "off-limits."
• Needs a lot of physical contact with parents, children, and teachers, and if he or she doesn’t get the positive affection – hugs, pats, etc. – will nudge, push and pinch other classmates or siblings.
• Is so active that shoelaces become untied and shirt tails pulled out seconds after he or she has been neatly dressed for the day.
I missed to indicate the contact address of the Lupus Foundation of the Philippines and its telephone number. The Lupus Foundation is located at the Cathedral Heights Building, where the Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) holds office, too, beside St. Luke’s Hospital. The tel.no. is 726-8875. Those who want to get in touch with me directly can reach me via my residence number 871-9020 or my cell phone number 0917-8132024.
Marilyn
Hi Maricel!
I wrote to share something about stepmoms and how they should relate to their stepchildren. I have one – she’s 9 years old – and have raised her for the last five years. She is hardheaded and lazy. No matter how many times I tell her to do this or that or to impose my rules, she breaks them and does not seem to care whether what she does is good orbad, or whether I get hurt or not. Is it possible for a child not to have a conscience? For the past two years also, whenever she does not like her baon, she throws it away either in the garbage can or in her cabinet. She does not like vegetables, which is what I usually give her because I believe they’re most nutritious. I shun tocino, hotdog, and all those fast foods containing cancer-causing agents. However, if her baon is tocino, she will eat it up. Her aversion to her baon has become worse that for the past three months this year, she has lost a lot of weight. My housepartner, her father, has just had his marriage annulled, by the way, this year.
Thanks for whatever advice you can give on your end or that of your friends who are experts in this field. Though the background I gave is too general, I would appreciate any info about dealing with stepchildren, children who have separated parents or whose parents’ marriage has been annulled, insubordinate children, children who have difficulty following rule. I’ve tried all approaches – tough love, discipline without spanking, etc. – and have bought almost all the books on this.
Anxious Stepmom