Creating an enabling environment for children

FROM birth to five years, children look so cute and innocent they create a feeling that makes you want to play with them all day long. However, at some point, reality kicks in to tell us that children need to be shaped, nurtured and guided towards becoming respectable human beings to successfully navigate the many corners of life.

Like many other disciplines for which there are educational institutions to facilitate the learning of same, parenting unfortunately has no formal avenue of learning. Many parents, single or otherwise, are continuously being condemned for the seemingly negative characteristics that are sometimes displayed by their children.

Through working with parents, I am told different things such as, “I am doing the best for my children with my limited means”, “I make my children but I did not make their minds”, “despite what I do, my children still follow bad company”…these are just a few of the many cries that pound through the earth on a daily basis. Flipping the coin, there is an equal amount of cries from youngsters worldwide including abuse, abandonment, neglect, and lack of parental love. The cries from both sides of the fence continue to widen the problematic gap that exists. The old sayings of long ago such as “friends carry you but don’t bring you back and when children don’t listen they have to feel, may very well be relevant today.

The million-dollar question remains, how do we close the gap? There can never be a perfect parent neither a perfect child, and therein lies the importance of the Juvenile Court Project.

This soon-to-be introduced initiative is critical to improving the child justice system, in treating with the systemic deficiencies as well as fostering greater integration and collaboration among agencies charged with the responsibility for children. I anxiously await the start of this project which would possibly bring a ray of hope for both parents and children so affected.

The International Women’s Resource Network is convinced that the answer to the problems identified here resonates in doing the non-monetary things that are crucial to the effective nurturing of children. Start by creating a loving, trusting and unique bond between you and your children, teach your child right from wrong, show the challenges of developing risky friendships, be a good listener and a good observer as many children usually communicate silently through body language rather than loudly; never compare your children to other children as every child is uniquely blessed in different ways and with different talents and skills.

Be truthful about your circumstances which would help them in better understanding your inability to provide all the things which they need; begin to enlighten them spiritually…this is extremely helpful; if your child does something wrong, don’t allow it to pass without correcting them…remember whilst you love your children, they are not your friends.

Engage your children in healthy conversations regarding sexual and reproductive health and in so doing, enlighten them of the environment which now exists so that they become prepared to deal with the associated challenges.

Nurturing children and developing a loving and caring relationship is not an easy task but with patience and love, you can do it.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or 283-0318.