Parents equipped for modern day challenges

Parents who participated in a recently held National Family Planning parent education programme are better equipped to deal with the challenges of parenting.{{more}}

For eight weeks 21 parents had the opportunity to be trained in strengthening the ability of parents to participate in their children’s development; improving parent communication skills; enhancing knowledge about sex related subjects; and enabling them to become comfortable in discussing such topics with their children.

The successful participants graduated at a ceremony held at the St. Clair Dacon Secondary School on Tuesday, June 29, 2010.

Staff Nurse Lisa Browne of the Stubbs Clinic noted that the programme initially started with 25 parents then later declined to 21.

Browne urged parents not to give up on their children. She reminded them that time spent with their children is time well spent.

Co-ordinator of the National Family Planning Programme Sister Naomi Prince in her address, said that parents have a vital role to play in shaping the values and attitudes of their children. She noted that parents are sometimes uneasy when talking about sex and sexuality. Prince stated that this stems from inadequate information and the belief that too much information leads children to have sex.

Tenisha Lewis, participant in the parent sex education class, said that she learnt about family values, sexual relationships, contraceptives, and ways to become a better parent. Lewis exphasized that she felt comfortable having open discussions with her child and normally talk about sex freely.

She noted that participating in the classes was quite easy with the other parents involved. Lewis expressed gratitude to the various ministries involved in the training and the facilitators who imparted their knowledge.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Mobilization Rosita Snagg congratulated the parents for attending the training session. She urged them to pray together because it will keep their families together. She challenged the parents to talk with their children and to never be afraid of doing so. Snagg also challenged the parents to set rules for their children and to be consistent with discipline.

Graduates of the programme were as follows: Devon Alexander, Erman Baptiste, Lucinda Baptiste, Juliet Bowen, Vincent Benjamin, Donna Browne, Sylvena Falby, Josette Glasgow, Annette Jack, Diana Jack, Garfield Jack, Kimesha Jack, Verna Jack, Donette James, Emril John, Tenisha Lewis, Verene Mayers, Ingrid Neverson, Dawn Peters, Rochelle Samuel and Bernadine Small.