Voices of African Children on Skilful Parenting...

“Everyone at home gives me so much attention and support in everything I do. They talk to me and involve me in house chores. 
I feel so protected at home from the way they show affection towards me, particularly my mother. I am happy and feel safe at home.”

Source: Parenting in Africa, Voices of African Children (2011)

Voices of African Children on Skilful Parenting...

“All people should be educated on their rights, especially the rights of the child, as this will enhance good parenting skills.
My advice to male parents is that, when they marry an additional wife, they should not neglect their first family.”

Source: Parenting in Africa, Voices of African Children (2011)

Voices of African Children on Skilful Parenting...

“Children have the right to get what is rightfully theirs, which helps them in their development. But, they also have a responsibility to learn, in order for them to have a better life.”

Source: Parenting in Africa, Voices of African Children (2011)

Voices of African Children on Skilful Parenting...

“Caning (corporal punishment) does not make sense. I would be a better person today had I not been caned as a child. I think that words carry more weight. For instance, if I am caned, the pain will go away and I will forget and move on. However, if my parent seats me down and makes me understand why I should change a certain habit, I will listen and obey. No dialogue equals more curiosity to rebel and experiment, and find out what the ‘big deal’ is.”

Source: Parenting in Africa, Voices of African Children (2011)

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Making choices for the benefit of the family and creating a balance between family and career.
• Recognizing that children are children, and we should not expect them to behave otherwise but rather learn the different behaviors and milestones to expect at each of their development stage.
• Creating a conducive environment at home where there is respect and open communication between spouses, as well as between parents and their children.
• Parents being proactive enough to learn how to raise their children.
• Inducting and empowering one’s children’s caregiver (nanny) with basic knowledge on child rearing.”

Makda Tafesse. Mother and Professional Child Rights Advocate. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Voices of African Children on Skilful Parenting...

“Being strict on children is fair, in order to protect them from negative peer pressure, which can cause them to form bad habits.
In future, when I have children, and they misbehave, I will not cane them but find alternative ways of punishing them."

Source: Parenting in Africa, Voices of African Children (2011)

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Ensuring a clean and safe environment for one’s family.
• Seeking and accepting advice when one is experiencing personal and parenting challenges.
• Loving children and letting them know that they are loved.
• Having an avenue/forum where one can share her experiences and draw new strength.
• Working hard to meet family obligations in spite of challenging circumstances.”

Grace Atieno. Mother to six children, living in an urban informal settlement in Kenya

Voices of African Children on Skilful Parenting...

“Children should be corrected when they do wrong, but they should not be caned.
However, if they steal, they should be disciplined to prevent them from growing up into immoral adults.”

Source: Parenting in Africa, Voices of African Children (2011)

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Creating a stable environment for children to grow up in because different environments expose children to different values, norms and cultures which may lead to confusion.
• Encouraging children, and nurturing their abilities and talents.
• Being a good role model to children.
• Realizing that parenting is a lifetime job, and a commitment that should be taken seriously.
• Being a parent, also, to children who do not have parental care and love.”

Luka Martin Ndalima. Professional Foster- carer, and father to two. Tanzania

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Providing basic necessities such as food, education, shelter and clothing without engaging in risky businesses.
• Being a good example and using role models to advice and discipline children or siblings.
• Not giving up, but using available opportunities to improve one’s situation regardless of how challenging the situation may be.
• Having access to support services that government, development organizations and the community are providing.”

Helina Legesse. Student, and head of her household. She parents two of her younger sisters.

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Accessing opportunities for gaining additional knowledge and skills in child development. These should be available in different media outlets.
• Realizing that each child is unique and should be treated as an individual and, regardless of his/her background, should be given equal opportunities.
• Teaching children norms and values that will prepare them for the life ahead.
• Dedication - ensuring that children get quality time, care and attention.”
  
  
  
  Nanseera Goretti. Professional Caregiver of 18 children at SOS Children’s Village, Uganda; mother to two girls.

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Putting one’s family first and spouses being able to complement each other’s effort when raising children.
• Providing more than just basic necessities (food, shelter, clothing, education). Loving, disciplining and open discussions with children are equally important.
• Learning from parenting practices of the past, while carefully adopting those lessons that are important in the current parenting context.
• Recognizing that it takes a village to raise a child, that is, parenting goes beyond the immediate family environment."

Athlete Shaleka, (Honorary Dr. Haile Gebreselassie) a World Marathon record holder; father to four. Ethiopia.

"Skillful parenting is all about:

• Instilling sound discipline at the family level, while encouraging communal discipline.
• Spouses living in harmony and respecting each other, for children to learn and emulate from what they see or experience.
• Creating opportunities for sharing, interacting and learning among extended family members.
• Couples being prepared for marriage and child rearing responsibilities.
• Teaching children household chores and responsibilities at an early age to prepare them for their adulthood."

Mama Sarah Obama, a grandparent to many. Kenya.

“Skillful parenting is all about:

• Self-reliance: engaging in self-employment to be able to provide for one’s family, as well as have quality time with one’s children, especially in their formative stages of life.
• Accessing support services that would improve one’s knowledge in child development.
• Having a stable harmonious home where open communication is the norm.
• Facilitating family get-togethers to facilitate bonding, interaction and sharing among relatives.
• Never compromising on disciplining children; and, this should be a communal affair.
• Fathers getting more involved in parenting.”

Mariamu Hamisi Marashi, a mother to three and Nursery School Teacher from the Coastal region of Kenya.