Positive Parenting

  By Dickson Tumuramye The school fees may be paid, the suitcase may be ready, and the uniform may be neatly packed. But before you send your child back to school, ask yourself one important question: Is my child really ready to go back? For parents, these final days can easily become a checklist of uniforms, books, shoes, toiletries, transport and fees. Those things matter. But there is another form of preparation that may matter even more , and that is preparing the child emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally for the term ahead. Third Term deserves particular attention because it is the promotional term and has final exams for candidate classes . For many learners, it is the final opportunity in the academic year to consolidate what they have learnt, improve weaknesses and demonstrate that they are ready for the next level. So, before the child leaves home, have a meaningful conversation. “How are you feeling about going back?” Do not assume that your child is excit...

  By Dickson Tumuramye Many parents want their children to have a better life than they had during their early years. They provide good schools, comfortable homes, reliable transport, meals, clothing, and protection from hardship. These are meaningful expressions of care. But provision can quietly become overprotection. A parent may begin answering every call, explaining every mistake, replacing every lost item, and negotiating away every consequence. Before long, the child is surrounded by support but has little experience managing life independently. That is where good parenting can become counterproductive. Comfort is not the same as preparation Children do not become capable simply because they are loved, educated or well provided for. They become capable through practice. They need opportunities to organise their belongings, complete tasks, manage time, handle money, solve ordinary problems and recover from mistakes. If adults constantly step in, children may grow accu...