Repaying large gifts
Dear Nanay,
My wife comes from a wealthy family. Every so often, her family will pay for things for our family. They treat us to trips abroad, have repairs made on our house, and have even given us a new car. My wife assures me that this is normal in her family, that I should not read anything into it and that they do not expect anything in return. But as padre de familia, I am getting uncomfortable accepting such large gifts from them. Am I right to feel this way? Should we continue accepting the gifts?
Ray
Dear Ray,
If the family of your wife is willing to give you all these gifts and additional comforts in life, then it is okay. Just accept them and say thank you.
Trust your wife. She would know her family the best. If she thinks it is okay, then you just have to trust her. Besides, if you suddenly start refusing, her family might get insulted. Baka maging issue pa iyan. (It might become an issue.)
Maybe you can show them that you are very grateful for what they are doing. Make sure you say thank you. Makisama ka ng mabuti (develop good camaraderie) and find a way to help them. Maybe in their business or if they need some help running some errands. Make sure you reciprocate. Remember that it doesn’t have to be in kind. Pinapakitaan ka nila ng maganda; kailangan maganda rin ang ipakita mo sa kanila. (They are showing you great kindness; you should show them the same thing.)
Sincerely,
Nanay
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One Is The Loneliest Number
Dear Nanay,
We are a couple in our 40s and we only have one child. We have been thinking about having another child and feel this might be our last chance because we are getting older. We are actually quite happy with the one child but we are thinking that he might be lonely in the future if he is an only child. Should we have another one?
M&M
Dear M&M,
I think you should go ahead and have one more!
Mas masaya yung may kapatid at kalaro yung anak ninyo. (It will be happier for your child to have a sibling and a playmate.) The two kids will always have each other.
Just make sure you don’t have more kids than you can afford to support. You should do some financial planning. But as long as you can afford to support them and educate them, bakit hindi (why not)?
Sincerely,
Nanay
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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.
