Positive Parenting

By Dickson Tumuramye I assure you that it may not be your love language, but each of us will confirm that we all like to hear positive words about ourselves. No one likes negative words about them or can gladly take in every undesirable and sharp criticism. Words of affirmation are one of the five types of love language by Gary Chapman. But this is not where I am heading. I am just telling us that, yes, good affirmative and encouraging words bless each of us in different ways. They may come as an expression of appreciation, praise, encouragement, counsel, confirmation, and comfort, among others. You may receive such words depending on the situation at hand. Any time a nice word falls into your ears, there is a good heartbeat, and you feel happy and excited. God did not hide how he was well pleased with His son, Jesus Christ, "You are My beloved Son, in You, I am well-pleased and delighted!" (Mark 1:11, Matthew 12:8, 17:5, Isaiah 42:1). Therefore, it is not wrong to s...

  By Dickson Tumuramye It is important to also value our children and provide a conducive atmosphere for them to talk to us as and when they need. Children are not supposed to be scheduled for an appointment in order to tell you what they want. Appointments can only be made when the matter is so serious that you feel you need to give it more time. But when a child is talking to you, pay attention and listen with your mind and heart. Practice active listening when you are talking with your child. This calls for patience, especially among the very young ones who don’t yet know how to effectively communicate well. Active listening should be focused, intentional, voluntary, and non-judgmental. Pay attention to your child’s n on-verbal communication and body language. The expression you see may speak louder than mere words. A child may be speaking and shaking, and you can really see that there is something fishy going on. But if you only focus on words, you may miss that. Theref...

By Dickson Tumuramye We try our best to pamper our children and provide them with almost all we can. We think for them even when they are adults. We ensure that we are in charge of their lives and must see them succeed at whatever cost. This is the reason why most of us work very hard, save and invest for their future. It is now so common among the corporate class parents to have house helpers who do everything for children right from childhood to adulthood. Unfortunately, it is these nannies and shamba boys in our homes that are in charge of all family affairs, and our children are like bosses. All they know how to do is to sleep, wake up, eat, play, be taken for an outing, and have nothing to do with house chores or engaging in any meaningful activity at home. I know of people who can’t even wash their own underwear or cook anything for themselves. When they try to prepare a meal, it is rice in a rice cooker, wash clothes in a washing machine, or they hire people to wash every...