A good education begins at home. Someone rightly quoted that “a teacher’s job becomes a little easier when children are disciplined from home.”
The place of effective parenting in bringing up a well behaved individual cannot be over emphasized.
Our parents, as the first teachers are the solid foundation of our love and support. They have given up a lot for us. They have guided us through every challenge and taught us what is good and what is wrong. It is therefore, important to acknowledge their constant dedication, and Parents’ Day is the ideal opportunity to do so.
Parents Day is usually observed to showcase the importance and benefits of parenting and to demonstrate our affection and love for them and today, July 23, 2023, we are privileged to celebrate our amazing parents for the great impact you’ve had in the lives of your children.
The art of parenting goes beyond the reproduction of young ones. Parenting has to do with being involved in all aspects of a child’s developmental stages and growth. It is quite alarming that the increase in the perpetration of social vices such as kidnapping, rituals, rape, cybercrime, and others are as a result of the lack of effective parenting in our society.
Effective parenting can be defined as the ability to engage and interact with children in a way that they learn and grow into remarkable and responsible adults.
It is also the act of showing concern and being involved in every stage of a child’s growth with the sole aim of training them into mature and responsible adults in the future. The need for effective parenting in today’s world is obvious. Unfortunately, some parents have left their duties to teachers, relatives and caregivers, forgetting that no one can effectively fill the position of a parent in the life of a child.
Research has shown that being an effective parent does not mean you are perfect but it involves having some qualities.
Qualities of an effective parent
- Love
Everyone responds to love regardless of the age. Children should always be assured and reminded of their parents’ love for them. Any child that love has been communicated to from a tender age will find it easy to show love to others.
- Create time for your children
Your children need adequate time with you especially in their formative years. This is because whatever they learn at this stage is what becomes a huge part of their person when they grow up.
- Trust
It is important for parents to earn the trust of their children.
To gain the trust of children, parents should not judge them or be the first person to talk on their mistakes. Rather, parents should constantly remind them that they will always be by their sides through their victories and tribulations.
- Communication
The need for effective communication between anyone, parents and children inclusive cannot be over emphasized. Parents should build up a strong bond with their children such that they see and regard their parents as the best persons to speak to whenever the need arises. Parents should never become so busy that they will not create time for one-on-one discussions with their children.
Children whose parents don’t have time to communicate with them often fall prey to the wrong hands in the society.
- Be a good role model
Our actions they say, speak louder than our words. The world we find ourselves is one in which our children do what we do and not what we say. It is therefore, important that whatsoever we desire in our children should be seen in us by the children.
- Support
A child’s number one fan should be the parent. There is a kind of confidence that is birthed in a child when they know they have the support of their parents. They put in their very best because they would never want to disappoint you.
Parenting is a huge task but with determination, skills as well as prayers, it surely has great benefits that far outweigh the challenges involved.
Today, our life has a purpose and a goal, all because of our parents’ relentless effort and faith in us. We thank our parents today for their blessings and the constant support that they have given us. There are not enough words to express how grateful we are to them for everything they have done for us.
HAPPY PARENTS DAY
Wakilat ORENIWA,
Head of School
