The good parents

Aires’ friends from the Ateneo recently threw her a baby shower get-together.

It was a night for the couples. Ruby and Mannix Evangelista came. Elsa and Vince Magtibay came. Vhangie and Alf Quemada came. Jacque Aguinaldo and Wilmer Sabaria came. (Well, everybody wished Jacque and Wilmer came as a couple.)

Ruby was games mistress and ruled with an iron fist. She came prepared with props and prizes and rules she created along the way.

They gave us gifts for Heaven Czar. But the most valuable ones were the lessons they shared about marriage, parenting, and children. Here are the best tips we have ever heard from friends whom we have known from our teener’s years at the Ateneo.

Vince: Your faith will see you through.
Elsa: Give what is the best for your child.
Ruby: Say what you feel.
Mannix: Know your priorities.
Vhangie: You feel what your child feels.
Alf: Each child is unique.
Jacque: God knows what is best for you.
Wilmer: There is always time for change.

Indeed, God knows what is best for us. He made us wait this long and let our friends get a head start. Aires and I listened to their stories and wondered what stories and lessons would we share next time. In the meantime, their stories give us a living narrative of how to become good parents.