We held training sessions on parenting with key community members including parents, social workers, community development officers and village health team members in Wakiso District. The training sessions were aimed at empowering the community members with critical information on how to take care of and nurture children so that they can realise their full potential and provide them with the best possible start in life.
During the training, the community members were equipped with knowledge of best parenting practices, how to communicate with children, building a child’s self-esteem and confidence among others. This means helping parents learn and explore various parenting strategies so they can find appropriate approaches that best suit and work for them.
Madiina Ssekandi is a parasocial worker and a village health team worker in Wakiso District. She attended the training and shared with us how the session had changed her views on parenting.
“I have learnt that violence and beating a child is not the best way to bring up a child, I now know that there are other ways to discipline children.” She shared “My children are grown up but I am now a grandmother, I will bring them up differently. I will create time to play with them and give them space to speak and be heard. I can bring them up better without beating them. One of the most important things I will do differently is ensure that we sit together as a family during meal times, especially dinner times and eat together.”
Prossy Nsereko a social worker in Mpigi District also attended the training and shared that she learnt to provide the space and allow her children to have a voice. “I have learnt not to decide for my children, to ask for their opinion and give them a chance to express themselves. I will also be holding community dialogues in my community to educate other parents on best parenting practices.”
The parenting guidelines address parenting issues, including challenges like using violence to discipline children, how to build a positive relationship with children, best nutrition and proper hygiene as well as cultivating positive relationship dynamics between parents.
