TIME WITH THEM IS GOLD

When we are pregnant, we get excited – and ever more excited! – when we feel the kicks for the first time.

We then start to make promises: ”Mom will always be there for you. Mom will take good care of you. Always remember, Mom loves you.”

Now the baby is born, and along the way we forget the promises.

We are always busy to such an extent that we don’t notice if there is something wrong with them.

We prioritise other things, and we say that we are doing it for them.

They need someone to talk to, only to find that they are on their own. Things get out of hand, and our children find the wrong people, who give bad advice and have bad ideas. Some end up taking their own lives. We need to spend time with our kids, always be there for them, find out if they have any problems and how you can help them.

Your child’s first best friend must be you.

Many kids are on drugs, others are being abused and have no one to tell, because we are too busy to listen to them.

They are not coping with their schoolwork, because we are not involved.

Let’s change things. Be more involved in your children’s lives, help them with schoolwork, go shopping with them, play with them, find out their weaknesses and strengths.

Love them and stop fighting in their presence. Always try to find out how they are doing. Is there anything they would like to do with us?

Teach them right from wrong, reprimand them when they are doing something wrong, and acknowledge every good thing they do.

Never let them feel alone or lonely. Time with them – it’s gold.

Let’s protect them from drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy, as well as violence.

Let’s always encourage them to do their best for the future. In that way, they will differentiate between good and bad.

They will learn when to be dependent and independent. It’s our duty to prepare them for the future. VUYI SHABANGU

DAVEYTON, GAUTENG