Over 1.96 million Filipinos left children behind in the Philippines to work abroad between April and September 2023 alone. That number, drawn from the latest available data, represents more than just a statistic—it describes millions of families navigating a reality where love and presence are separated by oceans and time zones. For the children in these households, understanding why a parent is gone, what that parent’s life looks like abroad, and how the family still functions as a unit is not always straightforward. The emotional weight of that distance can shape a child’s development, their sense of security, and even their academic performance.
Every Filipino child likely has a connection to an OFW—a parent, older sibling, uncle, aunt, former teacher, or neighbor. Helping a child grasp this reality is not about shielding them from the hard parts. It is about giving them the language, the stories, and the tools to make sense of a situation that even many adults struggle to navigate.
What Children of OFWs Experience
The emotional landscape for these children is complex. They may struggle to form secure attachments, which can impact their ability to trust and build healthy relationships later in life. Socially, loneliness and difficulty connecting with peers are common. During adolescence, the absence of a parent can complicate identity formation, leading to insecurity or confusion about their role in the family. Older children sometimes take on caregiver or sibling roles, accelerating adulthood but potentially adding stress. The key is recognizing that these are not signs of a broken family, but predictable responses to a difficult situation that can be managed with intention.
Why Some Children Thrive and Others Struggle
The difference between a child who adapts well and one who struggles often comes down to the quality of communication and the support system in place. Financial stability from remittances can improve access to educational resources, but money alone does not replace emotional connection. Children may feel pressure to pursue certain career paths to justify the family’s sacrifices, which can lead to burnout. The extended family—grandparents, aunts, uncles—often plays a key childcare role, but children may still experience emotional displacement that affects focus and concentration in school.
What matters most is not the distance, but the predictability of the connection. Children who know when the next video call is coming, who have a trusted adult they can talk to daily, and who understand why their parent is abroad tend to fare better. The research consistently shows that maintaining strong family connections through regular communication is the single most effective strategy.
How to Explain OFW Life to a Child
Start With the Why
Before a parent leaves, they should tell their children the reason for taking an overseas job. This includes concrete plans: how long they will be abroad, when they will return for vacation, and how often they will call. Children can handle the truth better than they can handle confusion. A child who understands that the parent is working abroad because there are not enough good-paying jobs at home, and that the goal is a better future for the family, has a framework for processing the separation.
Use Stories to Build Empathy
Stories of Filipino migrant workers help children understand OFW situations, appreciate sacrifices, and develop empathy. Books like Ang Baul ni Emil—which centers on a nine-year-old boy migrating to Hong Kong to live with his OFW parents—give children a narrative they can relate to. The baul, or treasure box, serves as a repository of memories from home, a tangible metaphor for how children can hold onto their roots even as their lives change. Stories normalize the experience and show children they are not alone.
Create a Communication Routine That Works
Establish predictable communication routines—weekly video calls, nightly phone calls, or scheduled messaging times—to provide stability and anticipation. But do not stop at logistics. Meaningful conversations should cover the child’s day, schoolwork, friends, and aspirations, not just casual updates. Acknowledge and validate the child’s feelings about the separation. Create a safe space for them to express sadness, anger, or resentment without fear of making the parent feel guilty.
Involve the Child in the Parent’s World
Technology makes it possible for a parent to participate in a child’s life from afar. Video calls enable parents to tuck children in remotely, celebrate milestones in real time, and offer comfort during tears. Parents can also share their own world—photos of their workplace, stories about their colleagues, or a quick tour of their neighborhood. This two-way sharing helps the child feel connected to the parent’s life rather than resentful of it.
Build a Team With Caregivers
The parent abroad cannot do it alone. Collaborate with family members or caregivers to stay informed about the child’s development, challenges, and achievements. Foster open communication with guardians about parenting values and goals. Consistency and collaboration among family members provide stability for children. The guardian can include the parent in daily conversations and keep memories alive with photos and family stories. Minimize scolding the child when hearing concerns from the guardian, as this can create distance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Helping Children Understand OFW Life
At what age should I explain my OFW work to my child? ▾
How do I handle my child’s anger about me leaving? ▾
What if my child refuses to talk to me on video calls? ▾
How can I stay involved in my child’s education from abroad? ▾
My child seems fine. Do I still need to talk about the separation? ▾
How do I handle the guilt of missing important events? ▾
What are some shared activities we can do online? ▾
How do I make my visits home meaningful? ▾
Building a Shared Future
The goal is not to erase the difficulty of separation, but to give your child a framework for understanding it. When children know why their parent is abroad, when they have a reliable communication routine, and when they feel their feelings are valid, they can navigate the distance with resilience rather than resentment. The most important thing you can do is show up consistently—not perfectly, but reliably. Every video call, every shared story, every “I love you” said across the miles reinforces the message that distance does not diminish love.
If this was useful, you might also want to read our guide on avoiding misunderstandings and building trust in OFW families.
Sources
Guilt-Free Parenting: Finding Peace as an OFW Working Abroad — Practical advice for OFW parents navigating guilt and maintaining emotional connection with their children.
OFW Parent Gone: Guide Your Child Through It — A step-by-step guide for preparing a child for a parent’s departure and maintaining bonds during separation.
Bridging the Distance: The Impact of OFW Parents on Child Development and Strategies for Nurturing Strong Family Bonds. OFWJobs.org, 2025.
Bridging the Distance: The Impact of OFW Parents on Child Development and Education. OFWJobs.org, 2025.
Stories of Migrant Children: An Interview with Author Yna Reyes. Bookbed, 2024.
Effective Ways to Sustain Relationship with Your Kids as an OFW. Camella, 2024.
