Parents need to pay particular attention to their children to ensure they grow up in a healthy environment that supports their development and mental health. Healthy attachments between parents and children foster strong bonds, creating a solid foundation for future leaders.
In many African cultures, there is a common perception that parents should use a stick to discipline naughty children. While disciplining children is important, it is equally crucial for parents to understand their children's behaviour. Various mental disorders can affect both children and adults and recognising these can help in addressing behavioural issues more effectively.
Some of the most common mental disorders include anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. While parents are responsible for raising their children and making decisions about their upbringing, it's important to recognise that children also have feelings. Their developing minds need nurturing to grow into responsible adults.
Several non-profit making organisations work extra hard to raise awareness of mental health. It's often not that difficult to notice a change in a child’s behaviour. Usually the once cheerful child or even adult starts preferring to spend time alone. The person is irritable, sad, and feels empty. These are just some of the changes that a parent must notice and seek help for their child before it's too late. Unfortunately, most African cultures will dictate that such a child be scolded and sent out to what is considered normal for other children, and in some instances can sadly attract an unnecessary beating!
We have previously carried articles about children committing suicide. In this edition, we have yet another article about a 14-year-old boy who committed suicide while his parents were out working in the fields. While much is yet to be investigated as to why this incident took place, signs leading to this unfortunate event could have easily been missed when parents are called away from their homes to their jobs.
Children are fragile and need affection, assurance, validation, and acknowledgement more than ever from their parents and guardians in a world that at times can be chaotic and confusing, particularly to their impressionable minds.
Elsewhere in this edition, two little girls have been violated by a family member whom they surely placed degrees of trust in. Family is trust: it forms the foundation of the most intimate and enduring relationships. In a family, trust means knowing members can rely on each other for support, understanding, and love, regardless of the circumstances. It means sharing your fears, hopes, and dreams without judgment. Trust within a family creates a safe environment where each member feels valued and respected, fostering open communication and mutual respect. But now, for these two little girls, the trust has been shattered.
These events, like similar others before them, are a wake-up call for parents to let nothing regarding their children get past their attention, especially where they can help it.
Behavioural changes shouldn't be allowed to slip through the cracks, be dismissed, or explained away. Noticeable changes in behaviour should create an opportunity to assert involvement, engage in dialogue, and offer guidance. Sometimes mere presence is enough for a child to feel safe and loved.
We need to practice more proactive childrearing and entrench stronger parental bonds. This also means parents must desist from overwhelming teachers with the responsibility of being educators and parents at the same time. Let's be present parents to our children and create a conducive environment for them to thrive and grow into responsible adults. After all, they are our future and we need to protect this legacy!
