Positive Parenting

  By Dickson Tumuramye As we step into the new year, the act of setting goals becomes a crucial aspect of laying the foundation for the forthcoming journey. Renowned author Tony Robbins once said, "Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." This statement encapsulates the essence of goal-setting, which can be defined as the process of actively striving to achieve desired outcomes. In the context of the year 2024, it is imperative to have a well-thought-out plan in place. As Benjamin Franklin aptly put it, "When you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." Without a structured plan, a goal remains a mere wish, with uncertain prospects of success. To embark on this journey of goal setting for the year 2024, it is essential to begin by visualizing the desired outcomes. This involves carefully considering the objectives one wishes to achieve, accompanied by actionable steps and a timeline to guide the process. Taking immediate, planned a...

Dickson Tumuramye Every human being is business-oriented though we are gifted uniquely in running businesses. Some people do better with hands-on businesses while others do well through others. Some businesses are done without your direct supervision yet others need you to be directly involved with monitoring and supervision. As long as you are saving and investing in any activity/project to make more money and get a profit, you are already in business. If you ever thought you were not a business person, look at other things you do besides your main job especially if you are in a corporate world or what you are interested in to make more money to supplement your current income. That should encourage you to think about business. I share with you these business opportunities you can think about in the year 2024. *Other ideas that one needs to consider for business 2024:* *Passion and interest* When considering the type of business to start, it is important to take into account your passi...

By Dickson Tumuramye We are currently in a digital age where technology is becoming a societal trend. Technological advancements have brought both benefits and challenges, significantly impacting our lives. Technology has transformed our world into a global village, providing access to information from faraway countries through smartphones. With a smartphone, one can engage in various activities, from social media interactions to online shopping, banking, school payments, and watching movies. Smartphones have become integral to our daily lives, with almost every family member owning one. The pressure to own a smartphone is immense, even for young children who may not have a genuine need for it. Whether it's to stay in touch with friends or for entertainment purposes, parents are often compelled to consider whether to provide their child with a smartphone. Regardless of the reasons a child gives, it's crucial for parents to evaluate the validity of providing a smartphone at that...

By Dickson Tumuramye The month of December brings Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, marking a time of joy and togetherness for people around the world. For Christians, it's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to spend quality time with loved ones, often including visits to family in the villages. As we gather to celebrate, Christmas offers a unique opportunity to strengthen family bonds and foster positive transformation. Let's explore some key ways in which Christmas can strengthen our families. Bonding Christmas celebrations provide a chance for family members to come together to enjoy the day. Whether it's children, their spouses, and their children gathering for a meal, or grandparents having the opportunity to be with all their grandchildren, these moments create a sense of unity and togetherness, promoting familial bonding. Relationships Christmas brings together family members who may not always be close, breaking down barriers and creating...

By Dickson Tumuramye Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow says Melody Beattie, an American author. Gratitude is a virtue of utmost importance for every individual. It enables one to appreciate their entire being, fostering a sense of contentment in the knowledge that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God.  This profound emotion originates from within and is conveyed through both words and actions, aiding in the cultivation of a positive mindset. Indeed, gratitude can be considered a divine sentiment. Instilling discipline in children from a young age is a crucial endeavor. As the adage goes, charity begins at home, and so does the teaching of gratitude and contentment. Parents play a pivotal role in this process, starting with the introduction of simple phrases such as "thank you," "I am grateful," "you are most welcome," "I am happy for what you have done for me," amon...

By Dickson Tumuramye The former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela once said that the true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children. Child abuse comes in so many ways in our homes. The main four types of abuse are physical, emotional, neglect, and sexual abuse. Each of these types manifests itself in different forms in any home at any time and each has devastating consequences in the life of a child. The most common abuse in our homes is the use of harsh words against children. There are people who speak into the lives of children in the name of correcting them. The words used instead break their hearts though they may never show them to you. Some parents use threats, abuse, mockery, and belittling, spitting on a child among others. Such words humiliate, degrade, and cause low self-esteem, loss of self-confidence, and emotional stress. Some children are silenced or not allowed to talk about anything in their homes. They are ridiculed when they try to...

By Dickson Tumuramye It is important for anyone intending to get married to go through premarital counseling with his/her fiancéé/fiancé. There are churches or preachers who don’t take premarital counseling as a vital aspect of preparing these two friends to engage  in a marriage relationship. Some churches encourage one year or not less than six months of premarital counseling sessions where they take the affianced through many topics. They empower them with soft skills which are the strong foundations of marriage and how to build a healthy and lasting relationship. Premarital counseling provides very valuable tools and insights that a couple can use to navigate through life challenges and focus on building a blissful marriage. There are many sessions covering marriage matters that either the groom and the bride, the church, or parents should never take for granted. The issues handled in these sessions may never be taught anywhere in school. These sessions are very practical ...