Good morning, Parents, students Educators All

Today, I want to talk about something we all hold dear to

our hearts – our connection with our children. Parenting is

undoubtedly one of life's greatest adventures, and I

believe it comes with its fair share of laughter, joy, pain

and immense sacrifices.

Today we celebrate your dedication to our children here at

the Trouthall Primary School. Yes, it is indeed a

demonstration of dedication that you, parents took the

time out of your busy schedules to participate in this

transformative parenting training program. I am sure you

all learned a lot from the teachers who facilitated this

program and also from each other as you participated in

heartfelt discussions. Each one of you dedicated time,

effort, and enthusiasm to learn and grow in your roles as

parents, and for that, we commend you. We must also

comment the Trouthall Primary school and the Ministry of

Education for recognising that in order for parents to fully

participate to the Max in the lives of our children, we must

put guidance in place to help parents better understand

our roles. Parenting is a learning experience and a process

of learning. I often say that I learned to be a parent from

my first son. Growing up as an orphan I didn’t know

anything about parenting or parents but I knew that I

loved my child and wanted the best for him.

I will not stand here and try to tell you how to parent, and

I will not pretend to be a better parent than any of you. I

do not know all there is to know about parenting and will

never know. Parenting is a continuous learning

experience. We learn and adapt our parenting styles from

everyone, including our children. I often say I learned

parenting from my children as I didn’t have parents to

learn from. One of the most important aspect of parenting

that I learned from my children is the importance of

participating in every aspect of their lives. This level of

participation does not require money, as a matter-of-fact

money tends to influence us away from physical

participation. You ever think to yourself, I buy my child

everything he needs; he comes home to a hot meal every

day, so he should understand that I can’t read over

homework with him. Or I need to make enough money to

send him to school so I cant attend the PTA meeting.

Believe it or not these are the things that count. It is called

supporting your children. When it comes to active

participation or involvement in the lives of our children,

no financial or material gift can supplement.

Our first role as parents is to love our children. I am sure

that each of us here in this room can spell love, but do we

spell it the way our children spell love? Our children spell

love

T-I-M-E

Single parents know better than anyone else that this

sometimes can be a burden. Yes we love the time spent

with our children but we also need that little time away

from them to unwind. I can remember putting the

children to sleep and just when I felt that they were in

deep sleep and ready to sneak out for some me time only

to see two bright lights open and the familiar question,

“daddy where you going?” whenever you go to a man’s

house and see a liquor cabinet, now you know why he has

it there. Its not because he is rich, its because he had

children. Ladies you know you have your secret pleasures

too…….

It was the Reverend Jesse Jackson who once said, "Your

children need your presence more than your presents." -

It's a simple truth that echoes deeply. Our time and

attention are the greatest gifts we can give our children. In

a world filled with distractions, being present is the most

significant contribution we can make.

The importance of us parents spending time with our

children cannot be overstated. Quality time spent

together not only strengthens the parent-child bond but

also plays a crucial role in the overall development and

well-being of our children.

The time we spend with our children is an investment in

their physical, emotional, and social development. The

benefits extend beyond the immediate moment and

contribute to the child's overall growth and success in

various aspects of life. It's not the time you spend with

your children, but the impact you make in that time.

As we consider the concept of loving our children, we

cannot teach them about love without loving each other.

The Roman Catholic Priest and University president

Theodore Hesburgh once said, "The most important thing

a father can do for his children is to love their mother." I

know that this would be a hard pill for some mothers to

swallow after all that you have been through, but the love

I am referring to is not sexual it’s all about caring. We

don’t have to be romantically involved with the co-parents

of our children to love them for our children.

This quote reminds us that a strong and loving parental

relationship sets the foundation for a secure and happy

childhood. It's a reminder that our children learn about

love and relationships by watching us. We don’t have to

be romantically involved with the co-parents of our

children to love them.

It is impossible to talk about love with a group of women

without discussing communication. You see we men show

love while ladies talk and want to hear love. How often do

you say to him, “when last you tell me seh yuh love mi,

eeeeh?” with our children also, Communication is Key.

"Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest,

most beautiful and magical humans on earth, for what

they believe is what they will become."

Our words have incredible power. By speaking positively

and respectfully to our children, we nurture their self-

esteem and help shape their character. Have you ever

heard the phrase “you come in like yuh wutliss puppa”? or

“A suh him father did bright, a him father brains him get”

which one do you think will produce a child with high self-

esteem. We should speak positivity to and into our

children. We also should try to encourage open

communication with our children. Encourage them to

share their experiences with us, no matter how silly it may

seem. I remember turning off the music in the car just to

listen to my baby son talk about his imaginary friend

“Carneck”, yes, I still remember the name. and I still turn

off the music in the car when he has something to say. To

this day we still talk openly about any and everything. He

can tell me when he gets a girl’s number or when she

ghosts him. The famous author C.S. Lewin once said

"Children are not a distraction from more important work.

They are the most important work." Listening to our

children tells them that we value them and their opinions.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to lose sight of our

priorities. This quote serves as a gentle reminder that our

children are not interruptions but rather the essence of

our purpose. If our children can’t talk to us, they will talk

to someone else. Who do you want to guide your

children?
Let your children see the best of you. Our children have no

role in our misfortunes, let them believe in us as their

heroes. Feed them good even when we are hungry, smile

just for them when we are sad and cry in private. Let them

believe in our power to make their lives worth it. I

remember waiting for my children to finish eating before

scraping their leftovers into one for my dinner. Just last

week I say my big son, who is now a proud and loving

father of my beautiful grand-daughter post something on

his status which brought back memories. His status read,

“having a daughter is like having a broke sidekick who

thinks that you’re are the richest person on earth. And I

remember the days when he would come home from

school and ask me if we are rich because his friends would

say his parents are rich.

The journey of parenting is undoubtedly one of the most

rewarding and challenging experiences life has to offer.

During the course you took, you've delved into various

aspects of effective parenting, learning valuable skills,

strategies, and insights that will undoubtedly impact the

lives of your children. Today, our focus is on a crucial

aspect that resonates with the core of our parenting

philosophy: Maximum Participation in the Lives of Our

Children.

Our children are the future, and our role as parents is

pivotal in shaping that future. The degree of our

involvement, our commitment, and the quality of the

connections we forge with our children can make a

significant difference in their development and well-being.

The concept of maximum participation goes beyond

merely being physically present. It involves active

engagement, deep listening, and genuine understanding

of our children's thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. It's

about creating an environment where they feel valued

and supported in expressing their individuality.

As parents, we are not just providers and protectors; we

are mentors, guides, and the pillars of support that our

children lean on. Maximum participation means being

there for the big moments and the small victories, actively

participating in their interests, and fostering an

atmosphere where they feel comfortable sharing their

joys and challenges.

During this training program, you've learned about

effective communication, conflict resolution, and the

importance of setting positive examples. Now, let's apply

these principles to maximize our participation in our

children's lives.

Communication is the cornerstone of any healthy

relationship. Take the time to talk and, equally

importantly, to listen. Create an open and non-judgmental

space where your children feel safe expressing

themselves. Share your thoughts, experiences, and

dreams with them, and encourage them to do the same.

Conflict is inevitable, but how we handle it is within our

control. Teach your children constructive ways to navigate

disagreements, emphasizing empathy, compromise, and

respect. By doing so, you empower them with valuable life

skills that extend far beyond the boundaries of your

home.
Remember, our children learn more from what we do than

what we say. Be the role models they need. Demonstrate

the values, attitudes, and behaviours you want them to

personify. Your actions will leave a

permanent mark on their character and shape the

individuals they become.

In conclusion, as we celebrate the end of this parenting

training program, let us carry the torch of knowledge and

commitment into our homes. Embrace the concept of

maximum participation in the lives of our children and

watch as it transforms not only their futures but also the

landscape of our shared journey as families.

Thank you for your dedication, your willingness to learn,

and your commitment to being the best parents you can

be. Here's to the incredible journey of parenthood that

lies ahead. Congratulations to each and every one of you.

God Bless you all and I thank you.