Positive Parenting

By Dickson Tumuramye The issue of drug and substance use is becoming increasingly prevalent in our society, especially in schools and universities. Many children are involved in drug use, yet parents often remain unaware of what is happening in their lives. A university student once confided in me that he was struggling with alcohol addiction and was working hard to overcome it. Despite numerous attempts, he failed time and again. What pained him the most was that his parents had no idea about his struggles. Whenever he returned home for holidays, he abstained from drinking entirely, and his parents knew him only as their well-behaved, responsible son. Don’t Give Up Some parents have recognized that their children are grappling with substance abuse and have taken various measures to support them. Some have experienced only marginal progress, while others have witnessed encouraging changes. Sadly, some have lost all hope and feel inclined to give up. Yet, I consistently urge paren...

By Dickson Tumuramye Success is often measured by what we achieve in life. A good job, a thriving business, a beautiful home, and the ability to provide for our families are all admirable accomplishments. In Uganda today, many parents work tirelessly to ensure their children enjoy opportunities they never had. Yet, despite these sacrifices, it is not uncommon to find some successful parents struggling with children who are undisciplined, irresponsible, entitled, or unable to navigate life's challenges effectively. This reality raises an important question: Why do some successful parents raise struggling children? Success here may be reflected in educational attainment, career advancement, financial stability, leadership positions, or entrepreneurial achievement, etc, where a family lives a moderate life and has what is adequate to meet more than the basic needs. Success Vs Effective Parenting Many parents assume that success in one area of life automatically leads to succes...

By Dickson Tumuramye Life is filled with both good things and challenges. It is never as straightforward or comfortable as we sometimes wish it to be. Some challenges are small and manageable, while others come with deep emotional pain, stress, disappointment, anxiety, or frustration. These situations affect not only our daily lives but also our mental well-being and the way we think, respond, and make decisions. At times, challenges cloud our thinking and weaken our ability to remain focused on the important issues. When pressure increases, many people stop thinking objectively and slowly surrender to negative thoughts. In such moments, hopelessness silently grows in the mind and heart. Whenever we allow difficult situations to control our emotions and thoughts, we create room for fear, discouragement, anger, and emotional exhaustion. Some people lose their peace, fail to sleep well, lose their appetite, or struggle to concentrate even on simple tasks. Others begin to doubt them...