We will be mixing a cake of a good relationship, with a core filling of the most important ingredients!
For the outer layer of cake, take a mixing bowl and add 1 cup of humor with a few tablespoons of hugs and kisses. A pinch of spontaneous surprises is optional--not needed, but helps add a zest of flavor!
To mix the core, you must not forget the most important ingredient: 2 cups of Love!
Also for the filling of the cake, you may use either Communication and Setting Aside Time for Each Other, however these two taste best when used together!
Finally, to finish the delicious cake filling of a healthy relationship, Add a tablespoon of Trust and 1.25 tablespoons of loyalty.
Mix together the filling until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Place a layer of the outer batter, then the filling, and top of with a final layer of outer batter. It’s important to have a balance between the small aspects of a relationship and the important!
Remember that every ingredient is just as important as the other no matter what the quantity, so don’t forget a single one, or your cake will taste funny!
This assignment was one of the first ones where I had to genuinely compromise.Since we are all type 2’s, we all want to please each other, so it’s uncommon that we havedifferent viewpoints. Originally, I wanted to live in New York for my job as a businessman,but since Los Angeles was where we all grew up, I decided to agree to the best choice forall of us. That’s what I appreciate about this project. It teaches us to come to compromisesin marriage, let alone relationships. Along with choosing our apartment, we proportionallydivided the money so that every room would have the essentials with some extra purchasesfor style. Overall, I think we did a great job working as a team.
I enjoyed this worksheet because I got to ask my mother for help with it, and we got to sit down together to talk. This budgeting exercise opened my eyes up to how many things a family has to keep track of. Coming from a family where spending and saving is not tracked too closely, it is refreshing to be able to feel organized in monetary terms. I feel like I will definitely use this spreadsheet in the future when I really do have to budget for my future family. It’s a useful tool not only to set goals, but to see which were met, and improve upon keeping track of those costs for next month.
This activity was challenging because finding a place within our budget and qualifications in LosAngeles. However, after long research, we finally found a place suitable for our foodie needsand a short distance from work. My sister is going through this process and she gave me someadvice on how to go apartment hunting. She told me to have an open mind because it is rare tofind a home exactly to your standards. There are a lot more places that you might be interested,so she advised me to look in other areas. She also gave me some suggestions to some placesand also she told me her “must-haves.” She was definitely looking somewhere close to myparents and also to her work in Culver City. We found a place that worked for us. While lookingfor furnishing, I did not realize how expensive everything is, like bedding. I found that veryconfusing and shocking. I went to Living Spaces and other popular and cheap furniture sites topick the perfect combination of affordable, comfortable, and representative of our style. Our floor plan for the apartment is not too big but it is sure to give a homey and comfy feel to everyone,so that was our approach on our furnishing.
List 5 do’s and 5 don’ts for raising your children.
Do's:
Encourage them
Communicate with them
Accept them for who they are
Teach them hygienics
Teach them manners
Don't:
No forced activities
No forced beliefs
No physical punishment
No overstimulation
No ignoring, blaming, or pressuring them
List 5 parental obligations to children.
Teach them to eventually be independent
Provide shelter
Provide food
Provide clothing
Provide love
What should a father’s responsibility be in raising children?
A mother and father should both teach their children how to be well-mannered, make good decisions, be organized, take care of themselves, and more. Both parents should do it together; the only thing a father may do differently is talk to their son about social stereotypes for men that a mother would not understand. He must teach his son about the social expectations for boys, and how they do not have to apply to his son.
What should a mother’s responsibility be in raising children?
As stated above, a mother must talk to her daughter about social stereotypes for women that a father would not understand, and teach her that she is not bounded by these stereotypes.
How would you discipline your child?
I would take away something that is a luxury, talk to them about why what they did was wrong, and tell them how to act in the future so as not to repeat the same mistake.
How would you introduce God to your child?
I would model my own faith life to my child, and either wait for them to ask "why?" or explain to them why I am praying, why we go to Church, and God as Creator of all things.
How would you teach your child to love?
I would love them, love my spouse, love the rest of our extended family, and use those as an example for them.
Should a mother work outside of the home? Explain
If she wants to work outside of the home, she should have the freedom to do so. However, she and her spouse must try to be home for at least one meal and for bonding time with the family.
How will you enjoy being a parent?
I think I will enjoy being a parent immensely, when I am ready. I love my younger cousins and I love the idea of passing on wisdom to a child, when they are ready. I am a little scared at the task of molding the life of a person, but I have heard that it is a joy that is uncomparable to anything else.
What are some wrong reasons for having a child?
It is wrong to have a child because one feels like they have to (socially or within their family).
Will you send your child to private school or public school?
I would like to send them to to school that offers the best education, activities, and support system, be it private or public school. However I would love for a Catholic school to aid my child in faith development.
Will your child be involved in extra curricular activities?
Yes, I would try to introduce them to different activities to see which one they prefer.
What are your dreams for your child/ren?
I dream for my child to be healthy, and sure of who they are and of their surroundings--physically and emotionally.
How might you help them achieve their goals?
I would set aside money for them to go to college, and always be open to talk to them about and be supportive of their ambitions.
What is the most important lesson you want to impart on your child/ren?
I want to impart that life is what they make of it, and that they can have limitless possibilities for joy and satisfaction, if they only allow themselves to.
