Child Month, let’s bring up our children well

EDITOR: This month is designated Child Month, with Mother’s Day being part of it. Sadly, but true most of the mothers are single mothers. This places mothers in a very special and important role. Most children grew up without the presence of a father at home. So, as we celebrate Child Month let us big up the many good mothers in this land and, by extension, the world at large.

There are many good mothers who have raised good children all by themselves, but we have to recognize also there are many bad mothers who have failed to raise good children, but instead have abandoned, neglected and even failed to discipline children. Also, there are far too many teenage mothers who are not able to raise and train children in the right way.

It is important that children be raised in a healthy environment at home. Every child is valuable, with none being better than none. As we celebrate Child Month let us examine the homes we have developed and try to make our home a home that is comfortable, loving and to say the least ,a health environment.

In doing so, it is important that equal love be part of the home and not divided love, where Mummy treats some better than others because of the way their father give support. For example, some mothers show more love and appreciation to the child whose father gives more support, and also ,where the mother may be in a relationship with a child’s father, as against the children in whom she and the child’s father are no longer in a relationship and may not give as much financial support as the other child. This can create in-fighting and division in the home. This can also lead to bitterness and the desire to revenge and also it can create anger.

A healthy home should be one where children feel free to discuss their problems at home. Mum and Dad, or in most cases there is a single parent home, the mum should be the child’s best friend and mentor. That mum should find the time to be physically around that child and encourage the child to talk to her on any subject, even about relationships.

Far too often parents lecture their children rather than listening and try to understand them.When we listen to them and they can trust us to talk about anything, it makes those children feel important and valuable and it makes the home a comfortable place and creates a healthy environment at home. Abuse of no kind should be part of any home for this can create an unhealthy home and can lead to the children being angry, hateful, resentful and violent. Love must always be shown and demonstrated in the home.The home must be a place where children feel comfortable and loved and not a place where a child feels uncomfortable and as a result may desire to run away from home.

So as we celebrate Child Month I take this opportunity to encourage us to let our home be a place of comfort and love. One where children feel love, care and appreciation, where their parents are their best friend. But most of all, let Christ be placed back in the home and where prayer with and for our children are practiced daily.

May God bless this nation. A blessed Child Month.

Kennard King