PANEL DISCUSSION

I was very honored to be asked to be on a panel to discuss different parenting styles and roles. It was sponsored by the Yokosuka Mother's Association. My friend, Nobuko, is the president. The panel consisted of Filipina, Chinese, American, and Japanese.

I got to tell them how we use the 'TIME OUT' system of punishment. They were interested that Tim also parents, and we share the nightly routine duties.

I was the only one that had to resort to English. I memorized 3 portions of what I was going to talk about. People kept complimenting my Japanese. That always makes me squirm, because I do not speak the language, yet. I feel bad because I haven't been studying like I should be.

We also got to meet the Mayor of Yokosuka.

A fellow Seika mom took pictures of me with her cell phone, thus I have photos.

When the panel portion was done, we did sing along activities for the toddlers there. I got to sing songs in both English and Japanese. This is me doing 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," or was it, "Atama, Kata, Hiza Pon?"

I am impressed how hard my friend, Nobuko, works at trying to open communication, and therefore understanding, between Japanese and Americans here. She has a wonderful open heart, and volunteers an enormous amount of time helping Americans learn the language (her classes are FREE, and FUN!).