Parent Interview
What is the greatest joy in being a parent?
Having a baby, it's part of you that you're going to take care of, nurture, and see them grow up every day. Giving them unconditional love is the greatest joy.
What is the most difficult part of parenting?
You go through stages; the "No" stage, the teenage stage, and then when they go off to college and being independent--driving, having a boyfriend. When they start talking back to you is very challenging, and when they think you don't understand them.
Is there anything you would do differently if you were to begin a family again?
She wishes she could be a stay-home mother, and have more time to "catch every moment of you guys growing up". And of course she wishes she had more money to afford video cameras and a television.
What advice would you give to prospective parents?
"Enjoy the moment, because they grow up fast."
Reflection
I found this to be one of the most interesting and easiest worksheets for me. I have noticed, in my studies and daily life, that parental techniques have a huge impact on the way a person grows up, relates to the world, and sees the world. I have always quaked at the fear of making the parental mistakes that I have heard about, so I have often thought about what I would teach to my child, if I were to have one. Having wonderful, supportive parents helps me in this, because I have learned so much from them that I cannot wait to apply with my own child. Through this exercise I have also learned how expensive it is to have a child. I've come to appreciate all that my parents have done for me throughout my lifetime.
This has been the most fun worksheet for me so far, because I love interior design. We went with a photo for inspiration for our furniture, but it was still such a fun experience to search for all of the items we needed to help make a space that was really ours. The budget of $5,000 was also a good reality check that helped keep this activity realistic.The actual process of searching for an apartment was not easy, especially with the urban area that I preferred. However we found an amazing apartment that suited all of our needs. We were theoretically able to afford it, if in our perfect worlds we got our dream jobs.However, I know that in the real world, that is not only the case. It was stressful to imagine what this process would have been like if I was not making the money that I wanted to be making.Overall, this worksheet really helped me to understand what sort of compromises need to be made In order to find the best possible living space for my husband and I.
What are some of the values you’ve been taught by your parents?
My parents taught me to value health, wealth (monetary and non-monetary), family, and religion. They taught me to not let one overtake the other in importance, but to find a balance among them all.
Money Management: Will you use cash, credit? Who will do the budget? One of you? Each of you?
We will use both cash and credit, and we will do the budget together.
Household Management: (task/ responsibilities)
We will split house duties together. Sometimes one may help the other out, but for the most part, cleaning and cooking will be split between the two of us.
Children: (size of family, spacing, how soon)
I hope to have two kids, and keep them within at least 4 years of each other. How soon I can have them depends on many factors, such as finance, housing, and emotional readiness.
What are some of your deal-breakers?
I must have a husband who is fully involved in the marriage and in raising a family.
Parent Interview
How long were they engaged?
One year
Have they noticed any differences in engagement today from when they were engaged? What are those differences?
There was a focus on "something new, something old". My mom wanted a large wedding, and they paid for it completely. Weddings in my family nowadays are small and private because of financial issues.
Do they recall anything unique, unusual or funny about this time?
The fun part of engagement was all of the family coming home from the Philippines, meeting new family, and just seeing everyone. It was interesting to see everyone RSVP. Funny anecdote is that they forgot to invite a relative.
Are there any customs or traditions associated with weddings or engagements in your family? Explain.
"Something new, something old". My parents had a traditional Catholic wedding, with the coins, cord, candle, blessings from Mother Mary.
What advice do they have for couples about to become engaged?
The partner to be is the partner to enhance the person's livelihood, all the way around. Supporting them with everything they are doing, for example, school. Have good listening skills, and know they care for you, by action or word.
With my partner:
How will the engagement period be different from just going out as you have been?
We'd be spending more time together to see if we're compatible for living together long-term. So it'd be different from dating, because we'd probably get to know different sides of each other.
Describe how you would like to become engaged. Planned? Surprised?
A surprise is always fun, but I wouldn't want to be completely caught off guard. I feel that we would have had to talk about it a little, or hint to each other, before any rash proposals. Then after a surprise, we can really sit down and discuss our plans.
Would the groom purchase an engagement ring or would you choose not to have one? Why?
I would love an engagement ring! I think it's lovely to have an object with me at all times that symbolizes our promise and that signifies to others that I am taken. Also I have just always wanted one.
Describe the kind of ring and its cost. Include a picture or a drawing.
I have always just wanted a simple wedding ring, with a thin band and single diamond. It also does not have to be very expensive at all! This ring that I like is $1099.99
How long would you choose to be engaged? Why did you choose this length of time?
It depends on where the both of us are located (in school)--how long until we can move in together. It also depends on how long until we are financially stable, and how long it will take to plan the wedding. Assuming we are located near each other and wealthy enough, 2-3 months is enough time to plan for a wedding. It's very dependent on our situations, though.
What types of social celebrations will occur during this special time? (bridal shower, engagement party, bachelor party, bachelorette party, wedding party luncheon…)
Eric aspires to be like this strapping, young lad as he embarks on his endless quest for knowledge at Harvard Business School. He also intends on becoming magna cum laude for the class of 2021. Eric thinks that he should aim for the moon so that he lands in the stars.
The company in which Nia worked as a User Experience designer. She, in a team of 4, redesigned the website of the company, as well as created interactive surfaces in the lobby of the company office for the public to use.
