Positive Parenting

By Dickson Tumuramye Every family faces challenges, and each family is unique in its own way. People have different perspectives and experiences, which means conflicts are sometimes inevitable. It is not easy for individuals to live together without disagreements, misunderstandings, or disputes. However, conflicts can be healthy when properly managed, as they help us recognize our strengths and weaknesses and can lead to personal and relational growth. One common mistake families make is avoiding conflict resolution or delaying addressing issues. Conflicts often arise from poor communication, jealousy, malice, backbiting, parental favoritism, income disparities, changes in status, unequal distribution of family property, sibling rivalry, and interference from in-laws. Strategies for Managing Family Conflicts Recognize the Problem The first step in managing family conflicts is to identify the root cause of the issue and acknowledge its impact. Family members must be willing to...

  By Dickson Tumuramye When the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results were released, I read a message on social media where a parent sent a message to a friend mistakenly thinking that his son had received Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results instead of UCE results. This confusion arose because many of us are accustomed to the grading system of the old curriculum, which used letter grades from D1 to F9, with a classification ranging from Grade One to Grade Four, and Grade U for failures. Previously, only UACE results followed a grading system from A to O or F. Under the new lower secondary curriculum, however, UCE grading now follows a scale from A to E, leading to widespread confusion among parents and learners. This misunderstanding is not an isolated case. Many parents and students were taken by surprise upon seeing the results of the lower secondary school curriculum. One parent, upon asking his child how he performed, was told that he was in first gr...

By Dickson Tumuramye It’s common for children to error and annoy parents or teachers. As a result, some parents or teachers use either force or harsh words thinking they are disciplining a child and correcting them, directing them to the right path. They don’t realize that their discipline measures are more or less a punishment and their words affect the child emotionally and lowers their self-esteem. I trust no parent wants to raise a child with low self-esteem, full of fear and self-rejection. Such a child struggles a lot in life and you too struggle parenting this child but you never recognize the source of the problem. The problem could be you, and your disciplinary strategy and discouraging words. As the school term gains momentum, many parents find themselves caught between two extremes; being too strict or too lenient with their children for various reasons. It could be about homework, revision, night preps either at home or school, and chores among others. Striking a bala...

  Fare thee well Aunt Hope The year was 1999. I was 15 years of age, in Form Three. Growing up, mine was a small world. I was the child trying to figure out life among adults. My mother parented me with the support of three bosom friends.  That inner circle has remained a constant over my short years on earth so far. Aunt Hope (who my mother fondly called Muramukazi meaning sister-in-law), Aunt Diana (Mrs. Tibenderana) and Nalongo (Maama Pat). Theirs was the friendship that the writer of the book of Proverbs probably meant when he wrote that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. I am yet to see a friendship so authentic, pure and royal. That fateful afternoon in 1999, Aunt Hope came to pick me from school. I was picked from class to go and receive my message from the Headmaster’s office. Abrupt messages from headteachers were usually not good news. Even as I dragged my feet to the Headmaster’s office, I wondered why of all students I had been singled out for...

By Dickson Tumuramye As trek the new year, we need to remain very sober and alert. In the first-paced Uganda where everything runs so fast, with over 14 million Ugandans grappling with mental health issues, you need to maintain a good and healthy mind. This month has a lot of financial pressures from the Christmas season; thinking about fees, sustaining the family, societal expectations, and the desire to start the year well. Some people still have uncertainty about life and how the year will go, among other things. The children in candidate classes are waiting for their results, and continuing ones are now setting their minds to return to school soon. Every member feels some pressure, yet life goes on daily. Time will never wait for anyone. It is up to us to be flexible and fit in well. Therefore, maintaining good mental health for parents and children fosters strong and healthy family relationships. These are some tips to carry you throughout this season Understanding the C...

By Dickson Tumuramye As the Christmas festive season is done, the next is preparing their children to head back to school. The transition from holiday mode to school readiness can be overwhelming if not planned well. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the back-to-school season smoothly. Start Early with Preparations Many parents tend to leave school preparations to the last weekend before reporting day. This last-minute rush often creates unnecessary stress and financial strain. To avoid this, begin your preparations at least two weeks in advance. Use this time to shop for supplies, pay school fees, and address any other requirements. Starting early also allows you to take advantage of favorable mid-January prices before they skyrocket due to increased demand. Review the School Requirements Obtain the school’s requirements list early and carefully review it. Make a checklist of what your child already has and what needs to be purchased, repaired, or replaced....