A call to action for parents to stop harming their children and change their parenting practices

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), an agency of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, has officially launched activities for National Parent Month, which is being recognised in November.

The celebrations are being held under the theme, ‘Positive Parenting: Impacting Generations,’ a call to action for parents to stop harming their children, change their parenting practices by embracing nurturing, boundary-setting strategies and break the cycle of violence in the next generation.

It will be guided by three pillars: Plan for Parenthood, Be Willing to Learn and Break the cycle. This means prospective parents should consider the determinants of effective parenting in evaluating their readiness to take on the role, be open to new strategies and approaches in advancing the development of their children, recognise past trauma and unlearn unhealthy cycles of behaviour in promoting positive parenting practices.

Parents across the island will be engaged during National Parent Month through intensified virtual parenting education sessions in five Spotlight Initiative programme areas, parent place facilitator engagements and parent sector partnerships. The graduation of two cohorts of Parent Mentors and the National Parent Awards will culminate the activities for the month.

Parents being called upon to reevaluate their own parenting practices

In her opening remarks at the launch, NPSC Chief Executive Officer Kaysia Kerr called on parents to reevaluate their own parenting practices, noting that this will impact future generations.

According to her,”it will take a whole approach to correct the issues as the important stakeholder is the parent. We understand that when we inflict harm on our children, it does have an impact which runs contrary to what positive parenting is. Let us talk to our children with kindness, set boundaries and teach our children what to do instead of telling them what not to do. Part of positive parenting is teaching your children what the right thing looks like,” she said.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information Fayval Williams, in delivering the main address at the event, noted that the theme: Positive Parenting: Impacting Generations underscores the reality that values imparted and lessons learnt continue for a lifetime.

”Often children pass on the lessons they learn from their parents to their own children. For us, in the education sector, the positive involvement of parents in the lives of their children cannot be overstated. We know through various studies across the globe that children generally perform better academically and tend to be more disciplined and respectful when they are raised in families that demonstrate good parenting skills,” Williams explained.