12/07/2023
MID-TERM – Time to connect with your child
Dear parents/guardians,
Challenges and experiences in childhood, play a major role in moulding character in later life. Will the memories of their growing up be cherished? Regretted? Traumatised? will the memories be of confusion, harsh temperaments from guardians, will it draw unresolved conflicts from lack of love, care? This is thought to be the point of conception of Delinquency, serial offenders, killers, and antisocial personality disorders.
Children look forward for midterm as they understand that back at home, they belong, they are loved, cared for and protected.
Plan to be involved..
As a parent, utilize this midterm to listen, connect, empathize, encourage, affirm, pray together, correct, rebuke with love, share meals and spend quality time together.
Allow your child to open up, to speak. Listen effectively and you will be able to pick their progress, concerns, needs and worries among other issues.
When they are settled and easy,
1. Remind them who they are in God that they carry greatness, abilities, gifts, talents, uniqueness and possibilities that God has invested in them.
2. Call out the greatness in them, appreciate their achievements, improvements as well as their ability to cope and remain strong in these challenging times.
3. Remind them importance of their psychological wellness– mental, emotional, social, and spiritual as well as physical wholeness.
Talk about drugs and s*x if they are teens, and consequences. Info-educate rather than dissuade.
4. Emphasize the importance of values and principles that govern success
5. Remind them the importance of education.
6. Share with them tips on how to overcome and cope with challenges they are encountering.
7. Affirm them, pray together, assure them of your love and commitment to their development and also share your expectations.
8. Make it a habit.
