Roles of parents in child upbringing
It is also the duty of parents to bring up their children in an atmosphere of peace, self confidence and in an environment free of fear, threat and abuse. They are also to support school related learning, teach social skills and etiquette and give moral and spiritual development, as well as creating ethical value systems […]
It is also the duty of parents to bring up their children in an atmosphere of peace, self confidence and in an environment free of fear, threat and abuse. They are also to support school related learning, teach social skills and etiquette and give moral and spiritual development, as well as creating ethical value systems with social norms that contribute to the child’s beliefs, culture and customs.
On emotional security, parents help protect the child’s psyche by providing a safe environment which guarantees love and acceptance, giving emotional support and encouragement. Parents also have the task of developing the child’s ability to love, care, and help others by showing empathy and compassion.
Parent ought to create space for their child to play which in turn helps in his development. Children’s talent are developed through organizing leisure activities, thereby challenging their children to think critically and speak properly.
It is also the responsibility of parents to bring up the child with religious principles especially through exemplary lifestyle. Since every child has positive and negative qualities, parents are expected to help develop the positive and “weed out” or “prune” the negative.
Traditionally, parents had enough time to take care of their children but we don’t have that anymore because our society has developed to the point where for a family to meets its needs, both parents have to work. This lack of care and time by parents is really telling on the society.
Parents should create time out of their work schedule to spend time with their children, check their school books and assist them with homework. They should also visit their school to find out how they are faring. As a parent, you are responsible for correcting and guiding your kid in line with the popular saying that “train a child the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.
Child rearing is complicated but parents need to make more efforts to raise their children well.
Bulus writes from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.